in the Florida Panhandle
By Pattie Detwiler
t was such a pleasurable experience
traveling the back roads around the
panhandle of Florida, looking at the
budding vegetation, and enjoying the attractive countryside. It was the first time I traveled off the beaten path in the northwest area of Florida, and I found a few treasures along the way. I saw many beautiful old homes that reminded me of the gracious homes of a past era. I went to the town of St. Marks, where the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers come together, and then headed just northeast to the town of Greenville and west to Monticello, Florida.
St. Marks is such a cute little town due south of Tallahassee. There you can kayak, canoe or snorkel in the springs. Manatees, alligators and dolphins share the rivers there, magnificent birds fill the air, and ancient cypress trees line the riverbanks. Abundant wetlands and tributaries leave the rivers teaming with fish. St Marks sits at the historic St Marks Railroad, which was converted to a bike trail where you can enjoy over thirty miles of smooth, partially shaded trails with ample facilities conveniently located along the way. I hope to go back there and ride the trail.
The Sweet Magnolia Bed and Breakfast can be found in St. Marks. The original structure housed a General Store. The building is marked as one of the strongest buildings in the whole area and was (and still is) used as a shelter during very strong storms and floods. The walls of the Inn house are made from solid lime rock and cement layered with coquina shells. The steel in the walls is actually some of the original railroad tracks themselves that went from St. Marks to Tallahassee, now known as the “Historic St. Marks Railroad Bike Trail.” The building was renovated by Ken Campbell, starting in late 1994, and opened for business in 1996 as St. Marks' only Bed and Breakfast Inn. Every Sunday afternoon you can hear the great jazz sounds of "Smooth Sailin" featuring Don Fortner and Andy Waters. Denise, the innkeeper, offers up her award winning food from eleven until seven and of course there is a wide variety a libations for your enjoyment!
Southern Graces
24
Inns E-Magazine / Fall 2014
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