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.