St Petersburg to The Panhandle, Florida

Monday 15th November

After hearing rave reviews about Fort De Soto Park, between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, we were curious to see for ourselves.  This County Park gets over 3 million visitors each year and after walking around the grounds we were not surprised.  The waterfront sites were beautiful and private.









Within minutes Allen had sniffed out the Gulf Pier and before I knew it, he was doing what he does best, fishing!!  The Pier was equipped with running water, sinks, benches and stiff brushes everything for the fishing fanatic.






I lazed away most of the day watching the dolphins jumping out the water and the pelicans diving in.  I attempted to read my book but unfortunately I got 'bombed' from a great height and NO it's NOT lucky!!  (But it is funny,A.).

Keaton Beach  

Set up camp at the Old Pavilion RV Park - it was a back to nature experience, the showers were in a rustic shack and the toilets were sectioned off by plastic curtains (see-through ones I might add) but such an amazing location right on the beach.

















From the jetty we could see some spooky looking poles with hats and faces on them.   Not sure if they were past campers who out stayed their welcome.

Our coastal travels led us to a couple of wonderful seafood sheds.
The outside of the buildings looked incredibly rough but that was nothing compared to the people inside!  Only kidding.  Never judge a book by the cover.  We are testament to the bucketful of oysters and prawns we consumed, they were out of this world.

Not sure if any of our readers remember the movie Deliverance.....well, we just had to download it and watch it again.  I'm sure it was filmed right here!!

Florida's Forgotten Coast

Landed at St George Island one of Florida's long narrow barrier islands off the Gulf of Mexico.  We camped at the picturesque State Park that had over 9 miles of undeveloped beaches and dunes.

  










Hiked along a 2 mile nature trail through the pine forest and salt marshes.  We photographed some huge paw prints on one of the dunes.  We thought it was a Panther as they live in this area but the Park Ranger said it was a Jaguar.   Whatever it was it had BIG feet.

The St George Lighthouse had a troubled life.  Three earlier Lighthouses were destroyed by a number of heavy storms, tidal surges and a hurricane.   The fourth construction, and hopefully final, was completed in 2008.

Apalachicola


"That Place off 98" is the mastermind of MikeKeller, once a professional golfer now turned restaurateur.  Lunch was beautifully cooked and presented.  Highly recommended by the Gauts.  Clever name too.

Met this high and dry Diver outside the Apalachicola Sponge Company - walked inside this amazing shop that looked like a ship wreck.  Bought a sponge (could only afford one arrh).


Pensacola

The town's war memorial to the fallen servicemen was excellent.

On a lighter note we found this doggy sign in a park - good to see the dogs of Pensacola getting the last woof!!

The Everglades

Saturday 13th November


The Everglades (River of Grass)

The Everglades has a unique ecosystem, it's known as the slowest moving river in the world and flows from the freshwater Lake Okeechobee out into the Mexican Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean.  

We visited the Everglades Safari Park and went on a wonderful Airboat tour through the swampy sawgrass and found a multitude of alligators and wild birds.     

After the Airboat tour we watched a live alligator show.  The Ranger got in the cage with some gigantic alligators who actually answer to their name!  Love it.














My brave Al wrestled with a young 'un just long enough to get his photograph taken.

Then drove to Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park where we took a 2 hour tram ride through the prairie.  Saw some massive Mumma alligators with their babies and many different types of birds....Egrets, Herons, Ibis, Cormorant etc.  






















We later confirmed our tour guide was 'barking' mad when he took off his shoes and socks and waded into the  swamp....why did he do this?....he wanted to get a handful of sludge for us to hold and smell. - OK.

We walked up to a 65 foot viewing tower, it was so quiet and peaceful up there.  Beautiful views of the Everglades.

Florida Keys

Friday 12 November


Florida Keys
These amazing set of islands (keys) from Key Largo to the southern most tip of Key West are linked by 42 bridges scattered along 126 miles.  Key West is closer to Cuba than it is to the mainland of America.  The Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico sandwich the Keys in the middle. An absolutely fabulous place to swim/snorkel ( How would she know??) and discover the local flora and fauna.   Al is now an expert in this department.

Bahia Honda State Park, Marathon

Thumbs up from us....this Park has the best location to view the sunset over the original Flagler Bridge.  In 1912 the first steam train chugged through Henry Flagler's '7 Mile Bridge' but unfortunately it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935.
  Today you can walk along a section of the bridge to get a panoramic view of the park and keep an eye on the massive sharks.

The fishing is out of this world, mahi-mahi, sailfish, mackerel, grouper, snapper, marlin - it's all out there!  Allen snorkelled around the coral reef and came face to face with some huge fish - well they looked big underwater.
Sunset are spectacular

Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale and Miami

Tuesday 9th November

Fort Pierce 

We spent the morning looking around the Harbour and adjoining Park and they were both well maintained and much loved.   The town was quiet but thriving.  As always, I wanted to pipe up with the words “I could quite happily live here!”.

Fort Lauderdale

We thought Fort Lauderdale was a very classy place.  Lovely tall palm trees and wonderful friendly people.  The sandy beach was lined with super fit bronze bodies.....we blended in beautifully!!!

Miami Beach

Anything goes……and it usually does!!   Walked approximately 3 miles along the beach and discovered Latinos, Cubans, Gay/Lesbian couples each congregating in their own area of beach.  We walked right through the middle and stopped when we got to Little Haiti. 

The original   "Easy Rider"

Then I persuaded Allen to walk along the notorious Ocean Drive.  It was there I saw my first ‘mankini’ sitting at a bar wearing a white lycra creation and sporting a white feathered hat.  As we walked along the strip we were accosted at every bar and restaurant by gorgeous looking girls all hoping to lure us in.   Allen did not need any encouragement and was suddenly overcome by a raging thirst!!  Come on Al we are supposed to be admiring the Art Deco.  

We eventually ate at PrimeTime and drooled our way through a Paella stuffed with fresh lobster, prawns and mussels.  It was awesome.  Also tried a couple of the local Bacardi/Lime cocktails. 

Wow our next stop Mango’s Tropical Café/Bar was a cross between a zoo and a brothel. ( It was very classy - Al ).   The girls danced on the bar wearing zebra leotards and tiny bikinis.  Certainly a night to remember.





Who said Florida was full of old people!!