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Jacksonville, FL has got it together!  They realized that the St Johns River was a tremendous asset and have certainly optimized its potential. 



Beginning with Jacksonville Landing, which is a combination shopping mall, great restaurant locale and free docking for boats on the river plus an inexpensive water taxi, Jacksonville has created a vibrant, happening downtown area that is "the place to be".



Free concerts almost every night draw crowds and give off a great vibration.



To make travel around downtown easier, Jacksonville has been operating an elevated monorail system for over eleven years.  The trains consist of two computer controlled cars running on tracks about three stories above the street.  Video cameras help operators in a central control room keep trains running smoothly and safely.  Cost is just 35 cents for a one way fare.  This photo was taken from the monorail to show the intricate tracks and roads.  One of the two car trains is shown at left.




An outstanding view of Jacksonville greets anyone with the fare for a ride on the Skyway.


To ice the cake, free trolleys operate on about a six-minute schedule throughout downtown and out to a remote free parking lot that is also close to the new football stadium.  One can drive near downtown, hop on the free trolley, conduct business, shop or dine, then ride back to the car, all at no cost!
In addition, all downtown meters are free from 6 pm Friday till Monday morning.  Talk about a friendly, easy to visit town!





And, if you think Columbus was kewl last summer with the artistic ears of corn, you just have not seen the many Manatees around Jacksonville.  Here are a couple of them.


We departed Jacksonville at 0700 Sunday 7 November to take advantage of the ebbing tide.  Our speed over the ground was nothing but spectacular.  We were making more than 9 miles per hour, which was incredible for Glisse.  The three or four mph current really helped us along. 
This beautiful old schooner passed us going more than ten mph.



Here's a refresher view of the container cranes, all in upright position with a 35 foot sailbaot for scale.



And one last St Johns River photo...This cruise ship appeared to be undergoiong a minor refitting.


Our next overnight was at Jacksonville Beach, mile 747.  Then it was on to St. Augustine.

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