Erie canal 2015 trip

We left home the end of July to cruise the Erie Canal. Towing the boat with our 2002 tahoe we took our time drivi g up to the finger lakes of New York sleeping on the boat in various campgrounds. Upon arrival we had a motor issue with boat so was delayed. We made the best of it and started seeing the area by car. We even drove over to the Adirondacks for a couple of nights. Finally three weeks since we left home, we are on the canal:)We are headed to Lyons ,N.Y. today.

Silver Glen Springs St John's River Trip

After cruising 75 miles from Jacksonville to Silver Glen Springs we forgot what a Sunday at the springs could be like. I think some were Spring Breakers also, but after about two hours from our arrival the second picture shows our same view:)

Metropark marina at everbank field-Free docks during off season of football games

We stayed two nights at the free marina in downtown Jacksonville by the Everbank stadium. What a sweet setup and included electric, water and floating docks. We walked to Jacksonville Landing, took in a food festival then walked to Winn Dixie. The Winn Dixie is about a mile and a third from the marina. About the same to downtown Jax. You stay on Bay street to downtown area, then we walked up to Beaver Ave or street (police officer told us to take that street) from the festival . If I was going from the boat, it would be straight up from Bay on N Liberty to Beaver. Most of it in that area is Business and Churches. Had a nice time in Jacksonville, but glad we stayed at metro marina and not on the wall at Jacksonville Landings.

Inside upstairs food court at Landings Manatee sculpture

Aweee, the smell of coffee in the mornings:)

Our view from Hooters on the Landings waterfront overlooking our boat.

Sister's Creek Free Dock off of ICW

After leaving the Ortega Marina we headed to the free dock on Sister's creek in our anticipation that we would go to Fernadina Beach the next day. I needed to finish drying my laundry that did not get dried enough at the marina so I hung them up and in no time they were dry. Alan called us sea gypsies, but whatever it works.:0) Nice floating docks and the restrooms were clean in the Blue building. The ones near the docks I would not recommend to anyone. Met a nice young man named Josh who believe or not owns land in our same town. What are the odds!! We then left the next morning and headed to the Kingsley plantain for a tour. Pulled up to the docks and the no seeums were so bad. We did the tour, but decided to return to the dock on sisters creek and change our plans. 

Ortega Landing Marina Jacksonville, Fl

Pulled into Ortega Landing Marina this afternoon and WOW!!!

This is one of the nicest marinas we have been in and no matter what kind of cruiser you are in whether it's a Hinkley or a pocket yacht like ours. They really treat you right and the services are outstanding. In the second picture we are there in our slip with the kayaks on top of our boat AND right behind us is a Hinkley. For those of you who might remember on our loop trip while in South Florida Alan had a run in with a Hinkley employee. The story was kinda funny( April 2008) and here we are now behind one. :)

Coming into Jacksonville

Blue Creek cruise Side trip off St. John's River

Beautiful cruise on Blue Creek

Beautiful

Headed to St. John's River for a month's cruising:)

Getting the boat ready for our St. John's River trip and added a few nice touches for storage and comfort.

St. John'S RIVER TRIP MARCH 2015.

We trailered our 23 foot boat Simplicity to Deland Fl where we launched at Ed Stone park ramp. After getting her loaded and truck and trailer secured at parkjng lot we cruised over to Forest River to anchor for the night.We decided to go back to the ramp and Alan would fill up the sun shower while I went to fuel up the tahoe so it would be ready wben we returned from cruising.

Pulling boat out of marina for next trip

We are getting ready for our St John's river trip in a couple of weeks. We will trailer the boat there and spend about a month. Looking forward to the manatees:) and new territory.