Georgia on my Mind

Day 51, May 22, 2011, Georgia on my Mind

117.5 miles, averaging 16.7 mph

Route from St. Augustine, FL to Trader Hill Campground, Folkston, GA

Best Moment – 16.7 mph!

Worst Moment – 117.5 miles!

Leaving St. Augustine, I saw lots of bicyclists on the wonderful route north on the island.  There were magnificent mansions, especially around Ponte Vedra Beach (near Jacksonville), and more wonderful seacoast views of sand and waves.

In order to cross the St John’s River at Mayport (the village was founded in 1562!) on route A1A, one has to take a ferry.  There is a huge naval base and air station in Mayport.  A couple of other cyclists were also on the ferry.  Last weekend they had taken part in a half Iron Man in Orlando.

After crossing the St John’s River, I was on string of connected islands including; Ft. George Island, Little Talbot Island and Amelia Island. Whoa!  What beauty!

Near the town of St George, after 23 nights in Florida, I finally crossed into Georgia. We are near the Okefenokee Swamp.  The Okefenokee was popularized by the comic strip Pogo and is the headwaters for both the St Mary’s and the Suwannee Rivers.  And while it is nearly 500,000 acres big, there are no known human residents in the Okefenokee!

It is hot here!  Today, while I’m not sure of the accuracy of the thermometer, my bike gauge was showing 110 degrees at one point this afternoon.  On the ride, I drank over two gallons of water and have had nearly another gallon since getting to Ruby hot and sweaty.

Since we are now in the Georgia backwoods, not all of the campsites have cable television.  That is important this time of year so Neita can watch American Idol, especially since this week is the season finale.   In order to make this happen, I rearranged the route a bit, combining two of the shorter days into one longer day.  This gives us an extra rest day and a campground with cable television for the two nights of American Idol.  It did make for a long day today, but I was on the Cannondale, and able to make excellent time because the bike is so light.