Latest Update from Karla

Subj: Inlet Beach, Florida
Date: 5/6/2003 5:54:45 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: kbwalk@mymailstation.com

   I've really enjoyed the last few days walking along the beach, and I've
also had fun staying at the fire stations. When I was in Mary Esther, I
stayed at the fire station there. I arrived there around 3pm, and one of the
firefighters tossed me the keys to his car and told me to go drag Main, so
that's what I did! I drove down the coast to Destin, and stopped at the
Indian Temple Mound Museum, where I learned about the Indian cultures around
the time of 1000 AD to 1500 AD, before the time of the European Explorers.
   After that I headed out to Elgin Air Force Base and went to the Armament Museum and checked out some of the aircraft there, such as the SR-71 Black Bird, B-17, B-25, T-33 Trainer, F-84, F-86, F-100, F-101, F-104, RB-47, B-52, B-57, C-131, F-15, F-16, F-111, A-10, O-2, AC-130 Gunship, F-4 and the UH1 helicopter. They also showed some of the ammunition these aircraft used. Some of the planes are displayed inside the museum, and several of them are displayed outside. Some of the aircraft here dates back to WW1.
   After that I headed down to the docks in Destin where all the fishing boats were. I enjoyed watching all the people come off the boats with their catch of the day. I even saw several dolphins playing around in the water nearby.   After awhile I headed back to Mary Esther and handed Frank the keys to his car back.
   From Mary Esther I headed out the next day to Destin and stayed in a camp ground for free. A group from there kindof took me under their wing, and we all ended up going out to eat at a seafood restaurant that evening.
   From there I headed out and walked 22 miles to Santa Rosa Beach.   I had contacted the main fire station there, and found out they had 5 other stations in the South Walton Fire district. The Fire Chief said I was welcome to stay there, so I was headed for station 3, the main office. I stayed there for 2 nights, and had a great time. While I was there, they let me ride out with them on a fire call and watch them put it out (a car was on fire.) Then the next day they were doing water rescue exercises, so they took me out to the beach and I got to swim in the ocean, with them practicing rescues with their wave runner. Then that evening they put steaks on the grill. I had a great time there.
   From there I headed down Hwy 30A, a very scenic road that runs right along the beach. I really enjoyed checking out all the tourist shops along the way, and I even walked on the beach some. The chief at staion 3 had also contacted stations 2 and 1, so the next night I stayed at Station 2 near Seagrove, and then last night at Station 1 at Inlet Beach. Station 1 is right near the county line, so beyond there I'll be in another district. What a great group of people. Last night while I was at Station 1, Channel 7 News from Panama City came out and did an interview.   Tonight I hope to stay at the fire station at Panama City Beach, and then I'll be spending a couple nights at the main Fire Station right in Panama City.
   The weather's been hot and really muggy. The other night at Station 2 a storm knocked the electricity off for awhile. It's been up around 85 most of the time, though. Y'all take care and have a great day. KB

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