Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Day 40 - Monday April 27: Summerfield, FL to St. Augustine, FL

Miles Today: 115. Total Miles: 3,037 Miles Remaining: 00000
Conditions: Hot, sunny, stiff headwind Terrain: Gently rolling
Time on the Road: 8 hrs. 45 min
Celebration on Beach: 30 minutes
Time Opening Celebratory Champagne: 20 seconds
Time Lighting Victory Cigar: Endless...wind was too strong!

Back to the serious stuff, we left the Curtis' feeling refreshed and as though we had known these new friends for years.

Send off for the Final Leg-St Augustine Here We Come


Chris escorted us to the main road out of the community. We would have been totally lost if he hadn't done so. Now it is back on the road. We are more than ready to complete this adventure.

The vegetation is lush and green, as we travel through the Ocala National Forest. There are tall pines interspersed with palm trees, small lakes and swampy areas. But we are anxious to reach the ocean.

Because of our detour to Summerfield, we approached St. Augustine from the south riding the final 36 miles due north on the coastal road with the ocean in full sight. It looked wonderful, with silver sand, blue skies and white caps to the waves. The wind was now mostly at Don's back making the final stages exhilarating. We are now getting really excited!!


At last we reach the town limits, cross the lift bridge, and head through the city to Vilano Beach, where we think there might be a wheel dipping party!






Causeway and Bridge to Vilano Beach






End of the Road!

Although the bike ride is now over, we will write a short post script reviewing the trip in the next few days. Stay tuned for the final episode.

Yours on the Road,

Don and Penny


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment and for such a worthy cause. You two are extra special. We praise God for how He is working through your lives. Looking forward to seeing you back here in Sedona. I can hear the theme from Chariots of Fire!
Pastor Paul

sedona bride { destination wedding photographers } said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! We're so proud of you both and your dedication and love of Jesus our Adonai is amazing! See you both soon! - Katrina, Andrew, Kaiden and Elise

Chicken Mama said...

WHAT A RIDE, you two!!!! (Pun intended!)

I can't really wrap my brain around the idea that you've been doing this every single hour, every single day since we waved you out of your driveway in Sedona! Seems like ages ago to me . . . can't quite imagine what it must seem like to you!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Anonymous said...

Our congratulations to both of you!
We praise God for keeping you 2 safe and helping you finish well-in 40 days! Proverbs 2:7 (IV)
"He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk (& ride)is blameless".
HOW EXCITING! Rich & Sandy Johnson

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS! What an incredible accomplishment. I never doubted for a moment that you would make it. Can wait to hear the tales when you return to the red rocks!!

Dr. Dave said...

Congratulations Don and Penny.

Iv'e never taken a cross-country drive much less a ride. I've enjoyed seeing the country through your camera and prose. There are a lot of great people out there and you and Penny are two of them!

Dr. Dave

Anonymous said...

Praise The Lord!

Safe and sound, relatively few bike problems.

DAD I'm so proud of you. And from what started out as just a trip you wanted to do for the heck of it, look what happened. You raised TONS of money for Young Life.

I can't wait for the follow up stories. And I can't wait for you to get back home to give you a big HUG. I am just so thankful you're safe and sound. I know Penny had a lot to do with that too!

Jillian said...

CONGRADULATIONS!!!
How exciting!! :)

Jillian

sjfultra said...

In about 24 hours we will be joining you at the beach and to say I am excited would be the mother of understatements!! We can't wait to see you both and hear in more detail about your adventures. (Kinda pleased to hear about the Reisling that I understand will be chilling also!) You've done an amazing thing, both of you. Having been the "bag lady" for many years, I know this could not have happened without you, Penny! Kudos to you both! You're both just DARLING!! (Don't you agree, Nick and Naomi?)

Steve and Anna

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Don and Penny, cracking achievement and what looked like an amazing adventure!

Can't wait to hear all about it next time you're on this side of the pond.

Enjoy the rest before the next challenge....?

Joe, Melissa and Isaac

Carolyn's Meanderings said...

Congratulations on accomplishing a big goal. We look forward to having you back in Sedona and hearing your adventures first hand.

Hugs...Carolyn

Anonymous said...

What an accomplishment, Don and Penny!!! You two are amazing. See you back in Sedona, Jeannette