Flint River Where the Water Goes 2016, Part IV

Nov 11-13, 2016

Georgia’s Flint River is the focus for this year’s river odyssey, where we follow a Georgia river from its headwaters to the ocean. The Flint River’s headwaters are near Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, where they are rather unceremoniously piped back into their natural channel just below the southeastern runways. But the Flint recovers quickly and goes on to become one of Atlanta’s most beautiful and interesting rivers, one of very few nationwide that still flow free (without dams) for more than 200 miles. Dropping through the Fall Line, sets of shoals make for challenging kayaking in some areas, while providing habitat for the rare shoal spider lily in others.

Named by Native Americans for the flint rocks found near the river, the Flint flows for over 300 miles from its Atlanta headwaters to its confluence with the Chattahoochee River at the Florida state line where the two rivers join to become the Apalachicola, which flows on to create the rich estuary of Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of Mexico.

Our final Flint River outing brings us to Apalachicola Bay where the Flint and Chattahoochee combined finally release their waters into the sea. An extensive and rich network of swamp and estuary is found along the lower Apalachicola, extending into the bay, which is one of the richest shell-fisheries in Eastern North America.  The salt marsh is home to many species, including the extraordinarily camouflaged American Bittern. “Hat rack” cypress trees populate the shallows, supporting Spanish moss and the occasional bald eagles’ nest. Pelicans and every type of egret and heron found in the Southeast, and even the occasional Roseate Spoonbill are commonly seen fishing in the bay, which is also home to the endangered Florida manatee. This area is also a destination for several species of migrating butterflies including the Monarch and Gulf frittillary, which we’ll likely see this time of year.

We’ll arrive at St. George Island at about 2:00 pm on Friday and leave for home on Sunday, with an option to say over Sunday night as well. On Saturday, we’ll be guests of the Appalachicola Riverkeeper who will take us on a special half-day bay and river tour, as far up-river as the ruins of Ft. Gadsden, which once held an important community of African American artisans who escaped from slavery. We’ll also visit natural beaches on St. George Island and Cape San Blas. Weather permitting, we may have the opportunity to kayak in the bay along St. George Island. And we’ll have time to walk through the picturesque streets of Apalachicola, and of course sample some of the bay’s famous oysters.

Our accommodations will once again be at the lovely Blue Nirvana, an ocean-front home on St. George Island.

Limit 10 people

Trip fee includes accommodations (2 people per room), 1/2 day boat tour with Apalachicola Riverkeeper, and a group dinner provided on Friday night, November 11.

2  nights Fri and Sat – $250 per person

3 nights Fri, Sat and Sun – $295 per person

 To register, click HERE  – Trip details and directions will be sent to registered participants. 

This event is made possible in part by the Ecology Wildlife Foundation.

A donation of $15 or more helps sustain our programs.