We send our best wishes to the two riders who did not finish with us, Dick Ward and Julie White. Thinking of you both!
This morning we awoke to a beautiful sunrise across St. John's River, which is a mile wide by the motel. See Rhodri's post for a photo.
The Donut Fairy (Julianne) left a dozen donuts outside Ken's motel door this morning. Unfortunately, Ken missed them. Others didn't, and one by one, thanked Ken as each came to breakfast. After breakfast, Ken caught up with the box of donuts (see photo), now partly empty.
We loaded our gear into the trailer for the last time, and rode 41 miles east, north and east again. We passed through towns with colorful names like Racy Point and Molasses Junction (they grow potatoes - see the photos where a truck turned too quickly).
It was a good day for spotting really big birds. We flushed three great white egrets from overflowing ponds alongside the road (high due to heavy rains the last few days). At one point a great blue heron and great white were flying side by side, a first for me. The best viewing was of two storks in a field (see photos). They looked like wood storks.
Spanish moss is draped everywhere (see photo). We saw lots of boats in people's yards and in the water (see photo).
Like yesterday, this is the Florida we expected: flat, sunny, agricultural. Field corn (milo), potatoes and cabbage are big crops here.
Ken stopped for ribs in Riverdale and said they were tasty. Others stopped at the Present Moment Cafe, an organic / health food restaurant on the west side of St. Augustine.
We met at the Best Western Bayfront, downtown right by the old fort. Spouses and friends were present. See photos of Bob and Judy G, Peter and Linda, and Rod and Carol. Also, Dominique (Andre's wife) joined us later (see last photo with Jerry).
We rode southeast to Anastasia State Park to dip our front tires in the Atlantic. Friends and family were at the beach to greet us, complete with signs. It was nice to see them after days of strangers. We blew our air horns to celebrate, waking up the gulls. In the first beach photo are (left to right) Jerry, Julianne, Rhodri, Linda, Mitch, Flynn, Bob Pedersen, Terry, Carol, Ken, Bob G, Bruce, Bob Plant and Andre. Afterward we raised our bikes, then champagne flutes, and mingled. Bob Plant's flag still flies, thanks to several duct tape repairs.
Back at the motel, I packed up my bike and joined Ken, Mitch, Rod, Carol, Julianne, Jerry and Bob Plant for a final dinner at Columbia. A tasty slice of key lime pie was a great way to celebrate our finish in Florida!
Bruce
Great pictures. Sounds like a great end to your adventure. I'll miss reading about you guys.
ReplyDeleteJulie