Santa Rosa Island

Traveling on I-10 to and from New Orleans,

I knew I would be close to the Gulf

in an area I've wanted to visit for 30-some years...

beautiful Pensecola Beach.

But I didn't know if I wanted to add even a little more time

onto my already 9 hour drive

to make that detour to see Gulf waters once again.

Then after a message from an old St. Pete friend,

Mike Courtney,

 stating that I would miss

"in my opinion, the most beautiful beach in the world"

my decision was made.

A portion of the island is dedicated to a park

 that gave me 7+ miles of driving between white sand dunes

bounded by the Santa Rosa Sound to my left and the Gulf to my right.
I had this stretch of road to myself..
it was quite heavenly!

And as an added bonus,

I got to stop by and meet Michael's artistic wife, Lou.

and where I got a tour of the historic home that

they restored together.

I could live in this bathroom!

So, you can see, the detour was worth it!

Thanks, Michael & Lou, for the encouragement.

I hope it's not another 30 years

before I make it to your Panhandle again!!!