02/28 - 03/02 - St. John's River

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:42 am Post subject:

St. John's river cruisers....the time is near for our get together! Our bags are packed and were ready to go. The word is out on the river that there will be a proliferation of C-brats in the area.
Seriously.....I was on the St. John's last week and stopped for lunch at Welaca and the skipper of a Monk 36 asked if I was going to the Hontoon gathering! How cool is that?
Now as for the weather....it looks to be a little cool at night but dry. Bring an extra blanket.
I will be at Hontoon on Thursday afternoon on the Out2C and co host Tom Smith will be there Thursday evening on the Traveler. I'll be parking my truck minus trailer at the Hontoon Island parking lot for town runs.

Notes: Friday evening we will be having hamburgers and hot dogs with chips, ect.
Saturday our potluck with Kentucky Fried Chicken around the camp fire.

There will be a welcome table for sign up when you arrive. A free will offering will be taken for purchased food, supplies and fire wood..

See you all soon.....at Hontoon!

Tom and Joyce Schulke

2004 C-Dory 22 commuter
Out2C

Molly Brown · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:40 am Post subject:

On my way today. I just might arrive on Thursday as well. Will C is already in the area and Freedom is at Welfings, en route once their work is done. Two Tom's hosting, how cool is that!, and it will make remembering all the new names easier too.

cdory25 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject: Waiting on parts...

We planned on arriving Thursday too. We wanted to boat in but now going to have to trailer it as my Honda 135 thermostats (2) gave out last weekend. They were supposed to be in at First Coast Honda in St. Augustine on Monday. Called three times and can't get a call back or affirmation of order. I'm hoping this doesn't become a problem. Otherwise ready to go!

Would like to put in somewhere with secure parking for truck & trailer.

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:04 pm Post subject:

Blues Cruiser.....I would put in at Holly Bluff Marina. It's not surrounded by fence...but the owners are right there. The closest fenced area is up at Astor. They are a Honda repair shop and could have the sensors you need.

Tom

outbackbill · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:45 pm Post subject:

My wife and I launched today on Crescent Lake (south of Palatka ). We plan to arrive Friday. We look forward to meeting all of you.

Bill and Becky Smith

BoaterHomer · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 9:50 am Post subject:

Just checked the weather as it sure doesn't look good today! But according the the report (see below), all of this will blow over and by Friday it should be gorgeous. Low 50's over night and 70's during the day. In other words, PERFECT. We are packing and getting excited! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/DeLand+FL+32720:4:US

Will-C · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:17 am Post subject: 02/28 - 03/02 - St. John's River

We are on the boat in the Holly Bluff marina. We wanted to have access to our truck without depending on the ferry to ride back and forth to the island. The ramp at Holly Bluff isn't bad and our trailer seems to be happy there. Theft does not seem to a problem locally. Tomorrow we will travel up river to Sanford. On the way back we will stop by Hontoon park to see what we can do to help out. Since the Holly Bluff marina rents houseboats I gleaned some local info sheets from them which we will leave with event sponsors. As you are coming down the road towards Holly Bluff Marina you will see a sign for the Hontoon Park marina. That is only a parking lot for the ferry over to the island. Go past that sign about 4 1/2 tenths of a mile and Holly Bluff will be on the right. Go slow the sign is set back and its easy to go past the driveway. There are laundry, showers, ice, fuel dock and a small store plus the ramp with a nice storage area for vehicles and trailers.
Nice area and the people from this area could not be nicer. It's only 45 minutes over to Daytona Beach. Talk about culture shock. Safe Travels
Dave and Ginny Deem

cdory25 · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:47 am Post subject:

Molly Brown · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:18 am Post subject:

Anchored up 'tween markers 35&36. Nice,peaceful elbow just off the river. Light rain adding to the ambiance and all the canvas is ready to button down in case of a strong cell. They had some severe weather here aka the Daytona 500 just a few days ago. Have some Jim Brickmam playing and the Wallas going keeping some water hot for coffee. Visitors welcome! :-)

Will-C · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:49 am Post subject: 02/28 - 03/02 - St. John's River

Just to be clear make sure that you are on Hontoon road before you go past the Hontoon Park and Marina sign and Holly Bluff marina is 4.5 tenths on the right past that sign.
D.D.

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:59 am Post subject:

Sounds like the Molly Brown is by the "river forest oxbow". Trust that the rain will not spoil your day James. I hope by visitors you don't mean Mosquitos or gators? Should be a at least a couple C-brats working their way up river your way.

John....the phone number at Holly Bluff is 386-822-9992 if you want to check for a reservation. Do not know if you need one.

Dave and Ginny...thanks for the update on Holly Bluff and I do have a copy of their local information.....very handy! Wil-C U soon!

Bill and Becky have a safe trip south. If you get hungry around Welaka check out the Shrimp R Us & More restaurant on 3 Ave. Good Food.

Mary...thanks for the good weather forecast .....you can be our meteorologist!

Tom Schulke
Out2C

Molly Brown · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:30 pm Post subject:

Very few bugs and no gators. Last night there were some kind of monkey yelling, it certainly caught the dogs attention. Quite a few birds and their wild calls. All good here as we enjoy the rain. What we don't like would be lightning. If it's around the big dog heads straight for the head. Lowest point in the boat. No gators as yet; did see half a dozen manatees though.

Will be hanging out here and staying the night as well. Slow cruise done to Hontoon in the am.

Larry K · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:44 pm Post subject:

Launch in Astor yesterday and we're at Blackwater Inn. Will be down to Hontoon tomorrow afternoon. Also waiting out the rain but it's better than it was when we left Michigan at 15 dgs an snowing and no sign it was going to. See all Friday

Larry & Wendy

bcassal · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:10 pm Post subject:

Carpy has lauched at acosta creek harbor and willhead south in the morning.
Weare looking forward to seeing you all on friday.

Bruce & Joyce

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:33 pm Post subject:

Here is a note from Christine at Hontoon Island. The Sunday morning walk is optional...as is everything else we do. Thanks

Joyce and Tom,
So good to hear from you. I was going to e-mail you this AM and now its 6pm! Some days are like that. I have to open the park on Saturday so I will not be there Saturday night. I will incorporate natural and cultural history on our walk on Sunday and can keep the walking part to a minimal if you do not have people interested in walking. We do have tables and chairs available for you to use . I will be there Thursday until 4-5 PM. Hopeful you will be in by then. As far as your paid for slip is concerned, we will be there to monitor it during the day. If you have paid for a slip it is yours! Looking forward to meeting you,

Christine Garrett
Park Service Specialist

Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road
DeLand, Florida 32720

Tom Schulke Out2C