Saint Augustine

Traveling on the ICW (Intra Coastal Waterway) from Daytona Beach to St. Augustine near SM (Statute Mile) 793 and Fort Mantanza, we finally saw for ourselves what Chris and Alyse and several other experienced mariner's have taught us about "following the magenta line" on the chart plotter and not paying attention to the actual channel markers that delineate the true ICW. As we approached this area, the channel markers had been moved due to heavy shoaling in the area and contradicted what was being displayed on our chart plotter as the safe, correct route to follow. Luckily, our training kicked in and we navigated the correct route while watching the chart plotter depict us as being on dry land. To quote Sara, "this is uncomfortable".

Aviles St. (Oldest street in the U.S.)

The oldest fort in the United States. Under siege 15 times. Never surrendered. 

Firing of the canon. 

Sara at the sentry station. 

This is a Mexican "24 lb" Canon captured during the Mexican War of 1846 with the U.S. At Vera Cruz. The 24 indicates it could fire a 24 lb. canon ball. The cast bronze canon was heavily decorated with beautiful ornate castings. 

Below is the picture we took after touring a replica of a Spanish Galleon named San Pelayo. This is the type ship Spain used to colonize the Americas and to transport the gold and silver bullion from Central and South America. We were disappointed to learn, after watching the video on the construction in 2009, that it was constructed using a combination of old and modern ship building techniques. In other words, the hull is made of fiberglass with oak beams providing the internal support. What a disappointment!

This flower was sitting on a beautiful piano in the 18th Century Ximenez-Fatio Boarding House Lifestyle Museum.  I don't remember ever seeing this flower before. Lovely!

"Japanese Camellia shine in winter, with their glossy, deep green leaves and brilliant symmetry. Red, pink, white flowers appear in spring, and range from solids to stripes and single cups of petals to light double blossoms per" Nellie Neal. 

Staying in St. Augustine for another day. Thunderstorms, high winds and rain today. Hopefully, weather permitting, on to Fernandina, FL.