We were up early again Sunday morning. First stop was to walk onto the bridge so we could get a closer look at the replica of a Spanish ship. Ed love making models of these ships, so he spent quite a long time looking it over. 
Our next stop was Castillo De San Marcos. This was the first stone fort the Spanish queen authorized in 1672. The fort is made of coquina. Coquina is naturally formed in the ocean from limestone and fossilized shells. Its very soft when first quarried, and when left to dry, forms a block that cannon balls cannot penetrate. This fort was never taken over by force. Its the oldest masonry fort in the United States.
We took the time to watch a demonstration of a cannon fire.
We were told that the reason they were so good at defending the fort, was that the practiced every day. They always used the oldest gunpowder for practice and saved the good stuff for the real battles. There cannons they fired that day had a 3 mile range. They were very accurate when in battle.
We then hoped on the trolley to go to Mission Nombre De Dios. When Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed in St Augustine he had with him, Father Lopez. Father Lopez was to bring Catholicism back to the area. This is the first mission in the United States. The Statue of Father Lopez with the cross in the background. The cross marks the spot of the landing.
There is so much to see in this town. In order to really see everything you need a good week. We only had 3 days and only 2 of them were nice enough to walk around. It would really be good if you could take the time to rest a day in between. But we really enjoyed the area. Wouldn’t be a bad place to settle someday.
Our next stop was Castillo De San Marcos. This was the first stone fort the Spanish queen authorized in 1672. The fort is made of coquina. Coquina is naturally formed in the ocean from limestone and fossilized shells. Its very soft when first quarried, and when left to dry, forms a block that cannon balls cannot penetrate. This fort was never taken over by force. Its the oldest masonry fort in the United States. 
We took the time to watch a demonstration of a cannon fire.
We were told that the reason they were so good at defending the fort, was that the practiced every day. They always used the oldest gunpowder for practice and saved the good stuff for the real battles. There cannons they fired that day had a 3 mile range. They were very accurate when in battle.
We then hoped on the trolley to go to Mission Nombre De Dios. When Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed in St Augustine he had with him, Father Lopez. Father Lopez was to bring Catholicism back to the area. This is the first mission in the United States. The Statue of Father Lopez with the cross in the background. The cross marks the spot of the landing.
There is so much to see in this town. In order to really see everything you need a good week. We only had 3 days and only 2 of them were nice enough to walk around. It would really be good if you could take the time to rest a day in between. But we really enjoyed the area. Wouldn’t be a bad place to settle someday.
Looks like a lot of great sites. We were there a long, long time ago but I don't remember much of what we saw. Maybe we'll make it there again someday.
ReplyDeleteI just pinned both your days. We hope to be there in September. Nice to know how long we should plan our stay. Thanks.
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