Editor's Pick

Southern Living, Jul 2004 by Murphy, Morgan

Fish, fishermen, and fish restaurants lurk beneath bridges. Though I can't tell you why this phenomenon exists, you'll find great seafood eateries under bridges in coastal towns.

My favorite (at left) sits in the shadow of the bridge that connects Amelia Island, Florida, to the mainland. You'll feel in the know getting to the Down Under Marina Restaurant; finding it requires bouncing down a dusty dirt road and making a couple zigs and zags. But once you're standing on Down Under's dock, gazing at the storks, alligators, manatees, and other Amelia sea creatures, you'll be hooked. Sunsets sparkle here. The food, if your tastes are simple, will delight. A giant basket of fried shrimp costs about $17 and comes with coleslaw; a choice of fries, baked potato, or rice; and hush puppies. The most expensive menu item, huge Dungeness crabs, will set you back $24. For directions call the restaurant at (904) 261-1001.

If you poke around this month and find a few more under-the-bridge dives, jot me an e-mail at the address below. Good luck out there. -MORGAN MURPHY

Sign of the Month

Reader Mary Cameron of Sarasota, Florida, sent in this sign from the state's Anna Maria Island.

She visits the island every summer and describes it as the kind of place where "you buy your vine ripe tomatoes at the video store, your chicken salad at the gas station, and the best smoked mullet from the privateers! The charm of this laid-back island is captivating-even to a real Florida Cracker like myself."

Don't Let Rain Spoil the Trip

After you read Annette Thompson's story "Make a Splash at Disney" (see page 14), you may ask yourself, "What if water in the form of rain washes out my vacation?" Annette explains that during the summer, especially in july, rain clouds from the Gulf and the Atlantic build up over Central Florida. It rains at some point almost every day but rarely lasts more than an hour. Her tips? Make the most of the rain: Lines are shorter, and many rides have covered waiting areas; trash bags with holes cut for heads and arms make cheap ponchos; and attractions such as Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will leave you wet anyway. Or, you can always opt for a drier route by heading to Epcot (where almost everything is indoors), scheduling a massage at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or simply catching a movie at the 24-screen theater in Downtown Disney.

Editor's Tip: How to Avoid Motion Sickness

Some flights can just throw off your whole system. On a European flight, you might find an airsickness bag with an ad on it. Here in the States, these bags tend to be less entertaining. Still, motion sickness can ruin a vacation. The cause of it is thought to be conflicting signals from the eyes and inner ear, which adjust to motion at different speeds.

I have tried just about every New Age bracelet, prescription drug, and acupuncture treatment that is on the market. Yet some of the best measures are also the simplest: eating lightly before the trip, carrying along a few saltine crackers or ginger ale, looking at the horizon, and if you're in the car, opening a window.

Do you have a Tip for Postscript?

Do you have a photo of a funny sign? Know a savvy travel tip or a special hint for getting a deluxe room or meal on the cheap? Send them to me at Postscript, Southern Living, P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201, or e-mail me at morgan_murphy@timeinc.com. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. For each photo or tip published you will receive $25.