19-Dec-2006 -- Big Bend Adventure, located in Apalachee Bay. The depth in this area is 1 to 11 feet measured at mean low water. Attempted to rent a motorboat at St Marks, but the outfitter limited its use to within the St Marks River channel which would still leave me 10 miles from the target.

So I had to go with plan B . . . canoe rental from Econfina on the Gulf . . . a fishcamp resort on the Econfina River in Taylor County. I stayed the night before at Econfina State Park where there are two cabin rooms rented by a state parks consessionaire and located at the end of Taylor County Road 14. From this point the confluence is 7 miles each way.

The first 2.2 miles is on the Econfina River to access the Gulf of Mexico and then 4.9 miles from the river/gulf channel marker to the confluence. Boat rental at 7:30am. On the river at 8:30am. At the gulf/river channel marker at 9:30am . . . passing one boat with it's 2-man crew high-and-dry awaiting the next high tide . . . a result of no river channel markers. The next three hours paddling out, going in circles to zero in on the confluence, the documentation, and eating lunch. Back to gulf/river channel marker at 3pm. Take out at start point at 4pm.

I was very lucky to have weather conditions this good in December. The weather was nothing but blue sky and calm waters. Both water and air temperatures in the low 70s. The gulf waters are clear and composed mostly of sand and grass. Being able to see the sea floor helped in zeroing in on the confluence. The area is a fisherman's paradise so if you go bring your fishing pole. Wildlife observed: loons, jellyfish, biting flies in the late afternoon around the salt marshes of the river.