Murphy's Creek (BFE), FL - 6/2/11

This morning we left the Ortega Yacht Club at 9 a.m. and headed up the St. Johns River (actually south since it flows north).

First order of business was to call the Ortega River bridge for an opening which was ready for us as we approached. Ortega Yacht club is located at MM 21.7 on the river.

At times even though the river is very wide, docks were built a long way from the shore.

Crab pots everywhere again. We were under the impression that as soon as we would hit fresh water near Palatka we wouldn't see anymore. WRONG!! Maybe they were trying to catch something else.

We motored past Reynolds Park Yacht Center which was at one time a Navy marina. Rumor has it that several hundred Navy boats were mothballed here up to the 60's. Now it is being converted into a public marina. If you enlarge this picture you will see a paddle wheel boat at the end and our boating friends Bill & Charlotte Langford (Precious Time) boat is the fourth boat on that pier, a Mainship. They are in Nashville for medical issues and we all wish them God Speed in recovery.

According to our radar, the river is over 1 1/2 miles wide most of the way to Palatka. Today it is very smooth compared to the wind and waves we had yesterday.

Our feathered friends will start a family anywhere there is a spot. This is on the fenders of a bridge.

We left the river somewhere about 84 miles into it and entered Dunn's Creek to port for a short distance then turned starboard into Murphy's Creek where we will spend the night on anchor. Very rustic and CLOSE to nature.

REALLY CLOSE!!!! This guy was only 10 feet from our boat when we spotted him. I guess if we have a problem the only thing I have to do is swim faster than Ricki!

Looks like we might make Hontoon Landing tomorrow which is about 50 miles. We are looking forward to seeing our former BYC friends Mike & Peggy there. Since there are no mile markers on the river it is difficult to figure our where you are until you get there.

Here are some stats so far:

257 days since we left BYC

66 actual days on the move

3392 miles

2168 gallons of fuel ($7,270)

204 paid nights in marinas ($7,126)

Booze & Wine - unknown

Our position here in the wilderness is: N 29 34.841 W 81 38.148