Welaka Free Dock
It's cold and rainy today so we sought refuge at the free dock in Welaka. We made note of this dock as we were heading south on the river. As boaters are always looking for an inexpensive (or even better) free dockage. We think it's important to make sure we go into town to re-provision, eat at a restaurant and make use of the town's services when visiting a town dock, especially one that is provided free of charge to the boating…
Three Nights in “Paradise” – Silver Glen Springs
After another leasurely morning and with no exact destination in mind other than turning our boat around and heading north towards Jacksonville, we decided to make a big day of it by traveling 34 miles to Silver Glen Springs, just off Lake George.Silver Glen Springs We weren't sure we could make it into this reportedly shallow area but we were determined to give it a good try. Wow, are we ever glad we did. Silver Glen Springs goes about three-quarter's of…
Hontoon Island State Park
Because we were only traveling eight miles today we had a leisurely morning at anchor enjoying the beauty of nature before heading to Hontoon Island State Park. In the course of these eight miles we saw three bald eagles, five or six mannatee, several alligators and a big stork.The only way onto Hontoon Island is by private boat or a pontoon ferry that runs from across the river. This is a State Park that has slips for dockage with a…
Wekiva River
After our farewell with Louis and Diane we had a nice walk through Sanford before we embarked for a leasurely eight mile cruise north, to an oxbow across from Wekiva River. We had heard taking a dinghy ride up this river was something we should not miss and we were not disappointed. The river meanders back off of the St Johns River for about five miles and the further you navigate back the wilder it becomes. Wild in that this…
End of the Line – Bella Luna Departs while Kismet Lingers
For the last six weeks we have had the pleasure of sharing our boating travels with Louis and Diane Wade, Bella Luna. We have had dinners on-board one or the other boat or we've all gone out to have a taste of the local cuisine. We've played games, made repairs to our boats, visited with each other's friends and family, took shore excursions and just plain had fun.So it was bittersweet today when we gave each other hugs and said goodbye…
Umm-Pa-Pa – Sanford, Florida
Sanford, Florida, the most southern point on the St. Johns River concludes the first half of our trip before we head north and stop at some places we missed on the way south. So we decided to stay two days so that we could take our time exploring.Between rain showers though we walked into the quaint downtown where we (Louis, Diane, Lisa and I) had a very authentic Germany dinner at Hollenbach’s Willowtree Café. The food was exceptional and to…
Anchorage Across from Blue Spring State Park
A beautiful, tropical spot to anchor for the night. Shortly after the anchors are set the dinghies are dropped for a trip over to visit Blue Spring State Park, just around the bend from our boats.Blue Spring State Park One of the wildlife highlights of our St Johns trip so far happened today at Blue Springs. We anchored just around the bend from the springs and dinghied over to see what all the fuss was about.First of all Blue Springs is…
On Our Way to Blue Spring
From mile 115 to mile 143 is where we saw the most wildlife. It was this stretch where we had a friendly wager with Bella Luna on who would see the first alligator, bald eagle and manatee for the day and it was also this area where we saw so many alligators we finally just stopped counting. We saw small little guys of about two feet long to some huge maybe eleven foot long ones.We thought this was a unique…
Welaka Maritime Museum – Welaka, Florida
Butch and Teresa (the owners of Georgetown Landing Marina) were kind enough to let us borrow their truck so we could drive seven miles to the neighboring town of Welaka and visit the...Welaka Maritime MuseumThis museum has a collection of one-of-a-kind wooden boats that were all built by Richard Speas and is now maintained by his son Rand (below-center). Of all the museums we’ve been to this was one of the best, not just because it was all about boats, but…
Georgetown Landing Marina – Georgetown, Florida
As potential bad weather was forecasted for the next couple of days we left Murphy's Creek and made our way for Georgetown Landing Marina, just south of Welaka on the St. Johns River. We wanted to be tied up snuggly while the inclimate weather made its way past us. It rained and the wind was brisk for the better part of our stay so we took advantage of the time by catching up on boat chores including changing the generator…
Murphy Creek Anchorage
Our first anchorage after Palatka was in an oxbow (a u-shaped bend in the course of a river) in Murphy's Creek, just off of Dunn Creek. Once settled Lisa and I lowered the dinghy to go explore for gators, eagles and turtles three to four miles up Dunn Creek.It didn’t take long before we started to spot the gators sunning themselves on logs (below-gator is in the left side of the photo on the log and the turtles are hopping…
Next Stop… Palatka, Florida
Once the winter home of the Mellon banking family and the end of the line for railroads, Palatka was once the largest shipper of cypress wood in the world. This town is also considered the spot where the St. Johns River starts to become wild with natural habitat... gators, manatee, birds, eagles, snakes and more.Jack Carpenter stopped by our boat tonight to chat about the wonders of the St. Johns River. We learned a lot from him about the area and look…
St. Johns River Here We Come!
