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Molly’s Great American Loop
  • betty staugler

Molly’s Great American Loop

We’re Betty & James, along with Luna cat and Moki dog we are cruising America’s Great Loop aboard our boat the Molly Brown. She is a 24’ C-Dory TomCat. We expect it will take us 8 or so months to complete 😀. Read more
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  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    2Well hey there Brown Pelican!!
    6?? Anyone know what this would be used for ??11' height. Looks intimidating from a distanceSomeone really likes tonight's AnchorageLady Di 👋Looking for pretty quartz rocksMB at anchorI'll take a pic of you...3Chilling...Cat on a cat boat

    Gravine Island

    November 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    We are back in tidal water and encountered our first brown pelican in months today. Warmer temps this morning meant little fog and an early start. We got off the looper path today coming down the Tensaw instead of the Mobile River. Apparently Navionics has been routing people that way and they find it too shallow and turn around. Someone on nebo sent us a message saying ‘Your going the wrong way!!’ The Mobile is the preferred route… but we went this way on purpose. James wanted to avoid the commercial traffic and I was hoping to visit Bottle Creek Indian Mound. We had success with his wish but when we got close to mine we saw too many hunting boats on shore. I’m not that brave and don’t want to be in the way of hunters. Along the Tensaw and Middle River we found depths between 3.9’ and 96’. The 3.9’ quickly rose to over 10’ when we moved towards the outer bank. The dicey spot for large boats would surely be the 11’ railroad bridge that requires 10 hours notice for an opening. We cruised right under with the antenna down. Tonight we are at anchor at Gravine Island where there’s a huge sand deposit at the north end. We are still in the Tensaw but very close to Mobile Bay. This is a local hotspot. Moki enjoyed a romp with some local dogs this evening. We also saw three looper boats who are at anchor inside the Mobile Tensaw cutoff channel nearby. One of them ran aground but has since gotten free.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Cloudy today
    The famous Lulu's2And Tacky JacksProject boatLots of white pelicans2Somewhere along our route todayPretty viewPup walk along shore5Tonight's sunset

    Welcome to Florida !!

    November 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    🥁🥁…. We are in Florida! Although it wasn’t our plan. Alabama shore access was a major disappointment today. We initially planned to go to Historic Blakeley SP but when we arrived at the kayak launch there was a big sign… all visitors must access park at main entrance from whatever highway… yada yada…no boat access 😠. We could have tried calling but I was kind of turned off by the sign. Then we found Meaher SP which had picnic tables and a garbage can right along shore and no sign…so Moki and I kayaked to shore and headed down the road towards the park entrance to pay. But we were intercepted… you can’t be here…this road is closed ! After talking to the ranger he was very nice but I still couldn’t use the road due to construction. So we continued on. At this point it was afternoon so we were looking for an anchorage for the evening. We saw a great natural shoreline with a sandy shoreline for the pup walk and the right wind protection … perfect, but as we approached… no trespassing signs. Alabama had been so great up until today. Oh well… We are now right across the border in Florida anchored off Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park… no signs, no ranger interception, good wind protection and a nice view !! There are trails here we will explore tomorrow morning. From our Anchorage we are a stones throw from Dr. Bob and Marie’s house. We look forward to seeing them tomorrow !!Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Headed out to explore the trails
    Pine flatwoods and saw palmetto. Definitely back in Florida!Nice interpretive signsScub oak by the water. Pretty trail1Marie made a delicious dinner!!

    Bayou Marcus

    November 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    This morning Moki and I enjoyed a fantastic run/hike on the trail at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve SP before headed over to Dr. Bob & Marie’s 12 miles away. We had a great visit today and Moki enjoyed meeting Gigi and romping around their fenced backyard. Grateful for the invitation to spend a few days at Camp Austin. I’m pretty light on pictures tonight as I enjoyed the day of good conversation. Will try to do better tomorrow. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!! We are looking forward to spending it with Bob, Marie and their family and friends.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    2Me and my mom Gladys
    My sister made her cake. She is really good at cake decorating2Wearing the necklace I bought herTampa airportMoki enjoying the cool weatherMB docked behind Bob and Marie's house2Thanksgiving table set for a gaggleIt was very nice 😊

