The Forgotten Coast

Jeff
Feb 24, 2018
2 min read

Most of the time when people hear Florida, they think about theme parks, palm trees, and crowded beaches. But there are many areas of Florida and the "Forgotten Coast" is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas.

As Wikapedia notes: "The name is most commonly used to refer to a relatively quiet, undeveloped section of coastline stretching from Mexico Beach on the Gulf of Mexico to St. Marks on the Apalachicola Bay. The nearest major cities are Tallahassee, about 90 miles northeast of Apalachicola, and Panama City, about 60 miles to the northwest.

I addition to the end points mentioned above, it encompasses the coastal communities of (west to east): Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, Lanark Village, Alligator Point, Panacea, and Shell Point.

I stayed in the relatively large town of Apalachicola. It is one of the few remaining working fishing villages in Florida. By that I mean that most folks derive their income from fishing and oystering. It is a quiet, friendly town with a quaint downtown that is right on the river.

Oysters are a big thing in Apalachicola.

What to do while you're in the area? Here are a few suggestions:

- Shop and eat in downtown Apalachicola. I recommend a restaurant called Up the Creek Raw Bar, for authentic local fresh seafood, and an awesome view.

If you like nautical stuff, visit the Tin Shed.

-If you want to take home some awesome fresh seafood, visit the Marker 13 seafood market for some fresh, right off the boat gulf shrimp.

-Hiking at Tate's Hell.

I recommend you wear some good, comfortable waterproof boots like mine. You should be able to purchase some in the $100 range, if you don't have a pair.

- Swim or climb the lighthouse at St. George Island. The white sand and the crystal clear waters are beautiful there.

-If you would like to try your luck fishing, you should go to Carabelle. Considered the Gateway to the Gulf for its easy access to offshore fishing and boating, Carabelle is a naturalist's paradise. Uncrowded, white-sand beaches are perfect for family vacations and the fishing is unsurpassed. Unpretentious and friendly, Carabelle is the place to experience small town nostalgia. You'll feel the pride of a patriot when you visit the Camp Gordon Johnston Museuam that tells the story of how our troops trained on the salty beach of Franklin County for the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II. The nearby Crooked River Lighthouse reminds you of the town's maritime importance.

Take the road less traveled. Live the Wayfarer Life. "What's Your next Adventure?"