Alabama and Florida

febbraio - marzo 2025
First boat trip of the season. We'll first spend a week with some good friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama, before continuing over to the St. John's River and the C-Brat gathering at Hontoon Island State Park, before doing some other cruising. Leggi altro

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  • Gulf State Pier

    28 febbraio, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Took a couple walks today. First one along the beach to Romar Beach again. Rosanne, Kelly and Chris had walked out along the highway, and then met me at Romar. Came back to the Condo for a bit and then we went out to the Gulf Shores State Park Pier. Watched some guys fishing, and I also did a geocache and an earthcache. Then drove by some souvenir shops. Some time in the hot tub again, while the gals went for a pedicure. This evening we went to the fish fry at St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church.Leggi altro

  • Mardi Gras and last day in Orange Beach

    1 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Today is our last day in the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area. I worked on taxes off and on some more today. Late morning, Rosanne, Kelly and Chris went across the street to Doc's Restaurant for Bushwacker ice cream treats. I walked a mile up the road to Pete's Ice Cream and Donuts for some straight home made ice cream! Back here we all spent some more time in the hot tub. This evening was two Mardi Gras parades, back to back, here in Orange Beach, right in front of our condo. Lots of beads, moon pies and other items are thrown out from the many floats and entries! Another nice sunny day with temps in the mid 70's. It's pretty much been in the high 60's, low to mid 70's this past week. Chris and Kelly's friends, Sandy and Mike, (our boat is stored over in their neighborhood RV storage area) came over to watch the parade with us, and for supper. Tomorrow morning, Rosanne will go with Chris and Kelly to Mass, while I go pick up the boat. We'll head out for Deland, FL and the St. John's River then after Mass. 490 miles, so plan to take two days and launch Monday morning at Ed Stone Park.Leggi altro

  • Orange Beach Sunrise

    2 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 54 °F

    Rosanne captured this sunrise from our condo balcony this morning. We're in Chiefland, FL, tonight. 115 miles tomorrow to Ed Stone Park and launching C-Traveler.

  • Ed Stone Park and Hontoon Island

    3 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Quiet night in the Walmart parking lot last night. Got up early, had our breakfast, then made the short 115 mile jaunt over to Ed Stone Park to launch on the St. John's River. Headed straight for Hontoon Island State Park, where three C-Dorys were already slipped for the day. We visited and socialized as more showed up. I believe we had about 10 in the slips when we left around 4p. Others were starting to leave also, as the park is only open during the day right now. (Still only partially open from the hurricane flooding several years ago. But they are now working on the ranger residences and hope to be fully open again in time for next year.) There will be plenty more C-Dorys tomorrow when the gathering officially starts. Some went over to a Yacht Club marina on the nearby lake to spend the night in a slip, while some of us anchored out. Rosanne and I headed down the St. John's River to the Pine Island cut that is a very narrow and short canal over to the Hontoon Dead River. A short ways before the cut, we go by Blue Springs State Park, where many Manatees over winter. We actually saw two Manatees just before going by the park, but I missed getting their photos.Leggi altro

  • Hontoon Island State Park C-Brats

    4 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    3/4/2025
    Last night was a nice quiet calm night at anchor near the south end of the Hontoon Dead River. Today the C-Brats gathering at Hontoon Island State Park on the St. John's River, officially began. Rosanne says there were 17 boats there. Some left, some came. The gathering goes for three days. Most folks got checked in today, and then spent the morning socializing. This afternoon, there were two talks given. Grant Wilson spoke about lithium batteries, while Tom Schulke talked about "What I wish I would have known back then". Basically a little bit about trailering, docking and some other odds and ends in regards to boating. I should mention, Tom, and his wife, Joyce, are the couple that host this gathering. This gathering is currently the largest one for C-Dory's in the SE, or east of the Rockies. Rosanne and I also went for a 2 mile walk on the Island after lunch. I had some issues with my shore power battery charger not charging, but after fiddling with it for a while, and giving it a good whack with a screwdriver, it started working again... This evening Rosanne and I are anchored very close to Ed Stone park where we launched. Rosanne plans to attend Ash Wednesday Mass tomorrow morning, so I need to have her at the park parking lot by 7:45a.Leggi altro

  • Hontoon Island C-Brat Gathering day 2

    5 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    It seemed like a short night. Rather windy, and listened to the anchor rode rattling on the bow roller. Rosanne did get to Mass, and then back to Hontoon Island State Park. Today we C-Brats started with a silent auction, and I scored a nice used anchor. I've been wanting to replace my 13 lb delta, with the next size up, a 22 lb delta. One was in the auction, so I bid $50 on it. A new one usually cost around $250+. We had pizza for lunch, and then closed the auction bidding right after that. The forecast was for some strong winds and thunderstorms, but other than a couple gusts, the higher winds didn't really materialize. We did get a good line of strong showers pass over, but then it cooled down and sun came back out. This afternoon, our gathering host, Tom Schulke, talked about anchoring. This evening many of us are staying in the slips here at Hontoon, even though the park is officially closed at night. (We all behave, so the rangers over look it.)Leggi altro

