It was my 3rd trip there, but my wife's first.
We went kayaking in the gulf around some of the islands. Saw dolphins and a bald eagle but not as much wildlife as I expected. We had lunch at Steamer's. The food was good but we would up with a table by the band so we really couldn't talk and weren't overlooking the water. (It was too cold for us Florida types on the deck!) We visited the Art co-op and and Art store which we enjoyed. They have different stuff than most art shows we've been to. We also visited the history museum ($3 a person for admission). I was aware of the history of the pencil factories, but not the brush factory which closed in 1956. It was interesting. I rented a golf cart to get out to the state park museum and nature trail and we walked the nature trail (short but nice) and then walked the cemetery loop nature trail on the way back.
On a previous trip I took my son on a cruise with Capt. Doug (who has since retired and sold to a "nice family" according to the Kayak rental folks. This cruise was excellent and I recommend it.
Many of the businesses will come out to the airport and pick you up. Cedar Key is a place where the airport is an integral portion of the business climate and they know it. We were told that it will get repaved and new lights this summer. That would be a good thing. The pavement is not terrible, but it's getting old. The lighting can't be very good based on seeing what's there, but I've never flown in or out at night. They claim (on the friends of the airport website) that it's the shortest paved runway in the state. Counting the displaced threshold on 23 it's 2100'. If you use that (for takeoff only, of course) or land on 5 you've got 2400'. I've seen a TBM or Pilataus doing T&Gs there during previous trip. There were a Bo and a Comanche tied down there along with several C-172s on Saturday. Parking is a bit limited. There are only 4 spots on the main apron and there are two wider areas of grass that could hold more. Saturday folks were parking along the edge of the runway.
It's a nice trip and if you are into fishing, it's a good destination. The history is interesting if you are into that and there are several B&Bs and non-chain hotels for overnights. Also a number of restaurants.
John
