The Ocean, the Sky, and Alligators

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We both had a great night's sleep.  I don't know the reason except it was much cooler and we were very tired.  This was the sky when Sandy and I walked this morning.  Had I gotten up 15 minutes earlier, I think it would have been even prettier but this view was very nice too.

We decided to go to the lighthouse on this island first but we got there at 8:00 and it didn't open until 9:00.  Change of plans:  we take a drive on A1A North to find an accessible beach on which to walk and shell.  We found one.

We did find some shells.  Even though I am a mountain-type of person, I did enjoy walking the beach

On the way back from the beach I was able to snap some pictures of things I had missed yesterday.  These two columns are the original gates to St. Augustine.

The bridge we used to cross from Anastasia Island to St. Augustine is called "Lions Bridge" because of the huge concrete lions that guard both sides and both ends of the bridge.  The bridge is a drawbridge so occasionally, traffic will be stopped to allow ships to pass under the bridge.  It didn't happen while we were crossing the bridge.

This is St. Augustine Lighthouse.  It was built in 1871.  The first lighthouse keeper served in the Union Army and fought at Gettysburg.  When he died his wife took over as lighthouse keeper.  

The lighthouse and all the buildings around it were open.  Displays inside used technology to tell the story of the building.  This is a child's desk with five computer screens on top.  Touch a screen and the bigger computer tells the story.

This display shows ships that set in the water with sails that collect rain . When the sails are full, the ship would come to shore and pipes would empty the sails into cisterns for use of those serving at the lighthouse.  It was a very low tech system that worked for them.

This canon along with other items were recovered from the bottom of the ocean near St. Augustine.

This was the lighthouse keepers home.

The trees in the front yard was so large that two of the limbs were resting on the fence and beyond.

There are 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  We debated quite a bit about whether we could make it to the top, but in the end, we decided to climb them.  We were told that a beautiful 360 degree view awaited us at the top.

These signs were very encouraging.  There were also windows with views and a bench or two that helped us make the climb

This section shows what the interior of the walls is like.

We made it....and the views were wonderful.

Here we are back at the bottom.  This is the oil room where the oil that keeps the light on top burning is stored.  This can is like the one the lighthouse keeper will carry up the stairs we just climbed.  When full, the oil can weighed 30 pounds and he would carry it up the stairs twice a night.   All of this for $400 a year....but what a view!

Carol loves this purple grass.  We saw it at Saint Louisa State Park

We really enjoyed touring the lighthouse.

Right across the street from the lighthouse was the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park.  It is one of the oldest farms/zoos in the country.  It is a zoo that specializes in alligators, crocodiles, and some birds and animals that usually live in the same areas as them.  The two alligators that were found in the Chicago River had been housed here temporarily until a more permanent place could be found.

They had four albino alligators.  

At noon they feed 250 alligators and 2 crocodiles in this swamp area.  These guys are beginning to gather for their feeding.

Now things are getting serious because the zookeeper is on deck with food.

What do they get fed you ask....large rats along with alligator food that looks like a bigger version of dog food

This guy beat out all the others.

Another winner.

It didn't look like they received much food but the zookeeper explained that the average alligator eats the equivalent of one Subway sandwich every week.  That doesn't seem like much.  After the feeding was over, we saw some alligators that didn't even come to the feeding

There is a zip line that goes over some of the alligator enclosures.  Carol and I passed on that one.

Although you can't tell it from this picture, Maximo is 16 feet long and weight 1250  .  He is a big guy.  Also on display is "Gomex" a crocodile that weighted almost 2000 pounds and was 18 feet long.  He was found in New Guinea and has been preserved and is on display at the zoo.  This is a great little zoo/farm.  It is well laid out, nicely landscaped, and the animal/bird displays are very attractive.

After all that walking, climbing and watching alligators be fed, we were hungry so we ate at Amici's Italian Restaurant.  It was very good.  We got back to camp at 3:00.  Carol read and Sandy and I napped.  It was a busy day but not as tiring.  Tomorrow we pack up and head up the coast to Savannah, Georgia