    Happy Birthday side trip

    November 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Hey y’all … this lovely lady is celebrating her 90th birthday 🎂!! Yep that’s my mom. So I’m back in SWFL for a few days. She had lunch today with all her daughters. Failure on my part to take a picture but tomorrow we are all making gingerbread houses so I have another chance. Back in Pensacola we had a great Thanksgiving on Thursday with Bob and Marie and many of their friends. I’ll be back on Tuesday and we will continue our journey south. We’re getting close!!Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Supervising the boat rewire
    MasterpiecesBack in the panhandleDishing up dinnerGigi sitting pretty1Last pic before we left. We missed seeing Marie. She is on her way to MSThis propellor was at the Marina we filled up atShallow water anchor from the USS Sequoia the presidential yacht during Hoover to Ford eraNice show this afternoon. We missed getting a pic when four were in formationView behind boat. Pensacola lighthouse and maritime museum on rightThink this was Air Force. Also practicingMural on a slab of concrete on the beach here on Robertson IslandAlso on this island up on top of berm. Just shells inside. We added one.Tonight's sunset as 4:25pm!!Pretty sweet spoil islandCould be something down thereLots of color tonight

    Robertson Island

    December 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    I’ve got some catching up to do!! I returned yesterday at 6:40am so needless to say I was a bit tired. While away I had a really nice visit with my mom and sisters. We made a miniature gingerbread village.. not according to the box. James got a nice visit from John & Eileen … but he forgot to take any pics. He also helped Bob rewire his boat. Still lots to be done. Moki had a great time playing with Gigi and enjoyed the cooler weather and fenced yard. Luna said it was much too cold to do anything other than sleep. Bob and Marie are great hosts and James did not starve. Last night Marie cooked us all dinner. We really enjoyed the conversation. Those two have had quite the adventures! This morning we left early stopping for fuel before heading east. Windy weather on the horizon and Anchorages with good north protection is limited. Tonight we are at anchor off Robertson Island a beautiful spoil island with huge sand dune across ICW from Fort McRae. As a bird flies we are almost due south of Bob and Marie’s house but we had to go west to go east. Total miles 33.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Santa Rosa Tower overlooking the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range
    Stuffed animals along the ditch2There were a gaggleOur home for the evening

    West Bay Creek

    December 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    I forgot to post last night. We covered a lot of ground yesterday…. Mostly on plane and I missed most of it working. The winds came later than projected so it was not bad. We anchored for the night west of Panama City in West Bay Creek a small creek west of West Bay proper and off the ditch part of the ICW. It has good north protection and easy access to shore for the dog….no mud!! We went over 80 miles but I forget the exact number. Nice thing about being on plane is we were at anchor at 11:30. Small craft advisory for today. We are going to poke our head out and probably anchor in a cove of islands not far away. Starlink doesn’t much care for the trees here so at a minimum we need to find it some open sky… 😎.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    It's like a graveyard for sailboats here
    And sadly they don't look that badNice spot of sand for the pupGreat weather if you're an Australian Shepherd!MB at anchor

    Smack Bayou on Tyndall AFB

    December 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    Cold, Cold, Cold 🥶… with the wind it was a pretty miserable today! We did travel 23 miles and it wasn’t too bad but trips to shore… holy moly!! We were underway early as I had a meeting and Starlink didn’t like the trees in the Anchorage last night. It really wasn’t too bad crossing the open bays but wind picked up so our timing was good. Small craft advisory all day. Our Anchorage tonight is in Smack Bayou which is within the Tyndall Air Force Base. We have good protection but it’s still down right windy. Open view of the sky though so Starlink is happy. It’s like a sailboat graveyard in here. We count three up on shore. There may be others. There’s a small beach for Moki and I must say I am really happy our shore trips are complete. Paddling in the dark against the wind and in the cold is not my favorite sport. Back inside enjoying our Wallas diesel stove. It’s paid for itself many times over on this trip.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    4Who knew??
    Moki made a friend at the White City park. He was a dirty dog but had lots of funNice sky behind MB tonight.

