Route 98 West

The Panhandle of Florida is named for a good reason.  Coming along the southern handle, west of Apalachicola, we drove along one of the Gulf’s most pristine drives, Route 98 West.  This is an area owned mostly by the St. Joe land enterprise.  The beaches are white and beautiful.  It seems like every home along the highway enjoys a huge Gulf of Mexico view. 

We visited downtown Port St. Joe.   Parked near some art galleries and went to get a coffee at the No Name Café. 

Interestingly, the owner opened the business several years ago and didn’t have a name at the time.  Some customers said, “Why don’t you have a contest and let us name the café”.  

By a massive vote the No Name Café was born.

This section of Florida offers some of the best beach areas with lots of resort cottages and motels.  Mexico Beach, with other than a sign indicating a new community, didn’t vary much from the Port St. Joe area. 

From Panama City we headed north into Alabama country.  And no, I didn’t have a banjo on my knee.