By Marcia Abramson
I was delighted that during this Passover vacation I had the opportunity to spend time with my family - my daughter, Jill Wasser, and her husband, Dr. Stuart Wasser, and my grandchildren, Bradley and Maris Wasser, on the pristine beach community of St. George Island off the Florida Panhandle or otherwise known as Florida's forgotten coast. This "jewel" of northwest Florida is well known to those from nearby Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama because it's an easy drive and it has more direct flights mainly from Atlanta or Memphis. However, Delta Airlines has just introduced direct service from JFK to Tallahassee, Fla. so more New Yorkers can take advantage of the opportunity to unwind in this delightful community known as a place for families to unwind, reconnect and get back to nature. Tallahassee is approximately a two-hour drive along the coastal highway to St. George and there is a new bridge connecting the island to nearby Apalachicola so it is a smooth and picturesque drive. Unfortunately, we didn't appreciate it until we left because we arrived late at night. My son-in-law, Stuart, was a real trooper in getting us to the island from the airport safe and sound.Our base on the island was the recently renovated St. George Inn, a lovely plantation-style structure with spectacular views of the beach and the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Apalachicola. It is one of several properties in the area managed by Anchor Realty and Mortgage Company. The inn has 17 guestrooms and suites that feature kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwave ovens. It also has wrap-around porches and rockers to sit out on and look at the cool and calm scene around you. The only thing missing was the mint juleps. It was wonderful to see Stuart and Bradley sitting in their rocking chairs on the porch reading instead of the lengthy discussions about the timely completion of homework, which I've learned that the delay of doing is the most common activity among teenagers. Maris enjoyed jumping in and out of the pool. She said the water was "delicious."The inn is also within walking distance to the local St. George Market, convenience stores and restaurants. We stocked up on provisions at the markets to have in our rooms and to supplement the matzah we brought from New York. When we were ready to explore the island, we enjoyed the wonderful fresh seafood that the area is known for at the Blue Parrot CafŽ. As a matter of fact, when walking along the bay we did see the oyster pots and shrimp boats scattered throughout the water. I have to say while I found the shrimp some of the juiciest and succulent that I have ever had, I still have not developed the guts to slurp down the oysters the area is noted for. We also enjoyed the superb southern hospitality and nothing blocking our view of the blue-green ocean and sunny skies. This is the balance that, according to Olivier Monod, president of Anchor Realty and Mortgage Company, is what they are hoping to achieve as they further seek to develop the island. It was also pointed out that no structure over three stories is allowed and nothing can block views of the beach and waterfront. They want to continue to provide a variety of lodging and properties from luxurious to more basic in a surrounding that is intimate and relaxing and not upsetting the areas' natural beauty. One of their very exclusive properties is the St. George Island Plantation. The plantation is the place where many stars, particularly of country music fame, can truly have their privacy. This is where they can come to escape the demands of very public lives. It is said that the actor Burt Reynolds has come to visit friends staying on the island. Besides the notables, they also have many quaint seaside cottages that family can use to reconnect and enjoy the rivers, wetlands as well as golf, tennis and boating. That, I will say, they are definitely achieving. Stuart, a busy internist, commented that it was nice not to have to rush to stand on lines at the amusement parks. When we were looking for more activity, we did take a drive to Panama City to find the multiplex, the outlet stores and the amusements we left behind in New York. While driving, we were reminded that this is a large military area as we did pass several air force bases and did see signs for restricted air space. In Panama City, we did enjoy a walk on the boardwalk and excellent Florida grouper and Amberjack but we did see the only high-rises in the area as well as what is known as the forerunner to the superstore, the Piggly Wiggly. No, this is not a gag from the movie Driving Miss Daisy but the actual real supermarket, as we know it.When we had our fill of activity, we came back and strolled through historic Apalachicola and got back to nature on a four-hour sunset cruise on Jeanie's Boat Cruises, kayaking in the forest of Apalachicola, and toured the neighboring areas of Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. To arrange your visit to the Forgotten Coast, contact your travel professional, Anchor Properties at (800) 824-0416 or visit www.florida-beach.com
Copyright Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
