The End of the Road

After camping in Gulf State Park and enjoying the Gulf of Mexico, it took us a week to cross the Florida panhandle. Cruising through Pensacola was interesting, as my brother was stationed there for some of his years as an aviator in the Navy. The Panhandle is made up of the Western Highlands and Marianna Lowlands. Rolling hills and the Apalachiola and Perdido Rivers lie in this area. I was surprised by the vast amount of rural farmland we cycled by and the number of sweet, little towns. It gave me a whole new insight into the many contrasts within this state.

We spent the night with Warm Shower hosts, Al and Sally Melvin, in Milton then continued east to DeFuniak Springs, the only time we were asked to leave a camping spot (in the city park) at 11:30 pm. That was a bummer!

Hot and humid southern weather arrived as we camped on beautiful spots like Seminole Lake. Alligator eyes shimmered at night on the  water. No night swimming for us. 

The route took us through some university towns including Tallahassee and Gainesville. We found floor space at the Bicycle House in Tallahassee. Scot Benton, a former pro cyclist for Team Coors Light, started this non-profit, to help any needing transportation assistance to build and maintain  bicycles/components. Volunteers help with the process and recipients donate upon their economic levels. Admirable cause in so many realms.

               St. Augustine at the Bridge of Lions

On May 17 we crossed the St. John's River into East Palatka. It runs north for 318 miles before draining into Jacksonville. From there we cycled east into the oldest city in America, St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565. Spanish Coquistador Don Juan Ponce de Leon actually put shore at this site searching for the Fountain of Youth in 1513.  The group landed during Spain's Feast of Flowers (the Easter season) so the new land was named Florida, meaning "flowery".  We saw many flora and citrus in bloom for sure. We also enjoyed a day of sight seeing including Flagler College and the massive Castillo de San Marcos (the fort that has guarded the city's waterfront for three centuries). Fifty days after beginning our cross country trek we celebrated our final day on the Southern Tier.  But the next morning got back in the saddle to ride north along oceanfront A1A to Jacksonville Beach, Mark Trail's hometown. Light winds made the ride easy and our bicycle computers docked over 3,100 miles. 

 Reaching the Atlantic at Vilano Beach,FL

Our adventure was over, but what we witnessed over the past 2 months crossing the U.S. will linger. Not only the beautiful, but the distressing things as well- environmental concerns (fracking, pit mining, oil extraction, waste/pollution, feed lots, severe drought, fire devastation, flooded Florida towns), economic affects (extremely  depressed small towns, urban sprawl 20 miles out from cities, extreme poverties on reservations and especially, southern rural areas), and social dilemmas (alcoholism, drug abuse, and crime reported to us by residents of these areas). We have many challenges ahead of us as a nation, as well as our place in the human race. We each go back to our communities to do our part to better the world. Thanks to all those who made our rides easier and more memorable. A special appreciation also, to my fabulous cycling partner, Mark - through highs and lows it was an amazing adventure to share together. Thank you. We both extend gratitude to God and the universe for our many blessings.

We met many long distance cyclists. We wish them safe and happy travels. Here are just a few:

Vanessa from Quebec, Canada cycling from Vancouver through the Southern Tier and back to Quebec.

Father with son, Grant, riding the Southern Tier, and mom supporting them nightly in their RV.

Two blokes from the UK, Gary and Steve, crossing the U.S, and previously have done the Northern Tier.

Mark and Alex, from the southeast to the Pacific Northwest.

Fina and her husband, from Oklahoma, as they make their way from Key West to Northern California.

Thank you for sharing in our blog. If you are interested in supporting notable bike organizations and efforts here are just a few.

Fellow cyclist, Michael Zachary, raising funds for World Bicycle Relief-

http://fundraise.worldbicyclerelief.org/michaelzachary

Tallahassee Bicycle House- www.bicyclehouse.org

Rails to Trails-www.railstotrails.org

Adventure Cycling Association-www.adventurecycling.org

Mother Love

Marit, Chelsea (oldest daughter), Halldis (mother)

Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mother, Halldis Anderson! She came to America from Norway, married my dad and lived all over the world, then raised my two brothers and me when he died at a young age from cancer. This cross country bicycle trek is dedicated to her. She thinks I am crazy, but my zest for adventure is very much attributed to her and all the travels she took us on. Love you so much, Mom, and thanks for being there for all of us.

