October 8th we spent the day flying Jet Blue from Long Beach to Orlando to start our two week road trip of Florida with Pam and Fred. This was the vacation to explore Florida by driving to all types of destinations. We start in Orlando Wednesday morning driving to The Villages then into Saint Augustine. From here we make a circular trip of the state going down the Atlantic East Coast through Fort Pierce/Vero Beach, Miramar, Miami, Key West then up the Gulf West Coast through Homestead, Everglades City, Fort Meyers, Sarasota and returning to Orlando.
Mid morning we loaded our luggage in the car and the four of us took off to The Villages to visit our favorite Florida family member Donna Phaneuf. We always love to connect up in person once again. We chatted and went to The Village's Lighthouse Point Grill for a delicious lunch and more catching up.
From our visit a few years ago we knew that the food would be wonderful, and we weren't disappointed! The Lighthouse Point Grill sits on the shore of The Villages' Lake Sumter Landing, a gorgeous spot to relax and view while dining and having conversations. For the food as an example, I had the Lobster Roll. Their version is quite different than the New England style that we had last year traveling those states with Ray and Sandra from England, but I have to admit it was not lacking the lobster!!!
Back at Donna's, we continued with a lot of talking and Donna gave Pam the tour of her lovely home and what The Villages floor plans are like. Donna's craft room must be the envy of all of her friends in The Villages … amazing! We then took off for Saint Augustine where we had booked rooms in The Bayfront Inn which sits across the street from the Matanzas River shoreline.
As it was late afternoon, after checking in, we decided to walk around some of Saint Augustine. The historic and old buildings of the city are marvelous. Just a couple of blocks from The Bayfront, on a small street we were strolling, we passed this marvelous house all decorated for Halloween in spectacular pirate theme. These folks really know how to decorate!
Even buckets hoisting up "bones" to the stern of a pirate boat off of the second floor, to the magnificent door wreath … all was just delicious!
This afternoon's stroll also took us past the Gonzalez-Alvarez House, the Oldest House in Saint Augustine. For more than three centuries the site has been occupied by Saint Augustinians. Saint Augustine's Oldest House - The coquina walls of this authentic example of an early Spanish colonial home were built upon after the town was burned during the siege of 1702. Changes and additions reflect the city's history. Archaeology indicates continues occupancy of this site by Europeans since the early 1600's.
The Gonzalez-Alvarez House from the First Spanish Colonial Period, built ca. 1727, enlarged after 1763. This building is significant because of the site's early Spanish Colonial history and architectural features that represent both Spanish periods and the British period.
Next we came upon the Tovar House from the Second Spanish Colonial Period, Built ca. 1791. It is on the street edge and the property is enclosed with a solid wall. Rectangular window opening, a front balcony, and coquina stone construction are other important Colonial characteristics.
St. Francis Barracks was the next gem we came upon, located on the waterfront of the Matanzas River. It was used as military housing by the British from 1763 to 1783, by the Spanish, 1783 to 1821, then by the United States. Today the Barracks and the military reservation house the Headquarters of the Military Department of the State of Florida and the Headquarters of the Florida Nation Guard.
Next we came upon the Tovar House from the Second Spanish Colonial Period, Built ca. 1791. It is on the street edge and the property is enclosed with a solid wall. Rectangular window opening, a front balcony, and coquina stone construction are other important Colonial characteristics.
St. Francis Barracks was the next gem we came upon, located on the waterfront of the Matanzas River. It was used as military housing by the British from 1763 to 1783, by the Spanish, 1783 to 1821, then by the United States. Today the Barracks and the military reservation house the Headquarters of the Military Department of the State of Florida and the Headquarters of the Florida Nation Guard.
Our next historic home we came across was the Dr. Peck House. In 1837 Dr. Seth S. Peck purchased the house and rebuilt it using the old walls and adding the frame second-story. The stone walls of this building date from before 1750.
The Historic District in St. Augustine is the heart of the city. This is where the majority of the city's restaurants, shopping, hotels, and attractions can be found. The Historic District is the oldest part of the city with many buildings dating back to the 1700s. Even the streets are laid out as they would have been centuries ago and are more walkable than today's cities. The design on building facades represents the height of Spanish Colonial and Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture. This area of town showcases everything from early European design, Florida bungalow style houses, and Gilded Age extravagance. Being the nation's oldest city, the Historic District of St. Augustine represents all that history has built here since 1565. We even found this waterwheel at the mill at the beginning of our adventurous walk through old town!
