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Published: April 1st 2008
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Sometimes the travel part is the fun part, especially when we get off the interstate. Last year, we made a similar trip from Ocala to Florida's Panhandle; this year we got off I-10 much sooner - at Tallahassee. The result - a far more interesting trip taking the old road and the long way. First of all, Tallahassee is a beautiful State Capital. The "Old Capitol Building" is lovely - it even has red and white striped awnings on all the windows. The downtown looked prosperous. The suburbs were abloom with wisteria, dogwood, azalia and spring wild flowers (March 26). No photos as we were "motoring" but this would be a nice stop on a future trip. We headed for the Panhandle beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. We knew we were in hurricane country because all of the new construction homes are on stilts. W saw a Red Cross Huricane Water Surge measuring post at a beach near Carrabelle where we stopped for lunch at the amazingly funky "Two Al's Cafe." I actually scoped out the place first and beckoned Wes when I determined that it would meet his standards. Two Al's was decorated with photos and genuine stuff, movie
Big Girl ... Little Bike - what happens when you shrink in height!
Yes, this child's bike is MINE! My Schwinn is just too big and all those gears always confused me! posters (some in French), dolls, a coke bottle collection, musical instruments, etc. The food was fine, the service pleasant, a good time was had by both of us! Very interestingly, these Carrabelle beaches were the training grounds for the soldiers who landed at the beaches of Normandy during WWII. Two Al's has photos on the wall of the training maneuvers which took place on the nearby beaches from 1962-46.
We crossed the Intercostal on a huge and beautiful bridge to St. George's Island. We especially loved the St. George Island State Park. Beautiful beach, sand as soft at talcum powder, great dunes, and a wild look. No room at the St. George Camp Ground so we called ahead and found out that there was one site open at St. Joseph's State Park, so we hurried to it. Beautiful watery views along the way. We especially loved the historic little town of Apalachicola. It seemed to be thriving - tons of little boutiques and independent restaurants. One of those places we will come back to when we are in a more leisurely mood.
St. Joseph State Park is quite a ways off Route 98. St. Joseph's is so desolate that we
didn't have cell service nor did we have internet service while we were there - remember we are still working so this is serious! But, the beach is lovely, the campground nicely landscaped (by Mother nature) between sites, and there was a most interesting project going on day and nignt. The beach was being reclaimed from the sea. This is how we understand it is done - a big work boat goes out into the Gulf of Mexico and sucks up sand, then it returns to the beach area and hooks on to a pipe that goes from off-shore a few hundred yards. Then, sand is pumped from the hull of the boat through the pipe in the water onto moveable pipes on the beach. The sand sprays out like a fountain and bulldozers start spreading it, raising the elevation and the width of the beach. The process was fascinating.
Our real destination was Topsail Hill State Park. We passed through Panama City Beach on the way. It's spring break time and we can see why the college students like Panama City. We had lunch at Sharky's there on the beach. Topsail is an award winning state park. The title
is well-earned. It is really top notch. The beach is .7 miles down a path - accessible by bike, foot, or tram. We took the tram. We keep seeing the best sand dunes in this stretch of the Panhandle. There seems to be a sincere effort to reduce the growth of condos and high rises; and to preserve the beaches and awesome dunes. Route 98 has the ubiquitous chains stores, big boxes, outlets and minigolf attractions. We love Publix Markets - reminds us of Price Chopper at home, and I guess the outlets MIGHT be ok on a rainy day. Route 30A, where we are, is a two lane stretch of road that, except for a stretch nearest Panama City, is unspoiled - there are galleries, boutiques, seafood and ethnic restaurants, three state parks, great beach access, and cute little enclaves with a community feeling to them. As always, we're eating well and relying on the advice of locals. The Enterprise car driver steered Wes to Pompano Joe's in Destin. The life guard at Santa Rosa Beach (who was a bicycle messenger in Dusseldorf last summer) suggested Sally's Seaside (it looks like a gas station/convenience store during the day; but
turns into a bar with a singing bartender at night). Curtis Weatherall, an artist with a gallery on 30-A suggested Red Bar and THE BEST RESTAURANT we have been to in ages, the charming little gem, Cafe Tango!!! We found Stinky's Fish Camp by ourselves. Delish! Monday morning's weather was overcast - good thing as we would REALLY be greiving if we had to leave Florida's Emerald Coast on a sunny day! On to Alabama and Nashville, TN.
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sandi
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Fun in the Sun!!
Sounds like you two are really having a great time , I can almost hear Jimmy Buffett singing when I view your pix!