Part Three - Sunday November 7, 2004
We’re at the ramp for a 9:30 am splash; the temperature is a chilly 74 degrees, but we have to do this. We’ve put this off from Cliff for two trips before and now we’re ready. I’m in the water warming the Puppy up and I noticed the shaft seems to be ˝“ back from where it should be. Out of the water for a quick bang on the shaft and we’ll be ready to go. I’ll tell you, after seeing some of the photos coming to me for publishing, my Olympus D340-l digital is up for sale to the first $75 bucks along with my JVC 600 digital camcorder for another $250. I have my eye on the next toy to publish mpeg and photos to the web, but I have to clean the toy box first.
Back in the water and sure, I’m the last off
the
dock, but only Billy and I know where the lock is. Last time there we were there
we were on jet skis and while waiting for the water to drop an alligator about
20’ (well maybe 5’) surfaced next to Betty’s Jet Ski. Claire, Billy & I were on
the opposite wall in the lock. The Fat man was on his way up the ropes if
needed. We haven’t been in there with Jet Ski’s since!!! Some of the largest
alligators we’ve seen since living in Florida have been in Lake Griffin, right
where the skiffs were going.
Tom Donnelly joined us with his woody “Retrospect” a 1958
Century Coronado with his sister Jeannie. Once a skiffer, always a skiffer, Tom
raced 4 skiffs in his days. Look Tom up under “UFO” in boats by name.
The object of the game going down Haines Creek to the lock
is doing it at speed! The creek is twisty and narrow in spots where taking
pictures is difficult while hanging on. The problem is Tommy was in front of me
and had a log jam behind him! LLLEEETTTSSS GGOOOOOO !!!! When we traveled about
2 miles to the lock, we vowed Tommy either put the petal to the wood or move.
(Not much room or opportunity to pass in the canal). I also should mention the
occasional fisherman standing in his boat in the speed zones as you round a
corner, oh well. I wonder what thoughts are going thru his head as he hears
this roar then around the corner comes 13 skiffs
chasing
a woodie? Well that’s what it was - Tommy was first out of the lock, and yes we
chased him, slowing once or twice to give him a head start. Once I thought I
lost him, but slowly reeled him back. This went on for approximately 3 miles
past the lock. The whole trip is 7 miles each way with the very few slow zones,
and that’s what makes it fun. Once in Lake Griffin (a desolate lake) we did some
hot laps, led Tommy a little north towards Jacksonville, than we turned, like
big brothers running away from our siblings and ran back to the creek before Tom
realized what we were up to. We ran thru the creek because we knew there were no
fisherman on this side and what a ball. Some trees were still down from the
hurricanes and we navigated thru and tight spots where the Puppy just shook her
butt as a quick left / right dictated. I get to the lock along with the other
skiffs and yes, we wait for Tommy in the 5 knot headwater. Yep, again he had the
last laugh. Thru the lock, out the other side of the canal and into the open
waters of Lake Eustis.
I didn’t know how to control my p factor so up to 6000 rpm and yes, that
reminder sitting next to me let me know.
Around the lake the skiffs went all in a row again like we were on a mission all at a comfortable 50 mph. Claire wanted to show the girls the progress on our waterfront home, so off we went. After the girls were happy and the boys know where we live, it was back out around the perimeter of the lake to “The Crazy Gator” our next waterhole for lunch. We did our typical two loops then some had to clear their engines, so another mini show was given to the patrons at the Gator and people out strolling along the waterfront.
After lunch it was getting to be around 3PM and we wanted to get our fellow skiffers on their way home. We lined up in a row and made the 5 mile trip along the shoreline and left our footprint in the water as we passed home after home and boater after boater each waving as we passed. It was another perfect day of skiffing.
More pictures below.
The End
