THE ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISE; MARCH 1-MARCH 11, 2019 JACKSONVILLE TO HONTOON ISLAND STATE PARK AND BACK

Navigational Channel Marker

The ever-present, but not easily seen, trap buoy

Range Marker

Live-a-board barge in Murphy's Creek

Our anchorage in Murphy's Creek

Always close to the water, we have to have all RR bridges open for us to pass

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This mural was special to me, Wally, as both my father and I worked for Hudson Pulp and Paper in Augusta, Maine.
It was the start of my career in the paper industry and it was my father's life-long job

Palatka is “The City of Murals”. Completed about twenty years ago, this collection of 24 depicts the historical, cultural and natural riches of Palatka and Putnam County, Florida. More citified than most of the smaller river communities including Welaka, Georgetown and Astor, this Putnam County Seat has been a transportation hub on the river for centuries. Palatka was originally named Pilotaikita, a Seminole word for “boat crossing”.

If it hadn’t been for hundreds of fancy pick-up trucks and bass boat trailers filling up the many parking lots of otherwise sleepy Palatka on Saturday, we would not have guessed that a prestigious day-long bass fishing tournament was underway. As the day came to an end, the fishermen returned to the city dock and ramp at top speed. With smooth accuracy, they loaded their glitzy boats on their matching trailers, then hustled off to weigh in their prize catch. It was quite a sight to behold!


Welaka, an “Old Florida” village, was special for two reasons. First, it is the home of Shrimp ‘R Us and More Restaurant where plump juicy shrimp reign supreme. Second, it is the home of the Welaka National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium inviting the public to see, close up and personal, the fish that thrive in the St. Johns River System. Since the town dock slips were made for smaller boats, we chose an anchorage across the river and rode our dinghy in. Happily, after a stroll under the Spanish moss-festooned live oaks, we found both attractions across the street from each other. We moved SUMMERTIME upriver to be near the Ocklawaha River as it entered the St. Johns River. The variety of bird life along that river’s edge was amazing...bald eagles and ospreys, comorants and anhingas, ibises, herrings and egrets.

Nesting ospreys build on the day marker pilings 

We explored the Ocklawaha River from the dinghy before we settled down for the night.

Spider Lily, a jewel in the Ocklawaha River

Anhinga,"snake bird", drying it's wings

Alligator and Turtle sunning on a log

Crystal clear water and 72 degrees year-a-round

We had a bumpy night anchored outside of the spring in 20mph winds.

Some pictures of "Old Florida" along the River

Hontoon Island State Park was delightful.  We hiked the many well-groomed trails, one leading to a centuries-old shell midden. Around us at the dock we discovered the 6th Annual C-Brats Rendezvous underway. This organization of C-Dory owners cruise in 16 to 26 foot trailerable boats. They invited us to join them for a pot-luck supper and fireside chat. It was very apparent that these folks had a true camping spirit.  Long-time “volunteer” friends drove over from their winter home in Lady Lake, Florida. After they crossed the river on the park’s pontoon shuttle boat, we enjoyed lunch and “catch-up chat” on board SUMMERTIME… great fun. The guys and gals from Stetson College, rowing on their respective 8-person teams, began practice in the early morning mist in the river next to our boat. It was fun to hear the Deland, Florida students being coached to become “one with their vessel”. 

A C-Brat Rendevoux

Evening campfire with the C-Brats

Long time volunteering friends, Robert and Betsy

On our final morning upriver, we lowered our dinghy and headed for nearby Blue Springs State Park…a favorite clear water hang-out for manatees. Alas! We found no place to beach or tie up our 10-foot craft. The long dock and the beach area were roped off… no access to local boats. Only visitors arriving from the roadway or aboard tour boats were allowed that privilege. Quite a disappointment! Our trip back to the boat was made special, however, when we rounded a curve to find a dinghy-long alligator lazing in the ruddy-brown river water just off our bow. Now that did make our day!  

Invasive water hyacinth have built up along the rivers edge and choke access to the land. The locals try to control this growth with water hyacinth "fences".