After Daytona, we decided to start heading back North. We stopped at Fort Matanzas to find a letterbox and I'm so glad we did. It was one of my favorite things we did on our trip. Fort Matanzas is about 10 miles south of St. Augustine. The Spanish built it in 1740 to control the Matanzas inlet, the "back door" to St Augustine. We took a ferry trip across the inlet to get to the fort. There were 3 dolphins playing in the water around the boat (two adults and a baby). I tried to get a picture of them but I was too slow. They swam with the boat to the fort.
Once we got to the Fort, there was a guide dressed in a Spanish military uniform from the 1700s. He told us the history of the Fort and then we explored it. Fort Matanzas and most buildings in the area are built of coquina, a local shellstone. The mortar was made by burning oyster shells. It worked and is still standing after over 250 years. The view from the top of the Fort was beautiful. You could see the marsh, the inlet and a beach. The guide said there were deer in the woods near the fort. The Fort was on Rattlesnake Island. Luckily, we did not find any.
There was a neat Nature Trail. We saw lots of birds and trees. Jordan and I are resting on the path while Chris is on the phone. Hunter did a great job taking the picture.
I thought this is a cute picture of my boys. Jordan's leg got tired so Chris carried him which made Hunter's legs very tired. So he got to wear Chris' hat. Apparently, wearing your Dad's hat helps tired legs. Who knew?
The boys became Jr Rangers at Fort Matanzas. (Note their badges.) (You can click on any picture to make it larger.) Jordan asked the ranger what his new Jr Ranger duties where and when he had to be back.
