Palatka????

Why do I end my winter trip in Palatka, Florida?  I have been asked that several times.  Maybe it is the salty oysters on the half-shell at Velchoff's?  Or because it is on the beautiful St. Johns River?  I do like the oysters and the river, but the simple fact is that Palataka, about 30 miles southwest of St. Augustine, has three things I need: a marina to dock SPARTINA, a hotel where I can get cleaned up and get a good night's rest and, most importantly, an Amtrak station.

The train station is just a few blocks from the waterfront.  For $54 I can catch the Silver Meteor (scheduled for 2:30 pm but I don't think I have ever seen it arrive on time) and be back in Charleston by 10:000 pm.  Another good night's sleep and then the five hour drive from Charleston to Palatka to pick up SPARTINA.  It works out very well.

The marina situation in Palatka is a bit fluid.  There is the Boathouse Marina where I tied up on my first successful winter trip.  The next year, the marina was full and a gentleman named Bobby was kind enough to let me tie up at his dock.  And then last year a municipal marina was open, but not really in service.  I was told I could tie up there, which I did, but it was kind of at my own risk.  The docks were fine and they are right at the boat ramp, so it was ideal.

I do need to check on the marinas before heading south early February.