Palatka

4/16/15

It It was cloudy and windy, but it probably wouldn't rain and we knew it wouldn't be too rough on the river so we headed out. We're surprised to see so many crab traps on the river, many right in the channel.

We went to the Palatka City Dock. We took Hooper for a walk all through the town. There wasn't much to see. Palatka used to be called the "Gem City on the St. Johns". It was a winter playground for presidents and other influential people in the 1800's. With the "Great Freezes" of 1895 and the increased popularity of Jacksonville,  Palatka's golden era ended and only the lumber industry remained strong. Today, a state-of-the-art paper mill here produces a half-million tons of paper products each year.

I took a bike ride to the Ravine Gardens State Park. The park was pretty, but too big to see by bycycle. As usual I had to ride my bike up hill to get to the park. I miss riding on Long Island where everything is flat. Who knew Florida had such hills?

We left the city dock and went to the dock of Corky Bell's Seafood and Steak Restaurant at Gator Landing. It was Reggae Night with a live band. We got the Seafood Sampler which consisted of gator tail, frog's legs, crawfish, whole catfish and hush puppies. The food was great, but I won't order alligator or frog legs again.

A monument in Palatka 

Art work by the city dock

Bridge over a ravine at the park

A spring at the park

Signs all over the dock at the restaurant. Becareful Hooper!