Lucy Changes Plans

[moosetags]

Once again, Lucy has hit the road in search of adventure and other stuff. The plan was to head up to Macon, Georgia to see the blooming of the cherry blossom trees. SuEllyn made a call up to Macon this morning, and found that buds of the cherry blossom trees have not yet opened. That information was a little disappointing, but since Lucy was all packed and ready to go, we just decided to head somewhere else.
We decided to head east to the Forgotten Coast of Florida which is the area east of Panama City over to where the Panhandle turns south into the Peninsula. It is called the Forgotten Coast because it remains relatively undeveloped.

Once Lucy made it through Panama City, she continued east on US 98 through the 14 miles of Tyndall Air Force Base. We got to Mexico Beach which is the last town in the Central Time Zone. Lucy continued into Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, and St. George Island. We went out to St. George Island to have a look around. We visited the State Park and the Cape St. George Lighthouse.

Lucy continued east through Eastpoint and on to Carrabelle where we got Lucy a campsite at Sunset Isle RV Park. We got Lucy settled in and went out to look around. We had trouble finding a restaurant that looked interesting, and ended up visiting the Carrabelle IGA where we scored some good fried chicken from the deli.

We returned to Lucy and dined at the campground. We have now settled in for the night.

The pictures are:

- The ocean at Mexico Beach, Florida.
- Lucy and Olivia taking a break in Mexico Beach.
- The Girls in St. George Island State Park.
- The beach on St. George Island.
- One of the St. George Island local residents.
- There are many these tall skinny houses on the St. George Island oceanfront.
- The St. George Island Lighthouse which was built in 1833.


Brian

[Bruce B]

We love that part of Florida...
Drove right through this year on our way to the west coast and Pacific North West.
You'll just have to enjoy it fr us!
Next time for sure.
Bruce

[xrvr]

And the journey begins again, I will be following along. Good luck.

[BassCan]

Love a good journey. Following along.

[nsbcpa]

Is Ethel taking a break on this trip?

[Lily&Me]

Looks like an interesting area to explore.

Enjoy!

Maggie

[StrmyWeather]

Great to see Lucy out and about. You're traveling in a beatuful and, as stated, so far little developed area. Your posts are always filled with great photos and text. I'm looking forward to reading them as usual. Thanks.
Ps. Throw in some stories about snakes, mosquitos, gators, and,of course, golf cart sized roaches. Don't want to see too much interest in this area

[OTRA15]

Looking forward to the new adventure! If you are heading south and east, I was going to recommend Vic's Embers restaurant a little north of Orlando and east of Leesburg, but it has closed. They do still cater a weekly Wednesday dinner, apparently, at the Leesburg Methodist Church:

http://www.vicsembers.com/

$7.50 each and available to go by reservation. When visiting family in Leesburg, we went to Vic's too many times to count.

Lake County is a great sleepy area with older campgrounds, but I have never camped there. Bought our first 1985 25' used via a salesman in Orlando in the early 90's, and picked her up in NC. Long story.

Have fun, and thanks for the new adventure!

Cheers,

Peter

[patnal]

I haven't ever commented on your posts before but always followed your trips faithfully. I was so excited this morning to see a new post that I just had to comment. I love to read all the details about places to go and things to see. Looking forward to hearing about and seeing pictures of Lucy's new trip! I'm so glad you share this! Thank you!

[AirMiles]

Oh boy Brian! Thank you for the new adventure to help me pass the time until my new FC25FB arrives. I've read all your past adventures and look forward to joining you vicariously on this trip.

FYI, there is an Airstream Rally at Highlands Hammock State Park starting today through Sunday. Maybe you could swing by Sebring Florida on this adventure. I'll be easy to spot because I will be there with my Casita in site 69 from Thursday through Sunday.

[A W Warn]

Thanks for sharing your travel experiences, again!
It's always an enjoyable to tag along virtually.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by nsbcpa

Is Ethel taking a break on this trip?

Fred and Ethel are home resting up for a big western adventure later this year. Olivia is our usually winter tow vehicle.

