03/05 - 03/07 - Hontoon Island Gathering St. John’s River

Avidmagnum12

Avidmagnum12

Member
Welcome to our 11th Annual Gathering at Hontoon Island on the St. John’s river near DeLand Florida. Always look forward to getting together with our fellow C-Brats here in Florida. Now for the good news….there was no further damage to the park this year from hurricanes. The not so good news is that repairs have not been completed from last year. At this time there will be no overnight docking at Hontoon unless the contractors finish the rangers dwellings. If like us, you have paid for a reservation, you should be getting a refund. The park docks are open in the day time hours, restrooms and showers are operational.


We had a great time last year under the same conditions. Some anchored out and some made reservations at one of the 3 marinas in the area. We will hold our silent auction on Wednesday. Of course we always have speakers and other activities. More details in January.

Devin, the park manager is extremely excited to have us back again. Looking forward to meeting new and returning C-Brats.

Added to Calendar

Signup list

-TyBoo
 
So much for the "efficiency" of the Florida Park Service. They could have moved some trailers and or sheds to be an "office" to keep the park running and would have come out ahead. I know how the Fl. Park Service works and I guess I should not be surprised!

We hope to be there as we were last year, with the RV--perhaps, with the Caracal Cat. We usually get there the Friday before the gathering and leave the Friday after, and has stayed the last 2 years at the ex KOA RV park and Marina by Ed Stone Park RV launch.
 
Haven't heard anything yet about our reservation. Surprised they haven't been able to get this finished. They still have some time, so maybe it will be. Colby
 
Just bringing this up again hoping that the administrators will set up an announcement and signup for the event. I sent them PM’s but perhaps did something wrong. I definitely appreciate this web site and all the hard work the administers do.

Thanks ….Tom on the C-Otter
 
I apologize for not getting your cruise info set up yet. I have been half way across the country dealing with a family issue for the past week but will be back home in a few days.
 
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Devin the Hontoon Island Park Manager sent me this photo of the new mattress and sheets that the group paid for at last years gathering. We also bought a small LP tank for the camper that is used for the campground host. These much needed items were only possible because of donations from C-Brats. Over the years we have donated thousands of dollars to our favorite host park for park improvements.

The park staff always look forward to our gathering almost as much as we do.

Thanks from Devin and his crew!

Tom and Joyce on C-Otter
 
Hello Tom and Joyce,

Thank you for coordinating this one. We should be able to attend. We are working at the park as marina hosts November, January, and February, and we will still be nearby for the gathering. Count us in!

Ken and Claire Oravsky
Ravens Roost
 
Hi Ken
Sounds like your going to have a nice warm winter. Hontoon is a swell place. Joyce and I will be on the St.John’s river the week of Thanksgiving with the C-Otter. If you would like to get together sometime during the week give me a call. We’ve made a bunch of modifications and need to do a shake down cruse.
Tom 352-789-0201
 
Got you a front page announcement and a signup list done using my phone in the airport. That’s not too bad for an old guy. I will get the link to the discussion in the signup info when I get home.
 
Hi Tom,
Toby and I be coming this year! Do we have to reserve a slip to use during the day since there will be no overnights on the docks? Or do we just us e first come first serve? Do you think they will allow overnights by the time of the CBGT?
We’ll be cruising up the ICW to Jax and then upriver to Hontoon and then probably up to Jekyl Is before heading home or. At least up to Fernandina Beach.
Tad
 
Hi Tad
Glad you and Toby will be back at Hontoon for 2024. We are going to be on the St. John’s during Thanksgiving week and will stop at the park to get an update from Devin. If they don’t have overnight slips there will be no need to reserve a slip. I’ll know more next week and will let everyone know what’s up.
 
Dan
Our reservation has not been cancelled yet either. Last year they canceled it a month before. I’ll know more next week. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Tom
 
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
We are out on the St. John’s river for a few days enjoying the trip greatly. Joyce found a couple of new animal species that she had never seen before. One is the round tailed muskrat….only found on the St. John’s watershed. The other was greater white fronted goose. It doesn’t take much to make her happy as long as we are on the C-Otter.

Water is high now with flooding in Astor. Great time to make our was down to the Econlockhatchee river. We have been trying to explore the Econ for years and finally made our way through the skinny water on Lake Harney. No problem for this trip. The Garmin had no mapping of the area but Navionics did. Good thing as the entrance can be difficult to find especially with deep waters. We’ve been boating the area for years and are still finding new side trips.

As for Hontoon…….still no definite answer as to the docks being available for our gathering. The buildings are in the same condition as last spring. Supposedly the contractor is supposed to start in January. It takes the state awhile to get things done but then that’s a problem most places. No worries! We had a great time last year and we will again in 2024.

If you haven’t made plans to join us be sure to consider it. The St. John’s makes a great winter getaway with much to explore.

Tom and Joyce
 
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