After a pitstop at Rocky’s for fuel, food, and drinks; it was just a short 30-minute drive east to the town of St. Mark’s for Shell Island Fish Camp. Equipped with a fully functioning marina, offering dry and wet boat storage, icehouse, general store, live bait and lodging it was a spot our son was looking forward to. Here, mom and dad stayed in the slide-in camper at spot #1 that offered covered picnic tables and waterfront complete with teenaged alligator. While Charlie enjoyed a two double beds and personal bathroom in the motel section of camp.
Jeff, the owner of the fish camp, encouraged us to stay in the center of the Wakulla River, #70, during low tide while all the seagrasses parted and made a simple path to follow. A two-hour tool and the head of the springs unveiled a popular state park and rental facility that looked like a castle, super impressive!
Our son called it an early night and shortly thereafter we met a father with daughters looking to pull their boat in, he shared that this was an annual dad and kid scallop trip and shared their favorite spot. With sliders prepped and snacks packed, we set out for the scallop spot via the St. Mark’s River, #71. A few hours later we found our spot and the boys put on their goggles and flippers, it was our first time, and it was so cool! We had enough for a bay scallop succotash appetizer, so tasty!
Next morning, we set out for JB's Tires to get a new trailer tire. The service was top notch, even though they were very busy. We were in and out in 5 minutes and at a fair price of $134.00. Then, off we continued for another 3 hours towards the Rainbow River. In Dunnellon, we rented a house, and the owners provided a free golf cart to use along with paddle boards, kayaks, and a fun basketball game. The house came stocked with lots of plastic ware to put chips, sandwiches, and fruit in as well as River Life cups so no one time use items were on the waterways, a strict rule for the Rainbow River. The owner of our rental, he suggested we take our boat towards the head of the spring and then anchor out where it says no more motors then paddle boarding to the headspring, we did. Our son, Charlie, was a paddle boarding natural. River #72 complete with colorful tubes and happy tubers all around us. An adventure filled eight-night trip with mom’s birthday at the end where we dined out each night of the Dunnellon journey; what a way to explore Florida! See you on the rivers!