Not an "Epic"--but thanks to C Brats--and encourage others to do these trips!
Although we live only 400 miles from the St. Johns River, and had explored some of its shores by car and RV, we had never boated on this South to North Flowing River. The Hontoon Island C Brat gathering was a perfect excuse for us to begin to explore this River system. After driving about 350 miles the first day, we stopped at Lake City, an RV park we have been to many times for “Boater-home camping”. The gal at the desk said “where is your RV”. “Right there on that boat trailer! Want to take a look? Was our response; The next day was only about 75 miles on the road and we were launched by noon. We found 6 boats already at Hontoon Island by that afternoon, and were helped to the dock, stern in on “A” dock.
The next few days were making new friends and re-acquainting with old ones. There about 50/50 out of the 39 boats which were eventually there. We were lucky to have Molly Brown (James and Betty) next to us at the dock, on one side, and Alma’s Only on the other side of the finger. The mooring fee was only $10.13 per night for Senior Florida Residents. We launched our 9 1/2 foot inflatable powered by the electric Torqeedo outboard motor, and explored the East side of Hontoon Island, on one day (up to Blue springs, and to Snake Creek). We saw our first LImpkin (A bird unique to this area, which exists mostly on “apple snails”.) Plenty of Alligators and turtles, as well as many heron, egrets and other small water fowl. The next day we went up the West Side of the island, and about half way into Snake Creek (which would not be passable by C Dory because of snags and shoaling). We saw many Ibis and Storks, as well as many other birds. Friday night was a great dinner. “No Alcohol” allow at the Island, so there was some innovation as to the containers which beer and wine appeared in. The State Park is free of admission. There is a free ferry, but the last one leaves at about 5: 30 PM. A great group of Park Rangers run the place, along with volunteer rangers. There are cabins and campsites on the Island. Plenty of room for the 70 plus attendees (some came by car and motorcycle just for the evenings. Each night was followed by a campfire. Saturday AM a light plane did 3 passes to take photos of the C Dorys filling up the docks! We gave a short question and answer session Saturday at 11 AM. Saturday night, there was another potluck with KFC as the main meat. This was followed by another campfire.
Sunday, was saying goodbye to many of our friends, but about a dozen boats elected to remain on the river. We went with 6 other C brats, lead by Tom and Joyce. First stop was De Leon Springs. (The photos do it better justice than any description). This was a resort, and taken over by the state about 25 years ago. There is a restaurant which has griddles at the tables, and DIY pancakes for breakfast. We got in early—by the “opening time” of 9 AM, the place was full (mostly locals). The next day, we ran to Astor. Weed anchoring—(where you push the boat into the lilies or water hyacinths) was a first. We then ran to Silver Glen Springs. (National Forrest Service). We did not go into the actual springs, but there is an area where many boats can anchor in clear 72 degree water. Great night there. The next day was to the old town of Welaka. There is a very nice free town dock. It was about a 2 block walk to free restrooms and showers, and 2 more blocks to: ”Shrimp R Us”: Fantastic Crab cakes!
The next day, we made it back to Astor (maybe had a gallon of fuel left) to fill up, and back to Hontoon to say “Goodbye” to the remainder of the 7! We headed up River (South) too find the elusive entrance to the Econlockhatee River (one of the few wild rivers of Florida). We heard Molly Borwn on the Radio, and met up with James, about the time that Crystal C and Blue Days were coming down River, having successfully gone up the Econlockhee. That day we anchored in the swamp at Deep Creek, and Molly Brown was just off the main St. John’s. An early start got us across Lake Harney, and into the upper St. Johns. The secret of finding the entrance, was using Google Earth, or similar satellite system. We advise having another boat along, or a good kedging system to get off if you run aground. There will be shoal places. I’ll have to admit, that I had turned off the i pad, and went in almost a circle in an oxbow—James had waited for me to explore—and there it was—Google satellite showed the way! About 2.5 miles up the river, the open marsh gives way to a forested terrain, with pines as well as hardwoods. Molly Brown and we anchored in a wide bend, about 5 miles up the River.
