The approach of Ponce de Leon's 39th birth-day, or possibly his 44th, in 1513 made him restless.

As a red-haired youth of 19, he had accompanied Columbus on the Admiral's second voyage. Then, in 1506, he had been sent by King Ferdinand to subdue the Island of Borinquen now Puerto Rico. There Ponce built his home and brought his family: wife Leonor, son Luis and daughters Juana, Isabel and Maria.

Ponce had become rich through his conquests, his political connections and his vast plantation tended by dutiful Yet,these accomplishments were behind him. The glory and gold he had seemed not enough. Worse, his position as governor was given to another by Don Diego Colon, the Admiral's oldest son who had inherited his father's rights. The proud Ponce chafed under the rule of other men.

Ponce's aversion to comfortable obscurity is disclosed in the 1535 "History of the Indies" by Fernandez de Oviedo, court appointed notary and historiographer in the Caribbean:

As he was noble and a man of genteel and high thoughts, it appeared to him that removing him from the office of government, by the diligence and sagacity of his rivals, he could not be, or live, content where others commanded him. For this, as well as for employing his time well by serving God and the King, he thought that with it and his money -- of which he had plenty -- he could double it and make it much more, and also increase his person in titles of honor and estate.

The King gave him the title of Adelantado for what he had spent and served in his armadas, and for seeking that fountain of Bimini which the Indians had given to be understood would renovate, resprout and refresh the age and forces of he who drank or bathed himself in it.

Armed with a royal asciento giving him a large share of any new lands or treasure he could find within three years,

Ponce shoved off with three vessels: The Santiago and the Santa Maria de Consalacion, caravels of medium size; and the San Cristobal, a bergantina somewhat smaller. Chief pilot was Anton de Alaminos, an old friend who also had sailed on Columbus' second voyage.

To avoid possible friction with strange natives, the King forbid Ponce to take along any priests or lawyers. Otherwise it was a well-personed fleet. Among the passengers were Senora Beatriz Jimenez de Ortega, who accompanied her husband, and her sister Juana. They were the first European women to reach North America.

Ponce certainly was not venturing into an unknown area. Editor Jose Agustin Balseiro points out in the book "Hispanic Presence in Florida" that Ponce was privy to royal information, perhaps that used by Martyr for his map of 1511.

"Royal Treasurer Miguel de Pasamonte had told Ponce de Leon in secret during the summer of 1511 about the existance of the Island of Bimimi," states Agustin. "He then assisted Ponce in drawing up a contract for the exploration and development of Bimini in competition with a similar proposal by Bartolome Colon (youngest brother of Columbus). Don Fernando chose the plan of Ponce over that of Don Bartolome who had made a better offer."

In addition to classified information, Ponce undoubtedly benefitted from common gossip. Traders traveled to "Bimini" for commercial gain. Slaves captured from throughout the Caribbean probably included some from Florida. Waterfront talk must have turned often to unofficial forays to that fabulous place just two or three days of good sailing from Cuba.

Florida was an open secret which provided easy profits -- as long as the clique of beneficiaries were discrete. Ponce's restlessness blew the cover.