Sunday morning the three of us returned to St. Augustine. Our RV spot was across the bridge in Anastasia Island. We took a few more photographs to complete the story of our arrival to the appointed goal. The three of us visited the fort which was never taken in battle. It's walls are eighteen inches thick at the base made up of rock which has formed from sea shells and is a marvel. Andrew left us to ride north staying along the coast for a few more days and slowly making his way back to Ft. Collins, CO. One of his sayings is : "What shall I do today? Oh, I'll ride my bike." Thank you, Andrew!
About Me
- Wheeling for Women; The Heroine's Journey
- United States
- Are we not all on a heroine's or heroe’s journey? It is my younger daughter who first led me into biking, a bit of running and Yoga. As the retirement years approach I now see that I can spend my time in physical sport, a new passion for me, and help people at the same time. For the past two years, I came in first in my age category for the Standard Olympic Triathlon in Farmington, New Mexico ( the first race of my adult life). A native New Mexican, born in Albuquerque, I have lived in several states and abroad but for thirty years have lived Farmington,NM. I have a marvelous husband, three adult children and five grandchildren and many friends who are supporting this cycling venture.
April 20, 2009
Saying goodbye for now
The last two days of riding and a donation in Plataka, FL
Meeting with Susan again on Wednesday afternoon was a delight. It is specular that she moved to a city on the Adventure Cyclist's Route. Susan attended the University in Gainesville so she knew she liked the city and had lived in Florida for years previous to moving to New Mexico. Susan bought us a dinner and we also took in a TCYB, hope this does not ruin my discipline for eating well and light. Mine was delicious because it was chocolate. We returned to Susan's house and watched some comedians on video, Monty Python's "Argument Clinic" with John Cleese, a piece by Louis CK "Everything is Amazing and Nobody is Happy". Good friends and a laugh equal great medicine.
Thursday morning we met up with Andrew again to ride together in two days to St. Augustine. I can not emphasize how important it is to have a cycling companion and Andrew is a delight to visit with, he gave us another book, Ivan Doig's "Bucking the Sun".
Andrew and I were minutes from taking off for the last day of the ride into St. Augustine. The SAG driver had only 26 miles to drive but the cyclists had 47 miles of peddling the southern tier route.We had fair weather except when faced with agriculture land on both sides of the road which allowed the coastal winds to nearly stop us in mid peddle. Forests on either side of the road is what we wished. On our route a bridge was out, which is one worry for the cyclist, but Andrew with experience thought to ride ahead to check to state of repair. Gratefully, we were able to ride and walk through the construction and not have to add miles to the day's ride.
David found a parking place along the square in St. Augustine which made our finding each other easier in this tourist over run historic town. Andrew and I voted to drive directly to the RV park to shower and eat. It turned out there was no shower at the PepperTree RV park, this was a disappointment but food was quickly prepared by chef Diana for the famished cyclist. We decided that early Saturday morning we would return to the city to check it out as tourists. My favorite is without a doubt the Flagler College built by Henry Flagler, who was a partner with John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil. Mr. Flagler built railroads to bring guests to his hotels which he continued building south finally into Key West, and the history goes on. The hotel has been converted into Flagler College.
April 18, 2009
Arrived in St. Augustine about 4pm Friday, April 17, 2009
It was a long ride but aren't they all? The weather was overcast to begin with but the temperature held even with a breeze which sometimes turned into a coastal head wind. I had Andrew as a riding companion thank goodness for a companion makes the ride much more enjoyable. We rode 102 miles in two days my max to this point. A bridge was out on our route but we rode up to it and found that it was passable for a bike.
Today, Saturday we drove into town to act like tourists had a lunch which included a taste of alligator tail. So much history that I do not know, so many books which need to be read. Tomorrow we will begin our journey back home.
Will post some photographs of St. Augustine and an explanation of a few days before the last one.
Again, thank you for your support!
April 15, 2009
My contact information
If you would like to do a story about this fund raising event please conatact me at 505-860-8219 or diana@silveradeobe.com
Thank you, Diana
This is beginning to feel like race day is approaching
Yesterday, after the big rain the night before, I rode the Tallahassee Rails to Trails path back and forth, for good measure. What a delight!!!!! The only creatures in my way were two turtles a snake (small one), cardinals, mockingbirds, and a bluebird that I could identify and I was even hit by a butterfly. Yes, a few cyclists too, but they were the same species as myself. The rain had been expected, it left some of our neighbor camping spots flooded and some of the Rails to Trails path was a puddle. Having a boat here might be a good idea.
