02/27 - 03/01 - St. John's River Gathering
- Thread starter Avidmagnum12
- Start date
Molly Brown
Member
Bruce I just looked again and it is actually called Orange Creek. Comes off of Lake Ocklawaha on the nw corner heading up towards hwy.315. Not too long of a navigable water it would appear but I always like to poke in anywhere without too much civilization, at least along the banks. I am familiar with the Orange River in Ft.Myers off the Caloosahatchee River. Been up past the power plant in the 22 we had a the time. In my earlier years in Ft.Myers we even canoed that river all the way to the Lehigh Acres dam. I don't think it is part of the Okeechobee watershed. I do know it is the drain path for Lehigh which has some of the highest elevation in all of Lee county. Miles and miles of canals dumping over the dam into the river.
Feel like I'm kind of hijacking this Tom's thread and will hold all my questions for the gathering. It will give us all something to talk about besides the behavior of my dog :-/ If you don't remember or see the thread, Ifas died shortly after that event. His aggressiveness was due to an undiagnosed tumor that burst and killed him within hours. I'd no idea he was in medical distress and speculated it was stress from all the activity and strangeness. We'd never done a gathering of any type before, just a lot of solo boating.
My thanks to all for indulging me and see you soon on the river,
James
Feel like I'm kind of hijacking this Tom's thread and will hold all my questions for the gathering. It will give us all something to talk about besides the behavior of my dog :-/ If you don't remember or see the thread, Ifas died shortly after that event. His aggressiveness was due to an undiagnosed tumor that burst and killed him within hours. I'd no idea he was in medical distress and speculated it was stress from all the activity and strangeness. We'd never done a gathering of any type before, just a lot of solo boating.
My thanks to all for indulging me and see you soon on the river,
James
I found Orange Creek on Google Earth. We did not notice it, although I think we stopped at the boat ramp on the east shore to walk Monty. That area is shallow and very weedy outside of the main channel. Access might depend on water level.
We look for those remote areas too.
To rescue the thread back to Smitty; we made it through Bear Creek to the Oklawaha in the 22. I don't particularly recommend it . We had to pull the motors and manhandle the boat through the trees but we could see the river just a short distance off and our alternative was to go miles back and around. There were some people fishing near where we came out and they were pretty surprised!
Bruce
We look for those remote areas too.
To rescue the thread back to Smitty; we made it through Bear Creek to the Oklawaha in the 22. I don't particularly recommend it . We had to pull the motors and manhandle the boat through the trees but we could see the river just a short distance off and our alternative was to go miles back and around. There were some people fishing near where we came out and they were pretty surprised!
Bruce
Avidmagnum12
Member
Bill Smith captain of the C-Dory Blue Days sent me this photo. He and his wife Becky could not wait for the SBGT so they volunteered to be dock host volunteers for the month of February. Hank and Pat Clow on the Meri Aura also have their boat at Hontoon. This will be a special gathering for special people.....C-Brats! Lets fill up the docks! Tom
The wife and I missed the Sat get together at Powell because we had to help the son turn in his houseboat rental. Then we missed the Appalachicola Gathering for medical reasons. We will be at the marina a few days early, to be safe.
Our plans are to launch at Green Cove Springs as we use to store our sailboat there, in years past. If anyone sees a problem with that plan, please fill me in.
Really looking forward to seeing all of you.
Our plans are to launch at Green Cove Springs as we use to store our sailboat there, in years past. If anyone sees a problem with that plan, please fill me in.
Really looking forward to seeing all of you.
Unless I'm missing something it is part of the title of this thread. 02/27 to 03/01. If we went to the same schools together that would be Feb 27th to March 1st. No law against getting there early as some brats are already on the scene. Nice park pleasant helpful rangers nothing not to like. Cheap dockage.
Happy Trails,
D.D.
Happy Trails,
D.D.
