Pleasant though Tallahassee was, it was only meant to be a brief stopover before we could go to the beach house we are renting for the holiday. After breakfast we loaded the car and set off. It was excruciatingly hot and so humid that sweat did not evaporate, instead it merely passed downwards under gravity.
The roads were great. Perhaps it is because Tallahassee is the capital city or perhaps it is just the lack of heavy use, but compared to New York's battered highways they are smooth as silk. Still, as we drove on it became increasingly clear just how remote it was becoming. The only regular non-residential buildings were churches and being Sunday their car parks were full.
Eventually we hit the coast and saw the Gulf. Since the house wasn't available till later we took a small detour to St George Island. The park we stopped in was not dog friendly at all but we took a paddle in the water. It was a shock: warm, really warm. All I can say it was like a bath really. Pip had to stay in the car with the air-con on so we did not linger and continued onwards.
The house is in a gated community and has its own private, dog-friendly beach. The ground floor is a covered area for the car, with an outside shower for getting rid of the sand and another shower hose for cleaning your boat.
On the next level is a spacious lounge with a couple of sofas, dining table and huge kitchen. The striking thing is just how beautifully furnished it is. Every little detail suggests that someone has lived here and thought it through. There's a fishing net that cunningly obscures the fuse box and a shelf made from a boat rudder stacked with carved sea-birds. There is a terrace at the rear which overlooks the lake and from which you can fish.
The top floor has two palatial bedrooms, both ensuite and both with terraces. It also is carpeted which is novel.
We opted for a quick trip to the beach. The sand is white, its only fault being how hot it was. The sea is indeed like a bath. Pippin was one of several dogs on the beach but the only one not to care for it. When we were out in the water she plunged in after us although it was clearly no pleasure. It was already six o'clock and we decided that was enough. When we return with chairs and shade Pip may enjoy it more.
At Harriet's insistence we then tried out one of the two swimming pools. Then it was home for dinner and bed. She did not go willingly.
Still, it was not a proper day. That will come tomorrow. We had steaks on the barbeque and then retired to the top terrace. I am writing this under the stars.
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