Day 198 - Friday May 27, 2016

Day 198 - Friday May 27, 2016

It's been a little over ONE YEAR since I've done my commute TO work.  Road work in Milton hampered what became one of my favorite things to do 2 - 3 times per week. Ride the historic village of Bagdad, with all the glorious older turn of the century homes and the oaks with the lengthy Spanish moss hanging over the road.  Yesterday it was decided.  Ride to work.  I HAVE to at least once during the month of May!  It's National Bike Month for crying out loud.  

Other reasons: 

• Hardly anyone is in the office early Friday morning
• Kiddos get out of school early today so I had an out if anything broke (still no reason to not bring a spare tube)
• It's Memorial Day weekend
• I'm getting top-heavy from lack of riding and bad eating habits

I realized that Bagdad finally completed a new state park last weekend. It had been in the works for approximately 9 years.  It was the site of the Old Bagdad Mill, and rested on Marquis Basin, or whatever the name of that body of water is that empties into Escambia Bay.  The park has lots of benches right now, an open area, new trees planted, and an exclusive kayak/SUP launch.  I might try to get a pic of that area on the way home, as it was too bright this morning.  We hope try try this place out on our boards, maybe sometime this weekend, but we'll all be a little apprehensive due to the gators that more-than-likely lurk in the black water.   I'll do it anyway--looked tranquil.  Gotta share our places with our fellow animals and reptiles, right?

I was able to stop there this morning on the way to work.  I rode my Townie, which will see her 1000th mile on my commute home today. I've only had this bike about a year and a half, and, in my older age, is my favorite commuter by far.  I really don't even LIKE getting on my super light roadies unless I really feel the need to go fast and be uncomfortable for sprintable distances.  That doesn't occur often.  I ride my Townie for EVERYTHING--trips to the store, coffee, a casual ride to downtown, riding to bars downtown.  This is my steed.  Feels even better with the trunk bag and rear rack.  I might even make this my commuter depending on how today goes. Feel great so far after my 15 mile half-commute in--we'll have to see how I feel when I get home after riding the same distance in 90 degree heat.  Only time will tell but I'm up for the challenge.  

I stopped at the new park this morning before it opened at 7:00 AM, hence the sprinklers.  Yes, they did get my seasoned 1978 brooks leather saddle wet too.  Don't like it too much when that happens, but at least I was able to get a shot in not long after sunrise with my old Canon powershot G1. My commuting camera and bike.  Both still make me feel good. 

Morning Commute Stopping Point
#bagdadmillStatePark
Canon Powershot G1
7.5mm F4 1/500 AutoISO unknown