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The North Fork of The Saint Lucie River.

by Peter Taylor
written by Peter Taylor
North Fork of The Saint Lucie River
North Fork of The Saint Lucie River

I’m old school, and so I’m a canoe-guy. Lucky me, at a young age, I learned to canoe during several extended canoe-camping trips in the lakes and rivers of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Later I was a guide for canoe-camping trips.

The northern portion of the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River in Saint Lucie County, Florida is ideal for enjoying some quiet, pristine Florida nature, in a canoe! There is a canoe and kayak rental service located at the River Park Marina Boat Ramp (500 E Prima Vista Blvd, Port St Lucie, FL 34983)  ( Call Ahead!)

I rented a canoe and I paddled north. There is the occasional motor boat, so best to stay to one side of the river.  

Head toward that log!
Head toward that log!
It's a log and ........
It's a log and ........

Way up the river, I found a small hidden cove of an isolated island. Everything was quiet and still. Then, I saw this alligator, picture below. He/she was just a few feet beyond the front of my canoe. I turned the canoe sideways to be able to take photos, and I took a few pics.

An Alligator!
An Alligator!
Alligator on a log on the Saint Lucie River.
Alligator on a log on the Saint Lucie River.
Alligator on the North Fork of the St Lucie River.
Alligator on the North Fork of the St Lucie River.

My camera battery died, but I had an extra. With my camera in my lap, I changed the battery. When done, I looked up to check on the ‘gator. The alligator was gone, he had silently slipped into and under the water. And my canoe had floated closer to the log he had been on.   Hmmmmm…..  (Checks watch).  ‘This day is done; time to paddle back.’  For the first mile, I serpentined the canoe. Safety First.

 

The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River offers a unique opportunity to be up close and personal to a natural, old Florida setting, whether by kayak or canoe or pontoon boat or other!  There are lots of birds, for sure you will see turtles and alligator, and you might see otter.

 

There is also a pontoon boat tour business that docks at River Park Marina Boat Ramp. Definitely this is a very worthwhile excursion for locals and your visitors!

 

A friend of mine told me this alligator may actually be a Caiman.

 

Thanks for looking!  Here are some more pics!

 

Peter Taylor

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The North Fork of the St Lucie River.
The North Fork of the St Lucie River.
The North Fork of the St Lucie River
The North Fork of the St Lucie River
Kayaking on The North Fork of the St Lucie River.
Kayaking on The North Fork of the St Lucie River.
The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River
The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River
North Fork of the St Lucie River
North Fork of the St Lucie River
Two Otters Playing in The North Fork of the St Lucie River
Two Otters Playing in The North Fork of the St Lucie River
The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River in SE Florida
The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River in SE Florida
The North Fork of the St Lucie River - Saint Lucie County Florida
The North Fork of the St Lucie River - Saint Lucie County Florida

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