Back to Summer on the Florida Panhandle

Day 46 Nashville TN to Navarre Beach FL
469 Miles


Hard to believe we were chilly in Chicago only yesterday morning!

The weather was beautiful in Nashville this morning. Before we left the KOA we took the dogs to the 'doggie playground' in the campground. Shih tzus are NOT very agile, we knew this, already and their performances on the equipment proved us right. We had to shove the dogs up the incline, all four paws stiff and nails screeching on the wood. Molly had to be pushed through the hoop. We got a good laugh out of their antics.

Then, on to the highway...I65 south out of Nashville, then almost all the way through Alabama. We got through Tennessee the easy way, which would be the north/south way...the east/west takes a long, long time! Most of the day was spent traveling through Alabama.

We were thrilled with the mild temperatures and the beautiful weather. After lunch, when we were just south of Birmingham, I called a campground that we've been to twice in the past, it's right on the Gulf. However, it's quite expensive and not that great, most of the time the ocean isn't visible to most campers due to the dunes. I called them and the price was over $100/night...this for a 20 foot wide piece of sand.

Decided against it and called one in Navarre FL. that isn't on the Gulf, but on the sound...between the mainland and the barrier island. I was asked if I wanted a site on the beach which I accepted, high at $80, but we really wanted a spot with a tropical feeling and were delighted when we got here. The spot is even better than we'd hoped for. We are right on the water...I mean, right on the water! The back of the RV is almost hanging over it. Oh, and the moon is full tonight and beautiful, coming up across the sound and shinning on the water. Aaaaaah.

We need a VACATION from our vacation! Driving in the big cities and the last two travel days have worn us out. How funny is that?

We will be here until noon Friday. We'll likely visit Pensacola 20 miles west and Destin 20 miles or so east too. We have a favorite restaurant in Pensacola, the Fish House that has the best shrimp and grits that Jim loves and a risotto dis I love. May have to ride the bikes and walk a bit to work off the calories if we do that.

Then, the last few days of this trip will be spent in the Tampa/St. Pete area and Orlando. Jim wants to play in the Parks. Of course, it's also a holiday weekend, so we'll have to play it by ear. From what we've seen, the travel industry is probably going to be hurting this year. My guess is that people will be vacationing close to home. We've seen very, very few out of state plates in our travles and only today saw our first South Carolina license plates since we left!

Hey I get to sleep in tomorow, yea!