Two 5Ks and Three State Parks
Florida's Northern Gulf Coast
August 4-6, 2017
Summary:
August 5, 2017 was going to be the last date of the St. George Island Sizzler 5K, the 20th year of its running. I have never ran this race before, and I had heard good things, so I couldn't miss the last year! Only a few weeks prior, I checked the campground availability at St. George Island State Park. I wasn't expecting any availability due to the popularity, but sure enough there was exactly one campsite open for the Saturday night after the race. I'm assuming it was a site that had just been cancelled. I gave them my money and swooped up that spot immediately.
It wasn't until a week or two later, that I was invited to run the Bushwacker 5K in Pensacola, FL. Bushwacker was in the morning of August 5, and the Sizzler was in the evening. I said I would only run the morning race if we got to SGI in time for that race, and we came up with a plan. Turns out, the two locations while both on the coast are in fact a 4 hour drive apart. Doable.
I was able to see a bunch of friends, run a 5K PR, and adventure to 3 state parks/museums. It was a good weekend.
State Parks
It wasn't until a week or two later, that I was invited to run the Bushwacker 5K in Pensacola, FL. Bushwacker was in the morning of August 5, and the Sizzler was in the evening. I said I would only run the morning race if we got to SGI in time for that race, and we came up with a plan. Turns out, the two locations while both on the coast are in fact a 4 hour drive apart. Doable.
I was able to see a bunch of friends, run a 5K PR, and adventure to 3 state parks/museums. It was a good weekend.
State Parks
- Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park [Quest: 9/174 FL State Park Visits]
- John Gorrie Museum State Park [Quest: 10/174 FL State Park Visits]
- Orman House Historic State Park [Quest: 11/174 FL State Park Visits]
The Gear:
- Running shoes!
- Coleman tent
The Story:
Pensacola, FL
It all starts Friday August 4 with the drive to Pensacola. We stay at probably the worst motel I have ever seen in my life LOL. Like I brought in my sleeping bag to sleep in it on top of the bed, bad.
It didn't take much to leave the motel in the morning. At all. We happily drove across the bridge to Pensacola Beach for the Bushwacker 5K put on by the Capt'n Fun Runners. There are some pictures below of the start. I'm wearing mostly blue along with my "S***ing Rainbows Kind of Day" socks because well, they seemed appropriate.
Afterwards there was food and beer! I also bought a Bushwacker (above) to see what it was all about. Sadly it wasn't served in the cool glass it usually is. It was okay, but since I'm not into liquor, I probably will not go out of my way to have another. It was overcast outside, but we walked out on the dock for a bit. You can see the Capt'n Fun bar on the left. It poured for awhile.
Then it was time for awards! I placed first in my age group with a new 5K PR of 19:37!
Then we were on the road. The four or so hours to get to St. George Island. I luckily didn't have to drive and napped, not looking forward to the next race, especially after a few beers. "Maybe you'll get another PR!!" Ha ha funny. We arrived in enough time to drive to the park, check in, and set up tents. Thank goodness because I did not want to set up in the dark after the race and after party.
I also had a not-smart moment where I left my phone on the top edge of my truck bed. I was searching for it while we were driving over to the race. I decided to use the 'Find My Phone' feature on my Garmin watch. It said my phone was nearby and the BlueTooth in my car agreed. However, when I enabled the phone to make noise, it disappeared from all BlueTooth. So it COULD have made it if I didn't activate it. We searched for a bit, but the race start time was rapidly approaching.
I also had a not-smart moment where I left my phone on the top edge of my truck bed. I was searching for it while we were driving over to the race. I decided to use the 'Find My Phone' feature on my Garmin watch. It said my phone was nearby and the BlueTooth in my car agreed. However, when I enabled the phone to make noise, it disappeared from all BlueTooth. So it COULD have made it if I didn't activate it. We searched for a bit, but the race start time was rapidly approaching.
SGI Sizzler
I check in, warm-up minimally, and placed my bag and the beach towel I received at the finish line. I joined everyone else at the start line. It's only a 5K, it's only a 5K... My goal was to win the women's side.
I did not get a PR, but I did win with a time of about 20:21. There are two stories published from the race:
I did not get a PR, but I did win with a time of about 20:21. There are two stories published from the race:
- Apalach Times [David Adlerstein]: Sizzler to live on, under new management
- Trouble Afoot [Herb Wills]: Slyter and Sack star in the last act of the Sizzler
The awards were cool little shoe things. We took a bunch of pictures of course. Also walked to the beach too. They had a shrimp boil among other things, and I ate a lot before going back to the campground to pass out.
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| Evening Beach [2017-08-05] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island St. Park | SGI, FL |
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park [Quest: 9/174 FL State Park Visits]
Drip. Drop. Drip....Drip...Drop......
