The Jipsons
& Their “Current” Ventures By Joy Coleman
RUM 138 is devoted to the Santa Fe River and springs. Providing a central hub for the community to gather, they are a multifaceted and unique North Florida destination providing art, nature and fun. The remote Santa Fe River area holds a unique wilderness distinction: its famous 9-mile section of the usually slow-moving waterway is the only river in the world offering more than 50 natural springs—the highest concentration of springs recorded. Offering kayak and paddlesport rentals, RUM 138 shuttles visitors upstream on the Santa Fe to one of two entry points and, later, coordinates the pick up at a designated downstream area, returning to the premises safe and sound. They sell Vanhunks, VIBE and NuCanoe kayaks, BOTE and DRIFT inflatable and hardShell paddleboards. The experience RUM 138 offers is the perfect showcase of the most unique freshwater system in the world. Merrillee and Doug Jipson, owners of RUM 138, stumbled on North Central Florida during their 2002 ‘driving’ honeymoon. From the St. Petersburg area, they were headed to the U.S. Southwest, sightseeing and talking about what they might want to become in their new life together. By chance, they spent the honeymoon’s second night at the Ichetucknee Family Campground where they rented a cabin.
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