Panama City pines yield liquid gold

In the early days of Florida’s European settlement, one of the most important products along our coasts were naval stores – the tapping of slash pines for turpentine and other spirits used in the upkeep of wooden ships. Now it’s often along Floida’s trails that I’ll spy a tree with a catface, a carved slash where turpentine cups were hung to collect dripping sap. And now and again, the broken remains of a clay cup. But at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, you can take an up-close look at what a turpentine distillery looked like, the only replica I’m aware of (let me know if there are others) in the state, and it’s right at the trailhead for the Pine Flatwoods Trail along the bayside. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss this one!