1325 Miles--Journey's End!!

Monday, the 27th, at 1700 and I am outside Tyler's apartment in Daytona Beach, Florida.  84 miles today from Jacksonville Beach.

Thank you Mary for your support and encouragement.  Thank you family and friends for your support and prayers.  

No flats.  No breakdowns.  Wonderful ride.  Now what?

Last Day's

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Marineland--two notables on the way down the Florida coast after spending the night just south of Jacksonville Beach.  Met a family at the picnic area at Marineland that want to ride in Vermont.  Hope they stop in to see us.

For Mary

I was steaming along a back road in SE Georgia when I passed, then backed up, and marveled at this quilt painting on the side of this very tidy shed.  

Last Ferry Ride!

Still can't post my photos. I will put them up when I get to Tyler's which is just 2 more days.

Got up early and went to St. Peter's Episcopal Church in the Old Town Fernandina Beach. "Holy Humor Sunday". Lots of costumes, music, jokes, and a wonderful homily. Ancient tradition that is being revived.

Headed south on A1A to the end of Amelia Island, across big and little bridges until I got to the St. Johns River ferry. $1 it cost. Stopped at the USCG Exchange store and bought a t-shirt. Then on to Mayport, down Ocean Blvd, right through all the beach towns where the Peach Parade had caused many streets to be closed except to bicycle traffic. It was wonderful for about 12 miles. 44 miles and I am in a motel a half mile from the beach and about 1/3 as expensive as a beach motel.

Talked to Tyler last night. Told him I hoped to see him around early afternoon Tuesday. Perfect he says--I can go to his 'Jets and Rockets' presentation at 1700.

I plan to get through St. Augusting and on to Flagler Beach tomorrow. Daytona on Tuesday!!!!!

About 1250 miles total to date! Some stats about the ride from looking incessantly at my bike computer:
Speeds: head wind 8 to 10, no wind 12 to 14, tail wind 15 to 17.
Gears: Except for a few hills and bridges, I am in middle chain ring and a narrow range of gears in the back. It has been mostly flat, flat, flat.
Heart rate: 120 to 142 except on a few hils then 175.
Cadence: 75 to 85, much higher then most riders I know.
Issues: getting a little sunburned; dogs occasionally but I stop and talk them into letting me pass; not being able to remember the words to songs which I sing out loud; and wearing the same clothes for 3 weeks.

Florida!

Yup! Crossed into Florida just east of St. George, Ga this morning. My "warm showers" host, Arthur the Caboose (his chosen handle because he is a train nut) came by the trailer, watched me pack up, then took me into Folkston to his favorite McDonalds which is full of train models and artifacts. Folkston is a railhead--Amtrak, frieght and the car train go through.

Rode past the entrance to the Okeefinokee Swamp, but saw no alligators or black bears.

In Florida, near Callahan, got into a 'ride for autism' and met some nice people, and made a donation.

A1A all the way in to Amelia Island. 67 miles today, but not as hot as yesterday. Stiff easterly. My room on 3rd floor overlooks the Atlantic--last time I saw the ocean was at the Outer Banks (except for a quick walk on the beach at Hilton Head).

Some sidebars----

Friday, stopped for a donut in Patterson, GA and met Don and Cam from Seattle who are bicycling from Daytona to Richmone. Have a great ride!

When I stayed in the motor home rental in the back of the campground in Odum, Ga, the local 4H archery team was practicing. I watched 25 middle and hs kids shooting hundreds of arrows getting ready for the state competition today. Their team has won nationals 3 or 4 times in the past 10 years. Hope they do well.

Time to clean up and get something to eat then start heading south on A1A, across the mouth of the St. John's at Mayport then St. Augustine.

April 24 - Friday night and Ed's in the "warm shower" host's camper, just north of Folkston, GA on the border with Florida.  He and his host, Arthur, probably went out for pizza and a look at the trains - apparently Amtrak runs through town.  So food and entertainment - he's a happy guy.  He'll cross into Florida in the morning and just hope the heat abates a bit - his bike thermometer read 100 at one point today, and Ed figures that without the road heat it was about 95.  Buggy, too, as they're near the edge of the swamp.    But he's having fun and feels good - I think he said it was about 75 miles today.   He'll check in "in person" when he finds some internet.  

Warm Showers

Hi from Reidsville, GA. Short one---44 miles (can't believe I am calling 40+ miles short). Another short one tomorrow to Jessup then a 70+ to Folkston.
I went to 'warm showers' yesterday and found one near Folkston and sent him an email. He just called me (I am in the Tatnall County Public Library) and we have made the connection. He will wrap surveyors tape around the stop sign at his entrance road one mile south of the prison just north of Folkston. I will get to use his camper for the night if I understood his Georgia drawl correctly. His handle is 'caboose' and his name is Arthur M.

