Paddling Spring Creek

With 18 kayaks and canoes, our group of nearly 30 individuals enthusiastically prepared for launch on Spring Creek.  Coolers, sunscreen, life jackets, and kids scattered across the landing.  Hot July temperatures and ever-present gnats encouraged everyone to load vessels with a purpose.  Three sets of Registers, the Hornsbys, and the Smiths were ready for our Spring Creek paddle!    

Since 2001, we have traveled to see Angie and Payne Hornsby at their Lake Seminole cabin during the Independence Day holiday.  We have watched our kids fish, swim, play, laugh, and grow in this beautiful outdoor setting.  In recent years, we kayak and canoe Southwest Georgia’s Spring Creek, which flows into the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers at Lake Seminole.  The trip down the spring-fed creek is fun for all ages!

Shelly Marshall Schmidt, of Oh Schmidt Productions, snapped this happy photo of the girls.

Originating from natural springs, Spring Creek travels through Clay, Calhoun, Early, Miller, Decatur, and Seminole Counties.  Covering 530,000 acres of land in Southwest Georgia, the free-flowing Spring Creek watershed is part of the Flint River watershed.  The creek waters run clear because of the limestone bottoms and cool because it is spring-fed.  Longleaf pines, cypress, and various hardwood trees grow and shade the banks of the creek.

Paddling Spring Creek

Through the crystal clear waters, we saw bream, bass, and gizzard shad.  In some places, large trees lay strewn across the limestone bottom; they are visible reminders of the old sawmill located up the creek.  Many years ago, timber was hauled to the mill on the creek.  Add the rope swings, 20 foot wooden docks, and gorgeous springs; there are lots of things to see and do along the way.

Benjamin readies himself for the jump into the cold spring.  We could see clear to the bottom of the hole, at least 30 feet or more deep!  Thanks, Shelly, for the photo.

By the time we stopped for lunch, everyone was starving!  Lunch turned out to be a trip highlight.  The single sandwich I fixed early that morning went too quickly.  What really looked appetizing was the corn on the cob.  Yep, corn on the cob, still in the shucks!  While some of us fixed sandwiches, Brinson Register was up early boiling an entire crate of just picked, locally grown sweet corn.  Several hours later, the corn was still warm; it looked and smelled delicious.  Brinson and his sweet wife Libby even remembered butter and salt, as if it needed anything to make it taste better!    

Aww shucks!  Aren't these corn eaters cute?

Brinson’s Spring Creek Paddle Sweet Corn

Get a big pot of water; set stovetop temperature to high.  Once water comes to a rolling boil, drop in fresh ears of corn, still in the shucks.  Allow corn to boil for 10 minutes.  Remove from water.  Pack together in cooler to keep warm.  Shuck and eat when ready.  Serve with butter and salt on the side. 
Packaging is environmentally friendly!