Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL, to KOA Tallahassee, FL:  This morning was a little warmer, but really windy and cloudy.  We were going to take the bikes and bike to the other shore batteries not accessible by car.  But neither of us wanted to bike in these conditions. So, we decided to just pack up and head east.  Mike called ahead and the KOA had plenty of sites. So glad we did decide to leave early, because it took us 4 hours to drive to the KOA which is west of Tallahassee. We still have at least a three hour drive tomorrow.  So instead of a long seven-hour drive tomorrow and a long line at the dump station before we were able to get on the road, now we have a leisure three-hour drive and can take our time. Good decision.   

Surf's up on the Gulf.

Blowing sand over the island road.  You can hardly see the residential high rises on the eastern end of the island.  Looks more like a winter scene.

The other night we enjoyed a beautiful sunset over Pensacola Bay.

Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL:    Another beautiful sunny day, but it’s sure taking its time warming up.  And it’s still pretty windy.  Needless to say, I donned shorts and a tee shirt and sat outside in the sun for a while reading my book.  After lunch I stayed inside because of the chill.  Later on we checked out some of the shore battery guns put in place in the 40s.  Back to our site and laid low. Mike’s tooth that was bothering him broke off last night, but he’s not in any pain any more.  His awesome dentist in the Keys will take care of it.  Only 73 today.

One of the gun batteries on the beach.

Sailing on Pensacola Bay

Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL:  This morning we got going early and took the laundry over to the facility here in the park.  Nobody in front of us so we got the job done quickly.  After that we relaxed around our site, had some lunch and then headed to Ft. Pickens to tour the fort with a National Park Ranger.  She just started in May, but she gave a great tour with a sense of humor and a lot of knowledge.  I was so impressed I gave her a $20 tip.  Drove to Pensacola Beach and had an early dinner at Hooters and then drove back enjoying a beautiful sunset.  Our park is packed this weekend—what with the holiday weekend.  Poor Mike has a tooth bothering him.  He has a great dentist in the Keys, but we won’t be there for a couple of weeks.  Not sure he’ll be able to wait that long. 

Ft. Pickens was built entirely by slaves.  Sad commentary. The owner of the slaves received compensation for their use, but of course the slaves got nothing.  Except for the fact that these slaves were highly skilled masons and must have taken a lot of pride in the results of their labor.  There's a lot of intricate brick work in this structure.

Mikey on the beach

This pristine beach goes on for miles.

Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL:  A nice day today, but chilly.  After lunch we headed over to Ft. Pickens at the western end of the island.  We didn't walk around the fort—just checked out the museum.  After that we drove back to Pensacola and did some grocery shopping.  Only 65 today.

Construction was started on Ft. Pickens in 1829 and completed in 1834.  21.5 million bricks were used in the construction--most locally made.  It was built to accommodate 200 cannons. It's considered the largest coastal fort in the U.S. and was used until the 1950s.  

Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL:  Chilly and cloudy this morning, but it cleared off by 10:00 and turned into a beautiful day—albeit a bit chilly.  After lunch we drove down past Pensacola Beach but were turned back because the road was closed to Navarre Beach.  Stopped at the huge ferris wheel on the beach and took a ride.  It’s 200 feet high and you sit in a little gondola.  We did 4 revolutions—about a 12 minute ride. Not too bad.  Back home and relaxed the rest of the day.  Only 63 today.

Looks more like a winter scene than a beach scene.

Took a ride on this huge ferris wheel.

Sun reflecting off the water making it sparkle.

KOA, Milton, FL, to Ft. Pickens National Park, Santa Rosa Island, FL:  A beautiful, sunny morning.  While Mike was in the shower I went out for a brisk walk.  Then we headed out for fuel and some breakfast.  Came back and hooked up and headed south to the Gulf shore.  Thought it would be an easy drive, but we were in the left lane and the exit for Ft. Pickens was in the right lane, so we had to turn around.  But we finally made it and eventually got set up.  Then we headed out for a couple of cocktails and something to eat.  Stopped off at the beach and checked it out.  Ft. Pickens sits on Santa Rosa barrier island.  The park sits at the end of the island and we pretty much have the beach to ourselves.  After relaxing over drinks we headed back to our site just before dark.  We’re here for seven nights.

Our site--reminds me of the Everglades, until you go to the beach.

While walking the beach we saw a couple of rays hunting--in really shallow water.

KOA in Milton, FL:  A beautiful day today and felt great to just kick back and relax.  I went for a walk and Mike joined me for part of it.  Went and checked out historic Bagdad and Milton.  The whole little area of Bagdad is on the list of historic places.  Milton is bigger but doesn’t quite have the charm of Bagdad.  Back to our site and relaxed the rest of the day.  Tomorrow we make the short drive south to the gulf shore and the national park at Ft. Pickens.  We’ll be there for 7 days.

Historic home in Bagdad

The Thompson House--circa 1847

Episcopal Church in Milton

Old Post Office in Milton

Old brick road, which ran for miles along Rt. 90.   Opened in 1921.  It's great that they didn't pave over it or tear it out.  A great piece of history.