GL: Cruising the St. John's River

[Kathryn Jeidy]

We are at the end of our 2-week St. Johns River cruise, currently tied
up at Jacksonville Landing. It is free but there is a 72-hr. per week
docking limit according to the official looking gentleman who stopped by
last night to check on the boats tied up. After you are here for 72 hrs.
you must leave for a week before returning. There is an event along
Jacksonville's waterfront almost every weekend so I would come in as
early as possible on Fri. to secure a spot. There is water at the west
end of the dock, no electric. On our way up the river, we stopped at
Metropolitan Park in front of Alltel Stadium. It was quiet but far away
from restaurants and shops.

The Holiday Inn at Palatka has been a Quality Inn for 4 yrs. now (same
phone number). The dockage is $70.99 + 7% for a total of $75.95/night.
This included 30/50-amp hook-up and water. If you get a room at the
hotel, it is $35.95/night for dockage. The town dock just beyond the
bridge is free (we called to check) and there is 15-amp power hook-up,
enough to charge our batteries. There are 32 murals scattered around
town. Free mural guides can be found all over.  We picked ours up at the
coffee shop 6 blocks from the dock.

Welaka was probably our favorite stop. The have free town docks with no
services. A free Wooden Boat Museum is 3 blocks from the dock but they do
take donations. It is fabulous with owners Dick and Linda Speas most
gracious hosts. Dick has published a book Log of the Andante recalling
the adventures of his familys cruise from Grand Haven, MI, to St. Croix,
USVI, over 45 yrs. ago with 5 children, ages 2-12. It is a
quick, easy read. All the restaurants in town are closed on Mon.

There are many good anchorages all along the way. The river is deep
but the water level in Lake Monroe is down almost 2 ft. We did not show
any water in many spots (we draw 4 ft) but we did not bump either. Kathy
& John aboard Rosetta

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