OK.... Here we go.
SUNDAY
The canoe is loaded on the trailer and the Jeep is full of gas, off to do some paddling and camping, nice and warm ... felling good.
Made it over to I -95 and north bound.
Around Daytona it is raining harder then the ole cow piss*&% on a flat rock, it is coming down in buckets, a person can barely see the road because of the rain. The wind is just as bad and blowing all the vehicles around.
Heck, just the weather I like to camp and paddle in. :roll: To shorten a long tail.... It rained and progressively got colder as I got closer to Folkston , GA for the night before the river paddling & camping.
The temp is dropping but the rain is decreasing now it is just misting. Good thing cause I had to into town and get an insulated jacket for some warmth.
Arriving at Traders Hill and when I started to set up the tent, just in case it might rain harder later. Next thing I know, this person pulls in driving a Van, camping conversion type, He (Fred) wants to know where you can set up camp and I told him ... anywhere.
Next thing I know we are shooting the breeze and he is from Alaska on his way to see his Daughter in Daytona. Now he is not in a rush, he left Alaska on June 11 , this year and does not plan to get to his daughters till just before Thanksgiving.
This is how you enjoy life folks..... No Rush, Hurry or anything, go where you want and do what you want while getting there.
Since he is not in that big of a hurry and I feel the same way, why rush things, we start discussing rivers to paddle and I get a good education about the rivers in Alaska and several different parts of this nation, he has been on all of the good ones. Next thing I now here is Harry pulling in with his van and two canoes on the trailer, one of the canoes is red just like Mac's but I don't see his truck under the canoe :?:
The red one is Mac's....... He is riding with Harry and Ray. :? What happen was when Mac put is canoe on his truck at his house the (Remember I said it was windy) wind blew it off the top of his truck, twice, so he contacted Harry and put all of his gear in and on Harry's trailer and then hitched a ride with Harry and Ray.
Yep ...... we started out in some nasty weather. Now to make things more interesting while at Traders Hill ... here comes some more vehicles with canoes on them into the camping area.
Hot Dog ... More Nut's. This bunch are from the Florida panhandle and getting together to do a run from Kingfisher Landing to the East side of the Okefenokee , a 4 or 5 day trip.
Mac and I have paddled and camped that run so we could offer some hints and information but they wanted to know where we were paddling so we told them, they are looking forward to doing the same run about 3 weeks from now.
Paddlers helping paddlers and as you can assume ... I told them about Southern Paddler and where they can get a lot of good information and with any luck they will sign on, unlike some other people. Speaking of, Other People, :lol: Bear you missed some good eats, Swampy your name was only said in good faith, :roll: most of the time.
As things worked out .. all of us were like long lost friends and had one good time in the campground. The next morning the one group took out for the Okefenokee when Fred walked over to our camp so we invited him to breakfast, in Folkston at the Friendly, or Family Cafe.
After sharing more information along with a good breakfast and lots of good hot grits with coffee we were on our way and Fred was on his, where ever that will be.
MONDAY
We contacted Steve at the outpost and were shuttled to our put in area for the trip. On the water at 12:00 and paddling. Things are right on schedule.
We worked really hard, floating with the flow of the river while dipping a paddle now and then and at 2:00 P.M. pulled into a camping area on a really nice sand bar.
Set up camp then gathered a lot of fire wood and started a fire. Let it burn down and added some more wood to get some good coals for cooking (Harry threw on some spuds) and when they were just about ready I put a cooking grate over the coals and dropped on some steaks so they could snap, crackle and pop. Then before you knew it and after some good before dinner drink's we had the Hot, campfire, spuds with some really tasty, campfire (Oak wood) cooked steaks. No one was hungry after this supper.
Now it is time to relax from a relaxing day by having a drink, sitting around the campfire and just enjoying life, clear skies, stairs shining, the owls hooting, cool temps, actually cold but all the better for later when it comes time to hit the sack and get friendly with your sleeping bag.
Camp was at N 30 31.413 W 82. 00.805
TUESDAY
After all of that hard work, good food and a relaxing nights sleep ..... up at 7:00 A.M. hot coffee cooking, breakfast, BS, and on the river 2:30 hours later at 9:30. Then paddling till 2:00 P.M. and doing the camp routine again ......... This is how the trip went.
This camp was just as nice as the 1st and in following the routine, the fire is going after the tents were up then for supper some rather Large Pork steaks about 12 inches by 4 inches wide 1/2 in thick with campfire spuds for supper. By the way Jeans, Feta Cheese, chives and Walnuts, cold prep, is really good for snacks and then on the campfire spuds. This was naturally after we had all sorts of snacks, drinks and goodies before supper.
What a life, late on the river, early off and then having to eat all of this tasty food under clear skies and in cool weather sitting on a river bank enjoying nature and the scenery.
