We rode our 40 miles in the morning to get to a fire station in St. Augustine before 10:30 am. Around 10:45, we lined up two by two behind a police escort to travel down the road to the river, over the bridge, and down to the beach several miles away. It was cool to have the sirens wailing and lights flashing. A police motorcycle and SUV were busy blocking traffic at lights and intersections along the way. A cruiser led the parade and our Subaru SAG wagon was the caboose at the end of the bicycle train.
It was pretty exciting. We were riding in the MIDDLE of the road, taking LEFT TURNS from the center, and riding through RED LIGHTS! It felt naughty but nice. I love a parade and I remember thinking that this parade is all about me (us) in this once in a lifetime event!
When we arrived at a circle in front of the beach house, there was a crowd of people waiting for us. Friends, family, and former riders were all out to greet us with balloons, signs, and great applause. I kicked off my bike sandals and socks, lifted by bike, and headed over the white beach sand. Even now we didn't want to get any sand or grit in our deraillers. Down to the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean , we dipped our tire in the salty surf. We had our pictures taken and eventually headed over to a pavilion for a picnic lunch.
For those of us without alternative transportation we biked to our hotel a few miles back for a shower and a few minutes of calm. It was time to start stripping the bike for shipping as well as repacking my suitcase and duffel bag to see if everything would fit on the plane for the ride home. I had to add a little more duct tape to one of my suitcases where the zipper had detached from the outer edge of the case about 6 weeks ago.
Having a few hours before our farewell dinner, I hopped on a trolley tour of St. Augustine with a friend and careened around the town for an hour and a half. At first, I was wishing that I had an extra day to see more of the downtown, but getting a glimpse of the historic area was just fine. Getting home seems to be more of a priority right now. While riding on the trolley, I just wanted to tell anyone that would listen that we just completed a 3,000 mile bike ride for some more jaw dropping. Those few people that we did just stared in disbelief. One person kept saying you didn't start in San Diego, California. One close look at our bike tans was proof enough to finally convince him.
Our farewell dinner was at a restaurant down the street at six pm. It was strange to be sitting at a table with linen and cloth napkins instead of sitting in a parking lot in a plastic white chair holding a plate in the sun hoping that we would finish before the bugs came out. I think it was just Woman's Tour way of starting to get us used to “reentry” into the real world! We had a choice of food in a very unhurried atmosphere. Throughout the dinner, people would periodically get up and give a toast, make a comment, or give thanks. It was lovely.
I thought it was timely that my aunt sent me an email about meeting people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime so I used some of those words in my comments. It doesn't matter if we remain lifelong friends or not, we experienced something really special together and enjoying the moment together was unique and special that put us in a “club”that few other people have ever experienced.
Hugs were profuse after dinner as we said our goodbyes. Several riders chose not to attend the dinner as long good byes were hard for them. As we headed out of the restaurant, it was dusk and I felt like walking down to the fort by the water for a walk and perhaps a little processing time. Several other people joined me and we ran into many school groups that were on a field trip. The kids were so impressed at our accomplishments. One boy asked us if our legs were tired. Later on they all walked by us and gave us a huge group clap. Thanks boys! It was a nice ending to our evening.
I slept little again that night, pumped up from the finality of this accomplishment interwoven with excitement of going home. What an adventure!
Thanks to all my blog readers who had the patience to "listen."
Peace,
Robin
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Last Full Day of Riding!
Palatka, FL
WOW! I've been thinking and saying that a lot lately. Wow! See, even when I am blogging I'm thinking it. Over 3,000 miles we have traveled.!!! I wish I had a camera for every time we talked to someone on the road, in a store, or at a gas station about our trip just to capture the jaw-dropping that we have seen along the way. Today, I needed a pick-me- up so my beverage of choice is a cold bottle of chocolate milk. The lady behind the counter was talking to four young men that had walked in and said something about the warm temperatures of the day already. One of the guys said something like not as hot as riding a bike like this lady. When I told him that I wasn't hot, just really tired today as we get down to our LAST 100 miles. He and his buddies stared in disbelief when they heard the details of starting out in San Diego on March 6th and arriving in this part of Florida at that store today around 3,000 miles later.
