BIKE FLORIDA

Cocoa Beach to Key West

Sunday January 12, 1997

4:30 got up, shaved, showered and had breakfast of orange juice, banana, muffin and milk. Left at 5:30 and picked up Jim Huelskamp then to Don Bowies for Don and Joe Wisniewski. Met Ron Dowell, Bill Sneeringer, Jack Bateman and Tom Anzalone at the rest stop on I95 near MD32. Departed at 6:20. Stopped in Richmond and then at a Cracker Barrel in Fayetteville for lunch of chicken, dumplings and mashed potatoes with gravy for $9. Stopped for gas and then at South Carolina welcome center. Drove on to Hampton Inn Riverview in Charleston arriving at $:00 pm. Checked into room 204 at $59 with Joe Wisniewski. Bill Maupai and Walt Pleines arrived about 20 minutes later and then the other car about 20 minutes later. Watched Jaguars and Patriots and drank wine in Don and Jimmy's room. About 6:30 we walked to California Dreaming for short ribs, salad, baked potato, beer and root beer float for $24. Went to bed at 9:36. Drove 592 miles and car averaged 31.4 mpg.

Monday January 13, 1997

Got up at 5:30 and showered. About 6:30 went to breakfast of orange juice, milk, danish,bagel with cream cheese, blueberry muffin, banana and orange. Got underway about 7:40 with Ron Dowell's car following. Bill Maupai and Walt Pleines left a few minutes ahead of us. Headed south on US17 to I95. Stopped for gas in Georgia for $1.099 near Florida border. Dropped Ron but picked up Walt along the road and followed to Florida welcome center. Had orange juice and got a map. Ron Dowell and company showed up in a few minutes. Ran into Jane Schnell at the center. As we were leaving Lee and Ruth Fleishman came in with our bikes in their van. Headed south to St Augustine for lunch of 2 pints of honey ale, bread, seared mahi mahi, squash, rice and black beans for $15 at the A1A Brewery. Excellent! Headed south on A1A to FL206 to I95 to Cocoa Beach arriving about 4:30 after 420 miles. Met Slim Kauczka and John Becker. Had beer and wine in room 218 in Motel 6 for $43.84 per night. Walked to Surfside Cafe for beer, blackened grouper, vegetables and rice for $20. Very good. Walked through Ron Jons and back to motel. Watched movie "Virtuosity" on HBO. Put rack and bag on bike. Went to bed at 10:45.

Tuesday January 14, 1997

Got up at 6:15. Went out at 6:30 and it was raining. Met Jimmy, Sneeringer and Ron Dowell. Went to Burger King for orange juice. Rain stopped so Iran 5.1 miles in 43:56. Showered and shaved. Walked to IHOP for strawberry blintzes and orange juice for $10.03. Met Coach and Janech at IHOP. Went to Desperados for buffet and beer for $7. Biked 16.1 miles to locks up north. Saw 2 manatees in the locks. Met Doug, Rohn, Chip and Dick and Marilyn Lehman. Drank some wine in room. Walked to Surfside Cafe for beer, blackened grouper and fries for $15. Stopped at Baskins and Robins for ice cream cone. Went to bed at 11:00.

Wednesday January 15, 1997

Got up at 6:00. It was raining a little so I hung around for 15 minutes and then ran 5.1 miles in 43:58. Showered and ate an orange. Meeting at 8:00. Hung around and started riding about 9:00. Went 1.5 miles and holed up in a restaurant under restoration for about 45 minutes to wait out the rain. Started riding and it rained as we passed through Patrick Air Force Base. Pretty good wind and rain got very heavy so we stopped at Vonnies at 11:00 for tea, spaghetti, rolls and lentil soup for $7.58 plus $1.40 tip. Rain stopped and we rode against a head wind. The sun came out briefly. The wind was particularly strong as we pulled into Sabastien Inlet State Park after 39.8 miles about 4:00 pm. Set up tent and showered. Had some wine. Supper at 6:00 of spaghetti,bread, lemonade and vanilla fruit pudding. Ate in bus and hung around until 7:00 as it was raining. Brushed teeth and went to bed at 8:10. Rained very heavy at times until about midnight.