Camp was at N 30 37.048 W 82 01.673
Wednesday
OK... Here we go again ... On the river at 9:30 and floating down stream with the current just enjoying life but today we have to stop sooner since we are working so hard at this not working. 1:00 P.M. we see a nice spot and in we go. Camp is set up and the fire is ready.
Siting around shooting the bull and about 2:00 David lights off the fire. Later when the coals are just right on goes the spuds Harry has fixed and I get busy with the hamburger (lean ground) while dicing up some good sharp cheese along with sweet onions and then it is mixed it all together, making 6 patties or small meat loafs, the meat and put the grate over the fire.
Not sure how long it was cooking but it was about 4 turns of the burgers or about two drinks for the cook and the rest of the crew..... everything was ready for supper.
What a supper ......... Everyone was happy and quite full while sitting around the fire listing to the tall stories and the owls in the background.
Later we even did some hot dogs on sticks over the fire as a night time snack before hitting the bed. A person has to stay nourished to keep up the body heat when it is cold out .... OK... Cool out, about 45.
Camp was at N 30 40.604 W 82 02.999
It is a hard life but someone has to do it.........
THURSDAY
Up in the morning and after a lazy breakfast, eggs, smoked ham, bagels, coffee, grapefruit, breakfast bars more coffee then breaking camp and on the river.
I was thinking it would be 2 hours before we are at the take out but as usual I was wrong .... It was only 1 1/2 hours to Tompkins Landing .
( N 30 42.689 W 82 02.180.)
What can I say ... at times I am wrong about things and if I don't screw up more then two times a day ... something is wrong.
The St.Mary's River had a good flow which required just easy paddling to scoot down stream and while the sky was clear, not a cloud in it, the breeze did have a cool touch to it which made life nice. If you got cold then just move over to the sunny side and warm up while drifting down the river.
It was quiet and rounding one bend we notice three deer down at the river and when they saw us up the bank and into the woods, after all it is hunting season.
Some of the trees are starting there leaf change and the colors reflecting in the water was quite a sight to see. All in all it was an easy, slow going, relaxing trip.
We did come up on 4 different blow downs across the river that could of caused some problems and of those 4 only one had to be portaged around and then it was only Harry and Ray's canoe that need to be portaged due to the height of items in the canoe. We did have some more but they did not cause any problems ....just paddled under or around them.
Nice thing about Florida or Georgia sand , metal canoes can be drug thru it without any damage unlike wood boats
The folks on this trip were Harry (Commodore) , Ray, David (Kc4zvw) Mac (Gator ) and myself. We should have some pictures later since David and Harry were taking some of them.
Chuck.
SUNDAY
The canoe is loaded on the trailer and the Jeep is full of gas, off to do some paddling and camping, nice and warm ... felling good.
Made it over to I -95 and north bound.
Around Daytona it is raining harder then the ole cow piss*&% on a flat rock, it is coming down in buckets, a person can barely see the road because of the rain. The wind is just as bad and blowing all the vehicles around.
Heck, just the weather I like to camp and paddle in. :roll: To shorten a long tail.... It rained and progressively got colder as I got closer to Folkston , GA for the night before the river paddling & camping.
The temp is dropping but the rain is decreasing now it is just misting. Good thing cause I had to into town and get an insulated jacket for some warmth.
Arriving at Traders Hill and when I started to set up the tent, just in case it might rain harder later. Next thing I know, this person pulls in driving a Van, camping conversion type, He (Fred) wants to know where you can set up camp and I told him ... anywhere.
Next thing I know we are shooting the breeze and he is from Alaska on his way to see his Daughter in Daytona. Now he is not in a rush, he left Alaska on June 11 , this year and does not plan to get to his daughters till just before Thanksgiving.
This is how you enjoy life folks..... No Rush, Hurry or anything, go where you want and do what you want while getting there.
Since he is not in that big of a hurry and I feel the same way, why rush things, we start discussing rivers to paddle and I get a good education about the rivers in Alaska and several different parts of this nation, he has been on all of the good ones. Next thing I now here is Harry pulling in with his van and two canoes on the trailer, one of the canoes is red just like Mac's but I don't see his truck under the canoe :?:
The red one is Mac's....... He is riding with Harry and Ray. :? What happen was when Mac put is canoe on his truck at his house the (Remember I said it was windy) wind blew it off the top of his truck, twice, so he contacted Harry and put all of his gear in and on Harry's trailer and then hitched a ride with Harry and Ray.
Yep ...... we started out in some nasty weather. Now to make things more interesting while at Traders Hill ... here comes some more vehicles with canoes on them into the camping area.
Hot Dog ... More Nut's. This bunch are from the Florida panhandle and getting together to do a run from Kingfisher Landing to the East side of the Okefenokee , a 4 or 5 day trip.
Mac and I have paddled and camped that run so we could offer some hints and information but they wanted to know where we were paddling so we told them, they are looking forward to doing the same run about 3 weeks from now.
