In the 1970s, I enjoyed the river by raft and canoe, and also with mask, fins, snorkel and wet suit. In those days, the strap-leaf and eelgrass didn’t cover the entire bottom of the river.  There were exposed areas of sand, shells, little rocks and fossils. These open areas made it easy to visit with the fascinating, little black-banded darters that hung out on the bottom in the upper river. They’d prop up on their pelvic fins like pretty little lizards and watch you with their beautiful brown eyes. We frequently saw huge crayfish in the upper river. We also saw a lot of the cute little flat fish with both eyes on one side of the head called Sole or Hogchoker.

There were no boardwalk, deck, or steps at Blue Hole in the early 1970s, but there were a few flat areas around the cypress knees that we used for sitting and getting in and out of the water. Later in the ’70s a low wooden boardwalk was built over the lower, often muddy, area at the end of the trail.  This boardwalk continued toward the spring and formed a “T” next to the cypress. Metal stairs were also added descending into the water from the boardwalk, making it much easier to get in and out of the spring.

After my time in Gainesville, I’ve continued to visit the Ichetucknee over the years even though I live farther away. Early on, I camped nearby with friends who shared my excitement over the beauty of the Ichetucknee. Years later, I brought my family to share the enchantment of the springs and river with them.

Since retiring in 2015, I’ve been able to stay near the Ichetucknee for two to three weeks at a time in the spring and fall. This gives more time to volunteer in the state park, enjoy the springs, river, and trails with my sweet Donna, and to be with cherished friends we’ve met through mutual love of the Ichetucknee.

My favorite part of the river is the Grassy Flats and the section just upstream. It begins after the river turns left downstream from Trestle Point, starts to open up more, passes Mission Springs, and continues through the wide and beautiful Grassy Flats down to Mill Pond Spring. That is where I love to be!

I thought that nothing could ever harm the clear waters and biota of the Ichetucknee and it would always remain pristine. However, around the year 2000, I noticed increasing algae and deterioration. It’s disheartening to see such desecration and to think that we could lose this beloved river!

I am encouraged by hearing and reading the words of the great scientists that have been studying the spring and river system. They understand all that is threatening the spring waters, and what needs to be done. Their continued optimism gives me great hope.  

The Ichetucknee has been a very special and peaceful place to me for over 50 years.  I come back to the river to share times of joy, grief, and love.

There is a delightful spot in the Grassy Flats where Donna and I stop to immerse ourselves in the sights and songs of the river that connect us to Mother Earth. We long to be back there and dare to hope the Ichetucknee will be restored and continue as a source of inspiration for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.