Hello from Mexico Beach, Florida. The time has been flying by as our friends, Carol Ann and Dave show us around the area of Northern Florida called the Forgotten Coast.
Last Friday they picked us up in the morning when we piled our kites and hiking packs in their vehicle. We drove out to Eastpoint and turned to take the long causeway bridge over to St George Island ( seestgeorgeisland.com ). Stopping near the light house museum, we asked a local woman where we could go for a lunch...as one place we had stopped at wasn't open. She directed us to a couple of places within view and we went over to lunch at Firehouse No. 9 Bar & Grill. There was a large motorcycle inside the door sitting near two pool tables...the settings were simple and clean...the service was friendly, quick ( due to my diabetes) and freshly made on the spot. It was a good lunch stop.
Next we drove along the beach...and what a beach!!! Miles and miles of beach with the big waves smacking the shore and foaming in crests as they approached the white sand beach.There were many places to park with rest stops and wooden walkways over the dunes to protect them. The wind was strong and the sun was out...so we played with our kites! I put up my larger parafoil kite and let it sail to a good height.... I could see the some of the bottom of my winder! I also wore one of Peter's extra socks because I hadn't packed my gloves which really help to prevent the line burning my hands. Peter had his big stunt kite up and it sang loudly. Our friends got to see the kites and Carol Ann tried mine for a bit. The wind was quite strong...and cool...there were only a few people on the beach....a glorious beach with long swells of waves coming in ...laying patterns on the sand. It was great to play and yes we took pictures which I hope to add soon. My arm got a work out winding the kite down...it really didn't want to land.
I walked the beach and saw a good sized Jelly fish on the sand...our friends found some neat shells and told us about them. The sound of the waves was constant and I found soothing...the sand good to walk on for my aging back and knees. As we left the shore line to return to the car, the sounds changed as we went over the dunes...the wind was less and the sounds lower and the sun warmer.
We then drove to the St. George Island State Park which has 9 miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes and covers 1,962 acres of the east end of the island. A wonderful place where we saw a Bald Eagle, Monarch Butterfly and many other types of birds. Various landscapes from small ponds to coves to salt marshes. There was a busy but peaceful rv park nestled among the pines.
We drove back over the causeway bridge to the town of Apalachicola which is famous for its oysters and for preserving many homes and buildings each with its own detailed story to tell. Our friends wanted us to see the Dixie Theatre which is starting its 14th season. A delightful old building with lots of character to enhance the various productions presented. http://www.dixietheatre.com/ We then wandered about downtown...stopping in stores...in one I bought some Tupelo honey!!! and the Gibson Inn, circa 1907... http://www.gibsoninn.com/ ...we also walked down to the harbour. A beautiful town with so much to see.
Our friends drove us to a pier at Port St. Joe to take pictures of the sunset. It was cold and getting colder with the sun setting. Peter was determined to get the whole show on camera. The brown pelicans didn't look all that comfortable but they were concentrating on a fisherman in a boat working his nets. The rest of us went back to the comfort and warmth of the car.
We then had a lovely dinner at Provisions Restaurant in Port St. Joe...good food...good service and good friends.
The next day, Sat, Peter & I drove into Panama City Beach to attend a concert of stories and music. We went in early to explore a bit. At one point we were very confused...parked the car because the signs all said that we couldn't continue on this road unless we were invited (?). There were gates over the road but they were up and unmanned. Being law abiding people, we parked and walked to where the retail area was...past all the forbidding signs and gates. There were not any houses just a huge lawn area with a pond and then the retail outlets we were looking for. We did see an interesting restaurant...so we walked back and drove through the gates to the restaurant which is called Bone Fish where we had a delightful dinner.
Our storytelling event was not far away and we arrived early...the chairs were just being set up and we helped to put them out. I learned from Jim Barr, one of the organizers, that this was the first such event in Panama City Beach. He works for the Gulf Coast Community College and is from Jonesborough, Tenn home of the U.S. National storytelling Festival. He is very supportive of storytelling and what it can do for a community. So he contacted Pat Neese, an active Florida Storyteller, to run the idea by her. She was very supportive and pointed out that at this time of year a few tellers gather for a retreat at her house, I believe, and they would be in this area. Would that do for tellers if they were willing? This obviously took much more work but it happened and I was there with many many other people! There were six tellers...each unique and accomplished tellers and flutist Paul McAuliffe. This was a good storytelling event with many types of tales told...much laughter and wonderful music. I do hope that this becomes an annual event for this area.
Sunday was a peaceful day...doing some domestic duties after a morning walk on the beach....spending part of the afternoon and dinner with our friends.
Monday was grey and rainy but warm...we went into Panama City to shop and get some pictures developed. Then had dinner with our friends.
Tues was Feb 1st which marked 2 months living in the rv! I still feel that there is constant need for adjustment. Some things are getting easier to do and others need to be worked on. Storage and clothing placement is one for me. So dealing with things a bit at a time.
Tues was warm and grey at times. Carol Ann cooked us a wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings!! Quite the treat and as usual great company in the evening. As we went home (rv) there was fog and a storm coming in...our cb weather alarm sounded and we listened to the watches and warnings noting the areas mentioned and discussing what we should do if we had to seek shelter from a tornado.
Wed was a quiet day...walk on the beach...slate grey coloured waters and strong wave action. The new moon happened. We went to a beach restaurant called Toucans on the Beach to try out some sea food and try to see a sunset. The clouds were thick so we mainly saw the light change. The food was very good though we still have to work on adjusting to seafood.
Today is the start of the Chinese New Year...the year of the rabbit. We are going to celebrate with our friends tonight.
Our wifi here hasn't been too reliable so my next entry will most likely be from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!
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