The Historic District in St. Augustine is the heart of the city. This is where the majority of the city's restaurants, shopping, hotels, and attractions can be found. The Historic District is the oldest part of the city with many buildings dating back to the 1700s. Even the streets are laid out as they would have been centuries ago and are more walkable than today's cities. The design on building facades represents the height of Spanish Colonial and Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture. This area of town showcases everything from early European design, Florida bungalow style houses, and Gilded Age extravagance. Being the nation's oldest city, the Historic District of St. Augustine represents all that history has built here since 1565. We even found this waterwheel at the mill at the beginning of our adventurous walk through old town!
Strolling the streets of Saint Augustine and taking in all of the historic Saint Augustine shops and buildings.
The historic district is the setting of Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA .... St. Augustine.
When we curved around the street corner at the end of the walking streets of the historic district, we saw the Fort Castillo de San Marcos sitting on the Matanzas River. This was to be our exploration tomorrow!!!
While walking back to our hotel we came upon the Bull and Crown Restaurant on St. George Street for dinner. We sat on their lovely wooden deck patio right on St. George Street facing all of the historic buildings for us to marvel upon. The food was great and the setting the best!
Thursday morning we started our day of exploration by visiting the Saint Augustine Fountain of Youth and its Archaeological Park. We had no idea that the ground would cover 15 acres. Thinking we were going to see this most-likely little water steam called the Fountain of Youth and then be on our way, we ended up spending the entire morning on the grounds and learning so much! We entered the property at the entrance on Magnolia Street. The signs directed us on how to get to the front entrance.
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park commemorates the 1513 arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida and the legend of The Fountain of Youth. The story goes that when the Indians were seen, they averaged much taller than the Europeans and they also found out that they lived a good 20 years older than Ponce de Leon and his homeland people. Thus, they believed that this water must certainly be The Fountain of Youth!
Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth entrance with the spring water and some historical displays.
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park commemorates the 1513 arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon in Florida and the legend of The Fountain of Youth. The story goes that when the Indians were seen, they averaged much taller than the Europeans and they also found out that they lived a good 20 years older than Ponce de Leon and his homeland people. Thus, they believed that this water must certainly be The Fountain of Youth!
Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth entrance with the spring water and some historical displays.
A historical photo of folks visiting the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth:
The Fountain of Youth - This spring was discovered in 1513 and was recorded a landmark in a Spanish Grant.
And we were able to each get a drink from this splendid Fountain of Youth. That's probably why in a few years when we look in the mirror we will look exactly the same … saving these present day looks forever!!!
One of the displays in the Fountain of Youth room was this plaque and pictures of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who commissioned Ponce de Leon for an expedition to Bimini in 1513. Ponce de Leon had accompanied Columbus on his second voyage to Puerto Rico.
The Coquina Cross of 1513 is composed of coquina, a type of sedimentary rock that is found all over the world. Coquina is packed with tiny shells of marine creatures over the course of millions of years. The resulting rock is one of the few native stones occurring in northeastern coastal Florida.
Next to the Fountain of Youth, The Coquina Cross of 1513 marks an original burial ground.
Ponce de Leon claims Florida … a mural in the Fountain of Youth building.
Ponce de Leon - Shipmate of Columbus in 1493, First Governor of Puerto Rico. Discoverer of Continental North America. Landed here on the northeast coast of Florida. Claimed all lands for Spain on Easter Sunday, April 3, 1513.
Ponce de Leon - Shipmate of Columbus in 1493, First Governor of Puerto Rico. Discoverer of Continental North America. Landed here on the northeast coast of Florida. Claimed all lands for Spain on Easter Sunday, April 3, 1513.
Garden plants and Fountain in the gardens of the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
In our exploration we came across model ships of Ponce de Leon - The three ships in Ponce de Leon's small fleet were the Santiago, the San Cristobal and the Santa Maria de la Consolacion.
We also saw the Timucuan Indian Burial Grounds located in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. X-rays of the Timucuan Indian Burial Grounds located in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park show the remains under these sacred grounds.
Saturiwa was the Main Chief or "Cacique" of the Timucus Tribe and is honored with this statue on the grounds.
And the fun is always had along the way … Pam and Mary Anne take over!!!
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park has on display 17th & 18th Century Cannons. There are demonstrations that are put on that we all witnessed.
This large chalupa was on display by the Matanzas Bay and St. Augustine’s Inlet here at The Fountain of Youth grounds. It was made by both hand-carving-out and burning the wood to make this boat.
This large chalupa was on display by the Matanzas Bay and St. Augustine’s Inlet here at The Fountain of Youth grounds. It was made by both hand-carving-out and burning the wood to make this boat.
The landing on the Matanzas Bay and St. Augustine’s Inlet at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
This marker commemorates that on March 2, A.D. 1513 Don Juan Ponce De Leon set sail from Porto Rico in search of "Bimini" and the "Fountain of Youth". On Easter Sunday March 27 he sighted this land and named it "Florida". April 3, A.D. 1513 he entered the harbor and landed in this vicinity.
