Yesterday’s drive was exhausting, I planned on driving about 160 miles, but ended up closer to 250 miles. That perhaps doesn’t seem like all that much, but it was on winding, 35 MPH roads most of the way. The extra miles were due to my mistake. I planned out a stopping place for the night that was going to be quick and easy. I reserved a room in Steinhatchee based upon those plans. However, once I started on the road I realized that my route was on a main interstate down the middle of the state where there were no towns, nothing to look at, and just blasting along with dense forests of both sides of the road. That is definitely not my approach for this trip.

I rerouted going directly south to the gulf instead of east. I got to the coast at Port Saint Joe and then took hwy 98 along the beach toward the east. This was a very pretty drive. It is known as Florida’s “lost coast” because the main highway bypassed it with the freeway that I had originally planned. It was pretty, but a lot longer and a lot slower – hence it is one of those routes less taken. The little towns reminded me a lot of California’s little beach front communities such as Mendocino, Bodega Bay and others. They had a lot of little, boutique stores bustling with tourists and vacationers. Lots of restaurants and things of interest. I didn’t stop to partake of these because I knew that I had made the mistake with my hotel reservations by then, I messed up my planning.

My route took me along the beach, then looped inland to avoid a road-less section, finally returning to the coast at Steinhatchee.

My room was in one of the little cabins facing the highway. It was very small, but kind of cute and a nice change from the cookie cutter rooms I have been in lately. The biggest problem was that there was no breakfast, or restaurants open for breakfast in the town. Steinhatchee is a vacation town with lots of marinas, vacation rentals, bait shops and restaurants. However, almost all of the restaurants are closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The only open on the weekend days, and not at all for breakfast. Not only are there lots of marinas, there are lots of commercial and sport fishermen. It is the first time I have seen a place that caters to fishermen, but doesn’t have wonderful little cafes to serve them breakfast. Oh well, luckily the grocery store was open so I could get an apple, yogurt and fruit drink for breakfast. It worked, but I had fantasized about sitting in a little dock-side cafe, watching the boats while having a nice breakfast and hot cup of coffee. So much for fantasies.

Last night I stopped in at a little bar and grill (without the grill part because it was Tuesday night). They were testing a new idea of having taco Tuesday, so I could have gotten a taco – they only offered oyster tacos which didn’t sound all that interesting to me. I got to talking to a couple of recently retired people. A couple of years ago they moved from the big city to this tiny town. Their report is that it is wonderful, they really enjoy it and claim to have made more good friends in the first year than they made in their entire life in the city. Their appearance fit the location, slightly rough, longish hair, beard, weathered complexion. Most of the locals that I have seen look a bit like that. I don’t know how to judge their politics based upon dress, in California they would be the “old hippy” crowd, or the motorcycle folks. I didn’t get a chance to figure that out, but everyone I have run into is friendly, open to talking, and comfortable feeling. That is certainly a welcome change!

There would be a lot to do here if you wanted to rent a boat, or charter a fishing trip. It looks like you can also rent scuba gear and swim with the manatees. I am going to press on.