The oldest

We have been in St Augustine Florida for the last 3 days, having driven from Tallahassee Florida. Had rain the first several days and got caught in several,showers, but were dry within 20 mins. Today it was in the 80’s with 93%+ humidity..

You can drink 16 oz of H2O in 30 seconds in this heat..

This is the oldest non indigenous community in the US. (There is carbon dated evidence of people having been here for 6000 years. ) Founded in 1535. By a guy named Melendez,who proclaimed the land in the name of God,then got practical and named it for Spain. It became a Catholic colony, no matter what the Indigenous people thought. Ponce deLeon landed up the coast in 1513, but didn’t stick around.This was a nasty place back then.

There was one group of English, Greeks and Italians who formed a colony 60 miles south of here ,1200 landed,within a year 450 were dead.

Within 8 years 600 had left and walked together to St Augustine,then a British colony..They were lead by a Catholic priest,but we’re in such Dire shape they were taken in by the British. After the British lost Florida in the negotiations following the Revolutionary war the land was given back to Spain and Catholicism flourished.

Florida is called the 14th colony,because it played no significant part in the formation of the US, even though there was only one battle fought here.

The other day we took a drive up the coast in search of Manatees. It is a little early for those that are migrating,but we found a couple.

They are believed to be a mom and baby. Heeeers baby.

We decided to drive up the coast back to St Augustine on A1A. While passing through Daytona beach you didn’t see any beach,but you did see solid hotels on the beach . They almost have a sea wall already built out of hotels. We’ll spare you any pictures of that mess. You really appreciate the California Costal Commission even with it’s shortcomings.

More tomorrow,going to try and get some sleep.

Was awoken at 3:15 to the sound of the Ice Machine running incessantly.I got out of bed and here were two women filling two huge ice chests I told them to knock it off ,and didn’t they have any consideration for anyone else? No they had to leave at 4 AM.

Mind you there is a store open 24 hours 50 yards away.

Sometimes I’m completely flabbergasted.

Paul