Day 148 - February 26, 2013: More of St. Augustine

A tornado watch with high wind gusts and rain squalls caused us to cancel our morning plans.

Between the TV Weather Channel and apps on our laptops and smart phones, we were able to track the Doppler radar and accurately predict when the storm cell would pass. Sure enough, by noon, the sun was out, and we headed downtown.

The very exclusive, Mediterranean-style, Ponce de Leon Hotel was built here in 1888 by millionaire developer Henry Flagler. It was built using poured coquina stone (cement and crushed coquina shells), wired for electricity by Flagler's friend Thomas Edison, and filled with European artifacts and Tiffany glass colored windows and crystal chandeliers.

Flagler College (Ponce de Leon Hotel)

Water Tower

During WW II, the hotel was used as a Coast Guard Training Center, and by 1963, it had become Flagler College for women. It has matured into a co-ed college, which is well-respected, and the former hotel remains the centerpiece of the college's operations. We took a very nice tour narrated by students.

Lobby ceiling and second floor balcony

Dining Hall

Our next stop was a place of special interest: The Whetstone Chocolate Factory. This homegrown factory makes chocolate products for many well-known companies worldwide. As chocoholics, we were interested in the tour which included the factory, equipment, and manufacturing process, and of utmost importance, a chance to taste some chocolate! We left armed with four bags of excellent dark chocolate, two for each of us. Life is sweet!

Factory tour

Chocolate mixing