July 10, 2015

Castillo de San Marcos 

  

The most amazing part about this picture is that there’s no one there. Seriously. The “Old Fort” is quite a popular spot, but the national monument had just opened for the day and we were some of the first visitors to enter the gate. I loved the emptiness; it felt as if we had the place all to ourselves, and since that’s so rare, I remember it as being a really enjoyable experience. We could wander at will, take pictures without people unintentionally photo-bombing, and ask questions without having to vie for costumed interpreters’ attention.

Ocean near Fort Matanzas

This here, ladies and germs, is quintessential Florida. I go for the history, but I also love watching the ocean, meandering down the boardwalks, mesmerizing myself with the gently-swaying sea grasses . . . now I want to go back again. :-) This particular spot is located near Fort Matanzas (across the road) and was pretty empty when we visited. I never get tired of the ocean air and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Does anyone? It seems to be a typical human reaction, feeling peace and even awe in the presence of the mighty ocean. You don’t have to be a beachgoer; just standing there is enough. Ah, St. Augustine.

(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays

July 03, 2015

Memorial Presbyterian Church

  

As fascinated as I am with the much-maligned French Huguenots both in Europe and in Florida during the 16th century, I was quite pleased to find this Huguenot cross banner inside St. Augustine’s Memorial Presbyterian Church. (I do love finding reference to these tragic souls; please check out my memorial page for the victims of the Matanzas massacre if you haven't already).I don't know the story behind this banner but I'm sure glad someone cared enough to put it there!

St. George Street

The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is one of the historic district’s most interesting buildings in my opinion. Built sometime in the late 1700s with handmade nails and cypress boards, it was a classroom for many years, the last class going on their merry way in 1864. (Though considering the nation was in the throes of war, I doubt their way was very merry). Today you can still tour the tiny building and purchase a memento from the gift shop next door. The property also offers other gems, such as display cases with artifacts, an old detached kitchen, and a pecan tree which had lorded over the grounds since before the American Revolution.

(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays

June 26, 2015

Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo’s interior may seem dark and brooding, but I love those damp old coquina rooms. There’s so much history in each chamber that those who enjoy that particular pastime should thoroughly enjoy themselves. The rooms shown here are, from left to right, the “new” powder magazine (circa 1730s, small blue door at far left), the “British Room”, which holds a wooden second story such as those the British troops used when they occupied the fort for 21 years, and an old subsidy supply room now used for displays. Notice the upper windows are both shuttered and barred. The reason for the Castillo’s odd room spacing (notice the height of the powder magazine window compared to the other two) is that the rooms were originally built in the 1670s/80s and then rebuilt and enlarged in the 1750s.

Fountain of Youth

One of the perks about the Fountain of Youth Park is that you don’t have to strain too hard to envision how the local Timucua tribe lived . . . the folks at the park have already done their best to show the village as it would have been in 1565 (though, of course, not as large).I think this scene is pretty peaceful, especially on a cool, fresh morning when you have the place mostly to yourself. There are often costumed interpreters around, explaining the scene, putting everything into context, posing for creative photos. The smell of pungent wood-smoke and sea-salt breeze in the morning can hardly be beat.

(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays

June 19, 2015

Mission Nombre de Dios

Here we’re standing inside the chapel at Nombre de Dios, looking out the mission-style windows toward the Matanzas River. The strangely-shaped rock monument at left houses a religious carving. If so inclined, it’s best to visit the chapel when you’ll more or less have the place to yourself, as you don’t want to disturb anyone inside and don’t want anyone to disturb you. I can’t stress enough that though this is a Catholic chapel, anyone from any walk of life can take comfort in the ambiance. I like to think this view evokes the days of old Spain, of colonial Florida, and the sunlight dappling through the trees gives a feeling of peace.

   

St. George Street

In St. Augustine you never really get “lost.” Sometimes you get sidetracked and find cool new streets, but that’s a positive, not a negative. Take this place, for example. You’re just walking down St. George Street, shopping and people-watching to your heart’s content, and now suddenly you have this option to turn right. Down Cuna Street you’ll find Spanish colonial architecture, waving palms and Spanish moss, and, if you’re into British food, a great pub. 

(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays

June 12, 2015

Castillo de San Marcos

One of my favorite things to do in the whole world is to stand right at this spot, because I have my ticket and I’m ready to spend a good long while exploring the Castillo. This is the first drawbridge (the ladder is, as far as I know, fixed in place) and to the left, out of sight, is the ravelin dating from 1762. Also visible is the “San Pedro” bastion and the curtain wall between “San Pedro” and “San Agustín.” The second drawbridge leads to the entrance. (Must have gotten some rain that day; there’s a veritable moat down there).

Fountain of Youth

I love history, but “natural Florida” is awesome too. I find it difficult to imagine anyone standing here among the palms and Spanish moss, feeling the breeze and smelling the salt air, maybe sitting on a bench or picnicking down by the pier, without feeling peace. Everything is carefully manicured, and even in the hottest weather you can find some much-needed shade. I could easily spend hours just wandering around and soaking in the atmosphere. I don’t care for the fountain water --- in my opinion folks who come just for that are really missing out. Speaking of the fountain of youth, there stands Juan Ponce de Leon on a pedestal at right. He’s not very talkative, though.

(c) 2015 St. Augustine Fridays