We had a well-deserved rest day yesterday in St. Augustine. I was happy for the break. Five consecutive 100+ km days in the heat had left me a bit drained. I played tourist a bit - a ghost tour on Sunday night, and then yesterday a tour of the Castillo de San Marcos (a fort built in the 1600's), wandered around the historic district, took a tour of Flagler College (built as a ritzy hotel in the 1800s), napped a bit and then out for dinner to a fabulous Spanish restaurant.
Fresh legs were ready to get back at it today. We had some great views back to St. Augustine as we crossed a bridge out of town. We rode much of the day on SR A1A (again), with a mix of residential and undeveloped areas. Lots of wildlife and bird refuges and sanctuaries throughout the day. After about 20 miles we had our daily stretch (10 km today) of posh houses on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the intracoastal waterway. These ones were closer to road, which allowed us to often look right through the house to the ocean. This area is called Ponte Verda, which has a large tennis centre that is apparently well known in that community.
We passed through the towns of Ponte Verda Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. Once on a straight road again, we (Ann & I) did a push to catch the 11AM ferry from Mayport.
The forecast for today was pretty dismal; we were sure we were going to get wet. But - our luck held - at least until we got off the ferry. It started to rain a bit, so we turned into a restaurant and had lunch. By the time we left there the rain had stopped. Lucky us!
A lovely, leisurely ride from there. Past large wetlands and over another bridge to a 5km bikepath through Talbot Island State Park. Everything is so lush! But, the vegetation seems to be changing. More wetlands, less palm trees, more pine trees.
Then on to Amelia Island. Lots of money here! Resorts and golf courses abound.
We're actually staying at Fernandina Beach, which is at the north end of Amelia Island. We're not staying at the Ritz Carlton (entrance pictured above).
Our route today was just 58 miles, so Patricia and I went out exploring the north end of the island and topped it up to 70 miles. We were looking for the lighthouse (locked gate) and the house where Pippi Longstocking was filmed (couldn't find it), but we did find the beach. Not really a beach kind of day - cooler, windy, big waves... but still beautiful!
We turn into wimps pretty quickly once off the bikes. A bit windy and cool, and we had dinner inside tonight. Ann took her bike in for some repairs on the way in to town. She got the loaner (below) and was a tad concerned that she might have to complete the ride with the loaner if she didn't get hers back before the shop closed.
112 km
1200 feet up and 1200 down
temps between 17C and 21C
Sue, how is it that you went up so much and are still in Florida? I thought it was pretty darn flat...
ReplyDeleteYou make a good case to go to St Augustine. I'll put it on the list...
Joe's following you too, but he hasn't mastered how to comment yet. He wishes you well.