| Beautiful pristine riverbank at risk of being lost to | | | | it, this most valuable part of Apopka could have been |
| developers. Two local businessmen come to the | | | | lost to developers who would have owned the only |
| rescue to save this historical spot. | | | | public access to the famous Wekiva River. If we |
| THE PERFECT AFTERNOON | | | | ignore these valuable resources, we could be in |
| It was the perfect day, the middle of January, the sun | | | | jeopardy of losing them to developers who delight in |
| warming our faces, a brisk chilly breeze fills the air; yes | | | | purchasing valuable vacant land and developing large, |
| it was the perfect afternoon. For a short time we | | | | new communities. |
| pretended that we were far away from the busy | | | | Most of us would not want to see the only accessible |
| hectic rush of the rest of the world. We drifted along | | | | entrance to the Wekiva River blocked by an iron gate |
| the peaceful current, occasionally putting our paddle in | | | | that requires visitors a gate code to enter a high rise |
| the water to point us in the right direction. We stopped; | | | | condominium building lining the banks of the beautiful |
| I said, "Listen to that." Patrick said in a hush, "What?" I | | | | Wekiva River. |
| chucked and said, "Nothing, that's it, the sound of | | | | SALVATION OF THE LANDING |
| nothing, just peace and quiet." | | | | As I write these words, I am certain that I share the |
| The perfect afternoon started at Kings Landing where | | | | pulse and heartbeat of Bob and Steve Loomis, the |
| we launched our canoe and paddled through the | | | | new owners of Kings Landing. If they could stand |
| mucky canal that led us to the Wekiva River. Bob | | | | before the communities around Apopka and in |
| Loomis invited us out to test the landing. Actually to | | | | Northwest Orange County, they would say, "Help us |
| see the great work that is going on out there. | | | | clean up, restore and preserve the only access to this |
| We paddled though the thick mixture of sludge, fallen | | | | river for the public." That is exactly the motive behind |
| timber and trash like debris of the canal, and as we | | | | their recent purchase of this valuable, well-known |
| reached the mouth of the river joining the canal, it | | | | nature spot and business. Bob and Steven are really |
| looked beautiful. The water so crystal clear you could | | | | passionate about their motives. They want people to |
| see to the bottom. It was as if you were looking | | | | know that they have no other goal in mind except to |
| through a sheet of glass. | | | | protect and preserve the pristine waterways of the |
| We stopped along on a sandbar, rolled up our jeans, | | | | Kings Landing canoe and kayak path. |
| took of our shoes and waded in the chilly, crystal clear | | | | Many people are not aware of the details surrounding |
| water. We were excited about the moment as the | | | | this historical natural and wondrous landmark. On |
| cold water splashed on our legs. Memories came | | | | December 22, 2006, the Bob and Steven Loomis |
| rushing back as I remember my adolescent years | | | | purchased this spot for their own enjoyment and for |
| spending time on the river. We laughed and frolicked in | | | | their sons. "It is important that the people know this," |
| the water for a few moments while pausing from time | | | | said Bob Loomis. "We want them to know our intent, |
| to time to take photos of the four Loomis boys who | | | | motive and plans." |
| love the river they live on. Mark, Jimmy, Steven and | | | | It is also important to Bob and Steven that all of the |
| Trevor gave us a spectacular show as they took | | | | people living in Apopka and surrounding areas know |
| turns climbing 50 -60 feet high into the air and take the | | | | why they rushed to the forefront making this |
| large swinging rope that was thrown to them. | | | | acquisition. This property was not purchased for resale |
| On the count of three they would jump. "One, two, | | | | to developers, to build on or to build on. Bob and |
| three...ready?" They said. All at once they would let go | | | | Steven are aware of what they now own and are |
| of the perch they were standing on and flew out over | | | | committed to refurbishing, restoring and preserving the |
| the river waters beneath them, and let go. We | | | | pristine river, so that canoeists and kayakers can |
| snapped the camera as they splashed into the cold | | | | enjoy it. |
| water. That was really cool to stand by wishing we | | | | THE VISION |
| were kids again. | | | | In the past, the famous Kings Landing may not have |
| Since as far back as I can remember, Kings Landing, | | | | had the best care and management, but Steven and |
| Rock Springs and Wekiva Springs Park & Marina | | | | Bob are very strong about this being a family place. |
| was the favorite spot for youth to go. The average | | | | This will be a place that will be free of alcohol, so that |
| daytrip was renting the canoe at Kings Landing, paddle | | | | people, companies, groups and basically everyone can |
| leisurely up the river, and we would stop along the | | | | come here to canoe, fish, swim, picnic, swing from tree |
| way and swim, picnic and look at turtles and baby | | | | ropes and enjoy the otters, black bear and other |
| alligators. We would also go to Rock Springs and rent | | | | Florida wildlife that inhabit the Wekiva riverbanks. The |
| tubes and tube down the current of the river. It was | | | | black bear are all over this place. |
| usually a long hot exhausting day, but we were | | | | Visitors have basically two options: One is to rent |
| adventurous and resilient. When we weren't together | | | | canoes and make the trip to the Wekiva Marina, an |
| as a twosome, we would be at Kings Landing with our | | | | 8-mile paddle of 3 1/2 to 4 hours. They can arrange |
| church youth group for a day outing. Yes, Kings | | | | ahead of time for the shuttle to bring them back to the |
| Landing was the place to go. | | | | place of origin. Or, if they prefer, visitors can take their |
| We raised our children near the river and on | | | | canoes out a few miles to swim, fish, picnic on the |