Thursday January 16, 1997

Got up at 6:00 and shaved. It was overcast but cleared quickly. It stopped raining about midnight because I went to the bathroom at 1:15 am and it was perfectly clear. Breakfast od cream of wheat, pancakes, sausage, orange juice, banana and strawberries at 8:00. Got underway about 9:00. A little windy but not bad. Rode to Vero Beach and stopped in a park. Then headed downtown and stopped for an ice cream cone. Continued down A1A to Pepper Park for lunch about 12:15 of hoagie, lemonade, orange, oreos and tortilla chips. Rode with Jimmy, Don Bowie, Lips and Ken from Georgia. Got into Stuart about 3:00 and drank 2 Tsing Taos at a Chinese restaurant about a 1/4 mile from the First United Methodist Church. Got into church after 56.1 miles at 5:00 and had a shower. Jim Griffin ran into a truck and broke a rib and damaged his collar bone. A woman ran into the side of a car but was unhurt although bike was severely damaged. Coach took bus with 31 people to Conchi Joe's on the water for conch dinner with baked potato, salad, rolls and ice tea for $20. Got back about 9:45. Slept in cafeteria. Lights out at 10:30.

Friday January 17, 1997

Got up at 6:00 am. Packed up and had 7:00 breakfast of oatmeal, orange juice, donuts, milk and banana. Cold and breezy. 8:00 meeting and went into sanctuary for short talk. Got underway at 8:45. Rode in big pack at 12-13 mph. Very pretty ride mostly along the beach. Stopped in Jupiter Beach with all Marylanders plus Indiana Jane at Wolfsons for lunch. Very nice. Continued south along beach at 16-17 mph and got into Grace Christian Fellowship on Congress Road at #:00 after 56 miles. Showered outside and was picked up by Jim Stuart with Pete Boggs and Slim Kauczka for dinner of grouper, potatoes, salad, crab soup,ice tea and apple pie with ice cream at Crab House under Jupiter Bridge. Called Anne. Went to bed at 9:10. John Settlage from Missouri slept in room with me. He knows Larry Boleach from NE Missouri SC.

Saturday January 18, 1997

Got up at 6:15. Breakfast at 7:30 of oatmeal with whipped cream. Jim Stuart came by and rode to Del Ray Beach. It was cold and windy but mostly a tail wind. Got into Dockers about 9:15 and Jim had breakfast, I had orange juice. Took off around 10:00 with Pete Flaton, Jim Andriatta and John Buckleitner. Caught Ruth and Lee Fleishman in Boca Raton and took a side trip to see the hotel. Stopped at the Cove next to Pal's in Deerfield Beach for lunch of blackened dolphin, fries and ice tea for $11. Continued on and arrived at church in Lauderdale about 2:00 after 52 miles. Showered outside. Supper was potato, hash with fixings and lemonade. Slept in room with Mel Montgomery, Tom Miller and Ron Dowell. Went to bed at 9:40.

Sunday January 19, 1997

Got up at 6:20.Breakfast at 6:30 of banana nut bread,cream of wheat, orange juice, apple orange and grapefruit. Everyone had to be gone by 7:30. My front tire was flat as we lined up to leave so I was the last to leave. It was very cold and windy and I had trouble changing the tire because my hands were cold. I was cruising about 20 mph so I caught a big group in less than 5 miles. I was trying to catch Wiz, Lips and Walt but must have passed them when they stopped.Picked up Jim and Don at about 18 miles along with Pete Flaton. Jim and Don had spent the night with friends. We cruised through Miami stopping at the 4th Ave beach and into Coconut Grove for lunch of gyro, gumbo and huge blueberry muffin for $10. Took off and reached US1 where I almost got killed by a speeding car running a red light. Got into Florida City RV Park about 3:00 after 69.4 miles. Jimmy had a flat about 3 miles out. Very cold so I did my laundry $2. At 5:30 we had chicken almandine, mixed vegetables and apple cobbler with lemonade for dinner. I almost fell asleep on the bus so I went to shower because there was hot water. Very cold and everyone is wrapped up with high at 54 degrees before the sun went down. At least the wind stopped after we got in. Went to bed at 8:40.

