The Holidaymakers

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When the private campground just outside of St. Augustine costs more than the Howard Johnson Hotel on San Marco Avenue... you sleep indoors for the night. Or at least we do. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's go back in time.

Rach and I awoke well rested in Brian's father-in-law apartment. Unfortunately, Rach had a slow leak on her front tire: found it totally soft. We fixed that, chatted a bit about boats with Brian and set off for a short day. There is a long stretch of no services beyond St. Augustine so we decided to finish our ride in America's oldest city.

I was having a quite a lot of pain and discomfort with my saddle yesterday so we took a break or two for me to try some adjustments. This part of Florida featured: grassy medians, wild foliage, gated communities, chocolate and wine shops, cloudy skies, beachfront rentals, kayakers, and kids playing on the beach.

We took a mid-ride break at an inlet with sandy beaches just in sight of Fort Matanzas. The fort was responsible for protecting the city from marauders approaching from the south. We had only peaceful feelings and chocolate milk.

The hotel was accommodating and let us check in early. Rach and I ditched the bikes and the gear, had a rest, and then walked into historic St. Augustine. (But stopped at a Dairy Queen en-route for something to tide us over.) There are plenty of old houses from the 1700's and historic plaques explaining histories and more ice cream shops than you could possibly stop at. After a Mexican food dinner we strolled through the central square, la Plaza de la Constitución. A tourist "pirate ship" finished their evening cruise along the waterfront and a classic sailing boat with five sails flying slid through the water and beyond the main drawbridge.

Thank you Brian
Break near Fort Matanzas
Dolphins

At the waterfront

Stacking is fun

Central Plaza

Art gallery stretch of town


Comments

  1. the Old GuyMay 3, 2018 at 7:23 PM

    I noticed that Mike is not sitting down in any of the photos.

    Got the second mail package with the boat key. Would have told you when we spoke this a.m. but it had not arrived yet.

    If you are in Florida, maybe you're not to far from the Tangerine Boy In Chief. If your bum hurts still tomorrow, maybe you could contact him and have him kiss it and see if it feels better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CheriMay 4, 2018 at 8:16 AM

    So how is Florida for Mexican food? Or does everything taste delicious after miles of riding? Kellie and I followed your lead as to dining and the water by driving to La Jolla yesterday. We lunched as Jose's and looked out at the ocean.

    Cheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mikeroddyMay 5, 2018 at 5:07 PM

      Mine was fairly good. Shy of extraordinary. I think the miles do help the flavor. We had some Mexican food in Key West that was quite tasty.

      Delete
  3. UnknownJune 6, 2018 at 8:39 AM

    November 1st, 2016 the day I reached St Augustine doing the Southern Tier route. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=486794&v=3z

    Enjoy your tour, safe riding Rachel and Mike.

    David Hui from bikerowave

    ReplyDelete

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