 | |  | |  | |  |
the back roads. Jacksonville is a more modern city without a lot of character. In the center of town is Jacksonville
Landing. This is a development on the river with many shops and restaurants.
Saint Augustine is a beautiful town with much history and culture. Saint Augustine is known as “The first
European settlement” in the Americas. It was founded on September 8, 1565 by the explorer Don Pedro
Menendez de Aviles and 1,500 soldiers and colonists. “Since, the city has been under the governments of Spain,
1565 to 1763 and 1784 to 1821; Britain, 1763 to 1784, and the United States, 1821 to the present." I had
dinner at the Ale House & Brewery in Saint Augustine, FL. I sat outside on the second story balcony enjoying the
fresh air.
Tuesday, October 21: Awoke in Saint Augustine at the La Quinta motel. I had a Cuban Rueben sandwich in
the Old City at a Deli. They had an outdoor seating area in the back. It was a pleasant place to eat and plan my
day. From there I took the Trolley tour through downtown Saint Augustine. We saw the oldest stone fortress in
North America – Castillo de San Marcos, the original Ripley’s museum, the entrance gate to the old city, the
outside of the Fountain of Youth area, the three Flagler hotels, the oldest prison and oldest existing home in North
America. I got off the tour at the Fort and went inside. It was very impressive. It was never taken in its long,
interesting history. Its construction was completed in 1695. It “Is the oldest coquina masonry fort and best
preserved example of a Spanish fort in the continental United States”. From there I walked to the Old City Gates
and down St. George Street, which is a pedestrian mall, where I saw many historic buildings, including the oldest
wooden schoolhouse. Then I walked by Flagler College, which use to be the Ponce de Leon Hotel, built by
railway magnate, Henry Flagler in 1888. Then I went by the Lightner Museum, which use to be the Alcazar Hotel,
which was built in 1888 by Flagler as well. I drove by the Oldest House, which is approximately three centuries
old. I then drove to the Fountain of Youth, where I took the tour. I drank some of the same water Ponce De
Leon drank back in 1513 (date?). There were many birds on the grounds, including peacocks, running around. I
drove over the Bridge of Lions to St. Augustine beach. It’s called the Bridge of Lions because of the statues of
Lions on either side of the beginning of the bridge in St. Augustine. From there I drove the coastal road, A1A, to
Daytona.
Tuesday, October 21: Once in Daytona, I found accommodations on the beach at a Super 8 hotel. Then I went
for a run on the beach at night. It was exhilarating running in the dark on the packed sand, while listening to the
rolling waves and feeling the ocean breezes. Then I showered and went next door to a local’s bar that had a live
band playing. The people were very friendly there.
Wednesday, October 22: Awoke in Daytona. I checked out of the Super 8 Oceanfront hotel in Daytona
Beach. I had breakfast at Steve’s Diner, which was very good. From there, I drove to the Daytona International
Motor Speedway. I took a tour of the track, which was very cool. I drove a simulation race car, saw an
exhibition of the history of the track and NASCAR racing in general. Last years winner was Darryl Waltrip. He
had his winning car on display. The week before I got to Daytona, they had the largest Harley Davidson gathering
in the world, an annual event. There were still some riders hanging around when I was there. While driving around
Daytona, you can not help but notice all the motorcycle stores and hotel/motel signs saying “Bikers Welcome.” It
is a true biker, beach haven. From here I drove to Cocoa beach via Cape Canaveral.
Thursday, October 23: Checked out of the Sea Aire Motel. I took the tour of the Kennedy Space Center on
Cape Canaveral. I started my time there with a bus tour of the grounds. On the tour I saw the Vehicle Assembly
building – the Washington Monument and Statue of Liberty can fit inside, Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry
– saw a movie on Space Shuttle Launches and Landings, other NASA facilities and Launch Pads and Florida
wildlife. Upon our return to the Visitor Complex, I saw the Rocket Garden, took a tour of a full-scale replica of
the Space Shuttle Explorer, and saw an IMAX movie on the Space Shuttle program. From the Kennedy Space
Center I took Interstate 95 to S. Beach and checked in to the Maxine Resort Hotel.
Friday, October 24 until Wednesday, November 26: I spent this time getting to know different neighborhoods
of the greater Miami region - to determine if this is where I want to move at the end of my travels, catching up with
friends and family, working on my web-site and R&R.