Paddlers helping paddlers and as you can assume ... I told them about Southern Paddler and where they can get a lot of good information and with any luck they will sign on, unlike some other people. Speaking of, Other People, :lol: Bear you missed some good eats, Swampy your name was only said in good faith, :roll: most of the time.
As things worked out .. all of us were like long lost friends and had one good time in the campground. The next morning the one group took out for the Okefenokee when Fred walked over to our camp so we invited him to breakfast, in Folkston at the Friendly, or Family Cafe.
After sharing more information along with a good breakfast and lots of good hot grits with coffee we were on our way and Fred was on his, where ever that will be.
MONDAY
We contacted Steve at the outpost and were shuttled to our put in area for the trip. On the water at 12:00 and paddling. Things are right on schedule.
We worked really hard, floating with the flow of the river while dipping a paddle now and then and at 2:00 P.M. pulled into a camping area on a really nice sand bar.
Set up camp then gathered a lot of fire wood and started a fire. Let it burn down and added some more wood to get some good coals for cooking (Harry threw on some spuds) and when they were just about ready I put a cooking grate over the coals and dropped on some steaks so they could snap, crackle and pop. Then before you knew it and after some good before dinner drink's we had the Hot, campfire, spuds with some really tasty, campfire (Oak wood) cooked steaks. No one was hungry after this supper.
Now it is time to relax from a relaxing day by having a drink, sitting around the campfire and just enjoying life, clear skies, stairs shining, the owls hooting, cool temps, actually cold but all the better for later when it comes time to hit the sack and get friendly with your sleeping bag.
Camp was at N 30 31.413 W 82. 00.805
TUESDAY
After all of that hard work, good food and a relaxing nights sleep ..... up at 7:00 A.M. hot coffee cooking, breakfast, BS, and on the river 2:30 hours later at 9:30. Then paddling till 2:00 P.M. and doing the camp routine again ......... This is how the trip went.
This camp was just as nice as the 1st and in following the routine, the fire is going after the tents were up then for supper some rather Large Pork steaks about 12 inches by 4 inches wide 1/2 in thick with campfire spuds for supper. By the way Jeans, Feta Cheese, chives and Walnuts, cold prep, is really good for snacks and then on the campfire spuds. This was naturally after we had all sorts of snacks, drinks and goodies before supper.
What a life, late on the river, early off and then having to eat all of this tasty food under clear skies and in cool weather sitting on a river bank enjoying nature and the scenery.
Camp was at N 30 37.048 W 82 01.673
Wednesday
OK... Here we go again ... On the river at 9:30 and floating down stream with the current just enjoying life but today we have to stop sooner since we are working so hard at this not working. 1:00 P.M. we see a nice spot and in we go. Camp is set up and the fire is ready.
Siting around shooting the bull and about 2:00 David lights off the fire. Later when the coals are just right on goes the spuds Harry has fixed and I get busy with the hamburger (lean ground) while dicing up some good sharp cheese along with sweet onions and then it is mixed it all together, making 6 patties or small meat loafs, the meat and put the grate over the fire.
Not sure how long it was cooking but it was about 4 turns of the burgers or about two drinks for the cook and the rest of the crew..... everything was ready for supper.
What a supper ......... Everyone was happy and quite full while sitting around the fire listing to the tall stories and the owls in the background.
Later we even did some hot dogs on sticks over the fire as a night time snack before hitting the bed. A person has to stay nourished to keep up the body heat when it is cold out .... OK... Cool out, about 45.
Camp was at N 30 40.604 W 82 02.999
It is a hard life but someone has to do it.........
THURSDAY
Up in the morning and after a lazy breakfast, eggs, smoked ham, bagels, coffee, grapefruit, breakfast bars more coffee then breaking camp and on the river.
I was thinking it would be 2 hours before we are at the take out but as usual I was wrong .... It was only 1 1/2 hours to Tompkins Landing .
( N 30 42.689 W 82 02.180.)
What can I say ... at times I am wrong about things and if I don't screw up more then two times a day ... something is wrong.
The St.Mary's River had a good flow which required just easy paddling to scoot down stream and while the sky was clear, not a cloud in it, the breeze did have a cool touch to it which made life nice. If you got cold then just move over to the sunny side and warm up while drifting down the river.
It was quiet and rounding one bend we notice three deer down at the river and when they saw us up the bank and into the woods, after all it is hunting season.
Some of the trees are starting there leaf change and the colors reflecting in the water was quite a sight to see. All in all it was an easy, slow going, relaxing trip.
We did come up on 4 different blow downs across the river that could of caused some problems and of those 4 only one had to be portaged around and then it was only Harry and Ray's canoe that need to be portaged due to the height of items in the canoe. We did have some more but they did not cause any problems ....just paddled under or around them.
Nice thing about Florida or Georgia sand , metal canoes can be drug thru it without any damage unlike wood boats
The folks on this trip were Harry (Commodore) , Ray, David (Kc4zvw) Mac (Gator ) and myself. We should have some pictures later since David and Harry were taking some of them.
Chuck.