Heading north and east we left Panama City.
The destination was Tallahassee.
I wanted to see Florida's Capitol.
Florida is another state that has a Capitol Complex and the Old Capitol is used as a Museum. The building above is the Senate Building with the matching House office building on the other side of the old Capitol with the 22 story new Capitol rising behind the old.
I was most interested in the Old Capitol. I was a little surprised at the red and white striped awnings. I found out that they were used from the 1890s to the early 1920s. They were placed back on the building during the 1980s restoration that returned the structure to its historic 1902 appearance.
The original building was completed in 1845 and first expanded in 1902.
The new Capitol was completed in 1977.
At that time a decision was made to tear the Old Capitol down.
It was saved through citizens’ action and was restored to its 1902 appearance.
This is the Supreme Court Chambers. The furnishings are original and the room has been restored through the use of a 1911 photograph. Notice the cloths on the chair backs. Isn't that when men used pomades and ointments on their hair?
This is the House of Representatives. The Senate was just like it without the portrait of George Washington. The wall was blank so I am not sure if it was supposed to have a matching one.
The members seats looked like really nice school desks.
They use the fleur de lis in Florida too.
The Governor's private office seemed quite small. Isn't that telephone great?
The carpet is reproduction but I thought it was really nice. Walt and I always pick up loose change (competing who finds the most) but I was not brave enough to step past the rope barrier to get this penny.
We wandered through the museum exhibits. This Weeki Wachee Springs mermaids 1960's swim suit caught my eye. I had the same swim suit in the 60's but mine was white. I wish I would have planned time for a stop in Weeki Wachee Springs to see the underwater mermaid show. It has been in business since 1947 and the production they are putting on now is The Little Mermaid. Oh well, I have to realize that we can't see everything.
I am glad we took the jog in our journey to see the Old Florida Capitol. Now it is time to head south.
On our way out of Tallahassee I saw this note on a car. Made me smile. There are always more and more reasons to be happy we have been able to grow old.
Our first stop heading south on the western coast was in Keaton Beach at Old Pavilion RV Park. Gypsy again was right on the beach.
Keaton Beach is very rustic.
It is known as a great place for kayaking and birding.
I assume it is great for shelling too. This is what I saw under the water just off the shore. Just wait for low tide, bring your shovel and scoop them up.
Not sure who decorated the posts in the water but they were so fun to see.
They each had their own personality.
And their own sentiment.
Keaton Beach boasts good fishing.
The RV Park is pretty much no frills but the website boasts about the sunsets.
I think they are right.
So many colors in the sunset sky. How blessed we are to get to see all this beauty.
"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them." -- John Ruskin