Black Water Creek Florida- kayak adventure

I have had quite a journey over the past 4yrs. After the sudden loss my husband after 32years of marriage, I found myself living alone. A whole new life I have been now living, not what I had all planned or expected. Within this journey, I have found myself in many new friendships and adventures. I attempted to find love again, but thinking this is not where I need to be currently. I am looking forward to travels with family and friends and many more new adventures and experiences. My beloved daughter Molly gave me this bracelet for my birthday, as way to help journal and log these new travels.   Hastings, Florida(10/10/26) paddle at Deep Creek paddle. I had fun with friends, Jennifer Anne, Jerry, James and David. Paddle itself was okay, not much to see(1 turtle). Good weather overcast day. Black Bear in Sandford, FL(10/11/2026) slippery hike, with all the rain Florida had the past week. Not my favorite trail, with all the roots- I did fall once. All good! Again always fun with friends- Ned, Traci and Jennifer Anne. Bonus friend Sue met us for lunch later after hike(fellow widow- we get each other). 

10/17/26 Shingle creek kayak on Saturday, upper creek and lower creek. Lots of vegetation, fallen logs, and maneuvering. 10/18/26 Shingle creek hike, lead meet up with Jennifer Anne, group split in 2, we had 10 in ours. We had several switch backs, did do 8miles. Some power line walking too. Went to a Thai festival afterwards in Kissimmee(limited vegetarian options)- way crowded but beautiful temples

10/24/26- Had work friend Elaine meet me at Blue springs with group. We paddled around and around bird house canal. We saw some manatees. Very glad Elaine joined for day, and got her out. A few swam at springs, I thought it was too cold. I did go to Octoberfest by myself. Casselberry Florida- heard polka music- 1st time in many yrs. Very nostalgic thinking of my parents(made me a bit sad). Funny very few people there actually doing a proper polka...   10/25/26 We had a great paddle through the Ft McCoy area this past Sunday. Explored some awesome dam there. So  much fun- led by great friend Sue(also a widow). I ended up climbing a sketchy ladder up to the dam to explore. The rest of the group also explored beaching their kayaks along some slippery rocky area. Exploring the dam further, a few of us climbed up a ladder(friend Jennifer Anne didn't even go). Had a bit of a panic when I realized how was I going to back down ladder into kayak- friend Sue pinned kayak against ladder, guiding me- could have gone sideways quickly!

10/31/26- High Springs Halloween adventure. 10 mile kayak trip with crew down the Santa Fe river, checking out many different springs along the way(Gilcrest, Poe, Rum island, Ginny springs among the few). Way less crowded, due to holiday and cooler weather. We were able to explore these springs easier with the smaller crowds. Lots of turtles viewed along the way. Thanks goodness only 1 kayaker tipped over, no major injury. Long drive for me an hour and a half from Leesburg(long day but fun). 11/1/26- 9.5mile hike at Little big Econ in Oviedo, Fl(hiked from Snow Hill entrance). Not too flooded this time- later in the evening, they did get torrential down pours and is now flooded as I post this(11/3/26). Some wild boars briefly spotted as they ran across trail. Good camaraderie and friendship as always. Friend Ned was sore, after tipping his kayak from yesterday(leaning to the right the whole hike)- we suggested f/up with medical provider>

11/7/26- My friend Sue is a kayak guide. She and I did a kayak adventure on this date. Beautiful old Florida- Sue pointing out palm trees growing out of the water(actually rooted on the shore). We saw 3 gators on this adventure(we both had turn spotting 1 on a log). Came up to what we saw a possible log floating, Sue says "it's not anything, it's not anything". We come up to it a hella big gator head. I may have said, in true Lisa f-bomb form- "that's an effing huge gator"- it then ducked quickly in the water, as we paddled by. We aided some 3 older ladies for a bit, coaching them for a bit. I stepped in a bit as a guide, too. Sue had me take the lead for bit on this paddle, with me navigating for a bit. Who knows, I may do this kayak guide thing as a side hustle when I retire. Great day, more confident in kayaking!

11/8/26- A group favorite hiking spot is Circle B in Lakeland Florida. My good hiking companion Jennifer Anne and I have done this a few times(last time just her and I in May/2026). We did this with Lonnie's group Outdoor Adventure and recreation(meet up). It was small 4 of us- Jen, Lonnie, Olga(new person to me) and myself. Usually this place has a ton of gators. Lonnie, group leader, stated because of the rain(had lots of rain in Florida this past week, the river basin is rising)- gators stay in the water more. Circle B is right by Lake Hancock. So we only saw a few gators in the water(least amount I've ever seen at this place). One trail in the back of these sets of hiking trail was flooded. We of course had to hike throughout- Jen and I doing sketchy $hit again. Another good day!