Friday, July 22, 2011

Older Than Dirt

Three cheers for Miss Daisy who figured out the first stop on our great family adventure. Yes indeed, that beach is off the east coast of Florida near the beautiful little city of St. Augustine

There was method to the madness, too.  You might recall that both the husband and I are celebrating the Big 5-0 this year. (Actually, he’s already there. I’m planning to be fashionably late…) 

So, we set our sails in search of the Fountain of Youth.  Just call us Mr. and Mrs. Ponce de Leon.


 In full disclosure, we didn’t actually see the mythical fountain.  Oh, we considered it; it just didn’t make the cut. I decided to spend the $40.00 admission price on some really good face cream and vitamins instead.



We were more interested in visiting the old city.  



When I say old, I really mean it.
St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the US. It was founded as a Spanish mission in 1565


There’s so much to see!  Every family has its own peculiar taste, and ours leans to the historical, especially in the form of living history.


  That’s why we headed into the old Spanish Quarter.


It was here that we encountered this fellow. He was busy with the militia, preparing the defense against the most dreaded of invaders...


…those Protestants from Georgia.


uh- oh…
mums the word

He was among the best historical interpreters I’ve ever seen, entertaining us on the origin of phrases like and going off half cocked and flash in the pan.  

I love stuff like that. I’m a word person ya know. 

We ventured from spot to spot and house to house, and I’m proud to report that I can still embarrass my daughters by wearing a dopey delighted smile and asking twenty questions.

Go, Mom...


One house was Spanish. 


Another was the oldest English home in the area.


Here, interpreters played the roles of a married couple who bantered back and forth throughout the house. I laughed all the way through the tour.

Which means that either I'm very easily amused 
or they were very amusing 


I think it’s both.
I highly recommend it.  

There was so much more, but let's face it. As far as vacation pictures go, a little goes a long way. I may be blonde, but I'm not dumb. You're just going to have to visit St. Augustine for yourselves.


OK, just one more. Anyone want to guess what this is? 


On to the next leg of our Florida adventure. So long, St. Augustine. Time to venture forth in the quest for the fountain of youth.  Now, where in the world could that be?

Sharing this with Decor To Adore for
Wayfaring Wednesday

Which, by the way, is a great idea for a party. 

38 comments:

Unknown said...

So love St. Augustine. Can see you had a wonderful time. So much history there ...
Happy PS weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
How fun! I am so pleased that you have finely honed your skills at embarrassing your kids.
Sounds like everyone had a great time - including the enactors!
Love history. We usually look at old homes and antiques when we can.
I turned 50 in May, as you know. Is that why I use phrases like going off half-cocked and flash in the pan????!

Barbara F. said...

Hi Debbie, St. Augustine is definitely on my list of places I want to see! I can't believe there is a $40 admission to the Fountain of Youth lol

Miss Merry said...

Thank you for taking us along on your vacation! Hmm, that price for the fountain of youth seems a little steep to me, too. And if it worked - I am sure it would have cost even more! Happy Birthdays.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Debbie, so glad to see you found something that's "right up your alley" for your spontaneous vacation! I like historical vacations, although Renaissance Man prefers a quiet stream somewhere with a fly rod. Fortunately, we compromise WELL. (That IS what you're looking down into in your last pic, isn't it?) You're not 50 yet? Come October, I'll have you beat by a year -- and it's not bad at all! Enjoy the rest of your vacation, then stop by and check out my blogoversary auction!

Lynn said...

Who needs the fountain of youth, didn't you hear that 50 is the new 20??? No? Well, me neither, but I think we should start the rumor:@) Sounds like you had a great time!

Patti said...

Beautiful photos, Debbie!!! I love St. Augustine!! (Actually, I love Florida!!)

Why not try DeLeon Springs State Park, located in DeLeon Springs, which is just north of DeLand. (DeLand is about a half hour west of Daytona). I did a blog post about having a meal at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill in the park while on my recent trip. The waters there were said to be that proverbial Fountain of Youth.

Happy travels to you!

Love,
Patti

no spring chicken said...

You should write the travel brochures! You certainly made me want to go... alas, I'm an entire continent away...

