We had fun exploring different places in St. Augustine. One day we went to an alligator farm. At the entrance, there was a worker holding snake and he let the kids hold it. They were not afraid of the snake!
So many alligators!
Lots of giant tortoises.
While we explored the park, the boys and Nathan did a zip line course through the park.
Initially we were told the boys could go on the course alone and we had to be in the park, but they were too small to be able to hook on and off the different lines, so Nathan went with them. We saw them a couple of times in the park, and they had a great time zipping through the trees.
Watching the staff train alligators and feed them dead rats. It was pretty gross.
Enjoying some shade from the hot day.
The house we were staying at had a nice fenced in yard for the kids to play.
The kids had fun catching frogs and making homes for them.
Yumm, fresh watermelon in the summer is the best!
We went back to to the beach several more times. It was a treat for the kids to play in the water and sand.
Rough waters, but it didn’t stop the boys.
Benjamin especially enjoyed learning how to boogie board and would go out for long periods of time. We would have to periodically bring him back, because he would drift far away and was having so much fun he didn’t even notice it.
Eliza loves playing in the sand. On the last day at the beach she warmed up to the water, and Nathan even got her into the water and jumping over the waves at shore.
This is their happy place :)
Little boogie boarder.
Hi Grandpa and Grandma:)
Taking a break from playing.
Taking turns being buried in the sand.
Another day we visited the Castillo de San Marcos Fort. It is the oldest fort in the continental US and was designed by the Spanish to help defend St. Augustine. The fort began construction in 1672 and finished in 1695. It is made of coquina stones, local to the area.
For defense, each corner of the fort jutted out so there was never any part of the fort wall left unseen, incase people tried to breach the walls.
There was a giant moat protecting the fort.
And a huge draw bridge to protect the entrance.
Large cannons on the top level.
Observation towers on each corner. What a view the soldiers had protecting this fort.
There were lots of stairs, so Nathan and Eliza walked along the marina and looked at the sail boats.
After the fort, we stopped at a large playground. It reminded the boys of Boo Park in IL.
There was another nice park close to our house that we went to a few times.
We took turns climbing to the top.
It was a pretty view!
Eliza stayed down and explored.
It was a fun day and pretty place to spend a few hours.
One of Nathan’s good friend’s from college has parents who live in St. Augustine, and one morning he met them by the beach for coffee.
It is rare that my mom and I are together for our birthday, last time was in 2016 when we visited them in Hawaii. We celebrated a day early since we were leaving on our actual birthday. We all went to breakfast on the beach.
Then we went to the pier.
