Faux-Skeeters and Other Wildlife

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Wednesday night we noticed it getting pretty buggy, so we closed the screens on the back deck, then the doors to the deck. By the time we went to bed the screens and the windows were covered with bugs, what I call faux-skeeters, but around here they call blind mosquitoes. Thursday morning, they were everywhere. We swept some off the front windows and tapped them off the screens, but they swarmed back. Kerry even went out with the broom while we were crossing Lake George and swept the windows and decks, but they were pretty persistent. Finally, around mid-afternoon, they started flying off, leaving behind what we guess is green bug poop.

The river retained its beauty, with an abundance of ospreys and their nests, as well as more alligators. We passed small towns that were more like fishing camps and a few marinas. We saw big houses and shack-like dwellings. We stopped for the night at Hontoon Island State Park, a lovely little park that picks up most of its visitors by ferry from the parking lot across the river. They have a nice dock, nice bathrooms, and friendly staff. They also have a few resident alligators. We do love Florida’s state parks.

This morning we continued south upriver, slowing often for manatee zones. We never saw a manatee, just gators, osprey, herons and eagles. We entered Monroe Lake under the I-4 bridge and headed for the marina at Sanford. Once we got tied up, registered, and bugs and their mess hosed off, we walked the 2 blocks to downtown Sanford. It’s a pretty town, the main street is bricked and the old buildings are spiffed up and are home to antique stores, art galleries and restaurants. This is the end of the St. Johns River, at least for us. Tomorrow we head back north.

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