Day 12:  Friday 3/10            Beautiful day; low 80’s with lot of puffy cumulus clouds.

 Today was a beautiful day to be on the water.  The lake had a bit of a chop so we headed north to explore the river and find what looked to us as good places to return to for fishing.

 

This is satellite imagery of Lake George and some of the St. John River.  We traveled to the top edge of the picture today 

Our travels took us from Georgetown Marina to about a mile and a half north of Turkey Island.  It was a distance of about 12 ½ miles.  The western shore of the river is undeveloped and there are stands of cypress all along the way. 

We stopped a few places to try the fishing.  While fishing above Turkey Island Linda and I both got a big strike from something.  It broke Linda’s line and mine got off the hook.  But it was exciting when it happened.  We watched as a Bald Eagle and an Osprey duked it out over territory.  It was quite the aerial duel.  Way to fast and furious for me to capture on camera.  The eagle was persistent and eventually chased the osprey about a quarter of a mile down river before it returned to the top of the highest pine tree in sight.  Eagle 1- Osprey-0.

Not long before heading back the “Laura D.” passed and tied up to the dock at Acosta Creek Harbor.  The rigging suggests that maybe at one time she may have been a research vessel.  Now it appears to be a private trawler.  This is the largest boat we have seen this far south on the St John. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Drayton Island Ferry with three pick up trucks onboard

On our way back we saw the Drayton Island Ferry crossing the river.  Drayton Island is directly across from the campground.  The island is almost three miles long and just over a mile wide.  The ferry is the only means to get a vehicle to the island.  While much of the island is undeveloped there must be around 50 to 60 homes there.

 

 

 

Our son said one of the TV channels he watches advertises for Winn-Dixie.  Their motto is “The Beef People”.  He wanted us to bring back some steaks.  But we plan a detour through TN for a few days so the possibility of keeping them fresh would be a challenge.  So the next best thing… Pictures of 16 oz. rib eyes from Winn-Dixie on the grill tonight.  Close your eyes and just imagine the aroma of fresh beef cooking on the grill. 



YUM!

Mr. Heron keeping watch.

Half way out the slip and its only knee deep to a heron

While I was getting gas for the boat Linda took some pictures at the boat slip.  You can see how low the water is.

The fun part is trying to get on and off the boat.

 

Its only 7PM and Linda is out like a light.  This has been a big day for both of us.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring.