The Bird’s Nest is easy to get to. Coming from points east, and from Tallahassee, follow these directions.
If you can find your own way to Eastpoint, Florida, which is just east of Apalachicola, and across the bay from St. George Island, you can just follow these short directions to the house.
Address
239 West Gorrie Drive
Saint George Island, Florida 32328-2731 USA
phone 850 927.4946
latitude 29.66 north, longitude 84.88 west
Maps
Here is a map to get you started in the right direction to the Bird’s Nest.
Here’s a map of the Bird’s Nest neighborhood in PDF format.
Weather
The current weather across the bay from St. George Island in Eastpoint, FL from the National Weather Service.
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50 Things To Do
1. Walk the beaches. From the gulf and bay views on St. George Island, to the more remote beaches of St. Vincent and Cape St. George. There are enough shells and other interesting objects to keep you beach-combing for years.
2. Have an oyster. Local restaurants serve them up just about any way imaginable. Oysters can also be purchased and iced down for the trip home from most seafood houses.
3. Go bird watching. The skies and trees of the Apalachicola National Forest in the north and western parts of the county are full of all kinds of birds. St. Vincent Island is home to ospreys and bald eagles. Brown pelicans, and oyster catchers abound around the beaches.
4. Tan your hide. With some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere, a great tan is virtually assured.
5. Fish. Offshore, inshore, freshwater, brackish water, fishing opportunities are never more than a stone’s throw away. The cut between St. George and Cape St. George and bridges leading to St. George are popular destinations. Surf casters have miles of room.
6. Have a swim. The Gulf of Mexico is waiting for you.
7. See a sun rise. It’s a sight you’ll remember for a long time.
8. Tour the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserves Estuarine Walk is now home to horseshoe crabs, snakes, turtles, largemouth bass, salamanders, and flounder.
9. Take home some local art. Many artists call Franklin County home. Their crafts can be seen in many of the local shops.
10. Dine on ocean-fresh seafood. Local shops and restaurants all have fresh fish direct from the surrounding waters.
11. Pitch a towel on the beach and read a book. Don’t forget the suntan lotion.
12. Go diving. Franklin County offers some of the most unspoiled and interesting dive sites around. The Empire Mica is the remains of a British ship sunk off the county coast during WWII.
13. Take a walk. Park the car, get on your feet and start moving. The sea air, the friendly people you’ll meet, and the rippling tides will ensure a great and healthy time.
14. Take out your camera and shoot some pictures. You could shoot everyday for years and never run out of interesting things to photograph.
15. Learn about the first air-conditioner and ice maker. Dr. John Gorrie, inventor, is credited with creating the first ice machine. Replicas of his work are at the Gorrie Museum in Apalachicola.
16. Have a picnic in one of the area parks.
17. Build a sand castle.
18. Go for a boat ride.
19. Send a postcard to someone.
20. Send a message in a bottle. Write your name and address and a brief note telling the finder you’d like a return letter by mail.
21. Write your name in the sand.
22. See Chapman Botanical Gardens in Apalachicola.
23. Tour St. Vincent Island. This federally owned island is home to a number of animals, including the exotic Sambur deer, an import from India. You’ll need a boat to get there.
24. Make plans for the Big Bend Saltwater Classic fishing tournament in Carrabelle in June and for the Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola in November. Both events keep getting bigger every year, so book your Bird’s Nest reservation as soon as possible.
25. Fish the Apalachicola River tributaries from the bank with a cane pole and crickets. You’ll take home more bream than you'll know what to do with.
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26. Park on the St. George Island bridge causeways and watch the sun set.
27. The Chestnut Street Cemetery in Apalachicola is full of Civil War Veterans, steamboat captains, and the area’s early founders and roustabouts. The names reflect families from around the world.
28. The John Phipps Preserve at the very tip of Alligator Point is a renowned bird-watching area. Cameras please!
29. Cruise to Dog Island on the ferry departing periodically throughout the day from Carrabelle. The island is home to a handful of year-round residents and some elusive shoreline creatures.
30. Visit Fort Gadsden on Highway 65 at the north end of the county. There you can learn about the steamboats that plied the river and the fate that awaited several of them. Some of the remains from one ship are on display.
31. Look for sand dollars along the beach. A little bleach will turn them blinding white.
32. See what kind of an artist you are. Grab a pencil or a pen and some paints and create a masterpiece.
33. Learn to throw a cast net. Many local people use a cast net to catch mullet, shrimp and bait fish.
34. Visit the St. George Island State Park.
35. Check out the county’s lighthouses. There’s one in Carrabelle - the Crooked River lighthouse - and one on Cape St. George. The one on the island is in jeopardy, in part because the land around her is eroding away, so this might be one of your last opportunities. You can’t go into it's tower because the structure is also in serious disrepair. The Coast Guard has boarded up and locked the door, but the view is still breathtaking.
36. Try your hand at being a crab fisherman. Use a crab pot or tie a chicken neck to a piece of string. Toss the neck in the water and hold the string. When you feel something pulling, slowly bring the string in. Watch for the crab! When it gets close, lay a dip net on the bottom and ease the crab over the net. Scoop it up! Catch a dozen or so and you've got a meal waiting to cooked be.
