Having Fun in DeFuniak

Marianna was the site of some Civil War action, so on our way out of town we checked out some of the homes of the era. By checked out I mean we rode past them on our bikes and read the historical markers out front. We had gotten another late start and were already battling heat.

Every day at some point one of us says, “There are no easy days.” No matter what the planned mileage is, or what the expected terrain or weather is, even days we think will be easily manageable are very challenging.

Today was no different. We battled busy roads right out of the gate, and increasingly difficult hills. In fact, the last several miles were a series of hills each a mile long from crest to crest.

Finally we arrive at DeFuniak Springs. The town built up because it was one of the final railroad stops for Northerners wanting to escape winters. In the center of town is a nearly perfect circular lake, one of only 2 in the world. It is a spring-fed lake that is about 60 feet deep-although locals claim it’s several hundred feet deep at the fissures.

We stayed at a newly refurbished 1920’s style hotel. It has a hotel bar/restaurant- The Tropicana, where we had dinner and cocktails. We had a great time chatting with Robert, a local who was staying at the hotel. He was a wealth of information about the area.

Cycling mileage:  59

Hiking mileage:  3