The same thing happened down the road at mile 55. We saw this cute grocery store set back off the main road and stopped to get another drink and take another break. (I think we were very thirsty today because of two over 70 mile days in a row.) We had such a wonderful time talking to the store owner. She took OUR picture as she was so impressed by our accomplishments so far. Then another lady came in that lived nearby, a Mrs. Love, who started talking and oops, there it was again, the jaw drop, measurable and predictable....
I have to say that today's ride was a bit of a struggle for me. In some ways I wanted it to be just over. My knee was a bit grumpy today and I felt a little tired. And, in another ways it means the beginning of the end of what we have been doing the last eight weeks together and knowing that this experience as we know it will be ending and I have loved being out of doors for most of the day and don't want it to end.
We started counted down the mileage. Only 120 miles left of the whole trip, 100 miles left, 60 miles, left, under 50 miles left of the whole trip., etc. It was kind of trippy. Susan gave me a hug this morning and we both shared that we so enjoyed having each other on this journey. After all, we are the Bag Balm Babes and have been pedaling pals since day two of the trip. We both had to walk away from each other after the hug because we both knew if we started to cry now, it would never end.
Many family member and friends are starting to trickle in to share the big day tomorrow. Once we get to St. Augustine, we get a police escort on the highway several miles down to the beach for tire dipping and a picnic. I'm sure it will be a very special ending to a very special trip.
Coming over the bridge in Palatka today we saw "Welcome Woman Tours" on the hotel marquis. Kind of Cool!
Coming home soon!
Love,
Robin
WOW! I've been thinking and saying that a lot lately. Wow! See, even when I am blogging I'm thinking it. Over 3,000 miles we have traveled.!!! I wish I had a camera for every time we talked to someone on the road, in a store, or at a gas station about our trip just to capture the jaw-dropping that we have seen along the way. Today, I needed a pick-me- up so my beverage of choice is a cold bottle of chocolate milk. The lady behind the counter was talking to four young men that had walked in and said something about the warm temperatures of the day already. One of the guys said something like not as hot as riding a bike like this lady. When I told him that I wasn't hot, just really tired today as we get down to our LAST 100 miles. He and his buddies stared in disbelief when they heard the details of starting out in San Diego on March 6th and arriving in this part of Florida at that store today around 3,000 miles later.
The same thing happened down the road at mile 55. We saw this cute grocery store set back off the main road and stopped to get another drink and take another break. (I think we were very thirsty today because of two over 70 mile days in a row.) We had such a wonderful time talking to the store owner. She took OUR picture as she was so impressed by our accomplishments so far. Then another lady came in that lived nearby, a Mrs. Love, who started talking and oops, there it was again, the jaw drop, measurable and predictable....
I have to say that today's ride was a bit of a struggle for me. In some ways I wanted it to be just over. My knee was a bit grumpy today and I felt a little tired. And, in another ways it means the beginning of the end of what we have been doing the last eight weeks together and knowing that this experience as we know it will be ending and I have loved being out of doors for most of the day and don't want it to end.
We started counted down the mileage. Only 120 miles left of the whole trip, 100 miles left, 60 miles, left, under 50 miles left of the whole trip., etc. It was kind of trippy. Susan gave me a hug this morning and we both shared that we so enjoyed having each other on this journey. After all, we are the Bag Balm Babes and have been pedaling pals since day two of the trip. We both had to walk away from each other after the hug because we both knew if we started to cry now, it would never end.
Many family member and friends are starting to trickle in to share the big day tomorrow. Once we get to St. Augustine, we get a police escort on the highway several miles down to the beach for tire dipping and a picnic. I'm sure it will be a very special ending to a very special trip.
Coming over the bridge in Palatka today we saw "Welcome Woman Tours" on the hotel marquis. Kind of Cool!
Coming home soon!
