To Atkinson, GA

By Ben |

Today was uneventful, except that I missed a turn and found my own route for a while.  I think it may have been more direct, less trafficked, and better shouldered than the route I was supposed to take, but of course I can't be sure.

33.5 mi

To Folkston, GA

By Ben |

I took my good sweet time leaving the hotel this morning in the hopes that the rain would stop, but eventually I had to go out and get wet.  The rain kept right up all day long, without a single pause.

I stopped for lunch right across the border in St. George, Georgia, at a little place that was only accessible via a dirt road that had turned to an inch of mud.  The locals assured me that was nothing, that by tomorrow it would be about 3 inches deep, and cars would get stuck in it.  But the BBQ sandwich was worth the trouble.

To Callahan, FL

By Ben |

The rain stopped overnight, and the wind calmed by morning so that I was able to pack up without losing anything to the wind.

The bike-map route brought me around Jacksonville without going into town.  I stopped at a quiet little strip mall for lunch and was able to send a message to the list.  I rode as far as the town of Callahan and got a hotel room, since there were no campgrounds for another 30 miles or so, and so that I could wash and dry some things.

33 mi

Huguenot Memorial Park

By Ben |

The helicopters and jets stopped flying over sometime between 10 and 11 PM, and the rain started.  It was just a light rain, but it had a strong and gusty wind behind it.  When it hadn't stopped by 9 AM, I called the camp office and had them sign me up for another night - no point traveling in this weather when I could stay put for just $5.75.  I had plenty of food, and my gear was dry inside the tent.

to Jacksonville

By Ben |

I stayed up late last night talking with fellow travelers in the hostel: a young woman from Ireland headed west and a young couple from England headed east.  All three have been to the US before but have never been to the midwest; they go back and forth between the coasts through the South via Greyhound because there are more interesting stops that way... I guess they don't think there's much of anything between Minneapolis and Portland.

To St. Augustine, FL

By Ben |

I started out the day by riding north into Palatka.  I stopped for lunch at a Huddle House, which turned out to be pretty much what it looked like: an imitation of Waffle House, but with about twice as many items on the menu.  Their chicken sandwich couldn't compare.  If I eat there again, I'll order something I can't get at Waffle House!

to Salt Springs, FL

By Ben |

I left Diane's place late in the morning and followed a route she recommended to avoid traffic returning from yesterday's Daytona 500.

Today's forecast said nothing about rain, but a light sprinkle began around noon and kept up all afternoon.  It was just heavy enough that I needed to wear my poncho; fortunately the day wasn't hot enough to make that an ordeal.