02/27 - 03/01 - St. John's River Gathering

Molly Brown · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 1:17 pm Post subject:

Taking place in early 2015.

For info see.......

http://www.floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland/default.cfm

And just down the river is Blue Springs........

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm

Cruising areas on the river......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocklawaha_River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wekiva_River

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_River

2 major lakes.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_George_(Florida) with numerous spring runs....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Monroe_(Florida)

and a whole lot of other small rivers and lakes, manatees, gators, turkeys, birds, fish, deer, maybe even a black bear if your lucky. In a specific section of the river you may even hear wild monkeys. That will get your hair up the first time Surprised

hardee · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:30 pm Post subject:

James and Betty on the TomCat Molly Brown, and DD,(HBofA),

Hey, Thanks so much for the clarification and the links. This may still be wishful thinking but isn't totally out of the realm of possibility. The wildlife sounds cool, well up to the wild monkey bit Shocked

wild but not native Question

right

Won't be signing up right now but will be following along, in case. I like the idea of some group travel, especially in new places.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Molly Brown · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject:

Your welcome, Harvey, and don't sweat it. I've the same situation as you but in the other direction. Right coast, left coast. I'm continually having to look at maps when you guys talk about your cruising grounds. And your right about a group....local knowledge. We freak out and are amazed at even a 4' tide, wimps that we are Shocked

We are spoiled down here. Last cruise the water temps were in the low 90's. Yes, I said water temps! Needless to say we get to leave a ton of gear at home, though with my figure I should probably cover it up, lol

James

mccml · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:42 pm Post subject:

This is my first year retired from teaching and our first C-Dory gathering. If everything falls into place, we hope to be down at the Astor marina a few days before the gathering.

hardee · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:05 pm Post subject:

James,

One of the things I often leave at home is a cooler. I haven't even seen air temps in the 90's for ages. (We did have a long hot dry summer but I was busy working, in an air conditioned office.) Might have to reconsider the long johns Question

Lots of new things to learn. Like 4 foot tides. Could be a big deal if you only have 10 feet of water to work with.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:54 pm Post subject:

More sign ups! Great! Sounds like we will have a fair amount of first time C-brats with a good mix of Cape Cruisers and C-Dorys of all types and sizes.

Thanks James for posting more information on the St. John's river for the group. Last week I went for a day cruise out of Astor to Silver Glen Springs.
Decided to try to make it up Blue creek by Astor. Turned out to be a nice route. Funny...after running on the St. John's for over 4 years I still find new water to run.

The dates are going to be Friday February 27th till Sunday March first 2015. Two group meals are planed for Friday and Saturday evening. This is a low key affair. Those that wish may arrive earlier and leave later.....in fact most do.
We will probably do a group cruise on Saturday for those that wish to tour a bit. More details later!

Harvey....no 4 foot tides at Hontoon State Park in Florida but my wife does dig out her long John's from time to time!

Tom Schulke
Out2C
2004 C-dory 22 commuter

Casey · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:09 pm Post subject:

If anyone is interestied in doing a somewhat longer cruise, an enjoyable route is to proceed down the St. John's River to cruise from Sanford 'north (downstream) to Jacksonville then back down the ICW to Ormond Beach. Ormond Beach is about thirty miles directly east of Astor (FL), and has a good launch ramp (although parking is limited).

When we did this route a year ago, we launched at Astor and cruised to Sandord, then back (north) to Hontoon, Astor, Myaka, Palatka, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Ormond Beach (with plenty of anchorages along the way). Very enjoyable.

Best,
Casey&Mary

cdory25 · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 4:38 pm Post subject:

We'll be floating in from Flagler Beach this year

jimicliff · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry it appeared I disappeared, I have been bounced off this sight a few times and recently figured my way back on. Joyce and I talked about maybe doing Salt Springs a day or two before the event, I mentioned I liked the idea but we needed a back up because of weather conditions on Lk George which is the entrance to Salt Springs. I have two spots in mind so if this is of any interest I'd be happy to chair this portion if anyone would like to add a day or two before the Hontoon event. Cliff "Ocklawaha Queen"

Stan Major · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:20 am Post subject:

Cliff, Tom and Joyce
Depending on work obligations I might add a couple of days and would be interested in adventuring to new sights.

Molly Brown · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 6:39 am Post subject:

That run has some of the best anchorages of the entire watershed.

fOOg · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:11 pm Post subject: hontoon island

Plan to be there! Don & Autumn, Seafari

outbackbill · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:30 pm Post subject:

We had such a good time this year we decided to be volunteer dock masters for the month of February next year. We look forward to helping everyone get in to your slip.

Bill and Becky

Roy & Dixie · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:55 am Post subject:

We'll be there again. I've marked last weekend in Feb 2015 as the date.

Stan Major · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 6:26 am Post subject:

Bill and Becky
I am spending a weekend here in your neck of the woods, Fernandina Beach Amelia Island. This is a really nice town. Our first time here.