{"id":24049,"date":"2018-05-14T07:08:06","date_gmt":"2018-05-14T11:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=24049"},"modified":"2018-05-14T07:08:06","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T11:08:06","slug":"day-29-sunday-may-13-pensacola-to-fort-walton-beach-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=24049","title":{"rendered":"Day 29. Sunday, May 13 – Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach, Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we did not leave early, we would not leave at all, so Dave and Lynn promptly kicked us out (love you guys)! \"\"<\/a>\u00a0We were on the west side of Pensacola, so on quiet roads\"\"<\/a> we headed back to the city \"\"<\/a>to cross the 3 mile Pensacola Bay Bridge.\"\"<\/a>Homes lined the other side of the road \"\"<\/a>with views of the bay.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0The busy bridge was under construction,\"\"<\/a> but with a dedicated bike lane, crossing was not a problem. \u00a0Once we lost the traffic going to the beach, there were few cars on the road; ample bike lane, but we opted for the shady bike path. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0As we settled into a quieter ride, we were very disappointed to not have a view of the water on either side. \u00a0Our road split the very wide Gulf Islands peninsula and offered nothing to see; obviously a utilitarian thoroughfare. \u00a0There was nothing on the road other than huge churches;\"\"<\/a> more than we’d seen on any single day. \u00a0We knew we better stop for breakfast before the church crowd hit the streets, but there was so little on the road. \u00a0After 32 miles, we found a perfect (and only) stop spot,\"\"<\/a> good air-conditioning, excellent (and plentiful) food\"\"<\/a> and a nice long rest. \u00a0Fully loaded, \"\"<\/a>we headed back out to the highway and heat; it was shortly after ten and already 90\u00b0. \u00a0Thank goodness the humidity was very low, because the sun was scorching.<\/p>\n

This is the second time in ten years, \"\"<\/a>we have seen a giraffe on tour.<\/p>\n

After several more miles of not seeing the water, we turned into a neighborhood for a glimpse of water. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0We met Paul, \"\"<\/a>though from this area, he’s a Hokie and super nice guy. \u00a0After the boys stopped talking about the upcoming football season, we headed on our way. \u00a0It was a good sidetrack.<\/p>\n

The wind was swirling,\"\"<\/a> occasionally catching our back, occasionally slowing us down. \u00a0A quick shady rest overlooking the traffic heading over the bridge\"\"<\/a> to Navarre Beach and a great statue \"\"<\/a>dedicated to those that have served.<\/p>\n

Shortly after noon, we had to take an air-conditioned rest. \u00a0The hot (91\u00ba in the shade, 110 \u00b0 in the sun), dry air was sucking it out of us. \u00a0Afternoon clouds\"\"<\/a> were collecting and we were fortunate to get some occasional shade. \u00a0In our last few miles, we lost our bike lane and traffic was heavy. \u00a0Occasionally, we managed a glimpse of huge homes tucked behind tall trees, enjoying long views of the Santa Rosa Sound; pictures were impossible.<\/p>\n

We were happy to find a hotel and sanctuary from the heat. \u00a0After 59 miles and eating deliciously healthy for the last two days, we stuffed on pasta.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t