Trans America Cycling Day 42 - Milton, FL to Defuniak Springs, FL

Rain and thunderstorms caused today's ride to be cancelled.  There are reports of significant damage in areas that we have ridden out of during the past few days (Gulf Shores and Mississippi).  Weather looks good for the rest of the week, so hopefully we ride every day through a triumphant entry into St. Augustine on Saturday.

Heavy rain cancelled today's ride

Had we ridden, we would have been on the north side of Eglin Air Force Base much of the day.  Eglin specializes in R&D and test of aircraft-delivered, non-nuclear weapons and guidance systems.  Eglin operates an enormous test and training range that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico.  It’s a good place to test fire new missiles.  Eglin AFB is a choice assignment within Air Force Materiel Command.  The Base is within the Redneck Riviera.

The Redneck Riviera is located on the Emerald Coast of Florida.  The Emerald Coast is bounded roughly by the Pensacola Beach on the west and extends about 100 miles east. Redneck Riviera is a country song by Tom T. Hall about the region.  Some lyrics include:

Gulf Shores up through Apalachicola, they got beaches of the whitest sand

Nobody cares if gramma’ got a tattoo, or Bubba’s got a hot wing in his hand

I got seven dollars for the jukebox, twenty more left over for some beer

Now here comes them dreadful possums

To listen to the entire song:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtJyKdZ53b0

That was the cultural note for the day, Bubba.  Since new photos were few today, I include two more photos from the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron practice attended during the 2017 TAC tour to please the Bubba in us guys.

At 500 mph this maneuver makes a considerable roar for the crowd

Hey Bubbas, don't try this in your pickup trucks!