American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Ft. Matanzas

Day 5 of the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip finds BB at Ft. Matanzas National Monument. Fifteen miles away from St. Augustine, it was a nice leisurely Sunday drive, especially with Carlitos and his guided navigation. Ok si, a lo bueno se acostumbre facil. I am quickly and easily spoiled by the finer things in life.  But can you blame me?  Look how purty he makes it!

Colorful Composition by Carlitos

And talk about purty-  look at this pic of Ft. Matanzas.

Of course this shot was taken when the ferry was close to the fort.  Queee?? You didn't know it was only visitable via ferry?  Here, a little video to give you a taste of the waters and what's ahead. 

 

Now remember the part about the narrow opening at the top to go to the flag...

We arrive at the actual fort, Fort Matanzas. 

A National Monument for its' history, its' longevity and its' service to our country.  

As told brilliantly by this Park Ranger.

In the fort-  

On the ground floor we see how soldiers may have been housed 

and the different uniforms used by various troops who served at Ft. Matanzas.

the view from inside-

the second floor- 

These stairs Babushka had no problem with.

The sentry's quarters.

Now, remember what the ranger had said about a narrow opening?  

BB had no problema with the stairs going to the second story, but the ones going to the roof?

Babushka's Cuban Cadera (Caboose) going through there?

JU SO FONII!!!

BBP (Babushka Bullet Points) on Ft. Matanzas National Monument

* Back door protector for the city of St. Augustine

* Under Spanish govt. Gov. Manuel de Montiano commisioned the fort 

* In 1740 construction made from coquina taking 2 years to complete

* Never overtaken by battle

* Acquired by US in 1819  Declared a Ntl. Monument in 1924

*Can only be reached via ferry- so take precautions if you get seasick.

*No entrance fees but donations are always welcomed

*Is very relaxing and if you want to make a day of it you can go fishing, hiking, and picknicking. (of course check out licenses for the first one- the other two are done near the visitor center.)

So tempting and sooo perfect for this Sunday afternoon,

but Carlitos was ready to navigate to Ybor City, and at this point I happily let him.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  I had such a lovely time and the surroundings were beautiful, plus I actually had a good camera, so look at the photos on my Feibu page- they're very good- if I say so myself.  

; )

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.513410638685909.133240.258124544214521&type=3

and don't forget my YouTube Channel- http://www.youtube.com/bohemianbabushka

P.P.S.  Thanks once again to the Beautifuls at Florida's Historic Coast for all their hospitality in this part of my travels.

P.P.P.S.  And of course, to the wonderful major sponsors- Mil Gracias.  The views expressed in my posts are always mine (who else would claim them?) but there'd be no roadtrip w/out them.  Thanks.

American Latino Heritage Fund- Castillo de San Marcos

Day 4 of the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip finds us at St. Augustine, the most famous of Florida's Historical Hispanic hotspots- and BB means that in every sense of the word.  Founded by Spain in 1565, it was a booming town 42 years before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth Rock.  Imaginate, there was actually a time we were early!  And not only were we early, we knew a good thing when we saw it.  Queen Regent Mariana mandated the building and fortification of a fort to defend La Florida, and though it took 23 years to complete, the Castillo de San Marcos is still a strong testament of Spanish Colonial construction and to the people who defended her.

BB in front of the Castillo de San Marcos

Now a video from a man who knows, Ranger J. Olbrich.  Poor man had no idea what BB was about or about to ask, but he handled it great- much better than Babushka, but more on that in a bit.  

Ahora, remember BB saying St. Augustine was a hotspot?  I wasn't just whistlin' La Guantanamera My Beautifuls- it was 96 degrees on this day, and after a self directed tour, the rangers narrative, and waiting for the next canon exhibition I was about to faint- truly.  Knowing that my Capitan Maria de los Angeles had the canon firing as a main point of interest, I quickly scouted out the top of the fort.  Never underestimate the determination of a melting Babushka y'all.  The only shade on the top-

BB's Oasis

Down went the Popa bag to stake my territory!  

You'd be amazed how much slinking into shadows 

and squeezing into tight places I can do to keep my sanity.

 This is the view from the top, the angle of my next video-
actually, I think it came out cool.

Ok si, BB was cool(er) from this angle, but then I did go chasing the action.  

The full length canon drill- an intricate dance with tools and timing- is on BB's youtube channel. Actually, I was feeling guilty being sick from the heat- can you imagine being out here in wool?  That's what the soldiers wore, and some of the braver re enactors follow the original lines.

BB had the honor of meeting a family of re enactors-

yes, there is a lady in the ranks.

  JU SO FONII!!!  

You knew I wasn't talking about BB didn't you?

  ; )

Castillo San Marcos BBP (Babushka Bullet Points)

* Over 300 years old

* Never fell to enemy via attack-  changed ownership via treaty and such

* Had at one point over 60 canons of 6 & 18 lb variety

* Can be extreme (so BB) in weather conditions. Dress appropriately and bring supplies.  

* MINIMUM of 3 hours to visit

* Feibu Fabuloso https://www.facebook.com/pages/Castillo-de-San-Marcos-National-Monument/151539938192568

So por supuesto, I had fulfilled my assignment- 

and now to fulfill my body and soul. 

How perfect is the name??


Por Supuesto.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  You can find more pics on Babushka's Feibu page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.513210745372565.133158.258124544214521&type=3

P.P.S. Mil Gracias to Ms. Barbara and the great folks at the Florida's Historic Coast

for all their help with entrances and lodging in beautiful St. Augustine

P.P.P.S.  And as always, thanks to the major sponsors of this major event.