The finish line!

Posted bycinnicrewPosted inPart 2

Day 32. 5/7/22.

Palatka to St Augustine FL

Just down the road near the bridge to the St John’s river was Florida’s oldest diner. Angel’s Diner. Breakfast for the short, short day to St. Augustine. We were crossing over the bridge on the pedestrian path to a view of a sailing regatta from Palatka to Jacksonville. 40 miles on the river. Mind you the river is pretty big and gets bigger near Jacksonville. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Angel’s Diner Palatka FL
Just a few of the regatta boats. Power plant background. St John’s River

After the bridge we were predominantly on bicycle trails (again) until the outskirts of St. Augustine. Since it was Saturday we saw dozens of cyclists and walkers using this Trail system. We hadn’t seen this many people exercising since Austin.

We crossed through the busy shopping area with plenty of Saturday traffic, then onto a back street all the way to the Atlantic Ocean beach! We were greeted by our bagpipe playing bicycle friend Sandy. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the finish of our lifelong dream to bicycle across America! We pushed our bikes out to the waters edge and let the ocean roll into our front tires, symbolic of a coast to coast ride.

I like this just because it says Jim’s Place. Closed and across the busy road
Intracoastal waterway. Across this bridge is St. Augustine
You can boat the Intracoastal Waterway all the way up the Atlantic coastline
We are getting close
Our first glimpse of the beach!
Approaching the waters edge
The finish!
And the water hits the front tire
The pier near our finish

On a side note…I adore the bagpipes. As a child growing up in Miles City MT there was a large population of Scottish ranchers (mostly sheep I think). Anyway, there was a woman there who created a Scottish Highland dancing school. I was a dancer from the age of 10 until about 24. I used to be able to dance maybe a dozen different dances but the only two ingrained into my memory are the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance. So when I hear the bagpipes I feel the welcoming and the lightness in my step. It makes my heart happy. We made quite a friendship with Alexander (Sandy) in the last 2 1/2 weeks since we met. Always sharing a beer at the end of the day and a few laughs😊

The piper. Sandy from Scotland. Also Sandy the Southern Tier cyclist. Adopted by the Cinnicrew Montana Clan
The face of a happy Southern Tier finisher
Suzy and Sandy. My favorite piper😊 and videographer
My bicycling freaky tan lines. Yes I wore sunscreen. The hands are the funniest

28 thoughts on “The finish line!”

  1. Nice, nice nice!! Good gob to all of you. It’s quite an accomplishment, especially without a “Helen!” Enjoy any and all rewards for the fruits of your labor. Loved following your ride and reading your blogs.

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  2. First, Congratulations! You all showed great endurance in the face of weather, dump trucks and inadequate infrastructure. But, mostly, congratulations on arriving safely at the beach. Job well done!

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  7. Congratulations!!!! I love the bagpipes and the beach. You have to feel such a sense of accomplishment. I will miss not reading your post every night. This armchair traveler enjoyed them immensely.

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  8. Congratulations. What a wonderful accomplishment. What’s next?
    Bob and I finished hiking the Cotswold way, in England, the day before you finished your bike ride. I loved following your trip. Thanks for posting.

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  9. Whoo hoo! What an accomplishment. Thank you for your posts as it allowed me to vicariously travel along on your adventures.

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  11. The joy is truly reflective through all of your beaming smiles!!! Suzy your writing skills equally match your excellent riding skills, thanks for chronically this amazing journey on bike and in life. Hitting the headwinds while turning 65 and finishing to celebrate Mother’s day…timing is good!

    CHEERS to you, Jim and Curt. Thanks for the great read and safe travels back North.

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  13. What a wonderful, epic and memorable trip. We so enjoyed your daily commentaries and look forward to more discussions about your journey. God bless you all.

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