Spring 2023: Carrabelle Beach, Florida

Friday, 4/21: 217 miles, parked at Carrabelle Beach Resort, Carrabelle, FL

Site 52.

It was a short drive by miles, but a long day on the clock.  We chose to take US Rt 98 most of the way.  It went through a lot of cities, like Destin, Panama City, etc, but it was generally scenic and, unlike the I-10, generally stress free.  Also, we crossed back into the Eastern Time Zone, which added another hour on the clock.  So it was 3:30 by the time we checked in at Carrabelle.

We discovered this park on a trip last spring.  One of the attractions is a public beach right across the highway where dogs are allowed. The village of Carrabelle is a working commercial fishing village. This Florida Backroads Travel website does a great job of describing the "Forgotten Coast" of the Florida

Panhandle.

Saturday, 4/22:

Carrabelle Beach is a pure white sand public beach and one of the few that allow dogs on a leash.  Being the weekend and beautiful weather, by noon the beach and picnic areas were full.  But in the morning and late afternoon we pretty much have it to our selves.  This morning we took Parker for his very first swim.  At first he was terrified of the sound of the splashing waves.  A young girl who was with her family nearby came over to play with Parker, and before long she had him digging in the sand and playing in the water.  

Then, of course, we had a wet dog to dry out.  Sunny and 75 weather solved that problem.

Our Florida friends, Mark and Charmaine Gabel arrived about 3:30.  They rented a cabin for the week to connect with us.  We last saw then a year ago in St. Augustine.  They are northerners who decided to relocate to the warmer climes.  Charmaine taught HS math at Potsdam High School, where I taught as well.  We met them for hugs and a beer, and then we all called it a day. 

Sunday, 4/22:

I took an early morning walk with Parker on the beach and caught a beautiful morning sunrise.

  

We joined Mark and Charmaine and went to the Red Pirate in Eastpoint for lunch.  It's a nice local bar and restaurant with live music.  We had a great time catching up since we were last together a year ago.

On Tuesday we went to St. George Island and had lunch at the Blue Parrot.  Our waitress agreed to take a group photo.  Of course, it takes awhile to get organized and "Boss Lady" Charmaine had to organize us.

On Wednesday the four of us drove to Apalachicola, about 20 miles away.  This is another small and friendly working fishing town.  We did some souvenir shopping and went to the Owl Cafe for a wonderful lunch.

After lunch, we hit the the amazing Chocolate and Coffee Company for some out of this world chocolates.

From there, we went the Apalachicola Sponge Company to pick up some Tupelo honey.

Tupelo honey is unique in that because of the mix of sugars in the honey, it will never crystalize!  Here is a link From Spruce Eats that explains Tupelo honey.  Also, From Wikipedia is the following:

"Tupelos of the species Nyssa ogeche are valued as honey plants in the southeastern United States, particularly in the Gulf Coast region. They produce a very light, mild-tasting honey. In Florida, beekeepers keep beehives along the river swamps on platforms or floats during tupelo bloom to produce certified tupelo honey, which commands a high price on the market because of its flavor. Monofloral honey made from the nectar of Nyssa ogeche has such a high ratio of fructose to glucose that it does not crystallize.

The Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle is the center for tupelo honey. The honey is produced wherever tupelo trees (three species) bloom in southeastern USA, but the purest and most expensive version (which is certified by pollen analysis) is produced in this valley. In a good harvest year, the tupelo honey crop produced by a group of specialized Florida beekeepers has a value approaching $1,000,000."

Thursday was a hot and humid day with late afternoon thunderstorms. We ended up cooking dinner at the camper that night.

Friday we all went shopping in downtown Carrabelle.  We ate lunch at a local hotspot, the Fisherman's Wife cafe.

Later, about 4:30 we gathered for cocktails and our last group photo by the camper.

The girls wore their matching tops and pink hats.

Mark looks so tall because he's hanging out with a group of short people.  😁

On Saturday morning Mark and Charmaine had to leave.  They stopped by about 8:30 and we had our goodbyes and hugs until we meet next year.  It was windy, and thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon.  Sure enough, by 1:00 it was pouring and the wind was blowing.  It eased up by 7:00, but passing storms hit us overnight.  

Radar at 12:45.  By 2:00 it was on top of us. 1.8 inches total for the storm.

By Sunday morning, the sky was clear and the sun was shining.  Quite a contrast from 24 hours ago.  We found this really neat garden shop in nearby Eastpoint, Frost Pottery Garden.  It had all kinds of garden pottery, wind chimes, whirly gigs, solar outdoor lights, as well as local art and jewelry.  We shopped until we dropped and left some Gouverneur dollars with them.

Parker met a new friend.  River is a 4 month old female Golden Retriever from Richmond, Kentucky. His mom and dad, Lisa and Dennis turned out to be wonderful new friends to visit with.  We let the pups loose in the dog yard and wow, did they ever run and chase.  Neither one barely had enough energy to walk after 15 minutes.  The activity was just what they both needed.  We met again the next day for another playdate.

River and Parker with their "Dads"

Parker has developed a new "bad" habit.  When we aren't looking he has figured out how to climb up on the dinning table in the camper.  This is our work table, with computer cords, pens, pencils and notepads.  UGH!!!!  But he is soooo proud.

Monday, and Happy Mayday!!  Today is our last day in Carrabelle.  I have to tell you, we have really grown to love this Forgotten Coast area of the Florida Panhandle.  White sand beaches that allow dogs and small friendly working fishing communities.  This has been a really relaxing stay without the hassle of traffic found in Gulf Shores.  And the Carrabelle Beach Resort is such a special place because of the dog friendly beach just a 5 minute walk across the highway.

We have met some absolutely wonderful people at this campground;  Mitch and Melinda from Panama City;  Ray and Betty, our next door neighbors with the vanity license plates (RAD RAM and NEW HZN);    Russ and Dana from Fairfax, VA and their retriever Schooner; Brad, our neighbor on the other side with his eclectic interests and 2 bull dogs, and especially Dennis and Lisa and their 4 month old English Cream female, River, from Richmond, Kentucky.

Parker says good bye to Carrabelle Beach.  He learned so much here.

Now it is on to Jekyll Island for 5 nights as we start to wind up our trip and head home over the next couple weeks.