Southern Tier Day #7 Marianna, FL to DeFuniak Springs, FL

Southern Tier Day #7
April 4, 2021
Marianna, FL to DeFuniak Springs, FL 65 Miles
Start 7:39 AM
Finish 4:49 PM
Ride Time 6:37
Ascent 889 Feet
Descent 721 Feet
Tour Total 493 Miles
Details at: https://cyclemeter.com/3f1ef27914a4c684/Cycle-20210404-0739-62926

I slept great last night at Florida Caverns RV Park & Campground. We went to bed early and slept for a long time. I woke up at 6:30 AM Central and it was cold out. There was quite a bit of condensation and the tent fly was completely soaked. My clothes, that had been left on the line, were damp and cold. It was a deliberate slow pack-up. We were now in Central Time, and it would be an easier day today. I was finally feeling that I had the itinerary under control. Blanka was constipated this morning but she kept in her big dinner from last night, and there was no whining during the night. She enjoyed the campground, and she was extremely well behaved. She relished laying in the grass and listening to the sounds. I lost a dental filling last night, I believe during the night, which meant that I swallowed it. I didn’t recall chewing on anything hard for the past few days, although I did finish off a bag of peanuts last night. It felt like a huge hole in my mouth, but I took a selfie, and it wasn’t too bad, and shouldn’t cost a fortune.
Today is Easter. Yesterday I had called the campground near DeFuniak Springs to assure that we could getting a campsite tonight. I realized that the holiday might affect restaurants and services. Although the morning air was cool, the sun was strong and I started out the ride wearing my bike shorts, short sleeve jersey, and sweater. It was warming up quickly. The sky was crystal clear and the sun was rapidly rising above the horizon.

We pulled out onto busy US19 and I realized that Blanka’s leash wasn’t securely fastened, so we pulled over to attach it to her collar. I looked a quick glance at the map and realized that we’d be on US19 for the entire day. We backtracked to the route and crossed the Chipola River. There was no shoulder throughout Marianna. There never appeared to be a shoulder within any of the towns along US90, and it was always a bit harrowing pulling a wagon. Marianna had four lanes of traffic that seemed somewhat lighter this morning because of the early hour and holiday. Mariana had a beautiful Spanish style post office. Other than that, the town had seen better days. The bike lane and wide shoulder began again on the western edge of town.
We ran into eastbound touring cyclist Joe from Washington state, who started the Southern Tier in San Diego on March 1st. He was mostly staying in hotels, and complained about the campgrounds being too far off route. He thought Florida drivers were the friendliest he’d encountered in any other state. He thought the Florida road conditions were excellent, and believed that the shoulders were regularly swept clear of debris. I definitely concur that cycling is good here in Florida.

Blanka and I went to the Tom Thumb store in Cottondale where I ordered the Tom Thumb breakfast platter. I had expected a mini donuts morning as all of the small eateries were closed. The platter, consisting of eggs, bacon, biscuits, and grits, wasn’t horrible. I washed it down with a Starbucks Frappuccino. I purchased a small can of potted meat for Blanka, which she quickly devoured and then vomited all over the parking lot. Afterwards she begged bacon and grits from me. I dried out the tent fly in the parking lot by draping it over the air filling station. The sun was strong. I removed my sweater and applied sunscreen. I put on my arm and leg UV protectors and attached the brim to my helmet, and flipped the map panel to 96.

After a few miles on the road we entered Washington County. It was a wide open stretch, with plowed fields to the right and grass fields to the left, ostensibly for grazing. The mailbox doors face the road In this part of the state. We entered the small town of Chipley, populations 3605, and passed another Blue Star Memorial Highway plaque. I’d already seen a number of these plaques and have read that they continue all the way Pacific along US90. We lost our shoulder again in Chipley.

We stopped at a nice grassy area beneath some pine trees, next to a church that was having it’s Easter service. I tossed a stick for Blanka and got her to run around until she did her business. Yesterday I heard from followers on Instagram who wanted to see more footage of Blanca. I fastened my phone to my rear tail light and filmed her in the wagon. Earlier today I found a large deer antler in the shoulder. Today I fastened my phone mount to the antler for more Blanka wagon footage.

A motorist went flying by and blasted it’s horn twice. I found it borderline aggressive. Cyclists can hear a vehicle coming from over a quarter mile away. I’ve got a rearview mirror and see them from a quarter mile away as well. I know they’re coming and exactly where they are. I really wish motor vehicles had volume adjustments for their horns. It doesn’t need to be so loud. It’s dehumanizing. We crossed over Alligator Creek. I spotted turtles but no alligators.
We crossed Holmes Creek and entered into Holmes County. We rode through the small town Bonifay, population 2793, and didn’t stop. After a few miles we crossed back into Washington County and flipped to map panel 95. A passing motorist gave us a friendly tap tap. We pedaled alongside groves of pine and oak lining both sides of the road as we came in to Caryville, population 411. I realized that I wasn’t seen Spanish moss anymore. I saw later saw some, but it was much less prevalent. Caryville is the Worm FiddLin’ Capital of the World. We crossed the Choctawhatchee River and reentered Holmes County as well as the Westville city limits. There were no services in Westville, population 289.

In Ponce de Leon we went to Wayne’s Grocery where I purchased a Gatorade and banana. I fill Blanka’s water bowl at every stop, and I refill my water bottle from the bathroom meaning no roadside bio breaks this tour.

We had gentle ups and downs and the highway remained lined by pine trees. A passing motorist waved and give us a friendly honk. We entered Walton County and the small town of Argyle, no population listed. After a few miles we came to Defuniak Springs, home of a large perfectly round lake. Defuniak Springs became a popular railroad stop after operations began in 1882. It became more popular during the Chautauqua Movement. We rode past the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, which was a rebuilt, after a hurricane in 1975. We took Circle Drive around Laken Defuniak, and map section 7 was concluded when we were done. The center of town has seen better days. I pedaled to La Terraza Mexican Restaurant where I ordered chicken enchiladas and a Coke.

After lunch we rode to Bass Haven campground, a few miles north of town. Along the way I stopped at a Tom Thumb for beer and dog food. The friendly campground proprietor had spent several years working in Alaska before returning here to work with his family. I dried out the tent in the afternoon sun, while Blanka enjoyed some dog food and naps in the grass. We watched the golden sunset over Juniper Lake while I sipped a few beers and prepared this report.