After a two-night layover, due to high winds, in Palatka, our last stop on the St. Johns River was also where we began it. However that day, a couple of weeks ago, Bella Luna was with us heading south on the river.One of the nicest things about traveling on this river during the off season is that, other than the small fishing or pleasure boats we only saw one or two boats our size the whole trip DOWN & BACK. Look…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Back to the West End today. Seems like we just got here. Six-and-a-half weeks sure flies when you are having fun. We finally met up with Andy and Mary on Good News and Brad and Patti Salvage on Salvage Crew. They have been waiting a week at the West End for the weather to cooperate for a smooth crossing back to the states.It looks like everyone is waiting for Tuesday, early morning, to venture out across the open ocean. Pretty…
After the harrowing experience through the Whale the next stop was Green Turtle Cay, Black Sound, again a short, ten-miles from Treasure Cay and this will be our last short Abacos water day.We had a leisurely day walking into and around town, one last time, just to make sure we would remember what it feels like to be on these small islands.Back at the boat we headed up to Pineapples with Charlie and Linda on Freedom’s Turn and had one…
In order to get from Treasure Cay to destinations north/south in the Abacos a boater has two choices to travel through the Whale Pass, which is totally exposed to the ocean for about 4 miles.Going on the outside of the pass, into the ocean (we took this going south back in February) or the Don't Rock passage where you head out towards the Don't Rock (rock) and make a sharp turn to portside (going north). The passage through Don't Rock…
Treasure Cay was another short ten-mile run and a place we'd never been to before however we have heard rave reviews from other boaters about the long beach and we didn't want to miss seeing it this time around. We stayed at the marina which was fairly well developed and had all the amenities a boater might need short term.Treasure Beach is a three-mile, horse shoe shaped, beach that was everything and more than we'd heard or read about and…
Trying to make our stay in the Abacos last longer, we have been dragging our feet by only traveling a short twelve miles to Guana Cay on our first travel day as we migrate north back up the Sea of Abaco.Tightly secured to a mooring ball we dinghied to shore at low tide to explore a beach side restaurant/bar called Grabbers as well as the ocean-side party bar, Nippers. We are only staying one night so we just had the…
We left Sea Spray Marina on Elbow Cay this morning to start heading back to the states. We plan to stop at a few different islands on the way out. Jim took this beautiful photo of the ocean, beach and clouds, you can almost feel the salty sea spray that was always in the air. We had an amazing month on this island and we have only positive things to say about this marina, its people and the location.We got to…
One last trip into Hope Town, for internet, the bank and to walk around the town one last time so that we can savour and preserve in our minds how perfect this little town is. Only three, narrow, cement streets run through the length of town with even smaller paths cut across. The houses resemble a little girl's playhouse with fresh coats of paint in a variety of bright pastels. Gulf carts serve as a popular mode of transportation in…
We dinghied into Hope Town for the big St. Patty's Day party at Capt'n Jacks. The restaurant had party cops who made sure the people without any green on got a pin, beads or sticker. We had the special corned beef sandwich plate for lunch, a bucket of bear and free jell-o shots. After lunch we walked around the downtown area and we noticed that almost everyone had some green on.
Our friends Mary and Andy Sarver, on Good News and Brad and Patti Salvage, on Salvage Crew joined us for a few days at Sea Spray. Three boats from Michigan at one dock (Freedom's Turn, Kismet, Good News - Salvage Crew is from Alabama).It was fun to have a Looper group gathering at our marina. We went to On Da Beach for lunch and had a big cookout/potluck at the marina. Bob and Peggy, who are Loopers on Baby Grand,…
Fridays are a big day on Elbow Cay. The Fish Man comes to the city dock around 3:00 pm and everyone who wants fresh lobster or fish waits for this boat to arrive with its fresh catch. All these people are patiently waiting to stock up for the coming week.Today we picked out about nine small lobsters. Most days they have grouper and whatever else they happen to catch that day. Lisa was happy to get her bag of fresh…
On our trip back to Sea Spray we anchored in Shark Cay for a few hours while we went exploring in our dinghy. While entering the inlet we found a deep water cavern just inside where the sting/manta rays, and colorful fish like to hang out in the deep water. It was here that we first saw the beautiful spotted rays, we had heard so much about, sliding through the water along with all the other spectacular sea life. On…
Also make sure to bring a thick, permanent, marker to record your visit. We think it will be fun to revist this inspiring little oasis in the future, find our markings and reminisce about this relaxing, romantic getaway.Although Randolph Johnston created the workshop and foundry in the fifties his son, Pete, built Pete's Pub which looks like it was created for the inner child in all of us. Constructed more like a homemade treehouse, this is unlike any bar you…
Little Harbor is the southern most inhabited place in the Sea of Abaco, only a 14-mile boat ride away from our dock at Sea Spray on Elbow Cay. This is a beautiful cove which has room enough for about fifteen boats. Just over the bluff behind Pete's Pub is this fantastic ocean view. It was a full moon tonight so the tiny harbor was lit up brightly and the moon rising over the ocean was spectacular. Besides the natural beauty…
We left White Sound, on Elbow Cay, for an overnight trip to Little Harbor (the southernmost inhabited spot on the Sea of Abaco) early this morning. the sunrise lit our way out of the harbor and into the calm waters until a beautiful, sunny day emerged and the sky was clear blue.When we arrived in the harbor there were just a few boats. By evening most of the mooring balls were taken.
