FTJ, Entry 141: The Latest from Carrabelle

We have had a great string of sunny days, and more action than usual.

First, Beau and I went out to Bald Point State Park and Alligator Point. Not much there except additional beautiful beaches and some beach houses, many of which looked unrented/uninhabited. This whole area is REALLY quite undeveloped.

Alligator Point

We had a picnic at Bald Point State Park.

The next day or so, someone (I think it was Kay) from the RV park organized a group luncheon down at a local restaurant, where the oysters are $4.99 a dozen. Twelve of us went and had a terrific time, as usual.

From left, Ron, Kay, Carl, Bev, Bob (?), Ina Jane, Kenny, Ardee, Ruth, Carl, me, Beau--oh, and of course, Buddy.

Outside the restaurant, Beau was intrigued by an old Harley Davidson motorbike.

We also took a drive out to St. George Island State Park. Not much out there, folks.

A Visit from Old Friends

The best news of the week: We were very excited this past Monday when our old friends Jack and Allison arrived here for a visit. We had not seen them since October, and we are having a wonderful time beaching it and hanging out together. We will be sad to see them go on Saturday morning!

What better after a long drive than a Bud and a Painkiller? They drove all the way up here from Hutchinson Island in south Florida. So great to see them!

On Carrabelle Beach.

Allison adjusting her i-pad under a towel.

What can I say?

Buddy took a shine to Jack!

On the flats at Carrabelle Beach. At low tide, the eastern end of the beach becomes an exposed sandbar.

We're gonna need a bigger boat. Outside the Tin Shed shop during our visit to Apalachicola.

If you look closely, you will see a white cup holder insert flying in the air right alongside the totem pole in the background. Every time Jack sat on this "boat bench," the cup holder would be expelled from its hole in the deck and fly like a small rocket into the air. Very funny.

At the Blue Parrot on St. George Island.

Same place, different faces!

Jack and Beau had a "steak dinner" bet on the Super Bowl -- Jack's Pats lost, of course, so he paid up his bet at the Crooked River Grill restaurant. Thanks, guys! Dinner was great.

Jack's dessert.

Of course, one of the highlights of the Condlins' visit was the RV park's Burger Bash on Friday. Beau made his "rustic" coleslaw. Activities Empress Ruth and her team did a great job -- again.

And another thing....

Hmmm. what else is going on? Oh -- a BIG disappointment. Alas, we will have to leave the area before we can go to the 12th annual Worm Gruntin' Festival in nearby Sopchoppy. Now THAT would have been a great blog topic.

Tanks, Panky

You can't make this stuff up

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