April 6 - Jacksonville, FL

Ortega Yacht Club Marina

"I've got nothing to do today but smile."―Paul Simon

I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever begin our adventure this year...we've had a few little showers and the wind picked up a little this evening, but nothing like the weather reports had predicted. I guess we should have started up the river yesterday, but Stan wants to get a few parts for the outboard on our dinghy...so now we'll wait until at least Tuesday. I think we're getting too used to staying in one place. It's pretty nice living on our boat and having our car in the parking lot.

Jacksonville is a very pretty place…at least the area around Ortega and what is considered the Old City. Old homes built in the early 1900’s in the “Prairie Style” of architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. I guess I like this look, because it reminds me of the houses around my grandparent’s homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. There are lots of parks and beautiful old oak and magnolia trees…covered in Spanish moss and wisteria. The area across the Ortega River from the marina is known as the Old Ortega Historic District, which was developed by lumber barons and wealthy businessmen of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It is still considered one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Jacksonville, filled with wealthy businessmen and old families. We spent the afternoon wandering around the Avenue Mall and then exploring the old sections of Jacksonville.

One of the smaller homes along the main street. The houses along the river were huge.

One of the many trees covered in moss and wisteria

Stockton Park along the St. John's River