02/28 - 03/02 - St. John's River

St. John's river cruisers....the time is near for our get together! Our bags are packed and were ready to go. The word is out on the river that there will be a proliferation of C-brats in the area.
Seriously.....I was on the St. John's last week and stopped for lunch at Welaca and the skipper of a Monk 36 asked if I was going to the Hontoon gathering! How cool is that?
Now as for the weather....it looks to be a little cool at night but dry. Bring an extra blanket.
I will be at Hontoon on Thursday afternoon on the Out2C and co host Tom Smith will be there Thursday evening on the Traveler. I'll be parking my truck minus trailer at the Hontoon Island parking lot for town runs.

Notes: Friday evening we will be having hamburgers and hot dogs with chips, ect.
Saturday our potluck with Kentucky Fried Chicken around the camp fire.

There will be a welcome table for sign up when you arrive. A free will offering will be taken for purchased food, supplies and fire wood..

See you all soon.....at Hontoon!

Tom and Joyce Schulke

2004 C-Dory 22 commuter
Out2C
 
On my way today. I just might arrive on Thursday as well. Will C is already in the area and Freedom is at Welfings, en route once their work is done. Two Tom's hosting, how cool is that!, and it will make remembering all the new names easier too.
 
We planned on arriving Thursday too. We wanted to boat in but now going to have to trailer it as my Honda 135 thermostats (2) gave out last weekend. They were supposed to be in at First Coast Honda in St. Augustine on Monday. Called three times and can't get a call back or affirmation of order. I'm hoping this doesn't become a problem. Otherwise ready to go!

Would like to put in somewhere with secure parking for truck & trailer.
 
Blues Cruiser.....I would put in at Holly Bluff Marina. It's not surrounded by fence...but the owners are right there. The closest fenced area is up at Astor. They are a Honda repair shop and could have the sensors you need.

Tom
 
My wife and I launched today on Crescent Lake (south of Palatka ). We plan to arrive Friday. We look forward to meeting all of you.

Bill and Becky Smith
 
We are on the boat in the Holly Bluff marina. We wanted to have access to our truck without depending on the ferry to ride back and forth to the island. The ramp at Holly Bluff isn't bad and our trailer seems to be happy there. Theft does not seem to a problem locally. Tomorrow we will travel up river to Sanford. On the way back we will stop by Hontoon park to see what we can do to help out. Since the Holly Bluff marina rents houseboats I gleaned some local info sheets from them which we will leave with event sponsors. As you are coming down the road towards Holly Bluff Marina you will see a sign for the Hontoon Park marina. That is only a parking lot for the ferry over to the island. Go past that sign about 4 1/2 tenths of a mile and Holly Bluff will be on the right. Go slow the sign is set back and its easy to go past the driveway. There are laundry, showers, ice, fuel dock and a small store plus the ramp with a nice storage area for vehicles and trailers.
Nice area and the people from this area could not be nicer. It's only 45 minutes over to Daytona Beach. Talk about culture shock. Safe Travels
Dave and Ginny Deem
 
Avidmagnum12":ckoljlz2 said:
Blues Cruiser.....I would put in at Holly Bluff Marina. It's not surrounded by fence...but the owners are right there. The closest fenced area is up at Astor. They are a Honda repair shop and could have the sensors you need.

Tom
Click to expand...

Holly Bluff it is. Will we need reservations? I'm on my way to St. Augustine now to get my thermostats.

Thanks!
John
 
Anchored up 'tween markers 35&36. Nice,peaceful elbow just off the river. Light rain adding to the ambiance and all the canvas is ready to button down in case of a strong cell. They had some severe weather here aka the Daytona 500 just a few days ago. Have some Jim Brickmam playing and the Wallas going keeping some water hot for coffee. Visitors welcome! :-)
 
Just to be clear make sure that you are on Hontoon road before you go past the Hontoon Park and Marina sign and Holly Bluff marina is 4.5 tenths on the right past that sign.
D.D.
 
Sounds like the Molly Brown is by the "river forest oxbow". Trust that the rain will not spoil your day James. I hope by visitors you don't mean Mosquitos or gators? Should be a at least a couple C-brats working their way up river your way.

John....the phone number at Holly Bluff is 386-822-9992 if you want to check for a reservation. Do not know if you need one.

Dave and Ginny...thanks for the update on Holly Bluff and I do have a copy of their local information.....very handy! Wil-C U soon!

Bill and Becky have a safe trip south. If you get hungry around Welaka check out the Shrimp R Us & More restaurant on 3 Ave. Good Food.

Mary...thanks for the good weather forecast .....you can be our meteorologist!

Tom Schulke
Out2C
 
Very few bugs and no gators. Last night there were some kind of monkey yelling, it certainly caught the dogs attention. Quite a few birds and their wild calls. All good here as we enjoy the rain. What we don't like would be lightning. If it's around the big dog heads straight for the head. Lowest point in the boat. No gators as yet; did see half a dozen manatees though.

Will be hanging out here and staying the night as well. Slow cruise done to Hontoon in the am.
 
Launch in Astor yesterday and we're at Blackwater Inn. Will be down to Hontoon tomorrow afternoon. Also waiting out the rain but it's better than it was when we left Michigan at 15 dgs an snowing and no sign it was going to. See all Friday

Larry & Wendy
 
Carpy has lauched at acosta creek harbor and willhead south in the morning.
Weare looking forward to seeing you all on friday.

Bruce & Joyce
 
Here is a note from Christine at Hontoon Island. The Sunday morning walk is optional...as is everything else we do. Thanks

Joyce and Tom,
So good to hear from you. I was going to e-mail you this AM and now its 6pm! Some days are like that. I have to open the park on Saturday so I will not be there Saturday night. I will incorporate natural and cultural history on our walk on Sunday and can keep the walking part to a minimal if you do not have people interested in walking. We do have tables and chairs available for you to use . I will be there Thursday until 4-5 PM. Hopeful you will be in by then. As far as your paid for slip is concerned, we will be there to monitor it during the day. If you have paid for a slip it is yours! Looking forward to meeting you,

Christine Garrett
Park Service Specialist

Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road
DeLand, Florida 32720

Tom Schulke Out2C
 
We are sorry that we will not be attending boat is up on dry dock maintenance and bottom painting . I thought it would get done but no cigar . jim
 
Sorry you won't be there Jim. You're going to miss a good one!

We are in downtown Paisley (30 mins from Holly Bluff). The rain is GONE, the sky is blue, the sun is shining and it's going to be a gorgeous weekend!
 
Tom and Joyce,

Is it too late to sign up for the Hontoon Weekend? We live on Merritt Island and did not think we would be able to attend because of work obligations. That has suddenly changed and we can make the weekend. We would launch Friday morning on Lake Harney and travel north up to Hontoon...about a 3 hour run and a very pretty section of the River.
Although we have had the Comfy Dory for about 7 years, we have never been in the position to attend a C-Brat Getogether. We have however spent the night at Hontoon Island on several occasions during our annual New Year's St. John's River trip.
What would I need to do to reserve a slip at Hontoon? We would be arriving at about 1:00-2:00 on Friday. Do I need to sign up for the getogether? Any advice would be appreciated.

Tad and Toby
 
Hi Tad and Tony. Gatherings are mostly informal deals I'd suggest you phone the marina for a slip and get on down there! C Brats are a great group of folks. Gatherings are a highlight of our cruising season. You can sign up on the event list if you want but I suggest you pack and get going. Enjoy! Say hey to Mary and Casey on Dessert First for us.
George
 
Back
Top