Second Annual Festive Firefly Float

6/10/10 - Food Update!  Those of you on the trip have already recieved an email about our latest and most greatest update.  Not only are we going to have a fish fry with wild rice and grilled veggies one night, John has agreed to handle 2 dinners, 2 lunches and 2 breakfasts.  $35 mailed to John prior to the trip gets you added to the food list, otherwise you're on your own.  I've emailed John's mailling address to those on the trip and will send it out to any new additions.

Let's go back to Blue Springs!  As some of you know, this is one of my favorite places to stay.  We happened upon Blue Springs on our first Festive Fourth of July Firefly Float purely by chance and promptly fell in love with it.

Blue Springs is a beautiful campground off the Santa Fe River.  They have a few crystal clear springs of their own on the property, and last year we had a blast jumping off the tall platform into the cool waters below!  The campground also offers full service comfort station (hot showers, sinks, flush toilets), snack bar, hiking trails, and a fun and friendly staff!

So, join us for this long weekend adventure!  We'll leave Atlanta around ten a.m. on Friday (long drive) so that we can set up camp while it's still light out.  If at all possible, we'll try to go for a float down the crystal clear waters of the Itchetucknee.  Afterwards, we'll hang out for a bit, maybe go for a swim, and have dinner. 

Saturday morning, we'll amble over to the outfitter to pick up our boats.  Due to overwhelming demand we are getting kayaks this time.  Some will be sit on top, some will be sit in.

The outfitter will put us in a few miles above our campground, and then we'll take our time to paddle down the river, take pictures and goof off in the water.
 
We'll land at camp a few hours later and either enjoy a campfire dinner or head into the town of High Springs to get a bite to eat.  After dinner, maybe we'll go for a midnight paddle, swim or hike.

On Sunday, we'll get up and have breakfast, then we'll head out in our boats.  We'll head upriver to explore the emerald Poe Springs and then we'll turn around and float down the river to visit Ginnie Springs and look for Manatees and the craziness that is Ginnie Springs!  You'll definitely want to bring a camera, preferably a waterproof one!

We'll head back to camp around 4pm so the outfitter can come and pick up the boats.  This will be the Fourth of July, so there will be plenty to see and do that evening around our campground; our fellow campers prooved to us last year that they know how to celebrate the 4th in style!

Monday morning, we'll take our time packing up and we'll hit the road around lunchtime.  We may want to hit the big diner on the way out; great food and reasonable prices!

Food:
On your own!  Although, depending on who signs up, if someone wants to take over food so we can do group meals, GREAT!  Please note, the town of Blue Springs is very close to the campground.  Last time, we stopped at the diner and it was fantastic!  There looks to be a number of cool places to eat, so we could always go out for a meal.  In fact, I definitely plan on doing that while we're there!  :)  Also, ice will be available at the campsite.  Please try to buddy up with a partner on a big cooler to save space in the carpool.

Will be handed out at the carpool or emailed prior to departure.

The standard AOC cancellation policy will apply.

*Note: Cancel on or before June 17, receive a full refund less $5 administrative fee. Cancel after June 17, no refund unless someone from the waitlist replaces you, pays in full and then you will receive a refund less $5 administrative fee.