Christmas on the Water 12.26.14

Enjoyed a nice sunset with our wine last night. Still a bit cool but  with sweatshirts we managed.

When it gets cold and you are sitting in a spring that is 72 degrees year around…you get fog in the morning.

Did not know there was a fishing contest scheduled so when we woke up there were several boats unloading and idling around.

Pictures in the fog do not come out well but here are a few more.

We had our generator running for charging batteries but shut it down before 7am. Figured that was when they were going to start. Jim heard them count down as they turned them loose…24.

Once all the boats had been turned loose we stowed our gear….hauled the anchor and headed for the lake. Lake George can get pretty rough at times and we wanted to be across it before it kicked up too bad.

Some of the boats stayed on the small lake…

You can see why the Cormorants are sometimes called “snake” birds. Here’s two.

We had the rising sun in our eyes all the way to the lake.

It’s a beautiful ride…the scenery changes as you go….

Lake George is just beyond the little island.

It was a bit windy out there and kicking up a little but the good part was it was at our back and helped push us across.

We saw this pontoon boat in the springs and here they are setting up camp. They had a tent just out of sight in the background.

Not a bad ride across the lake. You have to enter and exit the lake through these gates because it is pretty shallow in places.

Once on the south end of Lake George we took a ride through Blue Creek. This used to be an island where a very big gator hung out. The locals called him “Bubba”. Heard he got too friendly and they removed him.

 

Another view….if I can’t find gators….I take pictures of turtles.

Don’t know how they manage to stay on the log when all feet are in the air…great balance..

After Blue Creek we were back in the St Johns River and went to G3..Lungun Island or Shell Island to the locals and anchored behind it for the night. Another great day on the water.

Merry Christmas!!! 12.25.14

We’ve spent several Christmas and New Year’s here in Silver Springs, but not for a few years. It was nice to be back.

This is what the screened rear deck looked like during the down pour. It only lasted a few minutes but put enough water in the bow to start the bilge pumps. Back here it was sheeting on the screens so most went overboard.

Here is the houseboat and cruiser that joined us.

This one came in after dark and probably didn’t know the area. It anchored in the channel below us.

We hauled up the anchor and headed out to Lake George. If it is not too rough we’ll try to get to Salt Springs at the NW end of the lake.

This Cormorant (L) and the Anhinga (R) are both diving birds with webbed feet. Sometimes called “snake” birds because all you see is the head and neck out of the water.

A look at the run on our way out…

A sailboat anchored at the entrance to Silver Glen..

Once on Lake George …Jim let me have a turn at the wheel.

The trip up the lake was a little lumpy but not too bad.

The entrance to Salt Springs Run….

This is a beautiful ride….about 4 or 5 miles and seems to be a favorite with the water birds.

We were not the only ones enjoying the Salt Springs. There were at least a dozen kayakers and a few pontoon boats and fishing boats. Most were interested in the Manatees that winter here. Last we heard there were 14 but may be more now. There were also several snorkelers in the water.

You can see part of one and a Cormorant swimming by.

This is the little store and boat launch.

Sun reflecting off a Manatee’s back….in the “diamonds” as boaters say.

Jim loaded the little folding cart and gas can in the dingy and I took him ashore. He hiked about 1/2 mile to a gas station, picked up some gas and donuts and hiked back. An hour or so later I picked him up and brought him back to the boat. Probably saved $2.00 a gallon. Wonder how many young folks would do that.

After wine and our books we went to bed….just in time for the night fishermen. They usually have a pontoon boat with a generator and several spot lights. They fish with bows. So we didn’t need any night light.

Supposed to get colder tonight so we closed up and drew the curtains to keep the heat in. Only needed one blanket until about midnight…then I added another light one. Slept great.

What a great way to spend Christmas Day….on the water watching Manatees.

Christmas on the water 12.24.14

Jim was up early….had the generator started….batteries charging and coffee started.

We had dragged anchor and were in the weeds…motor started right up and backed us out with no problems.

These are the Blue Springs Tour boats.

Spotted this Bald Eagle just before getting to Hontoon Island.

Not many boats today….must be everyone is home for Christmas Eve.

These turkeys have found someone who likes to feed them. Saw another small flock a few miles up the river in another yard.

The sky has been gun metal grey all morning…the sun is finally starting to poke it’s way out of the clouds.

This brown pelican flew out to greet us…guess we look like a fishing boat.

A unique paint job…but its listing to port a bit. Hope it hasn’t been abandoned.

I love the way Pelicans glide along the water.

Through the gates at the S end of Lake George…a popular place for the birds.

Working our way to the entrance to Silver Glen Springs.

The sandy white beach is now below water…

Getting all the sun they can…

These birds and the turtles are in the run to the springs.

We were the only boat here….time to go for a swim…

Once I got back aboard and dried off I spotted these Bald Eagles in the tree near our boat.

Then it was Jim’s turn….took a bit of convincing but he was up to it…..

Once we were refreshed we took to dingy up into the part of the springs where we used to be able to anchor…but no more…we are still in the anchorage but not up where we can see the actual spring.

This is the view from the old part of the anchorage…you can just see our boat in the distance. No more anchoring this side of the white buoys and the main spring is off to the L out of the picture.

Just before dark a houseboat came in and a cruiser. After dark another houseboat joined us. Guess we aren’t the only ones who like Christmas on the Water.

Shortly after the boats arrived the skies let loose with a huge downpour….a few minutes later the bilge pumps came on…nice to know they work when they need to. Meander is an open bow boat and even with the bimini a hard deluge at an angle can put a lot of water in it. It didn’t rain long and we settled in with our wine and a book.

Another good day on the water.

Christmas on the water 12.23.14

Jim had a dentist appointment this morning. He had the truck hitched to the boat and while he was gone I finished loading it.

We were on the water by 3pm.

Launched at Lake Monroe Park. This time we brought our dingy with us. Once it was inflated and tied behind we headed down river. Only had to wait a few minutes for the railroad bridge to open and we were on our way.

Jim checked the chart and figured we had time to make it to the Blue Springs area for the night.

We normally anchor at G 109 but just did a cruise through….Jim spotted this gator.

The Anhinga was drying its wings ..

As we rounded the island we noticed they had replaced one of the wooden markers with this one.

Enjoying a nice supper…

Our first real test for idling down. So far the motor has run good but idling has been the problem once the motor gets warm. We are just a little S of Blue Springs and will anchor on this little river…it’s a Manatee Zone and boats must travel slow.

Just as we came to the anchor spot the motor quit….Jim did a little adjusting…we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

After supper and a glass of wine on the rear deck we were treated with this beautiful sunset.

It is a beautiful night. Windows open…light  breeze coming through…perfect for sleeping…except I have trouble sleeping the first night on the water. At 10:30 I went back on the rear deck and listened to the night critters. Frogs that sound like squeaky balloons and Sand Hill Cranes warning something away. What a great first night on the water.