Alligators Galore - Palatka 61.3 miles.

Last longish day of the trip. Funny to be pleased it is only a '60 mile' day. Set off early, before 7.00 am, as usual, and picked up the Gainsville/Hawthorne State Trail which was to be part of my route for 16 miles. Dave had said if we visited an off-shoot, the La Chua Trail we might see alligators. As I walked along it I met a local hiker, Danny, who knew the area well. He took me to a large pool and there were about 30 gators slumbering at the waters edge. They just looked like large logs, it was great to see them at last. He also said there were bison, deer and boar in the area. Antway, a cycle tour beckoned and I had to carry on. At Melrose Todd and Dave caught up with me and we stopped at a convenience store. They left before me and that's when I noticed I had a front flat, a farewell present from America. I was busy fixing it when who rolled in but Jon, the 'flat king'. I had found the hole in the tube but not the tyre. Jon squeezed the tyre and out flew a sliver of glass, he is my hero. Tyre fixed we headed off and just reached the motel in Palatka before the heavens opened and it poured down, hot rain and thundery. Some of the cyclists got caught 20 miles out. In the evening we went to a fish restaurant to celebrate our final night. Those of us, who have cycled EFI, ( every f..... inch ) were given rulers as a keepsake. Dave and Sean had bought us silly presents representing different aspects of the trip. Dan, a whoopee cushion, for strange noises in the night. Jon, a toy fishing rod, for trying but never catching any fish. Lisa, Little Miss Camper award for always being tidy about camp. Todd, a toy toolkit, as he was the gadget man. Robert M. washing powder for always shouting 'where's the laundry'. Dee, a toy alarm clock, for being first up. Merv, a spool, for winding up all his electrical cords. Robert C. an empty box to represent cleaning materials used on his bike. He oiled his chain twice. The Kiwi's, USA flag and Top Hat as they are so positive about everything American?? Lars, two soft toy dogs to practice his 'halt' aim. Me, a waffle making kit as I am the only person who goes into a Waffle House to put on weight. Most people there are already obese. We bought Dave and Sean one mile each of an ACA route, they will be given ownership certificates. Seemed appropriate. We had a great time, a good laugh, all were in good form, a fitting last night. So that is it, tomorrow,the last day of my big adventure, a short 40 miles to finish...think I might manage it don't you....still loving it.....

Photos of Aligators Slumbering

Hope you can make out the alligators. There are about 30 of them slumbering at the edge of this lake, they just look like logs. Photos taken about 7.30 am

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Getting Closer - Gainsville miles 75.8 miles.

This was a fairly long day passing through back roads of Florida. As it was the weekend there were a lot of 'Garage Sales' in front gardens - giving me ideas for selling my bric a brac at home. Stopped at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, beautiful crystal clear water. I haven't mentioned Robert C lately so some of you may be wondering how he is coping. Now that we are in the flatlands, no 'significant' hills, the answer is 'very well'. He is the first to leave, at sunrise, and the last to arrive but he completes every day. He has eaten his way across America, I have never seen someone consume so much food, he is constantly eating. Just before he arrived at the motel today he had a pint of ice-cream and 3 huge doughnuts, that after a beefburger lunch and an 'all you can eat' Chinese meal tonight. I think he must have put on 2 stone.  The good news is he is much happier although I think he will be glad to see the trip finished. We all seemed a bit subdued tonight, doing  things like signing the van, making leaving plans. Lisa didn't ride today but is fine and will probably ride tomorrow.   St. Augustine, where we finish, is America's oldest city, over 400 years old, an interesting place to visit. Tomorrow night we have our final night party so thankfully Tuesday is a short day of 40 miles. The plan is for us to assemble, all wearing our Southern Tier tops, 10 miles outside St Augustine. Together we will cycle to the Atlantic Ocean for the ceremonial dipping of front wheels in the sea. This will be goodbye, as some cyclists are being met by family and will be leaving soon after. My big adventure is nearly at an end....but still loving it.... 

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Iced Tea and Ice-Cream Milkshake for Lunch. 37 deg F

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Sweltering Suwannee River - Live Oak 67.6 miles

Left early this morning and by 10.00 am had completed 30 miles. There was a warm, thick mist for the first hour which made Spike and myself quite wet, helmet dripping, arms and clothing soaked, very refreshing. Not such a long day as expected, with a pleasant tailwind for a change, but temperatures reached 101 deg F/ 37 deg C. Even the locals are complaining, they have become accustomed to air conditioning. We passed through Greenville, the boyhood home of Ray Charles, a statue has been erected to his memory. Cycled along the Suwannee River well known due to Stephen Foster's tune 'the Swannee River'. He changed the spelling of the river because ' he was afraid people would mispronouce the u'. When I arrived at the Motel I heard the worrying news that Lisa was in an ambulance on her way to hospital. Apparently, a lady had opened her car door in Lisa's path. The good news is that she is fine, bruised, bump on her head , cracked finger but ok. She received excellent attention, even a cat scan. We all need to keep alert for the last few days. I had a cooling swim in the motel pool then had a huge ice-cream milk shake from a nearby Dairy Queen....lovely, still loving it...

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Ray Charles/Greenville, Suwannee River, Spot Spikes New Cable

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Slow Meander to Waukeenah - 60.1 miles.

Had a sound sleep. Already I am slipping back into the real world, as by present standards, I overslept. As there is no camp noise I now  rely on Dee, who is an early starter wakening me up. I didn't hear her leave for breakfast at 6.00 am, just her return at 6.30 am. Panic, not really as we were only cycling 60 miles and can't get into the motel till 2.00pm but I like an early start to escape the heat of the day. All the motels seem to have waffle making machines so that is how I now start my day - waffles, maple syrup and orange juice. Set off about 7.30am,  the first town I reached after 6 miles was Tallahassee, the capital of Florida. I got so carried away dodging through lanes of traffic that I completely missed my turn off and cycled an extra 4 miles. Grrrr. Part of our route today followed the 'St Marks Trail' - an old railway line path which reminded me of trails between Ardrossan and Glasgow. It was much better maintained though with pristine toilets every few miles. We passed through Wacissa which has the distinction of being the only village in the south not to fall into Union hands. Apparently, it was being defended by a ragtag group of confederate old men and boys. They managed to hold off a badly organised Union Detachment enroute to Tallahassee. Visited Wacissa Springs, a lovely peaceful lake but a bit overgrown and muddy. Some of the group went for a swim and although extremely hot I declined. Gators, perhaps? An owl was watching a fisherman and every time he landed a catch swooped down and stole the fish. Just 4 more days of cycling across this amazing country but I now feel we are just putting the miles in. We are staying just north of Waukeenah in a Super 8 Motel. Long day tomorrow of nearly 80 miles and it has to be 35 deg. Must make an early start, no sleeping in.....still loving it....  

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