A day in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Beach, Florida: We had a very restful night after the Glorious Win over the Beavers last night. The game didn't start until 10p here, so we slept well, slept long and have now recovered from two long driving days. After coffee, we went down to beach to walk/jog.

My Driver heads out for his morning run


It was chilly - even the gulls were trying to keep warm


The pier at St. Augustine Beach


Another poser

The entire afternoon was spent in St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the "oldest continually-occupied European-settled city in the United States", claims to have the oldest home, wooden school house and pharmacy in the United States, has a very cool fort and is, of course, where Ponce de Leon discovered the Fountain of Youth (more on this tomorrow).

Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in what is now St. Augustine in 1513.


The entire city was celebrating the University of Oregon's big victory

The St. Augustine city center is quite compact and walkable - though you really have to watch your step because of all the cobblestone and brick streets. There were so many tourists - from all over the world - I thought a cruise ship must have been in port. But no - St. Augustine is so quaint, old and charming, the place just attracts crowds. Also this is "Bike Week" and thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts are in the St. Augustine area. Many of the streets are auto-free (too narrow for a car anyway) and the shops are fun and not too many are tacky tourist shops.

< Old city gates

Many restored buildings


Oldest wood school house in America (or so says the sign)


A statue of Pedro Menendez de Aviles, founder of St. Augustine,
stands guard outside the old Alcazar Hotel. The building now houses
the St. Augustine City Hall and the Lightner Museum


The courtyard inside City Hall. Windows looking into the
courtyard were once luxury hotel rooms.


An old brick street, lined with old homes


Another gorgeous courtyard


The port of St. Augustine - they are getting a new bridge


Time for a snack! We tried the A1A Ale Works brew pub.

 
DT tried the A1A Red Brick Ale - "Good for what ales you"


A1A also serves tasty duck egg rolls with mango "ketchup". (Cannibals, aren't we?)


We stopped back by the beach on the way home

We will stay in this evening. I am roasting a chicken! Until my next update, I remain, your second-oldest Oregon Duck tourist in St. Augustine, Florida.

RV Park: St. Augustine Beach KOA. We have a pull-through 50 amp site and are paying an unbelievable $77 per night.