Day 9: Pensacola, FL

This morning I still planned on cycling. A mild hangover and lack of sleep isn't exactly conducive to hot weather days on a bike, but I still believed I’d progress along the coast in the afternoon. We headed out for breakfast. Grits: I tried it so you won't have to.

I’d never planned to stop in Pensacola but Mike insisted I stay around for as long as I fancy, and after spending the first few days alone on the road it’s certainly welcome company. I also had a few things to do like sort out a sim card, eat more fast food…

After cycling downtown to the morning market which finally provided decent bread and eggs for a camp breakfast, a sightseeing tour of the city followed as we visited the beach (I had no idea they were so pristine along this coast) and down along the peninsula to Fort Pickens.

Folk like fishing here big time

It’s quite easy to get caught up in the cycling aspect of touring: find end point, find place to stay, find route, head down. Yes it’s obviously more than just the means of transport and I get pleasure from cycling long hours, but I told myself before starting that I’d take opportunities as they came and mileage can take secondary importance - take is as it comes. See the sights, have fun, no regrets.

Dinner... or not

We headed out to a restaurant with Miranda and Sean which had live jazz/blues and a great vibe and equally tasty Southern type home cooking: fried chicken, sweet potato fries, mac n cheese n stuff. I made the obligatory mistake of over-ordering (note: any side/appetiser is always a complete meal) but neatly they realise sanely-appetited people exist and automatically offered a takeaway box. Oh yes fried chicken power breakfast.

Mike and I drank a few beers back at the house and got talking for hours on all manner of topics; the significant ones, the not-so-significant ones. It was a pleasure to have such great company.

I will be moving into Alabama tomorrow.