Molly Brown
Member
First a disclaimer...I am not a writer, nor a scientist/educator so this post may seem disjointed. Also, my apologies for calling Lake Monroe, lake sanford, as there are those that would take exception to that mistake. When I lived in Orlando back in the early 70's it was always "the lake at Sanford" and I'm having to always correct myself.
We launched from the Monroe Harbour Marina mid Sunday afternoon and got a slip for my triumphant wife who successfully completed her first marathon. Way to go, Baby! After a 5 hour run you kinda need a shower, and I bought her dinner at Wolfy's just a short walk from our slip. She was dead asleep by 5:15. I commend the city of Sanford for they have quite the Riverwalk and is well used by all sorts of folks.
The next morn we commenced our "no itinerary" trip with a slow cruise out of the marina, across Lake Monroe to our first railroad bridge. We will hear the trains using this railway all throughout our trip. This added quite well to the ambiance of olden, slower days of the paddlewheels that plied these same waters. It was not expected that we would never get on plane and the slower place was a nice change. Being coastal saltwater types, the fresh water environment was a welcome change. Easier on the systems too, and allowed us to really extend the onboard supply of fresh water. We could easily do a week, 2 adult humans and 2 canines, without resupply. It should be mentioned that when someone speaks of the St.John's that we are talking about a major system of interconnected waters. We visited and transversed lakes Monroe, George, Little George, Woodruff, Dexter, Beresford,; did spring runs up the Wekiva, Juniper, Salt, De Leon; ran the "Dead Rivers" Hontoon, Norris and Zeigler; in addition to the Oklawaha River, Murphy Creek and numerous coves. A couple of notable exceptions would be Rice Creek and Silver Glen which we did the last trip and remember well. For the timid, we admit to bumping a few logs, but at sub 3 knots no damage to boat or engines and I can say that with reasonable care you're well rewarded by the experience. The river water level is 8-10 inches lower than when we were here in 06/07 and this afforded myself and the pups endless opportunities for virgin swamp walks. We managed 3+ stops per day and even got in a couple of swims. Swimming begs the mention of gators, lots of them. In fact, if one was to do a "Big Year" this would be a good place to start. The wildlife was incredible with lots of gators, hundreds of turtles and thousands of birds. Betty caught 7 or 8 different species of fish, so we had surf and turf dinners, and channel cats with eggs for breakfast. These are not NW/Alaskan fish in size but quite edible none the less.
Some random thoughts and observations.....
13 days/12 nights we anchored out every night but two. There is nothing like fishing in your slippers. I have to wonder, and have yet figured out, why a day on the water goes sooooo much faster on the boat. Believe me when I say there is not a moment to spare, never bored, and unlike summer days, not one single nap! We did the first night in Sanford and they have a very nice waterfront. Day 11 we rented a slip at Hontoon Island State Park. We had a friend drive over from the Brooksville area and spend 2 nights aboard with us exploring that area. This is a very nice facility and we spent 3 hours walking their trails the one morning we were there before our departure. We were the only boat other than the marina host boat. Water, power, quiet, low cost. Note, be sure to circumnavigate the island by heading upriver from the marina to marker Red 82 and take the old mosquito ditch to the Hontoon Dead River. Very cool and don't forget to lower all antennas, flags, anchor light. We did this as a routine for all our spring runs. You will find marinas, some not more than a fish camp, and others with the full facilities. Most of my need is for supplies rather than a place to spend the night.
Astor has a couple of marinas and 2-3 restaurants.
Georgetown Marina at the top of Lake George has always been a good stop for us, maybe not for overnight but we have always resupplied with them, friendly and have a working pump out.
Welaka is a jewel. You can stop at the public boat ramp and walk up the hill to the bait shop. JR runs the place and has ice/bait/local knowledge. One block further east is a convenience store, pharmacy, restaurant.
Palatka has made great strides in establishing themselves as a waterfront destination. They have very nice courtesy docks and a charming waterfront. Unfortunately they do lack downtown businesses still. We walked several blocks in search of a grocery store before learning there are none within walking distance. However, East Palatka has a grocery store which is accessible from the dock at Corky Bell's, a restaurant located at Devils Bend on the River. The restaurant was gracious enough to let us dock and walk across the street to buy provisions. When we returned we opted to stick around for some drinks and dinner. BTW...the cruising guides that mention Burger King on the water...well not any more, they moved across the road and are now located by the grocery store.
