Saint Augustine, Florida.

Prolog: This is the last post of my experiments with ChatGPT just to see what it could do. For my final experiment of this series, I thought it would be fun to have ChatGPT write a short story to accompany some of my photos from Saint Augustine. This post is a lot longer than my normal submission, after all, it is a “novella.”

WARNING: If you are considering experiments with ChatGPT or Bard, Google’s equivalent AI tool, please read my cautionary tale in the epilog before you begin.

Part three of my experiments in blogging with AI began when I had ChatGPT write a few short stories in the style of different genres and have been amazed at its prowess if not its accuracy. In part one, I asked for a blog post on sightseeing in Barcelona. Last week, I asked for a poem.

Here’s the initial prompt that I gave the program:

Write a novelette about the history of Saint Augustine, Florida for teens 13-18 years.
Six Characters:
Twin brothers aged 17
Siblings, brother 14, sister 17
Siblings, brother 18, sister 16
All siblings are cousins
The oldest brother drives a Volkswagen van he named “Van-tastic”
There are six chapters
The Lighthouse Museum
St George Street
Fort Matanzas
Fountain of Youth
Castillo de San Marcos
The Old Senator tree

For this larger project assignment, ChatGPT needed a couple of tries and several continuations as it stopped writing mid-paragraph, but it always restarted from where it left off when asked. I also acted as editor, asking for rewrites of a couple of chapters to include information about photos I wanted to use. For example, I captured a photo of a mother dolphin and two calves in the water on the ferry ride to Fort Matanzas. ChatGPT rewrote the chapter to include the dolphin sighting, and did it quite masterfully, I think.

When the story was done, I asked the author to provide the title of the short story. I adopted that title as the title of the blog.

Without further comment, I present to you
Echoes of History – Exploring the Treasures of Saint Augustine
Story by ChatGPT
Illustrations by PhotoByJohnbo

Chapter 1: The Lighthouse Museum

The twin brothers, Alex and Ben, along with their cousins, Jack, Katie, Emily, and Jake, were all excited to spend their summer exploring the historic city of Saint Augustine, Florida. As they rode in the back of the Volkswagen van, which they had affectionately named “Van-tastic,” they couldn’t wait to see all the sights the city had to offer.

Their first stop was the Lighthouse Museum. The group climbed the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, taking in the stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse keeper gave them a tour of the museum, telling them about the history of the lighthouse and the importance it had in guiding ships safely to shore.

As they left the museum, Alex and Ben couldn’t help but wonder what other historical treasures Saint Augustine had in store for them.

Chapter 2: St. George Street

The next day, the group explored St. George Street, a pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. They wandered in and out of stores, admiring the handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Katie and Emily were fascinated by the old buildings, while Jack was more interested in the food. They stopped at a restaurant and enjoyed some delicious seafood, including fresh shrimp and fish caught that day.

While strolling along the street, they came across the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the United States. Intrigued by its rich history, they stepped inside and learned about the early education system and the challenges students faced during that time. It was a fascinating glimpse into the past, adding another layer to their adventure in Saint Augustine.

After lunch, they continued exploring, coming across a street performer playing Spanish guitar. The music was enchanting, and they stopped to listen for a while.

As they walked back towards their van, they couldn’t help but feel like they had stepped back in time. They eagerly anticipated the new marvels and discoveries that awaited them in the historic city of Saint Augustine.

Chapter 3: Fort Matanzas

The next day, the teens embarked on an exciting journey to Fort Matanzas, a remarkable historic fort nestled on a small island. Constructed by the Spanish in the 18th century as a defense against potential enemy attacks, the fort stood as a testament to the city’s rich history. They hopped aboard a ferry that glided across the shimmering waters, accompanied by a gentle breeze. To their sheer delight, a pod of playful dolphins emerged, gracefully leaping and frolicking alongside the boat, adding an enchanting touch to their voyage.

Upon reaching the island, they were greeted by their enthusiastic tour guide, who led them through the fort’s intriguing past. They listened attentively as the guide recounted tales of daring battles and the fort’s strategic significance in defending Saint Augustine.

The group explored the nooks and crannies of the fort, climbing up the watchtower to take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. They imagined what life was like for the soldiers who once stood guard within these very walls.

After the tour, they couldn’t resist taking a leisurely stroll along the pristine sandy beach nearby, collecting seashells and relishing the salty ocean breeze. The sight of the dolphins and the fort’s historical richness made their visit to Fort Matanzas an unforgettable experience.

Chapter 4: Fountain of Youth

The next day, the group eagerly ventured into the legendary Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The park was steeped in history, with tales of the mystical spring said to grant eternal youth to those who drank from its waters. Alex and Ben tried the water from the Fountain of Youth, hoping to gain eternal youthfulness. While they didn’t feel any different, they had a fun time trying it out.

As they explored the park, they immersed themselves in the captivating ambiance of the Timucuan Village, gaining insights into the vibrant culture and traditions of the native Timucuan people who inhabited the region long ago. They marveled at the Spanish Watchtower, standing tall and proud, and admired the Discovery Globe, tracing the intrepid paths of renowned explorers like Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce de León.

The highlight of their visit came when they gathered near the fort’s courtyard, where a skilled reenactor demonstrated the use of historic weapons. The reverberating boom of a cannon firing echoed through the air, eliciting a mixture of excitement and awe from the group. They watched in amazement as the reenactors showcased crossbows, swords, and other period weaponry, skillfully illustrating the challenges faced by soldiers of yesteryear.

Enthralled by the demonstration, the group couldn’t help but feel a deep appreciation for the sacrifices and bravery displayed by those who came before them. It was an unforgettable experience that brought history to life in a dynamic and tangible way.

