gaylenick
May-15-2005, 04:37 PM
Nee 7x7 or anyone interested in St. Augustine - The short Chamber of Commerce Tour.
The best place to start is The St. Augustine Lighthouse and it is right down the road from The Alligator Farm (rookery)
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19378199-M.jpg
The Lighthouse and the Light Keepers house have been restored by the Junior League of St. Augustine. It also has a visitors center/museum. You can climb to the top of the Light House for a panoramic view of St. Augustine, the inlet, and the intra-coastal waterway. Even a four and a half year old will enjoy the view.
The Alligator Farm/Rookery is any little boys dream. They have all 23 species of crocodiles from all over the world. Plus, Alligators! Even White Alligators. They have some kind of show every hour and alligator feedings twice a day. And, of course the Rookery. Although, I was there taking pictures of birds a couple of weeks ago, and a young boy came up to me and ask "Why are you taking pictures of birds? This is an Alligator Farm."
Next stop would be go south on A!A over the Bridge of Lions and into the Old City.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/21364686-M.jpg
This bridge is over seventy years old. They are in the process of rebuilding it. After 70 years of storms, tides, traffic over it, under it and the occassional boat running into it, the sub structure is failing. So we are building a bridge that will look just like the old bridge only 11 feet wider. That will take 5 years. Joy, Joy.
About that picture. I finally figured out how to catch a BIF. Find something you want to take a picture of, set up the shot and hope a bird flies through it!
There are all sorts of things to explore in Downtown St. Augustine. Don't miss St. George Street for all the tourist stores. Flagler College was the old Ponce De Leon Hotel. They have tours of parts of the main building. The cafeteria at Flagler College has Tiffany Stained Glass windows. Most college cafeteria's are a little less elegant. There is alot to do downtown, too much to mention here. There are trolley rides, carriage rides and walking tours to point out all the sights.
At the north end of St. George Street are the Old City Gates.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19379106-M.jpg
Across the street from the City Gates is the Castillo De San Marcos. Our Coquina Spanish Fort built between 1672 and 1695. It is now a National Park. The Fort was never conquered. It was given to the British once for about 20 years, then of course it became part of the United States when Florida became a territory.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/22071731-M.jpg
You can get around on the water any number of ways. Pictured is the Schooner "Freedom".
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19430996-M.jpg
There is also the Victory III, a large boat that looks like an old time riverboat, Rent Me Pontoon boats, jet skis, para-sails and fishing charters. Other things to see include Ripley's Believe It or Not and The Fountain of Youth. From a photography stand point, I think you will find plenty to take pictures of.
If you do get to make the trip - Palm Coast is neat too. It is kind of a suberb of the greater St. Augustine area. Hope you have a great time.
Gayle
The best place to start is The St. Augustine Lighthouse and it is right down the road from The Alligator Farm (rookery)
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19378199-M.jpg
The Lighthouse and the Light Keepers house have been restored by the Junior League of St. Augustine. It also has a visitors center/museum. You can climb to the top of the Light House for a panoramic view of St. Augustine, the inlet, and the intra-coastal waterway. Even a four and a half year old will enjoy the view.
The Alligator Farm/Rookery is any little boys dream. They have all 23 species of crocodiles from all over the world. Plus, Alligators! Even White Alligators. They have some kind of show every hour and alligator feedings twice a day. And, of course the Rookery. Although, I was there taking pictures of birds a couple of weeks ago, and a young boy came up to me and ask "Why are you taking pictures of birds? This is an Alligator Farm."
Next stop would be go south on A!A over the Bridge of Lions and into the Old City.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/21364686-M.jpg
This bridge is over seventy years old. They are in the process of rebuilding it. After 70 years of storms, tides, traffic over it, under it and the occassional boat running into it, the sub structure is failing. So we are building a bridge that will look just like the old bridge only 11 feet wider. That will take 5 years. Joy, Joy.
About that picture. I finally figured out how to catch a BIF. Find something you want to take a picture of, set up the shot and hope a bird flies through it!
There are all sorts of things to explore in Downtown St. Augustine. Don't miss St. George Street for all the tourist stores. Flagler College was the old Ponce De Leon Hotel. They have tours of parts of the main building. The cafeteria at Flagler College has Tiffany Stained Glass windows. Most college cafeteria's are a little less elegant. There is alot to do downtown, too much to mention here. There are trolley rides, carriage rides and walking tours to point out all the sights.
At the north end of St. George Street are the Old City Gates.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19379106-M.jpg
Across the street from the City Gates is the Castillo De San Marcos. Our Coquina Spanish Fort built between 1672 and 1695. It is now a National Park. The Fort was never conquered. It was given to the British once for about 20 years, then of course it became part of the United States when Florida became a territory.
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/22071731-M.jpg
You can get around on the water any number of ways. Pictured is the Schooner "Freedom".
http://gaylenick.smugmug.com/photos/19430996-M.jpg
There is also the Victory III, a large boat that looks like an old time riverboat, Rent Me Pontoon boats, jet skis, para-sails and fishing charters. Other things to see include Ripley's Believe It or Not and The Fountain of Youth. From a photography stand point, I think you will find plenty to take pictures of.
If you do get to make the trip - Palm Coast is neat too. It is kind of a suberb of the greater St. Augustine area. Hope you have a great time.
Gayle