Pictures at http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php
We launched from the Monroe Harbour Marina mid Sunday afternoon and got a slip for my triumphant wife who successfully completed her first marathon. Way to go, Baby! After a 5 hour run you kinda need a shower, and I bought her dinner at Wolfy's just a short walk from our slip. She was dead asleep by 5:15. I commend the city of Sanford for they have quite the Riverwalk and is well used by all sorts of folks.
The next morn we commenced our "no itinerary" trip with a slow cruise out of the marina, across Lake Monroe to our first railroad bridge. We will hear the trains using this railway all throughout our trip. This added quite well to the ambiance of olden, slower days of the paddlewheels that plied these same waters. It was not expected that we would never get on plane and the slower place was a nice change. Being coastal saltwater types, the fresh water environment was a welcome change. Easier on the systems too, and allowed us to really extend the onboard supply of fresh water. We could easily do a week, 2 adult humans and 2 canines, without resupply. It should be mentioned that when someone speaks of the St.John's that we are talking about a major system of interconnected waters. We visited and transversed lakes Monroe, George, Little George, Woodruff, Dexter, Beresford,; did spring runs up the Wekiva, Juniper, Salt, De Leon; ran the "Dead Rivers" Hontoon, Norris and Zeigler; in addition to the Oklawaha River, Murphy Creek and numerous coves. A couple of notable exceptions would be Rice Creek and Silver Glen which we did the last trip and remember well. For the timid, we admit to bumping a few logs, but at sub 3 knots no damage to boat or engines and I can say that with reasonable care you're well rewarded by the experience. The river water level is 8-10 inches lower than when we were here in 06/07 and this afforded myself and the pups endless opportunities for virgin swamp walks. We managed 3+ stops per day and even got in a couple of swims. Swimming begs the mention of gators, lots of them. In fact, if one was to do a "Big Year" this would be a good place to start. The wildlife was incredible with lots of gators, hundreds of turtles and thousands of birds. Betty caught 7 or 8 different species of fish, so we had surf and turf dinners, and channel cats with eggs for breakfast. These are not NW/Alaskan fish in size but quite edible none the less.
Some random thoughts and observations.....
13 days/12 nights we anchored out every night but two. There is nothing like fishing in your slippers. I have to wonder, and have yet figured out, why a day on the water goes sooooo much faster on the boat. Believe me when I say there is not a moment to spare, never bored, and unlike summer days, not one single nap! We did the first night in Sanford and they have a very nice waterfront. Day 11 we rented a slip at Hontoon Island State Park. We had a friend drive over from the Brooksville area and spend 2 nights aboard with us exploring that area. This is a very nice facility and we spent 3 hours walking their trails the one morning we were there before our departure. We were the only boat other than the marina host boat. Water, power, quiet, low cost. Note, be sure to circumnavigate the island by heading upriver from the marina to marker Red 82 and take the old mosquito ditch to the Hontoon Dead River. Very cool and don't forget to lower all antennas, flags, anchor light. We did this as a routine for all our spring runs. You will find marinas, some not more than a fish camp, and others with the full facilities. Most of my need is for supplies rather than a place to spend the night.
Astor has a couple of marinas and 2-3 restaurants.
Georgetown Marina at the top of Lake George has always been a good stop for us, maybe not for overnight but we have always resupplied with them, friendly and have a working pump out.
Welaka is a jewel. You can stop at the public boat ramp and walk up the hill to the bait shop. JR runs the place and has ice/bait/local knowledge. One block further east is a convenience store, pharmacy, restaurant.
Palatka has made great strides in establishing themselves as a waterfront destination. They have very nice courtesy docks and a charming waterfront. Unfortunately they do lack downtown businesses still. We walked several blocks in search of a grocery store before learning there are none within walking distance. However, East Palatka has a grocery store which is accessible from the dock at Corky Bell's, a restaurant located at Devils Bend on the River. The restaurant was gracious enough to let us dock and walk across the street to buy provisions. When we returned we opted to stick around for some drinks and dinner. BTW...the cruising guides that mention Burger King on the water...well not any more, they moved across the road and are now located by the grocery store.
Pictures at http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php
:thup (seriously, I know what you mean though; I never do write up some trips because it is difficult!)