I'm a fan of funny Florida crime fiction - an odd genre. Read Carl Hiassen or Tim Dorsey (among others) and you'll see references to Florida the way it used to be before rampant overdevelopment and destruction of natural and historical resources.

I took a ride this past weekend to Cedar Key. It's far from unspoiled, but there are quite a few remnants of the old days; wooden and tabby buildings, stretches of coast with nothing on them, a few signs for businesses around for over 100 years. No chain anything (I had to forego points ); small independent restaurants and motels, small food markets, no 200 foot high gas station signs.

I'm looking for other suggestions of concentrated Floridiana, preferably in the north 1/3 of the state. I've done St Augustine. I'd like to find a couple more treasures to explore along the Panhandle this winter.

Check out Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach in the Panhandle. I haven't been there, but I hear it's still very old-Florida.

They are now on my list. The Cedar Key suggestion came from a friend who used to take his kids there from Gainesville 30 years ago. Another friend used to vacation on St George Island. Also looking for confirmation on Steinhatchee and Keaton/Dekle Beach. I'm also open to suggestions away from the coast.

Are you aware, that it can be cold in North Florida in winter?

You'll find "Old Florida" in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island ... Sanibal and Captiva is also OK ... also some of the other islands like North Captiva.

www.bocagrandechamber.com/

Looks cool, but I'll need more than a weekend. I'm familiar with FL weather. Even when I lived in South FL (Martin County) there were nights when I could have used a heater.

I'm interested in the Panhandle because I can drive there in 5-6 hours, depending on location.

A half hour south of Cedar Key are several towns that match your criteria: Yankeetown, Crystal River, & Homosassa. All three are especially attractive for those who like uninhabited coastline, even if it's not sandy beaches.

If you find yourself in the Homosassa area and want to try a local "character" place for drinks or food, consider the Marguerita Grill.

Located on the Homosassa River, it has delicious fresh seafood (served sans pretension) and monstrous margaritas. The interior decor might be a little loud and patriotic for some; ask for a table out by the dock and you'll enjoy a charming view of the river and boats pulling up.

Look at Tallahassee and Pensacola and places around them - like Wakulla Springs (and the Wakulla Springs Lodge) - Havana - Thomasville (in GA). Also the small towns that dot US 90 (which runs roughly parallel to I-10). There are some interesting areas in and around Gainesville - but most of the fun events are in the fall and spring. Crystal River is a nice place to canoe and try to find manatees. Note that the Legislature is in session during large parts of the beginning of the year - and that rooms in and around Tallahassee can be hard/impossible to find. You've been to St. Augustine. Have you been to Amelia Island? We once took a trip where we stayed in Ocala for about 4 days - and did day trips to out-of-the way areas (including Cedar Key) - meandering about. Because the weather can be pretty cold this time of year (too cold for things like canoes) - I'd shoot for something in the very early to early spring - where you can see all the spring flowers (even the most run-down doublewide looks great when it's surrounded by huge azaleas in bloom). Robyn

I've been to Thomasville. I almost moved there 2 years ago. I didn't get to see too much of the area, though. My in-laws are in Leesburg. We usually visit during Spring Break. That might make a good base in April to cover a few places around Ocala. Tallahassee is doable from here on a weekend and there's no need to stay right in the city.

If you are in the Ocala area, swing through Williston. It's 'grown up' in recent years, but the old Florida is still there. I always considered Williston the small-town where Dad grew-up. Then I discovered that divers (even here in STL) know Williston for those sink holes out in the cow pastures. (Devils Den & Blue Grotto)

Along Hwy 121 between Williston & Gainesville is Wacahoota. You'll miss it if you blink, but the oldest active Methodist church in the state is right here on the side of the road. If you like old cemetaries, check this one out. (And, if you are around the end of August, the annual service & dinner on the grounds is held on Sunday afternoon.)

Not sure if these are what you are looking for, but when I think of "old Florida" the tourist sites that come to mind are Silver Springs, Bok Tower Gardens, Steven Foster state park and further south Vizcaya and the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. You might find some interesting spots onthis list.

I haven't been to Williston in a long time. But last time I was there - there was one restaurant. A meat and three kind of place run by a lady who moved to Williston from Brooklyn. Luckily - she made a mean fried chicken .

There are plenty of weird little towns in Florida. Like Chiefland - where they did (and maybe still do) parade the prisoners from the jail to the courthouse in leg chains. And Arcadia - where the semi-abandoned hotel in the middle of town - which still served meals - looked haunted (it may not exist anymore). When we drive in Levy County (Big Bend area) - my husband and I have a game. Try to find a road sign without a bullet hole.

Then there is the old brick road somewhat near where we live: http://www.flaglercounty.org/pages.php?PB=186. We discovered it by mistake - thinking it was a real road (we were trying to get off the beaten path and we did!). Note that people steal the bricks so this isn't a road you want to travel on without a spare tire.

For those of you off-road people - there is actually an atlas of Florida roads which includes all unpaved roads (doubt you'll find them on your GPS). All you need is some time - and a desire to poke around. On our part - my husband and I practiced law statewide for quite a while. And when we had to drive from "here" to "there" for the umpteenth time - we got bored with the main roads - and - if we had time - we got off them and explored.

Mind you - most of these places are not undiscovered tourist gems. They are just "old" (and frequently poor) Florida. Still - you never know what you're going to find.

Totally off topic - there have to be some Dave Barry fans reading this thread. Below is the link to his new 2008 "Year in Review". It is IMO one of the best he's written in years. Of course - he had a lot of material to work with !

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/co...ry/826965.html

Was the restaurant the Chick Inn? Not sure if it's still there, but it was the only restaurant for YEARS. It's been a while since I've been down, but there has been progress: The Ivy House received a positive review from Mom on their last trip.

Florida does have it's share of "undiscovered" little towns - and I wouldn't advise the typical (Disney; FLL cruise) tourist to search them out. However, if BamaVol is up for it.

Thanks for the Dave Berry link. I'm a big fan!

Are you referring to the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer series? I've bought one for 3 of the last 4 states I've lived in. If you can't find it there, it's in another dimension. I'm not much on off-roading, but back-roading is a passion.

I pulled out my Atlas - and that's what it is - DeLorme. Even though I have an older edition - it includes GPS grids for people who really aren't all that great with maps. I would just advise that not all roads are created equal - and that when you're driving on non-paved roads - it's best to have a good spare tire (and to know how to change it). Also - for people renting cars - check your rental contract - because driving on unpaved roads and places like beaches may void whatever insurance you have.

scoow - I couldn't remember the name of that restaurant if my life depended on it. And whatever it was then - it is almost not certainly the same now. But I am sure that similar places exist - because I've dined in them over the last couple of years.

Anyway - hope all you guys down south (and elsewhere) had your collards and blackeyed peas and cornbread today. If you did - I shouldn't have to wish you anything - but I won't take any chances and will wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Robyn

Any other fans of old Florida might be interested in a website I found. You may already be familiar with Tim Dorsey, Tampa based author. His website is timdorsey.com. The Roadkill Cyber-Index is a nice list (some expired) of sites with info on Floridiana.

If you pass through the Gainesville/Ocala area, plan a detour through Williston and over to Cross Creek where the Yearling restaurant is located. They specialize in traditional Florida Cracker cuisine, which is based on the local fish and game (catfish, frog, rabbit, alligator, snake, venison, cooter (look it up), etc.). The drive will take you through some very lovely country.

The appropriate companion reading material would be the writings of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and John Audubon.