Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012

Lazy morning watching the gulls and pelicans swooping around the Gulf.  Cloudy, humid but warm.  About 11:15, walked three blocks along Water St. to Boss Oyster for lunch.  This restaurant is right on the water and we ate on the porch overlooking a small marina.  It is rated as one of America's best 50 seafood dives in 2012 by Coastal Living Magazine.  We found it charming and were told by those eating around us that it does have the best oysters anywhere.  They are caught, refrigerated on the boat and always kept cold.  I wasn't brave enough to try them, but did have the fresh-caught grouper along with the red beans a rice and slaw.  Was definitely delicious but a bit pricy for the quantity.  Jerry's BBQ sandwich was also good but pricy.  The bloody mary was a treat - haven't had one of those for ages.

Walked along the waterfront looking at the oyster shells all over everywhere, a boat being restored, rusty buildings (probably for oyster processing at one time), and an endloader scooping up oyster shells and putting them into a truck for hauling away. 

Just up the street is the Gibson Inn - described on their website as "a fine example of Florida "Cracker" Architecture. This was the style of wood frame structure used widely in the 19th and early 20th century in Florida. These homes and businesses are characterized by metal roofs, raised floors, high ceilings, center hallways, and large wrap around porches. A widows walk and cupola crown the tin roof, all a reflection of the area's steamboat past. Built in 1907 of native heart pine and black cypress, the inn soon became known as a first class luxury hotel and was the only one between Pensacola and Jacksonville heated entirely by steam. Now listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places"

Took off about 12:30 pm and fought our way through all the traffic in Panama City, Pensacola and all those burbs.  Thpousands of houses on stilts perched on the water's edge (and on the other side of the road) to be rented.  Can't imagine how many of these sit vacant...couldn't possibly rent them all...  Some beautiful southern style homes on the waterfront.  Love the low roofs and wrap-around porches.  Some had screened in porches and others had pavillions nearby. 

 As soon as we crossed over the FL/AL line on Highway 98, the scenery changed to more rural, more midwest rather than semi-tropical in tone..  We stopped at the Escapee RV campground, Rainbow Plantation near Summerdale, AL (near Mobile) to spend the night.  First impressions are excellent.  Sites are far apart and lots of trees.  Will be here two nights.

Will load more pix when I have a better connection....to be continued.