03/06 - 03/08 St. John's River Florida CBGT

All anchored up in Deep Creek last evening. Looks like we will stay here for the day and another night due to high wind warnings this afternoon. Very well protected in here and a nice area. Another boat heading back today so we are down to 7 now.
 
Hontoon CBGT report: The C-Otter is at anchor in Deep Creek just north of Lake Harney waiting for the cold front to come through. Tomorrow we will attempt to get to The Jolly Gator restaurant south of Lake Harney for lunch.

I want to thank everyone that attended the gathering for making it the best one ever! I know I say that every year but it’s true and we are looking forward to next Year already. Dates for 2019 will be March 5,6,7. Many C-Brats arrive early and stay late to explore.

We had a lot of highlights this year. Let’s start with Terry’s white and red hot dogs. Yum yum! Thanks for joining us at Hontoon and CU at Alton for the Meet in the Middle. The Clow’s Auction.....all I can say is WOW! The great stuff that everyone brought, from books, jelly, boat parts, grill to a West Marine dingy! We had a few bidding contests that raised the prices nicely. In the end we brought is $1,110 with the auction, The 50/50 brought in $362 including the winnings donated back, other donations after expenses was $300 for total $1772. The Park has already received $1700 toward a new audio visual system to replace antiquated and unreliable equipment. They are thrilled and the Park Manager sends his thanks and so do I. I will purchase a plaque to place on the equipment and then turn over the balance to the park.

Programs this year: Dr. Bob talked about wiring and electrical. Wire sizing, connections and tools were all covered. As always his presentation was spot on! Golf Coast John covered the pros and cons of the Tom Cat. A great analysis of a great boat. Ken Torres talked about the flooding after Hurricane Irma. Pretty devastating but everything is back to normal now. We were able to look at photos on a small screen but next year I want to see them on our big screen in the Museum.

We actually had C-Dory factory representatives at our humble gathering! They donated C-Dory goodies for the silent auction. Ryan and Wendy, a delightful husband and wife team joined us. They reported that the factory was in the process of updating their website. We pointed out a few things like hand rails that would be nice.Three Rivers Marine from Crystal River brought three New boats, a 22, 23 and a Tom Cat. Everyone that looked at them commented about the quality of the boats. I especially like the new finish on the interior. Three Rivers also donated a kayak to Hontoon Island Park to use in their rental fleet.....way to go and thanks.

Bob and Marie......make sure you heal up quick. That goes for everyone that that could not make it this year.

Till next time....Tom and Joyce on the C-Otter
 
Thisaway Crew, Prayers for fast, complete healing. Sorry, I am so out of touch, and lucky to get a n hour or so occasionally for CBRATS fix so have missed what happened but whatever, sounds like you are on the way there.

the rest of you all, stay safe as you travel and enjoy. Maybe...... next year.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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What is the saying? Better late than never lol
It has been three years since Simplicity has been on a cruise. Sorry we missed you JennyKatz, but we put in yesterday for three weeks of cruising on the river. Between my mom being down sick and grandkids sick we have had one thing or another each year. Have met some new faces yesterday and today here at Hontoon. Hope to make the trip next year on time and get to enjoy the pancakes:) Happy Cruising to all

Linda and Alan
Simplicity
 
We just finished an 18 day adventure including 11 days on the St John river enjoying Tom and Joyce’s favorite secret anchorages, plus a 7 day side trip to Eluethera from Ft Lauderdale flying on Silver Airlines Saab 340 turboprop puddle-jumpers (which is an adventure itself!). It can’t be simple logistics if we’re doing it!
We spent last night aboard NAS JAX in a 2-room suite on the 5th floor directly on the St John riverview for $70 grand total. If you’re a military retiree and not maximizing the benefits see DODLODGING.COM, cancel same day by 6PM with no penalty (try that with Hampton Inns, our second fav overnight room).
Thanks Tom and Joyce!
PS unless I misunderstood him, Ryan is not just a “factory rep” but a 25% owner of NWI (builder of C-Dory, Scagit, Osprey etc see NMI.com). They spent a long time on my boat seeking input to make it better, and we appreciate that.
Hope to see everyone again next year!
John and Eileen
 
If anyone who attended the gathering did not register on Jotform please do so. I’m going to ask Ken to Email everyone on the list a report on attending C-Brats next week. You will then be able to make contact with your new friends! Please remember to keep the list confidential. Here’s the link.....

https://form.jotform.com/60634279765163

Once again......A big thanks to everyone! 100% participation in volunteers.

Back to cleaning the C-Otter for the next adventure......Tom
 
We had a great time visiting and cruising with our C Dory buddies. Will head back to Alaska next week after getting some repair work done at Astor Marine. Thanks Tom and Joyce for organizing such a fun event. We learned so much from everyone and can’t thank everyone enough for help and suggestions. We look forward to seeing everyone next year. Will try to add more pictures after we return home.