The Fountain of Youth is maintained here as a memorial o Juan Ponce de Leon discoverer of Florida and its first Spanish Governor 1513-1521. Juan Ponce de Leon born in Spain 1460. Governor of San Juan now Porto Rico 1509-1511. He made the first recorded sea voyage to what is now The United States of America making his first landing in the vicinity of Saint Augustine first permanent settlement in the U.S.A.
Leaving the Fountain of Youth, we found the main boarding area for the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour "Hop-On, Hop-Off" leaving from The Old Jail and museum site. We purchased our tickets and decided to tour the Old Jail first before riding the tram. The Old Jail was established 1891. Its construction was financed by Henry Flagler, who struck a deal with the county for $10,000 because the former jail building stood on land that Flagler needed for the construction of his Ponce de León Hotel. The Old Jail served as the St Johns County Jail until 1953. It was constructed not to look like a jail but a hotel so that it would not be obtrusive to the town.
Our Old Jail tour guide tells us much about the jail and Sheriff Joe Perry.
During the tour, the guide told us that the jail originally was built to house up to 72 prisoners. The two story northern wing of the Jail consists of a general population and maximum security area, women's and men's sections and a lower level kitchen. Maximum Security housed the most dangerous prisoners held at the Jail and includes a Death Row cell, for those condemned to die. A total of 8 men were hung from the Gallows on the Jail compound during its history. Overall conditions at the Jail for those serving varying sentences were quite poor by modern standards and prisoners were typically used as free farm laborers during the day. Baths were infrequent, toilet facilities consisted of one bucket per cell and diet was poor and was typically supplemented by any animals that the prisoners might catch while working on the fields. Segregation by race was steadfastly adhered to at the Jail and disease, violence and death were commonplace. The two story southern wing of the Jail consists of an Office for the Sheriff and living quarters for his family.
Mary Anne gets caged to be hung from a tree for awhile! Hopefully she avoids the gallows!!!
Our Old Jail tour guide tells us much about the jail and Sheriff Joe Perry.
During the tour, the guide told us that the jail originally was built to house up to 72 prisoners. The two story northern wing of the Jail consists of a general population and maximum security area, women's and men's sections and a lower level kitchen. Maximum Security housed the most dangerous prisoners held at the Jail and includes a Death Row cell, for those condemned to die. A total of 8 men were hung from the Gallows on the Jail compound during its history. Overall conditions at the Jail for those serving varying sentences were quite poor by modern standards and prisoners were typically used as free farm laborers during the day. Baths were infrequent, toilet facilities consisted of one bucket per cell and diet was poor and was typically supplemented by any animals that the prisoners might catch while working on the fields. Segregation by race was steadfastly adhered to at the Jail and disease, violence and death were commonplace. The two story southern wing of the Jail consists of an Office for the Sheriff and living quarters for his family.Mary Anne gets caged to be hung from a tree for awhile! Hopefully she avoids the gallows!!!
We toured both floors of the Old Jail seeing the lock-up cells, women's section, solitaire, kitchen and more. Even though the cells were made to accommodate four prisoners, there were generally 12 to 18 put into that small space.
The office for the Sheriff and living quarters for his family were spectacular for the time and a definite contrast to the shabby living conditions of the inmates cells and surroundings.
The office for the Sheriff and living quarters for his family were spectacular for the time and a definite contrast to the shabby living conditions of the inmates cells and surroundings.
With the Old Jail tour completed, we hopped aboard the St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour "Hop-On, Hop-Off" tram.
We saw the historic Saint Augustine City Gate where there is no longer a gate but just the stone wall that once held the gate. The Old City Gates were at one time the only entrance into St. Augustine. The two ancient columns made of stone were built in 1808 as a line of defense for the city. They are a symbol of the turbulent times faced by the original American colonists and a truly memorable landmark. 
We learned that Henry Flagler built most of Saint Augustine and many other parts of Florida as well. Henry and his new wife Ida traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, which they found charming but lacking in adequate hotel facilities and transportation systems. Flagler believed that Florida had the potential to attract large numbers of tourists. Though Flagler remained on the Board of Directors of Standard Oil, he gave up his day-to-day involvement in the corporation in order to pursue his interests in Florida. He returned to St. Augustine in 1885 and began construction of the 540-room Hotel Ponce de Leon.
Henry Flagler built the Grace Church in 1887, using the same builders and architects that he used to build the Ponce de Leon Hotel.
In 1888, Flagler built the Hotel Ponce de León, his first in a series of luxury resorts along Florida’s east coast. A masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture and the first major poured-in-place concrete building in the United States is now known as Ponce de Leon Hall of the campus of Flagler College. A National Historic Landmark, it serves as the centerpiece for Flagler College.
