YES! I have friends who are rangers in park service and told me the story about the pencil mill!! That island has such a neat history (if anyone else lives close enough to go there - and you have NOT yet been - you need to go to Cedar Key and go visit Atsenia Otie). I also enjoyed the story about how the people floated their houses back to the mainland following the hurricane and many of the same homes can be found in Cedar Key right along the shoreline. I find that amazing.
The mosquitos on Atsenia Otie CAN carry a person off!
Have you ever had the opportunity to make it out to Seahorse Key (which is now a rookery and part of the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge) http://www.biology.ufl.edu/shkml/about/about.htm
VERY long, hard paddle and they are not often open to the public, but it is quite interesting to visit when they are - they also ferry people over - which is by far the easiest option. I've almost gotten lost in the fog on the way over on more than one occassion trying to paddle the distance.
I have been ALL over that place - so Shell Mound was another favorite place! Great there too, but one has to keep an eye on the tide chart!
I've through paddled the Suwannee River from Fargo GA to the town of Suwannee several times, but my first trip was all the way to Cedar Key. I stopped at Fowler's Bluff and hung out listening to stories of when one of the treasure hunting people brought gear in, built coffer dams and pulled up pirate treasure just outside the bar there on the river.
Paddling ANYwhere on the Suwannee is so incredibly beautiful. Have you ever dropped in the Suwannee at White Springs and paddled downstream to Spirit of the Suwannee? The water tumbles over a set of series of small shoals downstream of White Springs, meanders through the woods a short distance and suddenly high limestone bluffs appear. They alternate left bank, right bank. It is such a wonderful spot to camp. I would camp on the sandy shore, at night, I would paddle to the limestone wall and place tea lights into the nooks and light them. At night, there would be sounds of owls calling to one another, the water running, and my candle light dancing upon the Suwannee River. When the music festival is happening in White Springs - it is hard to get a camp site but the music can be heard off and on as one paddles down stream and if lucky enough to find one in amongst the limestone bluffs. Then make camp, light some candles and sette in to listen to folk and river music by candle light. What could be better?
And
Becca