Florida Gulf Coast

Every time I try to start this one I get overwhelmed by picture selection and give up - there are too many! So I pretty much did a mini scan and that's what is here.

This was my first time in the Florida panhandle and their beaches. I was surprised at how white they all are! They feel very nice on the toes, even if the water was very chilly. Like Lake Michigan really, maybe softer. Definitely not shelly like on the Atlantic coast. We stopped at quite a few places along the way; Bald Point State Park, Carabelle, Apalachicola, Panama City, Destin along with some that I don't know the name of. Highway 98 is a really beautiful drive. It actually went faster and was along more water than I was expecting. I definitely recommend it if you have some time!

Of the "Panama City" section Destin was our favorite. The beach was as beautiful as the main drag but was quieter (we're all old and stuff now), didn't have porn outfits in the t-shirt shops and no broken bottles in the walkway up to the beach.

Panama City Beach

And the reason I will never go on season......

We were thinking we'd get a chance to sit and watch the sunset at Bald Point State Park but it was facing the wrong way so we just wandered a bit. If you're in the area Alligator Alley is a fun jaunt from the main road. There are some really cool stilt houses and the road is like driving into the ocean

Shells, but no sunset

Alligator Alley



We were sure we wouldn't find a good sunset spot when this oasis appeared! Not only was it perfect timing, the old school picnic overhangs were amazing! (what are they 50s? 60s? I'm terrible with architecture). An added bit of fun, it was a WWII D-Day training site in the 40s.

I've never seen so much pink before! The sky was pink, the water was pink. The flamingos should consider hanging out here.

Now that the sun was down it was time to stop for the night because what's the point of driving along the Gulf if you can't see it? Crossed a giant bridge and saw this seriously cute hotel (though it was dark at the time) and went no further. Gibson Inn in Apalachicola was built in 1907 and is supposedly haunted. (I saw nothing. I'm sure I'm happy about that.) The room was seriously cute and coffee on the porch in the morning was a great way to start the day!

Say no more! I'm in.

They.Were.Delicious.

Apalachicola oysters are rumored to be the best in the world so obviously I had to eat some. I was not disappointed! I want some right now... Ryan wasn't a fan, but he's crazy and that meant more for me :) This trip also made me a really big fan of Gumbo which I hadn't really enjoyed before. If anyone knows of a good place up here please tell me where!

Not a part of Florida, but we also stopped in Mobile on the way to New Orleans. It was cute though we didn't stay long. Bienville Square has SO MANY squirrels. People feed them so they come right up to you. It's a little freaky - I do not need a squirrel jumping on me because it thinks I have some snacks... 

No snacks here!

This doesn't really do it justice...