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.

Roman Ruins in Cedar Key?

A welcoming entryway - downtown Cedar Key

The Mullet House

For some reason I call this the Mullet House. I don't know why.

A Stilted House

A house in Cedar Key must be built high enough to withstand the surge of water from hurricane force winds. That generally means it must be 12 feet above ground as that's the high-level watermark in Cedar Key. A stilted house like this allows the water to run under the house and hopefully leave the structure with little or no damage.

Island Pizzeria

We have yet to patronize this establishment but have been told their pizza is excellent. Maybe next time we drive to Cedar Key we stop by the Island Pizzeria.

Back Bay and Water Tower

From this spot in the back bay area, one can get a good view of the Cedar Key water tower.

Horse Drawn Open Carriage

A horse drawn open carriage is a very popular way to see Cedar Key in relative comfort, especially on warm days. The first shot was taken on Main Street in downtown Cedar Key. The second photo comes from the Dock area. I hope all the horses are treated as well as the one in the second picture seems to be.

Lighting Up the Cedar Key Park

Staircase at the Island Hotel

Ready to go...

...fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Along Main Street

Girl With a Line

No, silly, a fishing line! Fishing is a great way to spend a beautiful sunny afternoon in Cedar Key.

Through the House to the Sea

Dolphin Light

Heading into Cedar Key

This is what it looks like as you head into Cedar Key toward the downtown area.

A Right Wing Redneck Truck

Be sure to click on the photo to embiggen it and read more clearly these succinct and ignorant political expressions.

The Cedar Key Museum

Pirates Cove

An old-timey place to stay when you visit Cedar Key.

Johnson & Allen Smoked Mullet

The "Honeymoon" Cottage Is About Over

This old shack, an iconic Cedar Key landmark, is not much longer for this world. As I recall, the bottom photo was taken in 1988, the first time we vacationed in Cedar Key.

It is known as the "Honeymoon Cottage," and was built by Henry Taylor in 1959 for Phillip and Margaret Thomas of Gainesville.

Constructed on stilts about 300 feet from the shore, it was connected to land by a long narrow boardwalk also on stilts.

Over the years, various storms have taken their toll. In 1985, the cottage was pretty much destroyed by Hurricane Elena. Since then, other storms have destroyed bit and pieces of it until there is nothing left except a few of the stilts and a few boards.

Personally, I think the city of Cedar Key should rebuild the cottage for it has become such an important part of Cedar Key's soul!


RIP.  The entire photo blogging community is in mourning today after learning of the death of Tina and Tom Forrester who were killed in a car accident a couple of days ago in southern Ontario.  Tina, known as EG, or Cameral Girl, was a good friend and an excellent photographer.  We will miss her greatly.  Our deepest sympathy goes out to their families.

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

Panorama -- Looking Back at the Cedar Key Dock

Cedar Key is an island fishing village west of Ocala on the Gulf of Mexico. It has, for the most part, escaped the ravages of time and modernization, looking much as it did when we first visited the island in 1988. This was cross-posted to Ocala & Central Florida Photos.

Cedar Key Christmas Tree

Obviously this photo was taken a couple of months ago. It's not something I've seen before in Cedar Key, and we've been there on many occasions during the Christmas season. I thought it was rather creative and fun and certainly appropriate for Cedar Key.

Family Outing

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago when the temperature was much warmer. There would be nobody sunbathing on the Cedar Key beach today. Temps are in the 50s!

Four Ways to Discover Cedar Key

There are other ways to discover Cedar Key also:  By foot, motor scooter, motorcycle, and golf cart.  Off land any boat will do. 

This was cross-posted to our Ocala & Central Florida blog.

This post was updated on 1/13/16.