Rain. Great. Wake up Kat, it's the morning! You also don't have a phone to check the weather, so you should probably pack up camp right meow before it gets worse. I remove the stakes from my tent and drag it over to my truck to transfer items I'd like to keep dry. Then I took the tent down and threw it in the bed of the truck. Of course the rain stops at that point. I make some coffee while Tim gets his camp packed up. I find this intact sand dollar on the table. I hope whoever found it and left it there isn't too upset. But it is mine now. It looks great in my jar of seashells that I collected from Little St. George Island.
We parked at the East Slough Beach parking lot. Even though it was overcast, we still went for a hike. I may be phone-less, but I still have my camera!
We parked at the East Slough Beach parking lot. Even though it was overcast, we still went for a hike. I may be phone-less, but I still have my camera!
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| East Slough Parking Lot [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Across the road to the boardwalk [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Flower with rain drops on it [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
We witnessed several dolphins swimming in the slough. There looked to be a few young ones learning how to swim and eat from adult dolphins. How we know? They were tiny and uncoordinated swimmers. We had a good start to seeing the wildlife.
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| Park Map [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Boardwalk to trail [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| East Slough where we observed dolphins [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
I took a bunch of photos of pine trees whose trunks looked awesome. The picture below is my favorite among them, and I'm trying to resist the temptation to add all of them to this post. I love the contrast and bold distinction of the bark.
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| Awesome bark pattern [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
The below plant was EVERYWHERE. Along with all of the pine trees.
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| So much of this! [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Yaupon [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Pear cactus [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Baby pine tree! [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| More of this thing! [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
And then we find out it is rosemary. Derp...
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| Rosemary [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Wetlands [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
We come to a trail crossing where we can head toward the campground or return on the East Slough Trail. No need to go to the campground, so we walked back.
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| Trail Crossing [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| About Wetlands [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Dune habitat [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Boardwalk to the Beach [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Overcast Beach [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Keep the dunes intact! [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Beach on the gulf side [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Park Entrance [2017-08-06] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
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| Passport stamp! [2017-08-05] Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park | SGI, FL |
Slurpin' Oysters and Creepin' Around Graveyards in Apalachicola
We made the overcast drive across the two bridges to reach Apalachicola. We drive around and see two of my favorite people, Julia and Philip! They were checking out of their hotel, and we invite them to join us for oysters
I stopped in at Apalachicola Sponge Company so I could pick up some bars of delicious smelling goat milk soap! The orange clove scent is my favorite. You should definitely try it: click here and select Orange Clove! Or better yet, go to Apalachicola for a weekend and explore the shop and scents yourself! I also made an impulse buy. I couldn't resist....
And now for the delicious food segment --
I made it to Boss Oyster where we all finally met up just in time for their opening time of 11:30.
After devouring the delicious oysters and a pina colada (shout out to Boss Oyster!), we drove to the cemetery where we explored the old graves. On the way, we passed signs that looked to be state park signs! Clearly I hadn't completed any research, but as soon as the truck was parked, I was flipping through my State Parks Passport. Sure enough, two state sites in Apalachicola. The trip home is going to be delayed slightly further.
There was a variety of graves. People born in other countries, veteran memorials, entire family plots, etc. Many died from yellow fever, malaria, or cholera.
IT'S A NAPPING MERMAID CAT!!!!!!
And now for the delicious food segment --
I made it to Boss Oyster where we all finally met up just in time for their opening time of 11:30.
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| Pina colada and a dozen raw on the half shell Boss Oyster | Apalachicola, FL |
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| Half Dozen Rockafella II Boss Oyster | Apalachicola, FL |
After devouring the delicious oysters and a pina colada (shout out to Boss Oyster!), we drove to the cemetery where we explored the old graves. On the way, we passed signs that looked to be state park signs! Clearly I hadn't completed any research, but as soon as the truck was parked, I was flipping through my State Parks Passport. Sure enough, two state sites in Apalachicola. The trip home is going to be delayed slightly further.
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| This place looked to be closed, but it was probably awesome. |
Chestnut Cemetery
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| Julia [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetery | Apalachicola, FL |
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| [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetery | Apalachicola, FL |
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| The trees are perfect [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetery | Apalachicola, FL |
There was a variety of graves. People born in other countries, veteran memorials, entire family plots, etc. Many died from yellow fever, malaria, or cholera.
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| Did they escape? [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetery | Apalachicola, FL |
This one might be the spookiest one yet. My first result in my Google search for 'Rob Roy Rice Apalachicola' linked directly to the r/WTF SubReddit of Reddit naturally because Reddit is where I waste most of my time. Here is the post from 2014. This whole family plot made me keep thinking and saying Rolls-Royce.
