G&T's Excellent Adventure

MON., JAN 1 thru THUR., JAN 4, 2024

We traveled 144 miles north from Riverview to Cedar Key, Florida and arrived on New Year’s Day 2024 to Cedar Key RV Resort. This is the quaint part of Florida — small towns and few people. Cedar Key is one of the oldest ports in the state. It was the site of Florida’s first railroad (1872) connecting it to the East Coast supplying seafood and timber. 

We spent time visiting the small downtown marina area and fishing pier, and saw evidence of damage from Hurricane Idalia which struck this area as a Category 3 hurricane five months earlier. We also visited a great local art gallery, which had been in existence for over 20 years. It also appeared this small downtown area had more golf carts than cars… a great way for folks to get around.

While in Cedar Key, we walked a few trails including the short Cedar Key Railroad Trestle Trail and saw remnants of the train trestle. We also explored the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, where we didn’t see much wildlife, but did enjoy views of the Suwannee River, which is a clear, tannic blackwater river. Unusual looking if you’re accustomed to green or blue rivers!

 In addition, we walked to the remains of an ancient 28-ft-tall Shell Mound created by Native Americans. The mound consists of millions of shells of edible oysters and other mollusks where the Indians gathered together to share in feasts particularly during the summer solstice. Many centuries later, there is still evidence of shells but it’s intermingled with plant growth. However, it’s still humbling to realize some of these shells in evidence today were around when Indians freely roamed this area. History never ceases to amaze. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our short stay here but realized that there might not be enough to do here for a month long visit. Tomorrow we head toward Panama City…