Last week we made it into Louisiana and crossed the mighty Mississippi River over the John James Audubon Bridge. This river basin contains 1 million square miles- making it the second great river valley of the world, after the Amazon River valley. The Southern Tier follow along the Choctaw Trail. These Native Americans called their people in Louisiana the "Sunrise People" and those in Texas the "Sunset People". As we went east through the parishes we stayed north of Baton Rouge and New Orleans going through sugar cane fields, groves of loblolly pines, giant cypress with Spanish moss, and large oaks. We enjoyed local crawdads, red bean & rice, and gumbo. Cajuns are the descendents of 17th century French colonists who settled along the shores of Canada Bay called "Acadia". they were eventually relocated to Louisiana. The name was shortened into 'Cadian, and finally Cajun. 

We had been warned by west bound cyclists about the dogs in Louisiana. They are the biggest concern after automobiles for a biker. We kept our pepper spray handy, but unfortunately I was a victim of an aggressive dog before I could even reach for my spray in the town of Moreauville. The good thing is that a nurse, Nan Gastar, was nearby and initially treated the bite. We pedaled another 15 miles to Simmesport, which was luckily on our route, and I was treated at the Country Clinic with stitches and antibiotics. 

Nurse Rose Kuplesky and Dr. Steve Kuplesky not only treated my dog bite, but insisted we spend the night at their home. Amazing folks!

We also spent the night at the home of Cajun Pedlar, Perry Templeton, in Jackson, LA. She is the third female host that has built her own home and has a showcase shop. What industrious and talented women on the Southern Tier.

Loved the strawberries in Mississippi.

And the crawdads in Alabama...

David from Bayou La Batre, AL.

Crossing Mobile Bay via the ferry - the storm held out.

We are in the last state..home stretch..tired, but think we are going to make it!

The Lone Star State ( or the LONG Star State)

After we left Del Rio, things turned from brown to green near Brackettville. A neat stop was camping in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park and cycling around the LBJ Ranch/Historical Park near Johnson City. Lady Bird's legacy of beautifying the roadways with wildlowers was especially evident in Texas- blue bonnets, poppies, and Indian paintbrush everywhere.

The terrain continued to be very hilly as we pedaled into Austin with a fellow cyclist, Michael Zachary (going L.A. to Key West). We spent half a day in this bike friendly city enjoying swimming in Barton Springs and in search of the best barbecue.  Lance Armstrong was nowhere to be found, although we rode on some of his bikeways. Hopefully professional cycling will eventually come clean.

From Austin to Navasota the rolling hills reminded me of Virginia with horse farms, orchards, vineyards, and lots of wild flowers. As we got closer to Louisiana, east Texas was much flatter and fast. Finally the wind subsided. Tornados had been ravaging parts if the country, but fortunately lighning storms in the distance were the only activity we witnessed.

Wonder what we eat? The best part of bicycle trekking is that you can get healthy food almost daily, especially produce. We stop by local markets whenever we can. Such as below,

 fresh oranges and pistachios from La Mesilla, NM.

We enjoy stopping for lunch at parks like this one in Johnson City. Notice the Oreos- we eat junk food too and have an affinity for Texas dairy Blue Bell ice cream and a daily beer to share.

Sam's Barbecue in Austin was the bomb, although we were hoping to sample Franklin's, La Barbecue, or McIlthwaite's.  To no avail- closed on Mondays.

Carol Montgomery spotted us on the side of the road in Burton, TX and invited us to her home for dinner and lodging. We shared our avocados, asparagus, and mushrooms too. A great night!

So after logging over 2000 miles we have left the fine state of Texas and entered Louisiana and Beauregard Parish. Logging, sawmills, and farming are the primary forms of income. Fields of rice, soy, and alfalfa surround us and various rivers beckon canoeists. The weather has been wonderful for days and we are making good miles, life is good.

Good-bye Texas and Hello Louisiana!