Day 57 Home to Memphis, TN

Gray and family arrived at my motel a little after 7 AM for a final visit. The little girls were sleepy but ready to go on to Sea World. My limo driver arrived promptly at 8 AM. . . I rode in grand style to the Jacksonville airport. The flight home was uneventful. Arrived Memphis in a rainstorm. Catherine had planned to bring the children inside so that Sarah Catherine could watch planes landing, but due to the weather, we nixed that plan. They met me at curbside instead. It was wonderful to see all of them. Sarah Catherine listened politely to Catherine and me and then offered her sweet conversation. Although Daniel was backwards in his seat, he kept his face turned toward me and offered the sweetest smile. . . After unpacking and sorting laundry, I went over to Catherine's for dinner. Danny, who is a master at the outdoor grill, cooked chicken shish-ka-bobs using Frank's secret marinade recipe. UMMMM good! . . . . .

Well, the trip of a lifetime is over! As the result of tremendous prayer support, I truly enjoyed every day. I never felt unduly tired; I slept well; I felt comfortable and safe even under sometimes rough conditions; and, despite eating a LOT of Linda's good cooking and lots of DQ ice cream, I didn't gain a pound! In fact, I lost one pound, so I'm happy about that. God is so faithful and met my every need in many ways with His Amazing Grace!! Thanks be to God!

Statistics: 3 093.5 miles registered on my odometer; 48 riding days; average of 65 miles per day

Day 56 Palatka to St. Augustine, FL

Riding into St. Augustine today is quite possible the most exciting and self-satisfying event that has ever happened to me! The weather was perfect today and the roads from Palatka to St. A were beautiful - lots of over-hanging trees, good shoulders, little traffic when there were no shoulders. Jane and I pulled out just after sunrise at 7 AM - plenty of time to allow for the unforeseen ,i.e. flats, wrong turns, etc. It's a good thing, too, for we missed a turn onto Federal Pt. Rd. It turned out to be just fine. We just approached Hastings from the east rather than from the west and in Hastings, we got back on route. Glad we didn't miss this pretty little hamlet. From there we road through Racy Point, Riverdale and Molassas Junction along the St. John's River with beautiful homes along the river on both sides of the road. Then, all of a sudden we were on the west side of St. A at the designated firehouse where we gathered for the mass, police escorted, final five mile ride to Anatasia State Park and the Atlantic Ocean!! Oh, my, how thrilling! We were lined up two by two by age with Beaner (Jeanne L) leading on her tryke and riding with Barbara M. on her recumbant. Next were Katie and Jane on their Friday bikes. Coincidentally, Barbara and Katie are both in the "older sixties" group. Then came Judy and Penny followed by Hanna and Clark (me), then Genie and Barbara S. Behind all of us were those in their fifties, then the forty age group, and finally, Micki, our youngest. There were five police cars who halted traffic and led us thru red lights and over the Lion Bridge out to the park. As we approached the beach, the police all turned on their sirens. There was no way our friends and families couldn't know of our approaching caravan!! At the bridge we were stopped momentarily for traffic to clear. I struck up AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and all the ladies chimed in. I really had chill bumps. Amazingly, I was dry-eyed, but God gets credit for that. The first person I really saw at the park was little Eliza holding up a poster that she made to welcome her Nana home. Then, I saw Emma Grace, Gray and Margaret, then Brenda and Buddy from DeLand. Even before the park, I had visitors at the fire station - Maryanna Malone was there with Fran Stevenson - longtime historian for Delta Gamma Fraternity. When Maryanna introduced me, I was just floored! Since 1959 I have known of Fran and admired her lifetime of service to my beloved collegiate sorority. Pictures were taken - who knows? I may wind up in THE ANCHORA! Maryanna and Fran were also at the beach and joined all of us for a picnic lunch. . . . The first order of business at the beach was to carry our bikes to the shoreline and dip our front wheels in the Atlantic. Imagine! Eight weeks of two wheeled travel over purple mountains majesty, deserts, Indian reservations, Texas plains,Texas hill country, east Texas (does Texas ever end?), beautiful St. Francisville, Alabama coast, Mississippi coast, and, finally, the panhandle of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. I couldn't stop laughing and grinning. Gray took lots of pictures of me - especially lifting my TREK Pilot over my head. (I've done lots of pushups to be able to do that!) Gray offered to carry my bike out to the shore, but I needed to do that myself. I did, however, let him carry it back. . . At the picnic it was fun to visit with my support group and to meet the families and spouses of the other ladies. . . Gray packed in my bike for the drive to the bike shop. There we found that WT had failed to call ahead so that boxes could be stockpiled. Michelle had to spend her afternoon hauling bikes further down the road, possibly to J'ville, to be packed and shipped home. Bless his heart, Gray offered to take mine home to SC and ship it from his bike shop. . . The next glitch I encountered was discovering tonight that my connecting flight has been cancelled and I will spend five hours in the airport and get home around 10 PM- unacceptable! USAirways reticketed me on an earlier flight and Gray has lined up an 8 AM shuttle to get me to the airport. Alas, all things have worked out!

