THE WRAP UP

5/1/10

Well I seem to be at a loss at how to wrap this all up.

Our ride into beautiful St. Augustine was amazing, emotional, unbelievable. We stopped at the fire station on the outskirts of town for a 3 police car and 1 motorcycle escort through the town and over the bridge to Anastasia State Park where our families and friends waited with cameras rolling, welcome signs, cheers and tears. Foo, Deb Clarkson, my brother Tom, John Gleeson, Patti Appel and my college friend Donna were at the beach. We dipped our tires and posed for pictures, had a picnic in the park, a farewell banquet that night and then 2 days of St. Augustine leisure and re entry into the world.

Truly I cannot summarize this trip and still haven’t grasped the significance of it. I just felt like I was on a long bike ride and I woke everyday to get back on my bike.

I do know THANKS are in order to so many: Foo for his total support of this crazy adventure and for staying home to dog sit and keep the household going (you did pay the bills right Foo?) To Deb C. for encouraging me that I could raise money for such good causes, to all of you who donated, to Eli’ s for the cheesecake surprises in the middle of nowhere, to Judy and Jolene for their visit in the middle of nowhere, to the Everetts for that serendipitous “meetup” in Scottsdale, to all of you blog readers ( it always made me feel connected to realize you were out there wondering how I was doing), to Kay my must enthusiastic blog commenter, to Margaret for the goofy postcards and delectable pastries, to Team Sweep (don't know how to begin to express my gratitude Katie and Patti), to Barney and Sheri for the amazing signs that marked our progress, and to all of you who wished me well and kept me in your prayers. It all meant so much to me. Thanks , be safe and always wear "that hat" when you ride!

WE MADE IT!

Last blog to follow soon but just wanted everyone to know we made it! 4/29/10

44 miles

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

LAST 70 MILER (until the next)

4/28 Weds. High Spring- Palatka, FL 73 miles

Mike’s Methodist prayer group is still praying hard. Last night there was a huge rain storm with rain coming down sideways which gave us today a cool breezy day with NO humidity and 10 degrees cooler than yesterday for our last 70+ mile day. Katie had a flat at about 15 miles which Team Sweep took care of in no time! Not only are we getting faster we know a thing or two about bike repair. Lovely country roads in the morning, busy SR 100 in the afternoon with bumpy shoulders and MORE MORE MORE logging trucks. But we made it, gliding into the Palatka Best Western with a big welcome sign just for us. Linda outdid herself yet again with her final dinner, appetizers, beef tenderloin you could cut with a fork (with 3 sauces) caramelized pearl onions and crepes with cherry sauce and creme anglais. Foo, Ron , Deb and Johnnie Boy arrived in St Augustine this afternoon and are partying in anticipation of my arrival. It's almost over- so many more things to say- but not for now

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES

Perry- High Springs, FL Tues. 4/27 76 miles

Started out early today to get some fast miles in before the heat and wind started. Logging trucks continue to surround us but at least we have a wide shoulder and those good, smooth Florida roads ! Made good time and then stopped at a beautiful State Park for lunch and a little wading in a fresh water spring with water bluer than the Caribbean. Spent a few miles on a bike path. Here’s sags “Canada “ and Amy- their last sag day. Eli’s surprised us again with a Brown Cow cheesecake that everyone gobbled up. Linda’s last spaghetti dinner tonight- going back to grocery shopping and cooking, and even driving a car sounds so alien!

HAMPTON INN, PERRY, FL IT'S A WINNER

Wakulla Springs-Perry,FL 51.4 miles Mon. 4/26

What a ride today! We seemed to speed along and made it to the hotel by 12:15. Could the sweeps be getting faster- well it's about time! Conditions were perfect. I bought tupelo honey from this man for $4 and got a pamphlet that will save me (as in "are you saved") for free- what a deal. The jewel of Perry, FL has to be the Hampton Inn. They had free cocktails for us, choc. dipped strawberries, homemade cookies and they even set a tent up for us in the parking lot. Now that's living!

LAST REST DAY

Sunday April 25th Wakulla Springs, FL last rest day

Awoke to a noisy rainstorm with thunder and lightening. Once again our weather luck has held out. Lazy day of hanging around, bike cleaning and one more new tire - front tire this time- a couple of big slits - 247 more miles- better to be safe than sorry. And just when I thought the sign elves were done- another great one arrived here yesterday.

WEATHER LUCK

4/24 Saturday Quincy- Wakulla Springs 39.5 miles

Started out with threatening skies and talk from the local weather channel about “tornado conditions” around us. We rode out with anticipation of finding shelter if it all broke loose but 2 hours down the road the sun came out. There were storms all around but we missed them. Arrived in Wakulla Springs State Park, a beautiful park on the Wakulla River and several springs. The lodge is old, charming and on the National Register of Historic Buildings. We took a boat ride through the springs and a ways down the river . Beautiful flora and fauna pictured here. Forgetting how old I am I took Amy’s dare and she, Mary and I jumped off a 20 foot diving tower- it was only scary the first time! After dinner clean up was more raucous than usual with dancing and singing. I think we all realize we are going to complete this journey so we can let loose! Critters pictured from boat ride are alligator, anhinga (black bird drying his wings),nesting snowy egrets with babies. ( in the water pic, that's me in blue/black looking like I'm standing on water- what a trick!)

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Marianna- Quincy, FL 4/23 54.5

Marianna- Quincy, FL 4/23 Friday 54 miles

Lynn from Traverse City, MI is with us for a few days in training as a WT chef. She has made two spectacular meals and even had time to do a little riding.

Nice "recovery ride" today. I wasn't as tired as I thought I would be. Florida panhandle has surprising number of hills but actually they make things more interesting than unrelenting flats. Live oak canopied roads. Rode into Eastern standard time zone and lunched at Miss Helen's Cafe on the square in charming Quincy. Some of these little Florida towns which are not touristy or on the coast remind me of Mt. Dora, FL and don't "feel" Florida at all.

Mike (Michele) from Oregon wins hands down the award for positive thinker and cheerleader of the group. If there is an Optimists Club in her home town, she must be the president. Always ready to help everyone with their bikes and pitch in on chores. On top of all that she is the queen mother of the go fast girls and her name... well her father always wanted a boy but ended up with 4 girls nicknamed Mike, Bob, Chuck and Pat. (Mike is in yellow shirt on left in 1st photo and on the left in the second photo)