March 13, 2015      We bugged out on our gnat nemesis today.   I’m just about beached, hiked and biked out.   I’m craving civilization.   We left “the jungle” and head into the “big city” of Port St. Joe.   This is exciting,  they have a Piggly Wiggly there!

If you’re looking for Pet Friendly,  Port ST Joe actually advertises their dog friendliness.   First stop was the Welcome Center where all “three” of us were welcome inside and out on a fabulous deck.   It was within walking distance to everything we wanted to do and offered free parking.

We walked E T on two fabulous,  yet very different trails.  The Baywalk Trail is a 0.7 mile trail that goes from Frank Pate Park past the Port ST. Joe Marina to Jetty Park.  The entire walk you have water views.

Then we headed over to the Port City Trail.  This is a 4 1/2 mile paved multi use trail.  The trail is a 10 ft wide.  We started on a portion called Sandpiper Run. I couldn’t figure out why,  it was mostly residential on one side and a canal on the other.  I didn’t see any sandpipers but there were beautiful flowers.

Then we enter Forrest Park.  This is an awesome neighborhood park.  The ball fields are manicured. The playscapes, benches, pavilions, etc …  are spotless.  AAAhhhhaaa!  What do I see up ahead???   A corrections officer,  in full uniform including his gun, and eight prisoners.   Guess who does the park and field maintenance???   I wondered what the officer would have done if one of the prisoners tried to escape.  Then I thought why would a prisoner want to escape.  It was a beautiful day in the park.

David points out one of the fields to me.  It is a t-ball field, to scale.   Everything from the dugouts to the distances between home plate and the bases.  It was adorable.   I couldn’t get up high enough to take a photo that showed the size.   I bet the kids love playing there.

The trail heads out of the park and over a few bridges to the Cormorant Loop and “Buck” Griffin Lake.  Now mind you the entire trail is in the center of town in a residential area.  What do you think I see?   A Warning!  Beware of the ALLIGATORS sign!  Enough is enough with the alligators!

We head over to the Dockside Seafood and Raw Bar Restaurant at the Port ST. Joe Marina for a late lunch early dinner.  We sit out on the deck in the Pet Friendly section overlooking the marina.  Everyday from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  they have all you can eat Fried Chicken and Pop Corn Shrimp for $9.99.   Delicious!!!

Other than my left foot and right ankle being swollen and itchy,  from gnat bites I got when we got back to the “jungle”,  it was another fun day.

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