Thursday May 28th – Jacksonville, Florida
The morning before we left St. Augustine we hit a really cool museum and then headed out for Jacksonville. As we crossed the bridge over the St. Johns river I saw the Bounty for the first time and I just felt happy. I introduced myself to some of the crew while they were loading food and Aunt Laurie, Uncle John and I went straight aboard for a quick tour. The ship has more amenities than any apartment I’ve had the last four years! 
After the tour Laurie and John left. Thank you guys so much for an awesome vacation and making life so much simpler by taking me to Jacksonville! I threw my gear down in my bunk and when given the choice of unpacking and working, I opted to start working: scraping odd the old paint on lifeline posts. Fun, but a thunderstorm cut work short and we got let off duty early. I went with a group to the Hyatt's pool and Sauna and had a great time. Then I came back to the boat, unpacked, and hung out with people. I also played cribbage with my new roommate Jesse, who was pretty drunk at this point and yet still counted his hand faster than me. So far I really like everybody as well as the feel of the crew and ship.
Friday May 29th
My Cabin:
First night on the boat was a bit rough, sinus infection is bothering me again and I was up a lot during the night. I woke up at 7:00 am ready for the day and was on work party until 4:00pm. I spent the day scraping and painting the lifeline posts, the kind of bottom rung of the ladder I was expecting. I've been assigned to starboard watch. There are two watches on the boat when in the ship is docked so that only half the crew has to work at a time. So Port watch had to do tours tonight. I'm excited to do tours, but I am not looking forward to all the “pirate” questions. After I got off work I went with a couple of the guys to $1 beer happy hour, had a few beers and then came back to the ship for dinner which was great. The Bounty crew has been invited on to another boat for a short shorts party. Although I would really have liked to go, I opted out to rest and make sure I get rid of this damn sinus infection right quick. I want to be in top shape at sea. I am so excited to get under way!
Saturday May 30th
Second night on the boat was great. I slept well, woke up to calls and noises a couple times, but went right back to sleep. I woke up ready for the day and helped Shane put a a new bow line on and then the tours began. We had 4,891 tour the boat today. I had fun despite the heat. Most people were super polite, excited to be here, and learn. My knowledge of the boat and its history was tested and I learned some new things. I’m not sure when the novelty of it will wear off, but for now I really liked it.
After work I went on a hunt for a grocery store for a couple things and using directions from the Hyatt people I went to a super shady mini mart with bullet proof glass and was accosted by 5 people going into the store. So I hightailed it back to the ship and went to a party the Sail Jacksonville Festival promoters were putting on for the crew. There was food and 2 free drinks. The sailors figured out pretty quick that if they came back in half an hour with different shirts they could get 2 more free drinks. I
hung out with some of the Bounty crew and crew from other ships, mostly Pride of Baltimore II, on a deck with a live band. We listened to the music, enjoyed an awesome fireworks display that made us nervous about the proximity to the ships. After enough ill gotten drinks we danced and when that closed down we went to a nearby bar where our presence was known and had a great time with some awful punk bands.
Sunday May 31st
Today is first day off and I’m pretty excited. I woke up early and did the ships rigging check. So I got assigned a harness and climbed aloft. Today I went to the crosstrees (4/5 to the Mast tip) and enjoyed the view. My heart was pumping pretty good but I was very thankful for being fit and having gotten a little experience going aloft on the Lady Washington.
I walked around the festival and toured the other vessels. Pride of Baltimore II is a beautiful Topsail Schooner (See photo album), but I wouldn’t want to be responsible for all that brightwork (varnished wood). I hung around for the “Pirate Battle” which was pretty cool. Dan the gunner got thumped out a few good ones with the ship’s 4 four pound cannon. All the other ships sailed and motored around us and yahoos of all types in pirate garb abounded. A few were even allowed on the Bounty and they fired their pistols and had a grand time.
Tomorrow we are continuing for Bermuda. I am so excited for so many things! There is the sailing of the ship which will be beautiful. There’s seeing the stars at sea, the weather at sea, and all the wildlife. Wish us luck!
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