3.13.10 Sister’s Island to Palatka, Fl

I slept so good last night I never heard the rain storm. Jim said it really came down hard. He had to bail out the dingy before we could do a morning cruise. There doesn’t appear to be any dry land that we can get to for a dog walk…but we are going to take a ride anyways.

We look kind of small from this distance.

Once the dingy was loaded on the swim platform…we headed on into Palatka. We decided to tie up to the city dock and fill the water tank and jugs. The wind was really kicking up and it was tricky getting it done.

From there we headed over to the floating dock at Corky Bell’s. Jim picked us up a couple order of hot wings and we sat aboard ..bouncing around…and enjoyed our lunch.

We haven't been down Dunn’s Creek in a few years so are going to check it out. We spotted this cute little gator sunning with a bunch of turtles.

We worked our way a little closer…Is he smiling at me?

I kept taking pictures of him so that I might get a good one….and boy was I surprised when I saw this one after downloading it to the computer. look closely…the one I was interested in is in the lower R corner…you can see one of the turtles on the same log.  Now…look at the log above him…2 more.  On a log in the upper L is the tail of a very large gator and above him another small one. 5 in all and the only one we had noticed was the “smiling” one in the lower R. I can’t believe we missed seeing them!!

A little ways up from this group, we spotted this one.

We couldn’t get over the depth on some of the corner’s of this twisting little creek. …50’ on one and most were at least 30’….and as soon as you round the “U” turn it would rise right back up to 17’ or 18’ and then be 10’or 11’  depending on the part of the creek you were in.  I know most of you are laughing…but down here that is deep.

We finished the day out on Murphy Creek and found a nice anchorage. The wind is really gusting but this is another creek with a lot of bends and there is always a spot to get out of the wind.

Both Dunn’s Creek and Murphy’s Creek should be on your list if you get down this way.

3.12.10 heading North for a bit

After a good night’s sleep we met Ed & Carole and Kate and Bruce at Shrimp R Us for breakfast, good company and conversation.  That took care of most of the morning and it looked to be a beautiful day.

We picked up a few supplies at the jiffy store and hiked back to the boat. We are going to head N.  I’ve always wanted to stop and spend some time at Seven Sister’s Islands.

We anchored for the rest of the day and enjoyed the sunshine. Not many boaters out today.

We enjoyed a glass of wine with a pretty sunset.

3.11.10 Silver Glen Springs to Welaka, Fl

I was up early and a trip ashore for Raisin was in order. We tried to sneak out so as not to wake Jim…not sure we were able to, he had coffee made by the time we got back.

There is a small stretch of beach for her to walk but much of the shore line along the run looks like this…I thought the new ferns were especially pretty. Last year there was a family of River Otters that hung out in this area. We have not seen them yet this year.

As soon as I got back to the boat, Jim told me he and Ed had listened to the weather report and we needed to haul anchor and get headed N. We wanted to be off Lake George before the storms hit and they were due in our area in a few hours.

We got under way, and the lake had already started kicking up a bit. Once we were into the deeper part of the lake (7-9’) we were able to head N and the wind and waves were at our backs or nearly so. It made for a nice comfortable ride, but every now and then a large swell would catch us on the rear quarter and try to turn us off sideways.

We had a small head start, but Carole and Ed caught us  about half-way to the N end.  Jim called them and asked them to give us a “slow pass” so as not to create a big wake. Actually, I wanted them on the down-wind side so I could get a short video with the window open and the rain wouldn’t be blowing in.

Here’s what the ride across the lake looked like.

Carole and Ed were headed to their slip and we were going to tie up at the Welaka city dock. As we approached the dock the wind let up and the skies opened up and dumped rain on us by the bucket load. Naturally I was on the deck with the dock lines and fenders out. Jim did a great job of backing into the slip. I would much rather have the downpour than gusting winds for docking. Much easier to change into dry clothes that repair dings etc.

Bruce and Kate offered to pick us up but we decided to stay with the boat. There had been a few tornado warnings in the area and severe thunderstorms. The boat rode well at the floating dock…no major leaks and all the snaps held during the wind gusts and the vinyl side curtains stayed in place. Lots of thunder and lightening.

The storm passed thru and we were able to go to Shrimp R Us for supper. Carole and Ed played taxi and we didn’t have to walk in the rain. Kate and Bruce met us there. We had a good meal with great company.

