St. George Island

St. George Island is a barrier island about 30 miles long and a mile wide at it's widest spot. It is located on the Gulf coast just off the Florida panhandle. The island is divided roughly into three general areas. The eastern third is State Park. The middle third is houses and condos. The final third on the west end of the island is high end homes, a golf course and airstrip. Access to the island is by way of a four mile causeway connecting the island and the mainland. Wendy's parents rent a condo just about in the center of the island right at the end of the causeway. You can easily see the ocean from their third floor balcony. We chose to camp at the State Park about eight miles away.  The Park is a combination of sandy coves, salt marshes, shady pines and oak forests.


 We checked in at the gate and then drove four miles along the dunes to the campground. The speed limit along this section of road is 25 and it is strictly enforced. The St. George Island State Park is probably the nicest State Park I have ever camped in!  The campground itself has spots for about 60 campers with each site having water and electric.  We had site 26 which was close to the bathrooms and showers.  Nice, because if you remember, there is no bathroom in the truck camper.

We decided to take the camper off the truck for a couple of reasons.  First, it frees up the truck for side trips without having to button everything up in the camper.  Second, it places the camper closer to the ground so life is easier when entering and exiting.  Anyway, taking the camper off the truck turned out to be an excellent decision.  So by Monday evening we were all set for several days.  All we needed was great weather, and boy, did we luck out.  Sun and 70 plus weather for almost every day we were there.

With over 10 miles of beach and barrier sand dunes, the park is a great natural observatory.  We saw zillions of birds along with crab, dolphins and even a couple of eagles.  However, to preserve that kind of habitat, the beach is off limits to dogs.  Zoey could hike the nature trails with us though.  To spend time in the surf she had to travel to the public beaches where dogs are allowed.  And love the surf she did!  At first she was afraid of the waves, but as time went on she learned to "jump" them.  By the end of the trip you could throw a tennis ball out 100 feet and she would go out for it.  She was one happy dog. That was the up side. The down side is a wet, salty and sandy dog in your camper.  Zoey insisted on rolling in the sand after a romp in the surf.  I guess it's in their genes. Usually, a good soaking with a fresh water hose would help remove the sand and salt.


St. George Island's history is based on oysters.  In fact, the local radio station refers to itself as Oyster Radio, much like our local stations call them self as Wolf or Froggy.  The other old industry was turpentine.  The pine trees were "tapped" for the turpentine sap, much like our maples are tapped for the maple sap.  So far, the island is still pretty much resisted the trappings of the typical "Myrtle Beach" venue.  However, the locals fear the commercialization of the island.  It is still quaint and quiet, but that is slowly changing, I'm told.  I hope that the State of Florida will resist the urge to develop the East end of the island.  Even though it is probably worth billions in development, to maintain it in it's natural state is worth even more.