7/20/15: Hontoon Island – Beach Tree Marina, Sanford, Fl – 13 NM

After spending a quiet weekend at the Hontoon Island State Park docks we threw off the lines and headed south to Sanford.

The birds are always spectacular!

Everything is on the move after dark.

The river is peaceful and relaxing.

The St. Johns River actually continues several miles south of Sanford however the water levels stops us just before the I4 bridge. We had beautiful weather for our short trip and docked at the marina before noon.

The last time we were here was in late 2013, for our Twelve Stones ‘shake down’ cruise. We stayed here for a week then and returned this time because of the deli, easy in/out access, restaurant, pool, live entertainment, & excellent staff.

Looking forward to some serious pool time.

7/16/15: Parramores Creek Anchorage – Hontoon Island – 20 NM

Hontoon Island State Park is a 1,650 acre island tucked away on the St. John’s River southwest of Deland, Florida. The island is only accessible by Park Ferry or private boat.

There is ample docking at Hontoon for pleasure boats and there are two t-head docks which will accommodate boats the size of Twelve Stones. With our Florida residence discount the docking fee was only $10.00 per night (water & electric included), now that’s a deal.

Twelve Stones & Kristin Noelle at Hontoon Island Park

We decided to stay three nights so we didn’t have to travel the river on the weekends. We dropped our dink, exploring the different channels, as well as a few trips to the restaurant by the bridge.

The St. Johns River never fails to deliver 

up some beautiful creatures.

Every night at the Hontoon dock this big gator comes out and patrols the area.

7/15/15: Murphy Creek Anchorage – Parramores Creek Anchorage – 33 NM

The trip across Lake George was uneventful. Thanking God for a good wind direction. We anchored just north of the Astor Bridge at the canal that goes to Parramores Campground.  

Tricia & Hoppy dropped their dink & we went to Buck N’ Kat’s Café at Parramores for breakfast. My sister, Linda & her husband,  Danny joined us with some of their friends.

After breakfast, up with the anchors and headed to Hontoon Island.

7/14/15: Outback Crab Shack – Murphy Creek Anchorage– 33NM

Even though the outside temperature reached a ‘feels like 106’ the breeze kept us comfortable all day.

Murphy Creek never disappoints us as far as anchorages go. Plenty of secluded placed to anchor & after dark no other boats moving on the creek. We stayed 2 nights on anchor which gave us time to drop the dink and do some exploring.

Twelve Stones on anchor at Murphy Creek.

Exploring channels.

Life is good!

7/13/15: Green Cove Springs – Outback Crab Shack – 5.5 NM

Around noon we threw off the dock lines to start our trip south on the St. Johns River.

Our Looper friends Tricia & Hoppy aboard Kristin Noelle had left Ortega early in the day and were insight. They have decided to join us as we go south on the St. Johns River. We had originally met Tricia & Hoppy at the 2013 Looper Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler

in Alabama. We hope they like the St. Johns as much as we do.

It was just a short trip over to the Outback Crab Shack. After a great dinner we spent a peaceful quiet night tied to the free floating dock.