Florida at it's best...even when it rains!

Ok, so we had a gorgeous sunset and delightful dinner in St. Augustine after our long and almost soggy day. As has been the routine for nearly 60 days now, the next morning we arose before sunrise and got ready to begin pedalling yet again. All the weather channels have been tracking this tropical depression Nicole, and we feared we were in for it. Before we left this historic city I really wanted to see the Lighthouse up close and personal. It was only 7:30 am and wasn't open to visitors, but we got as close as we could! Our path to Daytona Beach took us right along the ocean, literally, on A1A which was a treat with the dark skies and roiling ocean...just as long as it didn't rain, which it didn't until just south of Ormond Beach. We had to cycle about 5 miles in the rain but then, as it does in Florida, it got sunny again! Mom and Dad met us at the Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort where Elaine has a time share. We couldn't check in right away so we hopped in the car and headed a little further south to Ponce Inlet where there is yet another Lighthouse (a photo of that Lighthouse will be forthcoming!)and some fun waterfront restaurants. It began to rain again so we couldn't climb it...so sad. That is one of my favorites! The treat at the end of the day was a visit from Joel's cousin Judy, her daughter Mandy and her little boy Mason who just turned one and is an absolute doll. They all have lived in Florida for many years and we don't get to see them as frequently as we would like to. It rained again all night and we will just have to see what tomorrow brings. So far we have been extremely lucky. Oh, and Joel's shoulder is fine. We just thought this was a funny road sign!

Another interesting story. Way back in Wilmington, NC Joel came across a couple as he was riding to Mary's house (remember I cheated and rode in the car with my parents!) who had just spoken to a lone female cyclist who was on her way to Key West. They thought her name was Carol. Well, yesterday we took a midmorning coffee break at this funky oceanfront place called the Java Joint. When the proprietor found out where we were headed she told us that a woman named Carol had stopped in yesterday as she followed the Greenway to Key West. Imagine that. We are just a day behind her. Hopefully we will meet up at the tip of Florida!