St. Augustine in May
My neighbors from Stokesdale came to Florida for a week's vacation and we made it a point to get together in St. Augustine. I had not seen them since November of 2015 and was really looking forward to spending time together.
We agreed to meet at the Castillo de San Marcos National Park. As I walked up towards the fort I saw several boats moored out. The rush of emotions was incredible. I clearly remembered the several days that I spent anchored here on Hale Kai, back before the mooring balls were put in. Having been raised near and on the water, there is a very strong pull on me. If I won the lottery I would buy another boat and head back out in a heartbeat.
I wonder how many people just look at the boats and think it is a pretty picture but never really grasp that a boat can take you to so many magical places, and nothing, and I mean nothing, beats being gently rocked to sleep on a boat.
The St. Augustine inlet was relatively calm on this day. It has a reputation for getting rather nasty at times. I wonder how many ships ran aground here back before the Coast Guard put out channel markers.
The St. Augustine lighthouse as viewed from the Castillo de San Marcos. I love having a 42x zoom on my camera. This is about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 miles from where I am standing. One day we'll take a trip to the lighthouse.
From the fort looking towards A1A southbound. No matter what time of year I come, this place is always busy.
From the fort looking towards St. George Street and the historic district. If you asked me what my favorite city in the world was, St. Augustine would be right there at #1.
While waiting for Randy, Angela, Megan and Megan's friend I got a shot of part of the fort. When I looked at it I was surprised that there are only 4 tourists in the photo. Can you find them all? The fort is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Construction started way back in 1672. Over the years it has been occupied by Spanish, British, the Spanish again, the United States and for a period was held by the Confederate Army. Seminole Chief Osceola was imprisoned here as well as Geronimo's Chirichahua Apache.
The fort fires muskets and cannons - without the cannon balls, on the weekends. Here are three reenactors heading into the fort.
Amazing the shots you can get with a great zoom. Here is Randy walking up to the fort.
It was a warm May day, maybe 88 for the high but there was a great breeze at the fort. We watched the reenactors marching up to the gun deck for the firing demonstration.
They huddle up to discuss their game plan.
Priming their muskets.I started to wonder how hot these men must be, in all that wool, in the sun and heat. Thankfully the humidity was very low on this day. They must just about melt in July, August, September and maybe even October.
After the firing demonstration we toured the lower level of the fort. Then we headed over to St. George street to shop, eat and stroll. I regret not having my pedometer on. It would have been neat to see how far I walked. Towards the end of the day we stopped at MiCasa for supper and something cool to drink. Yes folks, I try to eat here every time I am in the historic district of St. Augustine.
The sangria as usual, was superb and very refreshing.
As was the Cuban sandwich. You have got to try one of these, oh my, my, my.
Before we all parted ways Angela had Megan's friend take our group photo. I loved spending time with the Winn family and hope that we can all get together again sometime soon.
We agreed to meet at the Castillo de San Marcos National Park. As I walked up towards the fort I saw several boats moored out. The rush of emotions was incredible. I clearly remembered the several days that I spent anchored here on Hale Kai, back before the mooring balls were put in. Having been raised near and on the water, there is a very strong pull on me. If I won the lottery I would buy another boat and head back out in a heartbeat.
I wonder how many people just look at the boats and think it is a pretty picture but never really grasp that a boat can take you to so many magical places, and nothing, and I mean nothing, beats being gently rocked to sleep on a boat.
The St. Augustine inlet was relatively calm on this day. It has a reputation for getting rather nasty at times. I wonder how many ships ran aground here back before the Coast Guard put out channel markers.
The St. Augustine lighthouse as viewed from the Castillo de San Marcos. I love having a 42x zoom on my camera. This is about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 miles from where I am standing. One day we'll take a trip to the lighthouse.
From the fort looking towards A1A southbound. No matter what time of year I come, this place is always busy.
From the fort looking towards St. George Street and the historic district. If you asked me what my favorite city in the world was, St. Augustine would be right there at #1.
While waiting for Randy, Angela, Megan and Megan's friend I got a shot of part of the fort. When I looked at it I was surprised that there are only 4 tourists in the photo. Can you find them all? The fort is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Construction started way back in 1672. Over the years it has been occupied by Spanish, British, the Spanish again, the United States and for a period was held by the Confederate Army. Seminole Chief Osceola was imprisoned here as well as Geronimo's Chirichahua Apache.
The fort fires muskets and cannons - without the cannon balls, on the weekends. Here are three reenactors heading into the fort.
Amazing the shots you can get with a great zoom. Here is Randy walking up to the fort.
It was a warm May day, maybe 88 for the high but there was a great breeze at the fort. We watched the reenactors marching up to the gun deck for the firing demonstration.
They huddle up to discuss their game plan.
Priming their muskets.I started to wonder how hot these men must be, in all that wool, in the sun and heat. Thankfully the humidity was very low on this day. They must just about melt in July, August, September and maybe even October.
After the firing demonstration we toured the lower level of the fort. Then we headed over to St. George street to shop, eat and stroll. I regret not having my pedometer on. It would have been neat to see how far I walked. Towards the end of the day we stopped at MiCasa for supper and something cool to drink. Yes folks, I try to eat here every time I am in the historic district of St. Augustine.
The sangria as usual, was superb and very refreshing.
As was the Cuban sandwich. You have got to try one of these, oh my, my, my.
Before we all parted ways Angela had Megan's friend take our group photo. I loved spending time with the Winn family and hope that we can all get together again sometime soon.
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