Right next to St. John’s RV park where we are camped is St. Augustine Marketplace. We just walked over to have a look-see.  On our way we noticed several Volkswagen cars and vans driving in so we followed them to a lot where they were having a show.  It was free, so we had a look around before we hit the flea market.

Volkswagen Show

This is a weekly indoor and open-air Flea Market with hundreds of vendors, fresh produce, good food, open every Saturday and Sunday.  We arrived early so it wasn’t very crowded yet. This peanut booth caught my eye. Being from Minnesota we find boiled peanuts something unusual. It’s definitely a southern treat.

  Boiled Peanuts

St. Augustine Flea Market

We returned to our RV just in time to see a neighboring RV being towed away!  Ouch, that’s going to cost a lot of money.  I hope they have roadside assistance!  And it’s such a sad thing to see.

Ouch!

Next we took the towed (or is it toad?) ok, the Jeep, in to St. Augustine for the rest of the day.  This time we toured the Whetstone Chocolate Factory and watched them make their artisan chocolates and got free samples!!  yummy!  That’s my kind of tour!

Whetstone Chocolates

Chocolate Factory Tour

After the tour (and a small purchase, naturally) we walked around the Historic Old Town, had a nice seafood supper, and waited for the Nights of Lights Festival.  This was the big deal annual lighting up of the city Christmas lights with a big celebration with food and fun and music in the park.

A few historical tidbits for you…The park, Plaza de la Constitucion, in the center of the historic district, is the oldest public square in America, laid out in 1573.  The first system of weights and measures was established with a market here in 1598.  I told you there was a lot of history here.

Plaza de la Constitucion

St. Augustine Nights of Lights Festival

It turned out to be a beautiful day with a high around 78 degrees, blue sky and sunshine. 🙂 But there is a cold front on the way.

• Gasoline Expense:  none
• Lodging Expense:  $20
• Parking & Tour:     $20