The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
in Jacksonville, Florida
October 24, 2014

The Jacksonville Skyway is a people mover in Jacksonville, Florida. An automated monorail train, it is operated by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Opening in 1989 with three stations in Downtown Jacksonville the Skyway has been extended in 1996, 1998, and 2000, following a conversion from Matra technology to Bombardier equipment. The system currently comprises two routes across 2.5-mile of track, serving eight stations and crosses the St. Johns River on the Acosta Bridge. On this date there was not any fare to ride the Skyway.

Jacksonville is the largest city in the Florida by population and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, and the 13th most populous city in the United States. Jacksonville is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River, about 25 miles south of the Georgia state line and about 340 miles north of Miami. The Jacksonville Beaches communities are along the adjacent Atlantic coast.

The area was originally inhabited by the Timucua people, and in 1564 was the site of the French colony of Fort Caroline, one of the earliest European settlements in what is now the continental United States. Under British rule, settlement grew at the narrow point in the river where cattle crossed, known as Wacca Pilatka to the Seminole and Cowford to the British. A platted town was established there in 1822, and named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.

Jacksonville is a major military and civilian deep-water port. Its river line location facilitates two U.S. Navy bases and the Port of Jacksonville, Florida's third largest seaport. Tourism is important to the Jacksonville area, particularly tourism related to golf. People from Jacksonville can be referred to as either "Jacksonvillians" or "Jaxons".

Jacksonville Landing

Karen Duquette and the John T Alsop Bridge as seen from Jacksonville Landing and Acosta Bridge. John T. Alsop, Jr. (1887 - May 12, 1958) was an American politician. He served as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 1923 to 1937, and again from 1941 to 1945. His eighteen-year, seven term stint in the mayor's office is the longest in the city's history. Jacksonville's Main Street Bridge, officially the John T. Alsop, Jr. Bridge, is named for him.

Below: The Acosta Bridge

Below: Jacksonville Landing is a 126,000 square foot shopping, tattoo, dining, clubbing, and historic museum complex in downtown Jacksonville. It was built by the Rouse Company at a cost of $37.5 million and opened in 1987.

Below: The two RV Gypsies took a water taxi across the St. John's River. Seniors cost $5 a person for a round trip on this date.

Below: The two RV Gypsies saw a lot of dolphins while on the water taxi.

Below: Birds in the water