Deep Creek

Another cold night…but the open engine compartment provided enough heat to enjoy the cockpit until bedtime…then it’s just a matter of getting up to use the head or to heat the water in the thermos that I use to keep the bird warm.

Looking back into the mist rising off Deep Creek.

Here come Larry and Diane aboard “A Dollar More”.

Once the sun is up….it is warm inside.

We cruised S to Corkey Bell’s floating dock. After tying up we hiked up to the grocery store. There is also a Family Dollar there. Not a long walk…I believe there is a parts store within a mile. Jim had to walk it a year or so ago for an alternator.

After stowing the groceries, we had lunch at Corkey Bell’s.

We took  a side trip down Murphy Creek. Saw a few gators. One was pretty big but as soon as Jim slowed the engine down he disappeared.

We decided to anchor at Seven Sisters, just S of the Buffalo Bluff Railroad Bridge. There is a nice wide spot that should give us early morning sunshine.

A nice evening at anchor….and not as cold as last night. Again, the engine compartment threw off enough heat to keep us comfortable in the cockpit. So far, we’ve only run the generator and heater for an hour or so on a couple of mornings.

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.