Feb. 21, 2023 Corky Bells to 7 Sisters Anchorage

 Tues. Feb 21, 2023  Corky Bells to 7 Sisters Anchorage - 13 miles

After a scrumptious dinner at Corky Bells we watched 2 small gators waiting for someone - anyone - to disobey the signs that say "Do Not Feed The Gators".   Interesting location here as the land is known as Gator Landing (for obvious reasons) although the water is called the Devil's Elbow because it makes a significant 90-degree turn.   With full bellies we retired to the boat.  A nice breeze kept the bugs at bay but also generated waves slapping on the side of the hull.  Waves on the bow we never hear, but on the sides, they seem to resonate into the mid ship master berth.  They finally calmed down during the night allowing a few hours of fitful sleep.  

The dock at Corky Bells

No hurry in the morning as we were only going about an hour's ride south.  That provided time for a walk to Dunkin for a few fresh donuts.  Finally, unleashed the lines and headed out around 10.  At one point we thought about anchoring behind Murphy Island but just a bit further were some highly rated anchorages behind a series of 7 islands - hence the name - 7 Sisters.   

Passed this bad boy going north - looks like we'll have plenty of depth for our little boat

Since we had plenty of time we took the long slow idling route behind Murphy Island just to check the anchorages.  There are 3 marked on the charts that would all be fine to use on our return trip.   Coming back out onto the St. Johns we were greeted by the CSX railroad bridge that crosses over from Buffalo Bluff.  Bluff is a bit of a misnomer here.  The land IS a bit higher with houses built on a crest that is at best 10' higher than the water level.  Our travel guide calls out a 7' bridge clearance but states it's normally in the up position.  Not today.  We called the bridge tender and she advised there was a train coming and as soon as it passed she would open.   After 10-15 minutes an Amtrac passenger train went by and up it went. 

Checking some anchorages behind Murphy Island 

Amtrac train passing over the Buffalo Bluff  Bridge.
A tongue twister hailing them on the radio 3 times quick

A little further and we were tucked between a couple of the Sisters.  Still breezy but nothing uncomfortable and at least on the hook the bow pointed into the wind.  A relaxing afternoon followed by steaks on the grill for dinner and a colorful end to the day.

Colorful sunset from 7 Sisters anchorage

Wed. we stayed at anchor and decided to drop the dingy and do some exploring.  First stop was heading down river and turning up the Cross Florida Barge Canal.  This leads to the Buckman Lock that can put you in Rodman Reservoir.  It's as far as this canal goes on the east coast.  There's another small section of canal and a lock on the west coast just north of Tampa.  This canal project to join the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic was started on the west coast side back in the 30's then languished.   This portion was completed in the 60's. Then the entire project was scrapped in the early 70's due to environmental concerns and ultimately it's become the Cross Florida Greenway. The lock operates on a fixed schedule for transit into the reservoir, but Wed. is one of the down days for "maintenance".   No place to land the dingy, so back out the canal we went.  

Heading out on our dingy trip

The Buckman Lock on the Cross Florida Barge Canal

Cruised around Stokes Island to see Stokes Landing and the St. Johns Shipyard.  Our guidebook said it was out of business but we couldn't tell. Looked like something was going on there with a couple of touristy paddle-wheelers with a Portsmouth, VA hailing port.   More intriguing was a huge aluminum catamaran.  Floating but obviously incomplete.  Not sure if the yard or a buyer ran out of money before it got finished. It's final fate unknown.

Big unfinished catamaran  at the shipyard

Paddle-wheelers Elizabethtown Ferry VI and VII at the shipyard

Then up to Murphy Island looking for the dock at the state park. Running too close to shore we found ourselves stirring up mud on a shallow before thankfully getting back into the channel without the need to send anyone overboard to pull us off.  We found the dock, snapped a picture of the trail system on the island and set off for the back side of the island. Decided we had walked enough in the mid 80-degree heat of the day before reaching our destination and turning back.  Noticed a couple of orange trees growing wild amongst the live oaks and palms trees by the dock. Nice sized and ripe fruit attached but beyond our reach.  Managed to knock 2 of them off the tree to try at breakfast.

A Gopher Tortoise was the only wildlife we saw on Murphy Island

The dock at Murphy Island State Park

From there back under the RR bridge and a slow troll around the back sides of the islands that make up this anchorage.  Quite a pleasant location.  Couple of fishermen passing through but otherwise very peaceful.