Day 55 Alachua to Palatka, FL

Everyone's getting excited now about reaching St. Augustine tomorrow. We were pulling out early today, but, then, we had 70 miles to cover! Arm warmers felt wonderful. Socks and finger gloves would have been nice, too, for the first hour or so. . . . Jane and I stopped at CVS to buy note paper, and tonight I've written a short note to each participant. The morning ride thru little villages was delighful - Brooker, Graham and Hampton. Then we hit Hwy 100, speeding trucks of all shapes and sizes, a shoulder, albeit rough, and constant traffic. On spotting a Baskin Robbins about 10 of pulled in. Jane had a flat there which she quickly changed. Debbie, the day's SAG driver, was there so Jane had access to a good pump. We learned later that Katie had a flat somewhere by herself. It took her 40 minutes to change the back tire on her Bike Friday. Why she ever brought that thing is beyond me. Jane rides one, too, but it seems to be a better version. . . . The Best Western is nice. . . Talked to Gray - They're staying tonight at St. Simons Island in order to be on time tomorrow to see me (and the group) arrive and dip our tires. Oh! I hope I can keep from crying!! I am SO excited.

Day 54 Perry to Alachua, FL

The day began quite cool. According to the tv weather, it was cool all over the country - high of 66 expected in Memphis and the wine crop in CA is being damaged by frost. I didn't take off my jacket until mile 40 - about 10:00. The highlight of today's ride was a visit to Ichetucknee Springs - beautiful blue-green, clear water with limestone bottom. I soaked up to my knees - others swam until they saw a snake. He went off into the weeds and Mary declared he wouldn't bother anyone. On the way to Alachua a bunch of us stopped at Floyd's for lunch or ice cream. I actually had the best milkshake I've ever had. Floyd's is an unusual 50's restaurant. We're at The Days Inn tonight in Alachua - a rather inhospitable motel and totally opposite from last night at The Hampton Inn. Among other things, we were asked to park the trailer about a block away from the rooms which makes dishwashing difficult. A friend of Mary's brought us wine and a few hors d'oeuvres tonight. Mary actually rode her bike home to Gainesville for the night - 125 miles. . . . After dinner (Shepherd's Pie and salad), Michelle responded to my invitation for her to sing. She did several numbers - at least two that she wrote. The woman is VERY talented. . . .. I've been told that the ladies are giving individual gratuities rather than combining all of it for each guide. I'll need to buy some thank-you cards. . .

