Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Horseshoe Beach, Florida

I had picked up Randolph, with my truck tightly packed and the Old Town canoe strapped on top, out in front of the "arrivals" at Tampa International Airport. Randy had flown in from New York when we headed out north for the 'Nature Coast', the Big Bend region, to the small town of Horseshoe Beach (year-around population 138).

We both share an old family friend, Dave Mather, who with his sweet wife Lindy, now winter in this simple coastal fishing community. They opened their small Airstream for me, while Randy stayed in the main cottage, before we set out for our long-planned camping, and out for that highly anticipated big fishing adventure.


Sunrise on our first morning looking out from Dave & Lindy's property towards our future distant campsite - Shired Island.






The Mather's offered me their '64 Airstream 'Safari' - here lit-up early, when the morning sun broke through from the marshland's unobstructed horizon.






With nobody awake, I walked the town. A 'cabin style' cottage typical of past coastal living.






Commercially - and not to many years ago, clamming, oystering and shrimping were the town's main pride and for most, their sole source of income. An old "Shrimper" sitting on tidal mud.






A quiet town with little tourism. Rooms for rent at the small Marina.






Town's kayak rental shed appeared abandoned, unused.






Today, all new home construction must now follow strict guidelines as far as tidal breach, hurricanes and general floods go. Common coastal flooding, from 7 feet to 12 feet, now require living areas to be permitted to at least 18 feet above mean tide. As a necessary convenience, the few new homes now being built so high, have accommodated outside mechanical lifts for large objects, groceries, etc.





A week later, Randy and I returned from our wilderness campsite, back for one more night in Horseshoe. Me to warm back-up in a metal Airstream, and both of us, desperately needing a hot shower.  On our way out of town, David Mather joined us that next morning, sharing a little comfort food at their local General Store.  A lot, way to much, but from looking at that menu, it just all sounded so good.







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