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| Rob Roy and Sherrie Rice[2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetery | Apalachicola, FL |
According to the thread, there is a potential reason and also as typical, a pun train, albeit brief. It does look new-ish compared to the rest of the gravestones. Maybe it is an example stone, and they are trying to get more people buried here. Or it's just creepy. There was a whole section of people with these names around this stone. If it was an example, it seems rather intrusive to the dead family members.
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| [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetary | Apalachicola, FL |
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| Philip talking to the Dead [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetary | Apalachicola, FL |
The grave below was extremely sad. It looks to say '2 Months 8 Days'. The little truck toy on the corner put a small heartwarming smile on my face. It added some personality and youthfulness to a baby who died too early. Luckily in modern times, infant deaths are decreasing significantly.
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| [2017-08-06] Chestnut Cemetary | Apalachicola, FL |
John Gorrie Museum [Quest: 10/174 FL State Park Visits]
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| John Gorrie Museum State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
Closed!! Temporarily...for renovations. There were plenty of outside elements to learn about the museum's contents and history. The sign referred us to the Orman House Historic State Park - another state park in Apalachicola! But first - some snooping around the exterior part of this historic state park.
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| About Dr. John Gorrie [2017-08-06] John Gorrie Museum State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in the early 1833 from South Carolina. He was a physician who researched tropical diseases. There was a theory that bad air was involved in causing certain diseases. Gorrie was concerned about his yellow fever patients, so he was determined to invent a method for cooling. He invented a machine that made ice and got the first patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. The ice was suspended in a basin from the ceiling allowing cool air to flow down to an opening near the floor, cooling the patients.
The bridge connecting Apalachicola and Eastpoint is named the John Gorrie Bridge.
Since we were exploring a cemetery only ten minutes prior, let's start with Gorrie's grave.
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| Closed! [2017-08-08] John Gorrie Museum State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
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| Gorrie's Grave [2017-08-06] John Gorrie Museum State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
Fortunately I will be back in Apalachicola in October, so I can see the newly renovated interior in its full glory. More photos and more details then!
Orman House Historic State Park [Quest: 11/174 FL State Park Visits]
The sign at the temporarily closed John Gorrie Museum recommended checking out the Orman House in order to learn more about Apalachicola history. Unlike the Museum, the house was open, and we arrived in just enough time to join the current tour two minutes late. We probably would have been right on time if we didn't take some pictures of the home's exterior.
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| Orman House - Exterior [2017-08-06] Orman House Historic State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
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| Thomas Orman Orman House Historic State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
In 1838, Orman built his house. Finished woodwork including windows and doors were manufactured in New York and then brought to Apalachicola to be assembled on site. The framework was built from local cypress trees, and the floorboards from pine trees. The home and furnishings were the best of European style - details of both Federal and Greek Revival styles. Due to Orman's height (6'7"), the house had tall doorways. The house was used for entertaining and business.
He was a cotton merchant and helped transform Apalachicola into one of the biggest shipping ports in the Gulf Coast from the 1840s to 1870s. He could overlook the docks due to the house sitting on top of a large bluff. Orman owned a majority of the cotton warehouses in town
They have Orman's "Accounting Chair" on display. I wonder if he has different chairs that serve other purposes. Perhaps I'm sitting in my "Blogging Chair" as I write this. I will switch it out for my "Check Email Chair" when I'm done with this.
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| This chair is ONLY FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES Orman House Historic State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
Pictured below is the parlor where the social gatherings took place.
Orman was a Confederate sympathizer, but that shouldn't be a surprise since he built his fortune in the cotton trade. Robert E. Lee had even been a guest of Orman. Below is the remains of where his twenty-six slaves lived. Union soldiers freed them when they arrested Orman temporarily during the Civil War. Both Union and Confederate soldiers would come into town but never in full occupation. His son, William Orman, served as a Confederate lieutenant and then served two terms in Congress. He helped bring the railroad to Apalachicola after the war.
Dr. Alvin Chapman, a botanist, was friends with Orman, Gorrie, and the gang. This park features the Chapman Botanical Garden, which I didn't walk through. Chapman was a Union sympathizer during the Civil War. He and his wife are buried in the Chestnut Cemetery we explored earlier.
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| Stunning leaves on this plant Orman House Historic State Park | Apalachicola, FL |
Gorrie and Orman Passport Stamps
Due to the museum being closed on the initial visit 2017-08-16, I got my passport stamped at the Olman House Historic State Park. The ranger/tour guide and I had a small mix-up, and my Olman House and John Gorrie stamps got swapped. Oh well. I will have to come back to explore the inside of the museum in the future, perhaps when I return for the Running for the Bay Half Marathon in October 2017.
Photos of passport stamp:
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