A pretty unique start to the ride today. We rode a ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan. Although the wind made for some waves on the water, it was a relatively smooth ride over. The group of support vehicles and bikes took up almost all the room on the ferry; there were a few other automobiles on the ferry. Many of us stopped at the “World Famous” Flora -Bama Bar & Grille that is just across the Alabama-Florida state line. It apparently has weathered several hurricanes. Just past the bar was the official welcome sign into Florida!! Hurray – our eighth and last state (and home to Janet and I)!! We have had a head wind so many days that today’s tail wind was well deserved and more than appreciated! We are spending the night at the First United Methodist Church (the oldest Methodist church in Florida founded in 1821). They served us a delicious spaghetti dinner on real plates with real silverware – it’s the little things that excite us now! After dinner, Bubba talked the pipe organ player, Dr. Rick Branch, into playing two songs for us, and explaining how the pipe organ works. It was a perfect ending to the day. Just eight more biking days; tomorrow, at only 30 miles, will seem like another rest day.
The support vehicles lining up for the ferry ride.
Bubba introducing ferry Captain Dennis.
The bike riders boarding the ferry.
Oil rig up closer
Getting ready to dock Fort Morgan.
Bike riders leaving the ferry for the start of today's ride.
And just when I thought we were done with bridges....
Caught Gary off guard as I snapped this photo.
The church we are staying at has the largest pipe organ between Tallahassee and New Orleans. It was built in 1908.
