January 23, 2017 – Monday Afternoon
After visiting St. Andrews State Park we took US 98 West to Camp Helen State Park, what a gem! Surrounded by Lake Powell on the east and north, and The Gulf of Mexico on the south, this park made for a perfect beach walk and nature outing.
As we drove over Phillips Inlet Bridge we saw men holding measuring tapes over the bridge and wondered what they were doing.
When we arrived at Camp Helen the park ranger explained that the men were measuring the height of the lake to ensure that the lake level was not too high, if the water level of the lake is high they have to dredge Phillips Inlet to let water flow into the gulf so that the septic tanks along Lake Powell do not pollute the lake.
Prehistoric middens and mounds in the area indicate that humans lived here more than 4,000 years ago. In the early 20th century 185 acres was developed by Robert E. Hicks and his wife, Margret May as a summer home, with the lodge and out buildings being built in the 1930’s. In the 1940’s Hicks sold the summer home to Avondale Textile Mills of Sylacauga, Ala. After adding twelve duplex cottages and a recreation hall the company turned the site into a resort for their employees, which operated from 1945 and 1987. In 1996, Camp Helen became a State Park is designated as an archeological and historic site.
Great day park for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, beach combing, swimming, picnicking and bird watching.
January 24, 2017 – Tuesday
E. B. and Pat drove over from Mexico Beach and took us to lunch at Uncle Ernies, St. Andrews Bay in Panama City. Great food and great friends, can’t be beat.