Julie's National Parks: 2011

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (St. Augustine FL) (12/2011)

The Castillo de San Marcos site is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Construction was begun in 1672 by the Spanish when Florida was a Spanish territory. During the 20-year period of British possession from 1763 until 1784, the fort was renamed Fort St. Mark, and after Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821 the fort was again renamed Fort Marion, in honor of revolutionary war hero Francis Marion. In 1942, the original name, Castillo de San Marcos, was restored by Congress. The site was never taken by force despite multiple periods of attack.

This is a beautiful National Monument. It's very interesting to walk around the fort and visualize what happened so many years ago. The view of St. Augustine is spectacular, as is the view of the River. It was such a nice day to enjoy this National Park site.

This looked like some kind of dungeon!

In this room there's a short film about the Fort.

WOW! Look at that view of the Matanzas River!

Downtown St. Augustine

The River again

Fossilized Oyster Shells

Another view from the Fort

I don't know who was enjoying this day more,

me or this pigeon!

Herd of Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A cute baby doing Yoga (Downward Facing Dog)

Namaste

He was hollering about something!

As are animals I've seen in other National Parks, it appears these elk are randomly tagged. Believe me, I wouldn't have wanted to be the one who had to hold this big fella down and clamp the tag in his ear!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park ~ Clingmans Dome (10/2011)

The trek up to Clingmans Dome is brutal; it's only about a mile, but it is a big incline. But, the view from the top is well worth it (and it's pretty easy coming back down). I was not the only one huffing and puffing; seems, there are a lot of out of shape folks! It was too perfect of a day NOT to climb up to the top. Spectacular!