Love,
Robin
Perry, Florida
We woke up at 6 am in darkness and started preparing for our 51.4 mile day to Perry. One would think that you could easily do a 50 mile day with all that we've done but there was a bit of a headwind most of the way. The route was straight and flat and pretty much the same view. Go right 8.8 miles and then go left 40 miles with a few different details at the beginning and end of the journey. There weren't many(any) services for most of this road but when we went by a gas station/mini market called Rocky's, we pulled in for a break from boredom and from the bugs.
I did notice some deep standing water along the cypress forests for several miles. I think this is the run off from all the rain they had in this area recently. When you looked into the woods, it looked dark and eerie. The “Creature from the Black Lagoon” could have been filmed there if you could get in there. I had to laugh when I saw a no trespassing sign. Who would want to go in there and how would you get through that water? It was too deep for hip boots and the vegetation and roots were so tangled and too close together for a boat of any sort. Luckily we had some puffy clouds overhead, so that gave an occasional something to glimpse at that was different and kept some of the heat of the day off. I heard MA had temperatures as warm as we had in Florida yesterday.
We are staying at another Hampton Inn. They are in the the midst of remodeling many rooms on the second floor so it's quite a feat to get to the laundry room on the second floor. Most of us have some to do as there were no facilities at the last place we stayed. I think that several people are hoping this is the last load they will be doing on vacation before they head home. Our hotel is providing us with dipped strawberries and free wine at a cocktail time. Boy, are they in for a surprise. We love to eat and drink occasionally.
Here's hoping for a little less wind tomorrow and a roomate that does not snore! (Didn't get much sleep last night!)
Robin
I did notice some deep standing water along the cypress forests for several miles. I think this is the run off from all the rain they had in this area recently. When you looked into the woods, it looked dark and eerie. The “Creature from the Black Lagoon” could have been filmed there if you could get in there. I had to laugh when I saw a no trespassing sign. Who would want to go in there and how would you get through that water? It was too deep for hip boots and the vegetation and roots were so tangled and too close together for a boat of any sort. Luckily we had some puffy clouds overhead, so that gave an occasional something to glimpse at that was different and kept some of the heat of the day off. I heard MA had temperatures as warm as we had in Florida yesterday.
We are staying at another Hampton Inn. They are in the the midst of remodeling many rooms on the second floor so it's quite a feat to get to the laundry room on the second floor. Most of us have some to do as there were no facilities at the last place we stayed. I think that several people are hoping this is the last load they will be doing on vacation before they head home. Our hotel is providing us with dipped strawberries and free wine at a cocktail time. Boy, are they in for a surprise. We love to eat and drink occasionally.
Here's hoping for a little less wind tomorrow and a roomate that does not snore! (Didn't get much sleep last night!)
Robin
Monday, April 27, 2009
Perry
We woke up at 6 am in darkness and started preparing for our 51.4 mile day to Perry. One would think that you could easily do a 50 mile day with all that we've done but there was a bit of a headwind most of the way. The route was straight and flat and pretty much the same view. Go right 8.8 miles and then go left 40 miles with a few different details at the beginning and end of the journey. There weren't many(any) services on this road but when we went by a gas station/mini market called Rocky's, we pulled in for a break from boredom and from the bugs.
We did see some standing water along the cypress forests for several miles. I think this is the run off from all the rain they had in this area recently. When you looked into the woods, it looked dark and eerie. The “Creature from the Black Lagoon” could have been filmed there if you could get in there. I had to laugh when I saw a posted no trespassing sign. Who would want to go in there and how would you get through that water? It was too deep for hip boots and the vegetation and roots were so tangled and too close together for a boat of any sort. Luckily we had some puffy clouds overhead, so that gave an occasional something to glimpse at that was different and kept some of the heat of the day off. I heard MA had temperatures as warm as we had in Florida yesterday.
We are staying at another Hampton Inn. They are in the the midst of remodeling many rooms on the second floor so it's quite a feat to get to the laundry room on the second floor. Most of us have some to do as there were no facilities at the last place we stayed. I think that several people are hoping this is the last load they will be doing on vacation before they head home. Our hotel is providing us with dipped strawberries and free wine at a cocktail time. Boy, are they in for a surprise. We love to eat and drink (occasionally).
Here's hoping for a little less wind tomorrow and a roommate that does not snore! (Didn't get much sleep last night!)
