June 1, 2009: Six Mile Creek, FL

This Sunday morning we started our journey from the end of Gator Bowl Blvd and left early for church, It was nice to not need the Caribe to get ashore. Our path took us past the Maxwell House Coffee plant where you could smell the coffee roasting and up to Laura Street. As we biked up Laura Street, on the sidewalk because it was one way the wrong way, we saw first the First Baptist Preschool Parking deck. Now mind you we had read that the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville was a “megachurch”, but we were not sure what a church with 10,000 members would be like. Next we saw the FBC Middle School Building across the street. Ahead of us on the right was a modern steeple over a fountain which we thought must be the sanctuary; but no, it was the FBC Academy. Finally we found the worship center across the street. The brown brick and concrete building took up the entire city block. We were greeted kindly at the door even thought arriving at 10:30, we were 10 minutes late.

The service recognized their 64 graduating high school seniors including a wonderful choir of senior girls singing a song with lyrics from Jeremiah 29:11. Another senior sang the song “We shall behold Him” accompanied by their 40 piece orchestra and it was truly grand both musically and spiritually. Pastor Brunson’s sermon, based on Psalm 23:2 was a message on finding rest and peace in God’s leadership, filled with practical advice on practicing a good life, and even a reference to keeping his grandson to add a little humor.

As we left the church, we were surprised to see that all the streets were closed with orange cones for the congregants to leave crossing the street anywhere and several police officers directing traffic. But I guess a meeting like that is an event to be assisted and there really wasn’t any other traffic downtown.

On our ride back to the boat I took a quick tour through the Kids Kamp that was next to the docks. It was a city part for children under 62 inches and included both a tiny city for practicing safety rules and a play ground full of things that sprayed water. What a fun place for a hot day. Almost back to the boat when I heard the “SSSSSS” of my front tire, and I had a flat. I was glad that I only had to walk a little way to get home!

After lunch we were going to take an adventure up the Saint Johns River. As we approached the tall blue Main Street bridge we saw a number of sheriff’s boats, and on the VHF radio we found out that the tall ships were engaged in a mock battle with the pirate ships. The sheriff suggested that we not try to go under the bridge but to wait til the battle was over. So as he instructed, we anchored there and had a front row seat for the engagement including cannon and rife fire (just gun powder – no bullets!). It took me a few minutes to realize that even though there sails were up and flying, the boats were really traveling under motor power. They had to be using engines to have the nimbleness to be moving so quickly and close to the other (expensive) ships. At times the ship’s movement seemed choreographed as the vessels swung from broadside to not.

When the battle was over we proceeded under

the Main Street Bridge and saw thee beautiful fountain circle at Friendship Park on the left. Saint Johns River opened up into a calm waterway maybe two miles wide. The surface was so smooth that we longed for our ski boat. The wide water was amazingly calm. Calm of course except for our wake – so when water ski folks spotted us, our wake because the obstacle course for them. It was fun to see them leap their jet skis out of the water, but I am always glad to see them safely move away.

Tom had found a special treat in one of the guide books, so we headed up Six Mile Creek to find the Outback Crab House. As the creek narrowed, with large hardwoods on the banks draped with long strands of grey Spanish moss above the dark water, it reminded me of Trent River at home in New Bern.

A few miles up the creek, we came to the restaurants 1500 foot floating pier and tied up there. The

water on the far side of the dock was filled with water hyacinth and full of the pretty light purple flowers. We spotted several manatees in the water grazing on the shiny green leaves of the hyacinths. Do you see the manatee in this picture? Really what you saw was just the top of his back and his nostrils as he poked his nose up for a breath of air. Like dolphins, manatees are water animals that are mammals. Walking up the dock to have dinner, we spotted a small alligator floating with just his eyes and the ridge of his back out of the water.

This was one

of the best nature sightings we have had.

Apparently the restaurant in involved in crabbing as well

since they had a section of floating pier piled high with green wire crab traps.

It is hard to describe the Outback Crab House. The building on the side of the creek has leaded glass doors at its entrance and casual picnic tables inside. There were stuffed alligators by the ladies room, and next to the creek there were tents with a guitar player singing country music. While we were eating there was even a little girl (maybe 8 years old), who sang “I’m a Red Necked Woman”. There were several signs around that said “Providence Bible Church meets here on Sunday morning at 8:30 AM. No shirt, No shoes, No Problem”. The service was marginal but the food was good and the ambiance was something not to be missed.

As we sat on the back deck after dinner, we noticed that it was a traditional pastime for the regular diners to walk the dock in search of manatees or other wildlife. What a charming way to end the day.