St Augustine, Florida

Having got most of the loose and broken items replaced or reattached to the new coach we bravely took off on the first leg of the shakedown tour. Curious, isn't it, that shakedown has such a sinister alternate meaning - hopefully this will not turn out to be an omen. First stop - St Augustine in northeast Florida.
On the north side of town there is, what may be, the oldest attraction in America perversely known as the Fountain of Youth. Supposedly, at this very spot, the Spaniard, Ponce de Leon, arrived in 1513 to claim possession for the Spanish King and La Florida was born. It was within the boundaries of the current park property that the oldest continuously occupied European settlement within the continental United States was formed - St. Augustine, or at least so it says in the promotional propaganda.
Anyway, we were little hesitant to shell out for some foul smelling sulfurous spring water and finally skipped the park altogether when we saw this fine lady sneaking out after sampling the Fountain of Youth. Just goes to show how deceptive these things can be.
With that settled, we wandered around town in the 95 degree heat, enjoying the awesome humidity and wishing we were dead. Overall, the city has done a pretty good job of tarting itself up for tourists - check it out and see what you think.