It's been a while since I've done much outside, but now that I've collected way too much camping gear, I
thought I'd start scouting some camping spots. I've seen some interesting looking places while using
Google Earth but the images I was working with were kind of old, from 1994.
Hernando Beach is an interesting little community just a few minutes North of where I live. And they
have a public boat ramp with plenty of parking.
Here's a satelite view of where I'm talking about:
It's a long channel getting out there:
And my little boat looks kind of lost in it!
Since I'm out there during the week, the whole trip was done without seeing any other boats under
weigh. The next group of pictures were all taken from one place, indicated on the satellite view (First Pics.)
.
The next pic is of the Island I checked out:
All the water seen in the above pic is only 1 to 2 feet deep. Mostly closer to 1 foot or less, actually. There
is a deeper area about 20 feet from the beach, about 4 feet deep or so. In fact, the majority of the
water was a foot deep or less, except in the channel I left from. Once I got out of the channel and into the
mangroves, a paddle wasn't practical. All push pole.
OK, now the Island:
Signs of Life! The little beach area was covered with raccoon tracks. Might make camping here a little "interesting."
Now a quick look up and down the beach:
And here, wood bleached as white as bone:
And of course, what will probably keep this island off of my list of camp sites:
And their fire pit, complete with more empty cans:
But there IS more to this island, maybe I can find a better spot, next time I come here:
I went towards the out-lying island, which was my original objective. You'll notice on the first image, it's
labeled, "Future Recon Site." It seems the 15mph wind was blowing directly from the island and I was
running out of upper body strength at this point. I got about half way there and decided to call it a day.
Must have been more tired than I thought, as it never occurred to me to take a picture of that island!
The trip back way pretty easy, mostly down wind. When I got home, both shoulders were warning me
that the next day might not be a good one. . .
Even though I didn't accomplish all I set out to, I did go out and back solo, and got away with it, once
again! It was nice getting out on the water with the Glade Skiff again. And not a bad day, considering it
came at the tail end of January!
Next trip will be another locale, and probably in the Pit Pan, too. And this time, it will be next week, NOT
a couple of months down the road. Got to find a couple of good spots, as I want to get some over-nighters in next.
Almost forgot! Here's some numbers, just in case anyone is interested:
Begin about 09:30
Centipede Bay first pics @ 1.64 Mi.
1st island @ 2.09 miles.
Turn back short of 2nd island @ 2.81 Mi.
End @ 5.02 mi. about 13:45
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
thought I'd start scouting some camping spots. I've seen some interesting looking places while using
Google Earth but the images I was working with were kind of old, from 1994.
Hernando Beach is an interesting little community just a few minutes North of where I live. And they
have a public boat ramp with plenty of parking.
Here's a satelite view of where I'm talking about:
It's a long channel getting out there:
And my little boat looks kind of lost in it!
Since I'm out there during the week, the whole trip was done without seeing any other boats under
weigh. The next group of pictures were all taken from one place, indicated on the satellite view (First Pics.)
The next pic is of the Island I checked out:
All the water seen in the above pic is only 1 to 2 feet deep. Mostly closer to 1 foot or less, actually. There
is a deeper area about 20 feet from the beach, about 4 feet deep or so. In fact, the majority of the
water was a foot deep or less, except in the channel I left from. Once I got out of the channel and into the
mangroves, a paddle wasn't practical. All push pole.
OK, now the Island:
Signs of Life! The little beach area was covered with raccoon tracks. Might make camping here a little "interesting."
Now a quick look up and down the beach:
And here, wood bleached as white as bone:
And of course, what will probably keep this island off of my list of camp sites:
And their fire pit, complete with more empty cans:
But there IS more to this island, maybe I can find a better spot, next time I come here:
I went towards the out-lying island, which was my original objective. You'll notice on the first image, it's
labeled, "Future Recon Site." It seems the 15mph wind was blowing directly from the island and I was
running out of upper body strength at this point. I got about half way there and decided to call it a day.
Must have been more tired than I thought, as it never occurred to me to take a picture of that island!
The trip back way pretty easy, mostly down wind. When I got home, both shoulders were warning me
that the next day might not be a good one. . .
Even though I didn't accomplish all I set out to, I did go out and back solo, and got away with it, once
again! It was nice getting out on the water with the Glade Skiff again. And not a bad day, considering it
came at the tail end of January!
Next trip will be another locale, and probably in the Pit Pan, too. And this time, it will be next week, NOT
a couple of months down the road. Got to find a couple of good spots, as I want to get some over-nighters in next.
Almost forgot! Here's some numbers, just in case anyone is interested:
Begin about 09:30
Centipede Bay first pics @ 1.64 Mi.
1st island @ 2.09 miles.
Turn back short of 2nd island @ 2.81 Mi.
End @ 5.02 mi. about 13:45
Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL
