Pensacola Through Their Eyes
I have friends coming to visit in a couple of weeks and as I was driving to my office today I couldn’t help but look at things as I imagine they will see them. What will they think about my hometown? Will they love it as I do?
My drive to my beach office is about 14 miles with little to no traffic, so a short commute by most standards. I’m heading west, so on MANY Tuesday and Wednesday mornings – if I hit the road early enough – I am rewarded with a SPECTACULAR sight; the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team the Blue Angels taking to the skies with the sun illuminating them from behind me.
Now, I grew up here and I’m the wife of a Navy man, so seeing the Blue Angels isn’t anything new to me. But, I have to admit that no matter how many times I’ve seen them – up close or at a distance – my heart starts racing and I feel the goose bumps rising. I can’t explain it, but when I see that diamond formation of gleaming blue jets turning in tight formation I’m WOWED. Every time, no fail!
So I make a mental note to check the Blues’ practice schedule so, hopefully, I can take my friends to NAS Pensacola for a closer look.
On my trek to work I pass through the Naval Live Oaks Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. From the highway my view is simply woodlands and a bike path, but I know that a quick turn off Highway 98 will lead me into a quiet preserve of live oaks, with a trail to walk and miles of beach to explore. This might make a great jaunt with my friends.
As I drive along toward the office I take a turn south and head over the Bob Sikes Bridge. Now, I 
can’t use the word SPECTACULAR twice in one post so I will have to term this one PHENOMINAL. As I crest the bridge I look out on Santa Rosa Island (Pensacola Beach) with the clear blue- green waters of the Gulf of Mexico pressed against the bright, white sand of the beach. Below me is the Santa Rosa Sound. I always – rain or shine – make sure I turn the radio off so I can take it all in.
That’s it for my drive to work, but my friends will surely need to see historic downtown Pensacola, the Blackwater River State Park, Scenic Highway, Perdido Key and well . . . it’s looking like I will l have to work on keeping them here for more than a week!
May 18th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Robin,
My drive to work is 17 miles, and tomorrow I will look at my commute down Scenic Hwy 90 with different eyes. Often people say to me: “Isn’t that a long drive for you”?…from Northeast Pensacola to Pensacola Beach. I reply every time, Are you kidding? I get to work at the beach!
Matter of fact, for the first 3 years I lived here, I couldn’t figure out why everyone thought I didn’t even work. It was because I would say I’m headed to the beach. Now, I am quick to mention that’s where my lovely office is located, & please come see me At The Beach!
May 21st, 2008 at 8:07 am
Oh, how right you are Ruthie! You have to have - truly - one of the most beautiful commutes in the nation. Not only is Scenic Highway aptly named, but then you have that fabuous three mile bridge . . . Lucky indeed!