Saturday, February 17, 2024

Desoto National Park 2

All photos taken by MadSnapper with Cell phone

We parked outside the gate to Hernando DeSoto Natl Park.
 


walked past the Indian Village (don't fret, you will see the village soon)


and through the gate to this view


Hernando de Soto is famous in Latin American history as the Spanish conquistador who joined Francisco Pizarro in the invasion of the Inca Empire, but he is also a critical player in American history as the first European to discover the Mississippi River.

His goal was to conquer and settle the territory of the Gulf States as well as find gold to enrich himself and his king



and to the monument that says
Desoto Trail
The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Florida
Near here, Hernando DeSoto, with his men landed May 30, 1539 and began his march westward to the Mississippi River. 
This Marker Commemorates the 400th Anniversary of his arrival on the shores of Florida.

to be continued


21 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

I knew none of this. So pretty, especially with the Spanish Moss. HEY, maybe that is why it is called SPANISH moss!

Ann said...

Great views and interesting history. This looks like a really nice park. I'm curious about the Indian village

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
This is wonderful! What a fascinating and beautiful place. YAM xx

eileeninmd said...

What a great park, I enjoyed the tour and photos.
It is always nice to have parks and green space nearby.
Take care, have a great day and happy weekend.

Sparky said...

Such a nice park. These cell phones take the best photos. Concerning DeSoto and his men: can you imagine marching across the South in our heat and humidity in the Summer?! Ugh. I'm so spoiled now I don't know how they did it and I grew up without A/C in Central Florida.
Blessings. xx

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a wonderful place to visit and learn more of our history. Thanks for taking us along. I would love to go there some day!

My Mind's Eye said...

What a lovely park. My mind's eye see the Spanish Moss blowing in the warm breeze. When Marlu was about 12 (way before GPS) she and I had to drive to Myrtle Beach for a conference for me. Bryan had a business trip too but was meeting us at MB mid week. He wrote explicit instructions for Marlu(my navigator) to follow and read to me as we drove to MB. Marlu was used to her Dad doing all the driving. So she was a bit skeptical of my skills.
She asked her Daddy how would she know if I was driving the wrong way. He said if you see Spanish moss you that is the correct direction; however, if you see Mountains
tell Mommy to slow down and turn around.
Hugs Cecilia

Mevely317 said...

Interesting! Do you ever stand and think, I'm standing in the same spot where xxx stood ... gazing at the same sky. I don't suppose anything else was there.

Were these pictures taken with the new-to-you iPhone?

Debby said...

I love history and visiting historical places. Very interesting and your photos were lovely.

Brian's Home Blog said...

How cool to have such and interesting and pretty place so close.

Chatty Crone said...

That is a very historical park - love the Spanish Moss - we can't grow it up this way - probably south GA has it.

photowannabe said...

Oh, I love everything about this post and park. How gorgeous. I do like all the history about it too.
Great photos.
Sue

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Great park and wonderful photos of history and so close to your home ~ thanks,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The park is so lovely and I love the history behind it.

Pam said...

LOoks like a great and fun trip

DeniseinVA said...

This is wonderful! Loved the photos and enjoyed the history.

CheerfulMonk said...

Thank you, I love history like this. 😊

Inger said...

I too love reading about history and since I came to the U.S. I've learned a lot about the history further North, but not much about the history of Florida. I'm enjoying these posts as lot.

Breathtaking said...

Sandra, what a beautiful place to visit and learn about the history. I Knew about Hernando de soto, just the fact that he was the first European to discover the Mississippi River made him famous.I know that the Spanish King gave him four years to conquer the American Continent.It's all very interesting and I have enjoyed reading more about him.

Tigger's Mum said...

Sad to think in a way all the destruction and cultural upheaval that was caused in the quest for gold - you can't eat it, doesn't keep you warm, doesn't sing, or smile or give you a hug.... pointless stuff really.

Rose said...

I would love to visit that place...whoever asked about standing in the place and thinking I am standing where xxx stood...yes, I do think like that.