#83 Apr 2015 An Easter Parade and The People of St. Augustine

After an exhilarating, exhausting week in Orlando we returned to Zephyrhills to rest, have leisurely coffees outside, catch up on laundry, find a windshield chip repair facility, and other chores. We visited with Neil and Nancy and some of their neighbours whom we have met before. It was a good break before we headed north.

Our final destination in Florida was St. Augustine, which is the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States. Our first stop was Old Town Trolley Tours and a hop on hop off tour of the city with 23 designated stops along the way. The historical district is very compact and the tour drivers provided excellent suggestions about what was close to each stop.

On Easter Sunday we took the complete tour and got our bearings. The trolleys normally run until 4:30 but stopped early that day due to an Easter Parade on the main roads. The ticket is valid for three days and we were able to use it for the following full three days after Easter.

After the trolley tour we found a genuine French Bakery and enjoyed lunch outside at a bistro table.

A couple from Michigan sat next to us. We chatted and got to know them and their dogs. The parade route was directly in front of our tables and no one stood in front of us. We had perfect viewing seats while we finished our coffee.

One of the dogs did not like the loud booms from the pirate's cannons.

The parade showcased 450 years of history in St. Augustine

Including the Real Super Hero

Spanish conquistadors

Pirate bunnies

Star Wars bunnies

An Easterdillo

And several Easter bunnies.

In 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in Florida purportedly searching for the Fountain of Youth. He did find a sulfur smelling spring that is commemorated in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

Ponce de Leon continued exploring the coasts of Florida but died due to a poisoned arrow at the respectable age of 61, not eternally young. (Ralph looks like he has found the key to life in retirement).

The Archaeological Park portrays the history of the people of the St Augustine area. The Timucua people thrived in the area for hundreds of years and their buildings are being re-created.

Examples of the hides from their hunting are also displayed.

In 1565 Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the first successful European colony in North America at St. Augustine. Park staff have re-created a watchtower from that time.

Volunteers in period costume explain the steps involved in firing a cannon and other weapons of the time.

An unrestored cannon salvaged from a shipwreck is displayed.

A boat-building shed displays the wood and tools used in the reconstruction of a boat typically utilized by the settlers.

The park is also home to peacocks and white peafowl. It was spring and the birds were in full mating mode.

This peacock did not like the competition he saw reflected in the truck fender.

History and folklore are full of pirate stories, many of which have become more and more unbelievable over the years. We visited a Pirate Museum that portrayed the life of a “typical” pirate ruled by Black Bart’s Code of Conduct.

Many pirates were privateers authorized by Colonial Governments to raid rival ships and appropriate their treasures of gold and silver from the New World.

This bar of silver was recovered from the Nuestra Senora de Atocha sunk in 1622.

These pieces of eight were salvaged from the Santa Maria de la Consolacion which sank in 1681.

This is said to be the world’s only surviving pirate treasure chest. It belonged to Thomas Tew, who made an enormous fortune raiding ships loaded with precious jewels, ivory and silk in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

The Museum was designed to entertain families but we enjoyed seeing and learning some of the truth about pirates.

St Augustine is a modern city with centuries of history and drama.

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring both sides including the St. Augustine Distillery

The San Sebastian Winery

And lovely pink hibiscus.