REPORT FROM FLORIDA III----TRAVERSING FLORIDA

After departing the cruise ship, we had two days to spend touring before our condo in Panama City Beach was available, so we took out time and decided to do some sight-seeing around Tallahassee.  The first day we visited the Florida State History Museum.  It was located right downtown in Tallahassee, so parking, particularly with the trailer, was a challenge, but it was worth it.  You got to see the history of Florida from the age of dinosaurs to the present day.  I particularly enjoyed the civil war display, but was disappointed that the World War II exhibit was closed due to construction.

From there we visited the Tallahassee Auto Museum where there were old restored cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, and boat motors on display.  They also had the largest collection of Case knives in the world!

After visiting the museums, we headed for Natural Bridge State Park, where the Battle of Natural Bridge during the Civil War took place.  The Confederate troops were able to defeat the Union forces there and keep Tallahassee from being the only southern capitol not captured by Union troops.  There is a monument dedicated to both the Confederate and Union soldiers who fought and died there.

On our second day on the way to Panama City Beach, we stopped at Wakulla Springs State Park.  (The state of Florida does a tremendous job with their state parks!)  Wakulla springs is the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world.  It is over 350 ft. deep and covers 32 miles!  The water there is a constant 70 degrees.  Not too comfortable now, but great during the summer heat.  We took a guided riverboat tour where we were able to see all kinds of exotic birds and fish along with some alligators and manitees.  Two of the old Tarzan movies were filmed there along with "Creature from the Black Lagoon".  There is also an eleven-foot stuffed alligator in the lodge called "Old Joe".  Apparently back in the early sixties, some jerk shot and killed him.  Rangers found Joe's remains, had him stuffed and returned him to the lodge where he lies in state.  Believe it or not, there's still a reward out for the capture of the person who shot him!

We then set sail for PCB where I was finally able to get the Wing off the trailer and out on the roads.  More on that later.

Here's a few shots of our journey.

THE FAMOUS TUCKER "TORPEDO"

MONUMENT AT NATURAL BRIDGE BATTLE FIELD

ON THE BOAT AT WAKULLA SPRINGS

YES, THERE WERE GATORS THERE!

A GATOR SNEAKING UP ON THE BOAT

"OLD JOE"

MOVIE POSTER