This is an artistic image from our recent visit to Steinhatchee for some scalloping. It's a small community on the Gulf Coast of Florida, often referred to as the Forgotten Coast. If you visit this coastal town, you'll understand why. It's not bursting with franchised businesses, there is no such thing as a convenient Walmart run. Its actually quite laid back and peaceful. If I had to guess, I would say the one thing keeping it alive (thriving really when season is open), is the scalloping and fishing enthusiasts that swarm to the area every summer. It brings alive the waterside restaurants and marinas. Boats and watercraft are constant on the Steinhatchee River. I stood on the bank this day, catching whiffs of the salty brine marsh breezes, while I took photos of these two apparently abandoned sail boats on the opposite bank. Perhaps they are remnants of the category three hurricane Idalia that tore through this area on August 30, 2023 causing catastrophic flooding. And another category one hurricane Debby that walloped the area earlier this month.

The name Steinhatchee is derived from the Native American phrase meaning "river of man". It is indeed the lifeblood to this little town.

Steinhatchee