Blessings, Debbie

Canadagirl said...

I am with the other Debbie you SHOULD write the travel brochure indeed!

I love love love historical vacations. I can't wait to hear more. [o=

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

Sharon said...

Mrs. de Leon,

Well, you are having yourself quite a time, now aren't you?

Looks like great fun. Glad to see that you're like me - never passing up a chance to embarrass the children!

Now, my guess on the last picture is this - In lieu of the (overcharge) $40 admission fee to the Fountain of Youth, my favorite (thrifty) Georgian peach decided to come up with something else. This looks like some sort of drain thing, or well - and Mrs. de Leon snapped a reflective picture of her adorable family off the water in the bottom. Am I close??

And yes, my family has taken their share of historical vacations. My favorite was when we traced Highway 49 in California - visiting all the little towns that sprang up during the Gold Rush. It was so very interesting, and we took our time visiting. Panned for gold in Columbia - but alas, we were not as lucky as Mr. Sutter!

Have fun - miss you!

corners of my life said...

Such a great adventure!
I'm guessing - a dunking well??

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Yes! My hubby is a serious collector of anything to do with the early west, so we do love historical stuff anywhere we go. It's all so interesting, and I haven't been to this part of Florida, so was nicely educated with this post.

But I have to admit, my favorite part of this was your ability to still embarrass your kids!! :)

Have a ball!

xo

Unknown said...

What a great trip and how smart to use your $40.00 for face cream and vitamins, lol. I hit the BIG 50 last year and feel as young as ever :)

Blessings!
Gail

Christine said...

Fourty Bucks to see the Fountain of Youth?
Good choice buying the wrinkle cream.

My guess is a Wishing Well, for those who couldn't get in to see the Fountain of Youth/.

Shug said...

If you find that "fountain of youth" please contact me ASAP....

Looks like a fun time and the pictures are wonderful..
have a great weekend..

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Hi Debbie,
So thrilled your family is on vacation and such a lovely one--the beach is my absolute favorite place on earth to go--haven't been but a handful of times in my life but they were all incredible--the pic of your hubby and girls is so so precious.

I miss you dear friend but hope you are having the time of your 50 year old life. God bless you.

Much love,
Dianne

Denise said...

I'm thinking "well of youth" for cheapskates? You can wish you were still young but look inside and see that, alas, you are not? Throw in a rock and see if you can splash some "youthful" water on you to make you younger? Guess I'll have to wait your arrival home to fill everyone in on the details. Hope you had fun.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh so glad I didn't miss this...now I have had a virtual vacation....how wonderful.

Well once a teacher always a teacher...I think that is what vacations are for.

This was great...I need to go, well there are tons of places I need to visit...but until then thanks for the tour...it was great.

Maryann said...

Would this be a picture of some type of stockade? You have made me want to go to St Augustine with your description.
We love vacations or day trips that have anything to do with history. We like touring civil war battlefields. Enjoy your vacation, I hope you continue to share some pictures with us.

Ann said...

Living where I live, you already know I am a history fan .... I knew it was St. Augustine. I've never been ... need to drag ol' "won't go unless it's an amusement park" to there sometime!

Glad you are having fun, and you know me .... "....she's a brick house ..." I'm A-1 at embarrassing the kiddos! LOL!

Cheers!

Tanna said...

Debbie, I have always wanted to visit St. Augustine! Thank you for the intro tour! I have to say I am a big lover of historic things, too. Last year for family vacation we went to Chatanooga. You would have LOVED our park ranger guide! He was amazing. I am so glad you had such a good time there and look forward to hearing about the next stop!! blessings ~ tanna

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
We went to St. Augustine and we paid that price for the Fountain of Youth and I can't say it made me any younger! Smart choice spending it on vitamins and wrinkle cream. Lovely tour. Hubs wouldn't pay to get in the Spanish quarter either so I just snapped pics and took the walking tour!
Have fun!
Sherry

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I love historical type vacations and we tried to visit as many sites as possible when we were in florida (and up and down the East coast!) - so is this one of the forts that helped protect St. Augustine? Castillo de San Marcos maybe? I know you are having a ball with your family and can't wait to hear more of your trip. Loved the costumes and commentary.

