Only 55 miles miles today, so after our big dinner last night down in the student section of town at, MoJo Barbeque, we decided to sleep in until 7:00am this morning. Guess what . . . at 7:05am we were all hungry again!!! Lots of night spots around, but not many breakfast places. We really had to hunt for one . . .

. . . after breakfast and packing it was time to hit the road at 9:00am. But . . . not before our groups biggest tipper, Gina, left her customary tip for those cleaning the rooms. Oh yeah . . . we are that messy!!!!!

This morning we would ride out of town, for the first 15 miles, on a paved trail, provided by the Florida parks Department  . . . nice

. . . and they are trying to do the right thing in preserving the local eco-systems . . .

One of the great little scenes we passed by on the trail . . . can you spot the fisherman?

After a quick 15 miles, we exited the trail at Hawthorne and onto the open road .. .

. . . this one was not sleeping. Had a chunk taken out of his side, maybe by a turkey vulture . . .

Here is something I haven’t seen in WI, local municipalities posting hearing notices on the piece of land being consider for a Conservation Easement . . .

. . . half mile down the road there was this sign . . . might be a land development fight a brewing !!!

Soon we arrived in Florahome, our half way point today, and it was time for lunch. We had already chowed down when we passed this restaurant on the way out of town. Too bad we were full . . . looked like a fun place!!!

Good point . . .

On the trail, I came across this turtle crossing the trail to the upland side. Unlike my old turtle buddy, Blinky, this guy didn’t look to happy to see me. I named him Crabby . .

Click above to see Crabby fleeing the scene!!!

Just out of Florahome, we came to this cute little store and stopped for an ice cream sandwich. We met Jim and Sandy who were out for a days ride on the trail. A couple of love birds enjoying life!!!!

Paul showed up with some fresh blueberries he had picked at a ’U Pick Them’ type farm  Deliciousssssss!!!

We were told the trail ran all the way from Melrose to Palatka . . . so we were surprised when we came, literally, to the ‘End of the Trail’, with 8 miles yet to go . . . we hopped on the highway and soon were in town.

New plantings on the highway boulevard. Just dig a hole, stick the stem of the tree in the ground and provide support. They will root themselves!!!

Unlike the TransAm I rode in 2007, where we stopped for something like this every night, we have not done that on this Southern Tier crossing. Since, in my mind, today is the last official day of full riding, with tomorrow being just a quick 45 mile run out to St Augustine, today was the last day to have one. YUMMMM (only got a medium size) . . . OK . . .may get another tomorrow!!!!

Nice mural across form the DQ . . .

On the way in to Palatka I had chatted with Nan, on the right, and as I finished my malted milk, I saw her and Laurie roll into the bike shop across the road. I had to go over and finish the conversation. They are 2 of 25 riders who started riding in San Diego, March 5, 4 days behind us. We had heard about their group, Woman Tours, along the way and finally got to meet a couple of their group, one  day before finishing. Their tour is moteling too, but have their own professional chef along!!!!! A company owned by women and for only women riders. Read about it here  . . . Woman Tours.

So ends another tough day on the road . . . Gina and TommyH, the first two in the pool! But hey . . . tomorrow we leave the hotel, turn left and have to climb over that bridge on the way to St Augustine!!!!