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Published: April 1st 2007
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Florida map one
PierceWell folks, I have made up the coast of Florida about 250 miles and I am totally in it to win it. After two full days of brutal head on wind in the Keys, I am powering along quite nicely as long as I can ignore the pain in my but cheeks. The wind is now mostly at my side but from what the locals say it will most likely be there all the way through the state.
I left Key West after scarfing down a great lunch on the beach then immediately started battling the wind and the bridges. The first night I stayed at a RV campground where huge 40' traveling fortresses surrounded me. The good thing is one of my neighbors offered me a cold water and a nice cold beer. I surely took them and chugged them down to cool off.
The next day I started early with breakfast at the campground cafe then began battling the wind once again. I tried to keep my mind off of the wind by looking out to the cool blue sea as much as possible. Sailboats, fishing boats, speed boats, and jet skis were out every where enjoying the
nice warm day. I on the other hand spent the whole day powering across the seven mile bridge, through Marathon, all the way into Key Largo. About 60 miles that day so I rewarded myself with a stay at a nice ritzy hotel.
Day three was the last of the head on wind and the last of the Keys. I was certainly glad to turn north toward Homestead with the wind at my back. I cruzed along through watery swamps and grassy swamps and forested swamps with nothing else around till Homestead. Then skirted around South Miami past the big NASCAR speed way, the city landfill mountain, and through beautiful palm tree nurseries. The palm tree gardens later gave way to the sprawling South Miami suburbia and this is where I would stay for the night.
I welcomed day four with a delicious bagel sandwich from the deli next door then continued my journey through more Miami suburbia. The houses and neighborhoods were by this time getting much nicer, richer, ritzier. My route took me right past a beautiful botanic gardens so I stopped for a while to stroll the shady jungle trees and plants. I was very
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Thanks for sharing your imagination lucky to see an amazing Dale Chihuly glass exhibition here as well as an orchid festival all right there at the gardens. That was truly a special treat. After about an hour at the gardens, I was on the road again out to Key Biscayne. It was a short ride to the end of the key but I stayed and had a long break. Rode through Down town Miami quickly where almost every building looked like it was under construction and quite difficult to navigate through and I was soon traversing the Venetian Causeway into South Beach. Tonight I would be staying with a girl who I met online at couchsurfing.com so I wanted to get into town early. I was able to make it in by about 3:00 so I strolled along the popular Lincoln St outdoor walking mall all the way down to the beach. I contacted My host Megan after a stop at the bike shop to pick up a few necessities. She is a great person so full of life and energy. Her and her friends all took me out to a sushi buffet for diner, it was excellent. Later Megan took me out to a
few locals places: superb dessert crepes; Spanish beer and amazing live Spanish music at a Tapas Bar; and specialty Mojitos at Mojitos. Megan and her roommates and friends welcomed me in like an old college friend and I definitely had a splendid time with them. I am very grateful for them.
Yesterday, I traveled through more of Miami suburbia and Fort Lauderdale all the way into Boca Raton where I stayed for the night, outside in a beach park. These neighborhoods of grand estates were full of huge houses and the canals and waterways were lined with grand sailboats and yachts.
Today was more of the same. More resort towns lining the beaches and more huge houses. Palm Beach by far had the most beautiful luxurious estates, private beaches and houses I have ever seen. Palm Beach was very beautiful and very ritzy. I rode into the Juno Beach area where I found a Laundromat and a Kinkos to utilize there much needed services.
I will take on the rest of Florida in the next few days and I will definitely not stop till I see a big sign reading CANADA on it.
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Christa
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Good luck on the rest of your journey.
Wow!! It sounds like an amazing adventure. I can only wish to be in that kind of physical shape.... to journey across america. Last time I saw you, you were running marathons! Have a safe and fun trip.