The Tight & The Technical
The river changes character every mile.
We launched from the St. George boat ramp at the Georgia-Florida line for a family overnight. If you’ve only paddled the wide, easy stretches of the St. Marys near Trader’s Hill, the upper section will humble you. This part of the river is a maze of sharp switchbacks, deadfalls, and hidden stumps that make navigation a constant physical workout.
The Technical Grind In a loaded canoe, the upper St. Marys is unforgiving. You aren't just paddling; you are pushing off cypress knees, dodging willow trees, and trying to read water that wants to pin you against a log. Tina did a masterclass job in the bow, but we still found ourselves stuck more than once. This is the kind of water that separates seasoned paddlers from the rest—you have to think three moves ahead.
Passing the Torch This trip was as much about teaching as it was about traveling. Brantley (Boogie) took the lead on camp chores. We put him to work on the "elusive hunt" for fat lighter—dead pine saturated with flammable resin—and had him practice starting the fire with a ferro rod.
The Hack: We used our Vaseline-soaked cotton balls again.
Success: It took him four or five strikes—impressive for a first-timer—and proved that even a 13-year-old can master these basics with the right tools.
The Field Kitchen: Foil Packs vs. Freeze-Dried We prepared "Foil Packs" over the coals using home-cured bacon, fresh deer sausage, and home-canned tomatoes from last summer's garden. It takes longer than a freeze-dried bag, but the quality isn't even in the same zip code. Eating a hot, home-grown meal out of a foil pack under a St. Marys starlight sky is why we do this.
Field Notes: Technical Breakdown
Water Conditions: High technical difficulty; frequent deadfalls and switchbacks.
Wildlife Count: 1 massive turtle, dozens of owls, and local gators.
Survival Test: DIY Vaseline cotton balls (100% success rate).
Gear Lesson: Cheap Amazon camera mounts shake too much; they aren't worth the money for high-vibration canoe shots.