Robin
We did see some standing water along the cypress forests for several miles. I think this is the run off from all the rain they had in this area recently. When you looked into the woods, it looked dark and eerie. The “Creature from the Black Lagoon” could have been filmed there if you could get in there. I had to laugh when I saw a posted no trespassing sign. Who would want to go in there and how would you get through that water? It was too deep for hip boots and the vegetation and roots were so tangled and too close together for a boat of any sort. Luckily we had some puffy clouds overhead, so that gave an occasional something to glimpse at that was different and kept some of the heat of the day off. I heard MA had temperatures as warm as we had in Florida yesterday.
We are staying at another Hampton Inn. They are in the the midst of remodeling many rooms on the second floor so it's quite a feat to get to the laundry room on the second floor. Most of us have some to do as there were no facilities at the last place we stayed. I think that several people are hoping this is the last load they will be doing on vacation before they head home. Our hotel is providing us with dipped strawberries and free wine at a cocktail time. Boy, are they in for a surprise. We love to eat and drink (occasionally).
Here's hoping for a little less wind tomorrow and a roommate that does not snore! (Didn't get much sleep last night!)
Robin
Wakulla Springs
The landscape was similar to the day before with some long , straight, flat roads on mostly county roads through patches of pine forests and open pasture lands. I think we are all weary and though we did not have a long ride, 49 miles I think, we wanted to get to our destination again before it got too warm. As our rooms were not ready, we headed over to the river boat tour first. For $6 we hopped on a boat and headed a mile or so down the river for a guided tour.
The wildlife that we saw was incredible. Fish were leaping out of the water., Osprey had two nests high in the cypress trees. We passed some 500 year old cypress trees with moss hanging down from the branches. Alligators were in the water and sunning themselves up on grassy embankments. We even saw some baby alligators on one side of the bank on top of their mom. Large birds called anahingas? were out in number and you would often see them in trees or on a patch of land with their wings spread wide drying their feathers in the sun so they weren't so waterlogged. We also saw limpkin, osprey and their babies, blue herons, large white egrets and fluffy white chicks,wood ducks, cranes , and many turtles.
Wakulla Springs is one of the largest and deepest natural springs. They have currently mapped 31 miles of the underground caverns and found that it goes all the way to Georgia.We traveled past the section of the river where the original black and white Tarzan movies were made and saw the remaining stump of the tree that he used to climb . A 3-D movie called The Creature from the Black Lagoon was also filmed in this location. The original actor who was to play the creature opted out after he discovered the water is 69 degrees year round and alligators inhabit this river. The movie makers asked a lifeguard who was working here at the time to try on the suit so he became the creature and later went on to produce the show “Flipper.”
I enjoyed the tour so much,that I went again on the first boat out in the morning on our LAST day off on Sunday. With a different guide, you learn a bit more and we saw many of the same animals plus some white tailed deer along the shore in the shadows of the forests.
This lodge that we are staying in was built in the 1930's. Our room is a muted gray shade of lavender, comfortable with that old feel. The lobby has cypress ceilings recycled from trees from the river. A German artist painted the ceiling with different patterns and scenes of Florida. They have picnic areas all around the park and a roped off swimming area with docks and tall platforms you can dive off into water that is 20 feet deep. They say that the alligators have never bothered any of the swimmers over here in all of the years since the resort was built in the 1930's. I did go in the water even after I saw two very large snakes on the boat dock yesterday, but let's just say I didn't linger.
For dinner that night, Chef Linda made barbecue pork sandwiches with coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, cantaloupe and for dessert our guest diner made a delicious pound cake. I brought down my scrap book that I have been working on during the trip to share for those people that had not already seen it. I'm out of glue dots and paper so will have to finish the rest of the scrapbook at home. I only completed up to Arizona and entry into New Mexico. After dinner, we had our map meeting and our talent show in a room upstairs in the lodge.
