Dolly's Bike Blog

Fernandina, FL to Folkston, GA: April 29

April 29, 2015 by Dolly

Started the morning with Dolly-gagging: decided to see the town of Fernandina Beach.

: It had rained overnight, but the storm had moved off shore.

: The Shrimp Festival is this weekend.

: Interesting historical signs.

: More history.

: And a bit more history.

: Nassau County Courthouse.

: 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.

: 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.

: The dreaded logging trucks… saw about a dozen today.

: Note Callahan’s “claim to fame.”

: Delicious smoked chicken barbecue sandwich for lunch.

: 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).

: Not sure you can see the river below the sign.

: Welcome to Georgia.

: Staying tonight in Folkston.

: Our “less than best” Western Motel.

: At the Folkston Funnel – over 60 trains pass through the town each day!

: Northbound train with a lot of empty cars.

: 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.

St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach – April 28

April 28, 2015 by Dolly

: Very early we headed for another bridge.

: Over the Tolomato River.

: Looking back to the St Augustine Lighthouse.

Sights along the route:

: Castle created as a landscape sculpture in remembrance of Jesus Christ.

: Cool and lots of wind; fisherman hoping to catch whiting.

: Reserve land along A1A.

: How many women does it take to change a tire?

: Birds enjoy the surf.

: Where Ponce de Leon first saw Florida.

We had the first sag stop just before Ponte Vedra Beach.

: Gathering at the sag stop.

: Fancy homes.

: Different architecture.

: Nazi spies in WW II.

At mile 38.5 we were taking a ferry to cross the St. John’s River.

: Navy base nearby.

: Navy helicopters practicing.

: Fishing boats near ferry dock.

: View of the Navy station.

: 1.1 mile long bridge to cross the Nassau River.

: Birds nesting just before the bridge.

After the bridge, we rode on a bike path in Amelia Island State Park to our final destination.

: Our overnight town.

: I couldn’t help thinking about hurricane insurance on this house.

: Our hotel tonight.

: We escaped rain today, but the wind came from all directions except our back.

: Shrimp sculpture.

Rest Day in St Augustine – April 27

April 28, 2015 by Dolly

I was able to sleep in a bit, but had a date with Nancy I. and Nancy H. to go to a French bakery before going to the chiropractor.

: French bakery close to our hotel.

: Yummy breakfast crepe.

On the way back from the chiropractor (good adjustment), I took a photo of this galleon docked next to the Lions Bridge.

: I had visited the Castillo on an earlier visit to St. Augustine.

: Denise gave us lessons on bike cleaning.

Errands done, Nancy, Nancy and I headed along St. George Street to the Lightner Museum.

: St. Augustine is celebrating 450 years since its founding.

: Old Schoolhouse.

: Nancy H. along St. George St.

: Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.

: The Lightner Museum is housed in the Alcazar Hotel, built by Henry Flagler.

: View from the street.

: Courtyard at the Alcazar/Lightner.

: Inside the Lightner.

: Bonaparte desk.

: From Russia.

: Tiffany glass of St. Augustine.

: As the hotel looked.

: Nancy and Nancy in the Turkish bath of the Alcazar.

: We had lunch in the deep end of the indoor pool at the Cafe Alcazar.

: Delightful lunch music.

Susan G. found us as we were finishing lunch and she and I went across the street to Flagler College, in the Hotel Ponce de Leon, also built by Henry Flagler.