When we left Palatka, we didn't go very far. Moved up river (south) round 10 miles to Welaka, where there is another free dock. The only issue is the T dock on the outside is where we fit, the slips are short for pontoons or smaller boats. The outside T dock was guarded by a series of "dolphins" which are basically a tripod of pilings cabled together at the top to protect the docks. We were able to tie up ok but the jump to the dock from the boat was pushing 2 feet. You don't want to trip. Stayed there 2 nights so I could work yesterday, with a fair, not great verizon signal for internet. Got a couple of good long hikes in yesterday and this morning, and a little P90X action. The first night there, I met Albin, a nice guy who thought it was cool we were living on the boat, but said he could never do it, he is scared of water. He was offered a job on one of the big cruising casino boats but had to turn it down. They go out the inlet and off shore 4-6 miles to comply with federal gambling laws and he lost sight of land, he said he lost it. Neat guy though. Another fellow and his family were piching throw nets off the dock for whatever they could catch and got  nice pie plate crappie. That confirms we are in fresh water. Today we motored closer to Sanford, our destination and crossed Lake George, a ten mile stretch of a round bowl of a lake, all of 10 feet deep. The channel was well marked and no issues. Then made camp about 4 miles up river from the inlet in a channel off the main river. These folks really got hammered in the hurricane. Talked to a lady this morning, she was 76 and doing her own yard work, still cleaning up. She said the hurricane put all the trees in one direction but the tornado that came with it twisted them every which way, which explained some of the jumbled mess f trees that weere down. then came the flood afterward. In our walk this morning we saw piles of ruined home furnishings and carpet labeled for FEMA pick up and chippers weere going all day. Reminded me of last July and the blow down. Tomorrow will proceed another 40 miles up river to Sanford where we will begin to shut things down for a flight to Denver.

Free dock in Welaka with our dock buddy

Watched this guy eat minnows from his perch, he'd just lean over and pluck them out of the river.

Neat old car we saw on a morning walk.

Along with oranges on the tree

The boat at the free dock

A flock of several different species of gulls and terns followed us across Lake George. They didn't like pepperoni I threw at them

The flooding continues. Many homes are just barely out of the river

Passed a gingerbread house