Day 6: Tuesday

Dst: 61.82 mi
Avg: 12.1 mph
Mx: 25.6 mph
Tm: 5:03:36

The day began as usual: Breviary and Mass.  Then Jesse opened the door and realized the SUN WAS OUT!  We haven’t seen much sun on this trip, so it was very welcome while it lasted.

We hunted for a couple of geocaches on the island while waiting until the ferry’s departure at 9:30 a.m.  We didn’t find them.  We snooped around Fort Gaines, before we had to board the boat. The fort was established way back in 1821 to defend Mobile Bay. Unfortunately for us, we could only look around outside the fort, as it was then closed to visitors. It looked impressive.

The ferry ride was enjoyable.  It took about half an hour and I enjoyed seeing the oil and gas platforms up close.  There are quite a few visible in every direction. Later, I found this map of oil and gas wells in the Gulf. It's more difficult to find an exact number as to how many wells and platforms there are in the Gulf, but it seems to be in the thousands.  The gulls were also fun to watch, as were these pelicans that greeted us at the dock.

Once on land we cruised past Fort Morgan and many beachfront homes.  I finally found a geocache in Alabama (I was getting worried I’d miss my chance).  Then I cruised by countless towers of condos right next to the beach.  Once in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it was clear that this was tourist and Spring Break Central.  One sign had a countdown to Spring Break 2012: only 13 more days.  At least for now it’s quiet.  I’m glad we’re here now, not in two weeks!

Before I knew it, I was crossing into Florida.  Jesse was waiting for me near the Florida sign.  We snapped some photos and hit the road again… but almost immediately Jesse got the first, second, and third flats … all at once.  His tire had a hole in its sidewall, so the tubes popped right after he replaced them and inflated them.  A man pulled over and, thankfully, let us use his floor pump (much easier than the small hand pumps we carry).  Once we realized the problem, Jesse stuck an emergency tire boot (I’m told you can use a dollar bill in a pinch) and that seemed to work.

The traffic got heavier as we neared Pensacola, but there was a bike lane so it was tolerable.  Unfortunately, we arrived during rush hour, which sucked.  I met Jesse in downtown Pensacola at a Days Inn.  We ate supper in the motel’s restaurant, did laundry, and are now relaxing.

Oh, I stopped in a Catholic Church to pray for a minute.  During Mass this morning I prayed for sunshine and God obliged, though fog did roll in as we neared Pensacola.  It’s almost surreal with the fog and the sea, with the white sandy beaches.  It is beautiful down here.  I can see why people would want beachfront property like this, even though it will probably be wiped out periodically by hurricanes.

As I rode today, fighting a light headwind, I occupied myself with the “Our Father,” from the morning Mass readings.  I prayed, meditating over each word as I rode to fill the time.  I also pray a Rosary as I ride each day to kill time in a constructive way.  God is good!