After lots of discussion and planning we’re finally heading into the St Johns River to explore Florida’s hidden gems including the wildlife we’ve long heard and read so much about.First stop was a free dock at Six-mile Creek and a visit to the Outback Crab Shack, the restaurant which provides the free-dock, if you buy a meal at the restaurant. We were also surprised to run into a few slip holders from Ortega Landing Marina in Jacksonville, we just left…
Back from the Funeral to Friends and a Big Thanksgiving Feast
We flew back from Ohio today. Larry and Louis met us at the airport and brought us back to the boat and a huge Thanksgiving day meal. They had been working on this meal all day and it truly was a feast. We were of course exhausted from the funeral and the long travel day. Our friends knew this and took good care of us and our tired souls. Thank you Larry & Margie, Wanderin' L & M and Louis…
Last Stop Before the St. Johns River – Jacksonville, Florida
We arrived in Jacksonville today after receiving some bad news from home yesterday while we were in St. Marys. Jim’s step-dad had passed away yesterday and now we are in a hurry to get our boat settled in Jacksonville so that we can fly home for the funeral and some family time. Our good friends Louis and Diane will keep an eye on Kismet for us while we are gone and have helped us in every way we could imagine.…
St. Marys, Georgia
Not too far from Cumberland Island is St. Marys, Georgia. This harbor has a huge designated anchorage area and there must have been thirty boats anchored, mostly sailboats.Historic St. Marys, which was first settled in the mid 1500s by the Spanish, sits on the St. Marys River. It is the second oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States after St. Augustine, Florida. The city is the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, the largest of the Georgia Coast's barrier…
Cumberland Island – Georgia
We arrived at Cumberland Island late in the afternoon but with time to relax and watch a "rookery" full of Great White Egrets and Wood Storks (see the tree, on shore to the right of Jim).Only one other boat anchored with us tonight. We all enjoyed an amazing sunset and a corned beef and cabbage dinner on Kismet.First thing in the morning we dropped our dinghy to go explore this part of the island which is just in front of…
Two-Way Fish Camp – Brunswick, Georgia
One more stop together with Bella Luna, Foreign Exchange and Shore Thing, Two-Way Fish Camp in Brunswick, Georgia. This is a rather rustic marina located up the Medway River, north of Brunswick.Happy Hour was on Foreign Exchange tonight then we all had dinner in the restaurant on site, Mudcats Grill. This will be the last night we will all be together as Shore Thing and Foreign Exchange are stopping in the Brunswick area for the holidays. We will depart tomorrow…
Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina
Bella Luna, Foreign Exchange, Shore Thing and Kismet all left Savannah together today and decended on a really neat stop up the Medway River @ mile 620 on the AICW, The Sunbury Crab Company Restaurant and Marina.Elaine, (above right with Louis - and above left with her crew) and her husband, Barney, the owners, have extended a discount rate for all AGLCA and MTOA members. All of us here can attest to the down home hospitality that Elaine and her crew…
Down by the River – Savannah, Georgia
Bella Luna and Kismet arrived in Savannah, GA Friday afternoon and were delighted to find room at the city dock on the riverfront downtown right in the thick of all the action. Savannah is another southern town that is rich in history there is something to learn around every corner. The river is very busy with container ships, tugboats, old paddle wheel ships and water taxies.Also a wonderful walking town, we love to walk around Savannah but getting our exercise…
Windy at Port Royal Landing Marina
Due to the remnants of hurricane Ida, it was too windy to anchor out tonight so we tied up at Port Royal Landing Marina in Port Royal, South Carolina. We got a pump out and tied up in some very rough seas. You can't really see the waves in the photo but even though we were tied up we felt like we were on a bronco buster. It did finally calm down at night and we were able to get…
Let’s Do the Charleston!