James prepared us a wonderful meal in a Cobb cooker! The next day, James, decided to head for home, because of the health of his dog. We forged another 5 miles up the River, before we started the run back down. There was another overnight shelter about 2.5 miles further up the rive, and just beyond 3 miles was a house (road). At close to were we turned around we saw another structure, and road. We met kayakers and a few small fishing boats on the river. Several said, we were the biggest boat they had seen there.
We made the Marina in Sanford by 4:30 PM. and got a slip for the night. Dinner was at the Willow Tree Cafe (Fantastic German food, about 2 blocks from the Marina). We walking about the town and looked into the eclectic shops. Our first adventure was waiting half an hour for two trains at the Railroad bridge just South of Lake Monroe. Then about a mile down river, we were stopped by the Marine Sheriff—the river was closed due to power cables being strung. We had to wait another 15 minutes. The next day, we ran down to Hontoon State Park, doing the middle cut, and down the “dead river”—again wonder riding, where we saw a Sandhill Crane, and several other unusual birds. Our last night on the river, we were the only boat, except a house boat and the Krogen 57, in the marina. The next morning we were awoken at 6AM by a group of boys staying in the campground. We might as well get up—and once back to Ed Stone park, and the boat was hauled, the GPS showed we could be home by 4:30 PM—so off we went—it was closer to 5:30 pm, but all in a day’s drive of 450 miles.
What a fantastic trip, group of people and River! Thanks to the C brats who made this possible.
Books we used and read fully before our trip: River of Lakes, by Bill Bellville; St. Johns River Guide Book, by Kevin M. McCarthy; Boating and Cruising guide to the St. Johns River, by Tom Kranz (has good anchorages marked). Audubon Field Guide to Florida, Birds of Florida, by Stan Tekiela, and Sibley Guide to Birds.
Photos in the 2016 St. Johns gathering, and in Thataway Album.
Although we live only 400 miles from the St. Johns River, and had explored some of its shores by car and RV, we had never boated on this South to North Flowing River. The Hontoon Island C Brat gathering was a perfect excuse for us to begin to explore this River system. After driving about 350 miles the first day, we stopped at Lake City, an RV park we have been to many times for “Boater-home camping”. The gal at the desk said “where is your RV”. “Right there on that boat trailer! Want to take a look? Was our response; The next day was only about 75 miles on the road and we were launched by noon. We found 6 boats already at Hontoon Island by that afternoon, and were helped to the dock, stern in on “A” dock.
The next few days were making new friends and re-acquainting with old ones. There about 50/50 out of the 39 boats which were eventually there. We were lucky to have Molly Brown (James and Betty) next to us at the dock, on one side, and Alma’s Only on the other side of the finger. The mooring fee was only $10.13 per night for Senior Florida Residents. We launched our 9 1/2 foot inflatable powered by the electric Torqeedo outboard motor, and explored the East side of Hontoon Island, on one day (up to Blue springs, and to Snake Creek). We saw our first LImpkin (A bird unique to this area, which exists mostly on “apple snails”.) Plenty of Alligators and turtles, as well as many heron, egrets and other small water fowl. The next day we went up the West Side of the island, and about half way into Snake Creek (which would not be passable by C Dory because of snags and shoaling). We saw many Ibis and Storks, as well as many other birds. Friday night was a great dinner. “No Alcohol” allow at the Island, so there was some innovation as to the containers which beer and wine appeared in. The State Park is free of admission. There is a free ferry, but the last one leaves at about 5: 30 PM. A great group of Park Rangers run the place, along with volunteer rangers. There are cabins and campsites on the Island. Plenty of room for the 70 plus attendees (some came by car and motorcycle just for the evenings. Each night was followed by a campfire. Saturday AM a light plane did 3 passes to take photos of the C Dorys filling up the docks! We gave a short question and answer session Saturday at 11 AM. Saturday night, there was another potluck with KFC as the main meat. This was followed by another campfire.
