The Peace River, and indeed the Canoe Outpost, provided my introduction to river camping over 25 years ago: canoe, river, primitive, relaxed, car safely waiting for me downriver. Because i own my own gear, I only purchase shuttle and parking services for 3-day, 2-night journeys.
Firstly, we were running late. I called from the road to let them know I'd arrive 15 minutes after the scheduled bus departure time, well behind the requested arrival 30 minutes prior to bus departure. The response was pleasant enough in that they would see what they could do to keep my earlier arrival to Zolfo Springs as planned, as opposed to making me wait 3.5 hours for the next scheduled departure. Upon arrival the bus was gone to Gardner, where we needed to drive to anyway.
On a very foggy morning, we missed the Gardner turn, fortunately noticing within a mile. The bus driver candidly admitted that he too misses this inconspicuous turn from time to time, especially in heavy fog and due to road lanes shifting for construction, despite having driven for them for 17 years. I consider this to be an opportunity for improvement. The fog masked the landmarks provided on the paper map.
Also candidly, the driver admitted to not having anyone to transport yet that day, which left me wondering why the bus left Arcadia ahead of us.
Though I like to buy incidentals and forgotten items from Canoe Outpost, I've come to expect potable water readily available. Somehow this seems to have become a tall order at this Canoe Outpost despite the sheer necessity of it. At Arcadia they offered to sell me water, once before and twice after I mentioned having a 5-gallon bag to fill. It was suggested I fill it at Gardner so naturally I was inclined to hurry along lest I risk missing the bus again or ultimately forgetting to bring water on this trip. At Gardner, we met a congenial bus driver who had no idea how to obtain potable water. In fact he was convinced that all spigots led to the river. Our first random attempt at a spigot yielded horribly sulphuric water (intense rotten egg smell), so I called the main office. They too were unable to direct me to potable water, seemingly not entirely sure it existed (despite sending me there for it) and suggested I try "down by the benches". This instruction confused all of us - what benches? - and we eventually found normal smelling water from a hose up the stairs to the house. Sadly nonetheless, we had to push on to Zolfo unsure whether or not we had drinkable water. Worth mentioning, a second worrisome call to the office before leaving Gardner did not yield better advice or certainty and instead had me subjected to one understanding employee on the phone apparently trying to shield me from some guy in the background hooting and hollering as if I was too impossibly stupid to find the water. This had my stomach turning, unsure I would be able to put in at Zolfo.
While puzzling at no fewer than seven spigots attached to the pavilion nearest the boat ramp at Pioneer Park (Zolfo Springs), a facilities employee there confirmed that all running water in the park was potable. Problem solved. The bag was emptied, rinsed, refilled, and we embarked feeling made whole for free by the County Park.
The Peace River was amazing. For the last couple decades I've been driving six hours to the Suwannee, thinking that it was a better river, worth double the road time, leaving the night before and spending money on a motel. Now I realize that it was all a matter of conditions - mostly water level and air temperature. I only go now when the water is "perfect for canoeing" and the air is cold (few bugs, better fires, snugglier, etc.) The biodiversity along the Peace blows away that of the Suwannee. We saw upwards of 50 gators, roseate spoonbills, red shouldered hawks, herons, egrets, ibises, black vultures, nighthawks, turtles, raccoons, sandpipers, kingfishers, anhingas, kestrels, cows, horses... We didn't see any owls but the nighttime was an asylum of hysterical owl calls, unless it was some other mysterious animal... and lots of mooing. What a joy!
On the final day, alas, we were late again. A different, equally friendly bus driver waited for us and helped us load the canoe. We asked a couple of basic questions about the operation for which he had no clue, in keeping with the experience thus far. The bus drivers, though the friendliest, are clearly "the last to know". Both earned their tips nonetheless.
In closing, I do hope this business continues to care for river goers competently and consistently, understanding that river tripping is not conducive to tight schedules, especially on the tail end, and that paddlers require water above all else. It was well after we left before I realized they'd called me while on the river and late for Gardner. All told, they did well to accommodate my tardiness and helped make for an exceptional experience despite minor misgivings which I think are easy to fix. read more