Dodged a bullet….errr an alligator and lived to tell the tale!
I’ve recently retuned form a whirlwind tour of Kissimmee Florida where I ate my way around the world (literally) at the World Food Championships and squeezed in as much adventure as humanely possible in four sunshiney days.
A spent a day meandering though the glorious Epcot in the enchanting Walt Disney World, enjoyed an airboat ride, kayaked, did a little bit of shopping, ate countless gourmet meals, and braved up and did a hot air balloon ride? Oh yes I did! I did all of this and survived to tell the tale. So where to start?
I begin by telling you that in Kissimmee Florida there really is something for everyone in your family. The swaying palm trees that welcome you to the sunshine state barely outnumber the infinite number of activities available to the inquisitive tourist. You can kick back and enjoy the balmy weather and the Theme Parks and call it done, or with a little bit of research create a complelty different vacation you will never forget!
Today I will tell you about a new must do adventure right in the heart of Kissimmee Florida. Kayaking. Who knew! I’ve kayaked before in the Great Lakes and in the Cottage Country, but this was a different experience all together. The Paddling Centre at Shingle Creek, in the headwaters to the Everglades, is located at 4266 W Vine St and takes you through the winding creek back into a different world. If you’re ready for great adventure; here is where you start!
When you arrive at The Paddling Centre you’re provided with the option to Paddle Board, Canoe or Kayak. Our little group partnered up and after a short instruction period headed out into Shingle Creek to begin our adventure. *My recommendation; unless you are an exceptionally strong paddle boarder, choose the kayak or canoe option.
Only a few strokes in and I knew I was in for one of those experiences I would never forget. Moss hung from over hanging trees in a way that could only be described as magical, it was quiet, and peaceful. There were no roaring crowds, no honking horns or pressure to hurry up. It’s just you, the standing water, the sunshine and nature. It really was as if we had been transported to a fairy tale world.
Turtles greeted us. They posed on their rocks for pictures as we pointed and rowed on by.
As we wound back through the creek there was a quiet serenity that seemed impossible so close to the world’s biggest theme parks. The serenity was only broken by the giggles and occasional shouts of the “teams” of kayakers ever so gently discussing which way to paddle to avoid hitting the shore. Kayaking is an art form y’all.
At one point we heard the splash of a gator, but I didn’t need to see it up close and personal, so my partner in crime and I just kept paddling!
When you plan that next trip to Florida, make sure you get out…and Experience Kissimmee
Helpful Hints:
- Dress for the weather.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- A hat and sunglasses are a good idea.
- You will want a camera, but don’t forget a dry bag if you have one. Don’t have one? The Paddling Centre does have a few they will lend you.
- Wear older shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
- Pack a bottle of water for the trip.
Find more information on the Experience Kissimmee website, and on social on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclosure: This experience was provided to me as part of a press trip, as always opinions on this site are my own.
What? I’ve been to Orlando 10 times? I didn’t know you could do something like this. Thanks for the tip!
I’d love to try kayaking, and I’d be brave in a group setting like this as concerns the ‘gators. I just saw how a guy got eaten by one!
Really? Oh my! We were taught gators are far more afraid of us than we are of them. And I believe it. Who would want to mess with a group of paddling tourists with cameras 🙂
I don’t know how you did it. I am scared enough of bears here, I couldn’t imagine alligators.
The setting alone is magical, and paddling through the everglades is something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. This was actually one of my favourite parts of my entire trip. I loved it and would highly recommend a paddle!
uhhhh gators??? mmmm while I’m all for canoeing and kayaking, maybe i’ll keep away from gators
What I did learn is that gators are far more fearful of us than we are of them. They weren’t going to get anywhere near us. We did see a lot of turtles up close and personal 🙂
well that’s good to know. Just like most animals, if we leave them alone they will also leave us alone too.
seriously that would be so much fun! and besides gators lol…nice and peaceful 🙂
Yes! This exactly! A peaceful and beautiful afternoon.
Why are gators there? Yikes, I’d take a boat instead of paddling it. Especially after watching Backcountry.
We were in some meandering creeks in a nice quiet area. It was stunning and an experience I won’t soon forget. I’d actually love to go back with my kids because it’s one of those experiences you can’t duplicate anywhere else 🙂
Sounds like a fun trip even with the alligator
It was fantastic! And I had no idea a place like this existed in the heart of Kissimmee!
Haha, still too close for me. Here I was all psyched up for a near death experience though. lol
Haha Sorry, we did almost tip once? Does that help?
Even the thought of being close to a gator scares me a bit.
My partner in this adventure wanted to get as close as possible, but the gators would never have allowed that. LOL It was more about enjoying the everglades, the birds and the quiet 🙂
Wow! That looks like such a fun time – that would be scary to be THAT close to aligators, but an adventure to say the least 🙂
I was told the gators are more afraid of us than we are of them (and this was a mantra I kept repeating to myself) They really don’t bother with us tourists 🙂
No I couldn’t do it, I’d be so nervous I would tip over. I have a lot of tasty meat on my bones.
Bhaha oh you made me laugh out loud! FYI the boats are pretty steady. There were people there who had never kayaked before and they did just fine.
The spanish moss trees are so stunning, aren’t they? When I was in Georgia, they were everywhere. It really does give it a magical look, like you said.
I adore the spanish moss, I wish it grew up here in Canada!
I’ve been to Kissimmee a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed myself, though I have never done any kayaking. We did drive through the Everglades though and that is a trip I’ll never forget, beautiful. 🙂
The Everglades are astounding! So happy I was able to see some of them on this trip!
Wow sounds fun and scary at the same time lol
It was one of my favourite parts of my trip. Hoping to return and do it with my daughters!
Sounds like a fun adventure to take….as long as the alligators stay away 🙂
I was told those gators are more scared of us than we are of them, so really nothing to worry about except my wild imagination 🙂