March 28, my husband, youngest daughter and I went to St Augustine for the first time in about 5 years. Last time we were there - the Red Train (trolly) had an accident in the rain. We were left with a lasting impression - having an accident in one of those things can be terrifying!
Anyway, we arrived to our hotel, the Holiday Inn on Ponce de Leon Blvd. Nice place, spacious room, first floor, easy access to the outside door. We had dinner at Zaxby's and came back to the hotel due to the impending storm heading our way. (we drove through it to get to St Augustine, and it was hot on our tail).
About 2:30am, the fire alarm went off. It works. Too well. The hotel management had it shut off quickly - false alarm. Probably someone drunk and just want to be a butt. After the alarm was quieted, a couple that had been arguing prior, decided to take it outside and let EVERYONE know they were fighting. (According to the wait staff the next morning - it turned in to a fist fight.) Needless to say, we didn't get a lot of sleep.
Breakfast the next morning was pretty nice - buffet, all you can eat - waitstaff was polite, courteous, and attentive (worthy of a good tip).
After breakfast, we headed in to Old St Augustine. My plan was to park in the public parking garage and take the Trolley around town to figure out where we wanted to stop, then plan the best, most efficient way to make it happen. We started our trip by going in to the Visitor Center - good thing because we found a very helpful woman selling trolley tickets and discount tickets to some of the local attractions. For under $160, the three of us could ride the trolley for 3 days, all day, go to the Old Jail, Ripleys Museum, the Old History Museum and the Lightner Museum.
We hopped on board the trolley outside the visitor center and began our journey. Toured quite a bit around the town, and when we came up on Ripleys, my daughter suggested we go ahead and stop. Good thinking on her part - the bottom of the sky fell once we were inside! We took our time and then took the trolley around the rest of town. We stayed on board until the rain stopped, landing at the Lightner Museum. We breezed through the museum, because at that point, we were all pretty hungry. My husband took out a map that the trolley lady gave us and started looking for a place to eat. He found an Irish pub in the heart of the shopping district (still in Old St Aug).
Barley Republic Irish Pub, (http://www.barleyrepublicph.com/) - BEST Fish n Chips I have EVER put in my mouth! A definite must for anyone visiting the city and wanting food. Nice staff, loved the atmosphere.
After lunch, we walked around the numerous shops. My husband was very patient and waited in the "street" while the ladies shopped, but he was able to see and hear Colonial-dressed people playing instruments and walking through the crowds, drumming up support for a torch-lit parade they were planning for the night beginning at the Fort (Castillo de San Marcos). We literally shopped until we walked over the fort, watched a gorgeous sunset, and waited with the crowds for the parade. They fired a canon, then started the march from inside the fort, walking around it and ending up in the Colonial Village. (we went back to the hotel - we were beat!)
Apparently Saturday night is the night when people go out to bars and drink until they can barely stand so they go back to the hotel and cause all kinds of commotion. Between 12 and 2:30pm we had 3 groups of drunks causing ruckus in the halls (which amplify ALL sounds). Last drunk went through the halls playing a harmonica! And then between 6 and 7, a group of about 30 kids started leaving their rooms. Kids - with no adult asking them to be quiet - so they were loud, with the sound booming though the halls. What's that, about 3-1/2 hours of undisturbed sleep? Husband was not happy, I was not happy. But we had our coffee and OJ, and checked out of the hotel. I made sure that the manager on duty know that we would likely not be returning to that hotel. Because of the noise and the drunks. Sad because the room was large and spacious, and spotless! And the breakfast waitstaff was wonderful. I did get money back on my stay, but I made sure to tell them they need to put in some sound buffers in that hallway.
After we left the hotel, we went up one block and turned to go to the Old Jail. It was practically in walking distance of the hotel, but we checked out so we had to park somewhere. The Old Jail was entertaining - our guide (Hungry) was an older prisoner fellow who told some good tales among the history of the old jail and it's sheriff, Perry. I would definitely recommend taking this tour. Very interesting and entertaining.
From the Jail, we walked next door to the Old History Museum, I have to say I was disappointed, Not much to really look at and take in unless you wanted to spend your time reading. A lot. I'd pass on this one. We hopped on the trolley and headed back in to the Old town, riding and touring until we stopped at the St Augustine Distillery (http://staugustinedistillery.com/) - we had a very energetic tour guide. We first watched a short film giving some background on the distillery and the local farmers that provide the ingredients for the "refreshments" made at the distillery. We saw how the liquid was made, and then we were able to taste the vodka that was made and bottled. (Yes, I came home with a bottle!) Great tour, great people who work there, and even better vodka! We'll be back in 2-1/2 years to sample the bourbon that is currently in barrels.
After the vodka, we took the trolley down to the water front to see the Spanish ship, El Galeon Andalucia. At $15/head, we didn't go on board - but we were able to get pretty close and take pictures. Beautiful ship!
We were able to see dolphins playing in the bay, enjoyed the view of the bridge, and then we walked back up to the street to be able to take the trolley back to our car.
Getting in to the car, we headed to the bridge that would take us over to my favorite part of St Augustine - the St Augustine Lighthouse. The day was perfect, clear skies, blue, warm and breezy. I could not have asked for better weather! We took a stroll through the gatekeeper's house, and then went up to the top of the lighthouse. I must stop and thank my husband profusely for stopping with me at every landing. I could not have made it up without him and his patience and support. The view from the top was breath-taking! We could see for MILES, including the Schooner that offers tours from the bay in to the open waters. I almost didn't want to leave.
But, we had to. We needed to find food (lunch) and get on the road back home. It was a fun-filled, eventful weekend. A get-away that was LONG overdue! But so glad we went - I love Old St Augustine. I just wish I lived a little closer - the 3 hour car ride can be long when you want to get there, and again when you have to go home.
Next time, we are planning on spending more time to shop and see more sites that we didn't get to see on this trip - like the Fountain of Youth, the Pirate Museum and the Colonial Village.
And we will definitely be taking the Old Town Trolley again - friendly, helpful people and pretty good tour guides!
