MAY 5, 2007...St Augustine...copy

This is about the 4th time we have tried to add copy to the pictures. Just about when we are ready to publish we lose our connection. As stated, the pictures are scrambled since we can only upload 3 or 4 at a time and the blog decides the order.
We left the marina for the 25 mile trip to St. Augustine at 9:00am. Because of a number of weekend fisherman it took us 2 hours. Along the way we saw a number of Dolphins again and a Manatee. We also probably saw the longest dock ever...check the picture, it must be a quarter mile long. This has to tell you how shallow it is near shore and why you need to stay in the middle of the channel. No room for error. We also got a beautiful view of a restored Queen Anne home just before we arrived in St. Augustine.
We also caught a glimpse of the St. Augustine lighthouse...see picture. Plan to visit on Sunday. If you have visited St. Augustine I'm sure you remember the Bridge of Lions. Well it is no more; it is being replaced by a 65 foot high rise bridge. They even built a temporary bridge until the new one is completed in 2010. I guess they saved the lions, but probably not the pillars. What a shame!!
We are staying the next three days at the city marina...right in the construction zone. Assume Monday morning will be an early wake up with the noise. After we tied up and got a car, we signed on for the tourist train ride around town. We didn't get off the train but got a number of pictures...Fort, George Street, and Churches built by Flager. The Gulf Stream may have been the original reason for St. Augustine, but Flager built it. The whole area is filled with his buildings. It seems he built a church for every religion...and beautiful. His Hotel is now the University. He also built the railroad to Key West. When you don't pay taxes it sure helps.
The evening found us at an outside table at a great little Brewery Rest. near the marina. Following dinner we took a walk on George Street. A lot of night life. We found a little bar in the Spainish area where they sing old sailor songs....see picture. I guees you have to be local to really enjoy it.