Alligator Point, Florida

The natural beauty of Phipps Preserve
can leave one at a loss of adjectives

My childhood memories of Alligator Point, Florida, are lengthy and fun-filled.  Located just off Highway 98, the coastal highway hugging the West coast of Florida, the peninsula got its name from its 'footprint' on the map, stretching out like an alligator.  My family has been coming to Alligator Point for years due to its close proximity to our hometown.  Some live on the Point year-round and others come for weekend respites escaping the hectic workweek in the nearby capital city of Tallahassee.  Only 200 yards wide in some spots, many homes are built on stilts to survive the occasional hurricane that comes near.  Hurricane Agnes caused the most destruction at Alligator Point.  On June 19, 1972, the hurricane, which originated on the Yukatan Peninsula, made a direct hit on nearby Panama City and destroyed a number of homes built flat on the sand.  
One of the appealing aspects of this destination is the slow pace of life.  Traffic is non-existent as are shops and stores.  It's a five mile trip back to Ochlocknee Bay for groceries.  

At the western end of the Point stands a chain link fence warning visitors of No Trespassing.  This begins Phipps Preserve, named after its benefactor, John S. Phipps, who donated the land at the urging of islander, Dr. Charlie Watt.  One interesting aspect of the preserve is that it is actually a growing land mass.

Years ago this post marked the end of Alligator Point's
western tip.  Sand has built up through the years
adding hundreds of yards to where Gulf used to be

Navigation posts for fisherman which used to mark the tip of the Point are now hundreds of yards back as nature has seen fit to add fresh deposits of sand to this spectacular scenic wonder.  Thus, reachable only by boat.

To see a You Tube video of the trip, click on the following link Alligator Point Kayaking