Chapter 5: Castillo de San Marcos

The next day, the group visited the Castillo de San Marcos, a massive Spanish fort built in the 17th century. The fort was designed to withstand enemy attacks and was an important part of Saint Augustine’s defenses.

As they toured the fort, they saw the thick walls and towers, the barracks, and the many cannons. They learned about the history of the fort and the battles that took place there.

At the end of the tour, they watched a cannon firing demonstration, which was a highlight of their visit. The loud noise and smoke from the cannon were exhilarating, and they felt like they had traveled back in time.

Chapter 6: The Old Senator Tree

On their final day in Saint Augustine, the group visited the Old Senator Tree, a massive live oak tree estimated to be over 600 years old. The tree is named to honor a Florida senator who helped save it from being cut down in the 1920s.

The group marveled at the size and beauty of the tree, taking plenty of photos and even climbing on the branches. They felt a sense of awe and respect for the tree and the history it represented.

As they left the Old Senator Tree, the group couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the city they had grown to love over the past week. They piled into Van-tastic and drove down the streets they had come to know so well.

Alex and Ben reminisced about the forts and museums, while Jack and Emily chatted about the delicious food they had eaten. Katie and Jake were quiet, lost in thought as they took in the beauty of the city one last time.

As they drove out of Saint Augustine, they knew that they had experienced something special. They had learned about the rich history of the city and had created memories that would last a lifetime. They would always remember their summer adventure in Saint Augustine, Florida.

The End.

I asked ChatGPT to provide additional information about each of the places visited after the short story was finished. I found a couple of factual errors marked with an editor’s note.

Here is that appendix.

Chapter 1: The Lighthouse Museum

The Lighthouse Museum is located on Anastasia Island, just south of St. Augustine. The lighthouse is 165 feet tall and was built in 1874. The museum features exhibits on the history of the lighthouse, including its keepers and their families. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Chapter 2: St. George Street

St. George Street is a pedestrian-only street in the heart of the historic district of St. Augustine. It is lined with unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Visitors can explore the area on foot or by taking a horse-drawn carriage tour. The street performers include musicians, magicians, and street artists who add to the vibrant atmosphere.

Chapter 3: Fort Matanzas

Fort Matanzas is located on Rattlesnake Island, which can only be accessed by taking a free ferry ride. The fort was built in 1740 by the Spanish to protect St. Augustine from enemy attacks. The site includes a visitor center, nature trail, and picnic area. Visitors can explore the fort’s gun deck, barracks, and kitchen. (ed. The National Park Service website notes the fort was completed in 1742. It could be that the reference to 1740 was the year construction started.)

Chapter 4: Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a 15-acre park that includes a spring that was believed by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon to have healing powers. The park features gardens, a planetarium, a Timucuan village, and a reconstructed Spanish lookout tower. Visitors can drink from the fountain and learn about the park’s history.

Chapter 5: Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos is a fort built by the Spanish in the late 1600s. It is located on the shore of Matanzas Bay and is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. The fort has served as a military outpost and prison throughout its history. Visitors can explore the fort’s gun decks, bastions, and dungeons.

Chapter 6: The Old Senator Tree

The Old Senator tree is located in the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. It is a live oak tree that is estimated to be over 600 years old. The tree is 67 feet tall and has a circumference of 25 feet. It has survived numerous hurricanes and has been a symbol of strength and resilience for the people of St. Augustine. Visitors can take a guided tour of the tree and learn about its history. (ed. The tree is not located in the Fountain of Youth Park. It is in the courtyard of Villa 1565, a nearby hotel on San Marco Avenue.)

For those who like to pixel peep, 2K HD versions of the images in this post can be found in my Flickr album here.

My cautionary tale: I started with my experiments by using ChatGPT for research. When I started reading about inaccurate query results with ChatGPT, I saw a story about Bard, Google’s AI tool. It didn’t take me long to discover that, even though it’s powered by the company that makes the Google Search Engine, the Bard AI tool doesn’t appear to be any more accurate than ChatGPT. Near the cruise port in Saint John New Brunswick, Canada, a Celtic Cross memorializes the over 2000 immigrants who died during a typhus epidemic in 1847. The memorial also references Dr. James Patrick Collins, a young physician who caught the disease and died as a young man as he tried to treat the sick.

I didn’t remember the name of the Doctor on the memorial, so I asked Bard. The program got it wrong, saying it was Dr. James Barry, a pioneering female surgeon who was born in Ireland and served in the British Army. I noted the association with the female reference and the name James and leaving Bard, I found using more conventional web searching, Dr. James Barry was indeed a female who hid her gender for over 50 years. Born at a time when females couldn’t become doctors, she lived her life as a man and died in 1865 in Scotland.

This was all very interesting information, but it wasn’t Dr. James Barry being honored on the monument, it was Dr. James Patrick Collins, also born in Ireland. I didn’t notice the discrepancy until after I’d done a bunch of fascinating reading about Dr. Barry. I started writing about the surgeon in my post and even cited the reference I found. My further interest in Dr. Barry led me to read on. In that bio, I found no references to Saint John or even Canada. Dr. Barry spent much of her life in Africa. I ended up backtracking and rewriting the information about that Celtic Cross. The finished article on Saint John NB is scheduled to be published in August.

At this point, in my opinion, neither AI tool is ready for prime time as a research tool. My experiment is over and ChatGPT gets an A for creative writing, but an F for accuracy. Use it at your own risk. I’m not even going to explore Bard any further, at least not anytime soon.

John Steiner