11.29.11

We were up early…and heading South. Didn’t have much luck with the current. It was against us for quite awhile.

We had wind behind us, giving us a bit of a shove, or we’d have been traveling even slower.

Both boats needed fresh water so we stopped at the city dock in Green Cove Springs. It is a nice floating dock. Water and electric are available. If you want to spend the night and hook up you walk up to the town hall. I believe they charge $10. That was the fee quoted in Active Captain.

Diane asked someone where there was a good restaurant and was directed to La Casita. They were right…it was good food at a reasonable price. (I’m beginning to sound like a restaurant tour guide.) There were a few other restaurants, a drug store and an Ace Hardware,  all within walking distance of the dock. We’ll be adding this stop to our list. Should be able to get most everything needed, except fuel.

After topping off our water tanks, we headed S. Another cold night expected. We continued on to Deep Creek.

Larry dropped his anchor, we rafted up to him and Jim hustled to get the dingy in the water. I didn’t get any pictures when we anchored here a few days ago ….and the sun was dropping behind the trees very fast.

After the photo session, Jim reloaded the dingy and we buttoned up for the night. We have fleece curtains to help insulate the vinyl curtains. I have covers for the cabin windows but we haven’t installed the snaps inside for the windows across the front…just on the side. Once we’ve done that it will help. I like to be able to look out and see if we are dragging anchor…but I can lift a curtain to do that.

Oh….did I mention it was COLD?!!

He is such a good sport…had a good time posing for these pictures….but it really was cold. Once I took this he opened up the engine compartment and it warmed up considerably.  He has Raisin wrapped up in the blanket.

 

11.29.11

It was cold enough this morning for the generator and the little heater. We are anchored in a stretch of Deep Creek with tall trees on either side and it takes awhile for the sun to hit us. With these vinyl curtains it is like a greenhouse once the sun is up and very comfortable…until then it is cold and damp.

Once the engines were checked for oil and water we unhooked our docklines and started down river to the St Johns River. Larry still had to push that button and pull his anchor up. OOPS….he forgot to push it. We wondered why he wasn’t following us. Got a good laugh out of that one.

But you know how that goes….as soon as you laugh at someone else’s mistake…they getcha…

Yup…a little while later they cruised up along side us and mentioned the fact that we still had fenders flying… Larry took this with his phone and emailed it to me.

Our destination today is Doctor’s Lake. We’re having dinner at Whitey’s Fish Camp. They are on Swimming Pen Creek and we’re looking forward to seeing the Christmas Lights that the little creek is known for.

Jim says I will have to ride with Larry and Diane so we can get some pictures of our boat underway. Until then…here’s Diane at the wheel.

We tied up at Whitey’s….had a good supper….Larry was full of supper!  Diane ordered Calamari and the waitress made a misstep and the whole thing landed in Larry’s lap. She felt terrible..but Larry is a gentleman and just laughed it off…as did the rest of us. He and Diane did their best to make her  feel better about the whole thing…We had another laugh when we heard her telling the rest of the help about it.

We spent the night tied to their dock. No electric but again the price was right…free. Diane let us look through her collection of DVDs. Then we all went back to our boat and watched it on the computer. We put up the inside curtains and it was like being in a tiny theatre. After the movie they headed back to A Dollar More and bed.

There were several Christmas lights along the creek but not as many as we’d expected. Perhaps we were a bit early. Still….it was worth the trip.

 

11.28.11

The nights are cooling down a bit…

A good breakfast of Biscuits ‘n Gravy started the day off. You notice I mention “Shrimp R Us” a lot.  That’s because they have good food at a reasonable price and it is within walking distance of the City Dock.

Crab pots are found all up and down the St Johns River. You’ll see them tending their crab traps in all weather.

Here’s a shot of “A Dollar More” …you can see my elbow in the mirror as I took the photo.

The river gets much wider as you go N. In many places it’s like crossing a big lake. As the day progressed, the wind and weather changed.

It’s getting colder and clouding over. The wind is picking up and the water getting lumpy. We decided to head for the city dock in Palatka. They have electric hookups and the price is right…free. By the time we got there, the weather and current were not cooperating. Jim and I decided to anchor out.

While Larry and Diane were trying to get to the dock…Jim went on a rescue mission…Larry had lost a fender overboard and it was drifting away. It made for a fun ride in that little rubber dingy. He normally sits on the side but ended up kneeling in the center when coming back against the waves.

Larry and Diane made several tries at getting to the dock and finally made it.

They decided not to spend the night there. The wind and waves were hitting them broadside and it wasn’t a comfortable position. A short conference and we decided to head for Deep Creek and anchor there.

By the time we got to our anchorage it was starting to rain….but only lightly. Just enough to make it cold while tying along side A Dollar More. Larry has this neat little thing called a “windlass”. You push a button and the anchor goes either up or down. On our boat one of us has to go on deck and drop the anchor or haul it in by hand.

Oh….did I mention it was getting cold?

