Today started as an easy ride with the wind at our back. We stopped at the foot of the 7 Mile Bridge before heading across. Sue had mentioned “you just start pedaling and then hold your breathe until your on the other side.” That was a pretty good summation as there isn’t any real place to stop, and the vehicle traffic never stops. It was exhilarating. We then stopped at the end of the bridge for a group photo.
Just a short distance past the bridge, a rider crashed about 300 yards in front of Sue and I. It was frightening because I could tell that he was not moving. Several good Samaritans in cars immediately stopped and surrounded him to protect him from other traffic. Sue and a car driver called 911, and I called our SAG crew of Beth and Coach. We stayed at the site until the ambulance arrived. We were told at dinner tonight that they airlifted him to Miami due to the fact that he was unconscious for at least several seconds and had a head wound (and he was wearing a helmet). Beyond lucky, he is alright and will be kept overnight for observation and hopes to join back into the trip before it ends.
We opted to take the six-mile optional loop on the No Name Key to look for Key deer. We spotted one under a carport, and then a male and female resting under a tree. They were probably too friendly and hoped that we would give them some food. You aren’t supposed to feed them; however, a resident in the area said they try to put out water for them as fresh water is so scarce.
While on No Name Key we stopped for lunch at the No Name Pub. Tradition is to post a dollar bill on the wall, and we did our best to continue to the tradition. Van did the actual stapling as the bills were so thick on the wall that Sue and I could not hold it properly to punch through. From there we headed to the Blue Hole and saw an iguana up close – he wasn’t afraid of us.
The next stop was Boondocks for a frozen cocktail. We needed it as it was plenty sunny and hot again today. The last stop of the day for us was Baby’s Coffee – the southern most coffee roaster in the U.S. Three of the group had coffee, one had smoothie and I opted for ice tea.
The final stop for today is Boyd’s Campground located right on the Atlantic Ocean. Most of our tents are further in the campground and not on the beach – but the breeze is still wonderful. Our favorite chef from the Coast to Coast tour, Anne was here to feed us dinner. Who could ask for anything more!
We rode 57.76 miles in 4 hours 25 minutes. Although, we were out on the road around eight hours – stopping along the way.
At the foot of Seven Mile Bridge.
About 2/3rds of the way across Seven Mile Bridge.
After crossing Seven Mile Bridge.
A Key Deer under a carport. Notice where it stands next to a Jeep.
A pair of Key Deer.
The buck.
Not very original, but it’s up there!
On our way to the Blue Hole.
The Blue Hole.
Finally got my phone out of my back pocket quick enough to capture an iguana running across the path!
Our overnight location for the next three nights.