A Floater, a Flat, on the way to Ft. Walton

We really wanted to be on the road early today. We got up early so we could walk around the circular lake before breakfast. We came back, ate breakfast and started packing up.  That’s when Bruce got a floater in his good eye- a chunk of undisolved vitreous in the eye. It was hard for him to focus on objects needed in packing.

After lugging all our gear, and our bikes down from the second floor we said goodbye to Robert and started off. One quick stop at the DeFuniak Springs library, the oldest library in Florida. They had an interesting medieval weapons collection. 

We decided to go close to 50 miles out of our way to see the Gulf Coast and scenic Gulf National Seashore. Right off the bat, the road was really busy and 4-lane. Then Bruce got a flat with no shade in sight! We found a small shaded spot off the road. 

After a long and fairly scenic ride through Elgin Air Force Base, we got caught in a big rainstorm. 

Back on the busy road, we came to Nick’s Seafood. A fella from the hotel recommended it, and it did not disappoint! After lunch we sat on their deck and watched their roosters strut around. Very fun!

As we neared Destin the traffic was once again very busy. All the development along Highway 98 made it so unpleasant- so we rode most of the way between Destin and Ft. Walton Beach on a bumpy, winding sidewalk.

After all that, we ended the day with a dip in the pool and the hot tub!

Total cycling mileage:  56

Total  hiking mileage: 5