Wash N Dry Lions

While the Bridge of Lions has been under renovation in my hometown of St. Augustine, the actual lion sculptures have gotten a bath and a makeover - a very expensive and methodical scrub & shine. You can see more about their clean-up in this story in the St. Augustine Record. 

That's a picture of a good number of my high school senior class on one of the lions back in 1986 (that's my little pea-sized head at the very top). 

The two white marble lions that have "guarded" the bridge in the historic district of St. Augustine since 1927, got a much needed refurbishing while the bridge is under construction. They were moved to a warehouse, washed, scrubbed and repaired by artisans and art historians. They will be replaced as sentries at the foot of the bridge when the renovation of the bridge is finished sometime next year.

The white marble lions have been highly recognizeable icons for the Oldest City since they were donated by a former St. Augustine mayor and placed prominently on either side of the bridge in the early 20th century. As a kid growing up there, we heard all kinds of spooky stories, myths, and legends about the lions, their creator and their guardianship of the bridge. 

I don't know if any of the stories I heard were true (probably not) but I can't wait to see them back at the foot of the bridge!