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FLORIDA'S NATURE COAST:
Steinhatchee
By Robert Painter
I guess you may know that Florida has an Atlantic Coast and a Gulf Coast. But with about 1200 miles of coastline, that doesn't help identify your special favorite spot. Perhaps you've heard of the Space Coast -that's where they launch all those rockets - not far from Disney World. Or maybe you know about the Treasure Coast - the Palm Beach area where a few hundred years ago Spanish galleons deposited themselves along with tons of Gold and Silver coins on the bottom of the Atlantic just offshore.
The Sarasota area, former home of John Ringling North of circus fame, is self-described as the Culture Coast. Thanks to the Asolo Opera, the Ringling Museum, lots of art galleries, theatres, etc. I guess we can comfortably let them use that name.
You may know that there are at least a half dozen other "coasts" in Florida. Each one has given itself a name in hopes of attracting you to that area. Some are famous for "Spring Break" activities, some for the night life, some for their retirement areas, and some for the beaches. But there is one "coast" you probably have not heard about.
Heading north from Tampa you'll find Weeki Wachee Springs, Homossassa Springs, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Old Town, Cross City and Steinhatchee. These small cities and towns make up much of the "Nature Coast." If you travel inland from here you'll find perhaps more familiar places, like Cross Creek of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings fame, the horse farm country of Ocala or the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Why the "Nature Coast?" A few years ago the governor of Florida held a contest and the name Nature Coast won! This area has long been associated with hunting, fishing, boating, bird watching, nature hiking and the like. Some of the top snorkeling spots in the U.S. are found in the rivers along the Nature Coast.
This is the "real Florida" or at least what the real Florida used to be. The wildlife you see here is the real thing. These are not animated theme park creations. Deer, wild pigs, racoons, possums, snakes, roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, egrets, alligators, turtles and countless others including at least 19 endangered species.
Yes, there are a few Walmarts along this coast, but mainly the towns are small, the shops are mom & pops and the attractions are about as far from "theme parks" as you can imagine. You can see live mermaids swimming underwater at Weeki Wachee springs, but you can also get in the Crystal River and actually swim among the manatees.
If you're visiting the "real Florida" you probably want "real" adventures. Well, you'll be happy to know that I found a terrific little place where you can experience all the outdoor activities the Nature Coast has to offer and still sleep indoors away from the snakes and mosquitoes. Actually, I didn't see a single snake or swat a single mosquito during my most recent visit to the area.
I know about this secret place because my brother lives in the little village of Old Town, not far from the Steinhatchee Landing Resort. If you think the Fountain of Youth is in St. Augustine it could be Ponce de Leon was wrong. My brother, in his seventies, dives for fossils in the local rivers. Two years ago he told me he had more than 400 dives that year, bringing up everything from camel toes to mammoth teeth. That's a lot of scuba diving for anyone! Maybe there is something in the water!
When I heard about Steinhatchee Landing Resort (pronounced steen-hatchee) I was excited about visiting. You see I was raised in the "Old Florida," and wondered if it really could still exist. Fortunately, the Landings has recreated much of the good part of the old days.
Dean Fowler, the owner of the property, was kind enough to give me a personal tour of the resort. It is laid out like a small village with individual winding dirt streets and wonderful little cottages, each individually decorated with French country-style furniture. They have hardwood floors, gas fireplaces, outdoor barbecues and immediate access to the Steinhatchee River. And a screened porch to experience "the sights and sounds of a Florida lost in time."
Wandering through the magnificent oaks, tall pines and delightfully scented magnolias you will find a petting zoo for children, a swimming pool, a pontoon boat for Gulf view cruises, canoes & kayaks and even a wedding chapel.
The Dancing Waters Chapel has soaring stained glass windows, superb acoustics and seats as many as 125 guests. It's a perfect location for weddings and other services.
A conference center on the property accommodates up to 90 people for private dinners, receptions, business meetings, family reunions and catering services are available.
My brother came to visit me and we took a terrific pontoon boat trip out to the Gulf where we had a chance to view lots of birds, including several Osprey, herons and others. We had planned to go kayaking, but it was a very windy day, so we took the easy way and had a grand time visiting comfortably on the boat. After the boat trip we found a horseshoe pitching area and played a couple of games before dinner.
Naturally, the best choice for dinner - at least in my opinion - is going to be some locally caught seafood. And, if there is a better choice than grouper I don't know what it would be. There is a great little restaurant nearby called Fiddler's and the seafood there makes all the parts of this little adventure come together perfectly. You can have your grouper prepared about any way you like - it will be fresh and delicious.
If you've had a long day you may want to retire early to your quiet, private cottage in hopes of getting up early to go fishing. You can use the canoes or kayaks of the resort or you can call a local marina and rent a power boat of your own for fresh water fishing or maybe charter a larger boat for some great offshore deep sea fishing where you may catch the next record breaking Tarpon. Whatever you decide this will be a one-of-a-kind experience. Of all the "coasts" in Florida, this is the one that takes you back to "old" Florida.
When you go:
This is not a "fly-in" kind of place. The nearest major airport will be Orlando or Jacksonville where you can rent a car.
Suggestions:
Southwest Airlines:
Visit Southwest
www.southwest.com
Alamo Auto Rental:
Alamo Car Rentals
www.alamo.com
Learn about the history of the area.
Visit This Site
www.naturecoastcoalition.com/index.htm
Steinhatchee Landing Resort
Visit Our Site
www.steinhatcheelanding.com
Fiddler's Restaurant
Visit Fiddler's Site
www.steinhatchee.com/fiddlers
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