March 5, 2023 Butchers Bend to River Forest Loop

 Sunday March 5, 2023 Butchers Bend to River Forest Loop - 16 miles

We've primarily tried to stay anchored and out of the way on the weekends, so a bit surprised at the sheer numbers of boaters out on this Sunday. It started with the sound of bass boats flying down the river at first light waking us up - obviously in some sort of tournament.  Water was still calm at anchor - no breezes of note expected the next few days.   We tinker about and finally raise the anchor at 10.  Couple of things today.  We'll pass through those slow manatee zones again - especially around Blue Springs and Hontoon Island State Park.   We've made arrangements for a pumpout and to take on water at Holly Bluff Marina.  We need to time it well to get through Whitehair Bridge during one of their hourly openings.  

Wildlife along the waterfront

We make it to the Blue Springs area and it is a zoo.  Boats pulled up on the banks. Kayakers blocking the channel.  We decide to keep moving.  Been checking their live web camera and no manatees to be seen there.  Around the bend and past Hontoon Island State Park and then a stop for our pumpout.   Good dock, deep water, fast pumpout, friendly staff.  

Sunday flotilla out in force

Timing is still spot on for the 1 PM bridge opening as we leave.  We arrive just a few minutes before 1:00.  Call the bridge tender and she says  "Coast guard has changed opening schedule and next opening is not until 2PM"   I ask what has changed since I came through last week and was told it would open on the hour.   She calls us back several minutes later and says -"Sorry, my bad, we'll be opening at 1".  So up it went and through we started.  Couple of smaller boats jumped ahead of us. Not an issue except the pontoon ahead of us was going so slow we were running him down right under the bridge while I was idling and taking tranny in and out of gear. Captain was completely oblivious to us until I finally had to give him a toot on the horn. Note to self - be wary of any boater wearing a captains hat!    

Running down the pontoon boater.

Made it to our anchorage and spent the afternoon doing an oil and filter change on the generator.  With all our anchoring out we've been needing to run the generator for a few hours in the morning and evening to charge up the batteries. Not too bad as it's while we're cooking breakfast and dinner. Surprised at how quickly the hours add up.  First one I've done on this generator.  Not too bad. 

Journey for March 5, 2023