Day Five: Sunrise, A Manatee & The Jacksonville Landing

While my birthday was more low key, the day after (number 5) was far busier. I started the day before dawn at the Mulberry Cove Overlook. While waiting for the sun to rise Deb noticed something in the water, she asked if it could be an Alligator, but when I looked I knew it was a Manatee! It has been a long time since I have seen one ( I think it was at a nature park). It was nice to see one in the wild. Oh, the sunrise was also beautiful. It was surprising how hot it got and how fast. By the afternoon it was around 100 degrees...it was HOT! 

After breakfast, we headed out to shop at St. John Town Center. Our first destination was REI. I went there to get my birthday present..an inflatable sleeping pad. After leaving there we had lunch at Chipotle, it was Dad and Terry's first-time at Deb's favorite. After that, it was stops at Nordstrom, Williams-Sonoma, Dollar Tree, Teavana, and Target. In the middle of the Town Center was some cool ponds with fish and turtles. Anyway, we finished up with the store I miss most in Georgia...Total Wine & More. 

We then headed downtown to the Jacksonville Landing for dinner at the best ranked Irish Pub in town, Fionn MacCool's. Like any place I eat at there will be a longer blog, but let just say reviews at our table was mixed. We then walked down the riverfront which was lovely. After that it was back to the Navy Lodge. 

While everyone else rested, I headed down to the Mulberry Cove Overlook to try and spot another (or same) Manatee, but the water was choppy so I didn't see any. What I spotted was Navy Search and Rescue practicing pulling people out of the water. I then got a bonus, a half-rainbow. It was a long, but rewarding day...oh did I mention there was Manatee, that was cool!

Day Four: Just Enjoying My Birthday In Florida

Well, day four here was a little more special as it was that day that comes once a year...my birthday. After breakfast, my Dad and I went on a hike the other direction from where I have been going. This one took us past Manatee Point Park. Just like anywhere in Mulberry Cove on the St. John River Manatees are here, but we didn't see one or an Alligator. From here I could see the Mulberry Cove Overlook. We then continued to Fisherman's Cove Picnic Area where I went out on the fishing dock. After this, we headed back and while Dad returned to The Navy Lodge I cut through the RV Park and picked up the Mulberry Nature Trail and headed to the overlook. Out there I spotted my old friend the Great Blue Heron. Overall my Dad did just over two and I did two-and-a-half miles. 

While we were gone Deb and Terry had gone back to the Commissary and got me a cake. After some birthday celebrating, Deb and I headed over to the Base Hospital where they have a Farmers Market. While small it had some cool stuff. With a little more time than expected, we went down to another fishing dock in the cove. 

When we got back it was time to head across the street to Mulligan's Bar and Grill for $4.50 chicken wings (10 wings not bad) let me say I ate quite a few. After a birthday nap, Deb and I took a walk back out to the Mulberry Overlook where we got a good look at not one but two Osprey. We then finished the evening with more cake, ice cream, and a really good brew!