Seven Friends enjoyed a leisurely autumn paddle on the Hillsborough River a couple weeks ago. They launched from Sargeant Park, paddled upstream for a couple miles into the newly cleared Seventeen Runs area before floating with the current back to the launch. The five-mile journey revealed egrets, herons, ibises, and kingfishers above and alligators, gar, and (unfortunately invasive) sailfin catfish below. Swamp lilies, pickerelweed, and water hyacinth were blooming and attracting hundreds of swallowtail butterflies. A magical morning with delightful paddlers!

By the way, Sargeant Park is a great launch spot for paddlers There are clean restrooms, picnic tables, a well-maintained kayak launch (separate from the motorboat ramp), and even a kayak washing station for after you finish your paddle. You can choose to paddle upstream or downstream from this entry point. And the park also rents sit-on-top kayaks, $25 for up to four hours.

Stay tuned for more FPMN kayaking opportunities in the new year!