The Roads Less Traveled...

Rather than taking the most direct route to central Florida, Joe sent us on the scenic route to give us a taste of what Florida "used to look like". Of course we also got a taste of what much of the coast is turning into with its high rise condos on the beach, outlet stores, and general tourist shops. Passed through Destin that advertises itself as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" (the fishing part I can't speak to, but with at least 15 high rise buildings in site, when does it cease to be a village?!)

Next was Panama City Beach which advertises itself as having the "World's Most Beautiful Beaches" (which were hidden from view by all the high rises so I can only take their word for it).

However, once you passed through Panama City, you can take a lovely coastal route with miles of white sand beaches (yes, that's sand - not snow in the photo). When the beach and ocean isn't in view you drive through pine forests that are lovely (for the first 10, 20, even 30 miles but eventually get a little boring to be quite honest).

However, these roads are also what take you to wonderful little out of the way villages such as Apalachicola which is supposed to have the "Best Oysters in Florida" (and they were mighty good!) It is also the home of the Apalachicola Sponge Company that just reopened after 75 years. Sponges (the kind that live in the sea) were almost "wiped out" years ago by a red tide but have made a recovery. Unfortunately we didn't discover the little bit of info about the sponge company until well after we had left the town - otherwise we would visited it for sure.

Always on the lookout for boats in need of a little tender loving care, John thought this one had great possibilities (lucky for me Rambo is far too small to tow something like that home!). A name I saw on another boat which I thought might apply to this one (and a good many others...) is "Centsless"...

Tonight we're in Steinhatchee where an uncle & aunt of mine used to come for the winter. Steinhatchee, too, is way off the beaten track (24 miles to the nearest grocery) and is obviously a fisherman's paradise. Had wonderful mullet for dinner fresh off the boat. Did as the man said, fried up the backbone (the best part) and ate it like corn on the cob. He was right - it was the best part!