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@Mexico Beach - the Storm of Storms (Michael)

3/20/2022

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Mexico Beach (not to be confused with Mexico City) ... came to 'fame' after being literally destroyed by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. About 2 weeks after Michael hit the Panhandle, we traveled to Mississippi and drove through Mexico Beach. We were shocked to learn that 20 miles east and west of that community were also devastated. Along Rt 10, trees were literally sheared off at 25 ft and many sections of road contained debris (we were impressed that heavy equipment and tree service contractors were in key locations clearing the road and replacing fencing). As we traveled along Rt 10 we saw homes and farms on either side without roofs and most rest stops were closed due to major damage.

Since much of the reporting on the hurricane was focused on Mexico Beach, we wanted to see just how badly they were hit. Below are some original images we captured 2 years ago and those taken recently. It was encouraging to see a positive improvement in the conditions we saw 2 years ago. Yes, homes on the Gulf side were furthest along to being restored or replaced - all on piles. Most roofs were now metal and many homes had concrete piles - elevating living space 11-15 ft. On the community side, maybe 30-40% of the homes are under repair/replacement ... but the entire community is still years away from 'normalcy'. We did capture a photo of the one home that the news media had reported as the lone survivor due to planned over-building and reinforcement.
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@Apalachicola

3/20/2022

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Apalachicola ... A charming fishing town once known as the oyster capital of the world, is a little like Cape Cod. Apalachicola offers terrific seafood, waterfront parks, bed & breakfast inns and yes - shopping. It provides a glimpse of the Florida Panhandle's timber and fishing history.

A few years back, a reduction of fresh water caused a significant impact to oyster bed production. When the beds were productive in past years, a local oyster farmer could harvest 8-10 full baskets in a day ,... today they would be lucky to net 1-2. Fortunately, with tourism, real estate and fishing, the economy is holding its own. A great place to visit. You can enjoy a relaxing weekend or spend a few days exploring the town. Lots of history! Oh, we plan on returning. Click visit Florida.
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@Chattahoochee

3/16/2022

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Chattahoochee is the home of Florida's 1st State Hospital and was also a psychiatric hospital. Established in 1876, it was Florida's only state mental institution until 1947. It currently has a capacity of 1,042 patients. It was subsequently refurbished as a mental hospital, originally known as Florida State Hospital for the Insane, which opened in 1876.

It gained notoriety over the course of its long history. It was sued in O'Connor v. Donaldson, a case that went to the US Supreme Court, which ruled that the hospital had illegally confined one of its patients.


                                        - - - - - - - - -personal notes & photos - - - - - - - - - - 
In our search for historical towns, we found Chattahoochee located on the Apalachicola River. The location was originally the site a military arsenal that had been used during the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. As noted above and told to us in 1876 the hospital was built on the site which later became Florida's first state hospital in 1947.

The property houses multiple buildings
with strict rules about taking photos (oops). Upon leaving, we talked to the grounds keeper and became aware of 1,000 + year old Indian mounds that we had to visit. This was one visit that it was best for Ginger to stay with the car as I scooted between buildings and shrubs to avoid the facility guards from taking my camera.

Photo Ops:
  • Historic State Hospital (on the grounds or from street)
  • 1,000 year old mounds

Wiki ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattahoochee,_Florida
Wiki ... State Hospital ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Hospital
Mounds (over 1,000 yrs old) ... www.exploresouthernhistory.com/chattahoocheelanding.html

Florida Backroad Travel ... Chattahoochee
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@Monticello

3/8/2022

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"Only 28 miles northeast of Tallahassee, the Northwest Florida town of Monticello is graced by historic buildings, including a circa-1890 opera house still in use today. A courthouse square dominates the center of compact Monticello, surrounded by family-owned cafés and shops, and spectacular live oak canopies, draped with Spanish moss. Saturdays are particularly special as area farmers and ranchers – corn, peanuts, cotton, dairy, cattle, etc. – still come to Monticello to shop and socialize. Oh, and there is this: Those curious about the supernatural are advised to make a stop in Monticello, named by ABC-TV as the "Most Haunted Small Town in the U.S." (SRC#4)

                         - - - - - - - - - - -  personal notes & photos - - - - - - - - - - - 
We found Monticello, in our early explorations - Florida certified wineries, we came across Monticello Vineyards and Winery a small and unpretentious Florida farm winery, featuring USDA organic grapes.

Photo Ops:
  • Downtown
  • Monticello Winery
  • Monticello Historical District

Resources: 
Wiki ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monticello,_Florida
Monticello - 
History
Winery - 
Monticello Vineyards and Winery
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