The wind led us celebrate Thanksgiving in Saint Augustine, VERY OLD city. Wandering the city with the crowd, it is as if I came to Europe. I am thankful for this journey.
Shrimp Boat Followed by Birds Near the St. Augustine Channel
Foggy Morning at the Intracoastal by the St. Augustine Municipal Marina
Old Town in Saint Augustine
Other sailboat accidentally ran aground by the Channel. One hour after seeing this boat, we found our own problem-“the old windlass system broke a gear off inside” (Cost about $5,000 and lots of pain… but more sightseeings in St. Augustine)
Old Jail: Long time ago, prisoners were leased out to individuals and large companies to do various jobs. They slept chained together by the ankles in wooden buildings.
Anastasia State Park offers full-facility campground features 139 sites with electric and water hookups for RVs and tents.
Ponce de Leon Hotel (Now Flagler Collage): During the winter of 1883-84, Henry Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil Co., visited the city and later built the Hotel Ponce de Leon, Hotel Alcazar, the Memorial Church and more.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine: America’s First Parish
Castillo de San Marcos: Spain’s Queen Regent Mariana ordered the construction of a new fort made of stone realizing that St. Augustine was the keystone in the defense of the Florida coast.
The Great Cross, elevated on September 8, 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of St. Augustine and the mission of Nombre de Dios.
Bridge of Lion: It opens every 30 minutes. One direction from the bridge is to Anastasia State Park (about 30 minutes walking) and the other is to Historic Town of St. Augustine (5 minutes walking).
Full Moon in December 2014 (Center) and Light from the Saint Augustine Lighthouse (Right)
—Brief History of St. Augustine—
In 1513, Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain. (Florida celebrated 500 anniversary in 2013.)
In 1565, Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez landed and founded St. Augustine with 800 soldiers and colonists to settle the New World in the name of Spain. Later, Menendez destroyed the French Fort Caroline and ended the French incursion into Florida.
In 1586, Englishman Francis Drake burned the village.
In 1668, the town was sacked again by pirate John Davis.
In 1672, construction of the Castillo de San Marcos was begun and took 23 years to complete.
In 1672, English troops from South Carolina besieged the Castillo for fifty days and finally gave up the siege and burned the town.
In 1740, the English attacked again but gave up and left.
In 1763, England defeated Spain in the Seven Years War, and Florida was transferred to English. England then divided Florida into two colonies, and St. Augustine became the capital of East Florida. During the American Revolution, St. Augustine remained loyal to the crown.
In 1783, the entire Florida peninsula was returned to Spain as part of the negotiations ending the American Revolution. (Spain ruled for another 37 years)
From 1875 to 1887, Indians from the Great Plains and the Southwest were exiled to Florida and imprisoned in the fort.
During the winter of 1883-84, Henry Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil Co., visited the city and later built the Hotel Ponce de Leon, Hotel Alcazar, the Memorial Church and more.