Story: Harmony on the Hillsborough River

The Trip:
On a sunny warm day in January, three friends set out to tame the wilds of the Hillsborough River. Sharon Gluck a healthcare administrator from New York City, Ira Pearlstien a writer from Brooklyn, New York and I, Diane Phelps, a writer from St. Petersburg, Florida. We drive north from St. Petersburg on I-275 to I-4 East to highway 301. Once the car turns north on S.R. 301 the pungent smell of cows you know you are not in the city anymore. Arriving at the park, the friends are greeted by a helpful State Park Ranger, she directs us to the canoe rental parking lot.

A small winding paved road leads through a forest of tall towering pines. Overhead the sun filters down to the ground, covered with a dense maze of scrub palmettos and paths of soft pine needles, we stop at parking lot number four. A large dark wood building on the left and the path to the river is on the right. We rent the canoe and walk into the café gift shop area. The sitting area of the café looks out onto a large swimming pool. Closed at the time of our visit, I am sure in the summer this is a much different scene. We pick up our life and paddles at the cafe and walk across the road to the bank of the river.

The canoes are stacked up on the left side of the path. Very simply, it’s hands on, help yourself, grab the next one off the rack, flip it over and drag it to the water’s edge. There is a sandy area for easy launching. We decide that I will steer as I have more canoe experience than my New York friends. Pearlstein earns the “Pasha” position in the middle of the canoe and Gluck takes on the front seat, the main power rowing position.

The river is full of a variety of wildlife on the two-hour canoe trip we saw turtles perched up on the fallen trees catching the warm sun, catfish lying on the bottom of the river and a red tailed hawk challenging an armadillo for a small rodent snack. Pleasantly there is an absence of biting insects. The woods along the riverbanks are full of finches, cowbirds, and ladybugs. Off in the distance we hear the bizarre scream of wild turkeys, running through the underbrush.

The rivers slow meander this time of year makes for a peaceful easy paddle up and down the river. The sediments in the river are settled and the fresh clear water sparkles in the sunlight, shades of green and brown dot the bottom. Sandy spots shine white and the limestone rocks are a combination of brown and mossy. The dark limbs of old oaks hang over the water creating a striking dramatic setting as their limbs reflect in the calm waters surface. Palm trees knocked down by storms or raging water’s have fallen into the river and create a three dimensional underwater otherworldly experience. Fodder for any imagination, some fallen palms are still alive and continue to grow in fun odd shapes and angles. One tree mimics a snake draped over an oak sunning itself.

Lost in the magic of the natural world, we drift slowly downstream with the current. We become entertainment for families hiking the river paths and they became entertainment for us. We wave our hands and greet them with “hellos” and “nice day, isn’t it?” Surrender to the harmony of the Hillsborough and you will be relaxed in the same way by this beautiful, peaceful place.

As we make our way back to civilization, I am calm and refreshed by the paddle on the river. When an excited Mary Klein from St. Louis, an eager tourist approaches and stops us on the path, “Did you see any wildlife?” The excitement and desire in her voice; she had just arrived in parking lot four, and she wanted her son to see something in the wild. She gestures to the kid. We stumble and then say “why, oh yes, we saw many animals,” and she could not believe it. We went on our way back to civilization and parking lot four and she went down the path to the river and her own adventure.

Three amigos tame the wilds of the Hillsborough River, which sounds impressive and adventurous, in reality a peaceful pleasant afternoon had by all. We set out for adventure and found harmony on the Hillsborough.

History:
The park is named for Wills Hill (1718-1793), the Earl of Hillsborough, was founded in 1936 and built by the Civilian Conservation Corp. It is one of the original State Parks. It is one of the original State Parks and offers Canoeing, Swimming Pool, a Historic Fort Foster, Camping, and Nature Trails.

Just the Facts:

Admission: $4.00 per car (up to 8 people)
Camping fee: $20.00 plus tax

Hours: Open daily (365) 8am to sunset

Directions: From Interstate 4, exit on U.S. 301 go north. The park is 14 miles up the road on the left.

Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771

Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver/ParkSummary.cfm