A day in Saint Augustine
We got up earlier than normal to get a good start.
We stopped briefly in the lobby for something to eat, then headed to the car. We bought gas and then made a stop for sunscreen and caffeine.
That was when my wife realized she left her purse at the hotel. Not in the room, but where we stopped to grab something to eat.
So, back we went.
The folks there had found it and put is aside, so that worked out well.
A bit later than expected, we were on the road to Saint Augustine.
There are strange things on that road.
Christmas pigs?
But, we got there just after 9 and the new parking garage and visitor center were open, but not yet crowded.
We walked into the visitor center and looked around. I saw the information booth was selling “walking tour maps” of the city.
“I’d like to ask about these maps,” I said to the woman working there.
“Since you two are the only ones in here, and you’ve been nice enough to ask about my maps, I’ll give you one for free!” the woman said.
I told her I would report her kindness to others, so I’ve reported it to you reading this.
Map in hand, we set out to walk to the fort. As it is within sight of the information center, that isn’t so hard.
We did realize we should get some hats so not to burn the tops of our heads off where it is hard for us to get sunscreen.
We saw a sign that promised “hats, hats and more hats”.
But, the store wasn’t open. The pirate store was, but we did not want pirate hats.
So, hatless, we went off to the fort.
I have no idea what this sign means.
I understand the fort was made of a rock that is derived from compressed sea shells and is considered “marshmallow” stone. Cannon balls bounce off it.
So maybe that it is why it is a keep of moat air. Right.
(Yes, I can see where there was a second F and a S. But, that isn’t as interesting.)
It is Florida, so golf carts.
Despite pointing a row of cannon at people coming in, this is one of the most popular sites in town.
As with all forts/castles, my wife and I climb up and down what we can.
It amazes me that 1200 people staying in this courtyard during the siege.
They seem very worried about people falling out of the ride.
It is a nice view.
In a very Monty Python moment, the park ranger tells how they had 9 wood forts before this, but all fell down, burnt down, got eaten by termites, etc. But, the 10th one stayed up!
The fact Francis Drake burnt one of them down got me singing “Professional Pirate” from Muppet Treasure Island.
The, clearly of Spanish decent, park ranger was justifiably proud that the fort had never been captured in war.
Some good sized guns.
I feel bad for the engineers that made it 3 feet too short. I’ve had bad days too.
The fact that this was a walled city 400 years ago is very cool to me. There is still part of the wall.
We both liked the lookout post too. Not much of a view, but you are protected.
You can clearly see the “rock” material.
They tell me that when the fort was new it was painted to match their flag on the left.
While this map did make me say “I know where the pirates would be”, it didn’t stop me from going into the gift shop.
I didn’t hear what they said, but I’m sure it was something like “I don’t care if your show isn’t for an hour, folks are here, get out there and interpret for them!”
Having bought hats, a carrying bag, a book on the history of the fort and one on local native legends, and a CD of period music I was allowed to leave.
He did do a good job.
Even if in a spot that didn’t get that much traffic.
We walked down the sea wall towards the rest of the town.
I liked watching the draw bridge draw.
It was clearly low tide, and some of the ships still needed that bridge open.
I’m not sure how historical Santa’s miniature golf is.
We did not play.
Instead we decided to go on the sightseeing boat tour.
We did not go on the (expensive, only at night) pirate ship.
We set off and I had to wonder, how tall is this ship?
But, we made it under with no problem.
I felt bad as it was a captain, two crew and us on a ship clearly intended for more folks.
But, they said it was so nice out, they might have gone anyhow. And, it was a nice cruise along the waterfront.
And, you could see the fort from a different angle.
I’d start to sing the national anthem, but that isn’t our flag still flying over the fort.
(I kept with Muppets.)
We sailed away from the fort. Don’t think it was my singing, but it could have been.
This cross is supposed to be where Ponce De Leon first came ashore, claimed the land and named it Florida.
I guess a church is still on the spot.
There are lots of birds along the shore.
It is very sad. There is an island where they have banished all of the super rich people in the area. They don’t even get a draw bridge.
Boat tours apparently do well as the folks who own the company were one of the first people to be so banished.
The island of misfit money is right at the harbor entrance.
We thought about waving good bye to Saint Augustine and setting out for Spain just like in the olde days!
It was very tempting!
But, a pelican convinced us to turn to starboard and go along the island not yet used as a dumping ground for the super rich. Instead it is full of birds, bunnies and rattlesnakes.
There was a third island that had a nice lighthouse on it.
I’ve been told that the “Age of Sail” is over.
Not in Saint Augustine.
I’ve also heard that some ships wait for the tide to sail. I’ve never seen folks take that so seriously.
As the crew had nothing to do with only two passengers, they were nice enough to take our picture as we sailed along rattlesnake island.
The lighthouse is supposed to be very haunted. Ghosts look out the windows at people. I’m sure I see one there on the left.
But, the water got too shallow, so we turned around.
And, we headed back towards the oldest city in the US.
When we got to the choice about the open sea again, we paused.
We looked with pity on the super rich who are stuck on their island of exile. Without a draw bridge, they don’t know how to get off.
The real reason we stopped was at least 3 dolphins were playing in the changing tide and the captain stopped so we could get a good look.
But, eventually shore beckoned.
We came in and parked next to the pirate ship again.
At last the crew had something to do.
(I guess we had not been expected to say no to the half price champaign sale. Ah well.)
It’s a good trip and if you’re out there, I do recommend it. Good folks, good trip, reasonable price.
Then, we went back to town for lunch.
The captain had told us to try the yellow place, so we did.
We had a nice lunch on the upstairs balcony.
Then, we set off again for more history.
I swear they guys are following me around!
I am NOT the rebel spy they are looking for. I’ve got an iPhone not a Droid!
So, we appealed to Don Pedro who founded the town.
While he dealt with them, we went into the Lightner Museum.
It is a weird collection of stuff.
Look! A Bear!
I’m told this is King Francis of France.
No way!
King Francis was known for having a huge nose. This isn’t the guy!
My wife was surprised by the coin operated fake egg laying chicken.
I was hard to find as I and inadvertently worn camouflage.
This did get me to stop singing “Professional Pirate” and start singing “Gaston” who “uses antlers in all of his decorating”.
Yes, I know it is horn.
I guess after Mr Lightner got tired of collecting things, he started collecting collections of things. Like someone else’s collection of buttons.
I did want to see their demonstration of mechanical music pieces. It started when the not at all tall woman giving it turned a music player on, grabbed a guy in the crowd and started dancing.
She did give a very good talk on half a dozen music machines.
She played some herself.
Then back outside where the koi had taken care of that pesky Sith fellow following us.
We decided to cut down one of the main shopping streets to get back to the car.
Only one store stopped me to go in and look.
Junk. I knew it would be. But, looked just in case.
We did finally make it to the other end and the city gates.
Back to regular old Florida and its golf carts.
On the way out of town we stopped at my wife’s aunt’s favorite winery as they have stopped selling the one she likes in her area.
We also passed a replica ship that is really a car wash.
But, we quickly escaped back to the highway.
We got back to the Orlando area as the sun was going down.
And, the traffic was rising.
We decided to eat at the place behind the hotel.
My wife was happy to get a big green drink.
No, really. She was happy. Trust me. OK, she was happier when the food came.
We didn’t go to this one. It is for someone else on my friends list.
When we got back to the hotel we found our TV had become despondent due to our total lack of attention to it while we were here. It gathered a few of its friends and ran away from room.
But, as in all ecosystems, the niche was quickly filled.
It was a busy day. But fun. I liked the boat ride best, the fort second and the weird museum third. Shopping, nah.