“Off the Beaten Path”

-Exploring the Florida Panhandle-

Are you a senior citizen who heads to Florida each winter or are you closing in on Retirement? Where are you headed? If you are not sure, let me give you some ideas. The last week of January we left the cold weather of Michigan behind us and were part of the caravan of travelers headed south.  As we drove down the interstate, we saw license plates from all of the rust belt states as well as Ontario, Canada.  Most of those people were more than likely headed to a variety of RV parks, condos and winter homes.  Their final destination was cities like Fort Myers, Bradenton, Clearwater, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Merritt Island, Melbourne, Palm Springs, Ft. Lauderdale and even the Florida Keys.  These snowbirds will enjoy the beaches, play golf, visit popular amusement parks and other attractions.  They will also take in an occasional spring training baseball game.

We, on the other hand, have always opted for a less traditional location.  For the past ten years, the Florida Panhandle has been our home-away-from-home for two or three weeks in the winter before we head to Lakeland, Florida, Spring Training and baseball.  Being history buffs and nature lovers, the panhandle has much to offer us.  Because they know we like to wander, a few years ago, two of our sons bought us a great little book titled, Discover Your Fun Florida Off the Beaten Path, by Diana and Bill Gleasner.  This book was written for people like my husband and me.  Some of the sites described in the book we had already discovered on our own.  However, the book offered us places we did not know existed.  It has helped us have many new adventures. It is available here through Amazon.

We like to begin our time in the panhandle in Pensacola, Florida.  Pensacola flourishes in both history and nature. On a rainy day, a good way to spend the day is at the National Naval Air Museum located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station.  The museum was established in 1963 and houses over 150 aircraft and has many other great exhibits.  There is an IMAX theatre that offers a variety of films throughout the day that are related to military and flight.  The museum is open 9-5 every day and has free admission.  We stop in at least once each year to spend the day and enjoy all the history presented there.  This year we were disappointed as the museum is currently closed to non-DOD members. However, once it reopens, do not hesitate to take advantage of a wonderful visit there. Monitor the reopening date here.

If it is a nice day, you can tour Spanish Fort San Carlos de Barrancus, also located on the air station, or you can visit the Pensacola Lighthouse.  They are both must-sees if you are in the area.  The first fort in that location was built by the Spanish in 1698.  The French had control of that area for awhile and when the Spanish regained control, they built the current San Carlos de Barrancas and water battery in 1781.  Florida became part of the United States in 1821 at which time improvements were made to the fort.  You can take a self-guided tour of both the fort and water battery. Again, you currently cannot get on the Naval base to gain access to these areas. Hopefully, they will be open soon.

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Compared to Michigan, weather in the panhandle can be fairly mild during late January and early February.  We take advantage of days like this to head to either Pensacola Beach, located on Santa Rosa Island, or the beaches of Perdido Key.  Pensacola Beaches are only an 18 mile drive across the Pensacola Bay Bridge, through Gulf Breeze to the Bob Sikes Bridge. To get to Perdido Key is only an 18 mile drive along the Gulf Breach Highway. These beaches, like Fort Barrancus, are all part of the Gulf Island National Seashore.  A few hours strolling the pristine beaches, combing for seashells, or just sitting and enjoying the view does wonders for one’s soul.  You can also walk the nature trails of the Naval Live Oaks Area located near Gulf Breeze.

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Located at the far west end of Santa Rosa Island is Fort Pickens.  The fort was named after Andrew Pickens, a hero of the Revolutionary War.  It opened in 1834 and was in operation until 1947.  Visitors go on a self-guided tour and are given a glimpse into the past and can imagine what fort life was like for those who lived there.  There is a short nature trail between the fort and Fort Pickens Campground.  If one is lucky, you can spot an armadillo or two along the way. If you enjoy a ferry ride, the Pensacola Ferry Service is now in operation. You can grab a ferry in Pensacola, ride it to Fort Pickens, take some time there, then ride it to Pensacola Beach, walk the beaches then grab the ferry back to Pensacola. We had two hours of fun the day we took the Ferry. In the winter it only runs from 1:00-3:00 on Saturday and Sunday and makes no stops. However, you do get a wonderful tour of Pensacola Bay. You will learn more about cruise times here at: https://www.pensacolabaycruise.com

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The city of Pensacola is also a treasure.  It is 460 years old. It was first settled by the Spanish, then the French, British, United States and was controlled by the Confederates during the Civil War. It is referred to as the City of 5 Flags. Strolling the streets of city central is reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  There are many quaint shops as well as many fine eateries to visit.

