Escape from the Upper Suwannee

Events of 18 September 2009

       At first light we descended the Santa Fe as rain continued to drizzle from a leaden sky. We soon left the narrow Santa Fe and once again joined the mighty Suwannee.

       Although the Santa Fe River had been up about 2 feet at one point during the night it was only up about 6 inches when we pulled anchor. The Suwannee seemed unaffected. Once meeting the Suwannee we throttled up to 3000 RPMs and settled into a nice 6 to 6.5 mph cruise with the current now on our side.

       We passed under the railroad bridge no problem. We still had about 4 feet or so of clearance. It felt good to be past that obstacle.

       Completing the 30 mile slog we reached Fanning Springs and tied up to the State Park Dock. We then commenced to resupply the boat in a constant drizzle. 35 gal of fuel, 35 gal of water, 80 lbs of ice. The dock ramp rises at about a 25 degree angle and is about 200 feet or more long. Moving the approximately 650 lbs of supplies was a good workout. Hopefully the last time on this trip as we will have marinas after this.
By the time the resupply was complete the rain had ceased.
        We then headed into Town for a few drinks at the Bear's Den Pub, and then brought a huge BBQ feast back to the boat from a local stand called Huckleberries BBQ. The BBQ was excellent.
       We then moved downriver a mile and anchored.

We stopped to talk to this guy. He appeared as a long distance sailor on a liveaboard. He was living aboard but was from Fanning Springs, a few miles up the road. I gave him a 12 pack and he was grateful.

This houseboat converted into a floating store/ice cream truck was closed for business.

This local was laying around drunk and cussing us as we returned from BBQ. His butt was hanging out the back of his cut-offs. He kept rolling around mumbling in my general direction about how I don't know what he knows, that I did not grow up on the Suwannee, that I don't know about the Suwannee, that he knows things that happen around here. He really reminded me of the opening scene in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". In any case I walked up to him and gave him two ice cold beers. He then completely changed and expressed ethernal thanks, God Bless you, etc. He is now my very good friend.