Hello all, I hope your summer is going well! 🌿
In today’s post, I’ll be sharing a little glimpse into a recent day trip to Crystal Springs, where I had the chance to go kayaking for the first time in Florida! I’ve paddled and kayaked before (mainly in Mexico), but this trip was a new experience in a new location. It was the perfect Florida outing!
This time, I kayaked with my sister, who’s only ever been in a kayak once with me in Mexico, where I guided us and did the majority of the paddling (she’s
That meant that during this outing, I had the unofficial job of being a coach and tour guide. I helped her get a feel for the rhythm, showed her how to paddle forward, backward, left, and right, and mostly just cheered her on as she figured it out like a natural. It was fun watching her start off a little wobbly and then gain confidence with every stroke.
We were the first to leave the dock and a boat was coming directly toward us which made her panic initially, but she soon overcame it and we were off paddling! Everyone else was far behind us and we embraced our success. That success actually last the whole trip, as we ended up leading our group despite not being the ones with the map.
We were very proud (even if part of it was just our competitive energy kicking in).
The views down the river were incredible. The water really lives up to it’s name, as it was crystal clear. We were even able to swim in an area where cool water entered through the spring.
Kayaking was both peaceful and challenging enough to be considered an arm workout!
In some areas, you could see the bottom, where little fish swam through sun-dappled grass and smooth stones. The trees were lush and tall, with birds fluttering throughout. The bright sun filtered through the clouds and cast a warm light on us while paddling. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget the tropical paradise that Florida is, but this was surely a reminder of the natural beauty I am surrounded by (and all I have left to explore!).
What made it all even better was how much of a bonding experience it turned into. We talked and laughed and navigated the water together, with no phones, and no distractions, just the two of us figuring things out as a team. We even had an unspoken rhythm by the end that made paddling feel effortless. (However, our arms still felt it the next day.)
I think sometimes the best memories come from simple moments like this. Just spending time outside, doing something active, and being present with the people you care about.
So if you’ve never been kayaking (or even if you have) I highly recommend giving Crystal Springs a try. It’s beautiful and refreshing; a place to make lovely memories, and take countless photos!
I hope our next stop will be Weeki Wachee! I’d love to paddle or kayak there soon.
Thank you all for reading, and if you’re a Florida native or have recommendations for new adventures, please comment them! I’d love to explore more. Thank you! 💙
Love always, Nicole! 🌴
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