"It's 6,000 acres of natural, real Florida,” hinted Florida State Park Ranger Andrea Henry as the humidity rose faster than the morning summer sun.

Down a winding road in Polk County, you'll find the Zipper Canal and an enthusiastic park ranger ready to share Florida's wilderness.

"I want them to learn more about the flora and fauna we have here in Florida,” said Ranger Andi, as she’s known around Lake Kissimmee State Park.

Florida's natural wonder is important to Florida native Andrea “Andi” Henry, who after attending a forestry camp in high school at a Florida State Park found her career path became clear.

"It really struck my interest and that's when I knew I wanted to be a park ranger,” she said.

At Lake Kissimmee State Park, Andrea saw a missed opportunity and paddled upstream to put visitors on the water.

"This is the first time we have ever done kayak tours at Lake Kissimmee State Park,” she explained. 

Near the dock at the park, Andi saw an empty canal as a great place to introduce visitors to low-cost kayaking.

The two-hour trip on the water is free, after kayak owners pay the $5 entry fee to the park. Those who need to rent a kayak can do so for $20 from concessionaire Back Trail Adventures of Florida.

After taking rescue classes on how to save lives on the water should a situation warrant it, Andi now spends select Saturday mornings hitting the water with small groups.

"What a great way to connect people back with nature!” Andi believes.

Kayaker Rebecca Riedy agrees, according to what she told her husband Steve.

"You need to get off the couch and we're going to do some rowing on Saturday,” Steve said, mocking his wife Rebecca.

"I always tell him to get off the couch,” Rebecca confirmed.

The pair hit the water for some exercise.

"It's a workout,” Rebecca admitted.

Paddling up the Zipper Canal can be a challenge. Paddlers must row against the current. Some arm strength is needed, but it’s not essential. Once participants reach the shady turnaround point, Andi gives a history lesson.

When returning to the starting point, paddlers can relax.

"On the way back, the current brings you back, so you get the work done first and then cruise back,” Andi said.

Some paddlers are known to put their feet in the water and use them as rudders, giving their arms a break.

"The water was clear. You could see all the way to the bottom,” Steve said.

"The minute you get on the water, the stress goes away," Rebecca, a nurse from Plant City, said.

The trek ends around 11 a.m., just as the summer temperatures begin to really heat up.

"When you're done with the kayak tour, have a lunch under a sprawling live oak,” Andi recommended.

Tankful on Television
You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories each Thursday and Saturday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m. Classic Florida on a Tankful stories can be found each Friday and Sunday on Bay News 9 and News 13 at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m.

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Scott Fais joins Travel Monthly
Catch our own Scott Fais as the Florida Correspondent on the On Demand travel magazine, Travel Monthly. Each month, Scott joins other travel reporters from across the United States as they showcase a wide variety of attractions, diners, parks and landmarks from across America. See Travel Monthly nationally on Time Warner Cable channel 411. And here at home on Channel 999. Or see more of Travel Monthly here, courtesy of NY1, a service of Charter Communications.