Everglades Canoe Trip January 2003

The Watson Place to Sunday Bay Chickee

That night was warmer and wetter. We had a mini-rainstorm in the tent from the dew. We had to pack everything wet. After oatmeal and tea we set off.

We left the Chatham River after a short distance and followed a no-name river (where we saw a large Egret rookery) to Huston Bay and the top of the Huston River. At that point we became aware of Dolphins "fishing" in the shallows by rolling on their sides and splashing (similar to those we saw on the Joe River in 2002). We then turned up a long and winding creek to Oyster Bay. From there it was an easy paddle to the chickee at Sunday Bay.

With several more hours of daylight available we went for a paddle. The tide was out so we couldn't get very far, but we did encounter a large flock of Blue-Winged Teal at the edge of a small bay nearby.

There was another party on the companion platform and this contributed to the only minor disaster I've had in four years (described on the next page). Dinner was couscous with olive oil, pine nuts, and cheese. The night was beautiful and still. Unfortunately there was no sign of the phosphorescent organisms we'd seen on prior visits.