Tallahassee: Earned the Hard Way
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Tallahassee tested us right out of the gate. As we rolled into town, a torrential downpour moved in along with flash flood warnings. Our plan was to stay at High Bluff Campground at Lake Talquin State Park, a quiet spot on a lake that’s popular with anglers, but the last few miles to the campground are down a dirt road. I’d read enough to know that heavy rain and that road don’t mix, so we played it safe and picked the Cracker Barrel parking lot for an overnight stay. We hadn’t eaten at Cracker Barrel in forever, so we went in for nice dinner. Danny was especially pleased to discover beer on the menu, which felt well-earned after driving through that monsoon.
Sunrise at Lake Talquin
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The next morning, the weather finally cleared and we decided to try again for the campground. The dirt road leading into High Bluff was still muddy in spots, and a few sections felt a little precarious. Once we committed with the camper, there wasn’t anywhere to turn around, so we crossed our fingers and pushed through, hoping for the best.
Thankfully, we made it in without incident. Once we were set up, we decided to stay put for the day and let the road dry out a bit more. Evidence of the previous night’s storm was still everywhere. A tree was down in the campground, and power lines lay across part of the road, a reminder of how rough things had been the evening before.
The next morning, Lake Talquin was calm and glowing, with mist lifting off the water as the sun came up. After the rain, the mud, and the uncertainty of getting in, the sunrise felt like a quiet reward.
The highlight of our time here, though, was something we’d planned well in advance. We booked a private tour of the Lewis Spring House, the only private residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Florida. Danny is a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan, so this was a must.
Built in 1954, the house has a low, boat-like shape and sits naturally in the landscape, very much in line with Wright’s organic architecture philosophy. Inside, expansive windows blur the line between indoors and out, and the signature Cherokee Red concrete floors anchor the space. The home is still privately owned and undergoing restoration, which made the tour feel especially intimate. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside.
Afterwards, we spent a nice afternoon at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. We had a relaxed picnic by the lake before wandering through the gardens, where the azaleas and camellias were in full bloom. The paths, terraces, and quiet corners of the park were a welcome contrast to how our Tallahassee experience began.
Thankfully, we made it in without incident. Once we were set up, we decided to stay put for the day and let the road dry out a bit more. Evidence of the previous night’s storm was still everywhere. A tree was down in the campground, and power lines lay across part of the road, a reminder of how rough things had been the evening before.
The next morning, Lake Talquin was calm and glowing, with mist lifting off the water as the sun came up. After the rain, the mud, and the uncertainty of getting in, the sunrise felt like a quiet reward.
The highlight of our time here, though, was something we’d planned well in advance. We booked a private tour of the Lewis Spring House, the only private residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Florida. Danny is a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan, so this was a must.
Built in 1954, the house has a low, boat-like shape and sits naturally in the landscape, very much in line with Wright’s organic architecture philosophy. Inside, expansive windows blur the line between indoors and out, and the signature Cherokee Red concrete floors anchor the space. The home is still privately owned and undergoing restoration, which made the tour feel especially intimate. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside.
Afterwards, we spent a nice afternoon at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. We had a relaxed picnic by the lake before wandering through the gardens, where the azaleas and camellias were in full bloom. The paths, terraces, and quiet corners of the park were a welcome contrast to how our Tallahassee experience began.