Day 12 - St. Augustine to Port Orange
After getting to bed past 1am, we were up and packing at 6am. We said goodbye to the Thompsons [and Bentley, as well!].
Thanks again for your warmth and hospitality. God bless!
As we headed down A1A, we had some bike lanes to enjoy....but it was COOL! Glad we brought some sweats to bundle up in.
A1A, of course, goes along the beach, and through some neighborhoods, so the traffic was not as bad as Highway 1. We got to see some beautiful homes, and a lot of homes that were either for sale or abandoned.....sad.
The wind picked up from the north/northeast, and it was behind us, so we were bookin'! Because of the schedule change from Monday night to Wednesday night at St. Augustine, we needed to cover a lot of distance on Day 12 to make sure we get home by Saturday night. And God gave us favor. We averaged 2 to 3 miles an hour faster than normal.
We stopped at a Publix for a "convenience" stop, and all of a sudden the lights are flashing, and horns are blaring [why does this always happen to us] - there's a fire truck going to the Publix.....and there's a bunch of people standing around taking pictures....
Wait!
It's Santa! No snow in Florida, so he had to arrive by fire truck......what fun! [I think the adults were enjoying it more!]
Most of the construction for the Mantanzas bridges was done....nice wide shoulders and some real pretty views of the water.
We also went through some pretty bike trails through Palm Coast.
We stopped at Miss Daphne's, but she wasn't home. [This is the Beach House that International Seminary graciously allows us to use from time to time....you can see the 40-foot porch that I refurbished a few months back.]
The ocean was showing the effects of the wind....there were white caps out as far as you could see.
We stopped for lunch at the Pier restaurant in Flagler Beach....good food and great views.
South of Flagler Beach the road was long, and straight, and looooononnnnnggggg.
But the wind was still good and strong behind us. We actually covered the 50 miles to Daytona Beach in less than 8 hours, including our lunch break, convenience store "ministerations," potty stops, and Santa!
We decided to head over the bridge to Port Orange.....the last big bridge we'll go over [I don't think Earline believes me!].
There was a long ramp leading up to a separated walkway.....but it was a tight squeeze.
It truly was a nice walkway separated from the traffic, but it was a big bridge....
....and it was tall....
....but that just meant the views were prettier when you got to the top!
We stopped at a Christian thrift shop, and they recommended a nice, inexpensive motel to stay at [so we could shower!]. Total mileage covered today: 58 miles, in 9 and a half hours.
Thanks, God, for your provision, and your favor.
TGG,
jon
Thanks again for your warmth and hospitality. God bless!
As we headed down A1A, we had some bike lanes to enjoy....but it was COOL! Glad we brought some sweats to bundle up in.
A1A, of course, goes along the beach, and through some neighborhoods, so the traffic was not as bad as Highway 1. We got to see some beautiful homes, and a lot of homes that were either for sale or abandoned.....sad.
The wind picked up from the north/northeast, and it was behind us, so we were bookin'! Because of the schedule change from Monday night to Wednesday night at St. Augustine, we needed to cover a lot of distance on Day 12 to make sure we get home by Saturday night. And God gave us favor. We averaged 2 to 3 miles an hour faster than normal.
We stopped at a Publix for a "convenience" stop, and all of a sudden the lights are flashing, and horns are blaring [why does this always happen to us] - there's a fire truck going to the Publix.....and there's a bunch of people standing around taking pictures....
Wait!
It's Santa! No snow in Florida, so he had to arrive by fire truck......what fun! [I think the adults were enjoying it more!]
Most of the construction for the Mantanzas bridges was done....nice wide shoulders and some real pretty views of the water.
We also went through some pretty bike trails through Palm Coast.
We stopped at Miss Daphne's, but she wasn't home. [This is the Beach House that International Seminary graciously allows us to use from time to time....you can see the 40-foot porch that I refurbished a few months back.]
The ocean was showing the effects of the wind....there were white caps out as far as you could see.
We stopped for lunch at the Pier restaurant in Flagler Beach....good food and great views.
South of Flagler Beach the road was long, and straight, and looooononnnnnggggg.
But the wind was still good and strong behind us. We actually covered the 50 miles to Daytona Beach in less than 8 hours, including our lunch break, convenience store "ministerations," potty stops, and Santa!
We decided to head over the bridge to Port Orange.....the last big bridge we'll go over [I don't think Earline believes me!].
There was a long ramp leading up to a separated walkway.....but it was a tight squeeze.
It truly was a nice walkway separated from the traffic, but it was a big bridge....
....and it was tall....
....but that just meant the views were prettier when you got to the top!
We stopped at a Christian thrift shop, and they recommended a nice, inexpensive motel to stay at [so we could shower!]. Total mileage covered today: 58 miles, in 9 and a half hours.
Thanks, God, for your provision, and your favor.
TGG,
jon
Hope you had a great day of riding yesterday! I know I did.
We crossed paths yesterday afternoon in Ormond By The Sea (Between High Bridge and Publix)
I would have stopped to say hello, but I didn't want to interrupt your view and I was biking back to the office after lunch.
Safe travels. JB
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