St. Augustine and Jacksonville

We stayed at Mayport Naval Base - Pelican Roost rv park for a couple of days. The photo is of brown pelicans flying by. It was an almost constant event and obviously why the rv park got its name. We saw lots of other birds, too, both on the ponds nearby or on the beach where we walked. The park gave us an opportunity to slow down and relax. 

On Friday we drove to St. Augustine, the oldest continually inhabited city in the country. It was established by the Spanish in 1565. We took a walk and while we did not bother with the Fountain of Youth, we took time to tour the Castillo de San Marcos, built by the Spanish to protect their growing empire. We were lucky to witness one of their cannon fire demonstrations, the last one of the day. 

The fort changed hands many times, with the British and Spanish and then finally the United States in control of the fort. "Every transfer was negotiated through treaty and agreement, not battle." The fort was never conquered. 

Mike with one of the reenactors. 

We also stopped at the St. Photios Greek  Orthodox National Shrine, where we learned about the New Smyrna Colony. The history of this colony and its indentured settlers, their revolt and subsequent settlement in St. Augustine, and struggle to survive is fascinating. 

They created one of the first schools for their children. The school structure is still there. 

We enjoyed the city, although it seems to be one of the places where they want to sell you everything in the place.