In my head, I always pronounce it wrong. The interstate sign reads Micanopy and I often notice it is the same exit that takes us to Daybook Cottage in our favorite forgotten small town. The deal breaker is we turn right, and Micanopy is left. I set my sites on Micanopy and finally, I paid this town a visit.
Micanopy, A Day Trip
I was eager to experience something different. Our remodeling (more like our overhaul) of the Yankeetown cottage was slowly reaching completion. I did a quick search online to find some nearby antique shops. For some reason, I had it in my head that this part of Florida had to have hidden treasures. After all, this is “old Florida” and I often meet people that have lived here their whole lives. Without much effort, there it was! Micanopy! It’s on several lists that claim to know the best small towns for antiquing. After mapping, I see that it is only an hour from us. What in the world have I been doing?
Make A Plan
It has been a while since we’ve packed our lunch in a basket, a blanket, and other necessities for easy tailgating. Since taking on the project of a house remodel, we’ve had little time for exploring. We had to be intentional. I declared Friday as the day we finally visit Micanopy, Florida for a little antiquing, exploring, and most likely seeing the unexpected. For this to happen, I had to plan, talk about it a lot, and map it. When we’re at the cottage, our knee-jerk reaction each morning is to rise early, eat breakfast and get busy on a project. Not today!
Take The Back Roads
Today we head to “The Town That Time Forgot”. I did little to no research on this town. The only facts I learned are that it is named after the Seminole Chief, Micanopy, it is not far off the interstate, and it has caught the eye of several magazine editors. We head out early and begin traveling the same roads that carry us back to I-75 each time we head back to Georgia until we reach the first right turn that led us through the back roads. I knew we’d find adventure when the roads became narrow, and the pavement shifted to gravel. From the open window, I smell the green fields and watch as we pass herds of cattle, and breathtaking pastureland, and hardly notice how rough the ride has become. I now wish I had taken pictures, but when the route becomes a distraction, I get lost in my head. I enjoy being lost there from time to time.
The Town That Time Forgot
As we both begin to wonder if our phones have led us astray, we see the moss-draped live oaks and the sign that lets us know that we have reached Micanopy… the historic town of 1821 that we soon discover is only one square mile. We slow our speed and drive North Division Street following our intuition towards Cholokka Boulevard. The historic houses and charming street corners are already enough to make this trip worthwhile. It is quiet here today, so we are free to drive calmer than we have in months. I begin to realize that the quiet comes from this day being a “slow day” for the town.
Locals
Cholokka Boulevard is the main street through Micanopy. It’s a divided street lined with live oaks and adorned with original brick pathways on the street and sidewalks. It is peaceful here. Slow and mellow this Friday. As with other day trips, we look for the locals. My preference for discovering the personality of a town is in a local coffee shop. We cruise Cholokka Boulevard to the end of town to find Mosswood Farm Store & Bakehouse. The small porch just off a gravel parking lot captures my attention. There is a garden in the back, but I focus on making my way inside. Walking in, I know we’ve chosen well. The small but busy kitchen is in view and offers pure temptation to many of my senses. Two women are focused, heads down, hands busy. There is a part of me that wants to join them and never return to my busy world. They bake, prepare your coffee, and make sure you know how to correctly pronounce Mik-i-noh-pee. The welcoming porch is perfect for planning and realizing that the locals walk in and out of Mosswoods with fresh coffee beans and pastries. We did well… we found the spot!
This Is Micanopy
Refreshed and caffeinated, we walk the streets of Micanopy. This is a creative town. She is covered in history and wants you to slow down and notice her details. I’m drawn to the tiny artful touches, the plants, and the unique historic buildings. A bluegrass trio fills the streets with familiar church hymns and instrumentals as they exchange smiles from the café porch. We pull on one door handle after another only to find them closed for the day or out of business. I could easily become discouraged if it were not for the charming atmosphere of this place. A tiny lady of no more than 90 pounds rests quietly on a low chair in the corner of her store. She hears my admiration of her extraordinary brooch collections and shares with the room “I’ve been coming here every day for 40 years”. I decide this is her museum more than her antique store; she doesn’t seem too quick to part with her treasures. She is Micanopy.
We Won’t Forget
I capture the local churches on my camera. They call my name in every town we visit. This is where true history is housed. A few hours pass and we decide to look for a quiet corner for our tailgate lunch. We find ourselves at the park behind the Micanopy Area Co-op School listening to the names being called for dismissal. This too is slow and personal. Such a different pace from the life we know. We eat slowly, laugh about the eccentric personalities we’ve just encountered, and realize how they completed our day. We won’t soon forget them.
A Place Worth Our Time
Micanopy is small. It is quaint. And it is a place that offers quiet living and requires us all to slow down and observe the details. We enjoyed conversations with locals, a perfect cup of coffee, and a day full of nothing except what matters. I would not say you should go seeking antiques, but I would say go when given the chance. Micanopy, like other one-square-mile towns, is a place disguised as “one of the best small towns for antiquing”, but in truth, it simply offers life in its easiest form. Micanopy… a place worth our time. A place I will return even if only for the quiet.
Stay Curious,
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