We decided to take a trip to the Historical Downtown St. Augustine area.  It was a sunny cool day, so why not go adventuring into Tourist Land.  We fully expected droves of humans abounding everywhere.  Spring break is here and although most of the school districts try to stagger their breaks, you can tell that school is out.  Lots of little and not-so-little children running around.  The not-so-little look like that pre-teen age where they really don’t want to be seen with their parents.  hahahaha  Luckily most of them have their handy cell phone so they can text their friends and not look where they are going.

We found the parking garage easily enough.  The first stop is the Visitor’s Information Center.  I had to stop and take a picture of the mosaic in the front walkway.  Lots of individual pieces of tile that made this definitely a piece of art.

I took a picture of the other side that was completely in the sun…

Of course, my thought was for the person bending over putting in each piece by hand to end up with such beauty.  Ever lasting, right?  Such detail.  Fantastic.

We picked up a couple of maps of the Downtown area so that we wouldn’t get lost. “Big Fat Book of Coupons” found its way into my back pocket.  I found a 10% off coupon for lunch.  Gotta try out “Harry’s”.  10% off might pay for my beer.  😉

One of the wall hangings is an artist’s rendition of an early Florida map made in 1630 made by a Dutch West India Company cartographer.  I love old maps and how early explorers viewed coastlines.  Where is the Panhandle?  Was Florida really that small once?

 

Out back of the Visitor Information Center is a large water fountain of the “6 Monks”.  These are actually mask reproductions from the sister City of Aviles, Spain donated to St. Augustine in 2005.  The “Canos of San Fransciso” is a historic landmark in Aviles, Spain.

They look beautiful and a bit creepy all at the same time.  Are they whistling? Are they looking at me?

Around the corner on our way to the Historical District is the Public Burial Cemetery.

 

We overheard a tour guide mention that if you were interested in ghosts to visit the cemetery after dark.  Well, every ghost hunter knows that ghosts aren’t just in cemeteries at night, but all the time.  I took a bunch of pictures to see if I caught any orbs or mists.   I like this monument.  Lots of rock, high enough to be above the water table, and gated to keep the riff raff out.  Probably a very important person is buried under all that stone.

Unfortunately it was a very bright day so no need to use a flash.  I didn’t use a magnifying glass but I didn’t see anything obvious.  Do you?  Nice peaceful garden in the middle of metropolitan St. Augustine.

We ventured onto St. George Street in the middle of the shopping area.  As you can see it is a nice concrete pedestrian street with store fronts on both sides of the road.   A combination of historical buildings, shops, and restaurants.  The trees lined along the street created a nice shady place to stop and people watch from time to time.  Plenty of benches and rest areas for visitors old and young to wait for their women folk to finish their shopping.

The oldest School House in America.  I didn’t go in, but I saw this enterprising student.  See the squirrel under the eave of the sign?  I chastised the proprietors of the shop for throwing peanuts to the squirrel.  There is plenty of food for them amongst the trees.  The proprietor said she just couldn’t resist their begging.  You know on hind legs with arms up looking adorable.

Then I told the proprietor to beware…. “When Squirrels Attack”!!  ( I think it is supposed to be a movie like the Sharknado for all you SyFy fans.  Campy but fun ).  hahaha  I know she thought I was crazy.

Can’t resist the Tiki totem pole.  Everyone should have one in their back yard!

Old building with a water wheel.  This was outside of a ‘bar and grill’.  No stone ground flour found.  The outside of the building looks original, doesn’t it.

 

It was getting late and time for our lunch.  Looking at the sightseeing map, we decided to take a short cut off St. George’s street to Charlotte Street.  We found the street to be made from bricks.  Beautiful but hard to walk on.

Some of the bricks were stamped.  Looks like a mixture of old and new bricks.  Nice view.

 

One side of Charlotte Street had a few shops and Inns.  The other side of the street were the backsides of stores.  The street reminded me of New Orleans.  Trees, old houses, brick roads, and store rear ends.  Aren’t these the cutest Inns?!

 

Both brightly painted.  Adorable!!  Close to the waterfront and shopping district!

Speaking of shopping.  I saw this sign and had to investigate.  “Filthy Rich”.  A jewelry store.  The store has reproductions of “stars” jewelry.  Like the diamonds that Angelina Jolie wears for only $39.  What a bargain!

 

We did find lunch.  It was ok.  We have had better and worse.  So, ok.  They did have a 3D ceramic wall insert that was eye catching.  Wayne had the jambalaya which meant we had to find ice-cream on the way back to the boat to cool down the spices.  😉

To the waterfront!!  We saw one of the old galleons, pirate ships, and this big beauty.  The American Cruise ship that does river cruises up and down the east coast of Florida.

El Galeon that is open for tours to get you a perspective of how a 16th century sailor’s life was.  This boat is 170 feet long and takes 28 crew members to work the over 9000 square feet of sails.  Doesn’t look so big from the Bridge of Lions over the Matanzas River.  I took a picture of it from the waterway as we were entering St. Augustine.

We had a great day.  Lots of fresh air, sights, sounds, and plenty of exercise.