03/07 - 03/09 - 2023 Hontoon Island Gathering

[multimediasmith]

This is their Park Storm Update page link:
https://www.floridastateparks.org/StormUpdates

[Water Bill]

I talked to Joanna the Hontoon Island, Park Services Specialist this morning. The Park is still closed. the Rangers, volunteers and contractors are still working on getting things cleaned up and back together after the hurricane flood damage. Water was high enough it made it into the ranger residences. The Rangers are not able to move back in until the damages to these buildings are remediated. They don't have an exact date on when this will happen. They do have power restored to the dock closest to the Ranger Station but not to the other one.

Joanna hopes that by March they will have the Park open for day use visitors but she does not have high hopes overnight docking or camping will be allowed. This is due to the Rangers not being able to occupy and stay in the ranger residences overnight by then.

I let Tom know what I heard and he will be talking with the Park Manager to see what if anything can be worked out.

I will be at the Park volunteering during the month of January and will let you know how things are progressing after I get there.

[thataway]

Bill Thanks for the update! I assume that you will be staying on Mystery Girl during the January Volunteer stent. It sounds as if the docks are OK if the power has been restored to the A docks.

Of course this depends on park policy (bureaucracy), but a C Dory gathering does not depend on shore power for all boats, nor on night rangers (who are really not available, except in an emergency perhaps). Certainly the toilets need to be either running or portalets provided. The ferry capacity for C brats, I could easily provide with the Caracal Cat taking 4 to 6 at a time. Plus the ferry is no longer electric powered; a step backward!

[Water Bill]

Hi Bob,

Mike on Little Joe suggested maybe a ranger could stay on a houseboat at the dock during the gathering. Getting Tallahassee to approve the funds for this is another thing. Maybe one of the rangers would be willing to stay in the campground host trailer. I don't think it was damaged from the flooding. It is my understanding the restrooms and laundry facilities are functioning. I am sure Tom will see what can be worked out when he talks to Devon the Park Manager.

At this time Ed Stone Boat Ramp has not opened back up.

[thataway]

Or we could chip in and pay for the house boat (one of those 14 footers?). Interesting concept that Rangers have to live in houses. Out West many of the Rangers used to patrol on horseback, or even back pack.

[Avidmagnum12]

Hi Gang. I called Devin the park manager at Hontoon. He said that he had no idea when the park would open. They are working hard to get estimates so that repairs can start. It’s pretty bad. Mold in the buildings along with water damage. They have refunded January camping fees.

I will contact Devin again after the first of the year and see how things are going. At this time all the boat ramps are still closed.

Wish I could say more. Have a Merry Christmas. Tom

[colbysmith]

Below are photos Bill of Mystery Girl, took at Hontoon and sent a few of us. He asked me to upload them for the group here. He's currently at Hontoon as one of the volunteers. I'm just going to gang load without descriptions, as most interested would know what they are. (Some at Ed Stone, the rest at Hontoon. Zoom in to see the water marks inside or outside on the buildings. The one photo is of weeds Bill was pulling out of the dock "lagoon" one of his first days there.



































BTW, I only know how to load photos here by loading them to my photo album first. If there is an easier way, let me know. You can go to my photo album: [/img]http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album3398&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php and find some very short descriptions if you'd like. Colby

[thataway]

I am one of the "others" who received the photos, as well as Colby. My concerns is that there may be some serious mold remediation issues, since wall board, and covering fascia was not removed shortly after water intrusion.

It was close to the floating docks to having come off over the top of the pilings! That would have complicated the situation immensely.

As I understand the situation, Serve Pro has been contracted to do remediation and that may take some time.

I suggest (which means absolutely nothing) that temporary buildings, such as a trailer for resident ranger, and a shed ($5,000) which can be used for storage, be procured for the ranger "office". I am not optimistic. I had been involved with the concession in another Florida State Park, and changes move very slowly in that bureaucracy. Another option would be a house boat for both a living and office. Much less likely than keeping the park closed for a prolonged time.

[Kathryn]

Tom & Joyce—Congratulations on “crossing your wake”! I’m eager to hear about the trip.

Any news yet on Hontoon Island? I bet a lot of Florida is still in a state of recovery.

Jackie

[Avidmagnum12]

Hontoon Island report. Yesterday I talked with Deven the park manager and received the following information.

