12/16 St. Augustine, FL

It has been about seven years since I was last here, so I figured it was a good time to spend a few days here.  Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy most of the three days, but I did manage to get out and do some sightseeing one day.  Since I knew parking would be bad for motorhomes, I took Uber.  

This is the view of part of the harbor and the fort in the distance.  The fort is a national park, so I got in free with my senior pass.  

Interesting information about the seawall.  

The fort is in pretty good shape for being here for so long, but then again, it never really got into any serious battles.  

The entrance.

Inside the fort.  

This is the original door.  Notice that there is a smaller door for pedestrians within the bigger door.  

 And a store room.

A mock-up of a barrack room.

I found the art on lot of the cannons to be interesting and very complex.  Usually, it was of the queen, king, or another royal person who paid for the cannon.  Also, the greenish cannons were bronze and are mostly original.

The next few photos were all taken from the second floor roof.  

The handles are supposed to be dolphins jumping in the waves.  And, no, dolphins do not have hair or smiles that look like this, but then again, these were made in Spain by someone who had probably never seen the ocean, let alone dolphins!

I watched a bunch of re-enactors fire a cannon.  Any cannons that are black, by the way, Are reproductions made in Indiana!

I learned a lesson when I tried to videotape the actual firing:  When you expect a loud sound, rest your camera on something substantial so you don't drop it.  Luckily, I did not really drop the camera on anyone's head.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrr4TLhsY4&list=UUDzA0v0JGaOHwje-86hmTsA&index=1

Obviously, a royal emblem of some sort, but I have no idea which one.  

Another royal emblem.  

I ended up taking a tour bus, but got bored and wandered around the downtown area, which was filled with shops and restaurants and thousands of tourists.  Got myself a bowl of clam chowder and piece of key lime pie to go.