[Rhodes22-list] sailing, boating in Florida question

[Joe Babb]

Hi Art,
We made a quick trip to Panama a few weeks ago (without boat 
unfortunately) to check things out.  I had fond memories of Panama City 
from a family vacation 30+ years ago.  Needless to say, things have 
changed a bit.
We camped in St. Andrews State park in Panama and it was so hot that we 
packed up a day early and headed west on
a road trip through Destin, Pensacola, and Mobile before turning up 65 
to head home to Tennessee.  We were kind of
discouraged by the development of so many condos along the way.  I was 
curious about that area because of an article I read
in "Sailing" magazine about "florabama".  The most interesting part of 
the trip was an accidental siting and visit to a fishing museum in
Destin.  Destin must have been a really beautiful place once upon a time.
So we are looking at Apalachicola and the nature coast because it is 
still relatively quiet.  Apalachicola River is really neat.
There's a great restaurant in Apalachicola that we like very much called 
Verandas Bistro.  There is a marina on Scipio Creek off
Appalachicola River where I think we can leave our truck and trailer in 
relative safety.
I've gotten charts 11402 and 11404 and have just started to study them 
to see how far we can get at a leisure pace.
Joe