Bikes, Beach and a Little History. That is how we spent day two. Ft. Pickens is the site of a fort built in 1812. It's main purpose, along with two other forts in the area, was to protect the country from foreign invaders. Ironically enough, it was never used until the Civil War and Fort Pickens was Union and right across the bay, Ft. McRee was Confederate.
The Fort was a mile away on the Florida Trail. So, a couple of the willing adults\took all the willing kids on a bike ride to the fort. The rest of us rode in the car. They enjoyed the ride but it was hot and a little tiring for some of the littler guys. I think 7 of the 11 kids road their bikes.
At one point in the fort's history there were 200 canons.
The kids were given the option to become Junior Rangers. There first task was to pick up 10 pieces of litter.
The flag flying over the fort. It made for some great pictures. Wish I were a better photographer.
Ranger Mike starting us on our tour of the Fort. He was a great guy and very knowledgeable. Behind him was called the Parade where, at times 200 men, lived. In tents, in woolen uniforms. The officers had living quarters inside the Fort.
All the bigger kids working on their Junior Ranger badge. It kept them busy during the tour.
The little girls. They have grown up sooooo much. It is still such a vivid memory when they couldn't hang out with each other and not fight like cats and dogs. Now they are the bestest of friends! Love!
Ranger Mike telling us about Geronimo and how he came to live at Ft. Pickens. The residents at the fort would bring him out and charge admission to see him.
Different views of the fort. So old. So beautiful. So full of history.
The gang finishing up the tour.
Part of the tour that is reserved for schools is the tunnels built into the fort as a last defensive tactic in case of invasion. Ranger Mike gladly showed us the tunnels. We figured 11 kids and 6 adults qualifies as a school. Now aptly named GGC Academy.
The kids being sworn in as Junior Rangers. The Rangers told us they could no longer "swear" the kids in. It had to be a "promise." We told them as the parents we gave permission to Ranger Mike to swear them in as Junior Rangers!
There was also a little book store there. So, of course, I bought a couple of books about the history of the fort and the area and Geronimo.
Ranger Mike and all his Junior Rangers. He took a picture of the kids himself to show his coworkers!
The kids getting on their bikes to ride back to camp.
More random pictures of the fort.
We got back to the campsite in time for lunch. Next on our agenda was an afternoon at the beach. Part two of day two . . .
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