Day 50- Mexico Beach FL

 We worried about the cool temps predicted for this morning, but the truth was, 46° in the sunshine was pretty pleasant with the right layers.

I had a chance to work out some navigation because ride with GPS gave me an old route that didn’t start at the La Quinta, but at a point 7 miles away. I would’ve done better with a paper map, but struggled enough with the phone to figure it out. Even a little win feels good.

We rode the 18 mile Timpoochee trail. It went past several lakes and state parks and through some rather fancy planned neighborhoods.

 Ankur made a statement yesterday about how much of what we’ve seen has been man-made or planned by men, often as a result of hurricane damage. I found this to be a great contrast to parts of the southwest where nature seems to be taking back the land, growing up over abandoned houses.

When I turned onto 98 E. I noticed beach access and headed down to look at the water. There was a kiosk there about artificial fish reefs that caught my attention. As luck would have it there was also a man standing there who appeared to be in some sort of marine Type of uniform and had a walkie-talkie on his jacket so I assumed he worked there. He was very happy to answer all my questions. He said the artificial reef, created in the shape of a fish, was made of old bridge pilings, pieces of boats and other materials. Sea life grows on them, and fish gravitate to them. Now I’m curious how they make it through the rough waters of hurricanes. 

I caught up with the crew for lunch at the Salty Goat in Panama City. When impressed me about Panama City was all the public beach access. What did not impressed me was the way the building sometimes made canyons and wind tunnels that made it both hard to ride and cold. 

After Panama City we moved away from the coast for a while and rode past and through Tyndall Air Force Base. They have 20 miles of land that looks like it’s been flattened and burned. Much of the damage was from hurricane Michael in 2018. Some of it is also from the possibility that it is land used to test explosives.

Coming through Mexico Beach was such a pleasure. It’s small and quiet and is also still recovering from Michael. It looks much less of a party place than Panama City and is a place I would like to consider bringing the family.

We are at the rustic Sands RV park it is rustic, and Sandy, but those of us that are tenting are tucked in comfortably. There are dogs in the distance who are losing their minds but, unlike other places, there are no trains. Yet.

Things I learned today:

• If I give myself enough time I can figure most things out.
• I should always bring a snack in the tent with me.