Homosassa 2005

Betty, Billy, Tom, Phil, & Jean Homosassa 2005

Saturday, October 1, 2005 - 3 skiffs left Eustis, Florida (Puppy Love, Glory Days and Flyin' Pony) and headed west. Destination: Homosassa, Florida - a small quaint community along the gulf coast. Other skiffs were attending as well - Falcon left the day before, and Jersey Girl was traveling with someone else.

The Sunnyland chapter of the ACBS advertised the event and we thought it would be fun! We left bright and early and along We're having too much fun the way I upset the convoy because I had to make a pit stop from all the coffee I drank since 6:00 am. Much to our surprise, who but Dick and Linda Daley with Justa Fishin Bote go rushing by us during our pit stop! Ok - load 'em up and let's get moving... again.

It was a short 1 hour and 45 minute drive. Upon arrival we did our usual greetings, check into the hotel, launched the boats and get them ready for the day. I always like to know where I am whether it is on land or water. I found the Ship's store and quickly located a water map of the area - good thing I did! Quickly scanning the map with one of the locals, he points out some things to avoid. His Smile, your on Marty's camera final words were... 'don't get out of the channel - it's only about 1 foot deep.' OK - got that committed to memory.

We were scheduled to depart at 10:00 am. Prior to that there was a skippers meeting where Gerald Dake (President of the Sunnyland Chapter) briefed everyone on the days activities. Unfortunately I missed this meeting...believe Jean Jordan, Betty Russel and I were playing with the jumping shrimp in the bait pool. Anyway the guys hunt us down and it's time to go! Loaded up in the boats, Puppy Love, Glory Days, Flyin' Pony, and Falcon take off and head west. Watch the channel markers and the no wake zones. Ok - where is everyone else? Look! Here comes Justa Fishin Bote - don't worry - he'll catch up. Hhmm, where are the woodies? Guess the 10:00 am departure was a bit flexible. Heading Hury & eat, they're catching up with us out we did see one of the woodies heading back in from the gulf side. I told Marty that we should probably wait a little while and let the others catch up. As we were noodling around, Dick Daley strayed a little to far right - and the channel monster bit his rudder. To say he was a little annoyed was an understatement! He heads back to the ramp to check out things below. Jersey Girl Jean, I think I finally have this down finally catches up with us and we're off again!

Traveling along the river there were many places where you had to idle, other areas you could really open it up and let the boat fly. The only problem was if you got stuck behind a pontoon boat - sometimes there wasn't enough room to pass. Eventually we all managed to squeeze between the boats and the channel markers leaving no one ahead of us to allow us to open up (but no more than 25 m.p.h.). We left the marina at channel marker 81 and Marty briefed me on the skippers meeting. Travel Tom, remember, RED RIGHT RETURN down to marker #10 and you can open the boat up and do whatever you want. We keep heading west, unfortunately I couldn't take many pictures because I had to be the navigator through the shallows and point out the next mark. Down to marker #40 - Slow Speed No Wake - Manatee Zone ALL YEAR. enough said Let's have something to drink while we are going slow. We along with Tom Wark had picked up a bird passenger each, but not for long as Tom revved his engine and the birds took off. We finally reach the gulf, but there are still plenty of markers to be aware of. The good thing was that you could go fast, the bad thing... where are we going? The water was really choppy and the wind was picking up, the ride was not that smooth. Finally at marker #3 we decide to turn around and head back.

Tom Wark took the lead on the way back and we were all taking bets as to what side of the markers he would pass. I think I made about $50 bucks - thanks Tom! We speed Will he laugh if I tickle him here? through the winding river in those places we can and come back to the marina. I take a quick peek at the map and ask Marty... "At the skippers meeting did they say go left or right out of the marina?" Turns out if you went to the right - the markers started out at #1 and at #10 was the springs where the manatee are seen. Could be dinner! Well it was a good ride... right?

We stopped briefly for lunch, and a quick rain shower and back in the boats to head to the springs! Upon arrival, Falcon brings out the anchor and becomes the 'mother ship' to 5 other skiffs. The water was crystal clear allowing you to see to the bottom and it was a little on the chilly side, but refreshing. Almost everyone went in the water to socialized. Let's see, we watched a couple of dolphins go swimming and jumping by, on of the guys picked up a crab, Marty was playing with his boat pole super soaker and eating popcorn off his shoulder. Phil IS polishing his boat. Between the skiffs and the woodies we made up about 10 of the boats in the cove. Everyone around us was commenting on the beauty of our boats and I think a few men even wanted to race for titles. It was an enjoyable stop especially seeing dolphins in their natural environment. Born to be american...

Time to head back and get ready for dinner, the plan was to regroup at 6:00 up in Gerald's room and head over to Margaritagrill. I have to say that this was the most patriotic restaurant that I have ever been in! Upon entering we were greeted with a sign that said... We don't support anything FRENCH - no French fries, French Vodka or French wine. The placemats were patriotic, the to-go containers were patriotic, there were flags flying everywhere and murals on the walls that depict true patriotism. Boy am I sure glad I'm an American! We all sang happy birthday to Linda Daley and after dinner a few of us headed up to the tiki bar for a nightcap then off to bed.

Sunday morning we packed up the boats, the room, go out for breakfast and head east. Although we could have stayed and enjoyed the river a little more, we all decided to head home. Marty and I and Bill and Nancy Bryant took a little detour to Lake Eustis to do a photo shoot of their boat. Got some real nice pictures.

Chapter members having fun There you have it! Short, sweet and to the point. All in all it was a good trip - too bad there weren't more participants. I can honestly say that those who did go had an enjoyable time!