The Rest of A Most Spectacular Day

After finally descending back to earth from the stratosphere at the Top of St. Augustine Lighthouse, Peggy and I toured the keeper's house.  It was quite grand compared to the few other lighthouses I have visited, with regular furniture, wallpaper, etc.  At the gift shop, we bought souvenirs, including replicas of the lighthouse.  The grounds were perfectly kept, spacious, and cool.

We drove back to our hotel, caught a shuttle to the Red Train Tour station, and stopped off at Flagler College.  This is not your ordinary state or private college.  Before Flagler College was instituted, it was an incredibly magnificent hotel, the Ponce de Leon.  Built in 1888, this hotel was the largest in the world at the time, had running water and electricity installed by none other than Thomas Edison - before New York City had electricity.  Louis Tiffany designed the windows in the dining room; they are valued at 40 Million Dollars.  FYI: Henry Flagler amassed his fortune in founding Standard Oil, in partnership with his friend, Mr. Rockefeller.

Main entrance to Flagler College

Dining room murals: Spanish ships, coats-of-arms, everywhere, even on the ceilings.

Our Flagler College tour guide was Jonathon, a junior History major, most knowledgeable and very excited about the building's grandeur. We asked Jonathon if the students were appreciative of the beauty.  He informed us that all students took a course on the college's history which included a research paper.  It was amazing to Peggy and I that everyone we encountered in St. Augustine was extremely proud of the city.

Directly across the street from Flagler College was Villa Zorayda, constructed in 1883. This fabulous building was modeled after the Alhambra Castle in Spain, a one-tenth scale model.  We took the audio tour and were increasingly fascinated by the Moorish architecture and furnishings.  The builder, millionaire Franklin W. Smith, brought rare articles to his winter home including a 'Cat Rug' woven in Egypt 2,400 years ago from hair of 'big cats' around the River Nile.  The rug was found wrapped around a mummy's foot (displayed in a glass dome) with the jeweled rings removed.  When the rug was last cleaned, it was found the next morning with a dead cat on top!  (I love all these tidbits!)

Sign over main entrance to Villa Zorayda states, in Arabic, "God is the Conqueror."

After this tour we were quite starved and found The Hot Shot, a nearby bakery/cafe on Granada Street.  We relished the turkey sandwiches, pickles, ice cold soft drinks and triple-chocolate cupcakes.

Next stop: The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine, America's first parish, founded in 1565.  I especially love to visit Catholic churches around the world.  There are no two alike.  This church has stained-glass windows showing milestones in St. Augustine's life and the death of his mother,
St. Monica. Peggy and I stopped to pray and looked into every nook and cranny at the various statues and altars.  We took our time choosing holy articles to bring home from the adjoining gift shop.

Several of the many stained-glass windows at the Cathedral.

Since historic George Street was close, we meandered down the very narrow, crooked street.  The interesting and unusual shops beckoned but the heat, humidity and feet sore from a day of climbing and walking won.  We found a Red Train Tour stop and hopped on the first available train.  We agreed that we'd love to stay a month in St. Augustine and see everything and spend at least another month on the beach (which we spent time viewing from the lighthouse only).  

Resting for more travel south tomorrow and packing awaited us back at our hotel.  Good night!