~Jean

Renée said...

Thanks for a wonderful stroll down memory lane! I was there years ago and it is a remarkable place. Glad you're having a fun family time...we are too @ the beach!

Babs said...

Gosh, Your tour of St. Augustine was great. We went there many years ago and I can see I missed a lot of neat things. I love historical vacations. Thanks so much for letting me tour with you...even though I am one of those Protestants from Georgia. LOL Love that.
Hugs,
Babs

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Making memories. Enjoyed the trip with you. Now if I could just find the real fountain of youth.

Gayle said...

You and the shiney red Kodak did a terrific job. Looks like a great trip.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I like your older than dirt! Yes I love historical vacations, so neat. I like your pics of your vacation.....

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

Yes, I do love historical vacations! Obviously, since I took all those pictures at Old Salem. That trip didn't require any luggage though ;) I'm still trying to talk DH into going back to Williamsburg. He's not as much about the history thing as I am.

My parents LOVED St. Augustine when they went several years ago, and I would love to go there myself. It's on my list. Thanks so much for sharing your pictures. I like the English house best; English is really my style. Oh, and before I forget, Happy Birthday to you and Mr. Ponce de Leon!

Hugs,

Denise

FrouFrouBritches said...

Is it a well? I've never been to St. Augustine, but I love touring historic places. I HATE history as far as dates of wars and stuff like that, but I love seeing how people lived their day to day lives. I'm nosy like that. Is it nosy or nosey? Hmmm.

Looks like y'all had a great time. Glad you haven't lost your touch when it comes to embarassing the girls. HA!

Decor To Adore said...

Mr. Decor's grandmother lives VERY close to St. Augustine and it is a place I never tire of visiting. It was such fun to see it through your eyes.

Thank you for linking up!

Anonymous said...

It is so very nice to meet you! My family visited St. Augustine when I was 6; apparently the Fountain of Youth is a hoax 'cause I look old now!!!!!
Stop by and visit any time and enjoy your day!

The Boston Lady said...

Living in Orlando, St. Augustine is one of our favorite long weekend destinations. It is beautiful at Christmas time when the city strings thousands of lights around the old city. Thanks for the trip! Ann

Tami said...

That seems like a wonderful vacation. We have done some historical vacations and they are always so fun. One day, the Other Nut and I talk about renting an RV and going cross country to all different sites. That sounds exciting to me-as long as I have a home to come home too:)

Jocelyn said...

Great pictures! I've been there twice. Once on our honeymoon, and then a few years ago to take our children.
Visiting from WW.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Debbie! Had I known you were there, I would have treated you to lunch, and you could have used the money saved to go to the Fountain of Youth! Now, you have to rely on wrinkle creams nad vitamins. ;-)

Oh, I can't believe one of my fave bloggers was within steps of my house, and I didn't know. I will leave you guessing, but you most likely walked past it, and if you took the tour train, you definitely went past it. Alas, you must come back some time.

So glad you had fun! Is that the well in the Plaza or is that the well in Old Towne's park? Or maybe a hole in our road??? One never knows.

I adore the living history museums, and it appears you hit the best ones. Did those costumed reinactors take you through the Ximenez Fatio House or the Oldest House? Actually, the Oldest House isn't the oldest house (shhhhhhh... the convent owns the oldest one better known as the O'Reilly House... their wall predates the OH). One of the nuns has trained herself to make lace the way the French nuns who founded the Convent of St. Joseph did.

The guy whose grandfather owned our house at the turn of the last century is descended from some French protestants who were given a chance to convert or be shot and thrown in the water. Guess which one they chose??? Yep, and his grandson is here to tell the tail. LOL!

Love you and come back and come see ME. I'm a tourist destination. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm also the Typo Queen. Tell the tail??? Nad? There are other more odious errors in other posts, I'm sure. This just shows I've been in exile. My fingers aren't as nimble as they once were on the computer keys.

XO,

Sheila

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Or it shows that I've been distracted, waiting for my morning snack. ;-)

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