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So great to arrive in a place with heart & soul

2/23/2015

I was so ready for a road trip, and while I closed my eyes at the sight of Mobile, Alabama, I joyfully sang my way through Mississippi with Jesse Winchester. What was I singing as I crossed the river in Baton Rouge? You tell me!

Arrived to a warm afternoon in Lafayette and walked for hours while enjoying the day after Mardi Gras decor, and the French signage throughout the city. Four days at the Blue Moon is indescribable -- the comfort, the people, the music, the fun to be had. By far, Lafayette wins the award thusfar for the friendliest people ever; genuinely friendly. I understand why people arrive & just never leave, Rich. It's been ages since I woke up with calves aching from hours of dancing but indeed, I did last week! Thanks to Doug and April for your gracious welcome and hospitality. Thanks to Philippe for the farewell coffee time.

There's a few things I still need to do in Lafayette so I'll be back!

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It's called the Redneck Riviera for a reason

2/23/2015

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Landing in Fort Walton Beach was a Godsend in some ways as there was so little to do that I could recover from/fix my mercury retrograde traumas. Car seems fine, I have a new smartphone, and I am 90% through my tax documents!

Stayed at a 5-month new hostel which was on a parkway (read: pseudo-highway) near the beach (if you like to drive). No amount of bike/ped friendliness here, and I did indeed drive 20 miles to cycle 32 one day. Fort Walton seems to be the dumping ground for beach wannabees from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and such who are paying high rent & making low pay to freeze through the winter anyway!

Loved the library! and the local bike shop guys but even the Thai food I ate was less than mediocre. Where's the peanut sauce? I did take the "Miracle Strip" one day east to the beach and indeed the short stretch of Okaloosa Island that is national seashore is lovely --- the water is emerald green and the sand is pure white. I learned that it is not sand at all, however, but ground quartz crystal from the Appalachian mountain range. How about that?

Have you heard the name Destin? So had I and let me tell you it was NOT what I imagined. While there is a lovely 4-5 mile beachfront area, most of Destin is a parkway (see above) filled with every possible retail nightmare imaginable. As you come to the end of the national seashore, there is a retail/hotel monstrosity the likes of Paradise Island, Bahamas and that's just the beginning. It goes on from here with man-made crap. I do not wonder why Mother Nature is so angry and it's time for her to clean house here!

I did enjoy Topsail Hill State Park and if the nights weren't so cold, I would have been happy to be camping there. This is in Santa Rosa Beach which was the loveliest area where I enjoyed a multi-use path for cycling. It's also where there are houses @$500k and up so I guess the rich people don't like being hit by 4,000 lb cars either. Make note: there is not a single photo available!

I will not assume this is representative of the entire panhandle but if I never visit this area again, I won't care! I'm feeling better now.

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Rolling ...

2/22/2015

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Arrived in Austin mid-afternoon today! Indeed, I am now 3 locations behind on this blog! Living too much in the now? That said, the weather here is a high of 38 on Monday --- I will be online and updating all scenarios with photos for sure! Stay tuned.

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Je dirige l'ouest

2/17/2015

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While I am planning a short rant on my panhandle visit, I'm thrilled to say that I head to Lafayette, Louisiana tomorrow. My longest haul yet (drive, drive, drive) but it will be a 4-night stop. Yes, I leave the bible belt early on Ash Wednesday to arrive at the Blue Moon before dark.

If you don't think I'll be eating couche-couche as much as I can, you don't know me!

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Much to Gain(esville)

2/13/2015

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Planetary Rant!

2/13/2015

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Let me get this off my chest so I can think! If you've been wondering why an email or text or call hasn't been answered, here's the answer! For the past 2 weeks, my "smartphone" has had a mind of its own, and will sometimes takes a charge & sometimes not. SO, my immediate connection to GPS, directions, email et al has been sketchy at best. If all goes as planned, this will be resolved by a new "smartphone" arriving tomorrow. Fingers are crossed that Amazon honors the original warranty.

In case that's not enough, my last evening (literally 5:45 pm) in Gainesville had me listening to an auto scraping sound that would not go away! Yes, new rear brakes AND rotors at 8pm thanks to Tire Kingdom and $354. I really do love owning STUFF.

I do hope that bad things DON'T come in threes! I do believe that all of this is mercury retrograde rearing its ugly head at me! It went direct yesterday, February 12th! HOORAY! I can breathe freely now.

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It's Quite Familiar

2/3/2015

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Feeling quite behind on writing this blog as I have dozens of thoughts, people and ideas spinning through my head. I literally have 2 pages of bullet points that I want to bring to the page and can't seem to get there. That said, I sat down and wrote 15 pages in my paper journal yesterday with little pain!

Left the Hotel Deauville (alias hostel) last Friday as some of my compadres were greeting the rising sun (see photo!). After 2 weeks, I was ready to leave Fort Lauderdale (it's quite busy on the roads) though no complaints on weather, the warm ocean, seeing friends, eating Thai food, and just plain interesting conversation every day with many people from many places. FYI to Jen, Mark, Dara, Francesca, Pat, Liz, Giovanni, Jodi, Lisa, Mike, and Dennis ... I'm thinking of you!

I've now switched gears and settled into my tent on Sebastian Inlet between the Indian River Lagoon and the ocean. This is by far one of the most beautiful places in Florida. It's my third visit and I can't get enough. The weather is cool (low 70s day; low 50s night) but perfect for any outdoor activity as well as great for staying in the mummy bag with a good book till 8 am. Flora and fauna are in abundance --- I saw dolphins on Sunday while riding but thankfully haven't run into the bob cats yet!

I spent the last 48 hours with tent neighbors who started their journey by bike just 3 days ago and plan to do the perimeter of the USA throughout the year. Like me, they're in their 50s and sold everything and hit the road. I'll be following their blog! and perhaps we'll meet again this year. I've 5 more nights in this paradise with a little work on my plate; a desire to see Vero Beach; a 615 page book to finish; miles to ride and walk; and the sheer enjoyment of sitting by the ocean with a full moon watching.

From here, a few days in Gainesville. I'm told it's the best cycling in Florida!