Life in the Slow Lane (The Pearl): April 2014

April 30 - Welaka, FL

Bryant's Wharf Public Dock

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." ―George Bernard Shaw

When we were in Welaka a few weeks ago a local man told us about several places we should explore. We didn't take time to see those places on our first visit, but we did today. We took the dinghy down and headed north to check out Welaka Spring first. The spring was very small and unimpressive, but the area around it was very pretty. Our next stop was Mud Spring. It’s located in Welaka State Forest, we took our dinghy through Little Lake George and up Mud Creek, but it can also be accessed along a hiking trail. There is a nice picnic area around the spring and the spring forms a pool that you can swim in. Both springs we saw today were very small compared to the other springs we’ve visited.

On the way back to the boat we rode up Bear Creek to the Oklawaha River. Both were beautiful and lush...we felt like we were in a jungle. It looks so jungle like, that filmmakers used an area close by to film Tarzan movies during the 1930s and 40s. Locals have told us there are monkeys in the area, descendants of those that got loose during filming. We were also told today by a couple that they see monkeys around the Mud Spring area regularly...but we didn’t see any today.

We're still waiting on the storms that are moving this way. We've gotten afternoon showers the past few days but then it clears up...nothing like they're getting north of here. This evening we had quite a few visitors on the dock; everyone was interested in the boat and where we'd been. One young lady I was visiting with even gave us a pie...the people in Welaka are very nice.

Welaka Spring

Mud Spring entrance from Mud Creek

Mud Spring

One of the trails around Mud Spring

Bear Creek

A map of the area we explored today.

This little guy was hanging around the boat this evening. He even came closer when I started talking to him.

April 29 - Welaka, FL

Bryant's Wharf Public Dock

“We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

We only had a little rain last night, but the wind never laid down, and we bounced and rocked all night long. After breakfast we were both ready to get off the big boat and go for a ride in the dinghy. The four-mile run up the Salt Springs Creek was a little different than the other creeks we've explored. This creek is wide, has higher banks and is lined in marsh grass and has fewer trees close to the water...definitely different but still pretty. Since it was early and the middle of the week, we had the springs to ourselves…or should I say to myself, since I was the only one that went swimming. The springs and the park are beautiful and I'm sure it's packed here on a warm summer day. The water was refreshing and I had fun looking into the spring vents and watching the fish.

Salt Springs, along with Juniper Springs and Silver Glen Springs are recreation areas in the Ocala National Forest. The waters of Salt Springs rise from vertical cracks from deep within the earth and stay at a constant 74 degrees. The spring gets its name from the presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts in the water. The Salt Springs has several spring vents in a large shallow spring pool, which forms the headwater of the 4-mile long Salt Springs Run (Creek). It has been said that Salt Springs is the legendary "Fountain of Youth". Scientists have discovered that certain minerals and trace elements that are available only in unrefined groundwater can slow aging, and the abundance and variety of helpful minerals in the waters at Salt Springs can be found nowhere else in the United States. Maybe I'll be looking younger now that I've swum in the "Fountain of Youth"!

There are predictions of thunderstorms and increasing rain chances for the next few days, so after enjoying the park we decided it was time to move the boat out of Lake George. It was a short trip to the city dock in Welaka with little excitement, except for our eagle spotting. This is the first time we've ever seen an eagle on a channel marker...we were eye to eye with this amazing bird. He finally flew off as the main part of the boat passed the marker. It was a once in a lifetime encounter...glad I had my camera ready. We may stay in Welaka a few days again while this weather system passes. There are a few places we'd like to explore around here...hopefully we can do that tomorrow before the rain arrives.

Views of the Salt Springs Creek

Salt Springs Recreation Area

Salt Springs pool

Going for a swim

Underwater view of one of the spring vents

Looking down into one of the spring vents

What an amazing sight...it was like he was posing for us.

April 28 - Lake George, FL

Salt Spring Creek

"If I could have, to hold forever, one brief place and time of beauty, I think I might choose the night on that high lonely bank above the St. Johns River."-Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

We had two anchorages today. Our first was close to Silver Glen Springs...unfortunately we draw a little too much water to take our large boat into the spring run. This is a popular spot for houseboats and smaller boats to anchor for the weekend. The water is a beautiful, crystalline clear blue that stays a constant 72 degrees. I would have loved to spend a few days anchored in this clear amazing water, swimming right off the boat. Even before we entered the spring run the water in the lake became clear and we could see the aquatic grass, algae and fish on the bottom. We spent the day swimming and doing a little hiking, but mostly we spent it relaxing on the banks of this beautiful spring. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings had a cabin in the area and it inspired her book “The Yearling”. We hiked the Spring Boils Trail that leads to Jody’s Spring, which was named for the spring described in her book.

Silver Glen Springs is a first-magnitude spring with a large, semicircular pool that measures 200 feet by 175 feet. Sixty five million gallons of water flows from two cavern openings in the rock at the bottom of the pool and flows nearly one mile down the spring run to Lake George. Most of the spring pool has sand and limestone on the pool bottom, with areas of aquatic grasses. Large fresh and saltwater fish are common in the pool and around the vents.

After we returned to the boat we decided to pull anchor and move closer to Salt Springs, which we'll explore tomorrow. Lake George is a large lake and offers little wind protection. Last night was very calm...making it a bit warmer, but we slept well on a calm ship. This evening the wind has picked up and we have gotten a little rain and we're definitely rocking. I'm sure it'll be more than a gentle roll putting us to sleep tonight.

The view from our picnic table

The water was so clear and blue it looked like we were swimming in a pool...just amazing.

Aww...this is the life!

