Defuniak Springs 5/7/15

We had a short ride day today, from Bonifay straight down highway 90 to Defuniak Springs. While the weather was a little cooler today it was also more humid, so it really felt warmer than the last few days. The ride seemed longer too, though it was not. Other than being a bit "sticky" the ride was nice with good roads/shoulders and reasonable traffic.

Jo and Ace
We stopped for lunch in Ponce De Leon at Sally's Restaurant. The food was delicious - no surprise, and made fresh. My hamburger patty was real, not those frozen ones at the fast food place. There seemed to be a decent lunch crowd of locals at Sally's, and we even met the Mayor of Ponce de Leon. Nice folks all.
Sally's Restaurant in Ponce de Leon, Florida
We had more dips and hills after Ponce de Leon, but nothing too steep or long. Soon we were in Defuniak Springs. We are staying at the DeFuniak Hotel, a beautiful old building with hotel upstairs and dining downstairs. Very elegant.
DeFuniak Hotel
Lobby
Beautiful antiques
Light from the stained glass window. These traveled down the hall
and eventually to the door to our room.

After we settled in Roger, Jo, May, and I took a stroll around the Springs, that is surrounded by beautiful old homes, churches, train depot and the historic Chautauqua campus. Chautauqua is a tradition of a community coming together to hear guest lecturers, some quite famous. It was a fun walk and I really enjoyed the architecture.
L&N Depot, 1882 

Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 1909
The Pansy Cottage, 1900



Tomorrow is a long day, 55 miles give or take, with hills and heat.  We will leave Florida and cross the border to Alabama. The alarm rings early tomorrow morning.

30 miles
Some hills
Plenty of humidity

Comments

  1. Trobairitz5/8/15, 8:14 AM

    Nice to see those shoulders wide enough for bicycles.

    I am really enjoyed those architecture pics. What a beautiful hotel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bluekat5/10/15, 1:59 PM

      I loved our day in DeFuniak Springs, The houses, the hotel, were such a treat.

      Delete
  2. RichardM5/8/15, 5:54 PM

    Very nice houses and landscaping. Is Ponce De Leon in Florida?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bluekat5/10/15, 2:00 PM

      Hi Richard, yes it's in Florida. Just a little bit of a town.

      Delete
  3. Martha 5/8/15, 6:41 PM

    I enjoyed the tour! Love the hotel, too. This post has a nice sauntering feel to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bluekat5/10/15, 2:01 PM

      Thanks Martha, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sauntering is all one wants to do down here with the heat and humidity. :)

      Delete

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