On Wednesday morning we were up and on to the shuttle to continue our tourist activities. Due to our limited internet access my posts are a few days late.
Our first stop was the Fountain of Youth.
Ponce de Leon first landed near this site in 1513. They say he was running short of fresh water on his ships and when they landed they located this natural fountain of fresh water. He was sure he had found the Fountain of Youth. Well we found it today - been there - drank the water.
The water has a high sulfur content and tastes like crap. But I had a shot. Don't feel any younger though.
Below Tom is standing beside a statue of Ponce de Leon. He was just a little guy. It is said he died at age 42 so the Fountain didn't do him any good either.
The peacocks put on quite a display for us. This white one strutted his stuff big time.
After leaving the Fountain of Youth, completely rejuvenated, we walked back to catch the trolley along this beautiful oak lined street.
We took the trolley and got off in the downtown historic area where the narrow streets reminded us of Quebec City. We walked around looking at all the old buildings, shops, restaurants and finally ended up having lunch on a back street at a really good Italian restaurant. From there we walked to Castillo de San Marcos.
This beautiful Spanish fort was the northernmost outpost of Spain's vast New World Empire. Ground was broken in October 1672 and the fort was finished in 1695. It protected St. Augustine from pirate raids and from Spain's major rival, Great Britain, during a time when the Florida-Georgia-Caroline coastline was an explosive international battleground.
From there we hopped back on the trolley to take us to the Mission Nombre de Dios.
On this site Sep 8, 1565 Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed with a band of settlers to found St. Augustine, the first permanent settlement in the USA. Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, Spanish Diocesan Priest, offered here the first parish Mass in this land. The Spanish pioneers named this landing site Nombre De Dios - Name of God. The statue at the end of the path is of Father Lopez. The Great Cross in the background was given to the city by the Catholic Church in honor of the 400th anniversary of the city. It stands 208 feet tall.
From this spot we walked to the Ripley's Believe it or Not. We did not tour this building but I wanted a picture of this horse to send to my grand who is horse crazy, Karmen. The horse is made out of old car fenders.
A replica of Michelangelo's David stands on the grounds. Since is an exact replica they have him surrounded by a high hedge so as he is not on public display for those that may be offended??
That ended our tour of St. Augustine. A beautiful city with so much history. We enjoyed our visit. From here we head up to Savannah on Thursday morning.
Oh I have to add this picture. Even St. Augustine has it's Walmartians!! These women had to be in their 70's. Pretty cute!!
Until next time - safe travels.
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