Emerald Coast, Florida - Lighthouse, Alligator & Bald Eagle

April 16th, 2017

We headed out from Pelican Roost RV Park at Mayport, Florida and started heading to Walker, Louisiana where we will spend the month of May visiting Bryan's mom and helping her a little around the house.

I had forgotten that today was Easter Sunday when I organized our travels, and would probably have not left until tomorrow, but by the time I found out this park was fully booked for tonight, so off we go.    The Easter Bunny had been when we opened our door to find 2 Easter eggs waiting for us.  The last time we were here was Easter, and we received eggs then as well.  It's a nice touch.  Bryan later found another one in the front grille.

Instead of taking the I10 to Louisiana we are going to drive along the Emerald part of the Gulf Coast and visit a couple of lighthouses.

We had an uneventful trip, the roads were not too busy and we arrived safely at Panacea RV Park, Panacea.  This park is south of Tallahassee and we will stay here two nights. The park is ok for a couple of nights and part of the Passport America Club, so we get a reduced rate.  We couldn't get a satellite signal, but they gave us a cable box for a $50 deposit which was refunded when we left.


April 17th, 2017

The main reason we chose this stop was that it was closest to a lighthouse that we hadn't visited.  We stopped at the Wakulla Welcome Center to get information on the area.

After getting some information and pamphlets we carried on to St. Marks Lighthouse.  The lighthouse is in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.  Our Golden Age Pass gave us free entry to the park.  We were driving through the park when I saw an alligator sunning itself on a log, so we found a place to stop and walked back to get a picture.

As we were taking pictures a car stopped to look and the couple told us about a Bald Eagle that was in a tree.  When we looked up, sure enough there was the eagle.  How great was that, an alligator and a bald eagle in one stop!!!  Needless to say I was really happy.  I love to see animals in the wild, as long as they are at a distance if dangerous!!!

Bryan got a good picture

St. Marks Lighthouse

Yep, we saw one. So we know they're here!!!

When we got to the lighthouse we were disappointed to find it closed for restoration.  The website hadn't been updated and we believed it would be open.  Oh well, can't be helped.  Here is some history of St. Marks Lighthouse

We got several pictures from the outside.

We started on a short walk where we saw these pelicans.  Unfortunately, the bugs decided I would make a good lunch and so we retreated to the car!!!

The Butterfly garden was very rundown and needed some tender loving care.  Didn't see any butterflies.

I decided I need to start taking my Vitamin B1 again, as when I took this I didn't suffer any bites.  It might be a coincidence, but it is worth a try.   I found the nearest pharmacy about 15 miles away and off we went in search of B1, and after bite cream to soothe my bitten arms and legs.  Ouch!!!!  Once we had that we headed home.

Apart from the bites, and disappointment that the lighthouse wasn't open, we still had a good day, especially with the alligator and bald eagle sightings.

Tomorrow, we head further along the Emerald Coast.