  • Hontoon Island C-Brat Gathering Last Day

    6 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Nice night last night staying slipped at Hontoon Island State Park. Today was the last day of the C-Brat gathering, and one of the more fun days for me. We watched some more rowers going by the park marina and socialized more with each other. At 10:00 we had our Galley Gadgets show and tell. That’s where we bring favorite items from our boats to show others. Always interesting to see what other boaters have that might be worth getting for our own boats. After that we had baked chicken for lunch, along with cole slaw, potato salad and chips. Some more socializing and then at 2, I lead a small flotilla of six other boats around what we call the Hontoon Loop. I pass along some information of the area, and point out various critters we see. Today we saw quite a few alligators, a number of turtles, Ibis, Blue Herons, Egrets, possibly a couple White Herons, and a few boats saw a manitee. Also saw an old tug boat. (For some interesting information on the tugboat, search WWII Tugboat ST479 “Tiger”.) After that, the other boats went back to Hontoon, or one of the other marinas they were staying at. This evening at 6p, some were gathering at a local yacht club restaurant for supper. Rosanne and I continued up to Ed Stone Park to drop some stuff off at the pickup, and then came back south to anchor next to Blue Springs State Park. Good choice, as we got to watch several manatees.Leggi altro

  • Deep Creek

    7 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F

    3/7
    Late last night we watched one lit up fishing boat come into the very shallow lagoon we were anchored just outside of. I believe they were bowfishing. Very common for Florida fisherman to bowfish late at night with very bright lights on their boat. Otherwise quiet and chilly, low of 42. This morning was quite foggy until around 8:30a. It did eventually warm up to 79. Saw a few manatees as we departed the Blue Springs area. Cruised 36nm today, anchoring this evening in Deep Creek, just north of Lake Harney. We did go in about a mile or two on Deep Creek before turning around and anchoring back near the entrance from the St. John’s. Another narrow and windy (curvey) waterway surrounded by Cypress trees that’s very serene. And we have our own “watch gator” this evening. (Small gator that decided to come sun and sleep about a boat length away.) Saw plenty more alligators, a few turtles, and the numerous Ibis, Blue Herons, Egrets and a few Limpkins. Had to wait a few minutes for the Lake Monroe railroad bridge to open for us. The St. John’s River southeast of Lake Monroe, until several miles before Deep Creek, can be quite shallow at times, as it goes through many marshy areas. We bumped bottom in one location. Depths of less than 3 feet are common. (I only draft about 14-16” with C-Traveler, but the outboard sits another foot below my hull, trimmed up.) Tomorrow, we’ll attempt to get to and go a ways up on the Econlockhatchee River (Econ for short). Lake Harney can be quite shallow, and tricky to find the south entrance back into the St. John’s River, before getting to the Econ.Leggi altro

  • Econ river attempt

    8 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Last night in Deep Creek was very peaceful. Except for between 9-10pm when about 4 or 5 clowns came in on airboats. I'm pretty sure one of them circled C-Traveler. The boats are quite loud and also put out a wake.
    So, we didn't quite make the Econ river today. We grounded a couple times at both ends of Lake Harney where the St. John's River connects. At the north end, I was able to back off and then find another way through. Still only showing about 1.3 feet under my hull. At the south end, there are poles on both sides marking the channel thru a very shallow area. Still, getting in, even with the main outboard trimmed all the way up, it's skeg was being pushed thru the sand/mud bottom. Back into the St. John's then on the south side of Harney, was ok. However, once we got close to the Econ, just beyond the highway bridge by the Jolly Gater Fish Camp, and C.S. Lee boat ramp, there was a bar I had to cross from one channel to another, and no way I could clear it. No matter where I tried to get through, the hull would go hard aground. I ended up watching a small fishing boat try to cross it on plane, and he grounded. He was able to trim his motor all the way up and power thru. However he likely only drafted 6" and weighed a lot less than C-Traveler. I tried a couple other different ways to get into that channel, but all were too shallow. Guess it gives me a reason to try again in future years. Back north on the St. John's River, with a lot of weekend boaters, and anchored in Butcher's Bend tonight. Another nice spot off the main river to anchor. Very quiet, and we are the only ones in here spending the night. Watched a paddle wheeler come thru before dark.
    Leggi altro

  • Hontoon Island SP and Drigger Island

    9 marzo, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    It was a very nice night in Butchers Bend last night. Before passing Blue Springs State Park later this morning, I took the loop through Dutchman’s Bend. Glad I did. Saw a couple baby alligators, along with some larger alligators, Egrets, Ibis, Limpkens and a few turtle. Very peaceful and scenic water way. After passing Blue Springs State Park, saw a few manatees, including two that were together. The one was swimming right next to the other, almost like mama and baby. But it was a rather large baby. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the camera ready for getting pictures… Stopped at Hontoon State Park to take on more potable water, eat lunch, empty garbage, hike some around the island, and get showers. After that, we continued north, downstream, and anchored behind Driggers Island. Another beautiful, warm and sunny day. Did get some clouds and a cool breeze for a bit this afternoon.Leggi altro