JUNE

[Micanopy]

June is going to be a hot month for sure. Lots of rain, too.

Started off kind of rough for us, but we plan to try to do something fun each weekend. The two of us are not used to having weekends off, let alone weekends that we were off together.

Saturday we spent the day cleaning the house and getting things ready for her parents. They plan to stay with us a few days as they close on the house they are buying near by. I re-arranged the pantry, re-arranged several kitchen cabinets, cleaned the fridge and then the garage, and finally my man cave. Not really sure what she cleaned. Anyways got it all done so we could spend Sunday on the boat.

We left the house around 800 am, which is really early for her. We drove to a park called Salt Springs. This is a natural spring that sends water into Lake George, which is really just a wide spot in the St Johns River. Huge blue crabs live down inside the rocks that line the areas where water is geysering up from. Some of the holes look to be about 20 feet deep or so. Large freshwater mullet swim in schools all around and are quite used to kids chasing them. Kids like me, too.

Well just out from the park area is a nice boat ramp, and for ten bucks we got to use it. The water there was about five feet deep and clear like in the springs. We saw turtles and logs and all manner of things on the bottom. It was too early for her to swim in the cold water (75 degrees), so we motored out at idle speed towards Lake George. Every so often the water got skinny and so I had to trim the engine in several spots. After a few hundred yards the water ceased being crystal clear and became cloudy.

We saw bald eagles and an osprey nest perched atop a tree so rotted and thin that it looked as if he landed it would snap in half. Idle speed for most of this trip per signs. I guess people in the past have screamed through there and they have had crashes, as there was no shoreline structure to be concerned with. Not sure manatees come up in there, but why sections with idle and some unlimited ?

We made it out into Lake George and it looked to be about six or seven miles across. To our left the St Johns poured in, and we headed to our right, which was South. Motored along at about 20 mph because she hates going fast. We headed to another spring that runs into the lake, Silver Glen Springs. I knew it was going to be popular as there were lots of boats also headed up that way. When we arrived the place was packed and getting fuller by the minute. We tied up to a palm tree that had fallen in and was laying horizontal and dead. I felt uncomfortable motoring in any further as the scene was an absolute zoo.

We saw a kid riding on a boat where he rode a bicycle to drive a paddle wheel of some sort. Big sign that said- RENT ME. So I asked- Hey kid…how much to rent you ? He yelled back $20.

We saw off shore boats, small jon boats, lots of pontoon boats, really a collection of boats of all kinds and lots of wave runners. Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, just everything was swimming past our spot. I swam some and she spent about two hours swimming round. I had brought sandwiches and some cut watermelon chunks lightly salted. I forgot to bring my mask and snorkle.

I spied some sort of large fish as he flashed his shiny sides in the water. Saw turtles everywhere and of course mullet. Mostly it looked to be alligator free. I couldn’t imagine any decent alligator tolerating the activity that was literally everywhere. There was a large pontoon selling hot dogs and junk cruising around, too. It looked like if we continued down towards the upwelling that it was going to get hairy trying to maneuver around all the freaks. I mean it was a zoo.

Then we left after a while and headed across Lake George and sight seed a little up the river. A pleasant day. She asked on the drive home if I liked it and I said yes. She said great lets go again.







I have come to the conclusion that my idea of using cast iron for a griddle is not as effective as a griddle itself. Yes, I was shocked, too. Too small an area. So I have begun researching and have pretty much settled on the Pit Boss Sierra. It is a special deal offered for sale only by Walmart at $397, free shipping. It has a non stick ceramic coating on the griddle surface. This serves to reduce the amount of oil needed, as well as lowering the smoke level. But the main thing is that it cleans up afterwards so much easier than the cold rolled steel tops. Doesn’t rust. They have a two year warranty and according to what I have read and watched, it doesn’t scratch. They want me to use silicone flippers and scrapers and such, but some say steel does fine as long as you don’t gouge at it.

I feel that this will be a handy addition to my back porch where I can keep it under roof. Roll it out and cook, roll it back to store. I want to research foods that can be cooked on a griddle top some more as well. I like fajitas. Fish and steaks. I figure it would serve the role of a grill, but do an even better job. The grill comes with a hinged lid that serves as a steamer and keeps the griddle top covered. Grease drippings hole in the front with a large box to collect.

I used to trust YouTube reviews but then manufacturers starting gifting things and that ruined their motives. I mean they say they are being honest, but so does the used car salesman at the small lot down the street. Honesty is up for interpretation more and more these days.

I will think about it some more, but am pretty sure that I want a griddle for cooking this Summer. Not too many years ago, house round here had outside kitchens to keep from heating the inside up any more than it already was.