Monday January 20, 1997

Got up at 3:34 and it is very cold and clear but no wind. Frost in patches. Got up again at 7:00 with a slight headache from so much sleep. Breakfast at 8:00 of oatmeal, scrambled eggs with ham,orange juice, apples and orange. Got on the road about 8:45. Nice ride along a canal with temperature about 68 degrees. We saw a dead alligator about 3-4 feet long. It warmed up to 75 degrees when we hit the stop sign on the north south road on Key Largo. Stopped for lunch of Jamaican jerked grouper, fries, conch chowder and ice tea for $12 at the Fish House. Almost the whole group ate there. Rode 2 miles to the Calusa Campground at milepost 101 on the right side arriving about 1:15 after 32 miles. Set up tent. At 2:00 Coach drove bus to Penekamp State Park. Marcie Berchock, Joe Wisniewski, Bill Maupai and Ron Dowell went snorkeling for $36.50. Saw 2 large barracuda, a 6 foot shark and hundreds of tropical fish of all descriptions. The coral was also extensive, quite varied and pretty. We moved to another spot where there was a statue of Christ down 8 feet. I couldn't dive with a wet suit. Got back and showered before supper of blackened grouper, rice, slaw, lemonade and birthday cake for Ruth Fleishman and Bob Benhoff at 6:30. Hung around and talked with a couple of groups . Brushed teeth and went to bed at 10:00.

Tuesday January 21, 1997

Got up at 6:40 and shaved. Packed up and struck tent before 8:00 breakfast of oatmeal, bagels, apple, orange and grapefruit and orange juice. Got underway about 8:45. A little cool but wore only a t-shirt. Stopped in a mile or 2 to see the African Queen and the boat used in "On a Golden Pond". Stopped a few miles later at a bird sanctuary for injured birds. Lots of hawks,water birds and others. Stopped at a mall with several art galleries of various kinds. Stopped at the Lore-e-lei with 8 others for blackened grouper, fries, slaw and ice tea for $12. Biked to KOA Campground on Fiesta Key at 1:30 after 33.7 miles. Set up tent and showered. Met Dave Greehan and his buddy John with their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Went to bar on beach for beer and snacks $4. Supper at 5;30 of taco salad, apple sauce, fudge and ice cream. Called Anne. Went to bed at 10:30.

Wednesday January 22, 1997

Got up at 7:00. Packed up and struck tent before 8:00 breakfast of biscuits, gravy, cream of wheat, orange juice and banana. Got away at 8:45. Warm so I wore only a t-shirt. Stopped at Hawk Cay Resort on Duck Key for a dolphin show that turned out to be a bust. Stopped at Captain Hook's Marina at the bridge to Marathon Key to look at fish - barracuda, parrot, bone, manna rays, etc. Rode on to Shuckers for lunch at 12:00 of blackened dolphin, fries and ice tea for $10. Met Dave Greehan and 3 friends. Back tracked and stopped at a resort then to a bar on the 2nd floor overlooking the water for a Corona $2. Riding with Jimmy, Bo, Wiz, Lips and Walt. Headed back across 7 mile bridge skipping the trip to Pidgeon Key on the old bridge, to Sunshine Key Camp at 2;55 after 32.8 miles. Wiz opened a big lead on the bridge but I caught him on the rise of the bridge and lost him from sight cruising over 20 mph. Set up tent and showered. Drank a beer with a group. Supper at 5:30 of pork chops with gravy, stuffing, green beans, salad, pecan pie with ice cream and whipped cream. Chatted for a while then drank some red wine with Bo and Wiz until about 9:00. Played a game of pool with Wiz and wrote journal. Called Anne after 10:00 and went to bed about 10:30.

