The Sandbar

Today we take a journey upon the Suwannee River. To arrive at this special location, you first need to make it to the Cone Bridge Landing off US441 past Deep Creek. From Lake City, that is approximately twenty-five miles. Turning onto Cone Bridge Road, you travel about two miles to the steep,paved boat ramp. You can still see the pilons of the metal bridge that once spanned the river at this point, named after the former Governor of Florida, who lived in Lake City, Fred Cone.
The location of this sandbar is about a thirty to forty five minute paddle trip upstream through scenic tupelo and cypress trees that overhang the banks of the tea colored river.
Depending on the level of the river flowing from the Okeefenokee Swamp, this paddle trip can be easy or quite arduous.
The sandbar was created years ago during floods when the river would cut through this peninsula, creating a short cut stream. The Suwannee River Water Management District has made this area into a designated camping spot along the river, due to the high banks and easy access to unload. A set of metal stairs have been put in place at the top of the sandbar to allow an easier climb to the campsite off the river in an open field. What next, an escalator?
For years my family has spent many a happy day swinging and rolling into the river from this spot.
When Landon and Jordon were but toddlers, to the recent trip we made, we always took away fond memories. Before long, Landon shall soon bring his newborn child to this spot and thus the sands of fun times shall continue to entwine.