| weekends took them to Kings Landing to canoe down | | | | riverbanks, and then return. |
| the same paddle run; we would stop and share our | | | | Now, the cleanup at Kings Landing is complete. The |
| stories of the river with them. | | | | canoes are all restored and waiting. You can bring the |
| We grew up on the river and knew it would be there | | | | kids, too! There are canoes with Care Bears, Star |
| forever. | | | | Wars, ET and many other characters painted on them. |
| Now 33 years later Kings Landing was at risk of being | | | | This place has always has terrific reviews and been |
| lost. It has just recently been brought to my attention | | | | known as one of the best spots for fishermen, as well |
| by Bob and Steven Loomis, of Loomis Funeral Home, | | | | as a great place to take that first-timer on a fishing trip. |
| that Kings Landing could have been but a mere | | | | Since the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, this portion of the |
| memory, and those memories we made as kids would | | | | river has been inaccessible and the waters are not |
| be all we had left. | | | | fished out. It is almost a "guaranteed catch," according |
| There are a lot of people who have grown up in this | | | | to Bob Loomis. This, of course, means the odds are |
| area and have fond memories of the Wekiva River. | | | | great that you will catch a fish when you go out. Bob |
| Those who live in Apopka and Northwest Orange | | | | is adamant about having visitors stick to the rules. "We |
| County have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Not | | | | will be very strict with our rules, such as catch and |
| everyone is like-minded when it comes to natural | | | | release only, no Styrofoam coolers, and again, |
| resources, ecology and the environment. While we all | | | | absolutely no taking fish out of the water," he said. On |
| want to do our part in preservation, doing our part | | | | that note, we have been invited back to fish for that |
| might not always be enough to guard against losing | | | | huge bass. |
| one of our most valuable resources. | | | | Bob Loomis has two sons, Jimmy, 13, and Mark, 10. |
| HISTORY OF THE LANDING | | | | Both are in Boy Scout Troop 211 in Apopka. Steven |
| For decades, Apopka has been known for the | | | | Loomis also has two sons, Steven, 10, and Trevor, 6. |
| Wekiva River. Kings Landing, the Wekiva Marina, Rock | | | | "This was purchased for our sons," Bob said. "We |
| Springs Park, Katie's Landing and Wekiva Springs | | | | want to give this to them to one day run and own. |
| State Park all make up the river system that flows | | | | Right now, the boys love the river life, they go out |
| throughout our area. | | | | early on their weekends and start fishing and |
| The Kings Landing canoe rental post property has | | | | swimming," Steven Loomis said. "The problem is finding |
| been privately owned all these years by Gabby | | | | them for lunch." |
| Gardner and her partner, Ted Kirkland. Gabby and Ted | | | | THE NEW KINGS LANDING |
| operated the Kings Landing canoe rental business | | | | Kings Landing is up and running now. From businesses |
| catering to outdoor enthusiasts both locally and to | | | | groups to paddle groups to families, everyone is |
| those traveling to canoe this popular paddle run. | | | | welcome. The river passageway is now opened up |
| Unless you are an avid reader of sporting guides and | | | | and free from the hurricane debris. This is an easy and |
| outdoor life magazines, or belong to an outdoor | | | | very enjoyable trip for anyone from a beginner to the |
| adventure group, you might not know that this paddle | | | | most experienced paddlers. Hours are Wednesday |
| run has for years been rated number one in Central | | | | through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Saturday and |
| Florida. Second would be paddling the waterways and | | | | Sunday, 9:00 a.m. until dark. Return shuttles will run on |
| lagoons in the Titusville and Brevard County area. In | | | | those days, at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. |
| fact, many paddle tour groups and kayakers from all | | | | Groups that would like to paddle the run and bring |
| over the nation come here to enjoy the paddle and | | | | back debris to help with cleanup can call Steven |
| canoe trail. Being an avid kayaker, enjoying | | | | Loomis, at 407-467-8290. Kings Landing also offers a |
| paddlenews.net, and belonging to the Wilderness | | | | great river experience. There will be a Moonlight |
| Trekkers group, I have become aware of this | | | | Paddle, with a master storyteller. Groups will leave |
| popularity of this spot. | | | | around 5 p.m. and reach a destination where there will |
| HURRICANE DESTRUCTION | | | | be a campfire, so they can cook dinner and tell stories, |
| During the devastation of the 2004 and 2005 | | | | then paddle back to the landing. |
| hurricanes, this property and the river passages were | | | | Bob and Steven Loomis would like everyone to know |
| damaged and left full of debris, making the river | | | | that this property could have been bought by |
| virtually impassable by canoes and kayaks. As new | | | | someone with other intentions for its future. If this |
| owners Bob and Steven Loomis said, "Only an | | | | property were closed off to public access, there |
| experienced kayaker could have gotten through." As a | | | | would be no other way to the paddle run except for |
| result, the property sat for a long time and Kings | | | | the Wekiva Marina. We can all be grateful to them |
| Landing was becoming less and less popular. The | | | | that they did not allow this to happen. We can all rest |
| entire landing area has been full of trees and debris. | | | | and know that Kings Landing will always be a family |
| This popular canoe, kayak access and launch area to | | | | place of fun and recreation thanks to Bob and Steven |
| the Wekiva River was no more. The damage | | | | Loomis. Jimmy, Mark, Steven and Trevor will grow up |
| surrounding the canal area and passage to the river | | | | at Kings Landing learning the family business and |
| mouth was enormous, far too much for the owners to | | | | protecting this valuable place for us. |
| restore. Believe it or not, and without all of us knowing | | | | |