Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph
; 8899 Cape San Blas Rd; vehicle $6, campsites $24, cabins $100;
8am-sunset)
. The sugar-sand beaches stretch for 2516 acres along grassy, undulating
dunes, edging wilderness trails and the 13-mile
Loggerhead Run Bike Path
, named for
the turtles that inhabit the island, which is perfect for cyclists, joggers or bladers.
The state park is one of the most prized camping spots along the Gulf Coast, home to
119 sites in two separate developed grounds. You can stay in seclusion in just-renovated
loft-style timber cabins with queen beds and walkways leading from your back door to the
water (bring your own towels). At the peninsula's northern extremity, primitive camping is
allowed in designated areas of the wilderness preserve in the park, a sojourning point for
migratory birds and butterflies. You'll need to bring everything, including water and a
camp stove, as no fires are allowed. Pets are not permitted anywhere in the park.
There is a lovely place to picnic right at the start of the cape, though -
Salinas Park
(Cape San Blas Rd)
, where you can stroll an over-dunes boardwalk, take a dip in the gulf or
just sit and enjoy the waterfront breezes before continuing on with your journey.
Across the bay, which has gentle rip- and current-free swimming, the town of
Port St
Joe
was once known as 'sin city' for the casinos and bordellos that greeted seafarers. Note
the switch in time zones from Central to Eastern here: even though Port St Joe is west of
some Central time communities, it goes by Eastern Time. The Florida Constitution was
originally drafted here in 1838, but scarlet fever and hurricanes combined to stymie its
progression as one of Florida's boom towns. These days it's in something of a transition as
industry, particularly paper mills, gives way to tourism, with a small historic district show-
ing fledgling signs of renewal.
A really pleasant Panhandle overnight stop is the
Port Inn
( 850-229-7678;
www.portinnfl.com
;
501 Monument Ave/Hwy 98, Port St Joe; r from $80; )
, with front-row
seats for the sunsets over the bay. A timber porch with rocking chairs runs the full length
of this lovely inn, which has bay-view rooms with sisal carpet, wicker furniture and spark-
ling bathrooms. Its Thirsty Goat lounge bar is a nice, mellow spot to wind up your evening
with a cold brew.
For something a little more lively and atmospheric, enjoy live music nightly inside or on
Nautilus Dr, Port St Joe; 5pm-late)
. Enjoy a cold one as the sun slides gently beneath the ho-
rizon and you feel, ahh, oh so good to be alive.
