Sweet tea & seafood, Florida panhandle style

[ausfahrt]

The Florida panhandle also known as LA (lower Alabama) to some and as the redneck riviera to others. I haven't been there since.... lets just say it's been a long time.

The wife backed out for numerous reasons so I am forced to proceed solo. As the title suggests, I am going to leave Bradenton (just south of Tampa) to spend a few days in the panhandle to see some sights and sample some good eats.

This will also give me some time to reflect. I will turn 50 later this year and I want to enjoy the final third of my life more than I enjoyed the middle third.

So anyway, the steed of choice is my '07 GSA and here is a pic from last nights prep:


And from this morning pre-dawn:


I wanted to do this trip without interstates so I traveled up Florida's gulf coast on US19. Somewhere north of Homosassa Springs I encountered an old Florida gift shop. Old Florida charm but it just doesn't get any tackier than this:





Stopped for lunch at the Fishcamp restaurant in Carabelle and enjoyed a fried oyster basket with cheese grits and slaw:



I wound up in Panama City and made an obligatory visit to the beach. Yawn!



The heat and humidity were taking their toll on me so I found a room to cool off and freshen up.

Then it was off to find some supper. On the advice of the hotel desk clerk, I visited the Bayou Beach restaurant and enjoyed a blackened mahi mahi sandwich with fries and slaw...very tasty and my wife will be happy that I am not eating fried fish every time:


Tomorrow I plan to leave the beach crowds and do a little inland exploring.

[Liberia]

Thanks for the ride report. It brings back good memories. I grew up in north central florida (Ft. White/Salem/Mayo/Bell). My wife is from West Florida.

On your way home you should take a side trip to Suwannee. Going south on US19 you go through Tallahassee then Perry then Salem. (I used to live there as a child. Really small place. 9 of us in the first and second grades combined.) Then through Cross City. About 8 miles later you'll come to Old Town. Take a right on Hwy 349. It's 24 miles to Suwannee (the only place the road goes). There is a restuarant there called Salt Creek. It's pretty good.

[Bluecomet]

I'm with you on enjoying the final 1/3 more than the middle 1/3. I'm about to believe that after 50 can be some of the best years of your life.

The grub is looking pretty good man. Thanks for the pics....haven't been to Panama City in 20 years.

[Fireman1000]

Can't to see what you find. We visit my mother-in-law in Pensacola every year, and just returned from our annual migration last week. I took my bike a few years ago, but didn't get much riding in.

[ausfahrt]

The folks at Comfort Suites allowed me to park my bike right outside the lobby where it was covered and secure.


I rolled into Alabama for a couple of hours and enjoyed lots of rolling hills and farmland.


Wednesday's dinner was a little on the lighter side. Neptune salad with shrimp and imitation crabmeat!


Thursday morning I visited the Florida Caverns in Marianna. 65 degrees year round, nature's AC!




Goofy looking dude:


Bike's not bad though:


After the Cavern tour I decided to start heading back home. Stopped for lunch in Perry at Goodman's Restaurant.
Sometimes a guy just has to have barbeque!


I hit rain in Williston and sat it out for about 15 minutes before I just said the hell with it, getting wet is just part of the deal when you ride.

I rolled into my driveway just before 2000 soaking wet. I had a great time even though my wife bailed out on me. Good riding and good food.

The final stats from the ride are:
- miles traveled 1122.2
- average speed 55.3 mph.
- average mileage 40.5 mpg.

[ausfahrt]

Originally Posted by Liberia

Thanks for the ride report. It brings back good memories. I grew up in north central florida (Ft. White/Salem/Mayo/Bell). My wife is from West Florida.

On your way home you should take a side trip to Suwannee. Going south on US19 you go through Tallahassee then Perry then Salem. (I used to live there as a child. Really small place. 9 of us in the first and second grades combined.) Then through Cross City. About 8 miles later you'll come to Old Town. Take a right on Hwy 349. It's 24 miles to Suwannee (the only place the road goes). There is a restuarant there called Salt Creek. It's pretty good.

Good to know, I will log that for future reference.

It occurred to me that I should have asked for restaurant suggestions beforehand on the Sandbox in the regional forums.

[ausfahrt]

Originally Posted by Bluecomet

I'm with you on enjoying the final 1/3 more than the middle 1/3. I'm about to believe that after 50 can be some of the best years of your life.

I think so too. It's not that my middle third sucked, it was just too much work and too much stress.

My wife and I will be empty nesters soon and we are laying the groundwork to take our speed of life down a few notches.