A day at Silver Glen Springs, FL

We are anchored in the foreground. This is early in the morning and none of the weekend boaters have arrived yet, so it is quiet. I was up early and took Raisin ashore. While out…I spotted this bird sitting on the neighboring houseboat’s dingy.

I believe it is an immature Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, or an immature Black-Crowned Night Heron. I have never seen this bird before. Still haven't seen the adult.

At the top of a beautiful tree..sat a Bald Eagle.

It’s just starting to take off. I was a bit quick with the camera. Isn’t that a beautiful tree. It was sharing it with a buzzard. There were 2 Bald Eagles along the “run”.

This was all before coffee!  Jim stayed aboard and had hot coffee ready for me when I got back.

After a nice cool swim we took the dingy for a ride to the entrance of the Springs.

The sign is a favorite perch for the Cormorants. They have webbed feet like the Anhinga, and swim submerged as they do.

The breeze remained with us all day. It was comfortably cool. We plan to spend another night here and then head S.

Astor, FL to Silver Glen Springs

We cruised up to the Astor boat ramp and picked up our friends, Tony, Karen & Mike and took them for another boat ride. We were headed to Silver Glen Springs and took Blue Creek for a nice side trip on the way. It is beautiful through there.

Once at the springs we put our suits on and got out the snorkels and fins.

Water was cool, clear and very refreshing. We spent a few hours there and headed back to the boat ramp. They had to be in GA that evening. It was a short day but a fun one. Tony drove part of the way back.

Once we’d dropped them off, we headed back to the glen for the night. Jim did a bit of  snorkeling,  While I tried to get a picture of a turtle sunning itself.   With a nice cool breeze it was time for some reading. My sister had given me a large roll of white mesh material and I hung a piece from the rear handrails to help block the sun. We have enough for both sides. It really helps keep the boat cool..even keeps some of the bugs out. We have a screen for the rear..but no side screens yet. Another great day on the water. Air temp and breeze made it one of the best.

Great day on the water

We spent the night at G109 on the St Johns River. Normally we see several gators cruising the area but not this morning.

I took Raisin ashore and sat in the dingy while Jim  cruised the boat past for photos.

We normally don’t have any pictures of the boat in motion unless Larry and Diane, aboard River Nomad, are cruising with us.

We were surprised that we could hardly hear the engine over the noise of the water as he passed.

One we had finished our photo session we headed N. Once we got to marker G3, we anchored for the night. Had a nice cross breeze and got a good nights sleep.

First day with the new hardtop!!

Our friends from NY, Tony (that’s who we bought the ‘27 Model T from), Karen & Mike, decided they’d like to spend the day on the boat…so we did a quick load of supplies yesterday and launched this morning.

No problems launching..Mike helped Jim get the dingy aired up and loaded.

Tony kept Raisin company so she wouldn’t jump overboard, and Karen got caught up on phone calls.

Once everyone was loaded up, we cast off. I thought we looked pretty spiffy with our new top and enclosure.

Jim and Tony hashed over the used of the chart plotter and radar while we headed out onto Lake Monroe. Lots of clouds, good breeze and a bit of humidity, but the top kept us fairly cool.

The crew got settled in for the trip across the lake.

We decided to put on fuel at Sanford Boat Works Marina. Diesel was $2.73.9 a gallon.

I sure am happy with the way the boat looks.

It was too windy for good gator spotting. Most were in the water. Did see one good sized one  in Governor's Cut, but no pictures.

We ended the day back at the Lake Monroe Park where their car was and they’ve headed N a bit for a motel. We are anchored at G109 on the St Johns River, for the night. Heading N in the morning. They are going to meet us on Wed at Silver Glen springs.

Handrails

It was a beautiful sunny day today. Bit humid. The late morning showers didn’t arrive until Jim started installing the handrails on the back. Good thing he was using battery operated tools. It quit as soon as he was done. You know how that goes. Other than being a bit of a bother….it was refreshing.

These are the rails Jim’s brother, Carl, gave us. They are perfect for walking around the back.

Removing the box from the swim platform made it possible to lower the dingy motor mount. Now the motor wont have to be lifted so high and the weight is lower.  We are going to carry the gas cans and 1000 watt Honda generator on the foredeck.

The weather is really starting to get nice…not quite so hot and a bit cooler in the evening. We can put up with the heat during the day but it’s hard to get any sleep when it’s so hot and humid at night.

Our new look

We picked the boat up from ABCanvas Products, in Orlando, FL, yesterday afternoon. Since we had to take the sides down for trailering….we decided to wash it first thing this morning and put on some Poliglow. That’s why you didn’t get any pictures last night.

Lots more window.

It has a light tint, but you hardly notice it. Maybe it will help keep some of the hot FL sun out. Paul made us a screen for the center back. We’ll have more made at a later date.

This is the view from inside. Take note of the tree lying on it’s side..it’s a palm that was knocked down during Hurricane Charlie a few years ago. It’s is still growing and starting to turn to the sky.

Jim has a lot more room for getting on and off…and the best part…nothing to catch his toes on. Once he steps off the bench…he has plenty of head room. I think we are going to be happy with it.  Cant wait to get on the water.

I’ve finished sanding the teak handrails that will go on the back. Just need to oil them and install. I think that is tomorrows project. Then all the original teak hand rails (4) need to be sanded and oiled. Guess we wont be bored waiting to go boating.

Leaving for side enclosure

We removed everything from the cockpit and stored it below. Side curtains were taken down and the truck hooked to the trailer.

We wanted to leave as soon as the sun was up this morning and be at AB Custom Products, in Orlando,  as early as we could. He wants to have it done by tomorrow evening….Thurs a.m. at the latest.

We may put a stainless support in each side, as soon as, we see where the side zippers will be located.

It looks good, open like that, but I do most of the climbing in and out for fenders and dock lines, and I think I’d like something extra to grab, especially if going to or coming from the rear.

Jim’s brother, Carl, found (2) 43 inch teak handrails. They’ll go across the back.

We are lost today…no boat in the yard to work on. Oh…I forgot…the teak handrails will be here in a bit and I can start sanding.

Then it will be time for a good scrubbing and some Poliglow. Wow!! it just never ends.

So….maybe tomorrow night I can post pictures of the new side enclosure.