Thanks to Angie Hogan for this guest post!

Cruising along the street, listening to the sweet tunes of nature. Crossing the memorial bridge and seeing the sign of Palatka, welcoming all to the city of historical beauty and nature. Upon arriving, finding food in this nostalgic city was a top priority, and the options were limitless. The only issue was deciding on what to eat between me and my best friend. On one hand, he saw seafood and craved it dearly, while on the other, I wanted something more American.

We ended up stopping in Pizza Boyz, where the pizza was fresh and made so you cannot refuse. It was as if the chef heard my stomach growl and somehow knew how to prepare my pizza extra cheesy just for me. While I ordered by the slice, my best friend ordered some “cheesy fries” which were not only served with cheese. My best friend plate was served with fresh fries with cheese, pepperoni, and sauce on the side. I enjoyed my meal but could not resist eating from my bestie’s. With full bellies, we proceeded on down the main road and stopped in on some retro shops that welcomed us as if they seen us there before.

This made shopping and looking around so much more easier. With the pleasantries given to us at the door, we were not afraid to ask questions about the stores and their history. Enjoying our time in stores like The Shoppe, Needful Things, Hometown Comics and Collectibles, and Bingo Palace to name a few.
Once we reached the St Johns River, we visited the River Center for a quick information session. Afterwards, a tree was found and we rested underneath it to regain our strength and appreciate the outdoors with the cool breeze. After an hour or so, we journeyed back up the strip and stepped in on Angel’s Dining Car, which was an actual train car before it was renovated and updated. This time, we settled for a cheeseburger platter with a Pusalow to wash down the tease of our delicious food we ate. A Pusalow is a special house blend at Angel’s Dining Car and it is worth every cent! With our bellies full yet again, we were ready to return home, but not without concluding our trip at the Ravine Garden State Park.

This beauty looks as if it came straight from heaven and landed on Earth. With a natural made amphitheater, this place is so nicely preserved and maintained, it is as if we touched down in ancient Greece or somewhere of the sorts. We had the pleasure of staying in the car and riding on a marked trail to not interfere or disturb the natural wildlife.
On our way back towards home, we were star struck by the murals on the buildings and though we rode through the area earlier, we noticed things that were not there before. Palatka is a joyous and laid back town, where there is no pressure of hurrying to places or appointments. So the next time you are passing through, slow down and stay awhile and enjoy your day!