    White City

    December 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Did you know Gulf County is in two time zones?? We did not. We also thought the time zone changed at the Apalachicola River….in most cases it does. But as we were traveling along today we were surprised when we noticed the time had changed on our phones and my watch 30 or so miles west of Apalachicola. We discussed the major milestone of being back in the eastern time zone… yay! Then we went into White City which has a nice boat ramp and adjacent park. There was a fishing tournament, lots of distraction. At some point James said it was six, I said it was five and after a bit with no consensus we let Siri settle things…. James asked what time is it in the eastern time zone and she said six so I fed the animals and started dinner. But it was only five. The correct question should have been what time is it in White City. Apparently back in the day shipping and rail wanted to keep the coastal area in the eastern time zone so everything south of the ICW is eastern in Gulf Country and north is central… White City is north…whew!! According to Google there are ten counties in the US that are in two time zones. Three in ND. Not many pictures. The ICW here is a ditch but it is pretty… just not pic worthy.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    This is her spot on cold mornings
    Nice slow cruise down the ICW.Apalachicola Northern Railroad4Better from the back sideApalachicola waterfront. Our dock right behind last shrimp boatJames caught this tender while Moki and I were out exploringOur dock is behind. They host events inside now.Lists of history hereDonna from Paradise Bound1HitchhikerThis was a hard pic. There was a pup on his left and he really wanted to look at it.The sun was an unexpected surpriseDixie Theater 🤣Christmas tree in parkShrimper headed outNice mural!!Luna on her scratching post2Last pup walk. Tree all lit upThis store has lots of holiday decorations

    Apalachicola

    December 8, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    We are firmly back in the eastern time zone!! Left White City early and endured a few hours of bouncing between central and eastern arriving in Apalachicola at 10:30am ET. We got to see our looper friends John and Donna before they headed out for Dog Island. They are crossing their wake in Carrabelle. Apalachicola is really cute and dog friendly. Lots of pup friendly signs in store windows. Unfortunately most places were closed because it was Sunday but we enjoyed strolling around. We stayed at the Apalachicola Ice Co. Marina. It is right downtown with room for three boats. Owner George is super nice.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    1Sunrise 1.0 🙌
    2.0 👏2Ohh 3.0 👍24.0 🤩2Our friend's gold loop burgeeSome very nice murals here2Or Tardus 😂The mermaid is petting Moki1Bottle HouseBonus Bottle lighthouseLooks like Nellie's moved from ScotlandIf you look carefully James is on back deck taking a pic of me.And there I amLittle beer ... that has no beer... it's a thingCheers !!

    Carrabelle

    December 9, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Can I just say this morning’s sunrise was magical!! It kept changing but every shade of color was awesome! We got underway early to enjoy the colors and had an easy slow cruise to Carrabelle. As we arrived at the Moorings we passed our friend’s boat already sporting their gold looper flag. We have decided to call this Marina home for probably a week due to weather. Today Moki and I visited the World Smallest Police Station… it’s a phone booth. The Police Station has an interesting history dating to 1953 when a call box was installed on the side of a building allowing officers to listen for calls while patrolling. A phone booth was installed in 1963 because the locals were making unauthorized long distance calls. Eventually the dial was removed so calls out could not be made. The phone booth served the police dept for decades before being retired. We also visited the Bottle House which is as its name implies a house made of bottles. This evening we had dinner with Donna and John celebrating their wake crossing.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    We said goodbye to our Paradise Bound friends. They headed back to Colorado. Donna's pic
    Pretty sunrise yesterday morning.The downtown Christmas treeOur princess has become a lap cat2Several loopers and a few liveaboards here along with the owner and some staff came out tonight.

    Carrabelle days 2-5

    December 13, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    We are still alive and well in Carrabelle. It was a really busy work week for me and Carrabelle is small so not much to report. It’s still windy so looks like we are here probably till Monday and then we will anchor out for a Tuesday jump…. But plans are fluid. We’ve enjoyed some pretty sunrises and sunsets and tonight the Marina bought a keg and had a bonfire.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Santa on the fire truck
    ❤️❤️2Hanging with the witches of the Carrabelle Humane SocietyMoki's friend Charlie.3James making Molly look festive 🥳Chillin 😎One of about 20 boats in the paradeLiked this on too3She survived

    Carrabelle day 6

    December 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Ho Ho Ho!! 🎅 Today was Carrabelle’s Christmas Festival which included a lighted boat parade and fireworks. We walked downtown this afternoon where there were lots of vendors then stopped at Dollar Tree on the way back and bought some decorations for the boat. The boat parade came past the Marina although the major happenings were down the road. We just walked to the outer dock to see. Fireworks we could see well from our boat. Luna was not impressed. For a small town they were very nice!Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    2White squirrel are common along the Ochlockonee River the mouth of which is in Carrabelle
    2She's looking rather fluffy in this photo 🥹

