We had a 41 mile ride to St Augustine and Bubba did another great job of sending us down roads that had minimum cars - a really pretty route! Arriving in St. Augustine I had the privilege of riding with Mike who lives there and so he took me on a tour of the historic city. Thanks to Mike I saw the hotels - one for the billionaires and another one for the millionaires - go figure - the millionaires were considered poor. Today the poor hotel hosts the city hall with a beautiful courtyard where up to 7 weddings are conducted on a Saturday. They actually have a wedding and tux store on the premises. Makes me think a little bit of Reno and Las Vegas. The rich hotel is still a hotel...
Robin then caught up to us and she came along for the rest of the tour and then her husband Hugh with Harry and Beth came and we had lunch at Mike's favorite restaurant named "Harry's".!!!
Then it was on to meet the group for our ride to the ocean... We met as a group and had our pic taken at the Welcome to St Augustine sign.
It was time to take our final ride together whoopin' it up to the Atlantic Ocean to dip our front wheels. It was a lot of fun, exciting, emotional and almost a let down - it was over! done!! Look what we accomplished.... cycling 3000 miles!!! Safely!!!
Nita, Helen, and Nisha were there to watch me ride in and to congratulate all the riders... wat fun it was!!!
Bubba took us all out to our last dinner together..What a great time we had - then it was time for a rider meeting for the last time... it was melancholy - Bubba said a few words and then gave each of us a plaque with a group picture of us at the Pacific Ocean. Hugs and kisses all around and then it was over. I'm still processing what the heck I just did... I'm going to read my blog - thank goodness I did it because all the days mesh together..
there were 5 of us EFI'ers...the only riders that rode Every Fun Inch - Me, Harry, Steve, R.O. and Mike - out of 13 riders - Pretty Cool, heh!!?!??
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat... with Bubba? in a heartbeat!!!
WAY TO GO, LADY DIANE!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you had any bike problems but was afraid I'd jinx it if I asked. Looking forward to seeing you and seeing all your unposted pictures when you get home. Have a fun trip.
Stay safe
Marian
Way to go buddy and maybe you will ride it again with me someday.I am so proud of you.Say hello to Nita,Helen,Nisha.
ReplyDeleteWendy
Congratulations Diane. What a wonderful experience that was. I have enjoyed your almost daily posts. I'm envious of your trip.
ReplyDeleteLet us know when you make it back to Alameda safely. Again congratulations on riding every fun inch.
See ya' in the hills or around Alameda.
Congratulations Diane. What an accomplishment! Read your blog every morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoy your well deserved vacation. Sharon
ReplyDeleteIf the last day was as fun as the days in between, iknow you had a wonderful time. I was so glad to see and meet everyone. We had Nita to give more details. That was the best and I can't wait to see y'all again.
ReplyDeleteHelen
In THE BATTLE OF MAN VERSUS CROSS-COUNTRY BIKING--WOMAN WINS!!!
ReplyDeleteI know Don and the dogs were glad to get you back home. You've been on the road and roughing the elements so long that it would be kind of funny if you had a hard time falling asleep in the comfort of your own bed that first night home. On the other hand, it might have been more comfortable without a husband and two dogs. At any rate, you've got a life time of dream material now!
Thanks so very much for allowing us to share this monumental adventure with you.
Love,
Bryan,
Your Mississippi friend.
(I just walked upstairs and THAT wore me out. How in this world did you ride across the whole damn country? It just makes no sense. Kind of like Nita voting Republican. Seems impossible. But YOU DID IT!)