This was the 2nd time I paddled the 17 runs -- the first time was 39 years ago. I have heard and read about the dangers of getting lost and numerous portages and pull overs required. 39 years ago, I was an ignorant 16 year old with no idea of the risk. Luckily, that time we only had 4 portages, no pull overs, and were never confused about which way to go. This time, the water was running high, which saved me from the pull overs. Not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed that I don't have a harrowing story to tell. I had only 1 portage, two logs that I had to lie down in the canoe to get under, 2 short sections of water hyacinths and no confusion about the route. It took me 3 1/2 hours to go from Hillsborough River State Park to Sargent's Park.

The paddling guide put out by the county states: "This section of the river is not cleared of blow downs. There can easily be 30 or more pullovers. This number of pullovers will vary with water levels and recent storm activities. Paddlers should be strong enough to repeatedly push, pull, drag or lift their boats to overcome the pullovers. Paddlers should expect to be required to repeatedly either squeeze under many low branches or get out of their boats and pull them over. Due to the fragmented nature of this section, paddlers are often navigating narrow streams that frequently branch off in many directions. Combined with blow-downs and low branches, it can be difficult to maneuver long canoes and kayaks."