The more time we spend in Charleston, South Carolina, the more we seem to see and learn. For example, during a carriage ride, we learned that there are over a hundred church’s in Charleston, that three of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were from and are buried here, Charleston was the first state to secede form the Union before the Civil War and that the first shots of said war came within Charleston’s Harbor.No trip to Charleston would…
Dropping Anchor – South Carolina Salt Marshes – DeWeese Creek
It’s nice to be back on the water visiting all of our favorite southern towns. In-between marina stops we have been anchoring in the breathtaking salt marshes where we find it pretty easy to feel at one with Mother Nature.Today found us dropping our anchor in DeWeese Creek for one night before we move on to Charleston, South Carolina for t least a five-day stop. Kismet dropped anchor first and Bella Luna tied up starboard to port.Cocktails tonight were on…
Georgetown, South Carolina
After a long day on the water we arrived in Georgetown, SC for a two day stop. Georgetown is the third oldest town in South Carolina and therefore it has a rich history. Before the Revolutionary War, Georgetown was one of largest producers of indigo in the country. Before the Civil War it produced fifty percent of all the rice in the United States, in the early 1900s they were the largest lumber producer on the east coast. Today they’re…
Good Stop – Southport, North Carolina
Southport, NC is where we... got our inverter fixed, shopped, ate well, celebrated Louis and Diane’s fortieth anniversary and relaxed in the warmth of Robert and Kay’s kind hospitality.Rick and Billy (above left) caught up to us on Sunday and we celebrated with a big dinner on Kismet.When we arrived in Southport, Robert (above left) was in the middle of a special sailing regatta which required pirate costumes. We think this is a good look for Robert.Sunday, mid-day, we gathered…
Snow’s Cut to Cape Fear River
Snow’s Cut is a scenic channel, with beautiful sandy cliffs and a weedy marsh at the end, that cuts from Carolina Beach to Cape Fear River. This will take us to Southport today for a couple of night's while we get our inverter fixed.
Meeting the Woody’s – Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Our second stop, after meeting up with the Wade’s in Morehead City was John and Judy Woody’s (above) house in Wrightsville Beach, NC. the Woody’s are friends of Louis and Diane and there was not one but two parties planned for this evening. John and Judy had three couples over for the weekend at their house and Louis and Diane had a multitude of friends over to our boats at dock for a going away party. We can tell you one thing…
Scary Neighbor – Surf City, North Carolina
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!First night out brought us to Surf City Marina and found Bella Luna docked right next to the Halloween Party Boat where we met Dave and Sharon (above right) who were putting the final touches on the Belle of Topsail for a big Halloween party this weekend. Once we got settled Diane and I (Lisa) went over for a private tour. We have to tell you they had some neat decorations, many of them came alive with music, lights…
Meeting Bella Luna to Head South
We arrived at Coral Bay Marina, in Morehead City today, and left the boat to spend a couple of nights at the Wade’s Beach House in Cape Coral before we all hop on our boats to start heading south to Florida where we will cruise the St. John’s River together.We enjoyed meeting Mary C. and Charles (above right) again, friends of Louis and Diane’s, we had met them a few months ago when we drove down to Morehead City to…
Belhaven, North Carolina
After a one night anchorage just before Belhaven it was just a quick cruise over to Dowry Creek for one night. The weather was pretty dreary so we just worked on the boat and borrowed the marina’s loaner care for a quick trip into town where we passed this cotton field which was in full bloom.
Weather Delay at Coinjock, North Carolina
We ended our day in Coinjock, North Carolina at Midway Marina. There are two marinas here right across from each other in the Virginia Cut. We wanted to get a slip at the Coinjock Marina but they were already fully reserved for the night when we called. There are an incredible number of boats heading south, normal migration activity this time of year. All day we passed by many slower sailboats and got passed by ourselves by fast, sport fishing…
Dream Cruise
It just doesn’t get better than this for a boater (or a photographer). When the skies are deep blue with clouds that look like whispy cotton and fluid water that ripples more like jello just before it’s set. Reflections of sky and trees on the mirrow-like water reminded us why we love spending so much time on the water, traveling on a slow boat.
Great Bridge – Free Dock
We had a lot of bridges today and one lock. It has been a while since we have had to go through a lock but this one was only three feet up and was located just before Great Bridge, our final destination for tonight. We were hoping that there would be room at the free dock, there are two of them by this bridge, one before and one just after. The one on the north side of the bridge was…
Passing Through Norfolk Harbor
Leaving Jackson Creek fairly early this morning to head through Norfolk and then just a little south of that to Great Bridge where there is a free dock we hoped to tie up to tonight. It was a beautiful sunny day as we passed all the majestic battleships, cargo ships, barges and Coast Guard Patrol Boats.I never knew that they had PINK bottom paint, did you?
