We’re officially on the road now. In our previous post, we gave everyone a preview of the trip from our first stop at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. We also included a snippet of the first day at Blue Angel Naval Recreation Park in Pensacola. I’m happy to report that everything got even better from there.
First, however, I have to give the Navy compliments for providing an excellent facility for military families and retired veterans (like me) to enjoy. The campground has excellent paved, shaded sites for RVs with full hookups. The showers are spotless, and the laundry facilities are convenient and inexpensive. We enjoyed the walking trails along Perdido Bay’s shores, where the waters are inviting, and the sunsets are spectacular. I encourage our Military Living readers to visit at the first opportunity.
Helen and I ventured out a couple of times to check out the Pensacola area and stretch our legs. Life in a lawn chair isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. We needed some activity.
Downtown Pensacola is a small but scenic area. We visited the Pensacola Pier area, then drove to the city’s heart to explore the Sunday Market. COVID conditions have probably impacted the market, but we enjoyed a sampling of art, crafts, and food, all spaced well along the boulevard greenspace. Helen showed a lot of interest in a pie baker’s offerings but passed after thinking long and hard over a lemon-blueberry pie that had our mouths watering.
On another excursion, we drove to the Pensacola Lighthouse, an impressive 160-year-old structure that stretches 190 feet into the air. To reach the viewing deck required climbing 177 steps up a tight spiral staircase. We thought about it and decided to go for it, but 177 steps are a lot of steps. Nevertheless, we made it, and the view was worth the effort.
St. George Island State Park near Eastpoint and Apalachicola, Florida, often referred to as the Forgotten Coast, was stop number three on this trip. We discovered this campground three years ago and looked forward to returning. We fell in love with the beautiful wide beaches and the white sand that made the Gulf Coast special.
We wasted no time in looking for a dinner of fresh oysters on the half-shell as soon as we settled into our campsite. On our previous visit, we had a delightful experience at Hole In The Wall Oyster Bar in Apalachicola and drove to town hoping it was still there. Thankfully, the doors were open. Unlike our last visit when the place was crawling with guests, we were the only diners this evening. The diminished crowd did not affect the oysters–they were the best we’ve ever had. Duane, one of the owners, told us these oysters came from Texas the day before. They tasted so fresh and flavorful that I was sad to see the last one go down. Duane must have sensed my sadness and gave me two more on the house. He gave Helen two on top of her dozen as well.
Before leaving Knoxville, I contacted a blogger currently living near St. George Island about the possibility of meeting while we were nearby. Laurel, a professional writer, and her husband, Eric, were full-time RVers and shared their experiences in the entertaining and very well-written blog, Raven and Chickadee. Early in 2020, they came off the road to care for Laurel’s parents and to do some renovating on the family home.
Laurel invited Helen and me out to the newly renovated home for drinks and snacks around the firepit. The homesite on the shore of Apalachicola Bay is lovely. Laurel and Eric greeted us warmly, and Eric had a fire going when we arrived. Laurel served a tray of assorted vegetables and cheeses that hit the spot. We had fun chatting about RVing in general, and they gave us a wealth of information on destinations in the US and Canada.
The evening passed all too quickly. As we prepared to leave, I asked if we could walk out on their dock to take in the sunset, an opportunity I never let slip away. The sunset was stunning and added much to an already good time. We parted and promised to keep in touch.
Helen and I are in Cedar Key, Florida now, battling poor Wi-Fi connections and a nearly maxed out personal hotspot. I’m not sure when this post will make it online, but hopefully soon. In the meantime, we’re warm, dry, clean, well-fed, and still…Easin’ Along. Life in an RV is so good.
Climbing 177 steps in the lighthouse earns you & Helen the reward of a blueberry – lemon pie.
Thanks, Posey,
Now that you’ve said it’s ok, I’ll go back and get it! We had a fantastic time in Pensacola. The view from the Lighthouse was gorgeous. See you soon. Joe
👍
Luanne,
Back at’cha. Stay well out there. Joe
Joe..Your photos are absolutely amazing! Didn’t you “trade up”
last year on a fancy new model?
Great job brother!