We saw the historic Saint Augustine City Gate where there is no longer a gate but just the stone wall that once held the gate. The Old City Gates were at one time the only entrance into St. Augustine. The two ancient columns made of stone were built in 1808 as a line of defense for the city. They are a symbol of the turbulent times faced by the original American colonists and a truly memorable landmark. 
We learned that Henry Flagler built most of Saint Augustine and many other parts of Florida as well. Henry and his new wife Ida traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, which they found charming but lacking in adequate hotel facilities and transportation systems. Flagler believed that Florida had the potential to attract large numbers of tourists. Though Flagler remained on the Board of Directors of Standard Oil, he gave up his day-to-day involvement in the corporation in order to pursue his interests in Florida. He returned to St. Augustine in 1885 and began construction of the 540-room Hotel Ponce de Leon.Henry Flagler built the Grace Church in 1887, using the same builders and architects that he used to build the Ponce de Leon Hotel.
In 1888, Flagler built the Hotel Ponce de León, his first in a series of luxury resorts along Florida’s east coast. A masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture and the first major poured-in-place concrete building in the United States is now known as Ponce de Leon Hall of the campus of Flagler College. A National Historic Landmark, it serves as the centerpiece for Flagler College.
Henry Flagler statue at the entrance to Flagler College, the original Hotel Ponce de Leon. 
We passed the beautiful City Hall of Saint Augustine on our trolley tour.
Ponce De Leon statue in front of City Hall Saint Augustine
Ponce De Leon statue in front of City Hall Saint Augustine
Markland House is a historic mansion built in the Greek Revival style in St. Augustine.
Spanish Moss in the Saint Augustine trees
There was so much more of historic Saint Augustine that we took-in while riding the trolley, but these few examples are great memories. Returning from the trolley ride, we went through the small History of Saint Augustine and Old Jail Museum. There were interesting displays and lots of history.Old Jail Museum - Early Settlers in the Great Depression years
Old Jail museum diorama of jail yard
Our last stop of the day was back to the fort we saw yesterday from the outskirts of Saint George Street. Castillo de San Marcos is this magnificent fort with it being distinguished as the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and a National Monument.
Castillo de San Marcos walkway and drawbridge over it's moat which was never filled with much water (just whatever rain water accumulated) but used to ward off approaching hostile troops and slow them for firing upon them from the fort.
Castillo de San Marcos cannon
Castillo de San Marcos Close Quarters ...
This replica British-era (1763-1783) bunk would have slept four soldiers, two on top and two on bottom. These four men were considered "mess mates" the basic unit in the British Army. Everything they had fit here. At the foot of the bed, you will se a place for four guns and four coats. There is space below for other gear. Also food storage and other quarters.
Castillo de San Marcos floor plan
Castillo de San Marcos is North America's oldest masonry fortification. Spanish Floridians began this fortress in 1672, more than 100 years before the United States became a country. For centuries, these walls protected the people of St. Augustine - Spanish, British, and American - from natural disaster and conflict.
Castillo de San Marcos shows various cannons
Pam & Fred as seen from the top of Castillo de San Marcos
The white flag with the red Cross of Burgundy flies because that was among the Spanish flags used during the years of construction of the Castillo and its outpost.
Castillo de San Marcos shows various cannons
Pam & Fred as seen from the top of Castillo de San Marcos
The white flag with the red Cross of Burgundy flies because that was among the Spanish flags used during the years of construction of the Castillo and its outpost.
It was a wonderful day, full of exploration, fun and excitement. With the day drawing to an end, we made the short drive out to the Saint Augustine Victorian Light Station. We walked around the enclosure and took a few pictures while learning some of the lighthouse history. In 1589 Italian cartographer (mapmaker), Giovanni Battista Boazio published his map of the raid of Sir Francis Drake on St. Augustine three years earlier. The map is the first documented archival reference of a wooden watchtower at the end of Anastasia Island. The watchtowers were erected by the Spanish crown during the building of the Castillo De San Marcos to keep enemy ships from taking Anastasia Island. The watchtower at the north end of the island eventually became the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and the one at the sound end became Fort Matanzas National Monument. The current lighthouse tower is 145 years old in October 2019.
Fred and Pam treated us to a combination birthday dinner at OC White's Seafood & Spirits which was a block and a half walk from our hotel. We had a delicious meal and great dessert. We sat outside with lovely weather and enjoyed a breeze from Matanzas Bay.
Returning to The Bayfront Inn, we finished the day at one of the tables near the pool having some individual wine that Pam had purchased for all of us earlier in the day. we enjoyed the evening looking across the street and absorbing all that Matanzas Bay was offering us. What a way to start out our first days of this great Florida road trip!
Complete captioned photo album link here. 
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