Florida's Forgotten Coast

I picked up a flier titled Florida's forgotten coast. It was developed with financial assistance from VISIT FLORIDA. It highlighted four lighthouses East of Panama City Beach. Carol and I set out to see these. The first lighthouse that I will write about is St. Marks Lighthouse located in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge encompassing 70,000 acres.





The original lighthouse was first constructed in 1829 and completed in 1831. It survived the Second Seminole Indian War in 1835. Erosion threatened the light and the original builder Winslow Lewis was commissioned to build a new tower on a safer location. In the 1860's the Civil War posed a new threat. The Confederates attempted to blow it up during their retreat in 1865 so that it could not be used as a lookout for the Union Forces. They did not destroy the tower but the damage was sufficient that a complete rebuild was necessary after the war. The tower was heightened to its present focal plane of 82 feet above sea level . The lighthouse was automated in 1960 and remains an active aid to navigation to this day. St. Marks Lighthouse is the Easternmost light on the Florida Panhandle.

This picture of the lighthouse was taken from the Gulf side along the waters edge. It was necessary to walk along an overgrown path between the gulf and a marsh. Sometimes alligators will sun themselves nearby. It is necessary to be aware of the surroundings.

When we stopped at the visitor center, we were delighted to find out that the St Marks was one of the routes that the Monarch Butterflies follow on their migration to Mexico.

As we walked along the path away from the lighthouse between the Gulf and the inland water, we literally saw thousands of the Monarch Butterflies. The picture below does not do justice to the beauty of the butterflies.

There were hundreds of small crabs scurrying along the sand near the waters edge. As I walked along the sand they would run in the opposite direction. I felt like a shepherd directing my flock.

Our visit to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was worth the drive. It was a typical beautiful day on the Florida Panhandle. I have a Golden Eagle Passport while entitles me to free access to our National Parks. We went to see a lighthouse and got to see more wildlife that we did not expect.

Over the next several days I will write about the Lighthouses as we work our way westward on the Panhandle.

Mighty 8th Air Force Museum

Recently I made three trips between Rhode Island and Florida. During one of those trips I stopped in Pembroke, Georgia and spent a couple of days with my good Navy buddy from years ago. We decided to visit the Mighty 8TH Air Force Museum. We had visited there in 2004 when a group of VA 36 Navy guys gathered in the Savannah area. Volunteers are currently restoring a B-17 from WW II and we went to see the progress and once again tour the museum. Above is the entry way from the museum to the grounds.

Below is the B-17 that is being restored by volunteers. It was quite an airplane in its time. The crews had to be cramped inside with guns, ammunition, bombs and electronics. These fliers were truly part of the greatest generation. I don't believe I could have been in the ball turret beneath the plane.

This is chapel that was build on the grounds and is a replica of the chapel that was near one of the Air Bases in England. Many of the crews would visit the chapels before and after missions. We were told that it is a popular site for local weddings.

The furniture inside the chapel came from a small southern church that was being demolished. The stain glass windows were done by a local artisan. The picture does not do them justice.

There are numerous plaques dedicated to the many crews that flew missions during WW II. Some to the crews that survived and many who did not. I chose this one as it reflects the reality that so many of the crews experienced.

The museum is very visible from I 95 and is well worth the side trip and a few hours of time.

10 things I miss in Rhode Island, some I don't

1) My family - Mom, my children and grandchildren, Janine

2) Ev & John

3) My Rhode Island neighbors

4) Shore's Meat Market

5) Beaver Tail Lighthouse

6) My waterfall shower

7) Fall foliage

8) Back country roads

9) 4 Town Farm

10) Waterfire

Things I don't miss

1) Rhode Island politics-mainly the worthless state senators

2) Cox cable and their inability to fix the gaps in audio and video

3) Cold weather and eventually snow

4) Cutting grass

5) Route 95 north by Providence Place Mall - the worse spot between Maine and Jacksonville, FL