Saturday

Hontoon Island was very busy yesterday. As we approached, the ferry was loading up with people headed to the Island.

The docks weren’t quit full but there were several boats there. They have water and electric for a reasonable price…even better for FL seniors.

Our night at anchor was peaceful….and not too hot.

We were up early ….Jim and Larry got the dingys read so we could go scout out the island and a big boat anchored below us.

Is that an Albin Rendevous? Nope…just Slow Motion and A Dollar More.

A bit of FL color….

The plant is Water Lettuce…it can take over a pond and choke up the river. You can see the “tea” color of the water.

After our trip ashore for Raisin we loaded up and headed N. The wind is kicking up and we want to get across Lake George. It turned out to be a great trip….wind at our backs made for a nice ride with a push.

Just before we got to the lake we spotted this Bald Eagle.

We ended the day tied up to the Welaka City Dock and dinner at Shrimp R Us.   Always a treat.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with Tom and Cindy, our neighbors. Cindy put on a wonderful feast. Thank you so much, Cindy!!

We spent most of the day getting Slow Motion ready. Jim had already hooked up water to it and started the engine, so we knew we wouldn’t be dead in the water after launching. We try to start it every few months when not in use.

Jim’s brother, Carl, came down and spent Thanksgiving with us and followed us to Lake Monroe to help  with the launching.

We motored up to Butcher’s Bend at G109 and anchored…took a nap…and had turkey sandwiches for supper (compliments of Tom and Cindy)..then enjoyed the evening. What a beautiful day.

11.26.11

We expected to see several gators but only one stuck it’s head up as we were leaving. When there is a lot of activity on the water they stay hidden.

Talked to Larry and Diane of “A Dollar More”. They are heading S….we’ll head N and meet on the river somewhere.

The day started out a bit overcast.

At marker G77 we took a side creek. This is a favorite for kayaks and canoes since it’s of the main river. We are near Blue Springs and they have rentals.

We saw this little houseboat cruise past our anchorage last evening. They were all lit up with Christmas decorations. We like the looks of this small boat for river S of Lake George. There are so many places we just cant get into because it is so shallow, and we much prefer the wilder southern part of the river.

We almost missed this gator. I was so busy taking pictures …I never noticed the little gators with her.

I love the one sitting on her tail. I see at least 4 but Jim said he saw a bunch scramble into the water.

This duck(?) was swimming in the water. Not sure what it is…but the bill or beak looks more like a Night Heron’s.

Several boats out today…but these were the best looking.

This guy seemed to enjoy having it’s picture taken.

We decided this would definitely be a comfortable live aboard.

It wasn’t much later when “A Dollar More” showed up. After a little chat on the radio…we decided to head N, so they did a “U” turn.

Diane passed us some late lunch…the best BBQ ribs we’ve had.

We will anchor behind the island at G3…Lungun Island. It’s a popular spot for campers but no one was on the island when we got there.

Loading the boat 11.22.11

It has been a busy last few months. The work on the camper/hauler is almost finished.  The living quarters have been completed but for a little trim.  All the cabinets, the converter (dark thing between cupboards) as well as, the windows are all from the old camper.

The bed is folded up against the front wall…you can see the hinges.  It was very comfortable. We bought a memory foam mattress for a hide a bed. We were impressed with how well we slept.

The bathroom is from the old camper. Jim painted the tub and seat to match. I love the blue.

We do have to rough it abit.  The sink is fold down….must fill it then dump it in the tub. It lifts right out…..just a stainless dog bowl.  But it does work well.

We only spent 4 nights in it…but so far it will do the job.

The kitchen and all the windows are from the old camper. The fridge came with the car hauler.

So……now we are concentrating on cleaning and loading the boat. I have all the bedding aboard…food stuffs go in Thurs am.  Friday we will launch…hopeing that everyone will be out shopping….after all…it is Black Friday.

We’ll be heading N on the St Johns River, FL. Larry and Diane of “A Dollar More”  Albin 27, are already on the river. They trailered down from OK.  We would have met them sooner but went to a carshow/ swapmeet in Moultrie, GA in our new “camper/hauler”. Just had to road test it and try out everything we’d done to see what needed more work. Right now…it seems good the way it is.

But……..no matter how comfortable it is…..it is still land bound….I can’t wait to get aboard Slow Motion and start cruising. There’s a bunch of big gators just waiting to have their pictures taken.

Looks like a short postpone….

Jim is doing really well on getting the camper/hauler in shape. Installed the on demand water heater today. Don’t have to worry about scalding yourself but it will do. It sure isn’t as nice as the heater aboard Slow Motion.

We are going to a carshow/swapmeet in Moultrie, GA the weekend of Nov 18,19,20.  We should be home and unloading the camper and loading the boat by the 21st.  Then we’ll head  to the West Coast of FL to meet Larry and Diane and their boat  “A Dollar More”.

If Jim’s brother, Carl, is available we’ll pick him up and have him take the truck and trailer back to his house. That way we wont have to worry about it and we can cruise back to Sanford via the ICW and the St Johns River.