Getting tired of all these carbon-copy motel rooms so this will be a nice change.
Once I am past Folkston I will be going right over to the ocean at Fernandina Beach which is just north of the Florida border. YIPPEE.

SC Photos

If you look closely you can see an 8 foot alligator right next to the road and this bench. Billboard that caught my eye about 35 miles from Hilton Head!

Fianlly Georgia

SaturdaY, the 18th, got an email from Mary forwarded from Maureen D. who invited me to visit her family on spring break in Hilton Head. Very timely! Changed course about 40 deg to port and away I went. 55 miles down the road from Point South through Blufton, onto the island and along a 10 mile bike path I went.

On the way, met a Mexican bicycler who invited me for a snack and to fill my water bottles. He owns a roofing company, rides 50 miles every Sunday, is a Morman, and has most of his family here. 10 years his application for naturalization has been in INS hands without action. We shared a whole canteloupe and great conversation! Thanks.

Enjoyed a very relaxing visit with Maureen and Lydia and Jack and Pepper and Mary. Walked on the beach, visited the Harbor Town Light and saw alligators on condo lawns warming in the sun along with dozens of large green trutles. Thanks again Maureen for your hospitality.

Tuesday the 21st got a lift past Savannah and biked 57 hard hard into the wind miles to Statesboro, GA. Along the way saw 3 snakes ( one quite large and copper colored) and an armadillo. Only about 346 miles to go. Just did the 'warm showers' website and may have a stop in Folkston.

First Century Ride

Saturday, the 18th of April (Paul Revere's ride today 234 years ago). 430 miles to go. I am at the Walterboro, SC library. Gorgeous building with about 12 computers for guests. Now I know why Adventure Cycling showed libraries on their maps!!!

100.41 miles after doodling around in the Ramada parking lot. A real century on flat land with mostly a following breeze through quiet farm land, swamps, and tiny towns of rural SC. One hitch yesterday---my road crossed I-26 but had been damaged and way closed. Took the detour for 2 miles, then got info the bridge was only closed to cars. Retraced my steps and crossed the bridge on which a truck had hit the rail and burned. Mess was cleaned up but the bridge remained closed.

Short day today then some 70 milers. Getting close!!

CENTURY! - or close enough :)

April 17th, Walterboro, SC, about 40 miles west of Charleston:  Ed's in a motel with no internet, so I (Mary) am posting for him.  He had a choice from last night's stop of either a short day or a long day... 99.6 miles is on his odometer tonight!  He feels great, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to keep up with him. The tandem is looking better and better!  All the comments on his blog form a terrific tailwind, so thanks to everyone who's been so encouraging.  By the way, VT temp today = 65, SC = 45.  Ed will be back in touch as he gets back closer to the coast over the next day or so.  

The Carolinas

First photo is on the River Walk in Conway, SC. Next one is the old CG station, now NC teacher facility next to Ocracoke Ferry terminal. Last photo taken on a walk along beach in Ocracoke of a flight of pelicans.

Spent the night with Darren's family in NE Wilmington then got a lift to his job site in Carolina Beach from where it was a quick windy ride down to the Fort Fisher-to-Southport ferry across the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Just a quick aside-----The Cape Fear was the northern boundary of my operations area 30 years ago when I was the commanding officer of the 180' ice breaking buoy tender PAPAW homeported in Charleston. The coast from here down, Georgetown, Charleston, Port Royal Sound (behind Hilton Head), Beaufort, Savannah, and on to the St. Marys River at the GA/FL border---knew it well. But not so much the land side.

Long day (57 miles)but made it all the way to Little River, SC.

Tax day---shorter--34 miles in off and on rain to Conway, SC. Just inland from Myrtle and North Mrytle Beach. Noticed lots of businesses closed and homes partially started but no workers around. Hard hit area I think. First palm tree and Spanish moss. Really in the south now. Used to be an alligator in the marina at Georgetown. I will have to keep alert!

SE North Carolina

Made it to Wilmington, NC tonight, the 13th, just ahead of a storm. Tomorrow, after crossing the mouth of the Cape Fear River and a little more, will be in SC.
Don from northern VA that I met yesterday morning in Ocracoke as we boarded the ferry, is headed for Tampa and needs to do 85 to 105 miles per day. I hung with him yesterday but we agreed to go our seperate ways and routes. I wish you well Don.

Tonight I am enjoying the hospitality of Diane and Darren, Young Life friends, and close friends of our Vermont Area Director Jeff S.

Spring is clearly here---leaves and blossoms and grass mowing. Can hay fever be far behind?

