Quincy to Wakulla Springs, Fl

Today was another short ride, 40 miles. It was mostly flat with just a few ups. I can't really even call them hills. My legs are tired though and I just can't seem to climb the way I did at the beginning of the trip. The good news is I can ride forever on flats.

There was no big rush to get the the Lodge at Wakulla Springs because we were told we could not get in our rooms until 2:30 or 3:00. Once Nancy and I arrived at the lodge we joined Lois for lunch in the dining room and then went on a boat cruise of the springs. Most of the pictures below are from there.

That evening there was a "Talent Show" put on by some of the women. I will blog more about it in a separate post.

The other kind of bikers. Nancy tried to trade bikes but no takers!

Along the way.

Welcome to Wakula Springs.

All the pictues below are from the boat cruise.

Marianna to Quincy, Fl

The morning began rather slowly as everyone sat around the lobby of the hotel waiting for the morning fog to lift. The mist was really heavy and the leaders were concerned for our safety so we waited. We had a couple of miles to wind ourselves to some back roads. Within the first two miles we were completely in sunshine so I think our hotel was just in a low pocket for the fog.

Nancy and I were joined by Lois S. for our ride today. I think Lois figured that with just 55 miles there was no reason to rush. We rode over the Chattahoochee River and into the Eastern Time Zone. Can't believe we only have five riding days left.

After we crossed the Chattahoochee River there was a climb up from the river. We have been on the flats so long my legs have forgotten how to climb. It was tough. We had a few more climbs and Nancy said that we were in the Florida Alps.

When we arrived at the town of Quincy we took the extra trip to the old town square to find a restaurant. Nancy, Lois and I decided on Miss Helen's Espresso Cafe d'Arte. It is a new restaurant (opened in January) run by a delightful couple and their son. The food was great and the atmosphere was even better. There was art work by local artists on there wall. There is definitely some talent around here.

Next door to the cafe was an Art Coop with more local art. Loved it. Wish there had been more sights like today on the trip. After lunch rode about 3 miles to the hotel. Once at the hotel did the usual (put my name on the laundry list for the washing machine.) With the heat and humidity we are facing in this area you do not want to carry around dirty cycling clothes for very long.

tree with Spanish moss

more moss

The Alps of North Florida

Along the route.

Information about Gretna school house.

Gretna school house.

You can always tell where the women of Woman Tours stop for lunch.

Courthouse in Quincy.

Crestview to Marianna, Fl

Today I rode 73 miles with Peggy. The ride was a scheduled 93 mile ride but I was concerned that I would not have time to do the side trip to Defuniack Springs. Peggy was concerned that about the heat at that distance. We both used the Sag to bump us up the first 20 miles. Turns out Defuniack was much closer to our route than I realized and I could have done the complete ride. Oh, well, Peggy and I had fun ridding together. The ride was mainly on US-90 until we reached Marianna. US-90 had a very nice shoulder and was very smooth. There was very little traffic because it parallels I-10. Traffic in Marianna was a little hairy but we made it.

A few miles before the hotel we stopped at a Burger King and had milk shakes. It was to hot to eat anything. Very refreshing.

Last night Nancy and I received the SOW award. The SOW Award was started by Marni at the beginning of the trip. You have to develop an acronym for a word related to pig, sow, etc. Marni gave the first and then the subsequent recipients give it to the next winner. Marcie and Lois B gave it to Nancy and me last night. It was for the teamwork Nancy and I developed to get me over the bridges.

S-Standing together
O-overcoming fears
W-Wonderful Women

Welcome to the birthplace of Gregory Vartan Gadarian

Information on the Chautauqua.

Chautauqua Hall

Lake Defuniak

Train depot, Defuniak Springs.

Hospital building where Greg was born.

Old car by Defuniak Hotel. (my bike next to it)

Hotel sign.

Lobby of Hotel Defuniak.

Sitting room Hotel Defuniak.

Greg went to Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton, Fl. Go Big Green Indians.

Pensacola to Crestview, Fl

Today was a 55 mile day. The ride started out on US90 which was not my favorite riding location. We then stopped at a bike shop in Milton called Truly Spokin. The owner was really nice. He said he had been a mechanic for the pro team Coors Light several years ago and was in charge of building the wheels, thus his shop's name. We then had six miles on a bike path. Very nice. Then we were on rural roads. Nancy and I rode together and enjoyed the quiet back roads.

As we rode into the town of Crestview Nancy and I looked for a place to eat lunch. Then we saw a Starbucks. We stopped there and found several other riders already there. Our hotel was only a mile afterwards.

Today is Elizabeth's birthday so another celebration dinner.

Site of clear cut logging

pre logging

Welcome to Crestview, our town for the evening.

Lunch!

Dauphin Island, Al to Pensacola, Fl

Today we began our ride with a 2.5 mile ride to the Ferry Landing at on Dauphin Island. We were told that we all needed to be on the 8:00 Ferry. Would you believe that we all made it with plenty of time to spare? It was a very pleasant ride to the Mobile side of Mobile Bay at Fort Morgan.

Then began a dream of a ride to Pensacola. It turns our that tailwinds are not and urban legend. We actually had one AND the road to Gulf Shores was newly paved. What more can a bicyclist ask for?

Nancy and I rode together again today. The cue sheets mentioned two bridges but it turns out there were three. Janet, our Sag driver for the day called to give me an update on the first bridge and said she thought I could make it. Nancy decided the best way to get me over a bridge was to distract me. We began by singing Mary had a Little Lamb, went into Row, Row, Row Your Boat and settled on 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. I made it over the first bridge. When we got to the second bridge Janet was waiting to say she thought I would want to sag over it. Nancy said, "No she is going to do it." I didn't have a chance to say no. Nancy started off singing 99 Bottles again where we left off. This bridge went much higher and was longer than the previous one. It is pretty hard singing and climbing but it made me forget where I was and I made it. It was very exciting for me.

When we got to the lunch stop where most of the women were eating word that I had made it over the bridge reached the women there. When I walked in they all gave me a standing ovation. I almost cried. It sure made me feel good. After we checked in to our hotel Nancy took me across the street to Dairy Queen and treated me to a Blizzard.

Tonight is Margarita night because we have crossed the state line into our final state, Florida. We have eight days of riding left.

The Mobile Bay Ferry.

Bikers and bikers on the ferry.

Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island from the ferry.

Oil rig in Mobile Bay.

Bo Peep on the ferry.

Great Florida license plate. "Share the Road"

Pelicans

Battery Dearborn was constructed in 1901, and mounted eight 12-inch mortars. Part of Fort Morgan on east side of Mobile Bay.

for Susan

Bridge 1

Welcome to Florida.

Bridge 2.