Hello, Dynamo,
Thanks for the nice comments! Yes we traded up for a new fifth-wheel. It is a 2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 2930RL-R. We saw one in California last summer and fell in love with the layout and the windows. It is a little longer than our last one (34′), but tows great. Can’t wait for you to meet her–Dora is her name. Joe
Hi Joe,
Got your post today! Thank you for outlining your current trip for us and glad you enjoyed NAS, Pensacola!
We were stationed there in the early 70’s and enjoyed it quite a bit! Pretty tough in the summer but nice the rest of the year. We also made great friends with a family originally from NY who we still keep in touch with today. Hope you and Helen stay safe and healthy on the rest of your trip!
Good morning. Ron,
Although RV campsites can be hard to find in Florida this time of the year, they are always worth the effort. This was our first visit to Pensacola, and we had a great time there. Will probably come back next winter for a longer stay. Glad to know you keep up with with your NY friends. We made great friends during our time on active duty and still stay in touch with many of them. Thanks for stopping by. Please stay in touch. Joe
We’re so happy that you and Helen came for a visit! We enjoyed so much meeting you two in person. It felt like meeting up with friends we that we’ve known forever. 🙂 We’re looking forward to seeing you again!
Hi, Laurel,
We sure had fun with y’all, and you certainly made us feel welcome. Your property is beautiful–I can understand why you’re conflicted about what to do in the future. We’ll stay in touch and, hopefully, we can meet again. Have a great weekend. Joe
Hi, Joe! The Florida Panhandle is on our bucket list, so I really enjoyed your post. Congratulations to you and Helen for successfully tackling that 177 step spiral staircase! It was heartwarming to read that you were able to meet Laurel and Eric – another blogger connection for the memory books, for sure.
I’m really happy to hear that the two of you are having such wonderful adventures. Carry on, and enjoy every minute!
Hi, Mary,
You two should break out of the cold and come to Florida for the winter. Finding campsites can be a challenge, but, being the planner you are, I feel certain you could handle the task. The Florida State Parks are delightful. We love St. Andrews near Panama City, and Lake Kissimmee near Lake Wales. Meeting up with Laurel and Eric was a lot of fun. Have a great weekend, and please stay in touch. Joe
Hi, Joe – I’m so glad that this post made it online (despite dodgy Wi-Fi). Your trip to Pensacola looks stunning. Lemon-blueberry pie offerings, oysters on the halfshell, magnificent lighthouses and stunning coastal views…what else could you want?
Last weekend, Richard and I snuck away to the beach in Tofino (2.5 hours drive away). The beach was deserted, the weather was breathtaking and I was even able to walk barefoot (and coatless) in the sand. I haven’t been able to insert a photo into comments as you can, but I have discovered an alternative way. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKXjXf4lLU7
Hello, Donna,
That picture is precious! Barefoot and coatless is a treat this time of the year. So glad you could get away and find a deserted beach. The beach at St. George was deserted most of the time except for Helen, me, and a few gulls. We’re blessed. Have a wonderful weekend and please stay in touch. Joe
Hi Joe, true or not, I am going to take credit for ‘introducing’ you and Laurel. Glad you were able to meet up. No doubt you had a lot to talk about. I love the Forgotten Coast, the beaches, lighthouses, estuaries, and yes, oyster houses!
We were just in Crystal River, which isn’t very far from Cedar Key. We went up to see the Manatees gathered in Three Sister’s Springs. Something you might want to check in to. Wishing you good travels. S
Suzanne,
I owe you…Laurel and Eric are a delightful couple and we had a great time with them. Would love to do the same with you and Malcolm. I think the six of us would have a lot to talk about if we could pull that off. There is a lot to like on the Forgotten Coast, and St. George is at the top of the list. Helen and I drove through Crystal River on our way to Lake Kissimmee. We missed the Manatees (darn it), but we’ll be back. Have a great week. Joe
How wonderful to be on the road, Joe! The sun looks inviting, and oh that sunset from your friend’s dock! I’m happy to read the military sponsors such fabulous campgrounds, and because of your service, you can enjoy them and continue to be safe. Have a wonderful week!
Good morning, Terri,
Knowing how busy you’ve been, I’m so glad you found time to check in. We are blessed to have the military campgrounds as an option for travel. We are staying at a Navy base in Jacksonville this week and it has a very nice campground. I hope you’re week is productive on the homebuilding front. Stay warm up there, and please stay in touch. Joe