By the way, it isn't my butt or my hands that hurt as I thought would be the case, it is my toes! Cramps in the toes. Who's a thought.
ED

April 12 - Easter Sunday:  No internet access for Ed tonight, so I'm (Mary) filling in on the post.  Ed's in Jacksonville, NC, tonight, after 86 miles (WhooHoo!) with a mostly favorable wind.  He met a riding buddy on the ferry from Ocracoke who's on his way to Tampa, and they're going to ride together for a while.  Ed says that the other guy (also a young one - 66yrs old!) is a stronger rider than he - lots of fun and encouraging, so they're having a good time.  Thanks for checking in!  

OBX----Outer Banks, NC

It has been awhile so this is catch up time. My photo theme---Lighthouses and USCG stations!

Wed, 8 April: Greg took me by Dylan's school (really near), then drove me to Exmore down the Delmarva. Set out on a tiny road parallel to 13 into the wind of course. Called ahead and a van was waiting to carry me across the Ches. Bay-Bridge-Tunnel. Quickly found sister of our Vermont neighbor who took me in, fed me and shared sea stories. Many thanks to Leslie, Greg and Rick!

Thurs, 9 Apr: Brother Rick took me to the 'Brass Bell' bar and grill for a sumptuous breakfast then drove me to Currituck ferry (Virginia Beach traffic is awful and NO shoulders). Another big thank you. Sunny day, wind NW at 8 to 10, flew down to Kitty Hawk at top of Outer Banks (locally called OBX), found wonderful bike path which ended at the First-in-Flight memorial (see photo of huge granite monument on top of hill). Ended the day in beach motel in Nags Head next to fishing pier.

Friday, 10 April: WIND, south 18 to 25 with gusts to 30. Oh well! Goal was Ocracoke. Made it with big lift from Jason, his wife and sister who picked me up half way down Pea Island and carried me to Hatteras ferry landing. They had been in Young Life as high schoolers. Thank you.

On my way past, stopped at Oregon Inlet CG Station (see photo) for water and sea stories. Except all the 'kids' on watch were born AFTER I had retired. None of the cutters I had served in (Storis, Ironwood, Taney, and Papaw) are in service. Taney is now a museum ship in the Baltimore inner harbor, W-37, last ship afloat to have been at Pearl Harbor. 45 minute ride across Hatteras inlet. Long chat with a couple from Leesburg, VA who ride. Then 13 miles into unbelievable wind (see photo of milepost 77 which meant I was 66 miles from Nags Head and only 9 miles to end of OBX)to village of Ocracoke. Lovely!!!! So much so I put a down payment on a little waterfront cottage! (just kidding Mary, but it really is nice here. Greg and Ellen like Avon which is also nice).

Staying at Ocracoke Harbor Inn--very comfortable. Let me use w/d to clean my smelly stuff and use this computer to blog. Staying through to Easter morning then on the Ocracoke to Cedar Is. 2.5 hour ferry. Cold front came through last night. Clearing tomorrow with maybe a north wind. I can pray can't I. Going to add minutes to track phone, and go to book store, and plan next part of trip. There is a chance I can stay at the BOQ (bachelor officers quarters) at Camp Leguene near Jacksonville, NC.

Happy Easter one and all.

The Wind!!
So---I am well started. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers and training and patience.
Abbie drove me from Matthew's in Malvern to Stone Harbor on Palm Sunday to spend the night with Tyler's Godparents, Glen and Kathy. Monday morning after a big pancake breakfast, Abbie returned home in PA, Glenn took me to Hale Bicycle Shop in Cape May Court House. Within an hour I was suited up for the rain and low 50's and headed for the 1300 Cape May to Lewes, DE ferry. Still raining but little wind---down DE 1 all the way to Ocean City, MD. Sun came out around Bethany Beach, stopped to look in on my old Coast Guard charge, Fenwick Island lighthouse on the DE/MD border. 39 miles.

Comfort Inn, hot shower, crab sandwich, a little of the NC blowout of MSU, then bed.

Tuesday the 7th. 49 miles almost all of which into 20 kt westerly working my way from OC to Salisbury. Got here right at 1600---played with two of my wonderful grandchildren, Sage (10mos) and Dylan almost 3.

Wednesday Greg's going to take me down 13 aways below the cities then across the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-tunnel to Virginia Beach on the way to the Outer Banks.

THE BIKE!

Last Wednesday I gave the bike to the guys at Earl's Cyclery who promptly sent it to my old bike shop, Hale's, in Cape May Court House.  It arrived yesterday and is ready to go.  In two hours I will board Amtrak at Port Henry and begin the adventure----arrive 30th St. Station, Philly around midnight, spend the night with oldest son Matthew and family.  Tomorrow Abbie will collect me and we will go down to Stone Harbor, NJ to spend the night with Tyler's Godparents.  Monday morning to Hale's.  Abbie will go back to Philly and I will head for the Cape May-Lewes ferry and points south!  

By the way, Bud, Doug, Coach Al and I had a terrific 30 miler on Thursday---clear, warm, beautiful Vermont day.  Total training miles 245.  Thanks Al.