Another end to a great day on the water!

3.10.10 heading to Silver Glen Springs.

I was up early and had the coffee started….when I realized we had company.

a little dark thing flew across the cockpit a couple of times. I waited until it landed… A Bat!

I was pretty sure I knew what it was. We’ve had one in here before. The enclosure is pretty snug and I think perhaps it was attracted to the heat of the engine and came in through the vents. They will have screen on them for the next trip. The last bat surprised me and I had it caught up in a towel and put outside before I thought of the camera…not this time…important stuff first!  look at those cute little hind feet and I guess it is a finger on the fold of the wing. I’ll have to research it when I get a chance.

Jim got up …we opened the side curtain and I used the fly swatter to nudge it towards the opening. Jim held up a jacket so it would be funneled outside…it worked and it was on it’s way.

We saw our first Limpkin of the season.

This is truly a beautiful bird. This picture doesn’t do it justice. Here is one I took last year.

It is really very striking. Each white feather is like a little white tab.

Back out on the river, Ed and Carole pulled alongside.  Ed has a unique way of enjoying the view.

We took Blue Creek and it was like a super highway. We have never met more than one or two boats on this creek….today they were bumper to bumper…but it was still a nice ride.

The trip across Lake George was again smooth. We anchored for the night at Silver Glen Springs.

3.9.10 Lungun Island to Blues Springs & Hontoon IS.

Everyone was up fairly early and we had a good start for Blue Springs.

Jim spotted these Wild Turkeys. These 2 males showing off for the 3 females. As we cruised thru a more populated area we saw these Pelicans waiting by a fish cleaning station for the “left overs”.  

Once we reached Blue Springs, we anchored just off shore where all the pontoon boats beach and used the dingys to go ashore.

The Manatees were in….

There was even a good sized alligator sunning itself along with the Manatees..

We hiked the boardwalk to the spring boil. It’s a beautiful walk and follows the run so you can see the Manatees.

This Mother and her calf made a leisurely trip down the run. You can see a  set of prop scars on the mother.

On our way back to the boats, we rowed down the river to the spring entrance where the Manatees travel to get into the springs. Carole and Ed had one come right up to their dingy and look them over.

Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of it.

We headed back N to Hontoon Island so we could take on some water. Our tank was getting low. Once filled we went around to the back side of Hontoon Island and followed the Hontoon Dead River ( G53). We found a nice spot to anchor and were invited over to Southern Cross for h’orderves and a glass of wine before supper.

What a nice way to end another beautiful day on the river.

Leaving Welaka FL for Blue Springs. 3.8.10

We moved Slow Motion over to a slip near Carole and Ed and Southern Cross for pictures.

 

Kate and Tex are saying “so long” to Ed, and Bruce is kind enough to take the pictures. Next time we’ll get him into one.

We spent many miles on the water with a “little green boat” (Larry & Diane in their Nimble Nomad) and now we have a “little” Albin 25 following us. You can tell it’s going to be a beautiful day…the curtains are up and the hatches open.

They don’t follow us for long…

Their boat actually cruises faster and easier on fuel than ours does.

We had a nice smooth ride across Lake George. That is not the normal ride we are used to. It doesn’t take much wind to kick it up because it is so shallow.

Looks like these Pelicans are going to take over the Osprey nest. These markers are a favorite spot. The sticks and Spanish Moss have been brought in by the Ospreys. You can see the solar panel that lights the “green” marker. The number is on the sign the Pelican is sitting on. There is a marked channel across the lake to the “gates” at the S end.

We cruised S to Lungun Island, G3. One of our favorite anchorages. We’ve seen Manatees there and it’s a nice spot to take Raisin ashore, and stretch our legs.

Welaka, FL 3.7.10

After watching them load the Manatee, we headed N to Welaka. It’s Sunday morning and the weather is improving. Much warmer.

We have been invited to dinner at Bruce and Kate’s. They have a dock slip they are not using, (their Albin 27’ is in Canada) and we will tie up there for the night.  Carole and Ed of Southern Cross (Albin 25’) will be there also.

The ride across Lake George was fairly smooth.  The wind and current made entering the dock a bit tricky so we opted to tie-up on the outside.

The weather was warm enough for a poolside cookout. Bruce and Kate did a fine job of filling us up, and we all had a great time.

We hooked up to the electric and had heat all night. It cooled down as soon as the sun went down.