Destin

March 25, 2018

I was up early and am getting used to that . . . even liking it! Of course, I'm enjoying the afternoons once I arrive at my destination. So . . .

I was going to have breakfast across the street where I had lunch yesterday (in spite of the right-leaning bumper stickers and posters plastered all over the place) but then discovered a Waffle House on my way out of town. Well, that was an easy decision . . .

So time to head north . . . err, northwest. Any direction but south, because, like yesterday, that’s where it was blowing from. Good for me!

Today’s ride to Destin.

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I had to backtrack a hair to pick up my course, which took some minor roads to US-98, only to find that it was private property. It didn’t matter a twit, as I was past the rejoin point in the time it took me to ride there and back (if that makes sense). Anyway, I’m pretty much over US-98 anyway, although the crossing of Powell Lake was nice.

And in a little over a mile, I was off US-98 and on local streets passing through residential neighborhoods. Nice. I would not return to US-98 for another 20 miles!

This part of the ride was really nice, passing through small towns and villages and some remote areas, including state parks and forests with great scenery. And after the short residential section, it was bike trail the whole way . . . except for about two miles through Grayton Beach State Park. But no fear, that section is under construction now!

The only real drawback to all of this is the congestion . . . on the bike trail! In most places the trail is only on one side, and everyone is using it. Pedestrians, Spring Breakers in masses of twenty, bike riders, stroller pushers, people milling around, people just crossing, and people walking on the wrong side of the trail facing "traffic" because they somehow think it’s safer. Not to mention skateboarders, etc. But hell, that's what the beach is all about. So in the small towns, as I approached the "town center," I would sometimes jump off the trail and just take a position in the travel lane . . . as there is no shoulder in most places.

And when that didn't work, I just tried to chill and not worry about it. After all, in a sense, I was the anomaly, not them. But we were both on vacation!

So here are pictures from those 20 miles, after which I rejoined US-98 for four miles before getting into Destin. That narrative follows. But first, the 20 miles . . .

A "gated" community, Inlet Beach wasn't gated at all . . . it just had an imposing entrance . . . and nice roads. In fact, you can see a family out cycling up ahead.

After several blocks of local streets, I ended up on FL-30A (FL-30 follows US-98). This looks worse than it really is, as FL-30A is the main parallel road that passes through all the small towns that, thankfully, US-98 bypasses.

In fact, this is a better representation not much further down the road after passing through Rosemary Beach.

Shortly afterwards, I was on the bike trail. I'm usually hesitant to hop on them right away, as they don't always continue through . . . but in this case, it does!

And the view looking upstream on the landside.

Congestion in Seagrove Beach. As you can see, the trail sometimes crosses the road and sometimes functions more as a sidewalk. Time to hit the road!

The beginnings of Grayton Beach State Park. Crossing Western Lake.

Unfortunately, the trail ended at this intersection, which is not very inviting and leaves you on the wrong side if headed west! If headed east, this is where you hop on!

So I jumped on the road here, following a guy on a "townie" bike in civvies. We both just rode on the roadway without incident. You can see the trail extension under construction on the far side.

But after about two miles, I was back on the trail and checking out the local art scene, this one at Big Daddy's Bike Shop.

And at Draper Lake, some "hills" and a covered bridge.

After 20 miles, those good times came to an end, and I had to get back on US-98, but not for long, only about four miles, and then I sidetracked to Old US-98, which truly was an improvement.

US-98 started out as a shoulder section but became curb and gutter after about a mile . . . usually with a bike lane. (Sorry for the thumb/finger.)

But once on Old US-98, it was more relaxed and a bike trail the whole way. This is the ocean view in East Destin.

The bike trail as it passes through some upscale parts of the beach.

But ultimately, as I closed on the point that is "central" Destin, I had to return to that mainline. And then, only four miles from my hotel, I hit construction again! No shoulder and no provision to carry the bike lane through. Well, screw that. I still had my helmet light mounted, so I turned it on and took my lane. And I made it to my ATM (I was running short on cash)! And, no horn blowing . . . sometimes it pays to be a vehicular cyclist.

More road construction on US-98 . . . expect the unexpected.

I arrived at 1:30, beating the maid service again. But things were expedited, and they found me a room pretty quickly, so I showered and went out to lunch PDQ.

Where? The Red Door Saloon, of course! Down by the harbor for a really good burger. Then back to the hotel to rest some before heading out to the Boathouse Oyster Bar, which really is on top of the harbor, for oysters (and more beer).

Tomorrow, Pensacola Beach. That will be a more quiet two days . . .

Very friendly people here . . . of course, everyone is on vacation, it seems.

Later, at the Boathouse Oyster Bar for . . .

Today's ride: 38 miles (61 km)
Total: 498 miles (801 km)

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