Fort Matanzas: Fun and History

Today I am linking up with Allie from simplystaugustine.com for her 31 days of Summer Link-Up!  As a local of St. Augustine, one of my favorite things to do is taking a short drive South of downtown to the Fort Matanzas National Monument.

I fell in love with this little hidden gem when we first moved to town and were being tourist  exploring all the our new home had to offer!  A little history: The fort was built in order to guard St. Augustine from the British who made their way up from the South.  You can learn the rest on your visit!  This day trip will become one of your favorites and a nice way to entertain guests....all for free!








Upon entering the Fort Matanzas Park, you will find beautiful oaks covering the picnic area, restrooms, a trail leading to a nature trail, and the visitor center.  To get to the fort, you simply pick up your free boarding pass from the visitor center and wait for your departure for the ferry.  While waiting, you will be offered to watch a short video on the history of the fort, or you can enjoy the nature trail.

The ferry is an exciting 5 minute cruise across the Matanzas inlet to the ferry.  Once you're there, it's time to explore!  No matter you're age, you will feel like a kid again!  I'll let the pictures do the talking:

These last pictures were taken from the nature trail.  I definitely recommend taking the time to take a casual stroll down this coastal hammock!  Be sure to pick up the guide from the visitor center to get the most out of it!

Another thing I suggest since you've made the drive out to the Fort Matanzas area is take a picnic and then enjoy the public access beach area right down the road (South).  This is one of our favorite places to soak up the sun and enjoy views of the Fort all day.

Have you been to Fort Matanzas?  What's your favorite thing to do there?

Be sure to visit Allie over at simplystaugustine.com to hear about other exciting things to do in our beautiful ancient city!

5 on Friday~Linking Up

 

My loves this week:

 

{1} I got crafty last weekend and made a new wreath for our door!  Since I am very indecisive, I spent about an hour in Hobby Lobby trying to decide what I could to make.  This is the finished product and I love how it turned out! Who doesn't love flamingos and chevron? Being obsessed with chalkboards, I am excited to change up the saying and keep it interesting. Thought this one was appropriate for my sister-in-law and her triplets who are visiting this weekend from IL!!

 

 

 {2} Since I am trying to cut back on wasted calories, I decided to give an Iced Coffee with sugar-free Caramel and Soy a try! It wasn't too shabby! May be my new go to.......

 

 

 {3} Like I mentioned last week, I love to get fun mail!  So I decided to write a few love letters myself:)  Wish we all would do a little more writing and less texting like the good ole days!

 

 



{4} Loved finding about 100 selfies of my niece, Abigail in my phone!  She is too funny and really made my day to find these, especially this 1:

My younger sisters are to blame for teaching Abi how to take selfies and make these silly faces! I promise she doesn't really look like that;)  I love her funny and sweet personality!  Here she is enjoying the ocean with her precious smile:) I do keep all these and will flip though when I'm missing her!

{5} And loved my Target dollar bin find: Bag clips!  I think the Cat one is my fave;)

 

 

 

Hoping Miss Andrea is headed out of FL and that we have a Sunny weekend with family in town!  Hope yours is bright too!

 

xoxo, Brookley