Babushka's Baile : Park Ranger J. Olbrich

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.