Our Dear Cedar Key - much lost to Hurricane Helene

If you have followed this blog, you know that for the past  eight years, we have spent time each Winter in the little Gulf coast, 'Old Florida', town of Cedar Key.  We've been there after hurricane damage before , but Hurricane Helene's storm surge has left the most devasting damage of all.  This January when we visited, many businesses had yet to recover from the September 2023 Hurricane Idalia.

Now some of my collages have become 'historical' as the buildings they include are no longer there; some literally gone and others beyond repair and will be gone.

Just prior to Hurricane Helene, a devastating fire on the main drag of Dock Street, completely destroyed the Duncan's on The Gulf restaurant,  a gift shop and the kitchen and other damage to our most favorite restaurant, Steamers.  

Steamers is a place that always felt like home; where we would be greeted each year as we returned by name and with our drink by Leanna, the manager.  Sadly, this year, she died in a car accident on New Years Eve, the day before we arrived, and along with the town, we mourned her passing and celebrated her.

Steamers may return eventually.  The store on the first floor, Island Trading Post,  was wiped clean of it's inventory and fixtures by the surge.  The burned parts of the building are completely gone, aided by the hurricane.

Steamers

                                        

Fire damage on Dock Street, prior to Hurricane Helene

Happy Dock Street View 

Big Deck Bar and Grill, also on Dock Street, is completely swept away. A funky little bar and sandwich place that also had music in the evenings and actually had a tribe of cats that hung about.

Big Deck

Far Away Inn, a quaint, long-term Cedar Key feature, probably cannot return.  You'll note the Pirate in the photo is featured in this collage.

Pirates, Flamingos and Tiki Bar - Far Away Inn

These collages are also of Far Away Inn.  The building with the mural and the facade were lost in Hurricane Hermine

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Admire - Far Away Inn

Far Away Inn Judys

I understand Cedar Key Pizza's  interior was washed away and the whole of Prickly Palm, a coffee, juices and sandwich shop was destroyed.  In January, Prickly Palm had just completed replacing all the flooring that was damaged in Hurricane Idalia.

Cedar Key Pizza

The Prickly Palm

I read the 1842 Daily Grind & Mercantile, sharing the building with Cedar Key Pizza, was also washed out inside from the surge, but haven't found anything further.

1842 Daily Grind - Not the Country Store

The Beach Front hotel received extensive damage; much in the lower sections and foundation.

Beachfront Buddha - Beachfront Motel

Another favorite of ours, The 2nd Street Cafe, will recover, but had extensive damage.

2nd Street Cafe and Betty

Chairs from the 2nd Street Cafe in the street

Surge Damage - Hurricane Helene

I like the encouraging message in this collage and chose it to end this post.  The background, especially the 'Fine Cigars' sign, is from a Dock Street drinks-only bar, Liam and Maddies.  Another place, where the inside was destroyed by the surge. The Pet Friendly sign is from the Big Deck which, as I mentioned, is completely gone.

     

When Nothing is Certain Everything Is Possible

                             

Many other buildings and homes were destroyed and impacted by the storm,  But a motto popular in Cedar Key is 'Cedar Key Strong', showing their resilience and determination.

This sign was at the Cedar Key Market, a eclectic, funky market [the only in town besides the liquor store]; first posted after Hurricane Hermine in 2016.  When we were there in January this year, the market had yet to reopen after Hurricane Idalia  damage in September 2023. I have not learned of its current status.

Cedar Key Mayor Sue Colton leaves us with this, 'When we go back to putting things back, we're not going to be putting things back they way it was. It can't. It's going to have to change, but it's going to be better.'

A final note, by serendipity, we had not planned to go to Cedar Key next February; instead we're reserved in Hilton Head, SC.  New collage locale in 2025 and hopefully, Cedar Key redux in the future.

BTW, if you put 'Cedar Key' in the blog search box, you can see all the Cedar Key collages from the past eight years.

Till next time.

More from Cedar Key Florida

Although it's the 'Old Florida' architecture that captures my eye in photos and collage, Cedar Key is a place of wonderful natural beauty.  We typically end every walk-about through town with a walk by the Gulf edge, the docks and by the small beach.  There are so many birds here.  This year we live by a flock of Roseate Spoonbills. An Osprey likes a perch right off our deck. And the Brown Pelicans are ubiquitous.  

The 1842 Daily Grind is a great addition to life in Cedar Key and the only place to get a cappucino or latte, with superior brewed coffee as well. Add to this an excellent and unique breakfast and lunch menu and it's a special place.  My personal favorite thing is the retro phonograph spinning vinyl, which I've featured in the collage. Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones ballads & Edie Gorme.  No actual octopi were on the roof last I looked.

1842 Daily Grind~ Not The Country Store collage ~ Cedar Key

Island Arts is one of two galleries in Cedar Key. Cedar Key Keyhole gallery is just  a wander down the block. We always find a treasure in Cedar Key.  And although I've amplified the colors, the bright turquoise and green facade definitely was collage calling.

Island Arts~Cedar Key

Cedar Key Pizza is just the best. Unique pan pizzas loaded with toppings.  A tiny carry-out they're well organized and set up to make pizza. Great to watch them at work.

I am usually attracted to the Coastal colors,  but I came upon this abandoned cottage and just felt the past within it.  

Bygone Cottage~Cedar Key

It was colder here this trip - the 2018 freeze came this far, but the cozy inside warm-up time made a nice space for collage.  The silver lining.