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PAGE12A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 Features SCENIC VIEW Casa De Chill offers a scenic ocean view for its guests. A private boardwalk takes visitors right onto the beach. Deck chairs provide a great spot to watch the amazing sunsets and sunrises. Birding, boating among outdoor adventures KNOWN FOR OYSTERS Franklin County, Fla., is known for its sweet Apalachicola Bay Oysters. Shown getting a load of oysters on a recent afternoon are George Ward (front) and Kendall Schoelles (back), a 25-year oysterman. Photos by Angela Gary CHILLING AT THE BEACH Casa De Chill, a huge, luxurious beachfront home offered t by Resort Vacation Properties, has three stores facing the ocean. The home has four bedrooms, a huge living room and kitchen and a screened in porch facing the ocean. It's a great location for a family gathering. BY ANGELA GARY Birding, boating and amazing sun rises and sunsets are just a few of the natural delights to be found in Franklin County, Fla. With more than 87 percent of the county being protected land as state or federal parks and wildlife pre serves, Franklin County offers a natural escape for visitors. Franklin County includes St. George Island, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Alligator Point, Dog Island and Eastpoint. Each corner of the county offers something unique from the out door adventures to charming stores, historical building, working waterfronts dotted with shrimp and oyster boats and scrumptious dining options. For bird-lovers, Franklin County offers a wonderful chance to see a wide range of rare and unusual spe cies. Whether you take a special bird- ing tour or take time to look for birds as you travel through the island, you will see plenty of variety. Prime bird- ing areas are St. George Island State Park, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, Tate’s Hell State Forest, the Apalachicola National Forest and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Among the boating opportunities are fishing, sunset cruises, shelling tours, kayaking and canoeing. Franklin County is known for its fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities. The Apalachicola River Basin is home to 186 species of fish and the bay system serves as a critical nursery are for more than 95 percent of all species harvested commercially and 85 percent of all species harvested recreationally in the Gulf of Mexico. Seventeen local mari nas are located throughout the county. Professional guide service and charter boat rentals are offered throughout the county. Journeys of St. George Island has been providing ecotours of the area for 16 years. Jeannie McMillan founded the operation in 1991, and it is now overseen by her son, Justin. Journeys offers guided kayak, canoe and boat tours. They also rent sailboats, power boats, kayaks and canoes. For more information on Journeys of St. George Island, located at 240 E. Third Street, go to www.sgislandjour- neys.com or call 1-850-927-3259. For some beach time, go to St. George Island State Park, located at 1900 E. Gulf Beach Drive. Among the things that make the park so special are the secluded, pristine beaches, nature trails, camping and youth camps. The nine-mile beach is located on 2,000 acres. Last year, 180,000 people visited the park, and more are expected this year. For more information on St. George State Park, go to www.flori- dastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland or call 1-850-927-2111. SONGWRITERS PERFORM AT DIXIE THEATRE Charlie Black, Dana Hunt Black and Steve Bogard were the featured songwriters during a recent performance at the Dixie Theatre. This evening featured the songwriters performing some of the hits they wrote that were made famous by such top stars as Alan Jackson, George Straight and Rascal Flatts. OTHER THINGS TO DO Outdoor adventures aren’t all that you will find in Franklin County, Fla. Other stops worth some of your time include: •Dixie Theatre, 21 Avenue E, Apalachicola, Fla., www.dixietheatre. com or 1-850-653-3200. Be sure to check out the schedule when you’re in the area. We were lucky enough to catch “Nashville Does Dixie.” This evening featured songwriters perform ing some of the hits they wrote that were made famous by such top stars as Alan Jackson, George Straight and Rascal Flatts. Steve Bogard, Charlie Black and Dana Hunt Black were the featured songwriters. Charley opened up the night by telling the audience about the songs to be performed. “Some of them are big hits,” he said. “You will recognize them. Some of them ought to be big hits. They are in our hearts.” It’s really special to hear the stories behind the hit songs from the person who wrote the words. •Camp Gordon Johnston World War II Museum, Carrabelle, Fla., www.campgordonjohnston.com or 1-850-697-3395. This museum is dedi cated to the Amphibious World War II soldiers who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston. •Crooked Creek Lighthouse, Carrabelle, Fla., www.crookedriver- lighthouse.org or 1-850-697-9790. This restored lighthouse is surrounded by forest and located near covered picnic shelters and a playground. It’s a great place for a family to stop during their visit to Franklin County. •John Gorrie Museum State Park, Apalachicola, Fla., www.flori- dastateparks.org/johngorriemuseum or 1-850-653-9347. Gorrie developed an ice machine used to cool his yel low fever patients’ room. It led to Dr. Gorrie receiving the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. •Orman House State Park, 177 5th Avenue, Apalachicola, www. floridastateparks.org/ormanhouse or 1-850-653-1209. This 1838 Greek Revival home overlooks the Apalachicola River and was built by Thomas Orman, a cotton merchant. SHOPPING Natural sponges, beachwear, home decor and jewelry are some of the items you will find in the charming and unique shops in Franklin County. A few must stops include: •Avenue E in Apalachicola has “old Florida attitude with fresh new style.” Antiques, interior decor and more are CROOKED CREEK LIGHTHOUSE Crooked Creek Lighthouse is a restored lighthouse surrounded by for est and located near covered picnic shelters and a play ground. It's a great place for a family to stop during their visit to Franklin County. found at this store located at the corner of Commerce Street and Avenue E in the historic Zingarelli Building. •Blue in Apalachicola has tons of unique items for the beach and home. It’s located at 31 Avenue E. •Apalachicola Sponge Company has natural sponges, handmade olive oil and goats milk soap. •Riverlily, a “shop for your senses,” has a huge variety of bath products, perfume and other fun personal prod ucts. It’s located at 78 Commerce Street in Apalachicola. •Southern Sage, located at 82 Market Street in Apalachicola, has antiques, local products and some great T-shirts with advertising from Bay City Packing Company. WHERE TO EAT Seafood lovers will be delighted with the opportunities in Franklin County. Those wonderful Apalachicola Bay Oysters are reason enough to visit the area. I made sure to have some oyster dish each meal, with oyster soup, fried continued on page 8B O! 50 ATTENTION! HAVE YOU GOT CREDIT CONCERNS? Do you need a 2nd chance with your vehicle financing? Do you need dependable transportation? LET YOUR JOB HISTORY AND YOUR DOWN PAYMENT BE YOUR CREDIT! CALL 866-636-4881 High % of approvals Hwy. 441 in Commerce 706-335-3196 • 800-798-7435 www.wayneneal.com SERVICE HOURS: M-F 7:30-6:00 • Sat. 8:00-4:00