Pam's Pen -- the week in Cedar Key

Cedar Key at night from our Campsite

Cedar Key, to me, has been a week in heaven. There is something about this little town that just tucks itself into your heart. The obvious things would be having our "house" face the water and the fabulous sunsets in the evening, and then looking out the bedroom window from one's pillow to see the sunrise. So nice. Then there is the lack of traffic --- the nice little Main Street with a nice little consignment boutique, small clothing shop, two real estate storefronts, a charming Museum, two VERY nice arts co-ops, and an historic hotel, where the owner many years ago reportedly created the Hearts of Palm Salad. Oh, and did I mention Tony's -- the little restaurant with the clam chowder that has you coming back for more....and buying some to freeze and take with you? Mercy me, it was and is divine -- and I don't even like clam chowder, but I sure love this! At Tony's you become a good friend of the waitstaff pretty quickly....all very nice gals who use various endearments....one lady called Ken, "baby" while I was "sweetie"! I told him he had made it up in the world....one place we ate before coming here he was called, "Bubba"!! HA!! At the Town Beach one has glorious fine white sand and dogs are allowed! We met and enjoyed visiting with a fellow from Toronto named Barry Gillis.....down here for the winter with his wife, staying at his brother's place....and because he got bored, he volunteered to help the gentleman who owns the kayak rental business, by working for him a couple of days a week. Well, business wasn't booming, so he spent a lot of time chatting it up with us, and what an interesting man he is. He was also there the day we kayaked, and was again, chatting away before and after we set out. By the way, the current was so strong, I did three strokes forward and seemed to go back at least two! Got very tired and sore.....I have muscles letting me know that they are not happy in my neck, shoulders and back...and thumbs where the arthritis is! Gads, to be 50 again would be lovely. However....it was a week when we bicycled one sunny and warm day, around the Main drag and the surrounding small residential streets.....we did kayak on another lovely day.....we took a drive all over the little roads that wind next to the water throughout town, we walked with our Ali on the beach and laughed as she ran into the water and dipped her nose into it....then came out and rolled over and over in the sand....we ate chowder and crackers....we shopped in the consignment shop for fun....and found two sweet pillows for our couch with palm trees on them, and I found a nice skirt -- for $1! Ken bought me a lovely necklace....a big cut faceted crystal on a silver and crystal chain....we sat on Adirondack chairs in front of the coach and read and watched the sunset come....we visited with new friends parked next to us in the Tiki bar one early evening...having tea and sodas! We toured the clam farm just a short walk down the road from us --- who knew there were clam farms??-- and it was fascinating! Camped next to us for two days was the nicest couple with two beautiful Whippets, who visited back and forth with Ali....and then another couple we had met last week at Lazydays and had no idea they were coming to Cedar Key showed up there two days ago... It's a bit like being in a place that time forgot....I am sure this is what the old Florida was like, and probably the Keys, as well. There are some rental condos and charming little houses to rent, but no high rises, no traffic jams, no traffic lights --- yes, there is a marina, but it's neither huge nor packed with million dollar yachts. No super markets, just a couple of nice small grocery stores. No Walmart or any big box stores. A small laundromat and I think there was one gas station. Nearest supermarket is 40+ miles away. No movie theater in town. Several restaurants, and a few really small and quirky little eateries....lots of places to walk and ride your bikes and we did....above all, it's a place where you can relax, do nothing, and just enjoy your days. You never are rushed, you don't have all that many places to go and no reason to be there at any particular time. And several evenings, before fixing dinner, I sat at our desk doing some filing and bill paying, with the fireplace going (yes, it got pretty cool the end of the week!) and music coming softly out of the surround system, glancing out the front window at the sunset and the water glisteming while the palm trees waved in front of us...and I was just plain content. So, Cedar Key, I will miss you....and I have a feeling we might be back 'ere long. We have been very happy here.