Avidmagnum12
Member
Hi All
Only about three weeks till we meet on the St. Johns at Hontoon Island State Park. Bill and Becky on the "Blue Days" are volunteers there this month. When I boated down there last Friday he was already raking out the weeds by the dock. Joyce and I went shopping today for basic supplies and filled a few tubs with stuff! I even bought some seasoned fire wood for Cliff in case we have any trouble with the wood they sell at the park. (which looked a LOT better than last year!)
Now things everyone should have.
Some kind of folding chair for the fire pit time.
If you going to hike some comfortable shoes...sandals not recommended.
The bugs have not been out but you never know...bug spray.
If you have NOT signed up under Event Signups please do so now.
We have paper name tags for all but you can order a nice custom plastic one for $8.50 or so. I posted an order blank on my photo page or see page 6 of this link.
They do have a nice camp store which helps support the park.
Fees for the night have not changed in the last 5 years. $20.25 per night. If you are a Florida Resident over 65 only $10.25
The meals will be a lot like last year. Friday at 5pm burgers, hot dogs, chips and a dish to pass. Saturday at 5pm Kentucky Fried Chicken and a dish to pass. Sunday at 5 we will empty the coolers of food. We will have some bottles of water and soda for the meals.
Donations will be taken to fund the costs such as food, firewood, charcoal , paper plates all the other odds and ends. ALL extra monies after expenses will be donated to aid Hontoon State Park.
We will be looking for volunteers to help on the dock, set up and take down tables, cook the burgers and other duties like checking folks in. We will have a list of positions when you check in. Thanks...
I am sure I forgot something soooo till the next update....be on "72"
Only about three weeks till we meet on the St. Johns at Hontoon Island State Park. Bill and Becky on the "Blue Days" are volunteers there this month. When I boated down there last Friday he was already raking out the weeds by the dock. Joyce and I went shopping today for basic supplies and filled a few tubs with stuff! I even bought some seasoned fire wood for Cliff in case we have any trouble with the wood they sell at the park. (which looked a LOT better than last year!)
Now things everyone should have.
Some kind of folding chair for the fire pit time.
If you going to hike some comfortable shoes...sandals not recommended.
The bugs have not been out but you never know...bug spray.
If you have NOT signed up under Event Signups please do so now.
We have paper name tags for all but you can order a nice custom plastic one for $8.50 or so. I posted an order blank on my photo page or see page 6 of this link.
They do have a nice camp store which helps support the park.
Fees for the night have not changed in the last 5 years. $20.25 per night. If you are a Florida Resident over 65 only $10.25
The meals will be a lot like last year. Friday at 5pm burgers, hot dogs, chips and a dish to pass. Saturday at 5pm Kentucky Fried Chicken and a dish to pass. Sunday at 5 we will empty the coolers of food. We will have some bottles of water and soda for the meals.
Donations will be taken to fund the costs such as food, firewood, charcoal , paper plates all the other odds and ends. ALL extra monies after expenses will be donated to aid Hontoon State Park.
We will be looking for volunteers to help on the dock, set up and take down tables, cook the burgers and other duties like checking folks in. We will have a list of positions when you check in. Thanks...
I am sure I forgot something soooo till the next update....be on "72"
srbaum
Member
As I sit here typing this note, I must back out of this trip...
The shingles on the right side of my face several months ago has caused my right eye lid to droop closed about 7 PM every evening and my thyroid crash last year still gives me blurred and double vision every few moments.
The bottom line is that I am not yet comfortable driving down the interstate, much less driving with boat in tow. I still boat almost daily, so no need to feel sorry for me, as now that I am retired from the USCG and the Corps of Engineers, I get a LOT of boating in, even if it is just the kayak on the really bad weather days.
The shingles on the right side of my face several months ago has caused my right eye lid to droop closed about 7 PM every evening and my thyroid crash last year still gives me blurred and double vision every few moments.
