Nancy's Travel Journal

Our last day on the road dawned with excitement and anticipation.  Nancy B., my roommate and I had decided that there was no reason to get up early.  However, when I opened the door at about 6:40 to check the weather, there were folks loading the trailer and already headed for breakfast.  We quickly dressed, packed and joined the others for breakfast.  Our plan for the day was ride to mile 40-the location of a fire station just out of St. Augustine.  We were to arrive there by 11:00 AM.  From there we would have a police escort to Anastasia Island State Park, where our friends and families would be waiting. So we left the hotel around 7:30 AM.  The route led us less than a mile down US 17, before we turned onto a quieter road leading us out of town. 
Then the fun began.  Someone made the comment that there were 23 turns on today’s cue sheet.  In spite of our excitement, most folks managed to find the turns without getting lost.  Ellen and I were riding together on one of the quiet roads, when I looked over into a little stream and thought I saw an alligator.  We turned around to see this creature, only to find that it was a log.  But, it was a pretty scene with the water and spring flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further down, we found the road that followed the St. John’s River for a while.  Once again, we were rewarded with beautiful sites of the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pace of most riders slowed as we realized there were only a few miles to go before reaching the fire station.  And, it was nowhere near 11:00.  We were delayed a bit at our last store stop of the trip, the Molasses Junction Country Store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was definitely a place of local color, with signs, t-shirts, and gourmet health food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that was the most excitement that place had seen in quite some time!  When we could delay no longer, we headed out to the station, arriving there around 10:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having some time to kill, we decided to do some photo shoots.  Here are the SAG drivers, who supported us throughout the trip with food, drink, and moral support.  Thanks so much Kay, Susan, and Nancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we divided into age groups.  Here are our parade marshals, age 70, Ortrun and Donna.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there are the sexy 60’s.  Several folks turned 60 on the trip. Can you find me in the picture?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about those fabulous 50’s?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there was the fantastic 40’s-Kay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, of course, we had to have our wonderful staff folks, Michelle and Ellee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, it was time for the ultimate photo shoot of everyone.  We enlisted the help of the three policemen who were waiting to escort us to the beach.  It was quite a site to see them with 27 cameras, trying to keep track of which cameras already had been used and those left to go.  Then there was the problem of how to operate them.  But, law enforcement folks are trained for all kinds of situations and got the job done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 11:15 we lined up in rows of twos and threes, with Ortrun and Donna in the lead.  There was one police car in front, one in back, and one to ride ahead to close intersections.  What a ride.  The only time we stopped briefly was for a train.  Somewhere in that ride, I lost my flip-flops and shorts attached to my bike bag.  But, with such excitement, I wasn’t about to go back for them
and get behind the parade!  Along the way, we waved and shouted to folks.  Most waved back, not really sure why they were waving and cheering.  As we rode, many emotions went through my mind, as I am sure it did with the others.  There was elation at finally reaching our destination, pride at having made it, regret at parting from our new friends, with whom we had shared so much, and excitement at seeing our friends and families.  We crossed the “temporary” Bridge of Lions headed toward Anastasia State Park.  (The old bridge, built in 1927, was determined to be structurally unsound.  After much heated debate, it was decided that the old bridge would be rebuilt and maintain its integrity.)  We continued our parade to the park, arriving at the picnic area with police sirens blazing.  Looking ahead we could see signs, a crowd of cheering people and a sea of “Go Nancy Go” yellow shirts.  We circled around the corner, shed tears and gave hugs to those who had come to meet us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was even a spray of champagne from my nephew, Howard.  After our greetings, we shed our shoes and headed for the ocean, to dip our front tires in the Atlantic Ocean.  It seemed so long ago that we had dipped the rear wheels in the Pacific.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I had my own “bike Porter”, who said if I rode across the US, he could carry my bike across the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ocean was so inviting that we had to jump in! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Then I had some time to greet friends and family before heading back to the picnic shelter.  Being from Georgia, I lived the closest to the end of the ride.  So, I was honored to have quite a few folks there to greet me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My group included Bill, Polly, Mariann, Seage, Howard & Melissa, Railyn, Linda & Paul, Nancy & Charlie Turner, Dale, Gay & Alan, John White, Brenda Bradley, Jim & Dennis (BRAG friends) When we took this picture, Mariann and Seage had already gone to the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a nice picnic and yet more visiting among the riders and their families.  I was glad to finally meet Leo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Carol seemed to be enjoying her grandchild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Metter Magnolias, well represented by Gay and Dale, presented me with a beautiful trophy that will always be treasured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the picnic, we took Ortrun to the bicycle shop, where she was going to ship her bike home. 

That ev
ening, we walked from the Best Western to Le Pavillon for a final dinner together.  I was so glad that we were able to call Elizabeth from the restaurant.  Even though she was not physically there, we all felt her determined spirit with us.  Pasha and Chickie helped consume my dessert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Our group presented Michelle and Ellee with a small token of our appreciation, in a water bottle, of course. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After more tears and promises to stay in touch, the group walked back to the motel and went their separate ways.  Several folks were staying a few days with family and some were headed for the airport and home early the next morning.  I was staying at the Bluegreen Resort several miles away (arranged by Polly for our family), so I bid everyone one more goodbye and drove back to there to spend a couple of days relaxing, before returning to real life!

