St.Johns River, Florida

Molly Brown · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:41 pm Post subject: St.Johns River, Florida

Brat Land:

The Molly Brown will be on the St.Johns River in central Florida starting January 13th for two weeks. No plan, no itinerary. You can't mistake us and we monitor channel 16. Lake Sanford north, to at least Lake George, mostly. We could even make it to Jacksonville, but since there is no plan I hesitate to even mention it. During the 2006/7 holidays we did a horseshoe from New Smyrna Beach, up the intercoastal and down the St.Johns River, with 3 kids in tow. We always said we'd come back, and I spent some time on the river during my teenage years, long ago. This time, with just the dogs, the trip is down time for my wife after the Disney Marathon and my 35 years as a telco man. If anyone should be out and about, just give us a hail. We'd be interested in your experiences and suggestions, or something notable you'd like to pass on. Should be a wonderful trip.

Larry Patrick · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

Enjoy ,sounds like a great trip.

smittypaddler · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject: One of my favorite places

I love cruising on the St Johns. If you stop at Hontoon Island State Park say hello to Glen and Buzz. I'll be at Tropical Resort & Marina on Lake Beresford from mid-January thru February on my C-Dory, so stop and say hello. If you get to Acosta Creek Harbor just north of Welaka say hi to Jay and Cathy for me. All wonderful people and one of the greatest rivers to cruise anywhere. There are a couple of my journals for the St Johns at this web site you might find useful:

http://smittypaddler.com/cds/index.htm

Tad and Toby Jackson · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:32 pm Post subject:

Hi James and Betty,

Wish we could meet up with you in Jan., but we will be launching the Comfy Dory on Dec. 26th @ Lake Harney and traveling north up toward Palatka for a week, returning to Harney on New Year's Day. Just a little ahead of you. We have made that trip for the last few years and consider it our re-charge trip after the excitement of the Holidays. We usually spend 1 night up Deep Creek, 1 night on Lake Beresford, 1 night on Dead Hontoon River, 1 night at the mouth of Cross Creek, 1 night at Silver Glen Springs, 1 night up the Oklawaha River, 1 night near Astor and the last night somewhere south of Hontoon Island. A little fishin, a little readin, a little snoozin, lots of good food and drink and we're ready to go back to work again (not really!) Have a great time and enjoy the beauty and the birds (so many).

Tad and Toby

El and Bill · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:19 pm Post subject:

You will be on one of the most beautiful rivers in North America, in our opinion. We traveled slowly up and down the river with two little grandkids, who fell in love with the manatees. Ah, go slowly, and enjoy. We are so glad you will cruise the St. Johns..

Will-C · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:34 am Post subject: St.Johns River, Florida

If you do get up to Jacksonville you should go on the Active Captain site sign up for a free account if you have not already. From the Active Captain home page look at the bottom and click on news letters and search for newsletter 105 it has a wealth of info about Jacksonville. Safe Travels
D.D.

smittypaddler · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject: Jacksonville Bus Transport

I didn't have a good experience with Jacksonville's Transit System. I waited at a bus stop on the outskirts of town for nearly an hour, only to see the bus go by without stopping. Contrast this with Honolulu, where a typical wait is 15 minutes, The Bus will haul your bicycle for you, and an annual bus pass for seniors costs $5.

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:53 pm Post subject:

Lived in JAX for two years in the Navy, didn't boat except on a Destroyer. Not much culture then, Sally cried as we drove in, founded a weavers guild and felt a little better. We joke about that the hurricane that totally destroyed the Art Museum (a joke) and did $1.25 in damage. I'm sure it's better now, Gator Bowl and all!

Charlie

roydawn · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:

molly brown, we lived on the st. johns river for over 12yrs. 4 on land, georgetown, [n. end of lake george] and 8 on our boat, mostly at acosta creek marina, just n. of welaka. you definitely need to travel north of lake george. from there to plataka is some of the most beautiful parts of the river. do stop & say hi to jay & Cathy @ acosta creek marina, then travel north to corky bells restaurant about an hour north for a great lunch/dinner. North of that the river gets wide & boring, [at least for us]. don't miss a side trip up the olkawaha river [spelling? just south of welaka] , no markers, but deep in the middle & worth the trip up until a tree crosses the river & you have to turn around, awesome wildlife, & bass if you fish. Roy

Will-C · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:20 pm Post subject: St.Johns River, Florida

A lot has changed since the forties. Laughing

D.D.

roydawn · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject:

Maybe a LOT has changed since the "40's" but NOT the Oklawaha River, it's TRUE OLD WORLD Florida. Manny areas of the St. Johns River have NOT experienced the housing boom that the rest of Florida did, this is coming from a retired builder who lived on the River! Roy

cdory25 · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:01 am Post subject:

Where are you putting in at? We might be up for a cruise down the St Johns

Tad and Toby Jackson · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject:

Molly Brown,

Toby and I are excited...we'll be launching on the St. John's @ St.Rd. 46 about this time one week from today. Been working on getting the Comfy Dory in ship shape and loaded for a week's cruising. Hope the weather will be at least a little cool, but we're bringing the AC unit just in case and the heater if it decides to go the other way. I hear they are catching Specs. (Crappie) in good numbers on Lake Harney and Lake Monroe and I also hear they have been catching Flounders in Lake George. Manatees are gathering at Blue Springs and there should be a lot of birds down the Atlantic Flyway...Can't wait! We hope to see some Brats, but I think the couple I have heard about will not be launching until later in Jan.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year too!

Tad & Toby

cdory25 · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:18 pm Post subject:

I too planned on being in the water by now. But after bottom painting and servicing the Honda 135, the marina was bringing the boat to my dock when the high pressure fuel pump went out along with the gas gauge. Should be ready today or Monday.

Molly Brown · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 4:05 pm Post subject:

Molly Brown will be launching from Lake Sanford late the 12th/early 13th January. Won't be bringing the AC, that's for sure. Nice leisurely cruise anywhere the water's deep enough. I don't expect to be on plane much. Have no trouble spotting C-Dory's and always have 16 on in the background. Betty is the fisher and we'll certainly try our hand at catching some fresh fish. Really looking forward to the down time! The pups love to go, anywhere, anytime, for any reason, so no problem there. They've become my best friends, so that makes me tripled excited for them as much for as me.