Week 12, August 16 to August 22: Livingston, AL to De Funiak Springs FL

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Total Mileage to date: 4,374 miles

Day 84, August 22: Milton to De Funiak Springs. Distance: 60 miles. Sunny then overcast temp in 70s.

We got off to an extra early start this morning riding about 30 miles to Crest View for breakfast. After breakfast we continued on US 98 to De Funiak Springs arriving about 11:00 AM. US 98 was a good road smooth with a wide shoulder for most of the ride. We could see evidence of clouds moving in from the east and north and had a north breeze for most of the ride. After we arrived in De Funiak the cloud cover increased and we are expecting rain this afternoon and tonight. This completes another great day for a ride.

Day 84, August 22: Milton to De Funiak Springs. Distance: 60 miles. Sunny then overcast temp in 70s.

Day 83, August 21 Orange Beach, AL to Milton, FL. Distance 55 miles, Sunny with easterly wind.

Today we said goodbye to Alabama and hello to Florida. Our route took us east on CR 182 along the Gulf of Mexico coast to the Florida state line where we picked up CR 292 through Gulf Beach, Pleasant Grove and into Pensacola where we connected to US 90. After a 25 mile ride we stopped in Pensacola for breakfast and then a stop at the Bikes Plus bicycle shop. While having breakfast we were able to see the US Navy Blue Angles practicing their maneuvers. We followed US 90 through Pensacola over Interstate-10 and the towns of Riverview, Pace and into Milton. Our Gulf Coast ride was smooth with a wide shoulder. Traffic through Pensacola was heavy and the road turned rough and very busy as we rode on US 90. The temperature warmed up by noon to the high 80s and the easterly breeze was light. All in all, another great day for a bike ride.

Day 83, August 21 Orange Beach, AL to Milton, FL. Distance 55 miles, Sunny with easterly wind.

Day 82, August 20: Mobile to Orange Beach. Distance 55 miles, Sunny, 80s and breezy.

We began before sunrise traveling east on US 90/98. We followed US 98 along the shoreline of Mobile Bay through the towns of Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear then east to Magnolia Springs. We stopped for breakfast in Fairhope at a small downtown restaurant. From Magnolia Springs we took some county roads over to SR 59 through Gulf Shores to the Gulf Coast turning east on SR 182 into Orange Beach. We arrived at our motel at 11:00 AM and I did some body surfing in the Gulf finding the water pleasantly warm and refreshing. The ride was flat and smooth, with an easterly breeze later in the morning. Our ride east on SR 182 had an estimated 10 mph headwind. Another great day of riding was completed. Some of the team took an 80 + mile route around Mobile and to Dauphine Island where they ferried over to Fort Morgan and rode SR 180 to SR 59.

Day 82, August 20: Mobile. AL to Orange Beach, AL. Distance 55 miles. Sunny and 70s - 80s.

Day 81, August 19: Mobile, AL Restday, Sunny and warm.

No riding today. The morning was spent with laundry and catching up on the blog. The afternoon was spent taking pictures at the Alabama Batleship Memorial Park going through the Aircraft Pavillion, SS Drum submarine and USS Alabama battleship.

Day 81, August 19: Mobile, AL Restday. Sunny and warm

Day 80, August 18:Atmore to Mobile. Distance: 54 miles, Lifting fog then sunny. 70s and 80s

Ron and I get an early start leaving Atmore on US 31 heading west arriving in Bay Minette for our morning breakfast. This segment of our ride was about 30 miles with fog on a smooth two lane highway with a small shoulder and lots of commuter traffic going to work on a Monday morning. Just south of Bay Minette we turned west on to CR 138, a smooth country road with little traffic. A short 8 miles later we intersected SR 225 turning south. A few rolling hills and about 12 miles later after climbing a hill we see the Gulf of Mexico at Spanish Fort. We then connected to US 98 west a four lane highway across Mobile Bay. Soon we see the battleship USS Alabama and arrive at our motel at Battlefield Park with beautiful blue skies. Another great ride comes to an end. Tonight we all load up in the pickup 5-front and 5-back and drive into Mobile for dinner at the Wintzell's Oyster House where signs cover all walls with entertaining quotes. Most folks had seafood and we give it 5 stars!

Day 80, August 18:Atmore to Mobile. Distance: 54 miles, Lifting fog then sunny. 70s and 80s

Day 79, August 17: Thomasville to Atmore: Distance 84 miles

Today I rode with the Olympian as we left earlier than the other folks and had a great ride to Atmore. Sunday morning traffic was light and the roads were smooth. A few hills with the greatest climb on County Road (CR) 23 between US 84 and Frisco City. Our path today was US 43 from Thomasville to Grove Hill then east on US 84 through the towns of Whatley, Gosport and Perdue Hill. Just past Perdue Hill we turned south on CR 23 that connected us to SR 21 at Frisco City. SR 21 took us to Atmore through the towns of Megargel, Uriah and Huxford. Our hotel in Atmore is just a few hundred yards from the Florida state line. Get’er done fever has set in. A quick Google Map search shows that we are 395 miles from Jacksonville Beach, FL. Finally Judy will be leaving after today’s ride to go back to work. It has been grand having you with us again Judy.

Day 79, August 17: Thomasville to Atmore: Distance 84 miles