Carrabelle Beach on the Florida Panhandle

We checked in to Carrabelle Beach RV Resort on April 14th, 2025 for 14 nights.  Judy and I discovered this park a few years ago and, while expensive, it has become a "Go To" destination for su because of the mile long white sand public beach just a 2 minute walk across the street.  And in addition, the beach allows dogs on leashes.

Site 31

Our site, #31 in bottom right corner.

The resort is a COA park.  That is, most of the sites are owned by individuals who then rent them out when the owners are not using them.  We met one resident who was there there last year and has not moved since.  We met another couple who bought 2 sites and occasionally stays on one while renting the other one continuously.  The second site rental income pays for the purchase of the one they use seasonally.  Interesting concept.  "In an HOA, residents own their property, but the association owns and maintains common areas, such as lobbies, pools, clubhouses, and gyms. Conversely, in a COA, owners own their individual units and a percentage of all shared property, like tennis courts, swimming pools, sidewalks, and parking lots."

We connected with long time friends Mark and Charmaine for 3 days while here.  They are originally Northern New Yorkers who have resettled in Northern Florida.  Charmaine used to teach with me at Potsdam High School.   They both have a wonderful sense of humor and we try to connect yearly.  We always end up having a great time.  In fact, we ended up needing a huge favor this time from them.  We had to leave our truck at a Chevy dealer in Tallahassee overnight, and Mark and Charmaine were our only ride for a couple days.   And even then, the parts did not arrive in time, so we have to drive the rest of the way with all the warning lights on.  Oh well, all part of the adventure.

One of several great meals.

Mark and Charmaine patiently waiting for us.

Another great time dinning out.

Couple of retired Potsdam High School teachers.

A trip to Carrabelle isn't complete without a side trip or two to nearby Apalachicola.  The city is anchored by its seafood industry, as well as an up and coming tourist destination with great shopping and dinning.  Before railroads reached the region, Apalachicola was the 3rd largest port on the gulf coast behind New Orleans and Mobile.  Cotton and the sponge industry were the early economic engines driving the economy before the seafood and tourism boom.

One morning we took a drive to St. George Island for some lunch and shopping.  We also drove the road out to St. George Island State Park campground and beach.  

St. George Island State Park Beach.

Another day we explored the local history.  Carrabelle was the site of Camp Gordon Johnston, a huge training area for amphibious assault teams during World War 2.  Nearby is also the Crooked River Lighthouse which on the National Register of Historic Places.  

You never know what you might see when walking the pups along the beach.  One morning we watched pelicans fishing for breakfast.  Another morning, a pod of dolphins were out for a swim in the sun.  And the morning sunrises on our walks were a wonder to see.

We discovered a new place to eat called the Mornin' Bite.  They serve breakfast and lunches, so we tried it a few times, and the food and beer was amazing.  HERE is a link to the Trip Advisor info review.

The annual Carrabelle Riverfront Festival happened to coincide with our last day here.  The festival occurs on the last Saturday of April each year.  Local information booths, craft vendors, street dancing, face painting and food trucks are just a few of the activities.  It was a beautiful day and we spent a couple hours watching, visiting and shopping.  Fun time!!

Among the many new friends we met was this Canadian couple from the Montreal area.  They were our next door neighbors and had spent the entire month of April at the park.  Michel and Helene quickly became best friends with Parker and Maggie.

Sunday April 27th, and our 2 week stay at Carrabelle is done.  It's time to finally turn north and make the 8 day trek to be back home for Spring chores.  We have already decided to stop in Carrabelle again, probably for this Winter's Christmas and New Year Holidays. 

Good Bye Carrabelle.  See ya this winter.

Our next post:  Kentucky, West Virginia and HOME.

Read about our previous stop:  Meaher State Park on Mobile Bay, Alabama

Alabama: Meaher State Park on Mobile Bay

 April 4 to 12; Meaher State Park, Spanish Fort, Alabama: The 4 hour drive to Meaher State Park was about 250 miles, where we arrived about 2:00 in beautiful sunny weather.  We discovered the park last year when Gulf State Park, our "go to" Southern Alabama park, became way too popular and busy.  Meaher SP on Mobile Bay turns out to be just what we wanted.  Last year it was under going a major addition of 45 sites, which were almost completed this year.  

Sites 62 to 105 are new, as is the additional bath house.

As the blue dot shows, the park is located on an island at the north end of Mobile Bay.

Our site 61, with the brand new office building in the background.

The new section of the park.  The sites are roomy and level.  Most were not
being used yet because the fire pits and picnic tables were still being assembled.

We ended up staying 9 nights at the state park, and it was absolutely relaxing.  There is a lot of green space for walking the pups.  We got the bikes out and went for rides.  A couple days we did some Sams and Walmart shopping in nearby Daphne.  It was total relaxation.....well almost...

First, Parker the Pup came down with symptoms that were just a cold in humans.  He was sneezing and coughing.  We got him to the Parvin Anial Clinic in Spanish Fort.  The vet and staff were amazing.  He probably just had some reactions, just like us, to the extremely high pollen levels.  He was fine several days later.  

Next, storm warmings started popping up on our phones.  We slept fitfully through the night with high winds and heavy rain pounding the camper.   A walk around the park the next morning revealed the effects of the overnight storm.  There was debris washed up from the Bay.  There was ponding of water all around the campground, including stepping into a couple inches of water exiting the camper.  Rangers reported precipitin counts of 12 plus inches on Mobile Bay, including some flooding along the Battleship Parkway causeway. 

The storm surge wash debris well into the park.

Storm surge pushing water on shore.

And finally, we started the truck to go shopping one morning, and every idiot light possible showed up on the dash.  The truck seemed to run fine, but most of the convenience and safety systems were disabled, the main irritant being cruise control.  Damn, it was like driving a car back in the 1970's.  LOL. 

Lots of "idiot lights" all at once.  UGHH.

Don't get me wrong.  All of the little "annoyances" were really nothing serious.  No different than if we were home. But is's the little things like that that add to the adventure and memories.

During the 9 days there, we met so many wonderful people, saw some glorious sunsets, grilled some delicious home cooked meals and went out for awesome seafood and craft beers.  We even found time for some bike rides, bird watching, reading and, of course, napping.  LOL.

Blue Bird tending house.

Osprey watching for lunch.

Jupiter was bright in the evening sky.

Late afternoon sun glowing on the Long Leaf Pines.

Original Oyster House on the Causeway

Loaded Whitefish Tacos

Stuffed Flounder Florintene

We ended our stay at Meaher State Park with new friends Maggie and Dave from Minnesota, who are volunteers here at the park.  A chance encounter while I was walking Maggie the Puppy and I struck up a conversation with a park volunteer led to common interests in education since she was a retired elementary principal,  and her husband's name was Dave, they knew what winters were since they were from Minnesota, and our puppy's name was Maggie also.  Another example of many where dogs are societies social lubricant.  

Last, but not least, we left with memories of beautiful sunsets, and really really tired puppies!!  We will definitely be back to Meaher SP!!

Setting sun over the Mobile, Alabama skyline.

Next stop is the white sand beaches of Carrabelle on the Florida Panhandle for 2 weeks.

Our previous post: Vidalia, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi

Next up:  Carrabelle Beach on the Florida Panhandle.