Getting some sun at the Cedar Key beach

Cedar Key Beach & Cedar Cove Resort

Cedar Key is a small fishing community about 75 miles due west of Ocala located on the Gulf of Mexico. We visit Cedar Key several times a year and take a plethora of photos. Cedar Key is noted for its clams and from what I've heard they are very good. There is a small beach and a playground which, in nice weather, are quite busy with families enjoying both of those amenities.

Photo by Lois Anne.

Note: This has been cross-posted to our Ocala blog.

This Bird Has Gone "Postal"

The Seabreeze Tower

We first ate at the Seabreeze restaurant in Cedar Key in the summer of 1988. Since that time it has undergone a number of changes and for awhile it was shut down completely.

But the tower has always fascinated me and I've taken dozens of photos of it.

Today, the Seabreeze be called something else.  When this photo was taken, it appeared to be undergoing substantial remodeling and there was some indication it might re-open under a new name.

That would be a shame.

Cedar Key Kayaks in Color

Cedar Key Beach

The Rusty Rim

When we first visited Cedar Key in December of 1988, the Rusty Rim was a well-established restaurant on the Dock known as The Captain's Table. Down through the years, the Captain's Table disappeared and other eateries came on the scene. The last of these was called The Rusty Rim. Back in the good old days, a pier jutted out from the restaurant into the Gulf of Mexico. We loved to sit on that pier and watch the sun go down while drinking frozen margaritas.

We can't do that anymore. Due to various storms and a fire which occurred a couple of years ago, there isn't much left to the building. In fact, that's what you see in these photos - what's left. It's sad, but time moves on, and we're hoping that some other entrepreneur will come along and open a new, Florida-style restaurant. If that happens, we'll be at the head of the line.

Dolphin Light

On The Beach

The Famous Island Hotel

Cedar Key Storm Damage

When we drove into Cedar Key, we noticed a large house trailer in the marina parking lot.  Then we saw the FEMA sign.  It turns out that Cedar Key was hit by a big storm suddenly and without warning.  The waters churned up underneath the Dock and did quite a bit of damage there.  Then waves carrying mud and trash crashed ashore to damage buildings over a block away.

The Cedar Key Gallery & Gift Shop

Not long ago, Cedar Key was hit by a strong storm that came up suddenly and caught everyone unawares. I will show more photos of some of the storm damage in the near future. The Cedar Keyhole, an artist's cooperative, is located on Main Street, a couple of blocks from the water. But the storm was so strong it carried water and mud from the marina area through this building doing extensive damage.

Fortunately, many items were able to be salvaged and the Keyhole is back in business. If you're ever in Cedar Key, please stop by and look at the beautiful work of the artists who express themselves in various mediums - photography, oils, water colors, sculpture, and a variety of other arts and crafts.

Catching signals & solar rays on the pier

Main Street

Family Fun on the Cedar Key Beach

Cedar Key School Mascot

A Conversation at the Harbor Master Complex

Back of the Dock, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico

This was cross-posted to Ocala & Central Florida Photos.

Riding Duo

Cedar Key is a great place to raise kids. I think. These young ladies were enjoying a warm October day without a care in the world.

I almost stopped to lecture them on bicycle safety, but figured that wouldn't win any friends. :)

This was cross-posted to Ocala & Central Florida Photos.

Women Bikers Take Over Cedar Key

We thought we'd take a nice leisurely drive over to Cedar Key.  It's about 75 miles west of where we live in Ocala.

Coming up Highway 19, we were overtaken by a group of women bikers, most of whom were driving beautiful Harleys.  I'm guessing there were about 30 people in the group.  

They turned left on County Road 24 and we followed.  Sure enough they led us right into Cedar Key.

At that point they went their way and we went ours.  We saw some on the Dock later, and ran into a couple of other women bikers who were not part of the group, but said some of the women were their friends.

As we left, we noted the women's bikes still parked on the bridge, and another smaller group of bikers heading into the dock.

There's just something about Cedar Key that calls to Bikers everywhere!

This was cross-posted to Ocala & Central Florida Photos.