Once again the GCA will be venturing south for the MLK holiday weekend to paddle some of Florida’s beautiful springs and rivers. We will be setting up our base camp near the Chassahowitzka River Campground and doing day trips from there. We will be driving down on Thursday, January 16, 2020 and paddling the next four days (Friday, January 17, 2020 – Monday, January 20, 2020). Potential paddling locations include (but are not limited to): Withlacoochee River, Chassahowitzka River, Ichetucknee Springs, Crystal River, Weeki Wachee, Rainbow River, Silver River, Juniper Springs, Braden River, etc.
WHAT IS THE SAME THIS YEAR:
In the past we have camped at the Chassahowitzka River Campground and met each morning in their main parking lot to get organized for the day’s adventure. We will still meet in the parking lot each morning to group up and you are still welcome to camp there. If you choose to camp you are responsible for making your own reservations. Their contact information and campground details can be found at http://www.chassahowitzkaflorida.com/.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR:
** UPDATE: The hotel is now full. I am starting a waiting list in case there are any cancellations. If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please let me know.
As you know, it can be quite cold in Florida in January. In the past we have stayed at a campground but, after the weather the last couple of years, I have decided that I am tired of being cold at night. Therefore, I have decided to try something different this year! The Chassahowitzka Hotel is located about one mile from the Chassahowitzka River Campground where we have stayed the last few years. The hotel is different from a lot of hotels because it is really a large house which has been converted to a hotel. They rent out rooms in the house but both levels have a common area where people can gather and visit. They have porches where people can also visit if the weather is nice. There are two bathrooms upstairs – one is designated for men and the other for women. There is also a very large dining room table near the kitchen. We are not allowed to use the kitchen to cook, but they have someone who comes in each morning to fix a continental breakfast (included in the cost of the room). We usually eat lunch on the river and dinner out at a restaurant so this seems to me like it won’t be a problem. We would still meet at the campground parking lot in the morning to get organized for the daily trips.
The hotel can sleep up to 18 people if a few people are willing to share a bed. If we reserve the entire facility for five nights (Thursday night through Monday night) the cost per person should be about $237 total. As of right now, I have reserved the entire facility. However, if there is not enough interest in staying at the hotel then I will reserve a room for me and tell them that they can make the rest of the facility available to others to rent.
If you are interested in staying in the hotel, please let me know as soon as you can. If there is enough interest I will keep the facility on reserve for our use in January. If we decide to do this, I will need to collect money from you in advance. I have never done this before since everyone has always been responsible for making their own reservation at a campground, but with the hotel I will need to collect the money ahead of time. I expect that I will need the money by the end of November.
You can use the links below to get more information and to see some pictures of the facility.
https://www.chazhotel.com/
The first 18 people who say they want to stay at the hotel will get those spaces. If more than 18 people respond affirmatively I will start a waiting list.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This is an official GCA trip. You will be expected to wear your PFD, not just have it in your boat. Also, this trip is for GCA members – not the general public. Please do not post this trip on other websites.
Please contact me, Lisa Haskell, by email at lshkayaker@gmail.com or by phone at (678) 858-2012 to register for this trip. Using the RSVP button on the website does not mean that you are signed up for the trip.
I hope to see you in Florida!
