Bike Florida: Red Hills to the Sea

Day 3 - Tuesday, March 22, 2005

We'll traverse the Apalachicola National Forest on our ride to Apalachicola. It's the largest in Florida comprising over 565,000 acres. Part of the ride will also take place on one of Florida's designated "Scenic Highways". There will be lots of time for quiet contemplation on this leg of the route as we head for the Gulf of Mexico.

Bike Florida will provide a "FREE" lunch in Sumatra, which is about half way between Blountstown and Apalachicola.

Sandra and I begin our Century day; clean and happy.

Purple wild flowers. We will see lots of these along the side of the road.

Angel, who greeted us at the first rest stop. The locals made homemade cookies and cakes for us.

Sandra, in action.

A few of the millions of Pine Trees that we will see today.

Ah, the road. A quiet one. Almost no cars.

Oh, and they smelled good too.

Share the Road Bike Florida signs, to show us the way and let the cars know that we are present.

Sandra, the road, the trees.

Good thing they show us the way for the 100.

Unfortunately, a not so interesting realization as to where all of those trees go. This was a huge lumberyard.

We begin that scenic highway.

Very scenic.

Especially with the presence of Wild Flowers along the roadside.

Azaleas and an old abandoned Church.

Sandra shows me her favorite cookies.
She is not happy because at this point in the century it has started to rain and those annoying gnats and mosquitoes have appeared.

Lots of friends appear at the rest stops.

Really big Pine Cones from really skinny Pine Trees.

Wild Flowers and the Rain.

A closer look.

This guy Steve, saved me from my daemons.
At this point, my feet were numb, it was raining and I was contemplating why I don't do centuries.

Lunch - at last.
Food always tastes so good when on the road.

I finally meet up with Sandra and feel better at last.
I lost her, when I stopped to photograph the lumberyard.

The lunch crew in Sumatra - aren't they cute. They posed for me when I took the camera out.

Bob, from Bike Vermont.

One of those spectacular Victoria homes and more azaleas and dog wood trees.

It wouldn't be a Century without a little construction.

A fire tower.
A few crazy cyclists climbed this tower at the sixty mile mark.

Can you spot the tower amongst the trees?

We make it to the coast, a nice change from all of those trees and my allergies mysteriously disappear like magic.
We continue with wind, fog and rain during our adventure.

Eastpoint, a small fishing community, known for its oysters.
Tongers (the traditional name for oystermen) still harvest the oysters in the way they have for over a century. Working from small wooden boats (20-25 foot long) in shallow water, they use tongs that look like two rakes attached (in a scissor like fashion) to scoop the oysters to the surface and dump them into the boat. On shore, the seafood houses sort the oysters and package them for sale. The bay is carefully monitored to ensure the health and productivity of the oyster beds.

This smile is fake.
I stop at a local convenience store with a "no restroom sign" - we are not welcome here.
I drink a Coke and munch on a Payday.

This bridge over to St. George Island had one of the worst head winds to date.
But it was worth it for the incredible 35 mph tail wind on the return trip. What a rush!

I have an epiphany after this Pelican flies by next to me with his friends in a flying V and we cruise the wind and the bridge together.

Can you make out the Pelican flying V?
Totally cool! Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do the moment justice. I will never forget it.

At last, St. George Island.
I will return the next day for a closer look.

We make it back before 5:00 pm. Just another day at 'the office'.
It's been dark all day. Don't remember the sun ever coming out today.

End of the line.
Big crazy storm front moves in, forcing Bike Florida to close the ride over the bridge over the Apalachicola River.
Bubba shows up just in time to escort Sandra and I and our bikes over to the campsite and avoid riding in the cattle car.

The Apalachicola River in the fog.

Sandra and I with the Ohio Sisters: Lee Ann and Sue.
We leaped frog with them all day long and played tag, just to pass the miles.

Steve after 99 miles and his recumbrant.

Good night, bikes. Sweet dreams. Good job.

Why is Sandra the only one who is smiling, and where is the food?
We are standing under the food tent and it's pouring with an amazing lightning show. Will it ever stop raining?

I have an after dinner adventure getting to my hotel. The campers get evacuated to a local High School (due to 70 mph winds). I receive a memorable phone call from Yarnall. Some time around 10:30, I finally arrive at the Best Western 3 miles down the road.