Mount Sutro: An Electronic Periodical

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The Times I Am Watching Every Word You Say

A payphone installed in Lake Talquin and the public dock at The Whip Waterfront Pub and Grub at The Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge.

3103 Cooks Landing Road, Quincy, Florida: 15 October 2016

part of the Mobile album


Today I went for a drive heading west, eventually finding myself at the The Whip Waterfront Pub and Grub at The Whippoorwill Sportsman's Lodge. Situated on the shore of Lake Talquin about thirty miles or forty-five minutes west of Tallahassee, The Whip has a covered wooden deck outside with seating for about twenty people and an indoor bar. There is also a bait and tackle shop, boat ramp, campground and cottages.

While overlooking the lake and watching alligators, herons and egrets, I thoroughly enjoyed the "Carolina Rig" BBQ bacon burger with potato salad ($12.50) as well as draft pints of Cigar City Brewing Oktoberfest ($5.00). I found the slogan "great view, good food, lousy service" to be inaccurate as the view, food and service were all quite excellent.

Before leaving, I asked my server Samantha if there was a story behind the payphone in the lake, accessible only by boat. She said that it had originally been in the parking lot. Once it stopped working, the owner thought that it would be funny to move it into the water next to their public dock, where boaters can moor whilst enjoying a meal at the restaurant or purchasing supplies.

On my trip home, I pulled off of Cooks Landing Road not far from The Whip for a hike along the Lines Tract Off-Road Bicycle Trail in the Lake Talquin State Forest managed by the Florida Forest Service. From the small parking lot with a picnic area and toilet, one can hike or bike through the forest on the Talquin Loop Trail (6 miles) and Longleaf Loop Trail (4.5 miles). There is an honor system $2 fee per visitor.

I enjoyed my little day trip today so much that I have already invited a friend to come and join me repeat it in a few weeks. Learning a lesson from today, I will be sure to bring my camera bag with me for that trip. Smartphone cameras may be good enough for many people, but I always find them to be inadequate and regret not having my real camera.

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