Thursday January 23, 1997

Got up at 6:20 and shaved. Packed up and struck tent. Breakfast at 8:00 of eggs, sausage, cream of wheat, orange juice and banana. Flat front tire had to be fixed. Hole in tire by a piece of coral. Got underway by 9:15. Stopped a No Name Key to see the key deer and then to No Name Pub at 11:00 for lunch of pizza and beer $10. Rolled into Sugarloaf Key KOA about 1:10 after 27.2 miles. Went to pool and then showered. Went to beach bar for 2 beers $3. Supper at 6:00 of hamburgers, pasta salad, baked beans, chocolate pudding and lemonade. Played several games of Bingo for Lips as he couldn't stay up. Won nothing but got close twice. Brushed teeth and went to bed at 10:15. Beautiful full moon with light warm breeze.

Friday January 24, 1997

Got up at 7:00 and packed up and took down tent. Breakfast at 8:00 of blueberry waffle, peaches, banana and orange juice. Got on the road at 9:00. Easy riding into Key West with a tail wind. Stopped at Half Shell for blackened dolphin sandwich, fries and beer for $15. Went to Smathers Beach and lunch of sub, macaroni salad and cookies. Packed up bike after 23,9 miles and loaded on truck. Walt and Jimmy picked up rental car an Oldsmobile and we loaded our bags. Checked into Hibiscus Best Western room 101 on Simonton Street for $263.14 for 2 nights and showered. Bought 2 pair of Kino sandals for Anne for $12.50 and 2 Jimmy Buffet guitar picks for $.54 each. Went to Tree Bar for a beer and met Eddie Howser and daughter Annie. Walked to waterfront for sunset. Back to the Red Garter and to Duffies for blackened grouper, baked potato, salad and ice tea for $22. Saw Wandering Wheels off then back to motel and watched a movie on TV. Went to bed at 10:30.

Saturday January 25, 1997

Got up at 7:22 and had orange juice and rolls in motel office. Went to Pepe's and met Annie and Ed for breakfast of egg, mushroom and crab omelette with orange juice for $15. Walked along pier looking at boats and saw the America which races in the Americas Cup. Talked to owner, captain and some crew. Drove to island across bridge from Key West to Rusty Anchor for blackened fish, slaw, fries and beer for $14. Showered at room. Went shopping on Duval Street. Walt and I got car and drove to Eckerds Drug for razor blades and then saw Truman's summer White House. Watched sunset which was covered by a cloud bank. Met Jimmy and Bo at Tree Bar where 2 girls from Wisconsin shared their pizza with us. I had 2 Rolling Rocks while Jimmy, Bo and Walt went to the Red Garter Saloon for about an hour. Drove to Pizza Hut for pizza supreme and ice tea for $8. Went to bed at 10:30.

Sunday January 26, 1997

Got up at 5:30. At 6:00 Walt drove 316 miles to Cocoa Beach where we turned in the rental car. My share including gas and tolls was $25. Ate breakfast at McDonalds egg Mcmuffin and milk for $3.79 at Islamorado. Packed my car and stopped at 12:00 for lunch of blackened dolphin sandwich, fries, slaw and ice tea at Surfside Cafe for $12. Got underway about 1:00 and drove 294 miles to exit 16 near Savannah, Georgia where we stayed at Shoney's Inn room 217 for $23.74 each about 5:15. Stopped at the Holiday Inn Lounge for 3 Coronas and popcorn to watch the first part of Super Bowl XXXI. Went to the Cracker Barrel for supper of chicken, dumplings, mashed potatoes, gravey, green beans, blueberry cobbler with ice cream and ice tea for $9. Went to room and watched end of Super Bowl with Packers 35 and New England 21. Went to bed about 10:45.

Monday January 27, 1997

Got up at 5:30 and had breakfast at motel. Got underway at 6:30 after gassing the car. Roads are clear and sunny with little traffic so we made good time cruising at 74 mph. Stopped at McDonalds for lunch of grilled chicken sandwich, fries and vanilla milk shake for $4.79 in North Carolina near the Virginia border. Drove in with no precipitation until we encountered flurries and traces of rain near the Washington beltway. Dropped Walt and Jimmy at Jimmy's and Don at his house. Arrived home at 4:45 after 633 miles.