Left Perry, FL around 10 this morning. Headed southwest to get to the gulf. Palms and pine trees dominate the landscape in inland north west florida. Inland is also redneck territory. Once I got to the gulf of mexico, and started to follow the shore line it became more upper class again. Large beach houses way up on stilts the whole way. I also kinda got the feeling that the area along the gulf is one polar ice cap away from joining atlantis. Highway 319(?) runs right along the gulf shore so you get really nice views and fresh air.
Lots of bikes out riding along the gulf today, mostly cruisers. Stopped for lunch at a small beach and chatted with another rider. I always get instant street cred when they see my ontario plate, and that I rode all the way down. Interestingly, the older, big bearded bikers with wind burnt faces are always the most friendly. Even more so if they ride a non-harley cruiser. Also, most riders in florida don't wear helmets, I don't get it. Why is that not a law here, its like driving a car without seat belts. Oddly, they also have lots of billboards everywhere reminding people to "buckle up, its the law", like seat belts are new or something.
Drove through panama city and whatever the big beaches are to the west of there are called. Lots of hotels and strip malls. Heading inland again before you get that far would be a good idea. I need to pay more attention to what day of the week it is, saturday in a holiday beach resort like area is too much traffic. Might be different during the week. Also passed another couple air force bases, and huge military housing neighborhoods of identical small simple homes. From what I overheard, the local stores a pretty tied to the pay cycle on the base.
Drove straight through Alabama and Mississippi. Stopped for gas once in each state. Paid at the pump. A note to I-10 riders, waving to other riders separated by a divided median and a good 8 lanes of distance is overkill. You should spend more time looking at your side of the highway. Basic rule should be if its a divided highway, no wave necessary. Unless you like billboards, or have some attachment to these states, its a pretty boring drive. Had no interaction with the people, so no comment.
Road kill has gone from deer, raccoons and squirrels, to armadillos, to alligators. Alligators leave a real mess and still have that prehistoric threatening look to them, even when dead and flattened at the side of the road. Armadillo road kill always looks slightly comical, I don't know how but they always end up on there back, with the legs up in the air, and relatively intact.
In new orleans tonight and tomorrow. Will stay two nights. Parked bike safely in a parking garage. Crossed into central time at some point along the way, not sure when. Took the extra hour to take some time and stroll up and down the craziness that is Bourbon st. Lots of bars, open partying and bridal/bachelor parties at this time of year. Probably can get pretty rowdy, from a long day on the road I was a little taken back. I was a little sore, so turned in early. In a good location to explore the city on foot tomorrow, and won't fell rushed to get out of town afterward.