Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Downtown Pensacola, Blackwater Heritage State Trail
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida panhandle and is home to the Navy's Blue Angels, who we saw flying overhead every day of our trip. It is also the site of America's first European settlement, having been established in 1559 by Spanish settlers.
Pensacola Museum of History (former City Hall)
Seville Quarter
Snazzy wheels
Historic Pensacola Village
Just east of downtown is the outstanding Veterans Memorial Park, where multiple reverential memorials surround a picturesque pond. The park is dedicated to the memories of all who lost their lives or were wounded in defense of the United States and is home to "Wall South," the only permanent replica of Washington D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Veterans Memorial Park
Never forget
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Friends forever
From Veterans Memorial Park, we walked across the main road to Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park, located on a peninsula jutting into Pensacola Bay. Every day in this country, 2,300 children are reported missing. This small park serves as a memorial to them. The sculpture is unusual. The views are outstanding.
Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park
Hawkshaw Lagoon
Pensacola Bay
In the Old Florida town of Milton, we stopped for a stroll along the Riverwalk, a short but scenic two-block boardwalk along the Blackwater River. It was pretty, but the wind coming off the water was fairly frigid, even though the thermometer showed a reasonable 63 degrees. A little sun would have been nice.
Milton Riverwalk
Blackwater River
For today's bike ride, we chose the Blackwater Heritage State Trail, beginning at the visitor center in Milton. On unloading our bikes, I found I had a flat tire! We pumped it up and it quickly lost air again, so we changed the tube and went on our way. There was no obvious reason for the pinhole in the tube.
Blackwater Heritage State Trail Visitor Center
Blackwater Heritage State Trail is the westernmost rail-trail in Florida. It runs for 8.1 miles through historic Milton and into the countryside, ending at Whiting Naval Air Station, where it links up with the 1.5-mile Military Heritage Trail leading onto the base.
Happily, the tree-lined trail offered protection from the otherwise biting wind. We got a late start due to my flat tire, so we skipped the trail section passing through town, ending up with an enjoyable 12.3-mile ride.
Tom rides again!
Tree-lined trail
On our way out of Milton, we stoppped by Old Brick Road, part of what was formerly Florida State Road No. 1. Completed in 1921, this was the first “paved” road in western Florida. This remnant runs for approximately six miles, most of which is open only to pedestrians and cyclists. About a quarter mile runs through a residential neighborhood and is still open to motor vehicles.
Old Florida State Road No. 1
The rush hour traffic was heavy as we drove along the Emerald Coast through Fort Walton Beach on our way to Destin. We relaxed in our hotel room before heading back out, and in the meantime, the hubbub had greatly diminished. Beach Camp Brewing Company serves fantastic barbecue and beer, a fine end to our day!
Beach Camp Brewing Co.
Lodging: Wingate by Wyndham, Destin, Florida, for two nights. Very nice.
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