Jacksonville, Florida: Humidity, History, and a Whole Lotta Alligators
okay, so. jacksonville. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in baltimore, the next we’re staring at a whole lot of spanish moss. it’s… something.
i just checked and it’s… a thick, wet hug out there right now. twenty point oh one degrees, feels like twenty point five seven. the humidity is insane - ninety-six percent. i swear my hair is actively rebelling. i’m pretty sure i’m 80% water at this point.
we played at this little dive bar downtown, the Blue Rooster. pretty standard gig, you know? loud, sweaty, a few people yelling requests. but afterwards, i wandered around. i stumbled upon *San Marco Square, which was actually really charming. Lots of cute shops and restaurants. I checked out the menu at Taverna, it looked amazing. TripAdvisor reviews are pretty solid, apparently.
I’m a sucker for history, so I spent a good chunk of the next day exploring Fort Caroline National Memorial. It’s… smaller than I expected, honestly. But the story behind it is wild. French Huguenots trying to build a colony in the 1560s? Facing off against the Spanish? It’s a lot. I’m always fascinated by those early colonial struggles. You can find more info on the National Park Service website here.
“Don’t go near the St. Johns River after dark,” a guy at the bar told me, nursing a beer. “Alligators. Big ones. They’ll get ya.”
I mean, yeah, i knew there were alligators. Florida. But hearing it from a local, over the clinking of glasses and the smell of stale beer… it adds a certain je ne sais quoi. I did see a few lurking near the banks, just… staring. It was unsettling, to say the least.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, St. Augustine is just a short drive away. Apparently, it’s got some seriously old vibes. I didn’t make it this time, but it’s on the list for next time.
I also spent some time wandering around Riverside. It’s got this really cool, artsy vibe. Lots of murals and independent shops. I found this amazing vintage store, Retro Revival. Yelp has some decent reviews, though a few people complained about the prices. I managed to snag a killer 70s jumpsuit for twenty bucks, so i’m calling that a win.
“The best barbeque is at Sonny’s,” a woman with bright pink hair insisted, waving a forkful of ribs in my face. “Don’t even think* about going anywhere else.”
I tried Sonny’s. It was… fine. Not life-changing. But hey, when in Rome, right? I’m always on the lookout for good food. I’m thinking of checking out Orsay next time, I heard it’s a bit fancier. Check out their menu here.
Honestly, jacksonville is… unexpected. It’s not flashy or glamorous. It’s just… there. A little bit rough around the edges, a whole lot of humidity, and a surprising amount of history. It’s got a weird charm, though. I wouldn’t necessarily rush back, but i’m glad i stopped by.
Oh, and one last thing: someone told me that the traffic on J Turner Butler Boulevard is a nightmare. Apparently, you should avoid it during rush hour at all costs. Take that as you will.
Okay, gotta go. My hair is melting.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/top-industries-driving-the-economy-of-cincinnati-and-why-im-still-scrounging-for-busking-spots
- https://votoris.com/post/antananarivo-healthcare-a-digital-nomads-messy-guide-to-not-dying
- https://votoris.com/post/kayseris-hidden-job-gems-for-broke-students-broke-dreams
- https://votoris.com/post/living-in-niigata-a-drummers-take-on-snow-sake-and-silence
- https://votoris.com/post/donetsk-fitness-scene-where-to-sweat-without-getting-shot