Chiles and His Florida: Carrabelle

Carrabelle is a small sport-fishing town settled next to the Gulf of Mexico about an hour away from Tallahassee. It is was not on the Walk--in fact none of the coastal Panhandle was. But it's a town that depends on the sea for food, fun, and a way of life. Visiting it a couple weeks ago brought back memories of seaside towns along the Chesapeake Bay that thrived on boat-building and trade in the 19th century and before; but now pray for tourists to keep afloat financially.

Carrabelle is in Franklin County, outside the Cotton Belt and gateway to the most conservative counties of the Panhandle like Calhoun, Washington, and Holmes. Since Chiles is gone, no Democrat can speak "cracker" well enough to even put up a fight in this region. Worse, few try. It's a big risk in leaving Dade and Broward to go mix with hunters and fishermen in a place like Carrabelle, but a big payoff too. A Democrat who can get votes in the Panhandle outside of Tallahassee is dangerous.

Pirate's Landing restaurant. A storm was brewin' as I chomped on fried shrimp.

The road to Carrabelle. Not a Wendy's or McDonald's in sight. This is hunting and fishing country.