Sunday, was saying goodbye to many of our friends, but about a dozen boats elected to remain on the river. We went with 6 other C brats, lead by Tom and Joyce. First stop was De Leon Springs. (The photos do it better justice than any description). This was a resort, and taken over by the state about 25 years ago. There is a restaurant which has griddles at the tables, and DIY pancakes for breakfast. We got in early—by the “opening time” of 9 AM, the place was full (mostly locals). The next day, we ran to Astor. Weed anchoring—(where you push the boat into the lilies or water hyacinths) was a first. We then ran to Silver Glen Springs. (National Forrest Service). We did not go into the actual springs, but there is an area where many boats can anchor in clear 72 degree water. Great night there. The next day was to the old town of Welaka. There is a very nice free town dock. It was about a 2 block walk to free restrooms and showers, and 2 more blocks to: ”Shrimp R Us”: Fantastic Crab cakes!
The next day, we made it back to Astor (maybe had a gallon of fuel left) to fill up, and back to Hontoon to say “Goodbye” to the remainder of the 7! We headed up River (South) too find the elusive entrance to the Econlockhatee River (one of the few wild rivers of Florida). We heard Molly Borwn on the Radio, and met up with James, about the time that Crystal C and Blue Days were coming down River, having successfully gone up the Econlockhee. That day we anchored in the swamp at Deep Creek, and Molly Brown was just off the main St. John’s. An early start got us across Lake Harney, and into the upper St. Johns. The secret of finding the entrance, was using Google Earth, or similar satellite system. We advise having another boat along, or a good kedging system to get off if you run aground. There will be shoal places. I’ll have to admit, that I had turned off the i pad, and went in almost a circle in an oxbow—James had waited for me to explore—and there it was—Google satellite showed the way! About 2.5 miles up the river, the open marsh gives way to a forested terrain, with pines as well as hardwoods. Molly Brown and we anchored in a wide bend, about 5 miles up the River.
James prepared us a wonderful meal in a Cobb cooker! The next day, James, decided to head for home, because of the health of his dog. We forged another 5 miles up the River, before we started the run back down. There was another overnight shelter about 2.5 miles further up the rive, and just beyond 3 miles was a house (road). At close to were we turned around we saw another structure, and road. We met kayakers and a few small fishing boats on the river. Several said, we were the biggest boat they had seen there.
We made the Marina in Sanford by 4:30 PM. and got a slip for the night. Dinner was at the Willow Tree Cafe (Fantastic German food, about 2 blocks from the Marina). We walking about the town and looked into the eclectic shops. Our first adventure was waiting half an hour for two trains at the Railroad bridge just South of Lake Monroe. Then about a mile down river, we were stopped by the Marine Sheriff—the river was closed due to power cables being strung. We had to wait another 15 minutes. The next day, we ran down to Hontoon State Park, doing the middle cut, and down the “dead river”—again wonder riding, where we saw a Sandhill Crane, and several other unusual birds. Our last night on the river, we were the only boat, except a house boat and the Krogen 57, in the marina. The next morning we were awoken at 6AM by a group of boys staying in the campground. We might as well get up—and once back to Ed Stone park, and the boat was hauled, the GPS showed we could be home by 4:30 PM—so off we went—it was closer to 5:30 pm, but all in a day’s drive of 450 miles.
What a fantastic trip, group of people and River! Thanks to the C brats who made this possible.
Books we used and read fully before our trip: River of Lakes, by Bill Bellville; St. Johns River Guide Book, by Kevin M. McCarthy; Boating and Cruising guide to the St. Johns River, by Tom Kranz (has good anchorages marked). Audubon Field Guide to Florida, Birds of Florida, by Stan Tekiela, and Sibley Guide to Birds.
Photos in the 2016 St. Johns gathering, and in Thataway Album.
