“people are more ferocious and the land is colder” Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo,

SPECIAL NEWS:  A NEW DIRECTION(Kinda) FOR MY BLOG

I KEEP INSISTING THAT YOU TRY ADVENTURES & SHARE MY WEEKEND MINI ADVENTURES

But in May I will be going on a real adventure

and I will do pictures and commentary ONLY on this Blog…..the first couple of weeks are in London and more—then I’m spending some time in Cornwall (already have reservations made).  So keep reading for up dates daily.

 

DSC_0012

PICTURES OF THE DAY:  Another lovely lady from the Scottish games….the rest of the personal pictures are from last weekend at Mt. Dora with my Meet Up Group

By the mid-sixteenth century King Philip of Spain felt an acute need to establish a coastal stronghold in the territory he claimed as “La Florida,” a vast expanse including not only present-day Florida but most of the continent.   http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/LAMP/Historical_Research/a-brief-historical-overview

WEDGEWOOD 4" VASE Vintage

HONORABLE MENTION

(ok WAS WRONG–these next 3 are personal pictures and are from previous wk. end at Scottish Games again)

DSC_1127

DSC_1129

DSC_1130

MICHAEL HAYMAN JEWELRY

www.haymancelticjewelry.com

985-630-3447

haymancelticjewelry@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.416352491404.218450.318369591404&type=3

DSC_1009

On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on the shore of what is now called Matanzas Bay and began the founding of the Presidio of San Agustin. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_augustin_1.html

Freeform Butterfly Bowl Mid Century Modern 1967 Aluminum Alloy Vintage Nambe #567

DSC_0122

and another Scottish day–this one at the Outlander Tent—you’re never too young to love Jamie—a bit Bree? (that’s Jamie & Claire’s Daughter)

All kinds of fun things:

OUTLANDER-INSPIRED MERCHANDISE AROUND THE WEB

DSC_1020

While on a quest for gold, Juan Ponce de León founded the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and landed on the mainland of North America, a region he dubbed “Florida.”    http://www.biography.com/people/juan-ponce-de-le%C3%B3n-9444105

Item picture

SHOULDER PURSE RED & BROWN ALL WEATHER LEATHER DOONEY AND… (262252561228)  $26.00

Present for CONSIDERATION FOR A NEW ADVENTUE

 FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
University of Florida Cultural Plaza
3215 Hull Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-846-2000
Butterfly Rainforest(live butterflies, turtles, birds and fish) in outdoor tropical setting with plants, waterfalls.
Hall of Florida Fossils
Northwest Florida Waterways and Wildlife
South Florida People and Environments
Energy Future
Florida Wildlife and Butterfly Garden
Children’s Discovery room
Daily Butterfly Plant Sale
Gift Shop
Admission free except for Butterfly Rainforest and special temporary exhibits.
Parking $4.00 (cash)
 DSC_1014
 Along with the Spaniards came diseases to which the New World natives had no immunities.  What followed was one of the greatest tragedies in human history as smallpox, influenza, and other communicable diseases ravaged the native populations, killing millions. http://www.shmoop.com/spanish-colonization/summary.html
THOUGHT I’D EXPLORE SOME FLORIDA STUFF THIS WEEK
DSC_0242
FINALLY Mt. Dora—it’s most famous historical house.
and today’s location an area that you might not think of as historical–you probably don’t think about it at all.
The King of Spain gave “Governor” Hernando DeSoto four years to colonize America from the Port of Havana. DeSoto’s long journey through America, searching for riches in order to entice more settlers to his new colony, was well documented in candid, personal journals by members of his all volunteer “army.”    http://www.floridahistory.com/inset33.html
According to Wikipedia
CRAWFORDVILLE, FL

 is an unincorporated community and county seat of Wakulla County, Florida, United States.  It is also the birthplace of:  Buffalo Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham and that is more than I knew before I started looking into the place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawfordville,_Florida

 

CRAWFORDVILLE IS
THIS FAR (MILES) FROM:
Tallahassee ……………………….24
Jacksonville ………………………165
Tampa ……………………………..191
Orlando ……………………………217
Atlanta ……………………………..250
Miami ……………………………….397
according to Trip Advisor the #1 thing to do is
TNT Kayak Rental

T~n~T Hide-a-Way, Inc.  6527 Coastal Hwy.    Which rents canoes on the Wakulla River which is fed by an underground spring that emerges at Wakulla Springs State Park and flows out to the Gulf of Mexico. http://tnthideaway.com/#_=_

and the #1 Restaurant is

HAMAKNOCKERS BBQ   2837 Coastal Hwy
Hamaknockers BBQ is a Family Owned Restaurant that has been spoiling customers for over 9 years with their World Famous BBQ. Known for their fall of the bone ribs, juicy chicken, famous smoked wings and of course  tender pulled pork!!           http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34156-d1892647-Reviews-Hamaknockers_BBQ-Crawfordville_Florida.html
 BUT A SIDE TRIP LESS THAN 10 MILES AWAY WILL BRING YOU TO SAN MARCOS

That this is an important historical area—because of the Spanish…someone we more generally think of as only being on our East coast.  In fact the territorial governor Panfilo de Narvazez landed (this was his second site of landing) here in 1528 with 300 men and stayed long enough to build the FIRST EUROPEAN SHIP in America.

Then in 1539 Hernando de Soto and his men came through here on their way to Mexico.

in fact the 2nd oldest fort (St. Augustine being the oldest in both the state and the continental United States.) in the state was built here in 1679, when Spain decided to secure La Florida to protect their trade routes.  http://www.northwest-florida-travel.com/san-marcos-de-apalache.html

Today the site I commemorated at

SAN MARCOS DE APALACHE HISTORIC STATE PARK

Above is the museum which along with self-guided tours interpret the ruins left by the Spanish.

The museum has displays, programs and artifacts to let you experience the history filled past of this small little known area in north Florida.  The museum was built in the 1960’s on the foundation of a Civil War Marine Hospital, which was itself made of material from the original fort.  It includes an 18 minute video with the history of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces all of which once occupied this site.

The Historic nature trail (.33 mile) goes past the historic ruins in the park.

http://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/florida/san-marcos-de-apalache-state-park

THEY’RE EVEN CLOSER TO Wakulla River Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

This park boast one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, and there are daily guided riverboat tour, as well as glass bottom boats,  swimming and nature trails thru the old growth forest.  A 1937 Lodge open year round with a full service restaurant round out the facility.      https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Wakulla-Springs

So what I’M TRYING TO SAY IS NEVER RULE OUT AN AREA

DSC_1004

Until you’ve checked out all it’s little nooks and hidden places.  Do a little walking with your fingers before you go or even decide to go somewhere and you’d be surprised what delights you might discover within your budget and often just around the corner.

DSC_1022

OH and that Commander who landed there:  Facing attacks from native tribes and diminishing rations, Narváez and his men built five barges using pine trees to set sail for a Spanish settlement in Mexico. A storm in the Gulf of Mexico destroyed the barges and most men perished, including Narváez. Only four survivors made it to Mexico.    http://www.floridahispanicheritage.com/facts.cfm?lang=en

Collectiable Plate from Germany:  FURCHER KIGELHAUS 1989 Teller Nr. 3042A

 

.

 


 

 

 
 

Leave a Reply