Visit Florida - Worth the Drive 2008 - (Page 32) 32 WWW.AAA.COM/ VISITFLORIDA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> unload their big catches. From here, it’s less than an hour’s drive to Panacea, but you’ll want to detour to St. George Island, a 28-milelong barrier respite where there are no highrises – only high sand dunes, beach homes, a couple of intimate inns and a stunning beach. A four-mile bridge leads to the island – look for the sign at Eastpoint. At the island’s tiny center, you’ll find shops, restaurants and kayak and canoe rentals. But the highlight is St. George Island State Park (850-927-2111, www.floridastateparks.org/ stgeorgeisland). See nature’s oystercatchers (birds called American oystercatchers) dart along the surf. Watch turtles track through the sand. Fish from shore to catch pompano, sea trout and Spanish mackerel. It’s a sensory combination of wispy sea oats, soothing Gulf waves and majestic sand dunes – keep your camera with you for this stop. Carrabelle, home of the world’s smallest police station and several fishing and boating charters. Cross Ochlockonee Bay to Panacea, where the mineral springs were once reputed to wield healing powers. Test the powers yourself – there are springs near the Wakulla Welcome Center on 98. Or, venture inland via the Byway’s forest route (head north on State Road 267 at Newport) to Wakulla Springs State Park (850-224-5950, www.floridastateparks. org/wakullasprings). Here you can take a boat tour of one of the world’s largest, deepest freshwater springs. Then visit St. Marks, home to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (850-925-6121, www.fws.gov/saintmarks). Admire the 1932 lighthouse and the diverse ecosystems that shelter creatures such as shellfish, black bears and bald eagles. This mix seems symbolic of the Byway’s contrasting landscapes and makes a good transition to the road’s forested stretch, where longleaf and slash pines give way to the high-rising state capitol. Day 4: Carrabelle/St. Marks Back on U.S. 98, continue west along one of the state’s most scenic coastal routes. The winding two-lane hugs the shore, at times putting you less than 20 yards from the Gulf. You’ll pass through the waterfront community of IF YOU GO > Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce (Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island), 850-653-9419, www.apalachicolabay.org > Carrabelle Area Chamber of Commerce, 850-697-2585, www.carrabelle.org > Gulf County Tourist Development Council (Port St. Joe), 850-229-7800, www.visitgulf.com > Leon County Tourist Development Council (Tallahassee), 850-606-2305, www.visittallahassee.com > Wakulla County Tourist Development Council (Newport, Panacea, St. Marks, Wakulla Springs), 850-984-3966, www.wakullacounty.org Wakulla Springs boat tour http://WWW.AAA.COM/VISITFLORIDA http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings http://www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland http://www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks http://www.apalachicolabay.org http://www.carrabelle.org http://www.visitgulf.com http://www.visittallahassee.com http://www.wakullacounty.org
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