October 11, 2015
Mile today: 30.0
Total Miles So Far: 362.0
I wait until 8:00 AM to leave the Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort. The office opens at 8:00 and I want to speak with them about giving me a site that got soaked by their sprinklers.
When I ask the office staff about this, there is some confusion about the site that I was assigned and the place that I actually camped. I am quite certain that I camped where they told me to, but they believe I should have been somewhere else. But I was unhappy enough that they agreed to give me my money back for the night – which is about all they could do at this point anyway.
Movin’ On Up the A1A
Today’s ride is short and easy – just ride straight up the A1A until I get to St. Augustine – and Nancy. It’s only about 30 miles, so it should be a good day.
The MS Ride cyclists continue to pass me . There are a lot of them, but not as many as yesterday. I am far enough away from the start now that only the hard-core folks are still with me, those that have elected to make the 150 or 166 mile 2-day ride. But they still travel faster than me, and I still felt like an obstruction for them as I trundle up the road. Luckily, on a Sunday Morning, even this stretch of the A1A is not so busy, so they can pass me with no trouble.
Marineland
About 7 miles up the road I come to Florida Marineland. This place has been here since the 1930’s. It was the first of Florida’s marine oceanariums, as was very successful for a time. In the 1980’s, declining attendance and poor management resulted in the sale of the facility. It’s been bought and sold several times since them, but none of the new owners have been able to restore its’ former glory. It is now being operated as a subsidiary of the Georgia Aquarium. As Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the dolphin resort offers several swim with dolphins programs as well as educational programs.
I don’t think it is open when I ride by. There are a few cars in the parking lot, but not many. I stop here to use the public bathroom in the parking area.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Just a mile or two past Marineland I come to the Fort Matanzas National Monument. Fort Matanzas was built by the Spanish in 1742 to guard Matanzas Inlet, the southern mouth of the Matanzas River, which could be used as a rear entrance to St. Augustine. It has been a designated a United States National Monument since 1924.
The Bridge Of Lions
The closer I get to St. Augustine, the busier the road gets. It is still not bad, but much busier than the early morning. It rains a bit during this stretch and I stop to put the rain covers on my panniers. It’s warm, and I don’t think it will last long , so I don’t bother with a rain suit. I’m correct, the sun comes back a few minutes later and I’m soon dry again.
Eventually the road lead to the Bridge Of Lions. This is the bridge over the Matanzas River from the A1A and the Palm Coast barrier islands. It leads directly in to the historic old town of St. Augustine.
It is a famous bridge. Originally built in 1925, it was declared ‘structurally unsound’ in 1999, and an $80 million restoration project completed in 2010. A pair of Medici Lions made of marble guard the bridge.
Casa Monica
Nancy has booked us a weekend in the Casa Monica Hotel. Its just on the edge of the historic downtown part of St. Augustine and is the perfect place for us. It’s been in business since 1888, but was recently restored and is now operated by Mariott.
The valet does not bat and eye as I pull up to the front and let him know I’ll be checking in. The help me unload all my junk, then give me a secure meeting room for me to keep my bike locked up in for the weekend.
I go up to our room, where Nancy (and Mac) are waiting for me. It’s so good to see them again. But I am exhausted – its been a long week, and last night’s escapades with the sprinklers did not let me sleep much. I take a hot shower, then crawl into the soft bed for a well deserved nap.
I fall asleep dreaming of the ride I have just completed. The long ride to Arcadia, the rollings hills in Mount Dora and DeLand, the traffic around Disney and the views of the ocean along the A1A in the Palm Coast. What a great adventure it’s been!
Starting tonight, we get to explore St. Augustine together. But for now, I need a little rest………