A 28 Mile Slice of Florida Heaven (851 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.6 on 21 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by insanethemind (View user info) at 2005-07-27 14:36:31 EDT
First a map, although it leaves a bit to be desired : http://www.mikestrong.com/sgi/stgeomp.html
The bridge from East Point, FL to St. George Island is 4.1 miles long- a relatively short drive, although long as our State's bridges go (this one is the State's third longest) and can be driven in about five minutes, traffic permitting. It is a relatively new bridge, dedicated only last year, replacing the relic in use before it which took considerably longer to traverse on account of the Kittiwake nesting site there . Apparently, eighty percent of the total population of these gulls nest on St. George Island, with smaller numbers on Bogoslof and St. Paul. Before the new bridge went into comission their nests were actually on one part of the old bridge, causing traffic to slow to a crawl around their habitat, hence the longer driving time. (Source linked below)
http://www.pbs.org/harriman/explog/lectures/mendenhall1.html
Once you come off of the bridge onto the land you are immediately in the 'town' part of the island: convenience stores and banks are flanked by restaurants, bars, package stores, shops and other business establishments. You will also see many houses right away , packed in close together as this is but a twenty-eight mile long island and beach front property rents for a killing. Be assured that there is always construction of some sort going on on every available spot of acreage on the island except for in the State Park on the east end.
(Park website linked below)
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland/default.cfm
Ahead, almost in a straight line from where you come off of the bridge onto the island, sits my favorite haunt on this blessed spot of land : the public beach area. Abutted on one side by all the relatively newly constructed 'shotgun houses', (the Shotgun house is a narrow one-story dwelling without halls. The traditional description of why these houses are called "shotgun" is that if one fired a shotgun through the front door, the shot would pass through the lined-up doors of each room and out the back door.) plus the ones still under construction, the public beach area is the place where most of the people will be because. For one, it's free and for two, there are lots of places to grab a bite to eat at any one of the number of restaurants in the immediate vicinity, purchase cool, alcoholic refreshment, (prohibited in the State Park) or rent personal watercraft, (Seadoos etc.) which are always great fun. Last, but certainly not the least of the perks that the public beach area has to offer, is that it is accessible to one and all (unlike the gated plantation on the west end of the island, open only to home owners, renters and their guests.)
Here is a map of the plantation: http://www.collinsvacationrentals.com/zmaps/plantation.cfm
Assuming that you have opted for the public beach area, once you have parked in any one of the free parking lots, make your way to the beach- there are boardwalks that will take you straight to the sand. Even on big beach holidays (e.g. July 4, Memorial Day ) there should be plenty of prime beach area for you to set up your spot: lay out your blanket, set up your chairs, get your umbrella up and, most importantly, get your beer-containing cooler set up. Make sure to bring cans only though as no glass is allowed on the beach.
Once you are situated, you might want to take a walk up the beach. I recommend starting towards the East as that is where most of the eye candy will be. (I'm a man, forgive me.) If you aren't up for a walk immediately, then take a right and hit up one of the beach side outdoor bars/restaurants (I personally recommend the Frozen Drinks at the Blue Parrot Oceanside Cafe, but there are many more places to drink or eat in the immediate vicinity) I like to sip a strong Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri and watch the waves come in myself, but it's also nice to take your nourishment du jour out on the beach for a little sun or again, a short stroll.
There is always a volleyball net set up there in front of the restaurants and nothing beats a game of tipsy beach volleyball, at least not in my book and there is never a shortage of fellow beach bums around to join you in a friendly game. If beach volleyball isn't in your bag and you have a little cash I strongly recommend renting one of the personal watercraft. The prices are relatively affordable (they change from season to season) but regardless of the cost, it isn't something you are going to be doing every day anyway. They rent starting at one half hour, up to an all day rental (four hours I think) and even offer 'Dolphin Tours'. (Pretty self explanatory)
By now it is getting later in the afternoon and you are either drunk by the sun, or booze or both and I would guess you are ready to relax, get a bite to eat and for a more than decent meal I strongly recommend a short trip back over the bridge and west out to Apalachicola, basically the seafood capital of the world. For a relatively small chunk of change you can aquire an excellent seafood dinner in any of the several fine seafood restaurants there. Also, there is great opportunity to browse their quaint little shops as there are some excellent finds just waiting to be rung up and gift wrapped for you. I have bought many an affordable gift in Apalachicola for relatives out of state or just for my mother and it surely didn't break the bank.
