July 01, 2016

Fountain of Youth

Here we see one of the fascinating features of the Fountain of Youth park: A 260-year-old cannon just sitting at the edge of the path for history-lovers to enjoy. As the sign states, this particular piece is believed to have been part of the Castillo’s haul, and now sits here in its unassuming place for folks to admire. If you love tales of pirates and soldiers and adventure, just imagine what action this piece saw is a worthy pastime.

St. George Street

This is one of the interactive workshops at Colonial Quarter. Note the Spanish colonial weapons and helmets, as well as the piece of chainmail lying on the table. This scene is straight out of the 17^TH century. Closer inspection reveals a plethora of other items, some of which I can’t identify, and the place has a strangely homey feel despite the destruction these items would have dealt out. The window at right makes the place welcoming. Unfortunately there were no costumed interpreters here at the moment, but sometimes it’s nice to have a place to yourself.

(c) 2015-2016 St. Augustine Fridays

June 24, 2016

Castillo de San Marcos

  

This is the entrance to the old powder magazine. Unlike the majority of the Castillo’s chambers which were renovated in the mid-1700s, this particular room dates from about 1675. In “days of yore” it contained a ladder which led to the gun deck, making it easier for soldiers to heave barrels of gunpowder and other essentials to San Carlos Bastion. This room is always a bit eerie for some reason, and it has nothing to do with the supernatural . . . small, narrow, and damp, it shows its age.

Mission Nombre de Dios

One of the most interesting features of the Mission are the multiple religious monuments scattered here and there, and all have a particular significance. The structure shown below is known as the Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine, a quaint and peaceful place even for those who don’t practice the Catholic faith. It brings to mind the old wooden churches of Norway (at least to me) and offers a glimpse into a different style of religious art than is usually seen in St. Augustine.

(c) 2015-2016 St. Augustine Fridays 

June 17, 2016

Fountain of Youth

If while strolling through the Fountain of Youth Park you need a reminder that you’re in Florida, here it is. There are so many peaceful places in the park, and this one is especially photogenic with the fountain at right and the Spanish moss overhead. One thing that’s not so peaceful: the creepy statue of Juan Ponce de Leon peering over the fence in the left background. Good thing I didn’t notice him when I was there. :-)

St. George Street

I love St. Augustine for so many reasons and this is one of them. Wherever you go, you stumble into history. Around every corner, something happened. It may not be something grand and exciting that changed the course of history, but it’s something nonetheless. Off St. George Street there’s an alley that leads to more shops, and I found this random cannon on the ground outside the shops. I’m not sure if it’s authentic --- I rather doubt it, as you’d think a “real” cannon would be more protected --- but I can’t be certain. It definitely looks old, and adds to the street’s colonial charm.

(c) 2015-2016 St. Augustine Fridays

June 10, 2016

St. Augustine Beach

A simple yet beautiful sight: I could stand for hours just watching and listening to the ocean. This photo was taken at St. Augustine Beach, a busy place, yet when you’re standing at water’s edge it seems like no one else is around and all you can hear is the roar of the surf. Even a history buff like me can appreciate St. Augustine’s beach access.

Oldest House

I find it rather amusing that, considering how religious folks were in the 18^TH century, that a cross on the wall might not deter any number of card games taking place at this table. I do really like this scene, as it’s chockfull of details . . . weathered beams, old pitchers, jars, and bottles, a fireplace that has seen better days, a broom against the wall, an old candle, and the uneven coquina floor, just to name a few. The modern fan at left ruins the shot, but I can see why it’s needed . . . no ventilation in this place during the spring and summer tours. 

(c) 2015-2016 St. Augustine Fridays

June 03, 2016

Castillo de San Marcos

  

We may be well past the days of pirates, plagues, and the Spanish Inquisition, but you have to admit the Castillo still looks imposing. Seen here is the west wall, with San Pablo’s Bastion at far left and San Pedro’s Bastion at far right. The entrance to the fort is located at right and out of the photo. Interestingly, the position in which the Castillo stands, as well as the “glacis” and the “Covered Way”, serve to hide half of the structure from view. This photo was taken during one of those rare times when the place isn’t swarming with busloads of hyper kids or those quintessential view-ruining tourists who seem to pop up in every shot.

This is one of my favorite photos of the Castillo. I like the tones and the lighting, and the old fort’s age shows through clearly. A contrast of wood and coquina and iron. This is the “new” powder magazine, put into use sometime around the 1730s when the old one was proven to be too damp. Since the National Park Service uses the room for storage nowadays, people aren’t allowed inside at this point in time, but I think the door and wall still make for a pretty great photo-op.

(c) 2015-2016 St. Augustine Fridays