Everglades Canoe Trip January 2002

Coot Bay Pond to Joe River Chickee

Having two cars gave us the flexibility to return by a different route - Hells Bay Canoe Trail. We left one car at that trailhead and the other at Coot Bay Pond. We were off by 10am and the first few miles were an easy paddle.

Fortunately the wind changed to the SE during the night. We had a cross or tail wind most of the day. There was no current to speak of on the large bays and Joe River. We took a break and ate lunch on the South Joe River Chickee. Most interesting were the dolphins "fishing" in the shallows along the river. They would splash on their sides in the mud by the shore to corral the fish. We saw four or five that afternoon.

The Joe River Chickee is tucked back in a small cove where a creek drains into the river. Thus being out of the wind the bugs were a significant presence. We were in the tents shortly after sunset.