After hooking up this morning, David will drop the bike and myself off for today's ride towards Gainesville where we will meet up with friend Susan who lived in Farmington until this past July, teaching with Judith at Kirtland but returning to her native Florida. How fun! This will help in the feeling of celebration for approaching St. Augustine.
Friday morning I will have a telephone interview with KSJE, college raidio station with Scott Michlin at 9:45am Florida time.
April 14, 2009
Lopsided tan
I must cycle as we make our way home to even up my tan. Now I have a noticeable tan from my shorts line to the bend in my knees and on the right side of my lower right leg, that is where the afternoon western sun has been hitting. The inside of the right leg and both sides of my lower left leg are without a tan. It all looks odd.
I picked up a paperback to carry in my bike bags but made the mistake of getting the only mystery I have with me that is in French. I can read it a little but I am not fluent so the reading misses some points.
As we were backing up to our camping spot in this Ochlockonee State Park one fellow pacing said that what he does is back up until he hears glass and then pull forward a bit. Sounds like the humor of David's cousin Mac.
We have encountered two ticks and now I am covered with the bites of sand fleas, and to think I was worried about alligators.
I picked up a paperback to carry in my bike bags but made the mistake of getting the only mystery I have with me that is in French. I can read it a little but I am not fluent so the reading misses some points.
As we were backing up to our camping spot in this Ochlockonee State Park one fellow pacing said that what he does is back up until he hears glass and then pull forward a bit. Sounds like the humor of David's cousin Mac.
We have encountered two ticks and now I am covered with the bites of sand fleas, and to think I was worried about alligators.
April 13, 2009
St. Augustine is in sight
This weekend we plan to enter St. Augustine, the completion of our goal. As usual with humans I can not believe it. It has been many months in which this idea has been a major focus of my life.
The idea came in August, maturing, growing and then our leaving Farmington the end of January, and beginning the cycling portion in February from San Diego. I count eight months.
August- September = 1
September - October = 2
October-November = 3
November- December = 4
December- January = 5
January - February = 6
February - March = 7
March- April = 8
First of May return home.
Alligator Island
On Easter morning I rode from Ochlockkonee River State Park to the St. Mark's Lighthouse. Andrew Jackson captured the lighthouse in 1818. I did not find it. David met up with me and we spent a little time at two beaches with with sand on Alligator Point or Alligator Island. No one knows why this name was given to the island for there are no alligators on the beaches as they are fresh water creatures.
Sunrise beach is the name of the beach at Bald Point State Park. Many pelicans, cormorants, and terns were spotted fishing or grooming themselves. Cardinals too were visible on occasion.
The sun was bright and strong but the air was not too hot always a welcome gulf breeze.
Today, Monday, April 13th after my ride on the Rails to Trails south of Tallahassee, we will search for the lighthouse. We have now the highway number east of St. Marks to locate the lighthouse which is not open yet to the public for it has had to be refurbished once again.
Good Friday
As I was riding east of De Funiak Springs, FL I stopped twice which is most unusual for me. The second stop was at a Citco where a woman asked where I was headed. My response naturally was not just St. Augustine, FL. When I explained the fund raising she remarked that she had lived in Farmington while her husband was working at the power plant some years back. I told her she must allow me to give her a card and the blog address. It is a small world is it not? She said she would visit the blog site.
"Life is a daring adventure or it is nothing." Helen Keller
April 11, 2009
Happy Easter and DeFuniak, Springs folks
This is a cute set of Happy Easter photographs
http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/this-easter-beware-of-identity-theft/2009/04/09/
We have four more weeks before we will return home. This odyssey has been long and short and all of the above. I have been feeling much stronger these past two weeks now waht a difference.
Yesterday we drove from our state park to DeFuniak Springs, FL stopping along the lake in the center of town. David wished for me to take a ride around the lake where there are a collection of historic Victorian homes with ancient oak and magnolia trees. I rode past a United Methodist Church with a few people going in and out of the office so I stopped in and shared the story of the venture with the office folks. I have not done this often as there have been few churches on my route and I am not the most presentable when in my sweaty biking gear. Then David and I met up again, he took a photograph of me in front of the church and I was off.
Just this moment a mockingbird sat on the our truck outside my Argosy window then flew off and then a second one came and the fought for this space and now are both gone.
James Pinckard from San Juan College Human Health and Performance Center gave me the contact of his parents church in Pensacola. I have not been successful in making contact with them and as we approached this week I felt it would not be appropriate to stop by in the week before Easter. James also mentioned that his parents live in DeFuniak Springs. As David was walking around the lake a woman about our age on a bike stopped him asking if he was from Farmington, NM. David replied in the affirmative and she said, "Oh, everyone here knows of your trip. You must stop by the Pinckard house." This house boasts of a Magnolia tree which is the eight largest of Florida's champion trees. However, David believed he needed to get back on the road to meet up with me down the road at our appointed time and place.
We plan at this point to get back to DeFuniak Springs and knock on the door. We will also telephone the Pensacola United Methodist Church.
Thank you to James and his family for sharing our story. Hope to meet with you.
April 9, 2009
Adding cinnamon and maple syrup to the cupboard
This morning we had the best taste sensation since I do not remember when by adding cinnamon to the yams and maple syrup to the grits. One must eat grits while in the south. When provisioning the traveling cupboard I did not wish to over stock it with all the luxuries of home but we are learning what works for us and primarily Diana since David is easy with just about any food but Diana now it concentrating on carbs and still rather fickle in eating habits.
We are serenaded each morning by Mocking birds, often the blackbirds and others I have not yet identified.
Today looks to be warmer than the previous three days and perhaps it will in the end be too hot.
Andrew's blog address is: http://lifebybike.blogspot.com
Riding into Florida, YEA
Yesterday, April 9th, Wednesday I biked to Florida. I was anxiously awaiting to yell Hip hip hooray when arriving at the "Welcome to Florida" sign but there was not one and I did not know when I had arrived. We are in the last sate of this coast to coast trip! I had a noticeable tail wind, really and truly, for most of the ride and was taken over two bridges which are arched to let ships pass under but they present a challenge of the up. The shoulders were decent.
Sadly new hotels and houses have been rebuilt since Katrina on the dunes, destroying the dunes, destroying habitat for turtles and other wildlife. Besides this when the storms do their work the debris is full of mattresses, stoves, refrigerators, toilets, sinks, tables, chairs and the wreck of the hotel. Since it is not necessary why, why is it allowed? And it is the taxpayer who picks up the tab for the clean up and the rebuilding, since no insurance company will touch this doomed building frenzy.
April 7, 2009
Safe Bicycling paths in the US
John Burke has spoken my words and ideas for the future of bicycling and its health benefits as well as bringing solutions to the 20th century earth. Please check it out!!!
John Burke: the Al Gore of the bike trade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfRiFylmiSO&feature=channel
Chrissie Wellington wins Ironman for third time
Chrissie Wellington wins third time Ironman see video clip : http://www.ironmanwa.com/ironmanoz/videoclip.html
Andrew left us with a copy of "The Majic Bus" by Douglas Brinkley. A large book to be carrying on a cycling tour. Mr. Brinkley is a history teacher, in 1994 he took his first set of twenty students around the America to experience America's history all the while reading a list of 100 books. He quotes Whitman, Thoreau, Agee, Drieser, Kerouac, Maya Angelou, Henry Miller, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald, Robert Penn Warren, Flannery O'Connor, Robert M. Pirzig, and Charles Kerault. These are just a few writers mentioned in the introduction. The bus was designed to run on Nartural Gas to boot.
On occassion I have been reading "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann, two magics!
April 6, 2009
Cold head wind to Ferry landing which was closed
Coastal wind is normal for the coast so David tells me. Today, April 6th, I had normal coastal weather, rather chilly in the 50's and a good strong head wind that often attempted to be a gymnastic show off. First five miles was through the beach resort of the Gulf Shores, then five miles of a actual bike path meandering through a park with trees which help shield for the wind but numerous stops for driveways, then a road with a brand new surface. The Ferry was not operating because of the extreme winds. Once again a port has a Civil War battle history. That is the port for Mobile Bay. South of the bay is a sand pit Ft. Morgan which was still operating during World War II. Many off shore oil drilling rigs for decoration.
