Lacy mangroves, leggy wading birds and not a single other kayak in sight, save for our group.

Paddling the mouth of the Imperial River at what’s called the Intrepid Waters is, well, incredible.

This morning, I launched at the Imperial River Boat Ramp, which is on the Phase 1 / blue map of the three maps that comprise the Calusa Blueway. It’s a public launch site just off U.S. 41 right onto the Imperial River.

Seven miles and several hours later, I was back at the ramp. What a lovely time my companions and I had.

Paddling downstream, we took note of architecture – there are some jaw-dropping homes -- and yards, which are paradisiacal in a Florida style. The smattering of mangrove shoreline offered sightings of herons and kingfishers. Dolphins made an appearance on cue.

The river is perfect for paddling in that it’s shallow on its edges and the channel – actually shore to shore – is a speed zone that mandates no wakes for powerboaters. All the boaters we saw were going slowly enough it didn’t interfere with our paddling.

And really, we didn’t see many powerboaters at all.

When the river’s channel curves to the left as you approach the mouth, the Calusa Blueway’s marker No. 1 appears to the right, inviting you to enter the Intrepid Waters and its maze of mangroves.

Water is just inches deep on a low tide.

Birds are so abundant they look like Christmas tree ornaments.

Blue crabs scurry along the bottom, visible through the startlingly clear water.

Loop once. Loop again. Go around a mangrove island or two. Get lost in the silence and beauty of the place. Marker No. 2 and No. 3 help guide you, but be sure to watch the water surface and bring a sense of adventure. Robinson Crusoe would like it here.