Return to Mayport

We left the Keys and headed back to the Jacksonville area, stopping overnight at the Fort Pierce KOA. 

When I was in the US Navy I served on two different ships which were homeported in Mayport Naval Base. I was on the USS McInerney (FFG-8) which was transferred to the Pakistan Navy in November 2008. I was stationed on USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) twice.

We were lucky enough to get reservations at the Mayport Family Campground, and our site faced the St. Johns River where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Daily we watched some of the shipping traffic from the comfort of our front seats.  Here are a few highlights:

EVERGREEN STATE (IMO: 9408138) is a Oil/Chemical Tanker

Vessel LIBERTY PASSION (IMO: 9777888) is a Vehicles Carrier 

USS Sioux City (LCS 11) heading out to sea

And here is a US Coast Guard Cutter heading out to sea.  Note it has the Mark 92 Fire Control System  installed on her.  This is the same system that I operated and maintained when stationed in USS McInereny.

USCGC Spencer (WMEC-905) 

And you wonder what sailors do to break the boredom of life at sea? The photo below shows how soon boredom can set in as they just left the pier in Mayport basin which is less than a nautical mile away...

These two tugboat captains were playing a game of reverse tug o' war

The highlight of the trip was we were able to meet up with Terry, one of my shipmates from my second tour on USS Leyte Gulf.  We were able to get a tour of his motorhome, and we also met at restaurants for a few good meals.  TC, It was GREAT to see you!!!!!!!

TC and HAL 2000

One of the things I love about full time RVing is we get to see friends and family that we would not be able to see if we lived in a "bricks and sticks" home. We can bring our home to see you.

Where Are We Going Next?