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We also enjoy walking along the waterfront of Pensacola Bay and hobnobbing with the pelicans. When you walk along the Plaza De Luna you enjoy the view of Pensacola Bay as well as the marina. As you are strolling along the plaza, stop by Deluna’s Chat & Chew for a sweet treat.

Another must see area of Pensacola is the Historical Pensacola Village.  The Village displays many fine homes and buildings of the 1800’s.  11 of the 27 buildings and historic homes are open for touring. Walking tours and paid guided tours are available. You can also visit the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum, the Museum of Industry and the Museum of Commerce with the purchase of your ticket for the Historical Village. All are operated by the University of West Florida Historic Trust. Learn more about this area at:

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One cannot spend time in Pensacola without making at least one trip to Joe Patti’s Seafood Market.  The market has been offering world famous seafood since 1931. The variety of fresh seafood available is second to none and the shopping experience alone is worth the trip.  We stop in at least twice a week.  The selection is awesome and we know how healthy fresh fish can be for our healthy eating. Today we bought both delicious catfish as well as speckled trout.

Halfway between Pensacola and Tallahassee, Florida, are two more must visits.  Ponce De Leon Springs, Florida, is the location of Ponce De Leon Springs State Park.  The waters in the beautiful springs remain a constant 68F degrees all year long.  It is also a popular swimming place. The springs produce 14,000,000 gallons of water every day.  We walked the nature trails, visited the springs and had a picnic in the serene setting.

Twenty-four miles east of Ponce De Leon you will find the Falling Waters State Recreation Area, located near Chipley, Florida.  The first time we visited, we were surprised by this waterfall.  It is so unlike the ones we have in Michigan.  This waterfall drops 73 feet into a giant sinkhole.  You view the falls from near the top, not the bottom, via an easy nature trail.

One hundred ninety-six miles east of Pensacola, Florida, you will reach Tallahassee, Florida, the state’s capital.  About ten years ago, we spent a week there and were quite surprised by the many sites located in the area that were quite interesting.  One really rainy day we discovered the Museum of Florida History.  We spent the entire day there and learned so much new information about the state.  Exhibits range from pre-historic times up through the 20^th century.   

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We always drive through Tallahassee on our way to Lakeland, Florida, and spring training.  For the first few years, we always saw this sign on the interstate advertising the Tallahassee Automobile and Collectable Museum.  This is a privately owned museum and one year we stopped in.  The owner, DeVoe Moore, has amassed a wonderful collection of vintage autos and other vehicles, sports memorabilia, toys, radios, a collection of Steinway pianos and so much more.  There are two floors to explore and it takes you most of the day.  We have returned many times since our first visit as new things are always being added. We visited again this year and were not disappointed.

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A couple of years ago, we found a new place to explore in Tallahassee.  It is the Alfred B. Maclay Garden State Park.  The gardens were planted in 1923 by Alfred Maclay.  He and his wife had purchased the property for their winter home.  We spent the day touring the house and strolling through the beautiful gardens and brick walkways and even got to see a secret garden. 

About thirty minutes south of Tallahassee is the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.  This park is a 2,888-acre wildlife sanctuary.  Fresh limestone filtered water flows from the springs which are some of the deepest in the world.  You can walk the many nature trails and observe a variety of wildlife, including alligators.  They also offer boat tours of the river and glass bottom boat tours of the spring.  The tours offer views of alligators and manatees.  On a hot day, many people like to take advantage of the diving platform and jump into the 70F degree water.   

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Twenty-four miles south of Tallahassee, you can find San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park.  You begin your time in the park at the museum.  There you learn all about the history of the area. The park was the site of a Spanish colonial fort which was occupied in 1679. The United States acquired the land in 1818.  Confederate forces were located there during the Civil War.  It is an easy stroll through what remains of the various forts.

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Another great place we discovered by using the book was St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge.  St. Mark’s is located just a few miles from San Marcos.  It consists of 70,000 acres with water areas, forests and the Gulf of Mexico.  It has eight trails with 75 miles of walking paths.  We enjoyed the relaxing walk, the view we got of the Gulf, wildlife and St. Mark’s Lighthouse.

When you are in that area, you must stop into the little town of St. Marks, located on the St. Mark’s River.  It is a small, quaint little burg and our time there was spent having lunch at the Cooter Stew Café.  The burger and fries were delicious. 

If you are fortunate enough to take a trip to Florida, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path.  Take some time to visit the Florida Panhandle and enjoy all it has to offer.

As always, “Don’t Save Today for Tomorrow”