It was cool and barely light outside when I took the girls for their morning walk. It was earlier than usual but I was trying to get on the road to St. Marks, Florida as early as possible. I pulled out of the driveway at 8:15 AM on Saturday morning February 5 and arrived in St. Marks at 2:30 PM. It was an easy drive and an interesting route that I have taken many times from Athens. Not sure if it’s the fastest route but it’s my favorite. Athens to Madison on 441, then Hwy 83 to Forsyth, then I-75 to Cordelle, then 300 the Georgia / Florida Parkway to Albany then 300/19 down to Capps. At the only intersection in Capps take a right on to 27, then a few miles down the road in Waukeenah make a short left, left, right jog down to Hwy 98. Then right onto Hwy 98 for a short to Hwy 59 (Lighthouse road) where you take a left to St. Marks. 

I had booked a room in the Sweet Magnolia Inn, the only place I know of to stay in St. Marks. It’s a small 6 room bed and breakfast that requires advanced reservations and does not offer Sunday check-ins – so plan your trip accordingly. More about this fabulous inn in a separate post.

St. Marks is a city in Wakulla County, Florida and is part of the Tallahassee metropolitan area. The city is located on the banks of the St. Marks river just before the river merges with the Wakulla River then flows to the Apalachee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. If you want to see birds or wildlife this is the place to be, St. Marks is flanked on the eastside with the Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area and the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the westside. St. Marks is also the location of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park.

There are a couple of good restaurants in St. Marks – The Riverside Café and Cooter Stew’s burger and wraps. I had good meals at both of them. A short drive down the road on Hwy 98 there is the famous Ouzts Too Seafood and Oyster Bar that always has live music on Sunday’s.