St. Augustine, Florida is proud to boast that it is the oldest European city in the US.  The first settlement was established almost 50 years before Jamestown.  My first visit to St. Augustine was in 2003.  Since then, I have gone back 4 times, two times this year alone.  I'm planning a trip again at the end of the year (hopefully!).  One of the absolute best things about St. Augustine is that every time I go, there is something new for me to see. Even if I go visit the same spot several times, the experience is always different.   

One of my favorite places to go see is Colonial Spanish Quarter located on St. George Street.  This is a great place to visit, especially if you have kids.  As you walk through the Spanish Quarter, you'll experience how people lived in St. Augustine in the 1740's.  You're able to see and talk to the townspeople dressed in the clothes of the time as they cook and tend to their livestock.  You can even talk to the blacksmith as he shows you how difficult it was to make tools for the townsfolk.  If you're tired, then sit down and have a drink in the Taberna del Gallo, a re-created 1740s tavern.  Costumed barmaids will be more than happy to serve you some sangria and tell you about life in the 18^th century.   

As you walk through the Colonial Spanish Quarter, you'll notice what looks like a stone structure across the street.  This is the Castillo de San Marcos, and it's not made out of stone. It's actually made out of coquina, a material that you will hear a lot about when visiting St. Augustine. The Castillo de San Marcos is an absolute must-see in St. Augustine. It's the only 17^th century fort left in North America.  In the Castillo, you can view the weapons demonstrations (cover your ears when they fire the cannons!) and quiz the Spanish citizens about life in the Castillo.  Be sure you go talk to the "surgeon," and ask him to show you the bullet with the teeth marks.  That'll leave a lasting impression on you.  It sure did to me. 

 Guest Blogger - Leslie Bofill

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