The park is not open at this time however they do plan to open parts for day use only by the end of January.
At that time it will be open to boaters during daytime hours only. No overnights yet.
Only one rest room is usable at this time. That one is near the playground area. No showers till all repairs are completed.
Volunteers are working hard to clean up but all major work is to be done by contractors. They have not started yet.
The boat ramp is open at Ed Stone park.
The park ferry will NOT be in operation until park if fully open.
There is water and power on the docks at this time,


As most of you know hurricanes caused some real havoc in the state of Florida. While completing our Great Loop trip we saw dozens of boats sunk or seriously damaged. Many marinas are condemned or seriously damaged in the areas around Fort Meyers. The marina on the St. John’s near Palatka even has sunken boats. And yet life goes on.

We will have a gathering at Hontoon this year! Things will undoubtedly be more than a little different. If the docks are limited to day use only at that time our fees will be returned. We can still meet during the day and have our discussions and boat gadgets judging. We will NOT have the auction this year but plan to hold it again next year.

For those that I have not scared away yet. Please plan at this time to be self-sufficient. That means anchoring out and preparing all your own meals. If you need power bring a small generator. We will do the best that we can to transport people across the St. John’s from the parking lot by dinghy or boat.

I totally understand that this may not work for sone and they may want to wait for next years gathering. No Problem. On the other hand…..this could be an adventure! I do plan on doing an extended trip on the river after the gathering and any that would like to follow are welcome.

This is the best information I have now. Hopefully they get things back to normal sone but who knows?

Good health and happiness.

Tom

[thataway]

We are planning on being there, and as I told Tom, I will be happy to be a shuttle bringing folks from the land dock to the park dock with the 18' caracal Cat. I probably will limit to 4 passengers at a time.

We will be camping in our RV at the RV facility next to Ed Stone county park. (Sites there are all ready full for that period.)

[colbysmith]

We still plan on coming. (Any reason to get out of Wisconsin in early March, is a good reason! ! ) Auction or no auction, if anybody would like a new or used hub that fits the Merc 115 (or others, I just don't know what others), let me know. I have two. One used and one new. Colby

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Friends,

This is the winter for my total knee replacements…right done Nov 7, and before six weeks I was climbing 60 stories on the Stairmaster then walking up a 15% incline for 90 minutes and badgering my Ortho who insists on waiting three months to do the other. Left TKR is scheduled Feb 13 then mandatory PT for 4-6 weeks and no driving for 4-6 weeks ie Mar 28.

I haven’t canceled our slip yet because if they do it, it’s free…but it’s $17 if I do it, and for that kind of money you can almost buy a cheeseburger around here.

If we make it to Hontoon, we’ll only take the car and stay at Hontoon Landing resort (Eileen doesn’t drive the rig). If anyone had their heart set on checking out a well-used cruising TC255, PM me. A couple from Albeqerque NM who are Loop planning for a trailer boat are coming by next week after the AGLCA Ft Myers Palooza for a look; this happens several times per year when we’re in town.

Making up for the down time, we plan to do the FL loop in Apr-May, then back to the Trent-Severn, Georgian Bay, North Passage and Mackinac, down to Detroit in July-Aug.

Safe Travels and Following Seas!

John

[Avidmagnum12]

Hontoon Island State Park is now planning to reopen, with limited daytime access, on Monday, January 31st. The Parking Lot, East Dock, Picnic/Playground Area, one (shared) Restroom and all Trails except the Hammock Trail will be open from 8am to 6pm daily.

The following will not be available for some time due to mold remediation and reconstruction: Ranger Office, Store, Museum, Marina Restrooms, West Dock, Campground, Cabins, Campground Restrooms and Ranger Residences. Ferry service to the island will remain suspended for the foreseeable future, so the only way to visit is by personal boat. Until the resident Rangers are able to move back to the island, visitors will not be permitted to stay overnight.

The trails are in pretty decent condition with just a few soggy areas, so feel free to stop in and stretch your legs. If you’d like to anchor overnight close by, the lagoon just east of the marina (DM 56) is clear of weeds and debris. It’s deep enough for a Rossi but shallow enough to keep the big boats away. Crappie fishing is excellent right now on minnows and jigs.

Construction work will be taking place daily dawn-to-dusk beginning February 6th.

[Two Bears]

I have the three charts for the St John River that I bought on our visit in 2019. They served us well. Does anyone want them, or shall I send them to the landfill? Need an address, I’ll mail no charge.
Chuck