Palatka to Sarasota

04 November 2025 – Monday

Day 4 of 4 as we drive to Sarasota, Florida for a Pleasure-Way Owners Rally. We check out a few more sights in Palatka before driving down to the Sun Outdoors Resort in Sarasota.

0855  69,573  73°F  Leave Azalea City Brewing Company

0900  69,574  76°F  Ravine Gardens State Park
Still in Palatka, we stopped at Ravine Gardens. 
Admission is $5 per vehicle

Eighteen different types of azaleas are planted in the gardens. Peak season is January through March, so not much was blooming during our walk.

Building of the park was funded by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration back in the 1930's.

Despite the lack of blooms, the setting is green and peaceful. My favorite spot was under this hanging bridge.

Shady and damp slopes are perfect for colorful mushrooms. 

Two ravines drop about 120 feet below the surrounding landscape.  The shade is perfect for supporting an abundance of ferns.

Banks were carved by natural springs to a sharp angle. 

Yours truly posed with what appeared to be a moss monster.

We walked about two miles on trails through the park. If you want to go further, there is a 19 mile hiking and biking trail from Palatka to Saint Augustine.

1031  69576  79°F  Palatka, FL

Our last stop before leaving Palatka was Riverfront Park where we were greeted by a giant metal Grouper Sculpture.

Also in the park is this memorial to WWII U.S. Submariners. 

The memorial is built around an MK-14 Torpedo.

The Mk-14 was the US Navy's standard submarine launched torpedo during World War II. The link above leads to an article about the history and challenges with that torpedo design.

According to the signage here, a methanol fueled, steam turbine could propel the torpedo to 46 knots.

Here's a close-up of the propellors and steering fins.  

Our hats are off to the brave submariners that have served, and are serving, in the Navy.

Connected to the ocean by the St. John's River this area usually offers calm anchorages and good dockage options for boaters from around the world.

Even in the river, boats can get loose. Beth waved down a passing powerboat to report this sailboat. Their anchor was dragging and the boat was getting dangerously close to this rock seawall.  We should have brought our handheld marine radio along.

Three hurricanes moved through Florida in 2024. Milton was the most recent and it pulled out the pilings securing this floating dock. 

1104  Leave Palatka, Florida

As interesting as the town was, it was time to head south.

1142  Salt Springs, Florida

This Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forrest was closed for day use, so we ate lunch in a nearby shopping center parking lot. We hope to check out their campground and marina on a future trip.

1540  69,777  81°F  Sarasota, Florida  elevation 17'

Sun Outdoors Sarasota

We are joining with over one hundred other Pleasure-Way owners to visit with friends and see what we can learn over the next four days. 

Thanks for following along on our trip south.

Today's Route

204 Miles from

Palatka to Sarasota Florida