Solo Canoe Deeper into the Suwannee | Gators & Hammock Camping
When the storm finally passed, the river turned quiet. Too quiet.
That calm, glassy surface can fool you — because the further we pushed downstream, the older this river felt… and the bigger its residents got. 🐊
This week’s journey took me and River Dog deep into what I can only call the heart of Gator Country. The Suwannee was swollen from rain, the air thick with humidity and that rich, wild smell that only comes after a storm.
Every paddle stroke echoed off the cypress banks, and every ripple seemed alive.
Finding Camp in the Wild
As daylight started to fade, I went searching for a safe stretch of sand to call home. You don’t just pull up anywhere out here — not when eyes are watching from every dark patch of water.
Eventually, I found a little spit of high ground, chopped off a piece of fat lighter from an old pine, and got a fire going. That smell of heart pine mixing with river mist… it’s something no candle or camp store could ever recreate.
Dinner that night was simple but satisfying — red beans, rice, and a leftover pork chop from the night before. River Dog got the bone, and I got a full belly. Not a bad trade.
Moments That Matter
Out here, the small things become big.
Watching the moon rise through the trees.
Hearing a splash that makes you stop mid-bite.
Seeing your new pup — just five months old — settle down beside the fire like he was born to it.
I tried to capture that feeling in this episode — the peace after the chaos, the power of the river, and the rhythm of life out here on the edge. These are the moments that remind me why I started Blackwater Outdoor Journeys in the first place.
The Road (or River) Ahead
By morning, we were back on the water. Limestone cliffs, live oaks hanging over black water, and more gators than I could count.
Every bend felt new, like the river was rewriting itself right in front of me. That’s the thing about places like this — they never really reveal all their secrets.
Watch the Full Adventure
🎥 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/tVi6kqYhOMQ?si=1adOTFS2ForSeeS_
If you love authentic outdoor adventures — not staged, not polished, just real — you’ll feel right at home on this one.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
We’re closing in on 1,000 subscribers, and every comment, share, and “Stay Rugged” keeps this river trip rolling.
Stay wild. Stay curious. Stay Rugged.
— Rodney
Blackwater Outdoor Journeys
