Jacksonville, Florida

I mentioned yesterday about seeing the whale - it was just a crazy feeling seeing it.  When we got closer to our docking spot for the night, the U.S. Coast Guard made an announcement to the effect that you violate federal law if you come within 500 yards of a whale.  That a mother whale and her calf was spotted and they just wanted to remind everyone to stay away from them.  The penalty if you get within 500 yards is a stiff fine (they said).  So I'm thinking, we were just driving along, minding our own business and a whale came up next to us...whose word is it?  Ours or the whale?  Could we get in trouble?  Who measures 500 yards while in a moving boat?  Either way, I elect to stay away from them.

The city of Jacksonville is trying to get more cruisers (that's us) to stop and enjoy their city.  They have some city designated boat docks where you can park for free for 72 hours, if you want to.  We found a spot one of the city marinas and enjoyed staying there last night.  We got off the boat to walk around and maybe go shopping or out to eat.  We got to the end of the park's road and if we went right, it was only a mile to a local bait shop.  Don't think so.  If we went left, it was only 2 miles to a Kangaroo gas station.  Again, I don't think so.  I think it is a great idea to get cruisers to spend time in their city, but, all we were able to do was walk around a park.  It was nice, but a hamburger cooked by someone other than me, would have been nicer.