DeLeon Springs

This morning was rather stormy. Rain and wind. Nearby even had some tornado warnings. We were in some narrow channels, so pretty much protected from any wind. The route today took us off the St. John’s River and on the Zeigler Dead River, Norris Dead River, through Lake Woodruff, Spring Garden Creek and Spring Garden Lake, into DeLeon Springs. All shallow water today. Nothing over 6’ deep, and much of it 3-4’ deep. The last lake to get through, Spring Garden, was probably only 2’ deep and much of the short distance we go through it is churning up mud with the engine. Also had to break through some Water Hyacinth in one of the Dead rivers, as it was completely blocking the channel. We docked on the state park dock, and headed over to the Old Sugar Mill restaurant for lunch, where I hankered for a Cuban Sandwich and Rosanne had a French Dip sandwich. The main reason we came into DeLeon Springs, was for the pancake breakfast at the Old Sugar Mill, which we will do tomorrow. Spent the rest of the day walking some around the park, relaxing and I got my kayak down and peddled around the springs. The winds were still blowing this afternoon, and Spring Garden lake was getting kicked up pretty good. Here in the springs we are pretty well protected. We left the dock and are now anchored for the evening. Watching some net fisherman and Rosanne is watching a manatee surface now and then about 60’ away from our boat.Read more