FTJ, Entry 136: The Forgotten Coast? Fuhgeddaboudit.

Well, based on the past 25 days, during which we got maybe four decent warm sunny ones, we won't be back to the Forgotten Coast. It has been cold, cloudy, rainy, or foggy most of this month, and we are sick of it. We can only hope that when our friends Jack and Allison visit next month, this dismal dreariness will have passed. Right now, it looks like cold and cloudy and rainy and crappy will prevail for at least the next week, maybe longer. Yuck.

Fortunately, we attended a party here at the park and got to meet some very nice people. As a result, Beau is keeping busy helping build a float for the upcoming Camp Gordon Johnston parade, which is the highlight of the celebratory Camp Gordon Johnston weekend. The weekend honors veterans, and in particular, the amphibian soldiers who trained here (some on the beach right across from us) for the Normandy invasion. Sponsored by the local WWII museum, festivities include a reunion of veterans, a parade, and a free lunch for anyone who wants to come. 

Beau may ride on the float with the other veterans. In that I have had a rotten upper respiratory infection (I get sick every time we visit here -- another reason not to come back), I have been out of the loop on the plans.

We have only been able to go to the beach once. Haven't even bothered to go to the beautiful beach at St. George Island -- too cold and crummy.

Some photos of the good and the bad  follow.

First, the good:

Our ONE nice beach day.

I have been in long pants and sweatshirts since this photo was taken.

At first, Beau thought there was a small shark in the water -- but he actually saw a fin from this stingray, floating along in a few inches of water, right off the shore.

Took this shot of a magnificent Great Blue Heron at a place called Indian Pass,
about 40 minutes or so from us.

This guy was maybe 20 feet from a fisherman, waiting for scraps.

On one cloudy day (what else is new?) we took a trip out to Cape San Blas, considered one of the best -- if not THE best -- beaches in the country, but we were not particularly impressed. A few homes along the sand, and not much else out there. Too remote for us.

In general, Cape San Blas has the same look as the Outer Banks.

It also has its own weirdness.

On another non-rainy, yet cool day, we went out to lunch in Apalachicola, at a nice little cafe called Tamara's.

Now the bad:

Our typical weather of late.

 

And this is a GOOD day (not raining).

Considering we have another month here, we are REALLY hoping to see the sun soon. And it's frigging cold. Harrumph.

Tanks, Panky

P.S. Another disappointment for Beau: His favorite BBQ place here, the one he raved about the entire year we traveled on our bucket list trip, has gone downhill. But it's about the only game in town, so we keep giving it another chance. Beau may just end up in the kitchen talking/consulting with/complaining to the chef, ya never know.

FTJ Entry 135: Carrabelle Beach: Been Here, Done That

The second time around on the "Forgotten Coast" is a bit warmer compared to 2011, but after a few days of lovely weather we are now in a cold, cloudy period. Crap.

Five days in (and despite the current gloom), we continue to enjoy this place, with its deserted crescent beach and nearby idyllic island of St. George -- and of course, oyster heaven in Apalachicola, just down the road.

Sunrise over Carrabelle Beach.

 

We just got our Connecticut license plates for the new motorcoach, so we are all set at last. The Dutch Star is looking good, don't you think?

This photo and the ones below pretty much typify the kinds of crowds we find on the beach here. Even on the sunny days, you don't encounter too many folks.

Boo on the clouds! Fortunately, the sun is going to reappear tomorrow.

Speaking of oyster heaven, Beau just had his first dozen raw oysters ($6.99) of the year in downtown Apalachicola and said they were wonderful -- among the best of any he had eaten. The price can't be beat, either.

Apalachicola has a colorful history, and some correspondingly colorful characters, such as shopowner John Lee (below), who was a newspaper editor and played a small role in a John Hurt movie filmed in the town. Apparently, John L. and John H. are good friends (and drinking buddies). He says he and John also got actor Sam Waterston's son drunk when the kid came of age. Seemed proud of that achievement.

John Lee (related, of course, to General Robert E.  Lee) is a very funny fellow, with many (tall?) tales to tell, full of great details about the history of the Apalachicola area. He also sells locally harvested Tupelo honey, some of the finest you can buy.

John Lee in his curiosity shop.

A movie scene featuring a younger John Lee (with mustache) arresting John Hurt, far right. John plays this film in his shop -- one of his presumably many 15 minutes of fame.

 

John Hurt's bloody shirt from the movie.

I must say we meet some interesting people during our travels.

Oh -- there was also this guy, whose 1930 Model A Ford broke down on the road right in front of our rig. Very nice antique car. Plus, I loved his dog.

Our Sendoff from Ft. Myers Beach

I tend to go in reverse chronological order in these blogs. Below, a few photos from the party our Gulf Waters friends threw for us the day before we left Fort Myers Beach (February 1). We were SO sad to leave them all and come north. Plus the weather in Fort Myers Beach was perfection.

With party hosts and all around great people (featured in a previous blog), Joan and Ed Buck from the Cape. Miss you guys!

Two terrific new gal pals and Gulf Water neighbors, Jackie and Dawne.

They love having parties at Gulf Waters Motorcoach Resort. What a super bunch of people.

On the way up north to the Panhandle we stayed one night at a campground in the boonies of Homosassa, FL.
Yikes. Not for us -- WAY too much like "camping."

Wishing everyone good health, good weather, and safe travels.

Whoops -- almost forgot:  HOW 'BOUT THOSE GIANTS??!!!!  What a great Superbowl.

The GIANTS RULE! (Sorry, Pats fans.)

Tanks, Panky