Category: River Lore

The History of Convict Spring

Posted by Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort

More than a hundred years ago, the serene site of Convict Spring looked mighty different, and not just because there were no cars, no planes overhead, no cellphones and certainly no TVs.
Instead, right here at the Suwannee River Rendezvous, if you were taking in the sights, there’s a very high probability you were working on a chain gang.

Back in the early 1900s, our spring was used by Lafayette County’s incarceration system, notes Florida Caves. Their prisoners worked on road construction projects – often called chain gangs – and when it was too late or too far to get the inmates back to the county jail, they would spend the night at remote camps scattered throughout the county, and Convict Springs was one of those remote camps.

It’s hard to imagine grizzled criminals gathered around campfires, the light reflecting in the spring, but history doesn’t lie. Every once in a while, someone will turn up an artifact of one kind or another that further confirms the property’s colorful past.

Convict Spring sits atop a fascinating underwater cave system as well, one we’re certain the convicts didn’t spend any time exploring. This particular cave system is a dangerous one, with a restricted entrance and the need for a side-mounted style of diving through extremely narrow passages, notes Cave Survey in its assessment of the spring.

In 2001, Dell Moats, John Moseley, Michael Poucher and Bill Rennaker swam through Convict Spring Cave to take a full survey. They captured extraordinary video footage showing the beautiful yet dangerous conditions inside the cave. We have DVD footage of their excursion, and in the lodge.

We invite you to come enjoy the spring – from the surface, of course – for swimming during the sultry summertime at Suwannee River Rendezvous. In the evening, over the sound of crickets and frogs, you might just hear the faint rhythm of a chain gang.

Convict Spring is just one of the many amenities and conveniences that makes our resort and campground such a popular destination for visitors from all across the country. To plan your trip, call us today at 386-294-2510.

Plan on a 2015 Winter Camping Getaway

Posted by Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort

It’s depressing to think that the summer is almost over. We’re already in the first week of August! Before long, the crisp winds of autumn will be sweeping over your body like a marching band of multi-colored spiders. Your body will tingle, but your heart will know that any opportunity to extract the resources of summer have long passed you by – and that’s always a blow to the soul. Not something that will propel you into winter. Even writing (or reading) that word gives us headaches.

Thankfully, Suwannee River Rendezvous is located in Florida, which means that we get to avoid the avalanches of cold so many of you have to struggle with. But statistics show that winter is expected to come early and more furious than in years past. You might as well enjoy the rest of the summer when you have the chance, and that includes hopping in your RV and seeing the country – it’s what all the baby boomers and adventuresome seniors are doing, which are behind the biggest resurgence in RV sales since the early 1990s.

Jackie Crosby of Fredericksburg.com writes, “The skyrocketing sales are fueled by the 10,000 or so baby boomers who are turning 65 every day, plus a large band of 50-somethings who are planning for an active or early retirement.” Basically, these people are determined to experience the romance and grandeur of America, but have no interest in camping. We can’t blame them, as camping isn’t for everyone – but since we encourage the outdoors by any means necessary, RV-ing it up is the only option for some people!

Jeff Nobbe, general manager at Shorewood RV Center in Anoka, Minnesota sums it up best: “People are retiring and living more for today than the future. They weren’t doing that before. They were buying lake places before.” This is most certainly an exciting trend to see! Experience America this summer! You don’t have much time left!

The Difference Between Canoeing and Kayaking

Posted by Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort

suwannee units and camping 053Here on the Suwannee River, we have found that the most popular recreational activities for our guests are both canoeing and kayaking. We see a number of folks coming in for rentals each day, as they prepare to get out onto the water. However, with these boats being so similar, we are often asked one important question: What’s the difference between canoeing and kayaking?

Well according to our friends at Canoeing.org, there seems to be three major differences that should help others determine the variances:

1. Canoes are open while kayaks have a deck

2. Canoes are paddled with a single bladed paddle, whereas kayaks use a double bladed paddle

3. The seat height on a kayak is much lower, with the occupant positioned on the ground, feet stretched out.

While we could say that the canoe is like the sport-utility vehicle of the recreational boating world, kayaks, on the other hand, are more like sports cars. (Wonderopolis)

If you’re looking to take a leisurely trip out on the water with a few friends or family members, a canoe is going to be your best choice. Canoes are built a bit sturdier and are able to carry more weight, which means more room for you, your loved ones and maybe even a picnic basket.

Kayaks are going to be a better bet for those who are looking to race or get a good workout in. The sleek design of a kayak allows them to move much faster than a canoe, which makes them perfect for competitive sports and slipping through whitewater rapids.

Regardless of whether you choose to go with a kayak or canoe, at the end of the day it’s all going to lead to one thing: a whole lot of fun! So stop in our rental facility at Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campgrounds and get out on the water!

Friends of the Suwannee River Rendezvous

Posted by Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort

We are pretty much back to normal.  The river has gone down quite a bit and we have moved back into all the buildings with no damage to anything.  The springs are starting to clear up.  We had a great turn out for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Lots of helpers, and lots of hunters.