St. Augustine Florida
The Fountain of Youth
By Lena Hunt
St. Augustine, Florida. There is history that is still alive in her mighty centuries-old fortress and along her coquina (tiny shells) stone walls. Archeological findings reveal that Native Americans inhabited this ancient town, which hugs the Atlantic Ocean, long before Ponce de Leon discovered it in 1513. He called this area “La Florida” because of its explosion of wildflowers and then he proclaimed the area (which consist of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and its beaches as part of the Spanish Empire.
Visiting here is like taking a trip to old Spain. The ancient Castillo de San Marcos was built in 1672 as a large fort to keep the town from being invaded by pirates and other raiders. Today, the history is recreated during the weekends as soldiers in their 18th century uniforms relive the action with the firing of the ceremonial muskets or the fort’s authentic cannons.
St. Augustine, Florida
The Fountain of Youth
By Lena Hunt
Southern Florida Cruise Port Specialist
Tampa - Miami - Port Canaveral - Ft. Lauderdale
September 12, 2010
Solid brick streets meander to historic churches, horse drawn carriages and old trolleys carry you to living history museums, and the town spills with charming restaurants and bed & breakfasts. Unique antique shops and old restored homes are umbrella’ed by enormous trees with moss dripping from every branch. St. Augustine is not only the oldest town in the continental USA but it’s simply enchanting.
The historical discoveries of a town that doesn’t resemble most downtown America will highly contrast and complete your scheduled cruise. One must-see-and-do is Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. As you enter, you’ll drive under the natural arch of giant Georgia-like overgrown trees with their thick moss overhang then you’ll enter the Fountain of Youth stone archway. The Fountain of Youth is an archeological park beholds an original cross that was formed by the famous conquistador’s men back in 1513 when they named the area “La Florida” upon finding it and claiming it for Spain.
Step back in time as you walk the trails that many have walked through the centuries. View an authentic Timucuan Indian burial mound and, yes, savor a drink from the Fountain of Youth as you visit a civilization that started with the Indians and was discovered again by the Spanish. Beautifully-colored peacocks roam the area freely, the grounds are gorgeous and there is a planetarium and much more.
Now keep in mind, the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine is a historical place and the area where you dip your cup in for a drink in hopes of grasping a bit more youth and vitality is a small whole in the ground. Many for ages have come to drink from this fountain. Yet it’s not some magnificent fountain, per se, or fascinating waterfall. It literally is a hole in the ground that provides drinkable water that many have considered to provide a longer life and extended youth. So this natural attraction will not be interesting if you don’t focus on the history of the area and if you don’t listen to what the staff tells you about this ancient town.
Savor a piece of old fashioned apple pie in one of the many quaint eateries that has been preserved from days of long ago. Find some great antiques to take home with you. You're rally stepping back in time here. It really is a rare thing to find such history in our young country.
Be prepared to come with an open mind, a listening ear, and to learn about the roots of our nation. You’ll have an excellent time roaming through such a quaint town and learning many amazing historical facts as you relive the happenings of life back in the mid 1500s and on.