Yes, I was riding west today to make up for our having driven through Mobile yesterday.
April 5, 2009
Goodbye Louisiana, Hello Mississippi and Alabama
Yesterday, Saturday, April 4th, riding in Mississippi, I had good roads though with no shoulder but the surface, weather and traffic were excellent. The dogs though proved something else. The first experience were two rottweilers within a fenced area. Both came charging towards me at the front of the fence along the road. Luckily they fought each for first place for best scarring place. Then I came across another set of dogs behind a fence except the fence did not contain them. The most determined "I'll tear you apart growling barker" was a nursing mother, if she had been a mother bear protecting her young I would have been toast.
We camped at Shepard Municipal State Park on a tidal marsh, outside of Gautier, Mississippi. This Sunday, morning we drove through Mobile, AL and then I rode on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay past a Pollo Field that looked exclusive with beautifully tended pastures and a brick driveway entrance to the locked gate.
David now tells me taht for several nights we have been camping where there are alligators. He noticed a sign for our park tonight which warns not to leave your dog tied up for the alligators believe it is a little gift. That is all right for I am not planning to walk outside the Argosy until daylight. More timid news is that we seem to have a chorus of singing frogs.
Most Excellent SAG Driver
Accolades go to David for all his work and support during this long trek across country. Not only has David had to read and compile the information on our maps, find us a place to rest the Argosy at night and determine where my route leads but determine where we will meet. Then there are the numerous daily maintenance projects.
Thank you David!
We have found the time together rewarding with its gentle companionship and daily rhythm of a couple. Lovely!
April 3, 2009
April 2, 2009
A cycling companion for two glorious days
Luckily I had a valve stem air leak and hence a flat tire. As I began the arduous task of changing the tire which is larger than a normal tire because it is a touring tire, which makes it a tight fit a cyclist with panniers on his bike rolled by just in front of our Argosy. We were at an intersection where there was a gas station and a country grocery store. I walked to where the young man had stationed his bike about to enter the grocery store and asked if he was on a time limit then broached the subject of asking for help with the tire change. This fellow's name is Andrew and he was gracious to help. The strength he used just to begin taking the tire off the rim made me many times grateful that I had found someone to help. The three of us visited while the tire was being changed. This looks like an easy job if some one else is doing it. Andrew has been on the road since January beginning in San Francsico cycling down to Baja then into Mexico. Andrew had his two brothers with him until three weeks ago.
I mentioned that I could not ride with anyone else because I am a slow traveler, but Andrew was not dismayed. We hopped on our bikes and began our ride. Andrew said he had been missing having people to talk to and could enjoy the company. Ditto. We agreed to continue the next day which had to be the most perfect temperature, weather, road conditions, not many logging trucks or other traffic, just great. I rode my most miles so far in one day at 54 and a half miles We had meadow larks to begin the morning then red winged blackbirds and yellow winged black birds in the winter wheat fields. Again several road kill Armadillos, one possum and two large frogs which reminded me of "The Triplets of Bellville". We rode below a levee for much of the day though some parts were on top of the levee. Both days we had a number of dogs come for us, one took a bite out of Andrew's pannier only getting the strap in the end. During the afternoon of the second day we were passing a plantation looking house with acres of grounds. A doberman pincher, which has been in the back forty, came at Andrew as if he were flying. The owners yelled to the dog and I thought that was not going to help. After running full tilt the dog made an instaneous right turn jumping into his fenced yard which had a locked gate and proceeded to run back and forth inside the gate to bark at us. A comedy in the making.
David was free to drive on to New Roads, LA and not have the concern of staying closer to me and meeting up each twenty miles or so. We arrived in New Roads, LA about three o'clock. This small town boasts river front views along the False River. The False River used to be part of the Mississippi but rivers change course and man has been involved with that change.
Andrew is on his way to New Orleans, today April 2. It was a morale booster to have a biking comp;anion and wish I had one each day. Oh well, not this trip.
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