For the inaugural scenic drive, I chose a route easily accessible to members in Tallahassee and Panama City, the Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway.  Designated in 1989, it is Florida’s only National Scenic Byway and is a unique driving experience.  The Byway is famous for having over 100 varieties of wildflowers and for its pine forests full of wildlife.  There are even carnivorous pitcher plants growing in the savannahs.

Setting out on a sunny September morning, I headed west on State Highway 20 from Tallahassee, heading towards Bristol, State Highway 12, and the Apalachee Savannahs Scenic Byway.  The drive took a little over an hour and was like most of rural Florida; farms, small towns, and lots of grass and trees.  Turning South on Hwy. 20, I became surrounded by trees on either side and suddenly had that wonderful feeling of being alone with nature.  The serene experience continued as I passed just three other cars during my entire 31-mile drive on the Byway.  There is a lot to see along the road, and for those with Cayennes or other vehicles better suited to dirt roads, there are many additional sights to see.

In my case, I was searching for a long stretch of the open road where I could give my Boxster a workout and be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in Florida.  It turns out that the Byway is ideally suited for both.  If you want to enjoy the scenery, you can cruise slowly through the forests and meadows, pulling off to the side to view the wildflowers, butterflies, stands of pine, and other natural sights.  I saw horses running through the fields, wild turkeys in the underbrush, raptors in the sky, and butterflies covering the flowers.  Depending on the time of year, there are many varieties of wildflowers and animals you might see.

As for the driving, there are long straight-aways and big sweeping turns.  The road is freshly-paved or well-paved depending on the section, though it’s a little narrow and has soft shoulders.  It’s not a place to drive through twisting turns, but definitely a place to open up the throttle.  There are two or three long straight sections north of Big Gully Creek for those looking to explore the upper reaches of their speedometer, but overall, it’s a road best enjoyed with the top down or windows open at cruising speeds.  That way you can listen to the sounds of nature and spot the wildlife.  The southern section of the road on Hwy. 65 is much busier, so be careful of other motorists in this section.