5.25.13

 

We haven't been up the Norris Dead River in several years. It leaves the St John’s River, takes a long winding path to Lake Woodruff. From there it goes past Tick Island ( where we were beached when a tornado came thru the Deland FL area and almost over our heads) the last time we were there. Larry and Diane had their Nimble Nomad “River Nomad” and we had our Adventure Craft “Lingerawhile”.

I guess I’d have to call this “Broken Dreams”.

I like this kind of travel….narrow waterways….and few boats.

You have to watch for low overhangs, stumps in the water and depth. This heron kept flying off, landing and then flying off again as we caught up.

and sections that are weed choked.

We started seeing a lot of fishing boats when we got close to Lake Woodruff so decided to turn around and take the scenic tour back.

Once back to the St Johns, we crossed it …followed the jug handle around to the N entrance and anchored for the night. Sometimes you just get lucky…and we did. Jim was tying the dingy alongside so we could take a ride later and two Manatees came over ….this is the small one and believe me…it was big. Look at the prop scars on it’s head and back and the mother was marked as bad if not worse. It was great to see them but sure hated the thought of them being out in the river this weekend.

Their hide is kind of prickly. This one, I believe the Mother, kept coming up alongside like it wanted it’s back scratched.

They hung around ..rubbing against the dingy and the boat …for at least half an hour.

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day. We took the dingy out for awhile but did not see them again.

At anchor and full of fuel. She sits a bit low in the water, but when you get the human “ballast” loaded in the front…it rides fairly level. That $35 bimini has sure come in handy.

Frogs same me to sleep…very loudly…don’t think Jim appreciates them as much as I do.

St Johns River, FL 5.24.13

We don’t normally head for the river on a big holiday weekend, but this is our last chance to spend time on the boat for awhile.

By the time we’d filled the fresh water tank and had everything aboard, the launch ramp was available.

Once the truck is parked and I’ve tied Meander alongside the dock we are ready to get the dingy inflated and the trolling motor mounted, the dog walked and the bird aboard…we are ready to head N.

Now this is a nice cruising houseboat. Seaworthy, low windage and lots of room, but most likely…..really big fuel tanks to fill. So guess we’ll be happy with our little Meander.

Our anchorage for the night is just past Blue Springs. We are at the mouth of the “jug handle” so we can get a good breeze and watch all the boats going by…this is a slow speed zone because of Manatees so we’ll have a nice peaceful night.

Sitting on the rear deck watching the moon come up….and Jim noticed this rocket trail. We don’t know what was being launched but it was interesting.

And then this little white wing like cloud appeared. It must have been high enough that the sun still lit it up, while the sunset colored the rocket tail.

Good day on the water….but then most of them are good.