Cape San Blas

This was a pretty boring day overall, basically traveling from St. Augustine in the east to St. Joseph Penisula State Park on Cape San Blas. Jim actually beat Dudley up for a change, knowing we had to get moving. We decamped and were on the road by 8:30am, and took the Interstates I95 and I10 until we were nearing Tallahassee. We had decided we wanted to see some of the "real" Florida, so we got off on route 319 and headed south. First stop was Sopchoppy (yes, and it's correctly pronounced Sop-choppy!) to mail some cards and a package to Beth and Drew in Texas. We got to the southern coast, and headed west along US 98 all the way to Cape San Blas.

       The drive was quite interesting, and very pretty in spots along the water. We were particularly impressed with the architecture, and how so many of the homes (like most) are built on posts and pillars 10-20' off the ground because of the hurricanes and floods. Must be a real pain carrying groceries up them! The most remarkable thing was how many are for sale, in several places every other house literally was on the market. If one is looking to buy a bargain, this is the place to do it!

     In Carrabelle, one of the larger towns along the "Forgotten Coast", there is this neat little Memorial to Veterans from all the armed forces, photos above. Carrabelle also has one of the few supermarkets along the route, an IGA.

     We arrived at St. Joseph Penisula State Park about 4:30, after a 318 mile drive. Cape San Blas, which it's located on, is a barrier island that runs for several miles. Very pretty out there, with hundreds of beautiful beach homes and cottages overlooking the sea. A good chunk of the Peninsula is owned by the Air Force, part of Eglin Air Force base. We had heard how beautiful this was many years ago from our friend Lynnae, and it is. Beaches are fine white sand, lots of the usual coastal vegetation, and we understand quite a few deer and bobcats. The campground is well laid out and clean, with large sites. Biggest problem is virtually no Verizon phone coverage, and we have found we really need to be "in touch" because of various family issues in different locales. We set up the campsite except for the awning (way too windy!), and the dogs were very happy to be out of the car and walking. It was really dark there at night, great for viewing stars but not for walking the dogs. Fortunately, I had my LL Bean hat with the built in flashlights on the brim!