Jack and Jeanne
Calm C
 
Another great gathering and after cruise Tom and all! Our last night here, anchored with Mystery Girl just off the River at the entrance to Stagger Mud Lake. We’ll pull out tomorrow and start our journey back to the 30 degree weather at home! But this next weekend we have a heatwave coming in the upper 40’s! :P Colby & Rosanne
 
I just want to thank everyone especially Joyce and Tom for the great time I
had at the Hontoon Island get together and cruising the St Johns River with everyone. I pulled out of Ed Stone Park just before 11 this morning right behind Midnight Flyer. I arrived home at Lake Keowee in SC at 9:30pm, about a 9.5 hour drive. I am sorry to say Colby and Rosanne have a few more days of driving before they arrive home in Wisconsin. I hope to make it back to Hontoon Island sometime next winter and to the get together in March. I hope to see some of you before than.
Bill
 
Tyboo Mike HELP! So I've uploaded 42 photos so far of 168 total. Slow going tonight on the road with campground internet, but know my home internet isn't lightning fast either. Is there an easier way to jamload my photos? Or just continue slow and steady? Colby
 
Ok, I just finished uploading all my photos to the gatherings album. Did not do any picking or selecting, but rather uploaded all, except for a few personal photos. Hope this gives some idea of what this gathering is all about to those that have not been, and memories for those that have. Also, many of the photos are of the cruises before and after the main gathering event. Once again, these photos can be found here:

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...lery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=1

Enjoy. Colby
 
To Colby and all the Hontoon Gang,
Thanks for the memories and remember that Camp Clow will be opening on or about July 1 with a departure for the Isle Royale Cruise on July 5. More details to come on a different thread. Still plenty of snow and cold weather in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The ice fisherman are thrilled.

Hank and Pat
 
Two Bears just got back to the marina at St John next to the Ed Stone boat ramp after a trip to St Augustine & Fernandina and back.
We boated 184 miles before, during and right after the gathering with leaders Tom and Joyce.
We boated another 418 miles down the river and back for a total of 602 miles and 29 nights so far this trip.
We really enjoyed the change and scenery going down river and then back up. It was windy and rainy on the coast and now we are hot again.
Thanks for the many tips we received about places to visit. We found the Salty Pelican in Fernandina Beach and enjoyed the upstairs bar looking west but were too early for the sunset. The meal was good. We also had several good meals in Saint Augustine. The marina at Ortega Landing is great. See my Active Captain review for details.l
We anchored out at Turkey Island and Deep Creek going down and at Deep Creek and at Salt Spring on the way back.
We'll be around Deland over the weekend getting some work done on the truck. After that we're thinking of the beaches west of Tampa.

Thanks Tom and Joyce for putting a great gathering together. Without your prompting I doubt we'd have made the trip. Now we are really glad we made the effort. Its fun to meet new people and the tips we received on local boating really helped us make the transition from "northwest" boating to boating the south.
 
Just saw all the pictures from the gathering. Obviously a good time for all. The pictures are fantastic. Lots more alligators than last year, and such a treat playing with the manatees. Ahhhh, next year, we hope.
 
Hello Everyone

Thanks to the C-Brats that donated, bought raffle tickets, purchased donated items and general generosity, Hontoon Island State Park has a new and up to date video presentation system. The new monitor is 4G capable and has great color. The sound system is fantastic! We also purchased a new compatable computer so that other programs and talks could take place on the equipment in the museum. The park staff is very thankful and excited. The old equipment was just plain worn out and seldom worked. Again Thanks!

Looking forward to next year's gathering. There will be a couple changes. The present Hontoon Island Park manager, Ken Torres is getting a promotion and moving to DeLeon Springs State Park. We wish him the best. He says he is going to try to get a marina put in at DeLeon Springs. :lol: Ken did get the State to buy new boards for the docks at Hontoon.....no more slivers on bare feet.

2019 Dates are Tuesday March 5th to Thursday March 7th. But....Plan to come early and stay late for extra adventure. Tom


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Sorry to see Ken go. Guess all the more reason to make DeLeon Springs a definite stop each year! :D But congratulations are in order, and he deserves it. Hope the new Ranger is everybit as nice! Great to see the new setup for presentations! Colby
 
Tom that was quick. Glad to hear the video presentation equipment is up and running. Thanks for making that happen so fast. Like Colby, I am sorry Ken won't be there next year. Glad I was able to get to meet him this year and from what I saw he definitely earned that promotion. Next year I will be sure to make the trip to DeLeon Springs just to say hello to him.

Still hoping to join everyone at Lake Superior in July.

Bill
 
Great to see the positive results and looking forward to seeing them next March. Now's the time to start setting aside items for the silent auction.

Our snow is nearly gone, Lake Inferior is welcoming the mallards and Sucker Creek is in full flood. The sandhill cranes have returned and we finally have daffodils to brighten up our lives. Camp Clow is preparing for visiting C-Dorys as the ice slowly diminishes on Lake Superior.

Hank and Pat
 
Two Bears is finally home after our 70-day spring boating journey. We spent 61 nights living on the boat and just 9 nights in motels and most of those were south bound in February.

We very much enjoyed the St John River and the many C-Brats who gave us guidance getting us “into” visiting the quiet pieces of water with the many alligator, manatee and bird sightings. For our trip down river to Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Amelia Island we received lots of tips on what to see, where to go and what to avoid. Those tips were really helpful. Thanks folks. We also enjoyed meeting the many C-Brat people located more on the “right” coast.

After our month on the St. John River, we moved to the Apalachicola River & Gulf ICW for a few weeks. About that time our attention was interrupted by a need to deal with a major repair to our truck’s differential and by other vehicle problems. That changed our exploration to a rental car for more than a week while we lived on the boat in a campground and endured the many questions about “boater – homing.”

Then it was time to start home. By contrast to our southbound journey, we took a short cut across the country so it should have taken less time to get home. However, we tend to check out interesting sites & history and Penny has a “quilting itch” to scratch. So, it took just 2,400 miles but 10 days to get home. We shed our shorts on the 3rd day of travel back as we crossed into Missouri (now that was a blow) and watched the season turn backwards as the trees lost their leaves (or stopped budding out) and finally we drove past deep snow packs in Wyoming and Montana.

Thanks Tom and Joyce for doing the organizing and having the willingness to serve as travel guides to that unique part of America. Had we come to that part of the Florida without the guidance we gained at the gathering we would have missed most of what the Saint John has to offer.
 
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