3000 Miles and Into Florida

It took me until 8 to get around and out of the hotel this morning, the time I normally get out, but later than I had hoped for today. I biked 303 across the lovely Blythe Island, then back onto 17 it was. The good shoulder continued today. The highway zagged over to the West before heading South through one little unremarkable town after another. One had a sign advertising "Dead Peoples Things for Sale", getting their business across in the most tactful way possible. It was some needed amusement in my day. The scenery was neither terrible nor terribly exciting, and I often found my eyes more drawn to the billowing clouds in the sky. I rode hard all day long, with few stops. It wasn't until I was just north of the Florida border, in Kingsland, that I stopped at a convenience store to get some junk food and rest a moment, having scarcely eaten breakfast.

I crossed the St Mary's River and arrived in Florida at last, having crossed through 15 states, a couple more than once, and come right about 3000 miles. 17 in Florida continued to have good shoulder. When I turned onto the famed A1A, there was even designated bike lane. ...For awhile, until there was a big construction barrier over said bike lane, for a short stretch, and then for mile after mile. Drivers were generally good, but it was definitely a bit dicey being in the midst of the heavy traffic, especially with all the big trucks. The sad, funny thing, was that the driver who passed me in the scariest, closest, most pointless way, to get to a stoplight just a little faster, had a Florida plate...covered at the top by sign saying "Pittsburgh" and the bottom "Steelers". Even in Florida, I can't escape those damn Pittsburgh drivers.

But eventually, my shoulder came back, and with it, my safety. The bridge onto Amelia Island had a gorgeous view, but even with a wide shoulder, there was no way I was stopping to admire or take pictures. I turned onto Amelia Parkway, then for awhile had a paralleling bike path. I soon reached Amelia Island State Park, where I had considered camping. I passed it by. I had found a host for tonight. Kind of. He had a full, busy house, but I could stay at his office. As long as I made it by 4:30, before he left. With it being about 90 miles total for the day, I had to move. Which was a shame, since it was now with a need for haste that there was finally stuff to see. I got onto a bike trail through a park, biking over a beautiful boardwalk next to a bird refuge, then a winding path through a jungle-like forest, taking a brief break to get a view of the beach, then raced along a more open section of trail to its end, back onto A1A.

Waiting on the ferry was hard when I was in a hurry. I was grateful that a driver told me that I go up front and get loaded on first. That's the way most car ferries are I've been on, but not the last in North Carolina, so I wasn't sure. It seemed to take forever to get moving, but at least the ride itself was quick. A1A to Mayport to Plaza to First St. There was a little traffic to contend with for awhile, but First Street was fairly untrafficked, and after a time even had bike lane, not only that, but islands blocking cars from using it as a through road, while allowing bikes through. It was nice. Sadly it had construction on it toward the end, forcing me onto the more trafficked 2nd, but I was just about done then. 3rd St is the highway, and it was not easy to get across, but after that, I had arrived.

My "host" met me and was able to chat with me briefly before leaving to pick up his daughter from soccer, giving me the run of the office. I may not have a bed, but I've got everything else, electricity, AC, bathroom, refrigerator, wifi, and even a computer that I'm using to watch Netflix. It's been a nice evening to myself. I picked up some pizza and I've been watching some Orange is the New Black. It will be bed time after another episode...maybe two. I'm debating between my sleeping bag and air pad on the floor or two office chairs put together. 

If I get comfortable enough, I might as well sleep in. It's Saturday, so he's not coming into the office. And I have only 30 miles, after my long run today, to reach St Augustine tomorrow. And there, I get to see my Rachael, the two of us having a mini vacation together for the 4th of July weekend. ...Crazy to think that after it's been a seven week journey for me to get here, that she's leaving tomorrow morning on a plane to get down here in the early afternoon (though in fairness, she is skipping the whole going up to Bar Harbor part first). I confess I have never been on am airplane. I don't think I would like it. I find it surreal enough to arrive places by train or bus. Bicycle speed just feels so much more natural. ...But then, I'm not complaining about getting to see my lady.