Busted Tour Feb 15 – 22, 2025 We decided to do the Ochlockonee River again (see 2020 trip) because Sam didn’t make it last time and we remembered it being pretty neat. Our start point was to be about 25 miles west of Tallahassee at the Riverfront RV and Campground. We had two vehicles so had a shuttle set up. We were to paddle and camp along the way to Womack Creek Campground for take out. Due to cold temperatures and an approaching storm, we decided to alter our plans.
Paddlers/Hikers: Sam, Stew, Dave Trip Conditions: We plan these trips well in advance according to work and commitment schedules so the dates are set and cannot be adjusted at the last minute. It would have been nice to slide it out a week but also the weather forecast changed daily and what looked like a perfect week changed even as we were driving up. Temps in morning high 20’s to low 30’s on the river – very cold camping for us South Floridians. On top of that, a nasty storm came in and we had torrential rain for close to 24 hours with high winds. We knew the storm was coming and would hit us a day or two after we start. We decided not to start our paddle trip. Instead, we base camped at a park and set up our tents under a pavilion – it ended up being a nice outing. Meals: We each brought our own meals but since we decided to forego the trip and base camp (with vehicles), we ate out most days and cooked dinner occasionally at camp. We ate breakfast and had coffee at camp each morning.
Stew and Dave drove up a few days early because they are retired and had the time. They stayed two nights at Hall Landing Campground which is conveniently only 8 miles from the intended start point. We enjoyed this campground. Stew and Dave’s campsite at Hall Landing Campground	We were treated to a nice sunset after we unpacked and set up camp.
Next day we paddled in Lake Talquin - a reservoir created by a dam It got windy on our way back and felt like more than 11 miles!	We went to Jackson Bluff Dam and back, 11 miles roundtrip. Another beautiful sunset and nice ending to a relaxing day
Day 3 – We meet Sam and camp at our designated start point We were watching the weather reports and they kept getting worse. Cold temps and a big storm coming in two days. We slept on it and decided the next morning not to do our trip but to go to our end point and camp there and do day trips. Our end point was Womack Creek campground in Tate’s Hell Forrest. It is a nice remote campground and we almost had it all to ourselves because it was cold and bad weather heading our way. We had a designated campsite that we reserved but decided to pitch our tents under a pavilion because of the impending storm approaching. That was a great idea because it saved us from the rain and camping under trees in a strong wind. We were ready to move our tents if anyone objected to us being there. The camp host said he was okay with it so it was a done deal. What made our stay here was a family was camping at one of the sites in the woods. They had three children including two young boys who would stop by and talk with us daily. We watched them fish and ride their bikes. They were having a nice time. Very polite and fun to watch and interact with them. We complimented the boys when we saw the parents. It never warmed up and it was windy every day. We decided not to kayak at all and just explore the area. We did some cool hikes and found a few good places to eat.	Riverfront RV and Campground Sheltered: glamping for us!! Womack Creek campground Nice to be under shelter in cold and rainy conditions. Dave always seems to make an animal friend on all his trips.
Took advantage of rainless evenings and made fires. Long hard packed sandy roads througout this area Took a night walk through camp This area should be designated as a dark sky area for watching stars. We’ve all been to lots of places and this stood out as spectacular.	We could get used to this kind of camping! Sam fly-fishing at camp. He had no luck but a family was catching catfish Hiking some of the many trails Another great camp fire!
Sam left for home on Friday. Dave and Stew stayed and packed up Sunday morning. They explored the coastal area on Saturday. Stew and Dave explored Bald Point State Park. Neat beach and lots of hiking trails.	Hiking/Marsh area in Bald Point State Park
Conclusion Our trips are about the friendship we have built over the years and even though the planned trip was a bust, it was great being together, outdoors in nature, camping, sharing meals (at camp and restaurants we happened upon), enduring bad weather together, and exploring. We made the right decision not to do the trip – we would have been miserable in the constant cold and rain.
Resources: Google Maps to look for places to launch, eat, visit/explore. Local Knowledge: Always ask people you meet (bartenders, restaurant patrons, fellow hikers/paddlers, etc.) about places to go, neat things to see and do.