Magnolia to Peacock’s Bridge (Part 2)

We pick up our trip where we left off last week, departing from the cool waters of Dry Creek. Next up on the destinations was an island right in the middle of the river. This island was fairly large and had some campers settling back for a night on the river. When I inquired as to the island’s name, they told us it was called Moccasin Island. While the island itself looked ideal for camping, the name itself suggests campers should beware. At the end of Moccasin Island was a neat looking Palm Tree. It protruded from the island like an old ship’s figurehead at the bow of the boat.

After passing Moccasin Island we drifted on down and found a nice swing on the west side of the river. Having two 13 year old boys on this adventure (my son Patrick and one of his friends), a stop to try out the swing was mandatory. I let the younger fellows try out the swing and they had it mastered after a swing or two. I was pretty acrobatic on river swings in my younger days but age and gravity have rendered my body not so well suited for playing Tarzan anymore.

A few bends down from the swing we began to hear a roar. We heard this roar for at least a couple of bends before we got to the source. The source was Little Lookin’ Tremble, the little cousin to a larger rapid south of Johnny Boy’s Landing. My wife Rosemary decided to take the lead and serve as our scout. Staying toward the East bank side, she masterly maneuvered her kayak, “The Yellow Submarine,” through the rapids. I followed in my kayak, “The Blue Goose” and the boys followed suit in their canoe “The Blue Rabbit”. The Submarine, Goose and Rabbit all made it through this fun little rapid with ease.

Rocky Creek was next up on the menu. Rocky Creek enters from the east side of the river and seemed much smaller than I had imagined. Just a few bends south of Rocky Creek Spelman Springs enters the river from the west bank. The spring run goes about two hundred feet back to the main spring. The main spring is worth seeing but be forewarned, the surrounding property is private land and the spring run is partially blocked by a fallen tree and is very rocky. Do not attempt to walk up this run barefoot or in flip flops. Tennis shoes or good water shoes are highly recommended.

The final destination of this trip, and for this summer, was Peacock’s Bridge. Many a Jackson County youth, including myself, has proven their manhood in years past by jumping off this bridge. Others have proven their lack of intelligence, at least in my opinion, by diving or doing flips off the bridge. Be Forewarned! There is a danger factor in jumping off the bridge, in that during normal water levels the bridge is at least 40 feet above the water. Previous launches, in years past, off the bridge were made only after checking the river for depth and logs under the water. And now there are posted signs proclaiming that jumping from the bridge is prohibited. So officially speaking, I am not encouraging anyone to jump off the bridge. If you do, you do so at your own risk.

Rollin’ Down the River has been a weekly summertime feature of the Jackson County Times that highlights the Chipola River through pictures, stories and articles. See Freeze Frame for more photos from this recent trip. We hope you’ve enjoyed this series and we’ll pick up our paddles, canoes and kayaks next summer for the remainder of the journey down the Ole Chipola.