Goodbye, Florida!

Don and I returned to Jacksonville after our visit to Iowa, which was very enjoyable - springtime arrived that week - lots of blooms everywhere - trees, bushes and flowers!  We enjoyed spending time with family and friends!  Our flight to IA was delayed by 1 day, so we went to the Jacksonville Zoo (just across the river from our marina) since we were packed and no place to go.  Then we went to the zoo in Des Moines also when we were there - it was fun to enjoy it with our kids!

While in Iowa we met with our accountant.  Good news!!  We can be "boat bums' for awhile longer!  Speaking of boat bums, we met a few at Seafarers Marina.  All interesting people with stories to tell.  Wayne, the guy who gave us a ride to the airport, gave me a Florida Gators cap as we where leaving.  He lost his mother, his job and his house in the past two years.  He now lives on an older sail boat.   And Greg, a 20 year member of AA looking towards open heart surgery in a few weeks.  He really was trying to accept life as it comes, no complaints, all in God's plan.  Then there was the real estate developer and his family (wife and 3 boys) from the Midwest who was over extended and lost it all in the economic down turn.  Out of the financial ruins he was able to hang on to was his older boat.  Instead of a 7000 sq ft home they now all live in a space that is smaller than the master bedroom in their former house.  He says it's a blessing.  He now has time for his kids and wife, sleeps at night and doesn't throw up blood every morning from ulcers.

The zoo in Jacksonville was busy as the local schools where on spring break.  It was as interesting to watch the kids watch the animals as it was to watch the animals.

Today is our last day in Florida.  After having our boat in Florida water for 4 months, we are leaving tomorrow.  We are currently in Fernadina Beach on Amelia Island - we can see Georgia across the waterway.  This is a touristy town and the beach on the Atlantic is outstanding - went for a walk there this morning - lots of people and kids (still some on Spring Break).  The tide was low, but coming in, so lots of beach area, gentle waves rolling in.  It was good to walk in the water and sand.  The temperature hit 90 today, so I guess it is time to head north!

 This is the life!!  Should have done this years ago. 

Fernadina is an interesting old town - it is on Amelia Island - very touristy, lots of Victorian homes, boats, trains and even container ships.

The picture below is of the Dames Point Suspension Bridge, one of the longest spans of its kind in the USA.  We passed under it coming to and leaving Jacksonville waters.

 Below is a picture we took at Seafarers Marina.  Seafarers was an experience we will not soon forget.

This is a man-o-war, we think.  Good thing the tide was coming in to rescue him.

"While traveling in a boat on the waterways, the world is your home, and it's good to wake up each day to adventure on the water."  Till next week...