    Carrabelle day 7

    December 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Today I saw my very first white squirrel!! Moki and I were walking this morning and there it was in a vacant lot This guy is not albino but rather leucitic… i.e., it’s a gray squirrel with a genetic mutation that results in reduced pigmentation. Still windy but half of the loopers left today to anchor out and hop tomorrow. We plan to be a day or two behind them as winds look more favorable Tuesday and Wednesday. Loaded up on groceries today and finishing up the laundry. We will leave here tomorrow and anchor out but we’re not going to be in a hurry as I have meetings …. We’ll both be happy to be on the hook. This place is nice but pricey.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Checking out the seas. Looks good 👍
    2He never misses an opportunity to get wetNice beach2There goes the sunHeaded back to the boat to make dinnerPretty cool sky1Our Xmas tree is up and decorated

    Dog Island

    December 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    We are staged and ready for our jump in the morning. When we arrived at Dog Island this afternoon we thought we were going to be sharing this anchorage with three other boats but they all left for a night crossing. There’s two other boats further down that plan to cross to Tarpon Springs tomorrow morning. We are eyeing the Suwannee River. Dog Island has a pretty beach. Moki had lots of fun this afternoon.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Prepping for our morning crossing with a pup trip to shore
    The angle made for a nice crossingAll good here!Taking turns at the helmBank of dense fogPassed the torchOur Anchorage at Shired IslandHappy dogLots of driftwood hereYou can see how far we have to paddle to get to shore.Signs of hurricane HeleneFalcon 9 Block 5 | 03b mPower 7 & 8Taking pics for the blog1Anyone else see two eyes and a mouth just right of center?? 🤷🏼‍♀️Going up for her evening watch1Good stargazing here. That bright one by the antenna is a planet. We see two tonight.

    Shired Island

    December 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 63 °F

    We said adios to the Panhandle and hola to the Big-bend of Florida. Our Gulf crossing was pretty uneventful. There was about 40 minutes in the middle that Luna found annoying but it was nothing compared to our Lake Michigan or Chesapeake Bay crossings. With decent conditions we were able to crank out 25mph coming across, making it in just under 4 hours. But the fog! We were socked in most of the way. It finally burned off about 15 miles from shore. We spotted Shired Island last night on Google Maps when looking for an anchorage in this area. It is just north of the Suwannee River and within the Lower Suwannee River NWR. It’s pretty shallow getting in… pretty much everything here is… but the island has a beach… and that’s why we are here. Moki and I walked the entire stretch and the southern end is pretty trashed from Helene. This afternoon we watched a Falcon 9 launch and were able to see the first stage. We also enjoyed a Birds Eye view of the sunset from our spot on the Gulf of Mexico. And the stars tonight are fantastic. Tomorrow we are headed into the Suwannee River and may stay a few days. 88 miles.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler

    The Drone(s)

    December 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 64 °F

    Didn’t mention to James’s dismay the drones we saw predawn sitting at anchor off Shired Island. So adding with the right date time and location now. James saw the first one and thought it was a satellite because it was moving pretty fast but then it did a 180 and then another 180. It was pretty high. We watched for about 20 minutes then a second drone zoomed in. I tried to grab my phone for a video of the two together but they moved too far apart and then the second one zipped off inland. But I did get two videos of the first drone which was up for at least 30 minutes before sunrise.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Fuel dock with fire suppressors. Halon gas.🎶 Way down upon the Swanee River...🎶🎤 I did sing 🎵1He did not! And my singing did not drive him from the boat 🤣🤣Looked promisingUntil it did not.Little rainbow 🌈Week Landing road

    Week’s Landing

    December 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We fueled up this morning at Gateway Marina in Suwannee. They were hard hit by the hurricane but are trying hard to get services back. From there we slow cruised up the river looking for an anchorage near a trailhead. We were surprised to find our waypoints from our trip here 11 years ago still on the Garmin. At the first trailhead we met a guy who has been kayaking for years and was on his way to the Keys with his dog. We didn’t drop anchor because his dog was not very friendly. On the way to our second trail waypoint I saw another trailhead on the NWR map. Moki and I attempted to walk it but major parts were boardwalk and major parts of the boardwalk were missing. So we continued on to our trail waypoint two. This is actually a kayak launch with a long dirt road leading to it. We walked some of it this afternoon and will do the full out and back tomorrow.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    MB at the SP dock
    Long boardwalk from dock to parkJuvenile little blue heronJuvenile white ibisMoki harassing a manatee. ...It's a good thing it's fake 😂Trail at SP. There are several.James and Luna out for our family paddle. She was quite a hit.The other half of the fam minus the photographerGreat egretTurtle sunning1There's a manatee. It was sleepingGator and turtle sunningTonight's sunset

