It has been a mere two weeks since we packed up to leave Alligator Point, but it feels like a lifetime... when I began to look for a small, remote place to spend Summer vacation with my grandchildren I had no idea of the things to come.
Alligator Point sits out in the Gulf about and hour south of Tallahasse FL and an hour east of Apalachicola. I had never heard of it, but the beach looked great and the prices even better. Having spent my early childhood living on nearby St. Joe Beach I knew the area and looked forward to being in Florida far from the crowds of tourist and bright lights!
We fell in love with the little house on Fiesta Drive called Viola House and after the first two days we were all pros and climbing the stairs and waiting on the landing for someone to open up the door. Early mornings were spent out on the deck breathing in the fresh salt and air and being suprised at the Dolphins coming into the bay to play!
Mid week brought us a scare as our granddaughter, Dorie decided to see Tallahassee first by car and then via ambulance as we sought out emergency medical care for what turned out to be pnemonia. She was in better spirits than we adults, especially with her mommy and daddy not being with us. After a couple of days she was back to her old self except for a lingering cough which she still has.
The little private beach behind the house brought us hours of fun as we chased first Fiddler Crabs and then Ghost and Blues at night by flash light. Althea, the three year old could have spent the rest of vacation right there, but we finally pulled her away and spent a few days exploring nearby sights such as The World's Smallest Police Station in Carrabelle and Wakulla Springs in Wakulla. The water at the Springs was refreshing I was told, as Frank and I stayed on shore and watched the youngsters play as we ate icecream cones and toured the old inn and the grounds.
We spent half a day in Apalachicola doing some window shopping and picking up a few things, I could have spent a million had a won the lottery at the Tin Shed, a mangirie of nautical items both old and new! We had a fun photo fest with the pirate statues and both Becki and I grabbed a few items to add to our decor.
We didn't eat out but once while on vacation as we tried to stick to the theme of old school vacations without all the glitz and stress that so many suffer through in todays fast paced world. The wait to eat out on Saturday was worth it I might say. Having read about Spring Creek in Southern Living, I was looking forward to taking my family to a local place that served local food... Frank and Andy both ordered Quail, fried up and served with cheese grits they did look good but I ordered a seafood platter so I could try the fried Mullet and see if it was as good as I remembered in my 54 year old mind... it was!
Less than a week after our vacation ended, tropical storm Debby visited this area and many suffered the loss of homes and business and thousands ended up with damage. All the turtle nests weree destroyed by rising surf and even the road to the point was washed away. I pray that things soon return to normal for the area and look forward to taking another trip in the near future.
