By Lulu

Exploring highways is a favorite pastime for those who love to ride 2 and 3 wheels. Melrose, Palatka and Satsuma have a few hidden treasures you should saddle up to check out. In Melrose, on FL 100, sits The Howlin’ Wolf. New owners James Cuneo and Mark Cochran have worked hard to breathe new life into the historic Howlin’ Wolf. Mark and James are both veterans who ride!

Since purchasing the bar, Covid has had them shut down or running as a package drive through for months. It is a full liquor bar with outdoor seating, pool tables, and even bonfires on the weekend. Sunday Fundays includes $3 Bloody Mary’s and free pool all day! James organized a ride to Tallahassee with other bar owners to demand the chance to open their doors instead of being forced to have their businesses discriminated against due to Corona. Ride out to visit these vets.

They have proudly served their country and would love to serve you a beer or two!! No better way to show them respect for their time served!! They have live music by 2 Peace Band on October 4th from 2-6pm. The Howlin Wolf is also having a Motorcycle Swap meet on October 25th from 1-4p and vendors are welcome. Ending the month in a Howlin big way they are having a Halloween Costume Party from 9p-1a with live music by Fas Train and a costume contest!

Another cool joint owned by friends who ride, Amy and Donnie, is in historic Palatka, City of Murals at 101 S. 10th Street. Donnie is also an Army vet. The 3-D Saloon is a full liquor bar and you WILL NOT find nicer barkeeps than these two. 3-D is known for bringing original music acts to the city and two of our favorites we see there from time to time are Framing the Red and Austin Neal. Austin Neal and Savannah Road Band will be playing their hearts out at 8pm on October 17th! Their ad reads A Little Country, A Little Rock N Roll and a whole lot of Good Times, and every time we have visited, they have delivered what is promised! Another claim to fame of 3-D is $2 Bud & Bud Lite bottles 5-7pm! Pool tables and darts are also there for your entertainment pleasure. If you prefer sitting outside, they have a beer garden porch to enjoy the autumn temps with an ice-cold beer. 3-D is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but they are happy to sling you a cocktail or beer Tuesday through Saturday.

For those a little more adventurous, Hermit’s Cove on the St. Johns River is one of the coolest REAL dive bars you can find. A true Trump fan, owner Gary Burch’s bar is located at 482 Cove Dr. in Satsuma. Beautiful sunsets await right on the river. He has rows of theater seats for your beer sipping comfort…while taking in the sunsets and wildlife!

While exploring this part of Putnam county, Angel’s Diner on FL 100 is right in the heart of Palatka and is known as Florida’s oldest diner established in 1932. A very real retro dining experience with car hops like back in the 50’s! The murals throughout the city of Palatka are worth checking out and spend some time on the St. Johns River one of the only rivers in America that flows north!

If you enjoy exploring nature, Ravine State Park is beautiful with a swinging bridge and a great hiking trail to spend some time exploring.

No matter which one of these watering holes you start at, the highways are wide open, and you will enjoy the feel of riding great country roads and meeting new friends.