I was on the Sara from 77 to 82 with all but one year home ported in Mayport. The other carrier was the Forestall CV59.
We made two cruises to the Med during that time.
I was not as fond of the beach communities in that part of Florida as you. We could not wait for the weekends when we could drive to better and prettier parts of Florida. And then there was the occasional trip a car full of us sailors would make to the Womens Navy bootcamp in Orlando during graduation weekend. Ahhhhhhh those were the days, Oppps sorry their goes my mind wandering again....
Anyway, thanks for your service and it's good to hear from a Shangr-La sailor. If I remember right the Sara and the Shangri-La deployed together at least a few times.
actually it was my hubby that was on the Shang. I did my navy service in Newport RI in late 60s.
I am not reclling the forestal being in Mayport when we were there.. long time ago.. things get fuzzy.
The Shang was in yankee station (viet nam) during most of hubby's tour
We loved the beach area because we are outdoorsy.. (and married..not sure how the single scene was). We did kayaking, canoeing in the intercostal & various lakes, did scuba & windsurfing at ocean & enjoyed in general the beach.