This was our 2013 Jayco Flight Swift 198 RD

THIS WAS OUR 2013 JAYCO FLIGHT SWIFT 198RD, PARKED AT THE TOMBSTONE TERRITORIES RV PARK IN ARIZONA



Thursday 17 February 2022

Cruisers get-together

From the years that we spent on the water there were many friendships formed with other cruisers that crossed our paths or took the same routes that we did and some of these friendships were very special. We met up again and again down in the Caribbean islands at very tropical beautiful places. What are the chances of meeting up again after we all “swallowed our anchors” (This is it called when you sold your yacht; you don’t actually swallow that darn thing).  So our special friends Linda and Ed that live here in Florida arranged a get-together of old friends and it was a great success.

 

Me, Linda, Nancy, Allayne, Dennis
in the back: Benno & Ed




The location of our meeting at the Ravine Garden State Park in Palatka, FL, was the perfect place that they picked for the rendezvous. The weather cooperated as well and we also got to enjoy the abundant flowering Azaleas throughout the park.

 



While enjoying all the delicious foods that everyone contributed to the table, old sailor’s yarns were spun and we all became a bit nostalgic thinking of the time we lived on our yachts in exotic places. 

 







Perhaps we can repeat that sometime in the future, it would be fun.

 

The drive from our RV Park to the Palatka State Park took us close enough to the Buckman lock on the Cross Florida Barge Canal to allow us a little detour and to swing by to have a look at the same. The canal was intended to connect the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Florida with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, thus a route from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean via a canal across Florida to the St. John River, which by Jacksonville enters the Atlantic Ocean.  The canal project was cancelled some 30 years ago and only 28% of it was built. As far as I could determine when I looked over the fence, it appeared the lock doors were open and this canal section was used for small pleasure boats. However the lock area is also a nice park with picnic tables and restrooms.  

 





Close by were several of the Air Boats parked, which belong to the Park Rangers. They hold a fascination for us, since we do not have those in Canada. A river trip on one of those would probably be a thrilling adventure.

 





We had a nice outing making our stay down here in Florida even nicer. Thanks for dropping by again.

14 comments:

  1. Nice to see you are still enjoying outings with good friends.
    We loved floating with the Manatees when we were in the Crystal River area. On colder days they were attracted to the Hot Springs.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. The warm weather sure is nice for outings and to explore parks and attractions. We are quite happy here.

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  2. I bet it was nice to catch up with your old friends. The park looks awesome. We have been on an air boat once; it was cool but very loud!

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    1. That was a great park and the ravines were awesome. I bet you could not hold a conversation while riding the air boat.

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  3. Looked like a great time meeting up with friends for a picnic. And a lovely park too.
    That's what it's all about. Living life to the fullest.

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    1. It was and is. You would have liked it too and the company!

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  4. What a beautiful place to hang out!! Interesting about the canal, and I too would love a ride on an air boat!!! The caution sign ... alligators ... gets me!!!!!

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    1. It was a beautiful area and too bad about the cancelled canal and opportunity to move freight economically. As to the gators, I bet there hasn't been one ever!

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  5. Nice post Marlene, and with a lot of great pics! I didn't get that many, I must have been otherwise occupied, lol. So nice too catch-up with everyone.

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    1. You did a great planning and execution of the get-together so never mind about the photos. The company was wonderful and we enjoyed the day!

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  6. How fun. However you do have boating to look forward to in your future.

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful day spent with friends and the pictures say it took place in a beautiful setting. Interesting about the canal. I too think it would be fun to take a ride in one of those airboats.

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    1. Always nice to spend some time with friends. One day I hope we will get a chance for an airboat ride.

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