After your foray into 'Apalach', you might just be beat and if so, here is a link for a listing of nice, affordable hotels in Apalachicola that you might stay in: http://www.dakarcom.com/United-States/Florida/Apalachicola.html
Or if you would rather head back to St. George Island for the night, this hotel is affordable, private, with a pool and seems quite the place to lay your sun-wearied head: http://www.stgeorgeinn.com/
Lastly, if you are short on cash, there are cheap campgrounds to be had near the state park, all within walking distance of the beach.
--------
St. George Island has always held a special place in my heart as my extended family would always rent adjoining houses on the beach there during my teen years. I learned to swim in the Gulf of Mexico there, met teenage girlfriends at the local hangouts and when I was an adult had the ultimate pleasure of renting one of the houses in the Plantation for two weeks with my brother, our girls and some other friends. I have nothing but good memories of such a beautiful island and I hope that anyone that reads this who can, will make their pilgrimage to this beautiful place. For those of you who cannot, I hope that my descriptions and both linked information and attached photos have done this Florida treasure justice.
I would love to see posted accounts of other's favorite places, as I was very happy to share mine with you.
Amor y paz
insanethemind
Here are some beautiful photographs taken all around the St. George Island Area, a must see:
http://www.pbase.com/sandman3/st_george_island&page=all
User Reviews
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2006-01-04 09:55:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Om Mani Padme Hum
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-01-04 09:12:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
One love brotha, fuck some angels for me
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2006-01-04 09:06:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Rest In Peace Michael.
Submitted by phuzzygish (user info) at 2006-01-04 08:41:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This seems like the most appropriate place to wish you all of God's blessings, and may you rest in peace.
http://www.legacy.com/tallahassee/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=16205226
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-07-28 08:08:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Dandy? How'd you know?!?
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2005-07-28 07:32:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i will follow suit with my favourite place
i may drop by for a daquirie, too
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2005-07-28 07:25:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I like to sip a strong Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri and watch the waves come in myself, but it's also nice to take your nourishment du jour out on the beach for a little sun or again, a short stroll.
--
hahahaha
are you sure you aren't a 75 year old dandy?
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-07-27 20:48:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
rdp?
Submitted by sublime (user info) at 2005-07-27 20:44:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
the only water i see is the one people shit in, RDP
Submitted by NotSteve (user info) at 2005-07-27 15:24:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The rehab thing was pretty funny.
Submitted by NotSteve (user info) at 2005-07-27 15:21:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I've caught a bunch of big grouper out of Navarre.
There's a bunch or pussy in that area, too. Thanks to the AFB's
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-07-27 15:18:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Navarre is tres nice! I stayed out there in Twelve Oaks for 28 days once, we were right on the water.
Submitted by NotSteve (user info) at 2005-07-27 15:17:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I live a few hours north in Albany, GA. I grew up fishing in Appalachicola. My grandparents owned a house across the main drag from the water until a hurricane wiped it out - 10 years or so ago.
While I was in college, I had a professor who owned a house on St. George's. We partied there a lot. He was a retired architect with tons of money.
Now I've started fishing farther west out of Navarre, Fl and don't really go through Appalachicola anymore. I may have to now, though.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:52:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Do you live in the area, NOTSTEVE? If so, where?
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:46:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I would reccomend Biscayne National Park. You have to take a boat out there, and if you love diving or snorkeling it's the place with miles of reefs and dozens of shipwrecks.
C'mon same state, only like 800 miles away
Submitted by NotSteve (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:44:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 because I've done everything in this post. Many times. At the same locations.
Except I have sex when I'm there.
Submitted by Xcuses (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:44:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
sorry, just got confused as to what I was suppose to click on first. I've never been a big fan of post with many links, but I'm sure plenty do.
good luck
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:41:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
it really is a nice place xcuses, i guess your attention span just wasn't up to it.
No problem
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:40:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice to see you posting again, M. You must be doing better again.
Check out my http://www.ubersite.com/m/70623 for a short life update.
Submitted by Wiggles (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:37:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Florida rules. Except for the people.
Submitted by Xcuses (user info) at 2005-07-27 14:37:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Please add more links