    Manatee Springs

    December 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Today we spent most of the day at Manatee Springs State Park. This is the slow season for the park and being a weekday it was pretty quiet. Not allot of manatee action given the high today was 76 but we saw a few and lots of wading birds. Moki and I hiked a trail but with the storm damage it was hard to follow. Tonight we are right around the corner from the SP at a FWC managed boat ramp. We’ve been hearing Barred owls but no sightings. 14 miles.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    5Looking festive and slightly annoyed
    MB from the Andrew WMAPretty trail. Well marked tooBat houseThis is great. Months top and days of week down left side. Colors are different type hunts. Simple!It has some damage but not too bad. Short docks though so we anchored.2At the restaurantBunny and Kip with us at the Suwannee Belle. No smoking sign so appropriate!3This was interesting! Kip said a guy in town makes.Road leading to the boat ramp where we are anchored tonightMB anchored off boat ramp.

    Otter Springs Landing

    December 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Forgot to mention yesterday that I am on annual leave and off till January 6th!! 🙌🙌 … So today we were slow cruising when we passed a covered dock with stairs up to the Andrew’s Wildlife Mgmt Area. We stopped. Up top we found a pavillon and very nice trail. There was also a kiosk with the best hunting calendar I’ve seen yet… thank you FWC!! No hunting here today. After our hike we continued upstream to Suwannee Belle Landing a restaurant on the river where we met up with our neighbor Bunny. Her son Kip and DIL Claudia moved her to Chiefland after the last hurricane to be close to them. Bunny lived across the street from us for the 27 years we’ve been in our house. We will miss her! So today we had a great visit with Bunny and Kip and were able to tell her farewell. She looks fantastic!! Being close to family will be good for her. We are now anchored off a boat ramp with Suwannee River WMD land on one side and what looks like private land on the other. It’s remote with a long road leading in. Quiet on the river tonight. Going down in the 30s overnight 🥶.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Going into Rock Bluff Spring is a little tight
    Very clearJames and Luna joining Moki and me on shoreThe cypress are very cool5I saw a manatee.Named in memory of the Rock Bluff mayorTurtle Spring our Anchorage of the night1Also very clearOff the river with very little current.Can see the vent3Pretty view off the front of the boat this evening. Beach for our pup walk

    Turtle Spring

    December 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Today was another springs day. We enjoyed a late start after the breakfast of champions and did more cruising and less stopping today as my asthma was acting up. That said we did visit one spring and are at anchor at another tonight. Our first spring stop was to Rock Bluff Spring in JH Anderson Jr. Memorial Park. This is WMD land co-managed by the Alachua Conservation Trust. It’s a magnitude 2 spring. We could motor up to just outside the swimming hole and were the only ones there. Very cool spring with lots of cypress but only open sunrise to sunset… there’s a private house on a small out parcel adjacent which has a sheriffs cruiser in the driveway…so no breaking them rules 😉. We then went to our anchorage for the night which is a boat access only spring. Turtle Spring is small but the water is very clear. One family came and went for a swim. We were not that brave. One of the kids said during certain times of the year there will be hundreds of little turtles in the spring hence the name. 19 miles.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    James and Luna coming ashoreMB on the Branford dock at Ivy Memorial ParkNew sign. I ran 7 miles to take pic last trip when James said I wish after leaving. Sign was older1So cute! Lit up tooPretty Greenway. Moki and I did a 3 mile out and back.2Head carving has seen better daysThere's a small spring at the parkSame spring different angleBranford Christmas treeOpen lot adjacent Greenway all decked out2This was a Christmas tree lane. Trees decorated by local businesses2Hay bale company

    Branford

    December 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    We woke this morning to 30 degrees!! And it was still 30 degrees when I kayaked the dog to shore. Fortunately it wasn’t super windy…. And it warmed up quick. Once our morning trip to shore was complete we headed up river to Branford. Branford has a nice waterfront park and a very nice floating dock which is new from our visit 11 years ago. There’s an IGA grocery store less than a mile away and the Suwannee River Greenway passes by the park and very close by the grocery store. The Greenway is all decorated for Christmas. This afternoon Moki and I walked to Tractor Supply. It’s .6 miles with a sidewalk all the way. Brand new store. This evening for our last pup walk we went back over to the Greenway display, literally across the street. Very nice 👍Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Our buddy boat. Pic is slightly out of order.
    Joyce and Tom. And Moki who really likes them.Tom getting things ready to cruiseMoki reading the sign to see what amenities are there for him.No real trail as far as I know but nice road for walkingI bought the Santa hat for James to wear. So close 🤣... but it does look cute there.More Xmas decorations from Tractor Supply 👍2Our Dollar Tree Xmas tree with our lantern inside. Sweet!!!

