Backstory: The Fort Gates Ferry

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - After posting my previous blog on our weekend trip to the Ocala National Forest, I did a Google search on the Fort Gates Ferry. It has quite an interesting background and the following information was gleaned from some of the entries including an April 18, 2006, article by Gary White of the (Lakeland) Ledger.
As noted in my blog there are bridges across the St. Johns both north and south of the ferry. It's about 50 miles to the other side if you head north and about 70 using the southern crossing. It wasn't mentioned, but the ferry captain showed us eagles nesting in some trees in the distance.
The ferry, in service since 1856, takes its name from a Federal Army installation which was located nearby. In addition to the heat, humidity, sand, snakes, ants, mosquitos, poor food and domineering officers, the conscripts at the fort were to lend a hand in the Third Seminole War and needed a way to get across the river. There were no engines to help these guys.
Other highlights include the Confederate Army utilizing the ferry during the Civil War and, during the 1998 wildfires, the State took over the ferry to get fire fighters across the river.
For the mechanical-minded the present day ferry (according the Ledger article) contains some/most of a 1946 barge and parts from a 1918 Sharpie sailboat. It weights one-ton and is diesel powered. The combination makes an ugly looking ferry-tugboat combo which is perfectly suited to the job.

Out There

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST (Fruitland, FL) - - We rode a huge, modern ferry boat while traveling on the Inside Passage in Alaska. We down-sized just a bit on this weekend's trip by taking the Fort Gates Ferry across the St. John River.
You roll up to the fish camp / ferry crossing and wait for the captain. If the boat is on the other side, you flash your headlights. It costs $10 per car to cross. The ferry can hold 2 vehicles...if they are the right size. The trip took less than 10 minutes.
This river crossing by ferry has been used for over 100 years. The only bridges in the area are a good distance to the north or south.
You roll off on the other side (above) and head out through the forest on a relatively hard-packed sandy/clay road (below) which is really only one lane. The soft sand on either side of the center of the road is a very visible warning that you don't want to move too much to the left or right...and you definitely don't want to meet another car coming the other way.
We met a forest ranger and a couple of other individuals as we got off the ferry. I asked, "How's the road?" He said, "You do realize you're out in the middle of nowhere, don't you?" We did. Eight miles later - - and no other cars - - we hit the main road and continued on to Salt Springs.

Almost nap time

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - The problem with having photogenic cats is that....you always figure you need one more pic. In this case, the princess needs no invitation when Lydia stretches out on the couch and puts a fleece blanket over her legs. The Princess is drawn, like a magnet, to stretch out and find a confortible position (for herself, of course). Note the whiskers caught on the fleece.

Hangout

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - This fine looking male cat is the leader of the Neighborhood Watch Group. He strolls around where he wants and rests where he wants - - including the roof of the Honda and sunny patches on the street. We aren't sure which nearby family claims him because he seems to give equal time/effort to each house.

From the archives

DILLON, MT - - This shot was taken on May 18, 2005 on the way to Montana's Glacier National Park. What we have here is a Used COW Lot and a transport vehicle. The town(?) was small so that on a good day for the UCL there were probably more livestock than people in this place.

The Queen Rules

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Despite the regal pose, the Queen would rip your heart out in a second - - if she had claws. Unfortunately, she has teeth which are put to use if she is displeased. The trick is in knowing when you've pushed the (always changing) limits of the Queen's patience.

New Year's Day photos

MERRITT ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - - We did our New Year's Day ritual by heading to Merritt Island. Actually, this was our third trip since we got back from Alaska. On the plus side the birds were out in large groups; on the minus side the weather was overcast and the light was mainly flat. Still, we managed some good pics. (Check Lydia's blog for more).

Above we have a collection of egrets who took off when spooked at a feed zone. The middle pic is an Ibis/Egret question of who has the best reflection. The Roseate Spoonbills in the bottom pic are getting ready for tonight's cold weather.