Black Creek 2007

(Pictures provided by Mike and Terry Howick)

Jersey Skiff Article in local paper - click here

Susan and I left about ten AM to Green Cove Springs in case you do not know where Green Cove is, it is just south of Jacksonville and West of St Augustine. We Stopped in Palm Bay to drop off our grandson at our daughter's house. He had spent a week with us water skiing and tubing at our house. Susan and I enjoyed pulling them with our boat and we both skied with our grandson and the neighbor's kids. They could not believe old folks can ski. We were ready for some more fun so the Black Creek trip was a perfect end to a perfect week for us.

We pulled into the Sleep Inn in Orange Park around four. Linda and Rick Forum were already there with their Raveau.

It is hard to believe that 375 miles north of where we live it could be any hotter but it was.

Rick got in touch with Cliff and got directions to his and Kathy's home. Rick drove and Linda was the navigator. Cliff and Kathy's place is out in the country Rick and I were talking away and went by the turn to Cliff's home Linda caught it right away and we turned around and turned where we should have.

Kathy and Cliffs home is beautiful, it has all the room anyone would need the neighbors are close but not too close. Kathy had everything out munchies and dip all the things that say you are welcome, everyone appreciated the hospitality and felt at home. It takes a lot of planning and preparation we all thank Cliff and Kathy for the evening.

Tom and Fran Wark were there with their RV. Mike Howick, Terry Branch, Susan and I, Rick and Linda Forum, and of Course Cliff and Kathy. There were eleven for the early arrivers, just enough for a good time.

Dick Hass called to say that the wheels fell off his trailer and that he would be late. He left his boat and trailer at a shop to be repaired so the Electric Popsicle was out for the weekend. Rick said he had plenty of room and he could ride with him and Linda in their Raveau.

All the guys went in Cathy's car (I knew this was Cathy's car it was spotless) and picked up BBQ at Bono's. When we got back Dick had arrived and we all enjoyed the great BBQ.

After dinner, Cliff swore us to secrecy as too the location and directions to Black Creek, so for the rest of the article I will only speak in general terms as to location of the famed Creek.

After the fantastic evening of hospitality, we headed back to the room and crashed. It was a long day but a fun day.

10 AM the next morning we all met at the Ramp at Knights Marina. The ramp was good no water problems here. 

Marty was already there with his crew Amanda (his house sitter) and talking to a reporter who had seen the skiffs pull into the ramp and came to see what was going on. He reporter took pictures of us all. It was a local what is going on type of paper but it shows that people feel skiffs are unique and draw attention. There were five skiffs Cliff & Kathy's Sun Dog, Tom & Fran Wark's Jersey Girl, Mike Howick & Terry Branch in Re Run, Terry Lewis & fiancé Tim in Terry's new boat Jitter Bug and Marty Ferry & Amanda in Glory Days, Rick Forum and Linda were in the Ravaue, and Susan and I were in our flat bottom. We have not picked a name for our boat yet but we are considering a couple.

Cliff and Kathy's friends Wayne and Brenda Turner were their in their new Chris Craft runabout this boat is sweet; it smells like a new car.

We all headed west up the Black Creek and some how the local Sea Tow was right behind us. Susan and I along with Terry and Tim were bringing up the rear for some time due to a big boat with a big wake.

We would speed up to go around and he would slow down to a five foot wake to let us pass, this guy must have been from South Florida. Susan just punched it and we were over a big four footer with out swamping the boat we got wet but at these temps who cares. (Yes, I took the day off from the driving skills and Susan chauffeured me around).

Everyone stopped at the double secret launch that Tom and Cliff used to put in at so we could all regroup. I must say that the first two miles were as beautiful river run that Susan and I have been on we have been on some good ones. We all took off again heading west up the Black Creek. We all had to go over the four foot wakes that the big boat that we had passed before was throwing another big one it was starting to be fun. When we entered the only "no wake zone"; Tom needed a tow through the area, he lost his electric pump. After the no wake zone it was let's go as fast as you can about eight miles up river where we stopped at a sandy beach for a dip in the refreshing cool water. It was a great spot where we were shaded by trees on a nice sandy beach. It was quite hot that day and an extended stay was welcome. We beached the boats and introduced everyone to everyone. Sea Tow pulled in right behind us. I don't know how Cliff got him to go along but it was a nice thing to have him there. We all swam and relaxed, the bottom was all sugar sand the water was a clear color of tea due to the trees growing to the rivers edge. There were a few locals who were very much interested in the skiffs. Marty answered all their questions. They were impressed with the boats. This beach could be used as a movie set, like I said earlier, it was relaxing.

Eventually, we all fired up and headed back down Black Creek to the St Johns River. We passed some homes that I am sure the owners had too much money. We were going a lot faster on the way back than we were going there, there were no big boats with big wakes on the return trip.

We all stopped to refuel and a potty stop at the marina. I filled up and took a five gallon container in the boat for the ride across the St Johns. I think they would call our boat an improvised explosive device in Iraq. We were heading east to six mile creek for lunch. The St Johns is as wide and as rough as Lower Biscayne Bay is in Miami about five miles across. After we crossed the St Johns I know how the Pilgrims felt at Plymouth Rock. The ride was fun down six mile creek there was a wake board event going on up river from the restaurant. We all arrived at the restaurant at the same time. This place cares about boaters their dock is in good shape with fenders every where, not to mention it's a quarter mile long dock! They have the ability to dock jet skis as well as big yachts. We all had lunch and told stories for a good bit and then headed back to the marina. We were all able to run fast over the chop on the down wind run. Rick said that we had traveled fifty one miles on his GPS. It was as long a run that Susan and I have been in our flat bottom. It was getting late when we pulled the boats and dragged ourselves back to the room. I found that the coil clamp in our boat had loosened up and the coil had flopped out. I was glad that there was a Home Depot across the street. We got the stuff we needed and made things right. Now up to the room for some emergency A/C and an adult beverage.

Cliff had reserved us an evening table at Whitey's Fish Camp on Doctors Lake. This is the place to eat in Clay County; the service was great the food was even better. It is worth the ride from any where to go to this place everyone enjoyed it. We said our goodbyes and again crashed early.

Cliff and Kathy deserve a big THANK YOU from all of us. There attention to detail was obvious. I know that things just don't happen, people make it happen! Again, THANKS for a great weekend.