The bottom line is that I am not yet comfortable driving down the interstate, much less driving with boat in tow. I still boat almost daily, so no need to feel sorry for me, as now that I am retired from the USCG and the Corps of Engineers, I get a LOT of boating in, even if it is just the kayak on the really bad weather days.
Avidmagnum12
Member
Hi Steve
Sorry that it will not work out for you to join us on the St. John's this year. Hopefully you can join us next year!
Take care......Tom Schulke
Out2C 2004 C-Dory 22 Commuter
Sorry that it will not work out for you to join us on the St. John's this year. Hopefully you can join us next year!
Take care......Tom Schulke
Out2C 2004 C-Dory 22 Commuter
Molly Brown
Member
Hey Tom...Launching later today. I will meet up with Betty Sunday pm at Hontoon. I'll check on Bill's progress 
See everyone soon,
James
See everyone soon,
James
Avidmagnum12
Member
I was looking thru my airplane hanger last week and found the complete boat cover that came with my 22. Its in great shape but I don't need it as the boat is kept in the hanger and will not work with my cantilever cockpit cover. Ill post it elsewhere on the site later but will offer it for sale at the gathering first as I do not want to ship it. If anyone is interested let me know. I have photos posted with my Out2C photos. $100 takes it if it work for you and you can check it out at Hontoon Island first.
Thanks Tom
C-dory 22 Out2C
Thanks Tom
C-dory 22 Out2C
We will be launching from Palatka the weekend before the Gathering. If anybody else is in the area at that time we would love to hook up. We would love a tour guide as we only have a map to go off of but would be happy to just share story and a drink for a night. We'll probably be stopping at most of the big marinas for the nights, or not.
Avidmagnum12
Member
Cover sold!
Carpy has been in Eastpoint/Apalachicola for the past three days having a bit of service work done at Weffing's while we have been out sucking up Apalachicola Oysters. Tomorrow we are off to Merritt Island to visit a friend and dabble a bit on the ICW. We expect to launch on the St. Johns early next week, wander around and probably arrive at the gathering on Friday. We'll give a holler when we are on the St Johns and will keep an eye peeled for C-Dories.
Bruce & Joyce
Carpy
Bruce & Joyce
Carpy
schiavolou
New member
Also not a cruising guide, but a fun read is Bill Belleville's River of Lakes. It covers much of the same ground as does McCarthy, but is more detailed and more "literary."
Looking forward to seeing everyone in "the real Florida."
Looking forward to seeing everyone in "the real Florida."
Avidmagnum12
Member
Hi All
Had a great few days adventuring with the Blue Days, Molly Brown, and Meri Aura. We all had a hankering for the pancakes at De Leon State Park. I was there a few years ago and because of aquatic growth it was a difficult trip. This time of year there in a lot less "sea weed". With the rain this season the water in this area had maintained great boating levels. The others showed me two new routes to go to the Springs! There is one challenging spot where you cross Spring Garden Lake. Its shallow and has some snags. The best way to cross is to wait till a local crosses and duplicate their path. Save the path on your GPS. If anyone wants to boat up there we can discuss the three routes at the gathering.
We also heard that the Carpy with Bruce and Joyce was motoring up that way. The C-Dorys are here!
More Later......Tom on the Out2C ...we will be on "72"
De Leon Springs dock
Had a great few days adventuring with the Blue Days, Molly Brown, and Meri Aura. We all had a hankering for the pancakes at De Leon State Park. I was there a few years ago and because of aquatic growth it was a difficult trip. This time of year there in a lot less "sea weed". With the rain this season the water in this area had maintained great boating levels. The others showed me two new routes to go to the Springs! There is one challenging spot where you cross Spring Garden Lake. Its shallow and has some snags. The best way to cross is to wait till a local crosses and duplicate their path. Save the path on your GPS. If anyone wants to boat up there we can discuss the three routes at the gathering.
We also heard that the Carpy with Bruce and Joyce was motoring up that way. The C-Dorys are here!
More Later......Tom on the Out2C ...we will be on "72"
De Leon Springs dock