I love my farm life. I love caring for and watching my livestock. I love canning, gardening and all the craziness that comes from living on my little homestead. I have a secret though, the only place I would trade the farm for might just be a place on the beach, too bad this gal can't have both...Nirvana is what that would be. Instead I have to enjoy a getaway to the ocean every few years and hold on to the pictures and memories of ocean waves lapping the shore to get me by until next time.
We recently just had such a luxury. A beachfront getaway to my favorite spot. I must digress that when I tell you why this is my favorite spot it may turn some off, I have sent friends here and they became "bored" because well...there is just a beach, an island if you will, a state park at one end and a bay to the opposite side of the Gulf, and tons of wildlife. There are a few hole in the wall places like my favorite Oyster Bar and Pizza dive. But, that is it. No boardwalk, no hubub, no crowds. For me that is the epitome of beach perfection.
We recently just had such a luxury. A beachfront getaway to my favorite spot. I must digress that when I tell you why this is my favorite spot it may turn some off, I have sent friends here and they became "bored" because well...there is just a beach, an island if you will, a state park at one end and a bay to the opposite side of the Gulf, and tons of wildlife. There are a few hole in the wall places like my favorite Oyster Bar and Pizza dive. But, that is it. No boardwalk, no hubub, no crowds. For me that is the epitome of beach perfection.
This is my "secret" spot. The secret is out...it is the "Forgotten Coast" of Florida and was actually voted in the top 10 beaches in the USA twice in the last few years. St. George Island is hands down the third on my list of best beaches EVER (the first is Playa Del Carmen in Mexico and the second being Maui, neither of which is very affordable for a large family to visit).
The Gulf beaches are white sugar sand and not crowded. The bay side has an entirely different Ecosystem just 2 miles across the island from the Gulf side and makes for fabulous education for the kids. In past years we had the opportunity to go oystering, crabbing and fishing on the bay side, so much fun! The entire Island is approx 21 miles long and 2 miles wide. The north side of the island is 6 miles of uninhabited Florida State Park that you can get into for a mere $6 a carload and it has some AMAZING shelling and driftwood finding. This treasure is right off of the panhandle just a 10 minute drive from Appalachicola, Florida and about 1.5 hours from the overpopulated Panama City Beaches.
The Gulf beaches are white sugar sand and not crowded. The bay side has an entirely different Ecosystem just 2 miles across the island from the Gulf side and makes for fabulous education for the kids. In past years we had the opportunity to go oystering, crabbing and fishing on the bay side, so much fun! The entire Island is approx 21 miles long and 2 miles wide. The north side of the island is 6 miles of uninhabited Florida State Park that you can get into for a mere $6 a carload and it has some AMAZING shelling and driftwood finding. This treasure is right off of the panhandle just a 10 minute drive from Appalachicola, Florida and about 1.5 hours from the overpopulated Panama City Beaches.
The best part of this beach is the amazing amount of life that can be found. Every time we come we see how many hermit crabs, sand dollars, starfish and beautiful shells we can find...we never have the heart to keep any of the live animals of course, but it is neat to play with them!
After a few long days at the beach when we did decide to take a break and "find something to do" there is the awesome and totally free nature center right off the island, it is open Tues-Sat from 9am-4pm and is a fantastic place to cool off and learn a lot with hands on stations for the kids. Check it out here.
Then the town of Apalachicola is fun for doing a little bit of touristy shopping and oyster eating as well as visiting my favorite soap shop. It is a short 5 mile trek across the bridge that connects St. George Island to Eastpoint and then over another bridge to Apalachicola, 10 minutes in all.
Then the town of Apalachicola is fun for doing a little bit of touristy shopping and oyster eating as well as visiting my favorite soap shop. It is a short 5 mile trek across the bridge that connects St. George Island to Eastpoint and then over another bridge to Apalachicola, 10 minutes in all.
If you ever get a hankering to go and visit this gem, here are a few tips from yours truly...
-Pack your water, the entire area of Florida here has funky tasting water
-Stop at the Dollar General just before crossing the bridge to the island, cheap water toys and sunscreen
-I favor staying on the ocean side vs. the bay side due to mosquitos at night
-The Island Dog store rents bike boards for $10 a day, lots of fun!
-Eat at BJ's pizza on the island, its sooo good!
-For a large family, or just some good ol' southern cooking you can't beat the food or prices of Hog Wild BBQ in Carabelle
-Stop in to the Old Time Soda Shop in Apalachicola for some souvenires
-Be sure to get a Gelato at the Apalachicola Chocolate Company (Amaretto is divine!)
-Look up the legend of Tate's Hell State Park and go for a hike after...I dare ya!
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-Pack your water, the entire area of Florida here has funky tasting water
-Stop at the Dollar General just before crossing the bridge to the island, cheap water toys and sunscreen
-I favor staying on the ocean side vs. the bay side due to mosquitos at night
-The Island Dog store rents bike boards for $10 a day, lots of fun!
-Eat at BJ's pizza on the island, its sooo good!
-For a large family, or just some good ol' southern cooking you can't beat the food or prices of Hog Wild BBQ in Carabelle
-Stop in to the Old Time Soda Shop in Apalachicola for some souvenires
-Be sure to get a Gelato at the Apalachicola Chocolate Company (Amaretto is divine!)
-Look up the legend of Tate's Hell State Park and go for a hike after...I dare ya!
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