Located just North of Eagles Nest and Mount Royal Aerodromes in Northeast Florida, Palatka (Key Larkin 28J) is in easy reach to a variety of experiences and wonderful selection of authentic southern dishes that will please any range of GA visitors.I’ll lay out several itineraries for a stop-in to Key Larkin Airfield to accommodate both brief and longer visits to the area.
The first reason to visit the brand new terminal is Avgas. Key Larkin’s fuel buyer is committed to offering the cheapest prices for fuel possible. Clearly, she is doing a great job because our purchases have been consistently the best deal on the eastern seaboard.
The least you can expect to save is .10 c per gallon up to $2.00 per gallon, so plan on filling up!
Courtesy cars are available for up to two hours by phoning ahead 386-329-0148 or 386-329-0149, or shoot them an email at Palatka28J@hotmail.com. Dave is the friendly fellow at the front desk and he’ll be pleased to help you with any request.
SHORT VISITS – just breakfast or lunch
If you are stopping in on a weekday and just looking to grab a good breakfast or quick lunch, City Café is where the locals dine. The cafe is well-known for reliably tasty breakfasts and their homemade potato soup made from spuds grown just down the street. Unfortunately, they are not open weekends.
If you are looking for a longer lunch with fabulous scenery, check out Trip Advisor’s number one rated establishment for the area, Corky Bell's. A very busy restaurant perched alongside the beautiful St. John ’s River.
If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some alligators or manatees from your waterside table while chowing down on a variety of seafood dishes. Corky Bell's serves everything from traditional lunch and dinner fare to “swamp” dishes like alligator, frog legs and a local specialty, fried catfish. While I’m not a seafood eater, Peter and others have told me the fish and shrimp are very good.
Like most restaurants in Northeastern Florida, avoid the water and ice. I find they generally taste awful. When possible, I order all beverages bottled.
After your meal, take an unguided tour of Palatka's historic architecture. You can pick up a full color guide at the airfield.
LONGER VISITS – activities and food
One of Palatka’s best kept secrets is Ravine Gardens State Park. It’s smack dab in Palatka, but hidden off-the beaten path next to a hideous power transfer station. It’s like stumbling upon an emerald in a puddle of mud. In fact, I spent six months traveling by car to Palatka on errands and had no idea it existed until I conducted research for this blog.
I suggest stopping in at City Café and ordering a lunch to go, then driving the five minutes to Ravine Gardens for an unforgettable picnic.
“A ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. Johns River. In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system. A1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering motorists and bicyclists a view of the gardens. The Ravine Loop is closed to vehicle traffic one hour before sunset, but remains open for pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs. The garden's peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April. Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available to visitors.”
Peter and I drove around the ravine, pulling over from time to time and walking down into it. The park is impeccably kept and is an excellent example of Florida landscape architecture. From suspension bridges, limestone pillars, magnificent gardens, and a canapy of live oak and cypress, you’ll feel as you’ve been transported back in time to an unspoiled Florida.
In the spring, blooming Azaleas take over the park and live outdoor concerts are held in the amphitheater. Bring a blanket and some snacks and prepare to hear some terrific local musicians jam.
Further afield, 20 minutes west of Palatka in Interlachen, Florida, you’ll find the charming Backwoods Smokehouse.
There are two reasons for taking the trip to the Backwoods. First, at the restaurant you can catch a kayak tour and spend a couple hours not just alligator and bird watching, but monkey spotting! Yes, monkeys minus the zoo! All the while burning off some calories paddling Florida’s natural lakes and springs.
If at all possible, take the tour of my favorite spot, the Ocklawaha River. Not only will you find an abundance of cranes, herons, eagles and many other birds, I generally see 5-8 large gator’s in just a two hour trip.
The second reason to visit Interlachen is the Backwoods Smokehouse. Decorated in traditional back-country style, their menu offers the best of real southern cooking. From ribs, pulled pork to collard greens, real baked beans, and sweet potatoes. They also offer home baked deserts and ice cream. To take home, their homemade jams, jellies and sauces by the jar are delicious.
Now, I know what you’re wondering, “Leslie, the courtesy car is only for 2 hours?” Yes, you are right. I would either rent a car for the day, or better still, take another couple with you on the adventure and piggy back the two hour limit for a total of four hours. The more the merrier anyhow, right?
When conducting my research, I did find a number of negative reviews about the Backwoods Smokehouse. Generally, the service is “okay,” the servers aren’t particularly friendly. For us, the food was good, but stay away from the sliced pork as it is quite fatty. You can’t go wrong with the ribs and pulled pork sandwich, and the corn bread is the best I’ve ever had.
The perfect day for me, would be to eat lunch at the Smokehouse, take the kayak tour, then return to the smokehouse for desert on the way back to the airport. Yes, you guessed it—I love food!
Bon Appetite, y'all!
