The mosquitos are up earlier than us so we pack as quickly as possible and get out where the breeze will keep them at bay. The route is heavily built up for tourists, though there's been an attempt to preserve some of the old dunes. The headwind starts strong but eases and we make it over 20 miles to Warrington (on the outskirts of Pensacola) for probably our best breakfast at "Bill's fine Foods", a Greek diner where the owner chats to us and is very concerned for our safety, when he's not arguing with the waitress!
We are delayed when we find my tire flat (I think I now lead 9-7 in punctures) before plodding on through Pensacola on busy roads with mercifully good shoulders, Mark again leading the way and deciphering the route instructions. We detour to a bike shop to stock up on tubes, where the owner (who did the original 1976 bicentennial cross country ride) chats and photographs us before we climb out of town over a series of ridges called "the Bluffs" and out into the countryside again.
We are back to back roads and trees after the brief gulf interlude, though the Florida dogs seem friendlier but the traffic and driving worse. The route isn't tough with something of a tail wind developing, though we end the day on busy Rt 90 and don't enjoy Rt 85 out of Crestview where the traffic is very heavy en route to shopping and accommodation clustered around our old friend I-10. After overloading with groceries we make the short journey to the local campsite, to find the no longer take tents. Luckily we have a voucher for a cheap room in the Super 8 motel which proves to be just across the road so we check in, switch on the TV, shower and get out the cooking apparatus (if you are a Super 8 manager or Crestville fireman you didn't read that!). I also manage (after some effort) to book a car rental home from Orlando and get hold of Tracy's grandmother in Ocala to arrange to visit. A $33 room beats camping and we enjoy the night.
