Today’s trip was conceived in 2004 and planned in 2005 before getting postponed because of Hurricane Katrina. I was planning my first real holiday of my adult life and, like most housebound folks, had only a few weeks’ vacation a year, and not always at the most opportune time. This trip was supposed to take me to Savannah (which I saw in 2008) then New Orleans (where I’m heading tomorrow!) by way of Pensacola because it was in proximity to Florida’s former capital that I had wanted to see the Gulf of Mexico for the first time.
I really need to look at maps more rather than just make itineraries with Google and my GPS because I had no idea that my current itinerary was taking me less than an hour and a half from that location, the western tip of Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola Beach. I’m just glad I clued in with enough time to make the detour!
While I’m sure there are lots of lovely things to see and do in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, I just wanted to walk the pure white sand beaches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and tour the ruins of Fort Pickens.
The trip to Pensacola Beach (a separate community from Pensacola, btw), was super quick and easy as the casino sits at the exit I-65 southbound folks can take as a short cut to Pensacola. There is a $1 toll to get onto Santa Rosa Island and an additional $8 to visit the Fort Pickens site.
Sunshine state my ass!
I’m really here!!!
This is NOT the Gulf of Mexico, but a bay.
I just wanted a picture of my truck next to palm trees. 🙂
Definitely going the right way!
Long bridge to Gulf Breeze.
Cross Gulf Breeze, another bridge, a toll booth, and I’m here!
a lunar landscape
Just as I envisioned it…
I frolicked in the surf, wading waist deep! The water was cold, but I was seriously tempted to swim a little!
Approaching Fort Pickens
The fort was built for homeland security in the early 1800s.
The fort is extremely damp, with mould being rampant. The public washrooms are soggy, too.
The fort is full of fun tunnels and dark corners to explore. I’m not claustrophobic per se, but I found that stooping to explore that left tunnel was a little breath catching.
This is a long tunnel that seemed to go on forever — in pitch darkness.
Thorny plants, beware!
Geronimo was held captive here.
Water cistern.
Note the double arch construction to keep the foundation from sinking into the sand.
The fort within a fort, painted glossy black.
This display shows how long garbage stays in the water before decomposing.
plastic bottles, 450 years
A swimsuit from the early 20th century, when people started going to the beach.
There’s an RV park right next to the beach.
Boardwalk leading up to the beach.
Still pinching myself.
Note to self: your sandals are the black spots on the beach!
The sand was very comfortable to walk on, not cold at all.
The road out.
I have more about today, but I seem to time my casino stays with the seafood buffet, so you’ll just have to be patient. I just hope I don’t drown on the way into the casino as the sky has finally opened and it is pouring rain out there!