03/07 - 03/09 - St. John's River, Florida Gathering

Hi Bob here is the planed schedule....more to add later.
As far as meals go. Tuesday at 5:15 we will do burgers, hot dogs and everyone can bring a dish to pass at 4:45. wednesday at 5:15 is KFC chicken and rolls night and whatever everyone brings to share at 4:45 pm. I'll have bottled water for all but if you want anything else to drink, bring it along. Food on Thursday is "leftovers" We have not had anyone starve yet!

We have a campfire every evening at dusk. Bring your chairs and enjoy the company of fellow C-brats. 50/50 raffle to benefit the park on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Wednesday activities: 8:30 bring items for a silent auction. All proceeds given to the park. Anything laying around home or your boat? Craft items? Just about anything. Auction ends at 2:00
9:00 talk with Dr. Bob -- "What's in your first aid and emergency kits?"
10:00 Show 'n tell Galley Gadgets with Joyce Schulke. Vote on your favorite one shown. There will even be prizes.

Thursday: Nature Island hike with Ranger Naturalist, Tess. 9:30

We will work on getting group leaders to lead cruises daily for those that are unfamiliar with the area. I'll be doing some local runs on the weekend before the gathering. I also plan on traveling north to Palatka after the gathering. There are lots of Springs, side rivers and lakes to explore

Joyce and I were at Hontoon today and the fire 🔥 pit is in. We also drove to DeLeon Springs for pancakes and checked the water level at Ed Stone Park (17 foot clearance). As long as the river stays as it is, Colby, you should be able to go for pancakes with Rosanne.


Till next week....Tom
 
Thank you Tom. Count us in our the group going North!
I believe that we will arrive mid day Sunday and launch then--maybe cruise locally that day or to Hontoon, depending on slips available, or over to Hontoon on Monday AM

Looking forward to seeing all!
 
I was kind of hoping for a southbound trip after the gathering, but north works well too, since Rosanne hasn't seen those areas. If we go to the Springs with the pancake place, I'll use St. Johns, Norris Dead River, thru Lake Woodruff, over to Deleon Springs. (Same way we went last year when you, Tom, lead us.) Depending on what time we get in to Ed Stone Park, not sure if we'll run up that way Friday when we launch, or wait until Saturday. Then spend the night and Deleon before coming back to Hontoon to get a space early. After the gathering, we'll just hang out as long with you guys as we can, and then turn around when we need to get back to Ed Stone to pull out Monday. Actually Tom, thinking about it, if Deleon Springs is on the radar for the left over group after the gathering, perhaps we'll just come down and check into Hontoon after we put in, and just cruise locally or maybe south before the gathering. I'll check in with you later to see what the plans are. Colby
 
Lee Damon came up with this idea for T-Shirts for C-Brats that may want them for the gathering at Hontoon Island. You can order them for $15.00 each. You must contact Lee to order by e-mail no later than noon on Monday. Contact him at Lee@brightproducts.com. Let Lee know what sizes you need. They can be paid for at our C-Brat gathering at Hontoon. Sorry for the late notice but my yahoo account was acting up.... Tom

Lee's got me down for two!

Photo to follow....
 
Tom --
What a beautiful t-shirt.

So glad to see that the Gathering is so popular. The St. Johns is certainly one of the finest cruises in North America.

Good on 'ya!
 
I'll send Lee an email, but we'll get two. Gotta remember to bring our name tags you made us last year also! BTW, who's boat in the photo? Colby
 
Lee sent me this reminder:
Shirt price $15.00 XXL $3.00 more
Order by noon Monday...Thanks

Colby.....that boat sure looks familiar!😏

Bill and El ...thanks for the kind words. We sure enjoy the St. John's.
Lee did a great job on the shirt! Can't wait to get mine.
 
Laura Lee and I are sorry to have to bow out of the event. Recovering from two separate eye surgeries and a long bout with the flu have blown our schedules out of the water. It's looking like a good event. Hopefully, we'll make it next year.
 
Tom and Laura Lee.....sorry to hear that you will not make it to Hontoon this year. Joyce and I were looking forward to seeing you there but things (like health problems) happen. See you next year!

There are already at least three C-Dory's on the St. John's river....more to come! Tom
 
Hi Brats!

Marcia and I will be arriving on Sunday the fifth along with our critters, Belle and Boomer. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

After the Gathering it's two weeks in the Keys!

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie II"
 
Mary and I plan to drive over to Hontoon on either Tuesday or Wednesday. We have some schedule conflicts but plan to fit Hontoon 'in. Since we won't be in the boat, we'll probably just sleep overnight in the truck (like we did for four months last summer ... long story).

Best,
C&M
 
Hi Jim
We tried to do a food sign up list last year and only a few listed what they were going to bring. But it all worked out well as it has in the past. If you want to post here as to what you plan on bringing its fine with me. Our gathering is pretty casual! See you soon.

Everyone.......Remember that we are going to have a silent auction to benefit the park. Clean out all your you old boat stuff and help Hontoon Island State Park.

We are going to have a memorial service for Bruce Cassal and Judy Morrison on Tuesday evening. We will be honoring our C-Brat friends that have gone before us.

Till next time.....Tom
 
FWIW, I believe my wife made a copper penny (some kind of carrot) salad to pass for those meals. Also, for the silent auction, I'm donating some anchor rode (around 100 ft I believe), an anchor roller (the original that was mounted on the bow), and a garmin card reader that worked on earlier versions of windows. We're still on schedule to arrive at Ed Stone Park Friday afternoon, and plan on being at Hontoon Monday if not sooner.

Tom, with the "after group" is there any plans to go to DeLeon Springs right after the gathering? How are the water levels holding up? I still hope to make way up there, and if it's not in the plans for right after the gathering, I still intend on going up there before, if the water levels allow it. THanks. Colby
 
Hi Colby
At this time we are not planing to go to DeLeon Springs when we go down river. (North) So you mite want to go B4 the gathering. Not sure about water levels.....hopefully we will get an update from the Clows or the Smiths.
Joyce and I plan on arriving on Thursday.
See you soon.....Tom
 
Thanks Tom. I'll plan on heading up there after we launch on Friday then. Any anchorages or marina's you'd recommend for Friday evening heading north towards DeLeon? I suspect it'll be early afternoon when we launch. Perhaps Bill, Becky, Hank or Pat are seeing this and can let me know about the water levels this week. Colby
 
Colby....there are places to anchor on the way but none that I've used. Hontoon is just a few miles south of Ed Stone park. That's where I'd go for the night. It's only about 4 or 5 hours from there to DeLeon springs. Some others may join you for the trip. We did get some rain this week....should help.
Have fun....Tom
 
Back
Top