Miramar Beach

April 14, 2002- Sunday- Day 169

9:00am- We have just pulled into Sandestin and I'm taking a break on a tree that didn't make it through the last big blow.There sure appears to be a lot of construction work in this area. I'll store that bit of information for future plans. I trashed my tent last night and I left the piece of s**t back where it belongs. I don't plan on ever getting something like that again. It seemed like the trick at the time, well, I bought a tarp at a hardware store, and should suffice. If I pass a Walmart, I'll check on tents. I need something on the ground in this rainy weather.

11:15am- Just outside Sandestin, and in no big rush to get anywhere. I found a wallet today and it was loaded with a whole $7.00. I found a total of $3.00 all through the Carolinas and Georgia. Just goes to show ya, where the money's at. I'm gonna cut down by the Gulf and see if it ain't more comfortable with the breeze blowing on me. It is hotter than hell after a rain shower up here on U.S.98. The sign is pointing to Miramar Beach and its reading scenic route. I guess thats me, Here goes nothing. Sandy Destin should be the name of this area, never seen such fine sand, and it gets in everthing. Well, Skil's let us get er' done , see whats down this way!

Santa Rosa Rain

April 13, 2002 - Saturday - Day 168

7:30am- More rain last night (Welcome back to the unpredictable Florida climate) I slept in another lake and this morning everything is double weight on my back. I wish I had my little pull along thing again.

We are somewhere on the east outskirts of SanDestin and starting to see civilization.I'll be glad when we get back into Alabama and no longer have to look over my shoulder, all the time.

1:00pm- We are into Santa Rosa Beach and we're just taking it easy today. My damn feet hurt, probably because they haven't been dry for days. I stopped by a hardware store and bought a tarp (8' X 10") Now, maybe I can stay a little drier. Might not even use the tent for awhile, just hang the tarp up and crawl under it.

5:00pm- We stopped for the day and I don't believe we made 10 miles today. All my belongings are soaked and heavy, very heavy. I put up a clothes line and trying to dry some stuff, I figure I'm carrying an extra 40lbs. of water.

I talked to a Walton Co. Deputy and he said rain is really heavy north of here and on the way. Oh Boy! Gotta love it. Lot of rattlesnakes around here, gonna have to keep an eye on Skil's. I didn't make SanDestin, now that is a sorry days walk. I am ashamed of myself. I'll blame it on my pardner, he thinks everything is my fault anyway.

April 12, 2002 - Friday- day 167

7:15am- We are on the outskirts of Panama City Beach and headed west, young man!I like this place, but I blew my chance to live here back in '86. I took Skil's out on the beach last night and I don't think he cared much for the squeaky sound it makes. We went back to my campsite and had to sleep in a puddle all night. Gonna have to get some plastic or a tarp. Haven't seen any skeeters in 5 months. Welcome to Florida! I can't seem to find my map, must still be in Blue Ridge. It sounds like the weather guy is calling for rain for the next 5 days, should have stayed up north and went on down 64 like I had planned to do.

2:00pm- We are somewhere between Inlet Bch. and Laguna bch. and it is raining pretty steady, which is a problem considering water weighs 7 1/2lbs. a gallon. I hope we run across a store soon, ain't too much along this stretch at all. Happy Birthday Robin-R.I.P.

Gulf of Mexico

Thursday- April 11, 2002 - Day 167
2:30pm- Wow!, We are in Panama City Beach and west-bound or bust. Hank brought me all the way from Blue Ridge Ga. . He went a long way off his course to Miami, that's brotherly love! He wanted me to go on into Miami a help him with a few jobs, but I haven't any desire to see Miami again.Well, here we go Skil's! 43 states to go and then I'll try to get to Alaska and Hawaii.
We may have a problem crossing the Lillian Bridge in Pensacola, may have to catch a cab to get across. We'll cross that bridge when we get there (cute). Next week I would like to be back in Alabama and clear of this nightmare state I use to call home. I have lots of woods to call home for awhile, shouldn't have a problem finding a camp-site. I would like to camp on the beach, though. That would be pretty cool. A real Robinson Carusoe.

April 10, 2002 - Wednesday - Day 166
6:00pm- Well I am finished up all the damage I can muster here in Blue Ridge, tomorrow about this time I should be somewhere outside of Dothan. Hank and Cynthia are going to Miami in the morning and he said he would give me a ride to Debbie's. I told him not a chance, that would be 500 miles out of his way. He is a really good friend! He had to make a detour through Phenix City, Al. so I just told him I would get out in Dothan. Hell, maybe I'll run into the ghosts of Lynnard Skinnerd.

April 8, 2002 - Monday - Day 164
It rained all day and I just stayed and worked on Hank's house.

April 9, 2002 - Tuesday - Day 165
Today I finished up Hank's and swirled the living room ceiling for him. Definately not one of my better swirl jobs. Oh well, I told him I would show him how to do it and he could screw it up all by himself. But him and Cynthia thought it was great, so I didn't say much more about it.

Me and Hank

April 7, 2002 - Sunday - Day 163
8:00pm- I worked on Hank's house again today, I guess all that Bible Thumping doesn't count when there's work to be done. Me and Hank went to Blue Ridge Lake to pick up my jacket and clean up my camp. Can't leave a mess! Rule-of-thumb in the woods is "Leave no trace" and I try to live by those words of wisdom. We passed by a Food Lion and I related my story about how I fed Skillet along the way, Hank being Hank, had to go behind there to see for himself. His eyes lit up like neon when he seen the stuff in the dumpster. He was like a kid in a candy store. Hank don like to buy food, he never has. Grow it, kill it, or steal it, just doesn't matter as long as he doesn't pay for it.
I am in my tree-house now writing by candle-light and I find it quite humorous that Hank is worried about a bear getting me. I have had 3 encounters with bears and I have been the victor everytime. Nice to be worried about, though. I've known Hank since 4th grade and I don't think he'll ever change. Every day that I have run into him since 1970, he has asked about my sister, I am wondering now, did I miss something? Great to be alive!