I plan to have one more post as a reflection and thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey.  Stay tuned.

Well, excitement is mounting!  This was our last long day of the ride!  Tomorrow we will ride into St. Augustine.  Once again, the temperature was reported to reach 90 degrees today.  So, breakfast was served at 6:30 AM, just barely daylight.  We left the motel on US 441, turning onto CR 236, thinking it would be a quiet road.  Wrong!  First, there was the school just getting started, then there were the trucks and cars all bound for work.  We crossed I-75 after about 6 miles, leading to a bit quieter ride.  Finally we found some quieter roads.  At the first SAG, we celebrated Rhetta and Barb K’s birthdays, by singing to both of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued on quiet roads, until turning right on SR 100.  That will go down as one of my least favorite roads on this ride.  For 28 miles we had dump trucks, log trucks and fast cars.  The only good thing was a shoulder (but it often was scattered with glass). 

For a long time, I rode by myself, wondering where everyone else was?  Sometime around noon, I pulled into a convenience store with a Subway inside.  Much to my surprise, there were Irv and Don, our friends from Ft. Hancock, TX.  Irv was the fraternity brother of Robert Hulsey.  While they have been traveling the same route, for most of the trip, it is still amazing to see them again.  We invited them to our end-of-the-road party.  I hope they can make it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch, it was back on the road again.  With the heat and traffic, the SAG was a welcomed site at mile 60.  Even with the sun and less-than-satisfactory rest stop conditions, we can find beauty in such a place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I arrived in Palatka at about 1:30, after crossing what I hope is the last hill of the trip, the St. John’s River Bridge.  Tonight we are staying in the Best Western of Palatka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I was sitting in the lobby earlier, a car drove up with a Laurens County tag.  I introduced myself to Steve Brown, who is GA and North Florida regional director for Buckmasters American Deer Foundation.  He used to be involved with recreational ball and knows Buie Levevrett.  I will ask Buie about him when I get home.  Once again it is a small world.   

We had dinner as usual tonight, celebrating Rhetta and Barb’s birthdays again with a cake. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I gave Ellen Call the How To Speak Southern book that I had bought at Bellingrath Gardens.  I need to get more copies of that book for future use.  There were lots of questions about logistics tomorrow.  Folks have to pedal to the bike shop and leave bikes to be shipped back home.  Then they will be picked up by the van and taken to the hotel.  Dinner will be closed, only for the riders, no family.  Thank goodness Bill is picking me up, so I don’t have to deal with the shipping and getting to the airport complication.

I can’t really describe my feelings tonight, except to say that it seems like the other nights we have spent on the road.  When I allow myself to think about tomorrow, it is almost overwhelming.  Anne and I agreed at dinner that it would be a very emotional time.  So, I am not sure when my next post will be.  Stay tuned! 

This morning we were all anxious to get an early start because the Weather Channel promised a very hot day, with temperatures near 90 degrees.  It was just after daylight as we rode out of the hotel parking lot.  I was thinking of calling Barbara Christmas at the KOA Campground down the road, but felt she was probably still asleep.  After only 2 miles, we turned onto US 27, and stayed on that highway for 50 miles.  While it was a busy highway with log and dump trucks, there was a good shoulder. 

The traffic didn’t bother me as much as it used to before this trip.  We passed through the small town of Mayo, then Branford, where we crossed the Suwannee River.  I remember going there when Matt and I got our PADI certification years ago.  Just out of town, I looked to the right and saw a bicycle path.  Michelle had told us about it, but I had not remembered.  The path was a welcomed relief from the traffic for several miles.  At about mile 52, we left the bike path for country roads on the way to Ichetucknee Springs, where a picnic was waiting for us.  At one point, we passed a miniature horse farm.  Hille and Ramsey put on their Dr. Doolittle hats and talked to the animals.  I managed to get pictures of one horse, who looked that she may be a new momma soon, and another who acted like a young colt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

A couple of them attempted to get into Ramsey’s bike bag, leaning on the fence.  We weren’t quite sure what they were after in there!

After seeing a couple of places to rent rafts and kayaks, we entered Ichetucknee Springs at the North Entrance (http://www.floridastateparks.org/ichetuckneesprings/).  Ellee laid out a spread for us in the shade of some moss-covered oaks at the Springs.  Barb Kassel’s  friend, Mary Blake met us and supplemented the picnic goodies with some homemade treats. What a special surprise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Some of the riders who had arrived earlier, were already enjoying the swimming hole as we made out way down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found the restrooms and changed into my swimsuit before joining them at the springs.  Note the tan line!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pasha wanted to jump in as well, but I managed to keep her on the rock, after telling her about a water moccasin that some of the folks had seen earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because the water was a bit chilly, it took us a while to get used to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Anne and Ellee braved the water to swim out to see a couple of turtles on a log.  Can you find them (the turtles) in the picture?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we needed a photo shoot for our trip.  What a bunch of babes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a couple of hours in the cool of the trees and the springs, we reluctantly tore ourselves away knowing that we still had about 20 miles to ride in the heat.  For a short while we were again on country roads, then turned onto 441.  The heat reflected from the pavement and humidity made me feel a bit woozy.  As I slowed down, the other riders slowly pulled away from me.  I felt a bit better after slowing down and knowing I only had about 5 miles to ride before arriving in High Springs. 

