June 4,2010 St. Augustine

St. Augustine was founded in Sept. 1565 and has existed for 444 years. It was controlled by the spanish between 1500 and 1640.They were in control until 1819 when they relinquished Florida to the U.S. Today we went to the the Lighthouse and Castillo de San Marco.

St.Augustine lighthouse was first made of wood to guide ships to shore and then Sir Frances Drake burned the city and the light.Later it was rebuilt of coquina stone. Then along came the U.S. and in the 1800's rebuilt the lighthouse after it had deteriated.You can take a tour of the lighthouse,grounds and lightkeepers house all for $7.00.

St.Augustine Lighthouse

Beautiful oak trees

Next we went over to San Marcos De Castillo. This fortress was started in 1672 making this one of the oldest standing structures in the U.S. This fortress has seen many changes over the years and looks much the same at the completion in 1756. As you enter you go over a drawbridge. There is a moat all around the fortress.Here are a few photos of the fort.

This soldier had to be very hot with that uniform on. The heat and the humidity today made it quite uncomfortable.

After our visit to the fort we walked around historic St. Augustine. There are lots of shops and places to eat on streets that are closed to motorists. This is a photo of the oldest schoolhouse in the U.S.

We decided to call it a day and head back to the rv after having lunch at O.C. Whites.