It was quite an event and I laughed all the way through it. We had a mistress of ceremony, presenters of poems, songs, skits, and awards. It turned out fairly well considering there were a lot of people who said they were not going to participate or had no talent. Susan, Liz, and I have been working hard for weeks thinking of a special category for each person, creating certificates and obtaining or making a small prize to go along with each special category.. Liz our artist, made ribbons and embossed the certificates with the picture of a bike. I was in charge of finding/making most of the token gifts. It's a good thing they have a Walmart, Dollar Store, or Big Lot in many of the towns we have traveled through.
Here are a few examples of “awards.” Our 70 year old Sag driver has hair down to her waist, so we got her hair doodads to go with her “Road Rapunzel” award. Lois has had trouble with her seat area so we gave her a mini tin of bag balm to to with her “Bag Balm Babe” award. Connie who is an insulin diabetic and has used over 900 needles to check her blood sugar got the “Human Pin Cushion” award and got a strawberry pin cushion to go along with it. Susan is a great speaker, so she could roast everyone well with a sense of humor, so I don't think anybody's feelings were hurt. I now have a tiny bit more room in my suitcase, or at least I did until I went into the gift shop today.
Only four more days of biking. It's hard to believe. Life is good...
Love,
Robin
The wildlife that we saw was incredible. Fish were leaping out of the water., Osprey had two nests high in the cypress trees. We passed some 500 year old cypress trees with moss hanging down from the branches. Alligators were in the water and sunning themselves up on grassy embankments. We even saw some baby alligators on one side of the bank on top of their mom. Large birds called anahingas? were out in number and you would often see them in trees or on a patch of land with their wings spread wide drying their feathers in the sun so they weren't so waterlogged. We also saw limpkin, osprey and their babies, blue herons, large white egrets and fluffy white chicks,wood ducks, cranes , and many turtles.
Wakulla Springs is one of the largest and deepest natural springs. They have currently mapped 31 miles of the underground caverns and found that it goes all the way to Georgia.We traveled past the section of the river where the original black and white Tarzan movies were made and saw the remaining stump of the tree that he used to climb . A 3-D movie called The Creature from the Black Lagoon was also filmed in this location. The original actor who was to play the creature opted out after he discovered the water is 69 degrees year round and alligators inhabit this river. The movie makers asked a lifeguard who was working here at the time to try on the suit so he became the creature and later went on to produce the show “Flipper.”
I enjoyed the tour so much,that I went again on the first boat out in the morning on our LAST day off on Sunday. With a different guide, you learn a bit more and we saw many of the same animals plus some white tailed deer along the shore in the shadows of the forests.
This lodge that we are staying in was built in the 1930's. Our room is a muted gray shade of lavender, comfortable with that old feel. The lobby has cypress ceilings recycled from trees from the river. A German artist painted the ceiling with different patterns and scenes of Florida. They have picnic areas all around the park and a roped off swimming area with docks and tall platforms you can dive off into water that is 20 feet deep. They say that the alligators have never bothered any of the swimmers over here in all of the years since the resort was built in the 1930's. I did go in the water even after I saw two very large snakes on the boat dock yesterday, but let's just say I didn't linger.
For dinner that night, Chef Linda made barbecue pork sandwiches with coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, cantaloupe and for dessert our guest diner made a delicious pound cake. I brought down my scrap book that I have been working on during the trip to share for those people that had not already seen it. I'm out of glue dots and paper so will have to finish the rest of the scrapbook at home. I only completed up to Arizona and entry into New Mexico. After dinner, we had our map meeting and our talent show in a room upstairs in the lodge.
It was quite an event and I laughed all the way through it. We had a mistress of ceremony, presenters of poems, songs, skits, and awards. It turned out fairly well considering there were a lot of people who said they were not going to participate or had no talent. Susan, Liz, and I have been working hard for weeks thinking of a special category for each person, creating certificates and obtaining or making a small prize to go along with each special category.. Liz our artist, made ribbons and embossed the certificates with the picture of a bike. I was in charge of finding/making most of the token gifts. It's a good thing they have a Walmart, Dollar Store, or Big Lot in many of the towns we have traveled through.