Jackson Creek Anchorage
Our trip south starts from the Chesapeake Bay with the first stop being an anchorage near Deltaville. We heard from our friend Wade that he and his friend John were heading north, up the Chesapeake, on his boat Miss Happ, we arranged to meet at an anchorage in Jackson Creek for the night.We got up the creek first and Wade arrived about an hour and a half later. Jim went over to hang out with the guys while I took…
Oxford, Maryland
We didn’t have much time to enjoy Oxford, but this time of year there is not much open anyways, the restaurants were closed, but we did find the small bookstore and grocery store open. We anchored in the harbor and dinghied to the town dock to tie up, then we had a walk around town as we felt the first effects of a warm fall day as it descended on this tranquil little town.Oxford is one of the oldest towns…
HarborView Team at the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis
Lisa sold books on Kismet while Bill, Rick and Jim sold the many benefits of becoming an owner of a Fathom Yacht. I (Lisa) enjoyed being one of the “guys” for four days, we met lots of interesting folks and had lots of fun on our off time. Even though the weather was gloomy, three days of cold and non-stop rain, the turnout was incredible. HarborView's excellent sales team. (Above: Jim, Rick & Bill)
RockHall, Maryland – An Oasis for Boaters
We had a quick overnight anchorage in Oxford, MD (we plan to visit more on our way back from Annapolis). First night in Rock Hall, called the Pearl of the chesapeake because of its oyster industry, we tied up to the free dock near town by the oyster processing plant then moved early morning to Haven Harbor to spend one night at a marina that is well known as a unique sailing and boating destination. This little town, which sits…
Goodbye Solomons!
We left on Sunday to head north to Oxford, Rockhall and Annapolis for the Boat Show. After the show we will start to head south towards Florida meeting up with our friends Louis and Diane, in North Carolina, to head towards the St. Johns River where we will spend a month exploring this highly rated Florida treasure.This was our favorite lawn art (above: left) during our daily walks around Solomons.
PassageMaker Trawler Fest – Solomons, MD
Trawlers, trawlers, trawlers. That’s all you could see at the Trawler Fest in Solomons last week. Our friend and cohort Rick Garton (above), Lisa and I took the Pilothouse Fathom (that’s for sale) and our flybridge Fathom (that’s not for sale) just up the creek to Calvert’s Marina for the big event. Rick and I showed off the pilothouse Fathom while Lisa sold our book When The Water Calls...We Follow from the cockpit of our boat. The show was a…
The 8th Annual Solomons Watermen Festival & Docking Competition
The 8th annual Solomons Watermen Festival is a great taste of the local culture and one we’re glad we were able to attend. Scott, Angie, Lisa and I went by dinghy to the county docks where the competition was being held, so we could witness the standing room only Watermen Docking Competition.Here’s how it works... one at a time a watermen boat backs into a slip to wait for the signal to start. After the signal the waterman’s goal is…
Happy Hour on Reel Estate
We have had some interesting neighbors while spending the summer at Solomon's Yachting Center especially Ron and Suzy Striegel on their beautiful Hatteras yacht, Reel Estate. Ron and Suzy invited us over for Happy Hour while Scott and Angie were here and we were all captivated, not only by the spread of hors d'œuvres and Golden Margaritas, by their boating stories and experiences.They showed us photos of 9/11 as they were transiting down the Hudson River past Manhattan during the…
Stormy Weather
We were out in the dinghy when this storm moved over us. Very dramatic with the dark clouds and rain off in the distance. We made it back to the boat just minutes before that big downfall. Last night Scott and Angie treated us to a fabulous dinner at the Dry Dock just down the road from our marina. Thanks guys!
Fun with Waterways
Jim and I celebrated our seventeenth wedding anniversary last Saturday then on Sunday afternoon we welcomed our friends Angie and Scott Way, Waterways (above, right), who flew in from Charlevoix, Michigan, for a brief stay on Kismet.I think we would all agree that the highlight of the visit was, after waiting for a calm day, going up the Patuxent River to St. Leonard’s Creek to anchor out for the balance of the afternoon enjoying grilled hamburgers, a little deep breathing…