We stayed at the High Springs Motel, a favorite of Bike Florida folks.  It is not 5- star, but I would stay there again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The other attraction of High Springs is Floyd’s Diner (aka Pink Floyd).  We spotted Elvis there, but I didn’t have my camera!  You can see him on Anne Cowan’s site (see my links)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the real highlight of the day was my evening!  When I realized how close we would be to Gainesville, I sent Patty (ASC ’66) a
nd Randy Caton a post card earlier in the ride, letting them know I would be in the neighborhood.  Well, they invited me to dinner at their home.  Patty came out to pick me up and take me back to Gainesville for the evening.  While Randy prepared a gourmet meal of crab cakes, fresh asparagus, rice and salad, Patty and I caught up with our lives over a glass of white wine (or two!).  She even brought out her wedding album from all those years ago.  My, have we all changed!  Patty told me of running into my first ASC roommate, Sherry.  I now have her phone number and hope to reconnect soon.  What a glorious evening.  Thank you so much Randy and Patty.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning in Crawfordville was one of the most casual starts we have had on the trip.  Since we only had 52 miles to ride, some folks had plans for side trips.  About half of the group decided to go kayaking on the Wakulla River.  Since I have never tried it, I didn’t want this to be my maiden voyage, then ride 40 miles.  Some folks wanted to see St. Marks.  A few wanted to ride straight to the hotel in Perry.  I wanted to detour north about three miles on the St. Marks Trail for a second breakfast at Savannah’s.  So, Lorraine, Rebecca Stultz, and I were in no hurry to leave the hotel and get to the restaurant too early.  When we arrived at the river, the sailors were getting ready to launch.  We decided to stick around to see them start upstream.  The T n T Hide-a-Way folks were very helpful to our group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie looks like a real pro as she poses for the camera. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne looks like she is ready for a cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the bridge I was able to bid adieu to most of the group as they set sail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our little group of three rode to the St. Marks Trail and headed north about three miles to Savannah’s.  What a beautiful ride through the canopy of trees, smelling the honey suckle early in the morning as we listened to the swish of our tires!  At Savannah’s I enjoyed homemade French toast, while the others had fried egg sandwiches, with hearty bacon.  As we were leaving, the staff was setting out a lunch buffet.  It looked so good that we were tempted to ride and few miles and return for lunch.  But, common sense prevailed. However, I hope to be back for lunch some day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We returned to US 98 via the bike trail, having ridden an extra 6 miles.  Lorraine opted to continue on the trail to see the fort at St. Marks.  Rebecca and I headed on down 98 toward Perry.  While the road had a large shoulder, the truck traffic was disconcerting.  Between the log trucks and dump trucks, it was not our best road.  At a service station, we learned that there were three rock quarries on this road, taking loads of sand, rock and dolomite to Thomasville and returning for another load.  One of the drivers told us that they had been passing the word on their radios to be cautious of the cyclists.  At the same service station, there was a taxidermy display of local animals.  I had never seen a display quite like this one. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Roadkill on BRAG should have an armadillo like this for their trailer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving that service station, there was nothing to see but pine trees, bayonet plants, and live oaks for 24+ miles.  Kay, the SAG driver stopped to give us water once.  Then we stopped a couple of times in the 90-degree heat to rest a bit when we found shade.  It is amazing how cool a bit of shade feels when you ride in the hot sun for miles.  After we passed the quarries, the endless procession of dump trucks disappeared, but not the log trucks.  They just kept on rolling, in both directions!  At least, they were very courteous and swung out around us as they passed.  We noticed that many of the ditches had dried up due to the drought in North Florida.  And, there was smoke from the wild fires near Waycross in Georgia.

After what seemed like forever, Rebecca and I arrived in Perry.  It was so comforting to have ridden with her.  Having someone along when riding forever on such an isolated road makes the situation seem so much better. 

The Hampton Inn is a very nice place.  In addition to having comfortable rooms, they had an evening reception for their guests.  We enjoyed this treat of wine, beer and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we were enjoying the reception, a special guest arrived as a surprise to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

What a treat it was to see Barbara.  She is on her way down the Gulf Coast after having bought herself an RV several weeks ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I introduced her (and Tootsie and Taco, her dogs) to the group at dinner.  Seems like the dogs were a big hit in our group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read the story, There Was An Old Cajun  (a take-off on There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly) to the group.  I had purchased it in St. Francisville.  Afterward, I said goodbye to Barbara, as she returned to a KOA campground just down the road.  Tomorrow we have a 74-mile day to High Springs.  With the anticipated heat, we plan to leave the hotel by 7:00 AM.  This was another good day!  Only three more days of riding.