Lake Jessup 10.1.13

After coffee we headed for Lake Jessup. We’ve not been on this lake for several years. At that time we had our Adventure Craft and Larry and Diane had their Nimble Nomad. When we got to the fish camp, we dropped a stern anchor as we were going in and nosed up to the land…then put the bow anchor in the ground. Spent the night. Next morning I hauled the anchor aboard and we headed out…but we didn’t get far….we’d forgotten the stern anchor. Larry kept looking back to see why we were not following. It’s those little things that make a trip memorable.

The lake is finally up enough for us to try it again.

At the entrance there is a gauge….don’t know what it means….but do know that if it reads 3.40 we can cross the lake.

There is a nice little boat ramp with plenty of parking…We don’t use it because we leave the truck and trailer for a week or so. Lake Monroe Park has secure parking.

The lake was flat….we did cross an area that read 1’ but had no problem. Our depth gauge is in the lower part of the center hull. That would mean 1’ below the bottom of the boat. If the motor is tilted a bit it doesn’t hit. On our way out we changed our route a bit and bypassed that shallow spot.

In the distance is the 417 bridge. “The Greenway”. We crossed under it and checked out the other end of the lake. We’ve never been to that end.  After a cruise around we came back to the Black Hammock Fish Camp and had lunch.

As we were nearing the fish camp, I noticed this little rain cloud. Looked like it might be dropping some water on our place so called my friend, Debbie, but she said no.

We anchored and took the dingy in. (no stern anchor this time)

View of “Meander” from the parking lot, with a map of the lake. They have a “biker” bar….airboat rides and good food. Lake Jessup has a large population of gators. You can sit out on the peninsula and generally see several swimming nearby. They have a gator they bring around for you to see, in the restaurant. You can even hold it and have your picture taken. It is just a small one, but gives you a chance to really get a good look and feel of one.

We saw a couple White Pelicans.

I don’t do very well “on the wing” pictures but I was so happy to capture these I just had to post them.

We are anchored just outside the entrance of Lake Monroe on Woodruff Creek. Nice breeze…doing a bit of swinging on the anchor. Sure hope this isn’t a short cut to the lake for the fast boats with the big wakes.

Tomorrow we’ll cross Lake Monroe…load “Meander” on the trailer and head home. Our week on the water over.

The highlight of this trip was the run down Hontoon River and the canal that cut through to the St Johns River. I much prefer the river to lake running….so much more to see.