Florida Outdoor Getaways 2008 - (Page 12) By Terry Tomalin Hillsborough River: Quiet Near Tampa As golden rays of sunlight filter through the Spanish moss that dangles from the ancient cypress tree towering above me, I sit in silence hoping a mother otter and her pups will swim by without noticing me in my bright yellow kayak snuggled against the shoreline. It’s dawn on the Hillsborough River and the otters are looking for breakfast only a few miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tampa. Nearby, trucks barrel down a two-lane county road. But here, in the shadows of one of Florida’s oldest state parks, Hillsborough River State Park, life hasn’t changed much since the primary method of transportation was the dugout canoe. When it comes to otter watching, I depend upon the Hillsborough River. I started here 25 years ago in a beat-up aluminum canoe. Since then, I’ve graduated to a Kevlar sea kayak. But I always come back to this same spot, which has the only set of rapids south of the Suwannee. Start your paddles! With more than 1,000 miles of coastline and 1,711 miles of rivers and creeks, Florida is a certifiable paddlers’ paradise. From the sheltered waters of St. Joseph Bay to the coral reefs of the Florida Keys, you’ll find no shortage of inviting day trips and overnight adventures. Some are ideal for beginners; others are recommended for experts. But whatever your taste, style or level of experience, the only limits will be those imposed by your own imagination.
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