St. Augustine

St. Augustine, FL is the oldest continuously inhabited, European based, city in the United States. Sr. de Aviles showed up 455 years ago in 1565 with a small colony that survived. After attacks by English pirates Drake in 1586 and Searles 1668, the Spanish constructed a fort--San Marcos. This fort was an amazingly successful weapon of war. It fought 40 battles in 200 years and never lost. It is why St. Augustine thrived. The town traded sides several times by treaty but never by conquest. The uniforms worn by the canon crew pictured above are of the East Florida Rangers. These were a milita organized by the British to "Americanize" the Revolutionary War in the American south with loyalists.

St. Augustine had good run in the early 20th century when it was the vacation spot of choice for the rich and famous (before Miami got going). Currently it does well by catering to the less affluent with trendy restaurants and upscale art shops. There are several museums dedicated to the eccentricities of the previous generations. Of note, one of Flagler scions, Lewis, has successfully started a first class liberal arts college, Flager College, in downtown St. Augustine. It occupies his father's old hotel, the Ponce de Leon, in grand fashion.

Cruisers will be interested to hear about the extensive new mooring field that the city has installed in the harbour. The mooring balls eliminate the old anxiety of strong reversing currents and poor holding. For $20/day with a shower, what a bargain! This should increase the traffic here. The inlet is a worry for going offshore. Although doable White Pepper chose to avoid it and continue down the ICW.

One of the pics above show White Pepper on the mooring ball in front of the Bridge of Lions. Highway A1A (of Jimmy Buffet fame) goes over the bridge. Let me point out that the trip south on the ICW is many things but it is no longer burdened by bridges. The numerous swing bridges and basqule bridges are rapidly being replaced by standard 65 foot clearance high rise bridges which is a shame. The bridge tenders are invariably prompt and courteous, even occasionally helpful. I worry what will happen to them. I am afraid that they will have to sit in the same room as elevator operators, gas station attendants, and GM auto workers.

From St. Augustine White Pepper headed south to anchor at Ft. Mantanzas on the Mantanzas River. Mantanzas means massacre in Spanish and refers to the mass murder of French Huguenots at this spot. It is just another example of a religiously inspired war crime. I am amazed that the Spanish would memorialize it in geography. We could not enter the anchorage due low tide and had to spend an anxious night anchored in a wide spot of the ICW. Jan and I slept fitfully in our clothes that night. Up early we made 60 statue miles to New Symerna anchoring in Sheephead Cut. Then on 12-11-10 we made a short 38 mile trip to Titusville. Here we allowed ourselves the luxury of a marina slip as a fiercely cold norther was due in on the 12th.