St. Augustine Florida

We spent two nights in St. Augustine Florida but were not able to cruise, or, for that matter, sightsee very much.  It rained and blustered but we did get out to see the fort: Castillo de San Marcos.  This city was constructed by the Spanish in 1565, and protected by wooden forts for the next 100 years.  The castillo is a star-shaped masonry fort, built between 1672 and 1695.  The walls are 12-19 feet thick and made of a type of limestone sedimentary rock, formed of tiny seashells which are clearly visible in the stone.  The coolest part was the moat and drawbridge... I didn't know there were forts like this outside of Europe; it was very medieval in appearance.

We thoroughly enjoyed eavesdropping on the rangers leading groups of schoolchildren on tours.  They were entertaining to both the kids and the adults; it is wonderful that our forest service employs such obviously talented people.

St. Augustine as been known as the oldest European settlement in the USA, however, just this year (2014) it was announced that the location of  Ft Caroline, settled by the French in 1564, has been found.  It is located near Brunswick GA, close to the town of Darien GA. So, history books will have to be rewritten!

The ICW (intercoastal waterway) looks very intriguing in this area; but since the weather wasn't predicted to clear up; we decided that we might as well be driving to our next destination. (Isn't that a horrible reason to drive through pounding rain and wind?)

Tonight we are in Savannah GA at a motel and enjoying TV and, especially, the bathtub!  The forecast says the afternoon will be dry and temperatures warming for the next several days.  We're hoping the boat and our belongings dry out as well.

St Augustine FL