Haw Creek Preserve State Park was only about 40 minutes from the house so after I got off of work, Quin and I headed over to our friend Bobby’s and found the truck loaded up with kayaks. There was also another Bobby waiting in the truck, he was visiting from New York. As we drove towards Bunnell the sky started to change from blue to grey. We went down an old Florida road and the younger Bobby (I call him little Bobby), started to get a little freaked out. He was like these are the kind of roads they feature in horror movies. It is funny because I never realized how spooky Florida could be to a non-native until that day.
We got the kayaks out of the truck and into the water. I had never been in a kayak before. I asked Quin what I should do. He instructed me where to place my butt and handed me a paddle. I asked him what I was supposed to do next and he said hold the paddle in case me loses his and just sit there and look pretty. Most women would have been insulted but I was relieved. I didn’t have to paddle or work? I could just sit there and look pretty, and take pictures? Awesome!
The two Bobby’s got in their individual kayaks and paddled ahead. We slowly made out away down the creek, enjoying the sounds of nature. The rain started falling lightly but it made for a refreshing time on the water. Now Little Bobby is tall and fit and you would never guess a big guy like that would act like such a baby when faced with Florida woods and water. He screamed and squealed at every noise and movement on the water. He thought for sure a gator was coming to get him. He was very entertaining, to say the least. I had never seen anyone scared of Florida. I was amused.
We stayed in the water until the lightening lit the sky. After we secured the kayaks we took a stroll on the boardwalk, in the rain. Little Bobby flipped out every time he spotted a spider and the first armadillo he got a glimpse at. He just knew it was an alligator. The best part of the walk was when Quin took a stick and touched the back of Little Bobby’s arm with it. That boy sure could jump!
We got to the end of the boardwalk and headed back to the truck. This was a really cool park that is a short drive from where I live. I have really enjoyed finding all of these little gems so close to home.
Before you visit, make sure you check out the parks website for all of the up-to-date park information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/haw-creek-preserve-state-park
