May 2021 Trip to the Forgotten Coast of Florida
Fully vaccinated and ready to cautiously travel again.
Apalachicola
We arrived Friday, May 7 after an 8 hour drive and immediately found a place we could fit right in.
The Forgotten Coast is often called “Old Florida” or “The Real Florida.” As we have learned in our travels there are often phrases that are code for something else and these are no exception. The town of Apalachicola rolls up the sidewalks at 8PM and most shops and restaurants are not open on Sunday or Monday. Also 99% of the people we saw, residents, tourist industry workers and visitors, were white.
Daily, we were surprised by the nature we saw along the Forgotten Coast.
Dr. John D. Gorrie (1803 – 1855) moved to Apalachicola in in 1833. He was a pioneer in ice making, refrigeration and air conditioning, receiving the first US patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851.
Tourist brochures and walking tours include the Chestnut Street Cemetery. One write-up begins, “The Chestnut Street Cemetery is the oldest burying ground in Apalachicola and is the burial site of many individuals connected with the history and development of the town and area.” It is clear from a visit however that no care has been taken of the prominent citizens buried here. The cemetery is run down, over grown and neglected.
A much anticipated highlight of our trip was the abundance of wonderful seafood. Oysters from Hole in the Wall (twice), Paella and Grouper Cheeks from Tamara's Cafe, Crab Cakes at the Owl Cafe -- all such a treat for us!
St. George Island
A beautiful white sand beach at St. George Island State Park for our only beach day.
Carabelle
Carabelle Riverwalk
The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carabelle
On our final day, the weather held long enough for us to get an airboat ride on the St. Mark’s River and tributaries. The unusually high water level made the normal alligator population hard to spot.
