Today was the last day of this trip. I was supposed to stay this evening with Sue, Linda and Fred at Sue’s friend’s condo, but decided that if I could get in at a decent hour, I would drive home. Much of the scenery was the same as the first day of our trip, with the noticeable exception that I spotted the post offices that I missed on the way down. They were on the ocean side of the street and were easier to spot and take photos of on the way back.
We did see more storm damage on the trail from last year’s Hurricane Irma. When we reached about 23 miles into the ride, the gang stopped for a snack and a cool down drink. I firmed up my decision to just keep pedaling and forego the stop. That would give me the chance to head home a day early, albeit very late in the day. I listened to my Spartans play football on my Sirius XM radio. It was actually a pretty close game until the fourth quarter and then many mistakes were made. It still helped pass the time, and I love my team win or lose.
As the sun set while I was driving home, there was the most spectacular sunset. I’m sure many people captured it in photographs – I was driving on back roads and just kept going.
I can’t say enough good things about Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers. If you have ever thought of doing a bike trip, give him a try. For my friends back in Michigan, although not his own sponsored rides, Bubba does do tent set up for several Michigan rides (Michigan West Shoreline and DALMAC). You meet wonderful people on a bike and I have made new lifelong friends locally here and on the Coast to Coast Tour. Until the next ride….
The Long Key Post Office.
More damage to the trail from Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Saying “see you later” to my riding friends. They stopped here for a snack and refreshment and I decided to head out and finish the ride on my own so I could get home a day early.
Bike back onto the car for the about 6.5 hour drive back home.