Wandering With Jean & Bill: 78.7/15 Nature(s) Coast Florida

NATURES COAST RV RESORT

Anthony Tocco, former manager of Sahara Village Park where we live, searched for several years for a piece of property to develop. He and his wife, Lavonne, looked all across the southern U.S., preferring a warm climate, near a body of water. They finally found a desirable place that would take all their skills in construction, management and business acumen: an abandoned small “Park” on the Gulf Coast, near Steinhatchee Florida. They moved to Florida in mid-April, about the same time we began our trip.

The park had been closed for two years; and now Anthony and Lavonne have been at work on their “baby” for 8 weeks.

Natures Coast RV Resort

The “WOW” factor is what they were looking for, and I think they are finding it. As you drive in on the palm-lined colorful graveled entry way, you are struck with how neat and well arranged everything is. It looks like a perfect place to sit back, feet up, and watch the clouds roll by. There are many other attractions nearby of course—this is the Nature Coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico—vacation-land for residents of many nearby states (and a place that hurricanes consistently miss). Our friends in Pensacola said, “Steinhatchee is like Pensacola used to be before the hurricanes hit us the last few years.”

Lavonne Busy Grooming the Grass

The property is surrounded by impenetrable tropical jungle. The grounds (15 rentable spaces at the moment) and the swimming pool are already impeccably neat.

Anthony and Lavonne Making Construction Decisions

When you’re the boss the hours are long.

View across the pond

The pond has a patch of cat-tails, a multitude of frogs, and several kinds of fish—no live alligators yet. Around the edge grows the attractive sky-blue flowered water plant, Pontederia cordata, “pickerel weed” found along water courses throughout tropical areas.

Pontederia cordata, “pickerel weed”

They even have banana plants. Lavonne pointed proudly to their first banana flower and fruit forming on one stalk. The shore also supports Canna florida, a short, yellow flowered native species. The showiest of all is several clumps of Hibiscus coccineus, at least 6 ft. tall and covered with large red flowers.

Hibiscus coccineus

It’s a beautiful setting, but very hot and humid; a few minutes outside and you are drenched in sweat. The Toccos seem to thrive here, as do the many people who choose to live in this climate. Air-conditioned houses and cars, fans, showers and pools, water or other drinks always at hand make Florida livable. Anyone who likes to fish or play at any water sport is in their element.

Fountain in the Middle of the Pond

Is this the fabled “Fountain of Youth” Ponce de Leon was looking for?—maybe for our friends Anthony and Lavonne Tocco.

Their web site: www.naturescoastrvresort.com

STEINHATCHEE, FLORIDA

Steinhatchee is first of all a boating and fishing paradise.

Steinhatchee is located off the US19/US27 between Talhassee and Gainsville, Florida, sort of in the “armpit” of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The coastal area for a couple of hundred miles is called “Nature Coast.”