03/04 - 03/06 - St. John's River, Florida 2016

Avidmagnum12

Avidmagnum12

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C-brats
It's time to plan for Florida's Third St. John's River gathering at Hontoon Island state park. The dates we are looking at are Friday March 3rd.through Sunday March 6 Of course people can come and go as they wish. As folks sign up, we may find day and/or overnight cruises in the days before and right after the official gathering. Last year we had 21 C-Dorys and Cape Cruisers attend! Lots of the greatest people in the world C-Brats! The staff at Hontoon Island State Park are looking forward to our return! Boating, campfires, food and fellowship are on the docket. If you were here in the past you know what I am talking about. If you've never boated this area you are missing an adventure. Many brats spend a week to a month or more on the river. The boat slips are only about $20 plus tax with showers, water and electric.....less if your over 65 and a Florida resident. No reservations needed.
Within the next week or two, we'll list good launching areas with truck and trailer storage. The park and Marina are on an island.
Watch the web site for a schedule of events. We'll post as soon as we have it.

Thanks and looking forward to seeing YOU in Florida! Tom and Joyce

Added to Calendar
Signup list
-TyBoo
 
Hey Tom and Joyce....Went to inquire about being a marina host this year. Tried contacting Christine by email to no avail so I finally called. Seems her husband who was the manger at Blue Springs State Park took a job in Tennessee so she is no longer there. Did speak to a nice lady who is the new park specialist by the name of Laura and she is just as pleasant, over the phone anyway. Going to miss Christine since she was very good to the C-Brats!

James
 
Hi James
Christine called Joyce this summer to let us know that she was leaving. She will be missed. I stopped over at Hontoon island yesterday and talked with Laura. She has our information and is looking forward to having our group at the park. The water is high on the St. John's River now.....great time to go up to De Leon Springs.....
Tom
 
Tom....Had to know you guys are on top of things!

Betty and I are off to Switzerland for 3 weeks later this week, then we are back 3 days and off to California for a couple of weeks to marry off my daughter so we are out of touch for a while. As you plan, knowing my strengths and weaknesses, feel free to pencil me in where you need help.
 
Went over to Hoonton last month by myself. I've got a new boat toy,, I had a good metal shop build a tray for my foldable two weel elecrtic scooter. It runs along the top of the splash rail. Last year I traveled to Savannah Ga from the middle of the St Johns river at DeLand. I had the scooter and placed it between the seats, bad idea I had now where to stand, pretty uncomfortable. I installed the new scooter tray and went to Hoonton and of course took my two weel scooter with small fat knobby tires. It was so cool, went all over the island and I was the only one there. I even snuck up on a turkey and if you didn't know thats not real easy, my electric motor was quiet enough and the wind was going the right way.
I got my under water scooter running, I dove to deep with it, I took it to the flight deck of the Oriskany the carrier sunk off of Pensacola you know where Dr Bob lives. The manuel was right to tell me 100Ft was the limit, and it is. With my disability "lack of range in legs"
I wip my body like a dolphin and with the electric scooter I'm in good shape. With four whips and can hit 20ft.
My wife Debi got me an inflatable kayak, it has four chambers soo its really stiff when inflated. Handels very well, your butts wet but what the hell.
I'm getting a lot of juice out of this small craft, I'm sure this boat was thought out for one person other wise you've got to be in love or very close to stay more than one night.
 
Would be great to be able to make this gathering after another long winter,something to look forward to. Will follow this and hope wife can miss some of her medical coding classes ,sure she will want to attend.
 
Just put my name on the signup list. As of right now, very low probability of actually being there with Midnight Flyer, but that may change... Colby
 
James... Can I "stow away" in your luggage for that trip to Switzerland? Do not worry about a job at Hontoon...You are down for dish washing! :thup You and Betty have fun and congratulations on your daughters wedding.

Larry and Christine on the DoriDaze.....Welcome to the group! If you have not traveled on the St. John,s before you are in for a treat. Looking forward to meeting you.

Cliff....sounds like you have quite a new ride! Can't wait to see it! You always come up with such innovative solutions. Can you do a talk on the Ocklawaha this year...everyone enjoyed your presentation 2 years ago. BTW...the fire wood is drying in my hanger. :wink

Larry....it is tough when work get's in the way. Something like 70,000 medical codes...that could take a while! Hope you and your wife can make it! Sign up....you can always take your name off.

Colby.....The kids on the bus are going to need a vacation from you so you may as well come on down to Florida. I can promise you won't regret it. Should be a bunch of folk's from the Great Mississippi Gathering that we were at. We can also take the Cessna 172 up....I will even let you have LEFT SEAT! :star

Tom
 
Tom, Don't know about who needs a vacation from who. lol. Truth is Rosanne and I have talked about me going into full time retirement after this school year. However, one of the gals (another driver) that thought she wanted to do something different this year, came back, and I may see if the boss would like to give her my route and just use me on an as needed basis. Wife has a very flexible schedule as a nurse, and too many times we are rushing back to meet my job schedule, rather than hers... If this all pans out, then my plans are (if the snow isn't too deep here to get the boat out) to come warm up in Florida that week. :-) Colby
 
Hope to be able to make it. Looking forward to seeing where we can leave our truck & trailer.
 
To sign up for this or any other gathering.

1) click on event sign ups located in the main banner.
( Right under The C-Brats
2) click on join a group list
3) pick out the group you want to join and "click to request membership"

The first time you have to work your way through. Next time it is easy.

I'll have some up to date ramp and storage information in a few weeks when my wife gets back from Jamaica. Be assured there is no shortage of public or private ramps to store truck and trailer.
 
Hi All
So far we have 15 boats and owners that have either signed up or informed me that they plan on attending. I expect that number to grow quite a bit by March...how exciting. We have slips for about 40 boats.
John and Karen it will be good to see you and the Blues Cruiser back again this year.
It's great that we have lots of new folks coming to explore the St. John's River. Once again ....make sure that you allow extra days to explore. There is the Ocklawaha River, Silver Glen Springs, the trip to DeLeon Springs, the monkeys on the Silver River and much more.
Till next week.....Tom
 
My probability of being there, just got higher! ;-) (Retired from full time bus driver to on call sub as needed.....) Now it mostly depends upon how much snow the Midwest gets and if I can get the boat out of my back yard come March! :xseek
 
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