St. Augustine...where the past and the present meet

We drove through Georgia. Much of Georgia along I-95 is swampland. Though I heard that they were hit with snow, There is none on the highway. We reached Florida around 2 p.m. and rode into St. Augustine. St. Augustine is a beautiful city, rich with history, quaint with Spanish Influence. In fact Ponce de Leon claimed it for Spain calling it La Florida, land of flowers. in 1513. Ponce de Leon felt he had found the Fountain of Youth here. After six expeditions, the French reclaimed it as a colony in 1564. Don Pedro Mendenz de Avilles of Spain conquered the and named the land St. Augustine. St. Augustine was founded 42 years before the English colony, in Jamestown, Va. In 1586 St. Francis Drake attacked the city burning it down to the ground. Under English rule Castillo de San Marcos was built. It took 33 years to complete. The fort still stands and is one of the most intriguing sites to visit in St. Augustine. Florida became the 27th state. The fort was renamed after a revolutionary hero, Fort Marion. For more history check out www.visitflorida.com
While in St. Augustine we visited Love's Art Emporium and were wowed by the art of Michael and Inessa Gamash. A husband and wife team who actually paint together on one canvas. On exhibit were also Dr. Seuss paintings and the three dimensional art of Bill Mack, an awesome sculptor.
We visited The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. It is the first parish in America created in 1565. It was burnt down when Drake burned the city down. The church was rebuilt and one of its missions was to help freed slaves settle. Slaves were bought and sold at St. Augustine's square.
Wandering in the church you feel the history. I was in awe and overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. Check out the church at www.thefirstparish.org.
Afterwards we went to the American Legion Post 37 built in 1941. We had a few drinks and then went to Harry Seafood Bar and Grille for diner. A great place to eat recommended by the locals. We are heading towards Fort Lauderdale and we are staying at a rest stop at Vero Beach.
Labels: Love'sArt Emporium, St. Augustine, The Cathderal Basilica
2 Comments:
I'm sorry you visited this beautiful city at its coldest. My wife and I relocated from New Hampshire seven years ago, and it has never been as cold. The Keys aren't much warmer this winter. Visit us in the summer and hit the out-of-the-way places. And the beaches.....
Regardless of the weather, I love it there.
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