Day 38 (Monticello to White Springs, FL)

What a great day in Florida. We got started riding from Monticello about 8:30 AM in a 39 degree, 20 mph tailwind. While it was a little chilly, we were dressed for it and took off ready for the morning. The scenery was still pretty much the same, lots of vegetation and more tree farms than I have ever seen before. They grow some kind of long-needle evergreens here that are planted about 10 feet apart and in rows that seem to go on forever.

We have been wearing bright orange traffic vests for most of the ride. Last night Karen decorated them in honor of Halloween.

Happy Halloween

Even the cheerfully decorated vests couldn't brighten the attitudes of the Florida drivers. They still honk (not the cheerful little toot-toot that you give to acknowledge or encourage, but the long blast that is normally accompanied here by a "Get the F@%& off the road!") These roads were again smooth, well maintained, and only moderate hills. With the tailwind, we had a good ride, not shedding our jackets until after the Suwannee River and park turnoff (Highway 132). I can understand the song about the Suwannee River, it is a beautiful river.

Karen looking south and west at the Suwannee River

We rolled past the Wellborn turnoff (Highway 137 at 136A, right beside I-75) to check for motels and restaurants that are shown on the ACA map. Just about a mile off route is an America's Best Value Inn. We registered there, and after cleaning up we crossed the interstate in search of a restaurant. There is a McDonald's just across the freeway (we will go hungry before eating there) but a couple of miles further is the town of White Springs. There is one restaurant there (Big Belly's) with a limited choice but OK food. It is right next to a laundromat. So we got caught up on cleaning our bike clothes while we ate, and returned to the motel to ice down our coolers.

Two days left to ride, tomorrow night in Gainsville, then Thursday and the Atlantic Ocean at St. Augustine.

Here is the link to today's map and figures:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238710458#.UJBRW6MYJk8.blogger