I’ve ate and I am cruising around looking for something to do while enjoying the WARM air and full stomach. To my disappointment… I don’t see very many people on the beach and it’s about 9AM. More importantly… I don’t see anyone playing volleyball. Every time I come here I look for a few games of volleyball but seldom find any. Today was no exception despite the pairs of nets set up in the public areas. Eh, well… I need to head home anyway. It’s been a long night and I’m kinda fatigued. (after sleeping on the beach… no wonder)

Reluctantly I begin into a homeward direction and stop to gas up at a local station. Once the initial shock of having to pay nearly $3.50 a gallon has subsided… I walk in to talk with the shop keeper about a restroom. I’m wondering what I look like (among other things) and notice how pale I look in the mirror… no doubt from the previous night’s activities. On my way out I chat for a little while with the shopkeeper about what goes on in this town on a Sunday. I mention that I didn’t see very many people out to which he said “of course not… they are still hungover. give it to about 11 and this place will be at full throttle”. Turns out he’s a local and a former biker so we swap stories for a little while before I leave.

Did I say leave? I meant to say before I headed back to the beach. Yeah, the shopkeeper compelled me to stay a little longer. After all this IS the beach and what was the point of coming all the way down here without going for a swim in the ocean, eh? I don’t have a change of clothes or even a swimsuit but a ride across the street to the local Walgreens and I find everything I need. A bag, towel, trunks, sunblock, sandals, sunglasses, hat and a couple bottles of water. It would have been a helluva lot cheaper if I had brought all this stuff but that is the price you pay for not planning ahead. Altogether it was about $89 worth of stuff that I can fit into a small duffle bag. Ah well, all of this stuff is reusable.

I pack everything up and head south again. Time is getting short again so I pay $20 to “rent” some beach chairs and an umbrella and set everything up for some lounging. I used the public bathrooms to change into my swim gear and I’m all set to go. For whatever reason, I thought that the water would be warmer now that the sun is up. Heh, was I wrong. Yeah, it was one of those scrotum shrinking, ice down the back cold swims. I dared not to dive my head under lest I become sick… especially from the previous bone chilling night. I must have tread water for about 15 minutes or so while in the deep water and pretty much got bored since no one else was getting in or was out this far. Not long later I felt I had experienced the cold water long enough and headed back to my rental chairs.

The wind was still blowing cold so I dried myself quickly. I drank one of my waters to get the salt out of my mouth and eyes and sat down to get some sun. Now I must have dozed off for no more than THIRTY minutes and this is how I got my sunburn. Only my legs were exposed as the rest of me was under the umbrella but 30 friggin minutes of sun and my legs already felt like they were too hot. I woke up and immediately began smearing sunblock all over unprotected areas but either I didn’t apply enough or this was some really cheap sunblock. I say this because I later walked the beach for another 45 minutes or so thinking that I was completely covered but painfully… I wasn’t

Turns out my legs from the mid thigh down were over exposed to the sunlight. It never used to be this way when I was a kid… I remember being out for hours and hours playing but never coming back in with sunburn. Even when we would go to the beach… we could go long periods before having to slather on the various protective lotions. The Ozone layer surely is thinner than ever before. It’s kinda scary actually. Anyways by the time I was heading for my next destination later in the day… my legs felt like they were stung by bees.

I took a lateral detour and drove east along the beach line. The road took me to Pensacola where I drove the scenic route to view the bay there. Temporarily getting lost I found myself on the main Interstate Highway 10. I then knew where I needed to go to get home. I rode helmet-free along to De Funiak Springs since I was in Florida where there is no helmet law. I learned quickly that riding without a “lid” may look cool but it’s very uncomfortable and noisy. Once in De Funiak I put the helmet back on…. after cleaning all of dust and pollen out of my eyes.

So finally, I begin the homeward journey feeling very impressed with my trip so far. Although I got pretty bored at the beach being unable to drink nor chat with good looking women and more importantly… no volleyball… the trip overall was quite an accomplishment. It was a hard and fast ride home to beat the cold again as the day was waning into another night. Almost 24 hours previously I had embarked on this voyage and about the same time the next day I’m coming back home.

I spent probably $200 in gas, food and “supplies”. At least I brought some stuff back that was reusable, right? I drove about 567 miles total which shattered my previous record for a single long trip. Aside from this uncomfortable sunburn on my legs… the only other thing I wish was different was not bringing my camera. There was lots of stuff to take pictures of… especially on the scenic ride through Pensacola. Next time will be better. I’m pretty sure there will be a next time. I’m glad I made the trip. Even if for the simple fact that I can go “just because I can”. Maybe I’ll start thinking… more importantly… start DOING other things like this… “just because I can”.

Are you sure?
Not really.
Are you up for it?
I dunno… we’ll have to see.
You mean head south until you don’t want to ride anymore?
Yeah, something like that.