Sweat and Spray 2008

Story by Susan & Ted Parkhurst

We had a wonderful time at Parramore's Campground. It is a great location to explore the St Johns River and Lake George.

Susan and I left on Friday morning to make the trip up to Astor, a small town about thirty miles west of Ormond Beach on the St Johns River.

The trip was uneventful, in other words it is a long boring ride from Miami. We pulled into the fish camp. Skip and Ester had just arrived a few minutes before and most of the Mount Dora Gang came up on Thursday - can't blame them - this is a nice place.

Susan and I checked in and put the boat in the water. Just my luck - I picked up a piece of something in the water inlet and over-heated on the way to dock the boat by the room.

I did not hurt anything. Whatever it was came out and the temp went down. The rest of the people arrived in bits and pieces the rest of the day.

We took a short ride that evening down river to Astor where there were all kinds of birds from Turkeys to Blue Herons and even Sea Eagles and Hawks.

Terry had everything planned for dinner. We all brought a plate and Tim and Paul cooked up burgers and hot dogs while we all were saying hello's and meeting new people. It was a great time.! Hot dogs and hamburgers and nice people are a great mix.

We all participated in a dice game after dinner that was new to me but it sure was fun for a large group. Phil Jordan eventually won the pot. I think it was about $150.00 all in one dollar bills.

We all agreed to leave the next morning at 10am to head over to for Silver Glen Springs for swimming and picnic lunch. And we called it a night.

The Parkhurst clan decided to rent a pontoon boat so all of us could ride to the springs together. Our flat bottom at best can seat five uncomfortably. All eight of us climbed in and headed up river to Lake George. Our family has grown up with fast boats and were shocked when they asked to speed up the pontoon boat and I told them it was wide open!

We were the last boat to the Glen. Tim Ross was kind enough to wait at the entrance to the glen so no one would miss it.

The weather looked bad but somehow it improved rather than getting worse which was the forecast.

After several hours of exploring the springs and eating lunch, we headed back to Parramore's. We were passed on the way back by everything that would float but it was a hundred times better ride than our flat bottom.

We all hung out at the boat ramp and met with everyone and went over the events of the day and talked about boats and talked about boats again.

We returned the pontoon boat and took a quick ride down the River past the bridge at Astor. It was a beautiful trip in our flat bottom.

Terry and Tim & Paul did their magic on the Grill for dinner. The steaks were great! The assorted dishes and deserts that everyone brought were to die for! We all did smores on the fire and had pleasant conversations with everyone.

On Sunday, we took another trip down the River almost all the way down to DeLeon Springs in the flat bottom and back up river to the jetty on Lake George.

I would like to thank Tim and Terry and every one who brought all the good food. It was a weekend to remember.

Most of all let's not forget Claire and Marty. We would not be having these good times without the website they have built. It is first class and has put us all together. We are fortunate they do it.

Pictures by Terry Ross http://skiffssweatnspray2008.snapfish.com/snapfish room code 12345

Miss Jeannie's Buffalo Hot Dip, here it is.... Claire

Buffalo Hot Dip

3-4 Chicken Breasts (skinned, boneless, cooked and shredded)

8 oz cream cheese

1 jar Marie's Blue Cheese Dressing

10-12 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup Frank's Hot Buffalo Sauce

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, transfer to casserole dish.  Bake at 350 COVERED for 20 minutes, then an additional 20 minutes uncovered.  Serve with chips or whatever you choose and most important - Enjoy!