Brian

[Mollysdad]

We visited Carrabelle by boat many years ago, and loved it. Small town southern charm. Asked where the best restaurant was and was directed to "The boo-fay at Johnny's".
At that time they had the world's smallest police station, it was a phone booth where the police car sat next to the door.
Unique.
I think they've expanded. I remember it being a half booth on a post so the cop could reach the phone from the driver's seat. Progress.

[ColoradoLady]

Hi there Brian! Glad to see that you are out and about again. Gets me a bit jealous, knowing that I'm winter Bound till June! Your photos are always so nice. I enjoy following along. Have a great time and safe travels. Evelyn.

[Al and Missy]

We'll be watching as usual, but this time for clues about where to visit in our home state. We have done Canopener the last three years but never stopped longer than overnight en-route. Next year we are planning a longer trip, hopefully including St. Joseph's Peninsula and Hillsboro River SP.

Al

[StrmyWeather]

Many business travelers through Florida knew of Frogs BBQ in Williston way back in the day. It's been reincarnated as a new Frogs just east of Williston and on the north side of the road. Still great bbq if you get a chance to stop.

[moosetags]

Lucy spent the day camped in Carrabelle. We spent the day touring the area between Carrabelle and east to St. Marks, a distance of about fifty miles. We started the day with an early lunch at the diner in downtown Carrabelle.

We traveled east on US 98, checking out all the little towns along the way. We also visited Bald Point State Park with its unspoiled and abandoned beaches. We drove through
St. Teresa, St. James, and on to Panacea, and then St. Marks. These little towns were interesting, but appear to be undergoing hard times. Many of the stores and commercial buildings are vacant.

On the way back to Carrabelle, we visited Sopchoppy and Ochlockonee River State Park. We also spent some time visiting Lanark Village just east of Carrabelle. Lanark Village dates back to 1956 as a retirement community with small connected housing. It was a really nice concept. Many of the buildings fell into severe disrepair. People are now buying the buildings and renovating them. Hopefully, this trend will insure the survival of this historic community.

We made it back to Lucy as darkness began to fall. We settled into Lucy for a nice dinner and Monday night TV shows.

Pictures include:

- Lucy's campsite.
- Lucy's Airstream buddy at the campground.
- Vintage canned ham at the campground.
- Carrabelle diner.
- Tallahassee Street, Carrabelle.
- Bald Point State Park beach.
- Downtown Sopchoppy.
- Ochlockonee River.
- Lanark Village building court.
- Carrabelle Police Station.


Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy broke camp in Carrabelle this morning. We got a fairly early start, and made our way through the Florida countryside up to Tallahassee. We decided to forgo the bypass, and towed Lucy through Tallahassee. The traffic was heavy and the streets narrow, but we wanted to see how Tallahassee was looking these days. SuEllyn and I both used to live in Tallahassee, and wanted to see the changes. Tallahassee has more than doubled in population since we lived there.
We continued north and crossed into Georgia. We drove through Thomasville, Moultrie, Tifton, and Perry. We arrived in Macon, Georgia late this afternoon and got Lucy a very nice campsite at the Macon Shriners' RV Park. We went out to a nice dinner at the Rookery Restaurant in downtown Macon.

We got back to Lucy shortly after dark and settled in for the night.

Tonight's pictures include:

- Sunset in Carrabelle last night.
- Nice storage box on Lucy's Airstream neighbor.
- Crossing into Georgia.
- Downtown Thomasville, Georgia.
- Lucy's campsite in Macon.


Love, SuEllyn and Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

We'll be watching as usual, but this time for clues about where to visit in our home state. We have done Canopener the last three years but never stopped longer than overnight en-route. Next year we are planning a longer trip, hopefully including St. Joseph's Peninsula and Hillsboro River SP.

Al

We have made to trip between Santa Rosa Beach and Tampa via the coastal route on several occasions. It is fewer miles, but at least twice the time assuming that you drive straight through. If you want to see the sights and do any exploring along the way, it's at least a five day trip. If you do make the coastal trip, be sure to explore Cedar Key, Alligator Point, St. George Island, and Apalachicola. St. Joseph Peninsular is also a must. This part of Florida is very different than the rest of the state.

Brian

[Airtandem]

Brian, do you have some type of storage fastened to LUCY"S back; welded to frame?
mj