Imagine the bright light of early spring filtering through spanish moss draped cypress trees amid a gentile swirl of crystal clear water. Imagine tea-colored streams contrasting with pure white sand river banks. Picture wild azalea, sleeping alligators, or palm trees and picture roseate spoonbills working the shallows for their next meal.

Picture crystal clear springs so large that they form rivers themselves or contemplate the rivers that disappear underground only to reappear a few miles away. This is the character of the Florida Rivers. In an area stretching over 900 miles you will find great diversity and super paddling.

Our Florida River Trips package this kind of paddling with some of the finest inns and lodges in the state. Each trip is based at two lodges or inns used as a base to explore the surrounding river. This year we offer three eight-day seven-night trips: Our Southern Florida Rivers Trip is based in the Ft. Myers - Tampa area, the Central Florida Area Trip is in the Orlando and Gainsville area, and the Panhandle Rivers Trip is in the Pensacola and Tallahassee areas.

• Central Florida Rivers Trip - $1395
  February 18 - 25th, 2007 (Sun. - Sun.)

• Florida Panhandle Rivers Trip - $1395
  March 4th - 11th, 2007 (Sun. - Sun.)

• Everglades 10,000 Islands - Exploration - $1295
  February 4th - 11th, 2007 (Sun. - Sun.)

• Everglades Wilderness Waterway - $1695
  January 12th - January 23rd, 2007 (Fri. - Tues.)

• Information on making your reservations

• Detailed Florida Map of Itinerarys

Central Florida Rivers Trip - Cost: $1395

Based for three nights at Cedar Key's Island Inn, this trip will treat you to saltmarshes, wild rivers, great wildlife and very comfortable accommodations. Midweek we'll move to the little town of Micanopy. Here we'll enjoy the great hospitality of the Shady Oak B&B and rivers like the Oklawaha, Ichetucknee, Juniper Springs Run and the Santa Fe.

DATES (in 2007): February 18 - 25th, 2007 (Sun - Sun.)

Florida Panhandle Rivers Trip - Cost: $1395

We base ourselves in Blackwater River State Forest at the Schoolhouse Inn B&B near the shore of the East Coldwater River. Cold clear water and cedar trees make you think you're in the North--but then there's the odd palm tree. After three days of swift streams we'll move to the peaceful setting of Wakulla Springs Lodge on the shore of the largest artesian spring in the world. The Wacissa, Aucilla, Econfina, and Sopchoppy Rivers provide refreshing variety. We'll top off the trip with a visit to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, where last year we spotted 30 some species of birds in one roadside stop.

DATES (in 2007): March 4th - 11th (Sun - Sun.)

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Everglades National Park 2007

This 1.4 million acre park harbors a rich blend of tropical and temperate species in a unique setting. The uniqueness of the park has been recognized by its designation as both a World Heritage Site and as an International Biosphere Reserve. During the months of February and March the climate is ideal. Daytime temperatures average in the upper seventies and nighttime lows are usually in the sixties. Winter is the dry season in south Florida and one can expect rainfall to come in thundershowers which average one every four days. The name Everglades suggest a boundless refreshment and, to the canoeist, photographer or outdoorsperson, it is a real winter treat.

This year we offer two extended canoe-camping trips.

10,000 Islands Exploration - Cost: $1295

Intricate waterways and a myriad of coastal mangrove islands dominate the NW portion of the park. We'll explore the rivers and habitats that are unique to this region. Rich, shallow waters make this area famous for its fish and wading birds. Our 5-day circuit will include inland bays and Gulf Coast paddling. Come explore the marine environment.

DATES (in 2007):February 4th - 11th (Sun - Sun.)

Everglades Wilderness Waterway -
11 days/10 nightsCost: $1695

This trip starts north of Everglades City and follows the 100-mile route through mangrove islands and along the wilderness coastline to Flamingo. Campsites will be platforms, beaches or ground sites.

Our final evening we'll have dinner at the Flamingo Inn. Return to the Ft. Meyers airport will be the last day. Truly a wilderness trip of a lifetime!

DATES (in 2007): January 12th -January 23rd (Fri. - Tues.)

Reservation: Check made out to SRCO for $850.00 to SRCO reserves a space.

Rendezvous point: SW Florida Regional Airport, Ft. Myers, FL

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RESERVATIONS

We recommend reserving early. Deposit is 1/2 of trip total. Balance is due 60 days prior to departure. Call 518-891-1838, or our Toll Free 1-888-775-2925 or go to our reservations page and fill out our form. Then you can either print it out and place it in the mail to the address below or send it to us via email at info@canoeoutfitters.com.

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