Across the Florida Panhandle: From Pensacola to Crestview, Bonifay, Quincy

There are many recreational craft in Florida.  In fact, they lead the country.  I am sure that this came about as the population bloomed: now the third in the US.  Decades ago Michigan lead the country with pleasure craft registrations.  Now after Florida comes Minnesota then Michigan.  All these states have a  lot of water.

We passed through Pace and Milton as we moved away from the Gulf.  Timber was the industry of this region for a long time.

Crestview with a population of  over 27K and the crossing of three major highways provides a good spot to stay.  The railroad from here helped move the lumber. At an elevation of 235' it is one of the highest places in the state.  It also has the nickname of "the icebox of Florida" because of its repeated coldest temperatures in the peninsula.

Traveling on the highway shoulder we sometimes could see the Gulf.

Many of these towns were along the Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad which started in 1881 to service the agriculture and timber commerce of the area. These industries are still productive in this region of Florida.

The many recents rains have caused the river to spill its banks.

Seeing the moss in the trees reminds me of being in the South.

Back on Eastern Time makes me feel that I am getting close. I know that I have over one hundred miles to go.

A mural in Tallahassee.

The view of the newer part of the capitol building.

By this part of the tour I want to just get to the end and do something different that bike, see sights and sleep.  I am moving on without exploring Tallahassee.

Quincy has nice historical buildings like this Perkins Opera House.

In my town of Rochester, we had an opera house like this.  The lower floor was a shop and the second floor housed a big, open room that could be used for "shows."    I wonder if an opera made either venue.

Which is worse the surface shown above or rumble strips?  I vote for rumble strips being worse, but usually you have a little section next to it you can ride.  With this surface, we needed to be on the road as much as we could. When we see traffic in both lanes, we shift over to the shoulder.  We did fine and this is just a temporary condition.  It will soon be repaved and what a beautiful shoulder later bike tourers will enjoy. 

Suwanee River

I remember this Stephen Foster tune, but I do not remember all the lyrics.  Check it out on YouTube if you are not familiar.  Getting ready for the last leg of this virtual tour.