Jacksonville
June 2011
It’s our Spring Break! A bit late, since we weren’t able to make
schedule connections earlier. But it’s
technically still Spring. We’re off to
visit friend Caroline – we met on our Provence river cruise two years ago –
using frequent-credit-card miles for free United flights. Tight connections on our flights (due to
several changes in flight times), so we pack light with just carry-on; Caroline
promised needed supplies at her end.
Looking forward to meeting her new Goldendoodle puppy, we’re advised to
keep things out of her reach. We’re
leaving our own babies behind: newly hatched finches atop a wreath on the front
door (they’ve flown the nest by our return).
We arrange a rental car so Caroline won’t feel chained to us the whole
time as our guide. But some trouble
finding directions from JAX airport via MapQuest or GPS; does she live in some
kind of “Area 51” secret government location?
Some record-pushing heat here just before we leave, will it be cooler in
Jacksonville?
Thursday,
June 9:
A steamy day in Albany after
thunderstorms last night. 10am departure
(pretty civilized for us) to Dulles, on-time and flight #2 delayed a bit so no
trouble making the connection. About on
time into JAX at 2:15. Budget car is a
deep red Hyundai Sonata, roomier than the expected compact and comfy for the
400 miles of driving we do. My first
photos: documenting some scratches and scrapes on the car. A lovely PM in J’ville, aka “Where Florida
Begins” and “First Coast.”
An hour drive
south to Caroline’s, past the city and nuclear plant cooling towers (also seen
as the plane came in), over a pretty bridge, views of such Floridiana as palm
trees and waterways. Some confusion with
directions cleared up via cellphone, Caroline (and Dolly) meet us by the gate
to her community: Riverwood (within the larger area of Nocatee); and she had
alerted gate personnel that we were “OK” visitors.
