13 March, 2020 Lake George very tame and pancake flat

Calm winds and balmy puffy clouds.  33 SM; 5.0 engine hours.

As a treat, we walked down the the river a bit this morning to the Shady Oak cafe.  We have walked by each morning since we have been at the marina.  Today we treated ourselves to a good shore breakfast.  The cafe according to the folks inside, used to be a bait and tackle store.  Food was darn tasty.

Shady Oak cafe on the St Johns river.

POC gave me a hair cut dock side, now I am ship shape.  Untied the lines at 1230.  POC at the helm for first time Captain leaving the docks.  Well done.  Warm day almost hot.  Leaving the marina on the river behind we pointed the bow northward and resumed our travels.  Planned to spend the night at a free dockage near a little fish camp north of Lake George.  However, several no-wake zones put Serenity and crew behind schedule.  No problem, such a nice calm day to be on the water.  Saw one little three foot alligator near western bank this afternoon.  Lots of turtles sunning on logs.

Lots of signage, no manatees spotted.  

Almost a week ago, we crossed Lake George with three foot waves; today, nearly pancake flat.  A completely different looking lake.  We have anchored for the night about 3/4 mile further NE than were we anchored on 6 March.  Close to shore.  We dropped the anchor at 1725 in 5.5 feet of water.   77 degrees SST.  Nice.  (map) 

Anchorage looking NE

Splashed the dinghy and rowed along the shore.  No signs of gators, but a dense hammock of pines, sable palms (state tree) and bald cypress.  Saw some squirrels.  Landed ashore, without my crocks, did not walk far as it looked snaky.

Buckwheat and KAOS

Nearing sunset, a little gator has decided to swim around Serenity.  Nice, I just finished swimming.

God made a perfect day

1484.1 Hobbs; 2471 SM elapsed