After idling up to the free pump out dock, we set off down the St. John’s River toward Ortega Landing where we planned to spend the next week. It was a slow go as we traveled 4.5 knots against the current most of the way weaving in and out of the cargo ship traffic going about their daily business. As Jaguar Stadium came into sight, we definitely were getting that big city vibe as the sounds and smells of the metropolis surrounded us. After clearing the sixth bridge we were in the home stretch and were excited to see our friend Sam, who worked in the area, waving to us from the waterfront. Not long after we were pulling into our slip at the marina.
I tossed the lines ashore and, as soon as we were secured, I hopped on the dock to be greeted by Chris and Lisa from BackAtcha and our favorite canine friend, Winston. Duane didn’t hesitate to give his little buddy a great big Hello as Winston wagged his tail and licked him repeatedly. Since splitting up 6 months ago, the world was a different place and we had lots of travel stories and life experiences to exchange. Definitely over some docktails.
That evening we met Jim and Marilyn aboard Spinning Dreams and joined the group’s daily 5pm poolside Happy Hour. We definitely could get used to the relaxing pace of the day to day life of the boaters residing at the marina. Watching the sunset over the water while eating pizza, chatting with friends and enjoying the hot tub was a great welcome to Jacksonville.
Not only was there a pool and hot tub, but there was free laundry. This is always a perk after being out on the water for days and everything seems to be caked in salt. The next morning I practically threw Duane out of the bed so I could strip the sheets and ran up to the laundry room with two bags busting at the seams. While the clothes were spinning, I took a long hot shower in the spacious and luxurious accommodations. While the Captain busied himself checking all of Bella Donna’s vitals, I went for a walk around the area and greeted our friend, Sam, and his little boy, Sebastian, at the gate. Duane had ordered numerous packages unbeknownst to the First Mate that were shipped to Sam’s residence, and I started feeling claustrophobic as the boys unloaded 15 boxes into the salon. Of course my one purchase of instant pot accessories was deemed nonessential and was going to clutter the galley. Not sure how he even said this with a straight face as he ordered enough wire and LED bulbs to outfit the Queen Mary.
Once I was fairly content things were organized, along with the help of some wine, we gathered by the pool for dinner and enjoy the delicious burgers which Chris had so graciously cooked for us that evening. The next afternoon we borrowed the loaner bikes and ran some errands remembering to pick up steaks for that evening’s Friday Steak Night festivities. Our resident chef, Chris, grilled the steaks to perfection and everyone contributed a side dish. We were thoroughly stuffed after the decadent spread and, while enjoying after dinner drinks on BackAtcha, a ferocious thunderstorm blew in. Sprinting back to the boat we were weighed down by the many calories consumed that evening which did not help our plight to remain relatively dry as we arrived soaked to the bone.
The following day we were elated to be invited over to Sam and his wife, Alana’s, home for a Low Country Boil. Picking us up early in the afternoon we had time to stop by the Town Beer Company to sample some local craft brews. On the way to the house, we made one last stop at the German Biergarten and picked up some favorite brews to accompany the scrumptious meal which we were highly anticipating. The boys tended to the boil on the outside deck as I received a first class tour of the house from Alana and little Sebastian. Their home had such character still retaining the 1965 vibe down to the cork floors, wood paneling and vintage stereo console. The vibrant hues and retro interior expertly detailed in the blueprints left by the original owners who designed the home, made this extraordinarily beautiful home one of a kind.
Finally it was time for the boil and I watched as the shrimp, sausages, corn and potatoes spilled out on the newspaper covered table and the delectable smells wafted through the yard. Gathering around, we all had a prime spot to feast on the mound of deliciousness. This was definitely one meal worth waiting for. After a great evening, we retired for a night cap in the living room before we settled in for the evening with the family dog, Cooper, as our furry bunk mate.
We were back at the marina early the next morning just in time to jump on BackAtcha and take a ride up the river to gander at the Trump birthday boat parade motoring through the river. Politics aside, the sight of the camaraderie and American flags patriotically raised up high and fluttering in the wind was truly a heartwarming experience. Back at the marina, we gathered poolside for the rest of the day enjoying drinks and a pot luck dinner as the last of the beautiful day dropped below the horizon.
Our last three days in Jacksonville were spent sprucing up the boat in between floating in the pool, barbecues, S’mores by the fire pit and bike rides to town for burgers and fries. The last day the Captain tended to the alternator and to tweaking the air conditioning to help us survive the rising Southern temperatures. After the last load of laundry was folded and the boat smelled fresh as a daisy, I prepared to have our goodbye dinner with Lisa and Chris and little Winston (BackAtcha), Marilyn and Bob (Spinning Dreams), Maggie and Greg (Serenity Blue) and Terry and Ike (Paradise Falls). After a great evening we went down to the fire pit one last time and decided, with some scepticism on my part, to released our last Chinese lantern. Miraculously, the lantern took flight and ascended high up toward the heavens and out of sight. The ear to ear grin I caught on Duane’s face said it all as I was in total shock… more surprises and adventures were surely on the horizon.
The next day we made our rounds to say farewell for now to our friends. Giving Winston one last hug, we hopped on the boat, fired up the engines, untied our lines and idled away from the dock. Waving to everyone, we were grateful for the memories. As we traveled along the St. John River, Sam was standing on the waterfront to wish us well just as he had greeted us a week ago. A week that was gone all too soon. We were all smiles and reminiscing over the highlights of our visit when the Captain suggested he go below to grab lunch and left me at the helm. I was taking in the sights and maneuvering around the barges when the wind kicked up and a strong gust blew through the fly bridge and, just like that, the center panel of the enclosure was overboard. I frantically yelled over the handheld for Duane to come up top, but by the time he arrived, the panel was out of sight. The rest of the ride to the free dock, where we planned to spend the night, was definitely not as jovial as when the trip had started that morning. Tied up for the evening, I excitedly filled the Captain in on our plans for when we arrived in Fernandina Beach the next morning and he seemed to forget about the loss of the panel he had painstakingly worked on for the time being.
Time to go…