    Adams Tract River Camp

    December 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    🎵🎶 Do you see what I see … 🎶🎵. We have company! Tom and Joyce on C-Otter launched this morning for 10-12 days on the Suwannee. So today we went up to Troy Spring WMA Adam’s Tract about 7-miles from Branford. We had hoped to stop at Troy Springs State Park on the way but they had major damage to thier docks. Adam’s Tract is the downstream most River Camp on the Wilderness Trail. They provide screened platforms for camping, pavilions, firewood and bathrooms with hot showers. All free except the firewood which is $5. James and I took advantage of the showers and Moki enjoyed his romp onshore. This is as far upstream as we will go. Above here has rapids. Headed towards the Santa Fe tomorrow.Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Waterfall found. We had to blaze our own trail to find it.
    2Reward for a job well done!4Rafted with C-Otter2There's cow pasture by our anchorage tonightMBC-OtterWhile we were onshore3James was prepping for dinner. Yes that is mistletoe ❤️. We found it on a tree along the river.Luna out for her evening watch2Christmas fondue 🫕

    Dorthie Public Boat Launch

    December 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    It’s Christmas Eve! Before I get going let me wish everyone a wonderful Christmas full of happiness and love 💕 . We had a nice day today that started with an exciting encounter… We saw a bear 🐻!!!! This was bright and early as I was walking Moki at Adam’s Tract. We came ashore to find deer in the campground which was cool but then walked the road for a spell and a beer crossed right in front of us. No pic… you’ll have to take my word for it. We left Adams Tract after a nice leisurely morning and headed downriver to a spot a local guide told us about where there’s a small waterfall. He had just found it. We found the little creek and marks from the spoons of his pontoon on the bank. Moki and I had to climb the bank using the roots to support us. Our first attempt brought us on the wrong side of the spring but on our second try there it was. Pretty waterfall with clear water from the spring. We then cruised further south to our anchorage tonight and rafted with Tom and Joyce for a while then they pulled off to anchor for the evening. Tonight I broke tradition by having our Christmas fondue a day early. Going down to 40 tonight then we’re on a warming spell and fondue is always better when it’s cold outside. Merry Christmas everyone!!!Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Pretty sunrise with C-Otter in the distance
    Coming back from our run👑 the princessWhen you want to go to shore but no one is willing to take you.MB before we left this morningHeaded up the Santa Fe. Look at the high water mark on the trees!!SightseeingReturning from our paddle and float on the Santa Fe. Moki's reindeer antlers have fallen back.

    Merry Christmas!!!

    December 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Our Christmas morning started with a gorgeous sunrise. Moki and I did a nice easy 2 mile run past cows… very exciting for my Aussie!! After breakfast we cruised up the Santa Fe River. We made it just past the Ichetucknee River before turning back. The water level is quite a bit lower than usual this year. Before heading back to the Suwannee we did drop anchor for a break and Moki, Luna and I kayaked upstream for a bit then floated back down. Very few people out. We are now back in the Suwannee anchored off a dirt ramp across from preserve land. No houses in sight. Merry Christmas!Read more

  • betty stauglerMolly’s Great American LoopTraveler
    Cold wet trip to shore
    Someone found a friendMB coming out of Rock Bluff. Compliments of C-OtterVery yellow bridgeC-Otter at anchor last night from a trail along water.Rail bridge near Fanning SpringsPark entrance looks impressive but not much in the park itselfWalking back into SPThere's MB. C-Otter is rafted to usA gaggle of Jetskiers came. Annual trip from Detroit. Nice folksHe's the best kayak buddyMB at anchor of Andrew's WMA. C-Otter is way in the distanceI tried to catch a🐝. It didn't go well. Bees 🐝 🐝 hurt. 😢

    Andrews WMA

    December 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    We’ve been spring hopping the last couple days. Took Tom and Joyce to Rock Bluff and Gornto springs yesterday and Fanning Springs today. From Fanning Springs today we also walked across the street to Fort Fanning. Not much there and the history is pretty sordid. It was cold and drizzly rainy yesterday. Today was misty until about 11 then warmed up nice to t-shirt weather. Tonight we are anchored off Andrew’s WMA. We visited this area on our way upstream. It has good access to shore and trails… but small game hunting allowed thru Sunday. It’s 5pm as I write and blue sky just made an appearance. Should be nice tomorrow.Read more

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