Log Book: December 13th-14th

Conditions: NE wind
Location: Jacksonville

We left Fernandina Beach this morning, leaving the paper mill behind. The sail to Jacksonville was tense. We spent the day on and off the phone with Mom, trying to figure out exactly when we would be able to see her. At least we actually sailed today, making the trip much faster and infinitely more relaxing. When we pulled into the Jacksonville City Free Dock we were stunned to see that the city was clearly no where near by. As we didn't have a back up plan we were forced to stay. Our navigational charts could have directed us into the heart of Jacksonville, but our waterway guide, which directs us to all the anchorages, marinas, and docks along the ICW, does not extend as inland as Jacksonville. Thinking that we might not be able to meet up with Mom I started to mope and went for a run to blow off some steam. By the time I got back Mom had landed. We worked together on the logistics and made it happen. An hour later we were in the car on the way to dinner at fabulous Thai restaurant on the outskirts of Jacksonville. My mother's welcome work party told us all about the sites to see in Jacksonville and the best beaches to go to. By the time we got to the hotel I was exhausted. Mom and I snuggled up in our suite. I was so tired I didn't even watch tv or even more shockingly check out the pool. Dad and I plan to stay in Jacksonville until Mom has to leave on Tuesday for Saint Augustine, on Wednesday she flies home.

Today Mom, Dad, and I drove out to Huguenot Beach. The sand here was so hard and flat that many cars were driving up and down the beach. Dad suggested that we drive the beach too, that soon you won't be allowed to drive on beaches at all. I asked him why you would want to drive the beach when you can walk it. Mom and I spent most of our time looking for shells, our favorite pastime. I found a few sand dollars but I was really looking for shark teeth, which the welcome center employee told us we could easily find. We had no luck. After the beach we went to check out a popular fish camp called Clark's. I had never heard of a fish camp before but apparently they are usually small waterside bait shops that sell the catch of the day and sometimes they will cook it for you. We were told that Clark's Fish Camp was more of restaurant than a real bait shop, and more rustic and decorative as well. We had no idea what we were in for. Inside the restaurant the bar stools were roughly cut from logs and the bar looked as if the owner had sliced a tree longways and installed it in the restaurant. There was a large tank with turtles, fish, and a live alligator inside it. Compared to the rest of the decorations these oddities were normal. The more shocking decorations were mounted on every spare bit of wall, hanging from the ceiling, and glaring from the rafters; lions, and tigers, and bears oh my! Clark's was the largest, private taxidermy display in Florida. The restaurant held a game hunter's version of stuffed animals. There were gazelles, tigers, rhinos, giraffes, and so much more. It was very intimidating. The menu was even more intimidating with a selection from crab to alligator, quail, frog, escargot and loads more. We saw the house steak pass by our table before we ordered. It looked as if it had come from a dinosaur. Mom called it a "Fred Flintstone steak." We were quite happy to leave all the watchful eyes behind, giggling at how strange Florida could be. Back at the hotel we tried to stroll around to get a feel for Jacksonville, but the city seemed to be empty. There was no one in the street and all of the restaurants were closed. It seemed that the heart of the city really dwelled in the boroughs in the outskirts. Dad and I plan to stock up tomorrow and check out the next day. Mom is traveling to Saint Augustine on Tuesday and perhaps we can catch her there though we haven't gotten our hopes up.

Spotted: Christmas octopus?