Today we broke camp about 8:00 after a quiet flat night at an anchorage called Emanuel's Bend, an oxbow on the St. John's. Anchored in 7-8 feet of water with a little current from the river holding us in position. It wasn't very wide but with the current, we didn't swing a bit. The day was flat until mid afternoon. By that time we had already crossed Lake George, a big shallow body of water probably 15 miles across that can get rough, it is only 10 feet deep. Then down the St. Johns another 20 miles to Palatka where there is a free dock we stayed at last November. I work tomorrow but if we are tied up to the free dock, Cindy can get off for a run and cruise a thrift shop or two while I am busy. Made bean soup tonight with the new pressure cooker. It worked great and with the current temp at 9 pm at 36 degrees, soup hit the spot. It is cold for Florida. The forcast is for 26 tonight and tomorrow night before it starts to break. By that time we will be back on the ICW and headed south again. Saw some interesting things today. Loads of birds, all bigger birds, eagles, ospreys and loads of different heron types. Also anhingas with wings spred to dry and stay warm. We'll be here for two nights due to work tomorrow, then break up the remaining 80 miles to the ICW into 2 days probably Friday and Saturday, but well see how the weather goes.
Engine hours 4727.9
GenSet hours 5380.4

Looking back on our anchorage last night

A look ahead at the St.John's early this morning

Loads of houseboats on this river, brings back memories of the houseboat on Burntside

Unusual, an MG Midget parked on a pontoon in a boathouse.

Entering Lake George, the birds were lined up on the entrance.

Coming in to the free dock at Palatka, the dock was covered with easily 1000 gulls/terns etc. They exploded as we approached