Looking down to the vents on the bottom of the spring

Most of the spring pool is shallow...until you get close to the vents, then it drops off quickly.

This little island stands guard at the entry to Silver Glen Creek.

April 27 - Lake George, FL

Juniper Creek - Anchorage

"Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream." ―John Lennon

We woke up to our fourth day of fog...but it lifted quickly and we really didn't have anywhere we needed to be. We did a little research on the springs that flow into Lake George. We knew we could get our dinghy into Silver Glen and Salt Springs, but weren't sure if we could make it up to Juniper Springs. So our mission today was to explore Juniper Creek and hopefully get to swim in the springs. This spring is one of the oldest and best known recreation areas on the East Coast and from the pictures I’ve seen it looks gorgeous. Unfortunately getting to the spring from Lake George proved to be impossible. We had fun exploring the creek, but it soon became too shallow for us to make it in our dinghy. This creek is very popular with airboats, which can slide over the grassy shallow spots...what a racket they make. With all the weekend noise and commotion we only spotted one alligator.

We spent the late afternoon and early evening trying to stay cool...summer arrived in central Florida today. We decided to anchor in Lake George, so we could take advantage of the breeze to keep us a little cooler...by sunset the temperature had dropped and the breeze had picked up a bit, making it much nicer to be at anchor. Tomorrow we'll go to Silver Glen Springs...being a Monday hopefully it won't be as crowded. We never looked forward to Mondays when we were working...since we started cruising we love them.

Our morning view of the St. John's River

A beautiful day on the river...but it was very busy.

The Pearl anchored in Lake George

Juniper Creek

A video clip of Juniper Creek

April 26 - Hontoon Island State Park

Park Dock
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” —T.S. Eliot

We began our morning with a visit to the farmers market that is held on 3rd Street. It wasn't large but had a nice variety of things. We picked up some delicious strawberries and a loaf of bread. After lunch we began our return trip to Jacksonville...we are now moving downstream. It was a beautiful Saturday and boats were everywhere enjoying the day. A large part of the river we traveled on this afternoon was posted as low speed (because of manatees) so having so many boats around really wasn't a problem, but with all the activity and noise on the river, the only wildlife we saw today was human.

The weather is beginning to warm up in the afternoons, so we decided to dock at Hontoon Island State Park this evening, so we could have electricity and plug in the AC. The next few days we will be anchoring around Lake George, so we can visit a few more springs. Starting tomorrow night we’ll have to adjust to sleeping in warmer temperatures. We had a nice evening visiting with other boaters on the dock and fixing a wonderful steak dinner. Life on the river is good…at least for now!

Sanford waterfront

Farmers market in Sanford

The main street in the historic district of Sanford

A busy day on the river

The cutest boat we saw today

It was very busy around Blue Spring State Park

April 25 - Sanford, FL

Monroe Habour Marina

Today was a much needed workday. It's been over two weeks since the boat has been washed and longer since I've done laundry. So while Stan took care of the outside of the boat I did the inside. It wasn't an exciting morning, but no matter where you live the housework and yard have to be done...ok we don't have a yard, but who at home has to wash the outside of their house? After lunch we went to the grocery store...it's also been over two weeks for that too and we were out of everything fresh.

When we finished our work we went for a bike ride along the Riverwalk, it’s a wide path that runs along Lake Monroe. Sanford has done a good job in fixing up the waterfront and there are several pretty parks along the Riverwalk for families to play and people can fish from any spot along the path.

Sanford is known as the "Historic Waterfront Gateway City," it sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe at the head of navigation on the St. Johns River. The city sits approximately 20 miles northeast of Orlando. The historic Sanford Memorial Stadium was built in 1951 on the site of the old Sanford Field, which was originally built in 1926. The new stadium was built as the spring training facility for the New York Giants. Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Tim Raines, and David Eckstein have all played baseball in Sanford and it was the location where Jackie Robinson first took to the field in 1946 to play baseball as a member of a white Class AAA International League. Unfortunately, for us, this stadium is no longer used for a spring training facility for any team. It would have been fun to watch a team work out or see a game.

Monroe Harbour Marina

Downtown Sanford

One of the pretty homes along our route to the grocery store

Part of the Riverwalk

Veterans Memorial Park located on the Riverwalk

April 24 - Sanford, FL

Monroe Habour Marina

"There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less." - Kurt Hahn

We woke up to fog this morning...good thing leaving early isn't part of our agenda this year. By the time we had a leisurely breakfast and got things ready on the boat the fog had lifted and we were left with another beautiful day. Our destination today was Sanford, our most southern point on the St. John's River. The river is narrow from Blue Spring to Lake Monroe and the banks seem to have a little more elevation, less marshy and few water hyacinth. It just seems to get prettier the further south we go. The area is known for having a lot of manatees, so travel is slow in this area of the river. We didn't see any manatees today but we did see A LOT of alligators. They seemed to be enjoying the sun as much as we were.

We arrived at our marina in downtown Sanford right after lunch. It'll be nice to be in a marina for a few days. We have a lot of things to catch up on...like laundry, grocery shopping and cleaning the boat, but those things can wait until tomorrow. This afternoon we wandered around the historic downtown section of Sanford and Stan got a much needed haircut.

This evening we went to the Breezeway Restaurant for happy hour. They have live music Thursday thru Saturday, today it was karaoke. Neither of us have been to a karaoke night and didn't know what to expect, but these folks were very good and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had dinner at the Willow Tree Cafe. A German restaurant that we were told about from everyone who'd been to Sanford. We both had amazing meals and the atmosphere and music makes you think you've been transported to Germany.

One of the many alligators we saw today.