homey and delightful fishing village located on the Saint Joseph Bay. Those looking to get away from it all will be happy to hear there were a lot of things I didn’t see. I didn’t see a Walmart, a Kmart, a mall or more than two fast food restaurants. Did I miss them? Nope, not at all. One of the things I noticed about this area is the friendliness and neigh- borly attitude of the local residents. I came to the conclusion they have not been jaded by the influx of tourists year round that other parts of Florida are hit with. I have visited almost every beach on the
east coast during my lifetime. I am definitely a “coastal” kind of girl. I have a hard time driving through landlocked states. I must have saltwater access within a few hours or I don’t believe I could breathe. This was the Florida of my youth, however, with long stretches of deserted road, piney woods, Spanish moss on the hardwoods, odd little fresh seafood markets tucked behind houses. It was a trip back in time to the stuff that I have missed about Florida for so long. The end of every day was the best part, however. I have always had to get up early on the At- lantic coast to see the sunrise and it was al- ways difficult to catch the sunset over water. You had to find a spot on the sound side of any island I happened to be staying on. And if there was no sound side, well, I was just out of luck. But here, in this unspoiled pocket of Florida, after working my regular job all day, I was rewarded each afternoon/evening with a sunset more spectacular than the one be- fore. I would rush outside or to the water- front as that magical hour neared each day. Nature’s show would take my breath each time I saw the sky and clouds light up in shades of mango, orange, flame red and pink and the reflections would appear on the water in an abstract mirror. During the weekends, I packed my cam- eras and made the drive down US-98 to Ap-
palachicola just to see what I would find there. I was rewarded with an old fishing vil- lage that was first incorporated as the town of West Point in 1827. The beautiful old build- ings of downtown have been reclaimed and now house quaint shops and restaurants. Seafood restaurants featuring the town’s mainstay, fresh oysters, dot the town with people standing in line at each one. Every time I thought I had seen all the gems this small town of only a few thousand residents has to offer, I would turn another corner and find new treasures everywhere I looked. Appalachicola is a precious diamond on
this stretch of the Gulf of Mexico. A combina- tion of well-maintained old homes alongside the downtown buildings of old brick, it is a true trip back through time. Local arts and antiques beside restaurants serving up the town’s golden bounty, oysters. Even if some- one is not an oyster fan, these need to be sam- pled; I have never had an oyster with such delicate flavor. I found a treasure trove of antiques and
nautical collectibles at The Tin Shed (170 Water St., Appalachicola, FL (850) 653- 3635). Every conceivable float and commer- cial fishing item you could ever wish for was on sale here. It is a charming waterfront mu- seum with affordable prices and the owners are welcoming and willing to share their knowledge of all the items found there. I could have spent several hours here walking among the walls and bins of floats, fishing nets, baskets and diving gear. Three weeks was not enough time. For
such a quiet, sleepy area of Florida, there is so much more I want to see and do here. I take vacations every year but, spiritually, this was the most fulfilling holiday I have spent in many years. I will return. •
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