Weedon Island Preserve, St. Petersburg, FL

We wanted to kayak this preserve for years but, as usual, the time has a way of passing by.  Saturday was the perfect day for a kayak ride.  We inflated the kayak, and off we went.  The route was four miles and lasting about 3 hours. 

This preserve was intriguing to us as part of the route goes through the mangroves.  Thinking that would be a neat experience, off we paddled.  Visible numbered markers guide along the way.  The canopy of mangrove trees created a cave-like atmosphere. Clumps of oyster shells surrounded the base of their roots. Things were going pretty well until marker 6.  BAM!! Water so shallow the only way to continue was to pull the kayak through.  “Mitch, I thought you said high tide was at 2 pm? He looked at me bewildered as the man in front of us informed us high tide was not until 4 pm.  Decision time – forge ahead or turn back.  We and the canoe in front decided to forge on.  The other kayakers chose to turn around.

Those who know me understand how I am not a big fan of getting wet.  My knight in shining armor dragged the kayak with me in it through the narrow, shallow passageway.  The water was so dark; who knows what was below.  Occasionally, the water would be deep enough, and Mitch would hop back in. The family in front of us wasn’t fairing any better.  We thought we were out of the woods when we came upon an opening, only to realize it too was shallow.

Bad news for me!  The next part was so shallow I had no choice but to get out of the kayak.  The only good part was now the water was clear, and I could see the bottom.  Thankfully, it didn’t last too long, and for the rest of the trip, we were finally able to paddle.  We enjoyed the quietness, the birds who sporadically perched on a mangrove limb, and the sun warming our faces.  We would revisit this preserve, but this time, we will double check high tide tables.