Day 53 Wildwood to Perry, FL

This morning breakfast was inside the Inn and snacks were inside the trailer due to rain. Rain chased us for awhile and finally caught up with us and stayed off and on for the entire 54 miles. Jane and I rode into Perry and stopped for lunch at Wendy's. The bottom fell out as we drove away from Wendy's for the final 1/2 mile. The staff at The Hampton Inn welcomed us with pool towels to dry off with and allowed us to hose off our bikes and wipe them down, too. I offered to pay for my filthy towel (dirt and grease), but no way. It would be bleached and if that didn't get it clean, they will use if for cleaning purposes. This is without a doubt the best hotel chain that has hosted us. . . . It's early this afternoon, but I've washed my clothes and myself and I've cleaned my bike and relubed the chain. . . . Only three nights left to be with this great group of women and then we return to our homes and families and resume normal lives. I really hope to keep up with a few in particular; and I hope someone organizes a reunion in a year or two. . . . Maryanna Lewis Malone "found" me via Susan H. and plans to see me in St. A with perhaps another DG or two. I wonder if THE ANCHORA would be interested in an article . . . Beginning at 5:30 the Hampton served us wine, etc., chocolate covered strawberries and delicious cookies. During dinner which was served inside, Candice came in and said there was someone in the lobby who's father knew me. I went out to the lobby and saw Gay Pitts Galbreath - Willie's daughter. She saw the WomanTours trailer and asked if someone from Memphis was part of the group. She remembered when I stopped by to see her mom last summer on the MS trip. Well, we had such a good visit after I finished talking to Willie on her cell phone. He misses Mary Mac but Gay assured me that he's been on the upswing of late. Willie and I have been cycling buddies for a long time and Mary Mac was once one of my counselors at Camp DeSoto. Coincidentally, Gay is an Ole Miss DG - I didn't know that! Small world. . . It's so good tonight to have Barbara S. as my roommate. We've enjoyed each other and have been roommates about five times. Dinner tonight: salmon, broccoli w/almonds (hot and garlicky), salad and cookies.

Day 52 Day Off at the Wildwood Inn, Crawfordville

How sweet it was this am to be able to sleep late - 7:30! And, I got a really good night's sleep for the first time in several nights. . . . I forgot to mention on yesterday's posting that last night we finally had our Georgia margaritas! One might think we're all lushes when in reality one or maybe two 5 oz. glasses is not very much! We mostly enjoy the camaraderie and the treat for crossing yet another state on our quest. . . .After continental breakfast in the lobby, several rode off to the Catholic Church which is just down the road. Katie, Jane and I road 1.5 miles back to Wakulla Presbyterian Church for the 10:30 service. We were welcomed with open arms and even asked to stand and tell about our adventure. Dr. Nancy Forinash and her flock were just as sweet as could be. We thoroughly enjoyed the service and especially her sermon on Love. It seemed to speak directly to each of us, as we've tried to be loving in our environment of 30 women and 30 personalities. . . . Well, we cooked our potatoes in the lobby microwave, as well as broccoli and then added cheese. Still feeling a little hungry, we split a hamburger from the golf shop which is next door. As it happens, that's also where we'll have supper tonight. There just is no place around here to eat and we're responsible for our meals on our days off. It probably wouldn't hurt any of us to start cutting back. We'll be back to the "real" world very soon. I weighed yesterday at the HI Express and was pleasantly surprised. I won't believe a weight loss, however, until I weigh on my own scales this coming Saturday AM. . . . I'm beginning to get excited, too, about getting home. Oh, and by the way, I've decided to do another tour next summer in August - the Northwest Loop thru Washington, Idaho, Oregon. I hope my prayer partners will stick with me!!!

Day 51 Quincy to Crawfordville, FL

This was a very short day - only 47.5 miles but most extended it by about 10 miles to visit Wakulla Springs State Park. The park was beautiful and even before we turned into the entrance road from the highway, we could feel a distinct drop in the temperature to very cool. The lake was most unusual with white, lime shelves on the shallow bottom. We thoroughly enjoyed the $6 guided boat trip around the mile long lake. Saw many alligators of all sizes, osprey, an eagle nest w/bird, turtles, Limpkin, blue herons, baby blue herons, Anhinga, grey ducks with red beaks. Lots of fish in the shallow areas. This lake is where CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON was filmed with Tarzan and Jane. . . Jane I. and I stopped by Walmart for her to get a new camera card. Katie had already stopped there to get baked potatoes for our lunch tomorrow. . . . I'm so glad to have Barbara S. as my rommate for this layover stay. It's the 5th time we've been roommates and we're quite compatible. B is doing the trip with her cousin (by marriage) Genie which has been fun for them. We're staying at the Wildwood Inn which is quite lovely and relatively new. It's a long way from anything, hence today's shopping for tomorrow's lunch. We spotted a Presbyterian Church coming in and plan to attend tomorrow. It will be our first Sunday not to be riding. . . . Dinner: Turkey Taco Pie, salad and cheesecake. After dinner we watched an hour long video of the 2006 Southern Tier. It was fun to see that group of ladies' reaction to rain, long days, soreness, etc. Without going into further details, there were very mixed reactions from our group about the video.