We headed north for a short trip!
The weather was going to be wet, very wet. Why you might ask? It’s hurricane season and one was brewing in the Gulf at that time.
We drove up via the interstate system and once we turned onto the main east/west route, we quickly ran into tree damage. A recent hurricane had gone through this part of Florida and the damage was still visible.
We could see exactly the path of the storm as the trees were broken differently on the opposite sides of the storm and eyewall.
Work was progressing for tree removal but ever so slowly.
We had one side trip planned before getting into Tallahassee. We own a plot of land and we hadn’t seen it in awhile. I’ll admit……………..we took a few wrong turns until we found the right turnoff.
Yep, the property was still intact – more overgrown than our last visit but no squatters had claimed it.
Rolled into Tallahassee later that evening and stopped at the rooftop bar for a nightcap and view of the city.
Our plan for the first full day in Tallahassee was to drive to Bradley’s Country Store via one of the ‘canopy roads’.
Canopy Roads are designated highways in the county protected by law and have a governing board.
They came into existence from old Indian trails that turned into market roads. Plantation owners lined both sides of the roads with LiveOak trees which gradually grew together to form a tree canopy.
Hurricanes and windstorms do a number on these roads and work was continuing when we visited. Right after the storm passed, looked like some of those roads were blocked.
Just a few minutes and twelve miles northeast of Tallahassee was our destination: Bradley’s Country Store – linking the present with the past.
It stands just as it did in 1927. Their trade, plain and simple, is selling the best, old fashioned, country smoked and fresh sausage that money can buy. Their front porch invites customers to sit awhile and enjoy the view. Indeed, while we were there a number of customers stopped, picked up a sausage sandwich and ate their lunch.
The tradition has endured through four generations of the Bradley family and still attracts thousands of customers from around the area and Southeast. They have expanded their offerings and while supplying a number of Tallahassee families and business with their products, they also ship upon request.
We also enjoyed a sausage sandwich before leaving and had the foresight to bring a cooler in order to bring home some of their sausage.
One more post highlighting our Tallahassee time.
Darden Travels 