St. Augustine, Florida

After visiting the lighthouse, we spent a couple more days in the St. Augustine area. There's lots to see and do here. The city itself dates back to the early 1600's. We visited the fort, the mission and Old Town. Here are a few pictures:

Our first stop was to cross this bridge for a religious experience. Known as "America's Most Sacred Acre",  tradition has it that the colony's first mass was celebrated here. The chapel was built in 1615, honoring Our Lady of La Leche. It was a very quiet and humbling experience. The grounds were immaculate.

Known as Nombre de Dios Mission, or Name of God Mission, it served as a gathering spot for the local Indian tribes of the area. As early as the 17th century, the Timucuan Indians would come and sing songs in Latin.

This cross was erected in 1966 and is the world's tallest cross at 208 feet. It marks the approximate spot where in 1565 the cross of Christianity was first permanently planted in what is now the United States.It is built of 70 tons of stainless steel plates filled with concrete so as to withstand hurricanes.

Novena Prayer to Our Lady of La Leche:

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving Mother of Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, his spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior.

Intercede with him now, my loving mother, that in accordance with his will (mention your request here). This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the name of your Divine Son, my Lord and Savior. Amen

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving Mother of Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, his spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior.
Intercede with him now, my loving mother, that in accordance with his will (mention your request here). This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the name of your Divine Son, my Lord and Savior. Amen
- See more at: http://missionandshrine.org/#sthash.NLTz76r1.dpuf

Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving Mother of Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, his spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior.
Intercede with him now, my loving mother, that in accordance with his will (mention your request here). This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the name of your Divine Son, my Lord and Savior. Amen
- See more at: http://missionandshrine.org/#sthash.NLTz76r1.dpuf

The founders of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine are buried here along with six federal soldiers of the Civil War. Most of the remaining graves are of parishioners buried here prior to 1900.

After visiting the mission, we headed over to Old Town. Cobblestone streets and quaint shops of all types await you. Take a stroll back in time.

Another stop is the Old Jail, more of an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants. They have live entertainment nightly, all set in period venues.

What's an old jail without the "chain gang"? The inmates were hauled to the rock pile in the wagon where they proceeded to make small stones out of large rocks. Now they simply have to pick up trash along the freeways.

Leaving St. Augustine, we headed back toward Flagler Beach. I took this picture because of the street's beauty.

Not to be missed was the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. 

Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there. Only the gift shop was open. 

It is 175 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the United States.

We decided to take a short cut to the beach by taking the old "Beach Road". Constructed in the early 1800s, it went from Old Kings Road to the Atlantic Ocean.

It was also the entrance road to the Bulow Sugar Plantation and is still in use today to view the Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park.

It is pretty much as it was in the 1800s.

It had rained and was cold and windy when we arrived at the Atlantic Ocean so we decided to stay in the car, but we still wanted to see the water. Fortunately, they allow vehicles on the beach as long as you don't speed.

We spent some time on the beach watching the fishermen and the surfers. While there we had a picnic inside the car with sandwiches Debi had made and brought along.

Next up was a very unique area, Vilano Beach. Now consisting of marinas and a pier, it formerly held the distinction of being home to the Vilano Beach Casino, built in 1927. Gambling was not allowed in the casino but vaudeville acts and Big Bands from NYC performed here. While being an oceanfront casino, it also boasted a salt water swimming pool, 150' long and 50' wide. Storms of 1936-37 washed the casino into the sea and it was never rebuilt.

This is the pier mascot, the "Bluebird of Happiness".