While I had to reroute more than once through today’s 20 miles from Innerarity, and though I arrived with what was possibly the second-worst case of food poisoning I’ve had in my life, I showed up to the front door of Pensacola hosts Daniel and Jen Jordan with a smile on my face and a smile in my heart. We’d been in contact for a while, and it was great to finally be meeting them in person.

Though it had been a long, slow, hot, sick day to reach them, it was so relieving to feel I was “home.” Though it was a completely new place to me– someone else’s residence– the Jordans surely invited me to make myself at home. Shortly after getting to know each other better in person, punctuated by necessary trips to the bathroom, I was showering and ready to sleep off the nastiness attacking me from within.
I only remember having food poisoning one other time, about ten years ago, and that first experience was a most terrible one. The difference from then to now, however, is that I’m in excellent physical shape, my diet is great, and mentally, I’m much stronger. When dealing with any sort of evil surprise, I put every tool I have to work. As a result, what could have been a far worse sickness scenario had a much milder impact on me. It still wasn’t fun– but at least it wasn’t terribly overwhelming!!

I look forward to spending a few healthy days here in Pensacola, with more than one host, before turning north and moving on…

Through the morning half of today's miles to Pensacola, I was treated to an aerial art show by the Blue Angels, who I did not trained in the area. Loved it.

Despite walking through most of the day sick to my stomach (food poisoning), it was refreshing to walk the final five miles of the day off the main roads, through many peaceful neighborhoods.

Downtown Pensacola: Palafox Street (Only a handful more miles to go, at this point.)

Almost finished for the day, I see what becomes my favorite live oak of the state of Florida. I've been seeing these live oaks all across America's South, and I absolutely LOVE them! They're such special, magical trees!!

At the end of the day, I finally arrive to Daniel & Jen's home, on Yonge Street

Daniel, Jen & Conrad, wonderful hosts, warmly welcome me in for over a week, as I recuperate, plan, and prepare to turn thousands of walking miles back to the north.