03/03 - 03/05 - Hontoon Island CBGT Deland, Florida

Tom and Joyce

Sorry Wendy and I couldn’t make the gathering this years we did the last 6 years. It sounds like all had a great time.
We are in Florida now (got here yesterday) by air but the timing was not right. I didn’t see Cliff name on the list so who did the camp?

We miss everyone but maybe next year.
How did the auction go this year and what project are you think of donating to the park


Larry and Wendy
 
Only took a few pics...

P1000763-X2.jpg

[/img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Boat-Pics/i-bxs8bwr/0/83824e01/X2/P1000765-X2.jpg[/img]

P1000766-X2.jpg

Confirmation of the elusive birdhouse, was wondering if I got it...

[/img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Boat-Pics/i-X4JXwS8/0/daa3efcc/X2/P1000769-X2.jpg[/img]

[/img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Boat-Pics/i-KH5VQxr/0/a501a86b/X2/P1000770-X2.jpg[/img]

P1000771-X2.jpg
 
Hi Larry
Sorry that you and Wendy could not make it this year but trust that we will see you next year. Cliff and Ranger Rick shared the fire starter duty. Cliff had some engine problems and so the Ocklawaha Queen was only there one day. He and Deb drove over the other days.

The C-Brats raised exactly $2,000 for a shelter in the parking lot area. This much needed project will keep guests cooler and dry on those hot summer days. The Clow auction was a great success raising over $800! Pat Clow will be handing over the “Gavel “ to Eileen Highsmith next year.

Stay well and enjoy your days in Florida

Missed you....Tom and Joyce
 
Avidmagnum12":3ldb279o said:
Harvey
The reason that we have to stick to the first week in March is that spring break starts the following week. The limited staff at the park would be overwhelmed. The next available dates would be in April and that will be heavy bug season.

Sorry .....Tom
Click to expand...

Tom, Thanks for the explanation. Got it -- BUGS, not my idea of a good time. That is an issue we have never had to deal with at Friday Harbor :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

0_God_s_Pocket_Anchorage.thumb.jpg
 
There were 11 boats for the first night the "Post Gathering Cruise". For those of you who did not make it, it was cold, and then windy today...but beautiful. Not enough bandwidth to post photos from where I am now, but will get them up in a few weeks.

Both some great new people and great boats! A few who didn't make the gathering have joined the "Post Gathering Cruise". All a lot of fun.
 
And I cannot begin to say enough about

Bob's seminar on anchoring

It alone was worth the trip over

Just wish I'd caught the one on solar the previous year
 
Last night was our last one on this particular Adventure looking out the window at the beautiful St. Johns River. If the posted picture looks like it was taken from the 5th floor, that is because we found a 60-ft stepladder to put on the TomCat roof.

Just kidding, it was from a NAS JAX suite.

Tonight we are back home in Pensacola, prepping for the next Adventure after we get Phifertex side panels added and some landscaping done (on the dirt home, not the TomCat).

Landscaping on the TomCat is for the future.

Thank you Tom and Joyce and Dr. Bob and Colby and all, and all the old friends we saw and new friends we made!

As always, it was the VERY best C-Dory Gathering in all of Florida...and Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Ohio, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, California, Minnisota, the East Coast and Middle and all the West Coast except Washington, and Michigan combined even if you call Alton, Ill a tie (thanks Tex!).

Quite a remarkable record in every way!

Safe Travels to all and God bless,

John
 
colbysmith":3ej8awfz said:
Jay, I pushed to get it at least a week or two later, but Tom checked with the park boss, and looks like it will still be Tue-Thu in the first full week of March next year again. Although many showed up by the weekend before, and will hang around for a week or so after. Midnight Flyer had snow all around it also, but I do keep it plowed out after each and every storm. But it's always a concern on what weather will be between home and Hontoon. This year there was a threat of a blizzard, but the track moved south far enough that we were able to sneak thru during the day when it was just rain! But last year I dealt with freezing rain in the same area, and a few years before that I beat a tornado. (Weird year). And several times I've towed up thru some snow showers. (Actually had snow showers this year too, but just wet roads.) This is a great gathering if you can make it! Colby
Click to expand...

Colby thanks for trying. Also for Harvey getting more clarification of the why not, from Tom. If a weather window opens & all else falls in line, we will do our best to make it next year. This year on Feb 19th, when we left our home to visit a son & his family in Denver it was -26 degrees F, then the day after I80 here in Wyoming was closed for days due to blizzard conditions. Then off & on blizzards with just a few days ago a huge 100 semi truck pile up during another blizzard with the freeway closed for more days, so yes a challenge with mid April from home in Wyoming to Alaska an easier one.
 
Jay and Jolee,

If you guys can make it to Deland through the snow next March, I can promise you that this group (including Eileen and I) would be so very honored to hear about your amazing wild (and not-so-wild) Adventures!

Your adventures are the bee’s knees, and we all appreciate it!

Come join us if you can!

The St John Dead River is a canoe trip of a lifetime! Especially if you can tell your Limpkins and Sandhill Cranes from your Egrets and Herons and Turkey Vultures….we are still learning.

John
 
Thanks John, for the warm welcome to our possibly making it next year. Other then the actual doing it’s hard to beat sitting around a campfire listening to & sharing adventures.

We’er looking forward to meeting you & Eileen & more of the others from the east side & seeing the St John river area sights.

Jay
 
Jay & Harvey, you can always do what Lew did. Haul your boats out here at the end of your boating season, leave them here, then return in March for the gathering and spend a few weeks. Then afterwards maybe the weather will tame down for towing home.
 
Back
Top