What an absolutely AMAZING place to live! The Florida Department of Transportation opened J. Earl Bowden Way in the Gulf Islands National Seashore to traffic on Friday and - WOW - did I forget just how much I missed this gorgeous stretch of Gulf front road!

The road, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and again by Huricane Dennis in 2005, once again links Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach and the drive is nothing short of spectacular. I was out on the road on Saturday taking photos of my husband and a group of his friends who were out for a training bike ride and I just have to share!

The weather was in the mid 70s on Saturday - a perfect day for a long bike ride and the group rode 70 miles. Their loop took them from Gulf Breeze, out Garcon Point to I-10, back to Gulf Breeze and over to Navarre Beach - down the National Seashore to Pensacola Beach and finally back to Gulf Breeze.

So - with the weather forecast to remain sunny and in the 70s through the weekend, who could resist a bike ride Sunday afternoon followed by an 8k run to benefit the Midway (Gulf Breeze) Fire Department and Muscular Dystrophy? Jay and some of his friends participated in the run and I served as back up crew.

Anyone who loves the outdoors will feel at home in Northwest Florida. The temperate climate and abundant access to waterways, parks, trails and outdoor events is truly unparalleled.

Forgot to mention that we actually started the weekend early with a free (almost free - admission is a food donation to Manna Food Bank) concert in downtown Pensacola Thursday evening; "Radio Live", sponsored by the Universtiy of West Florida's WUWF radio station.

The start of the Gulf Breeze Midway Fire Department's 8K Run to benefit the Fire Department and Muscular Distrophy. The well attended run was held Sunday afternoon and the course wound it's way from the Fire Department on Gulf Breeze Parkway through several neighborhoods.

Would you like more information on living in a place that will make you feel every day is a vacation?

Please visit my website, www.PensacolaForYou.com for home searches and information on the Greater Pensacola Bay Area.