2.20.09 Silver Glen Springs, Fl

We had a late visitor last night. Jim and I were lying in our bunks reading..Jim had just turned out his light when I saw something fly thru and to his side…I turned the light on..but found nothing…I was starting to think I was going batty.  So I went back to reading…it flew thru again..and again to Jim’s side. This time when I looked..I found a small brown bat clinging to the ceiling (it’s carpeted). I took a hand towel..gathered him up and put him back outside.  I should have gotten the camera first!!!

It was 44 last night. No swimsuit this morning. The wind had a bite to it. So it was just coffee and a hike on the beach with Raisin.

Nice clear sky…warm sunshine. By 10 am it was up to 50. A good day for a hike in the Springs.

With your “golden” senior card you can get into the Springs for 1/2 price…being a “Senior” does have it’s perks. We hiked out to the “sand boils” …nice trail and boardwalk.

On the trail out we had a deer jump in front of us…but I had the video camera going and didnt get a still picture. The “boils” are small springs that arnt strong enough to keep the sand out of them. The fish above are only 3 or 4 inches long..gives you an idea how small the boils are…but interesting.

We hadnt realized there was another spring head (or boil)…this one looked to be about 7 or 8 ft across…we couldnt tell how deep it went. It is fenced off so I didnt try snorkling over to see if you can dive in it..you can see part of the inside wall, if you look closely. You might have to enlarge the photo. The pretty blue is the main boil…all the round white spots are fish “nests” hollowed out in the sand.  You can see a few guarding them. From underwater it is a unique site..you can get pretty close to them. They are good sized fish. This is looking across the main boil to our anchorage. if you look closely in the foreground of the picture you can see hundreds of fish swimming in a large circle around the boil. …another great site from underwater. It’s amazing how many there are.

We were treated to the knock knocking of “Woody the Woodpecker”…a Pileated woodpecker that inspired the famous cartoon.This is one of the other trails.  All in all…it was a great day for a hike.

2.19.09 Silver Glen Springs, FL

The outside temperature was 53 deg last night. I was up early..in my swimsuit…coffee in hand..dog in the dingy and headed for shore. While Raisin did her thing I took a swim and did a quick shampoo. Chilly but not bad…water warm…air chilly. After a change into dry clothes..I left Raisin aboard and went for a row around the springs looking for things to photograph…cloudy and cool and not much out..but did get this nice Bald Eagle. An Ahinga We were drifting up close and I think he was trying to show us how big and scary he was. 

and a Blue Heron sitting in a live oak tree.

We didnt see any gators..very few turtles..It was just too cold for them without any sunshine.  Maybe tomorrow.

2.18.09

We enjoyed another good shrimp dinner, last night,  with friends…Larry & Diane of River Nomad, Ed & Carole of Southern Cross and Red and Kathy ..land cruising from Oklahoma.

After another trip to the restaurant, this morning, for breakfast (seems like all we did was eat out this week)..we headed for Silver Glen Springs.

The wind had kicked up Lake George a bit but it wasnt an uncomfortable ride. Nearer the entrance to the springs we spotted this craft. We had only seen one other boat this morning so were surprised to see a small open boat with 3 gentlemen..having a great time.

Then we spotted another one. They were tacking to the entrance and dropped their sails. We decided to go back out into the lake for more photos of the first boat but were a bit late…They were headed in also.

Although the boats are similar they had a different sail configuration. Once in the springs…it was …toss out the anchors and everybody overboard…then a quiet lunch. River Nomad made a pretty picture while Larry was setting his bimini.

I enjoyed a short swim while setting the anchors. The wind has settled down..it’s very quiet now.  I am going to row Raisin ashore shortly. 7:30…it’s already dark..no street lights around here. The only sounds have been the call of the Blue Herons when they’ve been disturbed.

2.17.09 Palatka city dock to Welaka city dock

It got down to 43 last night. With the heater running and the hotwater bottle (defective thermos) under the covers of the birdcage…we were snug.

Treated to a nice sunrise.

The sun was a big orb thru the fog rising off the water…it’s a shame it didnt show in the photo. This is the end of the new city dock that they have been working on for the past few months. Several tie-ups…electricity..and there will be a pumpout. I dont think it was working yet. It’s a shame more places dont work with the boaters like this. We come ashore and spend money. But the most important thing…easily available pumpouts will help keep the river clean.

We left the dock by 8am…went over to the one by a fancy restaurant…It is a short hike to the grocery store from there.

We are restocked and ready for the rest of the week.

This is the railroad bridge at Buffalo Bluff..it’s only an 8’ clearance so most boats have to request an opening.

When we pulled up to the dock at Welaka there were 2 ladies fishing and a friend waiting for a handout. He gets the little ones.

2.16.09

We tied up to the Palatka city dock just in time to see him pull this nice catfish out.  Looks like supper to me!! We’ll be spending the night here…might be a good idea..supposed to be chilly and we can plug into the electric.

2.16.09

It was cool last night but no need for heat. I was up early..coffee on..dog walked and then we headed up to the restaurant for breakfast. Carole & Ed were going to meet us there. After breakfast they took Larry and Diane over to get some pictures of Southern Cross.

When they got back..we spent another few hours telling tales. They are going cruising in March..we’ve had an invite to join them…if things work out…we’ll be seeing Southern Cross in motion.

2.15.09 Welaka city Dock

We had a good run across Lake George. Smooth as glass the first half and started to get lumpy the rest of the way. We were off the lake before it got bad…if it did.

Arrived at the Waleka city dock around noon. We called Carole and Ed, of Southern Cross. (an Albin 25) They are down from Maine. They picked us up and took us to see their boat. What a beauty!!! Then a trip to “Shrimp R Us” for a late lunch/early dinner. Great grilled shrimp. Spent several hours visiting then they headed back to Southern Cross.

A good way to spend the day…… with new friends and old friends.