St.Johns River Ruckus 2022

Different kind of fun here, moving from a big house to one half the size. 10# Chop meat in a 5# bag, as the old butcher said.

We missed seeing everyone. Next year.

Let's just say cell service ain't that great at Parramores. I did take a few pics with my camera but mainly of the trip down the river on Friday. Once we could fan out and get some pics the water in the lakes was too rough so we just single filed our way to the locks and Dora Canal.  I didn't get home yesterday till about 7pm. Put 1000 miles on the tow vehicle in 4 days. Uncle Todd has many more than that as he drug the Barracuda SS down from NY. Looks, sounds and rides as sweet as you'd think. He got to the "entrance gate" to Lake George on Sat and said  that!  Headed south up river.

Well....another successful Ruckus is in the books. A great time was had by all despite the abnormal low temps and very high winds. As always....any gathering doesn't go off without an incident or two but in this case it was several. I locked my keys and cellphone in the tow vehicle Fri morning just after I launched. Quinner backed the 28' Carey that Reid brought a little too deep at the launch and the trailer went off the edge of the ramp getting stuck. A couple of guys went swimming early and was able to lift the aluminum trailer high enough to get one of the axles on solid ground so we dodged a bullet there. Throttle cable snapped on another boat able 3/4 of the way there but Farmer jumped right in and  fixed the situation jolly on the spot cause the same thing happened to him the year before. Got to Taverres for lunch and Jbear tried unsuccessfully to punt the curb with his big toe and lost as the curb peeled the top layer of skin off like a banana.  No issues on the way back other than the high winds made the journey across two lakes a bouncy wet ride. Called AAA for assistance and they were they shortly after everyone was back on the trailer and I was back in business. So those who are my FB friends that's why you didn't see any pics along the way.

 Saturdays trip to the Silver Glen was short lived as the 29mph gusts in the afternoon drove us outta there as it just wasn't any fun.. Jbear had some engine issues and needed a tow back to Parramores before he came out with Reid.  The trip back across Lake George at 1:30pm was the worst I've ever seen in the 12 years we've been doing the Ruckus.  Even going right behind the 28' Carey plowing the way I still got soaked and took several waves up the bow at 20mph.  Once we all made it back safely we had mechanics class to see what was up with the motor. Found water in the cylinders, a cracked plug but no milkshake in the oil. Impeller was bladeless and after removing it, turning it over several times with all plugs removed.... drying off the plugs and reinstalling....she fired up eventually.  Best we can figure a sudden stop from cruise in the ricer with straight pipes and no flaps allowed water intrusion up the exhaust manifolds. Eddie will be busy and I did get a picture of Jbear wrenching on the motor with tools so there was that milestone this pastweekend. Dinner Sat night was great as always with tons of food, laughs and stories abound of the weekends adventure.

Big thanks to Mike "The Grillmaster " Farmer for his help in making this weekend a success and to all those who contributed food for Saturday night.  Thanks all who made the trip down to Fla for a great time on the water despite the mishaps and the weather. Always a blast and great time with the usual CCFans who attend the Ruckus and some who've not made an appearance in a few years. It's all y'all who make this event an annual thing and as always...... We'll do it again for 2023!!!

 Looking like it's gonna be a wet Thursday and windy all weekend. Lake George isn't gonna a sheet of glass but instead a bit choppy. Better make sure you bring a a waterproof wind breaker. 70's wind and St.Johns river spray can make for a chilly day. Still early so lets hope the weather changes in our favor a little bit.

 

 Still need to add to the list of who's bring what for Sat night.... This ruckus is almost here sochime in what you're bringing to share. 

Mike Farmer checked in with me yesterday, and I thought I would advise our sorrow that we will NOT be in attendance this year. Other than COVID, this is the first year in 12 that the Smith Family will miss.

Six kids off to college and careers, we have sold the big house and are moving into a Country Club rental that we own. Between Tenant departure and close date, we have a 10 day window to pack, paint, clean and move. "Downsizing" as they say. 3000 sft to 1400!  

All this encompasses the River Ruckus dates. We certainly will miss seeing everyone.

Enjoy it and stay safe! Oh, and praying for perfect weather too!

 Also Parramores DOES NOT provide bath towels so you will need to bring those if you're planning on taking a shower. They do have coffee pots in the cabins so bring filters and your favorite ground coffee for the mornings cup of Java. 

 REMINDER to ALL CAPTAINS..... bring an anchor to help secure the flotilla on raft up days and boat fenders for the same reason. Fridays lunch in Tavarres may or may not have docking facilities available to us so we may be beaching boats in the soft Florida mud. New Docks are in at Wooten Park on Lake Dora and I'd like to do lunch at the Kalua Beach Bar. Saturdays traditional Silver Glen Raft up needs to start early if we want to be able to wade to each others boats instead of swimming like last year if that is the plan.

 

 Still need to add to the list of who's bring what for Sat night.... We're getting closer to this event so chime in what you're bringing to share. 

Art