Ponce+De+Leon+Journal+MZ

1508 Today the men and I are leaving. I am hoping that we will be able to claim land for Spain. I am looking for gold and the mythical Fountain of Youth.

March, 1513 We have found land! We seem to be on the east coast of it. This land has many flowers, and the beaches are beautiful. I think I will name this land La Florida because of all of the flowers.

1513 We are continuing down the east coast of La Florida. The currents around the boat are big and strong. I think I will name this area Cape Canaveral to warn others of the dangerous waters.

1513 We have sailed all the way around the end of La Florida, and I found another island. This one is covered with turtles, but has no clean water. I have decided to name it Dry Tortugas because of these findings.

1513 We have continued up the west coast of La Florida, to an area with a deep harbor. This looked like a good place to anchor, so we stopped here to search inland for fresh water, and wood. Once we went deeper into the land area, we encountered a group of unfriendly natives. We left immediately to escape harm, and started sailing to get back to Puerto Rico.

1521 We have returned to La Florida to build a colony. We decided to go near the original deep harbor on the west coast side. We have brought 200 colonists with us, and horses, tools and seeds. We want to build a farming colony with all the people and supplies. Unfortunately, we were set upon in a surprise attack by the same group of natives we saw last time. I have been shot in the leg with an arrow, and am seriously wounded. We must leave immediately and head back to Cuba, where I hope to recover.

1521 I am one of Ponce De Leon's sailors, and it is my terrible duty to make this journal entry for him today, because he just died from the arrow wound. He was 61 years old, and we will remember him for being a great leader and a courageous explorer.

Diseases that Explorers Had