Here are a few examples of “awards.” Our 70 year old Sag driver has hair down to her waist, so we got her hair doodads to go with her “Road Rapunzel” award. Lois has had trouble with her seat area so we gave her a mini tin of bag balm to to with her “Bag Balm Babe” award. Connie who is an insulin diabetic and has used over 900 needles to check her blood sugar got the “Human Pin Cushion” award and got a strawberry pin cushion to go along with it. Susan is a great speaker, so she could roast everyone well with a sense of humor, so I don't think anybody's feelings were hurt. I now have a tiny bit more room in my suitcase, or at least I did until I went into the gift shop today.
Only four more days of biking. It's hard to believe. Life is good...
Love,
Robin
Friday, April 24, 2009
Quincy, Florida
It started out foggy and humid like yesterday morning and though we "only" had a 54 mile ride today, we were chomping at the bit to get off this morning before the heat. Our leaders held us back until they thought it was clear enough so drivers could see us. The fog did burn off quickly and the sky was a solid blue expanse. We started out in some heavy traffic but eventually got off the four lane roadway to smaller county roads. I remember passing by lots of pastures, pine forests, climbing some hills, and passing freshly plowed fields, some with sandy soil and some with more reddish hue.
On this trip we have passed a lot of farms on this southern tier route that either were preparing the soil for planting or were tending new growth. Spring brings growth, a promise of something new and fresh as well as a sense of hope. How lucky am I to have experience two months of spring with another month of new growth to watch once I get home. (Let's hope the new growth isn't me gaining back weight once I get home.)
On our ride today, I recall trees meeting together in a archway across the road creating a shady, peaceful section for us. We crossed over the Chatahootchie River with flooded cypress groves nearby. We also went back on the state route 90 and passed through towns like Snead, Gretna, until we reached Quincy.
We asked a landscaper for a place to eat and after finding out he spoke Spanish, we had Susan come over and translate for us. He pointed us in the direction of the town square and we found a little place that had a buffet. It was typical southern fare with sweet potato, beans, cheese grits, ribs, fried chicken and fish, and baked chicken. I had a small sample of all the aforementioned foods and it was finger-licking scrumcious. I was really hungry by the time we sat down and did not pack a peanut butter sandwich as I knew we would be eating out today.
Speaking of food, last night we had steamed asparagus and zucchini, pineapple, Asian slaw, and chicken or tofu in a peanut sauce. Yummy!
We are heading to Wakulla Springs tomorrow and then will have our last day off. I don't think they have Internet access there so you may not hear from me for a few days. It did get up to 90 degrees today and the sun sapped the energy right out of me. Something irritated my left eye on the ride today so I've been icing it and taking it easy. In fact, I even took a little nap before dinner.
Take care,
Robin
On this trip we have passed a lot of farms on this southern tier route that either were preparing the soil for planting or were tending new growth. Spring brings growth, a promise of something new and fresh as well as a sense of hope. How lucky am I to have experience two months of spring with another month of new growth to watch once I get home. (Let's hope the new growth isn't me gaining back weight once I get home.)
On our ride today, I recall trees meeting together in a archway across the road creating a shady, peaceful section for us. We crossed over the Chatahootchie River with flooded cypress groves nearby. We also went back on the state route 90 and passed through towns like Snead, Gretna, until we reached Quincy.
We asked a landscaper for a place to eat and after finding out he spoke Spanish, we had Susan come over and translate for us. He pointed us in the direction of the town square and we found a little place that had a buffet. It was typical southern fare with sweet potato, beans, cheese grits, ribs, fried chicken and fish, and baked chicken. I had a small sample of all the aforementioned foods and it was finger-licking scrumcious. I was really hungry by the time we sat down and did not pack a peanut butter sandwich as I knew we would be eating out today.
Speaking of food, last night we had steamed asparagus and zucchini, pineapple, Asian slaw, and chicken or tofu in a peanut sauce. Yummy!
We are heading to Wakulla Springs tomorrow and then will have our last day off. I don't think they have Internet access there so you may not hear from me for a few days. It did get up to 90 degrees today and the sun sapped the energy right out of me. Something irritated my left eye on the ride today so I've been icing it and taking it easy. In fact, I even took a little nap before dinner.
Take care,
Robin
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