You never forget how

It is said that once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. I arrived at the house in Panama City Beach last Tuesday, October 6Th. Before we left Rhode Island we determined that we would buy bikes. We went to a bike shop in town (Panama City) and started looking. Steve a retired Air Force veteran helped and started our education. I did not want a bike with more speeds that I had fingers. I wanted a fairly soft seat and not one of those narrow damn seats either. After looking at several brands I settled on a Fuji 7 speed that has a longer wheelbase than the other bikes. Steve explained that the pedals and therefore my feet would be ahead of my butt and create less strain on my knees. OK, I'll buy that. Then he said lets take it outside and test ride it. I explained that I did not want to embarrass myself by falling on my ass. He said once you learn how to ride you never forget. I was shaky at first but several times around and my confidence grew. The seat was adjusted and I was sure the mint color was for me. Carol rode several different brands. Carol and I wanted lunch and Steve said he would build a blue Fuji for me to see the other color choice. While we were at lunch I asked Carol which bike she was leaning towards. We agreed that it did not matter if we both got the same color as she also liked the mint. When we got back Carol rode the blue Fuji, and a maroon Raleigh, and one other. She finally settled on a blue Fuji.




Here they are in the driveway. Carol and I started early morning rides the following day. We have added distance and time each day. I can feel my legs gaining strength. I was concerned that my left knee would be a problem as it sometimes buckles when climbing stairs. It is the right knee that aches. The weather has been hot and very humid for this time of year. Even the natives are complaining. We have watched several great sunrises as we ride early morning,

Carol is coming down our street at the end of the morning ride. I asked her to circle the block while I got my camera. She then took my picture with my bike.

I am quite happy with my purchase. I will be hanging in there getting in better shape. There are a few bike trails, but not near our house. Unfortunately, my van cannot accommodate a rear mounted bike rack because of the wind deflector above the rear window. I would have to have a trailer hitch with an inch and a quarter opening installed by U haul and then buy the rack that would fit in the opening. We could put one on Carol's car far less expensively but we want to bring them back to Rhode Island in the spring. Time will tell.

Connor Sebastian

Connor was originally scheduled to make his grand appearance on September 28Th via C-section. Carol and I planned on driving down to our home in Panama City Beach on the 20Th to await his arrival. We were planning on driving Carol's convertible. We would have a week to set up the house before we went to Tallahassee for the birth. Carol would stay with her daughter to help out and I would find my way back to Rhode Island to close up the home there and drive my van down loaded with "needed stuff".

Connor had his own agenda and was born on September 18Th. We left for Florida the following day. The picture above was taken the 21st. We stopped to see the new grandson for a short visit before going to Panama City Beach for the night. The next day we drove back to Tallahassee and I picked up a rental car and we went to Connor's. Carol stayed and I went back to the house packed up and left on Wednesday morning. I stopped for two nights at my old Navy pal's home in Pembroke, GA before the drive to Rhode Island.

While I was home in RI, I managed to see all my children, grandchildren and my mother. I also went to lunch with my sister-in-law and her husband. While home I contacted several real estate agencies and received proposals about selling the house there. I made a decision to make the final decision by January so that the one I pick can list my house in early spring.

I began the last drive down the coast until next spring on Monday the 6Th. I split the 1447 mile drive over two days with 730 miles the first day and 717 the second. The first day is the most stressful crossing over the Hudson River in NYC. I opted for the Cross Bronx Expressway and the George Washington Bridge. It is the most direct way and the way I prefer. It was a bit congested but good for NYC . I do however avoid Washington DC and the beltway, choosing to drive down the Delmarva on route 13 over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - my favorite bridge.

So Carol and I are situated in our home here. We have had a busy few days ordering some new furniture, arranging for cable and Internet and home delivery of the local newspaper. Our most interesting purchase was that we each bought 7 speed bicycles Wednesday. More on that subject to be continued.