Day 10. Fort Pickens FL.

Wednesday January 18, 2023

Before the day's events get underway here's some-

Cool stuff about Fort Pickens:

In 1816 there was a decision made to build forts (called Third System fortifications) to protect our important bays from foreign attack and the Pensacola Bay was high on the list. Especially after President James Monroe in 1825 signed a law establishing a Navy yard and depot for the Pensacola area. It's deep waters (up to 65' in some areas) would provide a great harbor for these ships. Thus Fort Pickens was built on the barrier island and other forts on the inside of the bay were built as well.

Flash forward to the Civil war... the forts designed to protect from foreign attack are now involved in a battle of their own. On the morning of November, 1861 Union cannons, having now commanded this fort, broke the silence of the morning air, firing on the shores of the mainland. Forts McRee and Barrancas (still Confederate controlled) immediately returned fire from the shores and the battle lasted for two days. Around noon of the second day the flag of Fort Barrancas was shot away...and soon after McRee's was gone too. The Union armies prevailed.

Never before had Third Systems fortifications - or another way to say it - never before had our own countries forts been pitted in battle and fired upon one another.

Interesting fact is that both Captain Loomis Langdon (of the Union) and Colonel Villepigue (confederate) who were battling each other here, were both born in 1830 and had both graduated West Point as classmates in 1854. Only to meet again on this battlefield, fighting against one another. Both survived the battle - although the Union forces succeeded here.

Interesting American history I thought. A little sidebar.

OK I'm back.

I woke up at 5:50am to remember that Wednesdays back home some amazing friends of mine conduct a bible study both online and in person at 6:00 am for an hour. I haven't been online with them in awhile but thought what a great way to connect back home! I logged into the Zoom meeting and instantly had shouts of hello's from everyone. Thing is...it was already 7:00am back home and they were pretty much already done! I totally forgot I was in a different time zone! Who woulda thunk parts of Florida were that far west?? I mean I was in Ohio a few days back and that was Eastern time... totally flipped my brain around for sure.

What amazing men of God these guys are though...I was there to hear them pray for any and everyone they could think of in their lives that needed an insight, or a breakthrough or even a physical healing of some kind. Totally taking their own gift of time to share some thoughts and love with other people...so good. A major part of my inner soul process these men were and still are.

I walked to the beach and wow was I reminded of how I love it!! The open airiness of it and surf pounding was just incredible. Dug my toes in the sand and realized only a few days ago my toes were dug into the Atlantic Ocean and here they are in the Gulf of Mexico. Pacific Ocean next baby!! I also made a few phone calls to folks back home and it was good to fill my heart with voices of those I care about and those that feel back the same way...love y'all.

Now...time for a road ride!

So Stoked!

Went to my jeep to get my bike and realized...it is truly amazing how much I have in this jeep and still had room for me to catch some zzzz's in it! All my cycle gear, clothes for all kinds of weather, tools, two bikes and food! Just a cool vehicle all around. I left about 11:15 and between stopping for the campsite passes, National Park passes and taking some photos I was gone about four hours.

Wow do the sand beaches remind me of home. Not many beaches I encounter can match that feel of the nearly baby powder touch that the south beaches of Long Island have. Pearly white these beaches were too - just gorgeous. Rolling sand dunes that nearly gave the impression of snow. But now it's 73 degrees out, I'm in shorts with the sun warming me up and the ocean sound off to one side! Feels like home. Hard to believe also that days ago it was a minus 3 wind chill with flurries falling around. Incredible country we are in to be able to experience all this!`

As I returned from the ride I had to pass thru the gate that the night before was unoccupied and I encountered the National Park officer who needed to see my National Park pass to enter. Well....I ain't got one!! Apparently you need one of these in addition to the campsite reservation and stuff. Dude was serious too. Dark trooper sunglasses and the demeanor of an officer handcuffing a serial National Park abuser. Do they imprison people for this? I have an orange jeep, but geez I don't think I could rock an orange prison jumpsuit. I even workout everyday and bench press n stuff like they do in prison. Or at least in movie prison anyway. Do they have gyms in prison? And libraries too? There's always the guy pushing the book cart around too. Guess I could spend some time reading anyway.

And dude - I do yoga! Truth be told I don't think that goes over well in carceration. Or is it incarceration? Or is it - in incarceration? (so confused)? Ha! I can just see it now while I sit in a cell with Bubba. What are you in for kid? Uhhhh....I entered a National Park without a hall pass? Great. You get bottom bunk. And call me Mr. Bubba from now on. Oh geez.

I Made it back to the jeep, threw the bike in and headed to the beach to catch some sun and relax.

Totally collapsed in sheer - yet elated exhaustion on the sand. I feel like that as much as I've been just driving a lot... it still takes a lot out of you. Then after banging out the 50+ mile road ride today, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I knocked out on the beach for a quick power nap. Seriously like just 10 minutes but it felt like a video game power up. I woke to see that the sun was drifting to the horizon - which brought other campers to the beach and even a lady with like this Indian kinda flute thingy that was near four feet long and started playing it. Campers are a strange bunch I've decided.

Me to I guess then!!? Wait I'm normal right?

It definitely seems like camper DNA must be a little different than your average folk for sure though. There are lots of people traveling on their own... eating, showering, exploring, sitting in a chair and staring at the sky... What no one to travel with!? Geez bunch of loners lol. Ha!

And...when I first arrived here there was no "Welcome to the neighborhood" party, no cake, no invite to dinner, not even a hello! I think that woulda been nice no? There I am making a PB n Honey and there's a bbq steak smell wafting over my way....wow what I would do for a taste of that....

But...it is really cool seeing the different setups people have. One guy converted an old box truck...yeah the big square looking things (hence the name box lol) into a camper. Even rolled out a Vespa from the back and used that to get around in. Then some converted vans with wood interiors...all the way down to tents. Neat.

Inside

Realizing home is where your heart feels welcome. Where your heart rests in peaceful bliss. Perhaps surrounded by friends and loved ones...or even on a beach that resonates with your soul. But the home is inside. It's not dependent on the outside...although that can help you find it. Beaches help me find it...

Outside

So stoked by today's views! Totally reminded me of why I live where I live. The place where sandy beaches - meet ocean water - meet salty air. The smells, the sounds, the vibrant aliveness all are incredible. Four hours alongside that view were like an IV for my soul.

Upside

So many today...everyday actually. But the gold medal winner here is this cool tent. In minutes it unfolds into the coolest tree camp that I ever wanted as a kid and never had. Ya know the one that only your buds would be allowed in and there would be a no trespassing sign or 'no girls allowed' sign posted on it when you were like nine lol? So comfy.

downside

Not enough hours in the day! Funny as it is, with a 6 week trip, I still feel like I could extend this by not just days but months! I had hoped to explore the fort area, the local gift shops even, talk with some of the locals etc. But after that ride, I was just done, and don't regret it at all, but would've like to spend more days in almost every stop I've made so far!

Every which way but east

I want to check out Santa Rosa beach tomorrow...supposed to be nice...so I'll head there and then on to Biloxi for a nite....