The Tight & The Technical
The upper St. Marys near the St. George boat ramp is technical — sharp switchbacks, deadfalls, and hidden stumps — in contrast to the wider, easier stretches near Trader's Hill downstream, and BWJ notes it will humble paddlers used to the calmer water.
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 GrindIn 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.
Passing the TorchThis 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 Field Kitchen: Foil Packs vs. Freeze-DriedWe 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the upper St. Marys near St. George compare to the water near Trader's Hill?
It's much more technical — sharp switchbacks, deadfalls, and hidden stumps that push a loaded canoe off cypress knees and around willows, versus the wide, easy stretches near Trader's Hill.
Can a young first-timer start a fire with a ferro rod?
Yes — on this trip, 13-year-old Brantley started a fire with a ferro rod and Vaseline-soaked cotton balls in four or five strikes on his first attempt.
What's a good foil-pack camp meal?
Home-cured bacon, fresh deer sausage, and home-canned tomatoes cooked in foil packs over the coals — takes longer than freeze-dried meals but rated far better in quality.
Are cheap camera mounts reliable for canoe filming?
No — BWJ notes that inexpensive Amazon camera mounts shake too much to hold steady during the high-vibration motion of canoe travel.
What wildlife was seen on this trip?
A massive turtle, dozens of owls, and local alligators.