Day 15 - Write 31 - Downtown Art Walk and Lunch in the Park

Downtown streets are deserted on a Sunday morning.

Sunday morning was clear and cool so we decided to head downtown for a walk. The streets were quiet with none of the hustle of workers going from their designated parking spots to the high rise office buildings. Everything is closed up on a Sunday morning so we had much of the town to ourselves.


Many of the buildings in downtown Jacksonville are covered with colorful murals. It's delightful to see them peaking out from between buildings and around the corners. I captured a few of them on our walk.

After a four mile stroll around downtown we headed over the bridge for a picnic beside the river. It was easy to pick up a plant-based sandwich at the local deli and enjoy it on a bench in the shade.

A simple sub with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers and onions. Eating plant-based doesn't have to be complicated. 

 Write 31 Days 

A writing challenge every October every day

Life Powered by Plants 

Unknown Wall Painting of the Crucifixion in Lucca, Italy

While on vacation in Italy we made what was to be a quick stop in Lucca.

Lucca is in the Tuscany region not far from Pisa and famous for the well preserved Renaissance wall that surrounds the city. The wall is broad and perfect for walking or biking and at a distance of 2 miles makes for a leisurely walk. The idea was to walk the wall, hop back in the car and make the drive to our Airbnb that was to be our home during our stay in Tuscany.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. Hunger drove us down into the town in search of lunch. We ended up walking just about every street in this beautiful town.

Have you ever snapped a photo of something and later on wish you'd taken the time to get more information? Or a better photo? That happened with me while in Lucca.

As usual I was trailing behind my travel companions as we walked down an alley. Suddenly a rusty iron fence caught my eye and I stopped to take a photo. It was in front of what I thought was just an arched doorway. I was delighted to see the fence was some what protecting a wall painting.

See the small white rectangle on the wall below the painting? It say 'Eleosine' which translates as alms. There is a small slot for depositing coins. Could this have been a convent or a monastery and the money used to help the needy?

A beautiful rendition of Christ on the cross. How long before it completely disappears? Anyone familiar with Lucca or this wall painting? I would love to know more about this painting before it's gone.

Sharing over at 

Finding Street Art - Gazebo Mosaic

Yacht Basin Park is a small park located in Riverside on the west bank of Willowbranch Creek. From here you can watch the creek as it empties into the St Johns River.  This park is one of our many favorite stops as we walk this neighborhood. The park is also known as Moms Park. In 2003 the park was dedicated to the memory of Patricia Austin (1934-1996) wife of Mayor Ed Austin. She was a community volunteer and leader and according to the plaque she liked to stroll here. I think I would have like her.

In the center of the park is a gazebo that is covered in a beautiful mosaic. This lovely piece of art was created by local artist Kate Garcia Rouh co-founder of Roux Art, Inc. 

Tired of cleaning up and painting over the graffiti Ms Rouh decided to paint a mural and then later to cover it with mosaic. Now the gazebo offers a quiet place to retreat from the Florida heat and enjoy a cool breeze from the river. 

Unfortunately my photographs don't capture the real beauty of this gazebo. Gives me an excuse to visit this park again...

Yacht Basin Park
2941 St Johns Ave
Jacksonville, FL


I'm sharing this over at Oakland Daily Photo-Monday Mural