25 February 2023, Southern Camping Trip Day 51

 Salt Springs Recreation Campground

Ocala National Forest, Florida

Return to St. Augustine and its castle fortress.

Marc-  We headed Northeast for a little over an hour to visit St. Augustine again (though the first time this year).  We parked the truck just South of the Bridge of Lions on the Intracoastal Waterway.  As soon as we stepped out we knew this was a great idea since we felt the cooling sea-breeze coming through St. Augustine Inlet from the Atlantic Ocean.  Walking over to the city marina we met some friendly boaters and saw some beautiful boats.  Out on the river the police were actively stopping boats making wakes (we saw them stop a sportfisherman).  It was a beautiful sunny day with excellent visibility.  From the city wall we could see the St. Augustine Lighthouse and a large schooner tacking out of the Inlet under full sail.  After walking around the Fortress walls we toured the main downtown streets stopping in several shops and our favorite bookstore.  We also stopped at West Marine to get some parts for our new boat.

Several Sandhill Cranes ran across the highway stopping traffic just North of our campground.

Sue wanted to stop here to see some cats.  I enjoyed the coffee.  This cafe is new since we were last here.  It is the second cat cafe in town.

Some of the cats up for adoption.

Sadly we left without a cat.

St. Augustine Lighthouse behind the mooring field.

The Bridge of Lions (drawbridge connecting downtown St. Augustine to St. Augustine Beach).

Castillo San Marcos in the upper left.

Outside the castle walls.  A party boat was passing by as we visited:  see

https://youtu.be/Divm4_3i658

We parked outside of this Bed & Breakfast (apparently the number 1 rated Bed & Breakfast in the USA).  The porch views are outstanding.