Panama City to Pensacola; 65 days 'til SUS '12!

The weather was gorgeous today, but I opted to head out for a run rather than a ride after Saturdays harrowing experience riding with my new pedals & shoes. I plan to get some more practice clipping in and out before I head back out on the streets. Trail riding doesn't freak me out, it's the stopping and starting @ stoplights that has me freaked. So...in the meantime, 3 more cities to explore today.

Panama City, FL

And while it's technically Panama City Beach, not Panama City...I couldn't resist.

• Panama City will represent our first time zone crossing of the trip. Panama City is in the Central time zone. I think what that really equates to in B&B terms is for one night we will feel like we were gifted an extra hour of sleep. :)
• The Panama City city website features an affordable housing section, which can be found by clicking here. The city provides a list of affordable housing options as well as provides an after school assistance program for families that may struggle to afford this otherwise.
• Despite their very similar names Panama City & Panama City Beach are actually two distinct cities, albeit right next to one another & in the same county.

DeFuniak Springs, FL

•  Pictured right is the sunset over Lake DeFuniak.
• Lake DeFuniak is one of two naturally occuring perfectly round lakes in the world. (The other is in Switzerland)
• A railroad survey crew came looking for an area through which to place a railroad, it is said they discovered Lake DeFuniak and decided to build a town as well. They named it after Fred R. DeFuniak who held many positions within Louisville & Nashville Railroad

Pensacola, FL
 

• Home to the first U.S. Naval Air Station & the home of the Blue Angels (a well known flight demonstration crew) (pictured left). SUS'ers from years past have said they've been able to see the Angels fly over head!
• Pensacola has several nicknames, a few of my favorites being "The City of Five Flags" due to the 5 governments who have flown flags there (Spain, France, GB, Confederate States, US), my other favorite being the "Redneck Riviera" 
• Pensacola is one of America's first known settlements, with recorded history dating back to 1559

And that's it for Florida, Pensacola is the last city before crossing our first state line & heading to Alabama, followed quickly by Mississippi & Louisiana!!!