Started the morning with Dolly-gagging: decided to see the town of Fernandina Beach.
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- It had rained overnight, but the storm had moved off shore.
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- The Shrimp Festival is this weekend.
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- Interesting historical signs.
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- More history.
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- And a bit more history.
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- Nassau County Courthouse.
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- This house was built in 1885, a nice contrast to all the mega-mansions we saw along the Florida coast.
Took shelter from early rain at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store – everyone in the group got wet except Lesley who opted for a late departure as our mileage was lower today. After the rain, just 9 miles into the ride, I crossed the Amelia River.
Because of my dawdling, I was alone until the last 5 miles of the ride today. This allowed a few extra signs, and a lunch stop in Callahan.
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- Who knew that in the late 1880s there was a marketing campaign promoting Florida as “America’s Italy”, because of its similar peninsular shape and temperate climate.
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- The dreaded logging trucks… saw about a dozen today.
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- Note Callahan’s “claim to fame.”
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- Delicious smoked chicken barbecue sandwich for lunch.
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- Thought of Roger Debenport when I saw this sign.
Just 4 miles before the end of the day, we pedaled into Georgia, after crossing the St. Mary’s River (quite a bit smaller than other rivers we crossed in Florida).
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- Not sure you can see the river below the sign.
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- Welcome to Georgia.
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- Staying tonight in Folkston.
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- Our “less than best” Western Motel.
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- At the Folkston Funnel – over 60 trains pass through the town each day!
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- Northbound train with a lot of empty cars.
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- Our new friend Roosevelt told us all about the trains – he used to work for CSX.
Didn’t get a picture of our margarita celebration tonight – Womantours state-crossing tradition. Did snap this photo of Patti trying to fix something on the top of the van.
My roommate tonight is Kathy Dyck from Calgary, Alberta, an operating room nurse.