Friday, October 23, 2009

Shoot-out: Childhood Classics

Generation after generation of families in St. Augustine have enjoyed our tourist/historical attractions. Our twin daughters (This photo, a classic, taken about thirty five years ago.) had at least one thing in common with their grandfather. Their grammar school classes would visit St. Augustine historical sites, as his did.

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Living in the historical town of St. Augustine has its benefits. We have much of Florida and American history at our doorsteps. Every year, grade schools from the area and others from far away take field trips to visit our local attractions. Our parent and grandparents were involved, as children, in such excursions, just as we were. Our children and grandchildren have followed in our footsteps, touring, and studying the history of St. Augustine with their classmates.
I have posted photos of common destinations for field trips. To our family, these are classics. They are, also, in keeping with our "My Town" theme.

Generations have walked the bay front with classmates to enjoy our Florida sunshine.
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Castillo De San Marcos (the old fort) has stood the test of time as generations come and go.

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The lighthouse remains a beacon in our lives. Our grand children's great, great grandparents climbed the very same steps to the top.

The heavenly view from the lighthouse catwalk has remained constant for generations of time.
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Flagler Museum remains, today, as a monument to Henry Flagler, who was so instrumental in making St. Augustine the beautiful town it is today.

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Each member of our family, as school children, admired the sentinals protecting the entrance to the bridge of lions. Some of us even had our picture taken sitting on their backs.

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On historic St. George Street, the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S. still stands waiting for its next wave of visiting students.
St. Augustine has been part of our terrific home in northeast Florida. As we say in the south, "Y'all come!"
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Thanks for visiting. Walk with faith.

24 comments:

  1. Gordon, you are so lucky to live in a town that not only has grace, beauty and a deep rich history, but such beautiful weather as well.

    I loved visiting your post today and will have to visit St. Augustine sometime.

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  2. Living only 26 miles from St. Augustine as a child I too took a lot of school field trips there. One of my all time favorite places to visit. Even spent my honeymoon in St. Augustine.
    Thanks for the walk down memory lane :)
    Have a blessed weekend.

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  3. Oh, how I would love to visit St. Augustine. Your photos are beautiful and the childhood memories passed down from generation to generation is awesome.

    I posted an entry about the oldest school house on my other blog, keepsake letters. You can see my post here. http://keepsakeletters.blogspot.com/2009/09/oldest-school-house.html

    This was very enjoyable.

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  4. Hey: You got to sit on the lions! no fair!
    I always wanted to do that. Now I just send my rabbit and nobody yells at me.

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  5. The photos are beautiful Gordon. When the town monuments remain intact, the visiting students get a very clear idea of the history of the area. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. As a history major/buff, I love old forts and buildings :) I'm very jealous that you have such amazing spots in your hometown!

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  7. I love how you tied the theme with your town classics. Very interesting too.

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  8. St. Augustine looks like a great place to live and visit! I love that you had the 3 generation theme going here. Neat!

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  9. Looks like a fabulous historic town ...I would love to visit.

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  10. Thanks for the "tour" around town! :)

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  11. Ohhh what a great place to explore!! I loooved this one!!! I can see some pirate playing going on there!!! Wonderful post! Sarah

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  12. I have been to that fort with my son and husband when he was two. Seeing it brought back memories. you do live in a beautiful city.

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  13. What a lovely place to live and for generations to grow up. Really like your generations theme.

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  14. I wouldn't mind a field trip there. St Augustine has such gorgeous historic sites! Good, too, to be reminded of the community-based theme we have.

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  15. You town is so full of history! love that old school building!

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  16. good job of keeping with the 'my town' theme, I have to admit that yours is much more interesting than mine.... we don't realize as adults what when we are 'teaching' our children about their world we are also creating memories, firing their imagination, giving them dreams and ambitions.... I enjoyed your town.

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  17. great memories and history of your town. very interesting also!!

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  18. What a beautiful place with so much to offer!

    Thanks for playing this week ♥

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  19. I love a town with history. Yes. generations have enjoyed the beauty that is St. Augustine.

    That first photo is a real classic. I love the last photo, Gordon.

    Take care.

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  20. Gordon, these are great! I really enjoyed this post. :)

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  21. I remember the state history field trips of my youth and I'm looking forward to my kids also learning about their state!

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  22. Hello Gordon! Sorry if it's too late for me to post a comment here. My internet connection was so slow and from to time the connection cut off.

    Thanks for sharing your classic childhood there in St. Augustine.

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  23. There are a lot of things here I want to see...not sure why we have not traveled this road friend, but its on the list!

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