Just some more shots of the beautiful Hope Town harbor and town.Vernon's was the grocery store (below) you went to for fresh bread. He has loaves of the usual Bahamian loaves but he also makes a hard to find French loaf, Bahamian style.
We apologize for the long wait between postings but we are having trouble getting internet at our marina and have to go to town to get access. So, we decided not to worry about it and just go with the flow during our last few weeks in paradise. We will still try when we can to get some posts up but some may have to wait till we get to another marina.We had a perfectly calm day today to dinghy…
We are having fun at Sea Spray Marina on Elbow Cay but the exploring fever set in so we decided it was time to warm up the Cummins and head out to find a little adventure. We choose Man-O-War Cay for a two-day trip.Man-O-War is only 7 miles north so it was a short leasurely ride to their well protected and picturesque harbor. Someone said that Man-O-War most resembles what the more populated Bahama islands were like 50 years ago. After…
Hope Town came alive today while raising money for the island’s fire department. They gave this demonstration of putting fire out on the water and we had hot dogs and viewed the silent auction goodies.After almost four months we finally met up with friends Andy and Mary on Good News and other Loopers we have more recently met, Brad and Patti on Salvage Crew and Joe and Judy Lynch on Night Star. They had all rented a run-a-bout to come…
A fun day today, it was finally calm enough that we took a trip into Hope Town and then on the way back we got to explore some of the marine life and beaches in the area. We saw several Manta Rays and Jim loved chasing them around. We were trying to get a good picture but this is all we could get. The star fish were a beautiful rusty read and showed up clearly against the sandy bottom.We used…
Hope Town, the city hub on Elbow Cay, is a very picturesque, small, harbor town, the only way in or out of this island is by boat. The streets are narrow, not much larger than a sidewalk, the houses a very colorful with pastels and bright summer colors.The focal point of Hope Town's harbor is the red and white striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse. England decided in 1863 to build a lighthouse at Hope Town to warn ships away from the extensive…
Elbow Cay is our home in the Abacos for the next thirty days. We were greeted by Junior and Rodney as we pulled into Sea Spray Marina, along with our friends on Charlie and Linda on Freedom’s Turn. Sea Spray is located in a small bay with the Atlantic Ocean no more than 200 feet up and over a hill from the bow of our boat.We wake up and go to sleep each day to the crashing sound of the…
As a boater, when you read or hear the words “DANGER,” you'd better pay attention.Whale Cay Passage, just south of Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos, is one such place. In order to get to destinations further south in the Abacos all boaters have to travel through the Whale Cay Passage. The reason this can be so treacherous is that you have to leave the relative safety of the Sea of Abaco and the lee of the Cays out into…
Look closely at the bank hours (below-top/left). It seems they have to come from another island to open up this office only half days, two days a week. This was an interesting bottle of rum that we had never seen before. (below-top/middle) We found out that the burial society meets regularily on mondays at the coffee shop. (below-top/right)We heard that there was a fundraiser in the little town of New Plymouth today so we headed over in the dinghy. They really know how…
One of great things about the Bahamas are the friendly people. Lisa and I decided to walk the 3.5 miles into town because the waters were too rough to use the dinghy for transportation. We had not even walked a third of the way when we were offered a ride for part of the distance. As it turned out we walked about a third of the way there and received two rides, going back we again walked about a third…
Off early this morning to make our way south into the Sea of Abaco and Green Turtle Cay. The winds are 15 to 20 knots again, making the ride a little lumpy, but manageable. We arrived early enough to secure a mooring ball in Black Sound for the night. When we entered the harbor we were searching for an empty mooring ball to tie up to and were having a hard time since the harbor was quite full. After a…
We left on Tuesday morning with our friends from Freedom’s Turn to make our way to an anchorage in Great Sale Cay, an island in the middle of the Little Bahama Bank, 50 miles away from the West End. One enters the Bank from the Ocean through a break in the coral reef about a mile north of West End. The channel is narrow and the water is shallow so it’s important to take your time when navigating up onto…
After a nice calm crossing it’s nice to sit for a few days at Old Bahama Bay Marina, a first class marina resort complete with restaurant, pool, beach-side bar and entertainment.A dip in the pool, a walk on the beach, a cold rum drink and watching the sunset over the Atlantic were our first order of pleasure.The winds kicked up the day after our arrival preventing us of leaving so we ended staying three days... darn good I say cause Lisa…
After keeping an eye on the weather for over a week our original plan was to leave Fort Lauderdale on Friday early morning to cross over to the West End in the Abaco Islands. But as Thursday night arrived we started to see that a north wind was showing up on the weather maps. It was still there early Friday morning as we checked again and we all (Freedom's Turn, Charlie and Linda, is our buddy boat) decided to abort and…
