Fantasy Island
The two things I see the most of in Cedar Key that I wasn’t expecting are the palm tree berries strewn all over sidewalks and the golf carts. The carts go about 20 miles an hour and are the preferred mode of in-town transportation for many Islanders. Everyone personalizes their carts with stickers, flags or awnings, and some even name them. The one at the campground parked next to the fuchsia and peach colored office building is decorated with pink flowers and says “Hootchie Mama” on the side.
Our island bike rides have been frequently interrupted for me to stop and take photos of` golf carts. When we came across one made to look like an old car, we parked our bikes and got a better look. I only got in it because the owners came along and encouraged me to.
While peddling up and down side streets and noting “for sale signs” in front of houses and lots, we began to fantasize Cedar Key living for ourselves. But I cautioned Joe, “I don’t want to get too attached.” Knowing that I’m already torn between two places, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Floyd and the Massachusetts peninsula I grew up on, I wondered how I could manage being split in thirds. 
The cozy pastel painted cottages with screened in porches and old trees in their yards impress me more than some of the newly built larger homes. The island keeps its charm because there are hardly any high rise condos lining the coast. The few that do exist are on the low side of high rise and fit tastefully in with the island atmosphere.
Peddling out of the city limits, I was thinking about the laid back feel of the island when we ran into our old Floyd neighbor, Pat, headed for the grocery store in her golf cart. I can barely get used to seeing her in Cedar Key and seeing her tooling around in a golf cart really stretches my sense of reality.
She pulled over to chat. “Don’t you feel like you’re in another world here?” I asked her.
“I feel like I’m living in a storybook,” she answered.
“And I’m already picking out colors of paint for our house,” I joked.
Post note: Later I saw Pat again in the golf cart with fishing poles sticking out of the back. She and her husband were heading to the pier for some fishing. I was sitting on a patch of grass in the back of the Park Street motel picking up wireless. “It’s a small world here on the island!” I shouted out to them.
February 14th, 2007 12:08 am
That’s really amazing, how you are so far from home, and able to see so many people that you know in such a different environment. I’ve enjoyed catching up on your trip. Between your trip and my sister’s, my cold rainy day seems a lot colder.
February 14th, 2007 6:06 am
I hear the strains of the Island calling to you Collween, and I must say, it sounds irresistable….I can see how you might be fantisizing about a third place to pull you and Cedar Key seems the perfect Island to do that….Maybe just a few months in the Winter? Sounds good to me!
February 14th, 2007 9:00 am
This looks like so much fun!
When I look out my window this morning it is snowing and only getting worse. My fingers are frozen.
Happy Valentines!
February 14th, 2007 9:01 am
I love that shot of you and the fancy golf carts! Stay out of trouble down there…..you know Cedar Key has some wild and crazy residents! (oh, sorry Terri!)
Looks and sounds like you guys are really enjoying yourselves. It was so nasty with icy rain last night, school is out today so you’re gone at a good time.
February 14th, 2007 12:01 pm
Colleen,
Love the customized golf carts! They may need a new name since they’re not used much for golf. What a great way to tool around.
February 14th, 2007 8:40 pm
Wow. I thought you were on a tropical island at first, not in the US. We’re planning a trip to Jamaica and have to deal with passports, but this place looks just as wonderful. I love the golf carts and the bookstore and the homey feel of the place.
February 15th, 2007 6:28 am
Hi Coleen
Looks like your having a great time in Ceder keys.
im glad the owner come so you could sit it golf cart.
Take care keep the camera clicking.(((HUGS)))
February 15th, 2007 9:15 am
It sounds like a delightful place, Colleen. Your descriptions are very vivid.
February 15th, 2007 10:49 am
Now that is a FANCY golf cart… a rolls?
I’ve heard that the Keys are beautiful and the weather wonderful, except for hurricane season. It would be a wonderful place to visit… when the winter winds are blowing and wind chills are -34 up north.
February 15th, 2007 11:24 am
Glad you enjoyed my island so much, but sorry we couldn’t connect while you were here.
I was somewhat surprised you weren’t aware that the golf carts are our main mode of transportation around the island, as it seems I’m always talking about that on my blog….so will just have to take another photo of our “Hollymobile” for an entry next week.
And like Pat….living here is a dream come true. After visiting here for 15 years and planning….it became a reality. Can’t believe we’ll be living here 2 years already on Saturday! And what a great 2 years it’s been.
Safe trip back home.