37. Look for old bottles on the beaches. Once in a while, a very rare and valuable bottle will turn up.
38. Visit the Wrights Lake recreation area in the Apalachicola National Forest. It‚s in the north part of the county on Highway 98.
39. Canoe the Crooked River from Carrabelle to Ochlockonee River. The Crooked River is a tidal river and offers a different experience for people used to canoeing whitewater.
40. Rent a sailboat or catch a ride on the historic Governor Stone and cruise the waters off the Franklin County coast.
41. Look for Indian arrowheads in the forests of Franklin County.
42. Talk to local folks about the legends and mysteries surrounding Franklin County. For instance find out how Tate’s Hell got its name, or speculate on the disappearance of the Flying Dutchman and Pirate’s Lady.
43. Take a tour of historic homes is Apalachicola. The Historical Society offers one.
44. Photograph your friends and family in front of the World’s Smallest Police Station located in Carrabelle.
45. Ride a bicycle along the coast on St. George Island.
46. Visit the St. Vincent Refuge office on the mainland and learn more about the surrounding environment and the wildlife of the area.
47. Buy a smorgasbord of fresh seafood and have a party.
48. Censored.
49. Censored.
50. Sleep all day, you deserve it.
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Vacation planning tips
Sunshine
Wear lots of 45 SPF sunscreen if you don’t want to fry your tender flesh.
A/C
Please close all windows and doors while operating the air conditioner. Humidity will cause the A/C to work harder and can freeze up the unit.
Refrigerator
Leave all settings on “normal”. The unit will go into the “auto defrost” cycle if the controls are put on “high” or “maximum” settings.
Swimming
Be aware of surf conditions before swimming.
Keys
If you are locked out during office hours go to the Prudential office for a key. They are not available after hours for lockouts. You’ll have to call a locksmith and pay for the charge.
Plumbing
The Bird’s Nest is equipped with a plunger. Please use it before calling for repair.
Appliances
Call the Prudential office @ 927-2666 if you are not familiar with the appliances.
Linens
There will be a charge for lost linens.
Trash
Roll can out to the street on Sunday night for next day pickup. Do not put bags of garbage on the street. They have to be inside the container.
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Beach safety
Rip Currents
A rip current is a channel of water flowing away from shore - like a river through the surf. Rip currents can be swift and powerful and will often carry unwary swimmers away from the shore.
A rip current can only pull you out. it will never pull you under. By relaxing and calmly swimming parallel to shore you can easily escape a rip current.
How To Spot Rip Currents
• difference in water color - murkier or darker
• difference in waves - large choppy waves in rip current, calmer waves in front of sand bar
• an offshore spiral of murky water past the sandbars
Swim To Safety
• go with the flow, do not panic
• wave for help and swim or float parallel to shore
• when you are out of the rip, swim diagonally to shore
• if you cannot break out of the current, float calmly until it diminishes, usually just beyond the breakers
Beach Safety Tips
• swim with a buddy
• swim near a lifeguard if possible
• keep a constant eye on children
• heed warnings and weather conditions
• do not fight the current
• stick to shallow waters if you are not a strong swimmer
• use sunscreen, wear polarized sunglasses and a hat
• leave the beach cleaner than when you found it
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Dining on St. George Island
When you’ve made up your mind that you are truly on vacation and cooking is not on the agenda you won’t have to go far.
St. George has a variety of restaurants that serve fresh local seafood. Enjoy oysters surfside or dine on the bay and watch the sunset. After dark the island nightclubs offer live music, billiards, darts, games and live music.
As with everything in life, this list comes with no guarantees or promises.
Blue Parrot Oceanside Café
Their deck and tiki bar are right on the beach. Specializing in fresh seafood and steaks, and offer the largest Po-Boy anywhere. Oysters are highly recommended. Serving lunch and dinner. 68 West Gorrie Street. (850) 927-2987.
Finni’s Grill & Bar
Offering quality bayfront dinning. Featuring fresh local seafood, pasta, steaks, crisp salads & full bar. Come in, relax. Dining on the deck, drinks at the bar, or cozy inside table, with a great bay view. Serving lunch and dinner. (850) 927-3340
Harry A’s Porch Club
Where strangers become friends! This is St. George Island’s oldest tavern. Full bar, live music. Salads, chicken wings, great sandwiches. Open 7 days. Bayshore Drive (850) 927 - 9810
Island Oasis
They serve a variety of dishes including seafood, steaks, and sandwiches. The best homemade onion rings. 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Full service bar. 101 East Gulf Beach Drive (850) 927-2639
Juice & Java, Too
Serving specialty fresh ground coffees, a wide variety of fruit smoothies and wonderful baked goods. This is a great place to get a refreshment if you just got in from the beach. Open from 8 - 6 daily. (850) 927-3925
Friends of St. George Island State Park
St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department
St. George Island Chili Cookoff
Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce
St. George Island Lighthouse Association
National Estuarine Research Reserve Links:
NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection
What’s an Estuary?
Public Radio on the island
WFSU-FM - News and information
88.9 - Tallahassee
106.1 - Marianna
104.5 - Apalachicola
WFSQ-FM - Classical music
91.5 - Tallahassee
WFSW-FM - News, info, & entertainment
89.1 -
Panama City
91.9 - Port St. Joe
WVSF-FM - Florida State University, eclectic entertainment
89.7 -
Tallahassee
