Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Sunday, April 25, 2010

Day 36, Dauphin Island to Milton, Florida, 85 miles

We found it! We found Florida!

This morning along with Bubba's group we took the ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan. The winds were calm. Yesterday the ferry stopped running because of the high winds.
After passing Ft.Morgan we cycled along a peninsula where on the left we saw the Mobile Bay and on the right the Gulf of Mexico.
We took a bike trail into Gulf Shores and soon entered Florida - Finally - The end is in sight! But, we are not finished yet; we still have the long length of the Florida Panhandle.
With the wind at our backs we easily pedaled into Pensacola. Homes and condos lined the Bayfront Parkway.
We stopped for lunch at a sandwich shop in a park and the next customer in line was a strange bird.
In the afternoon, we followed a scenic highway with beautiful views of the Escambia Bay.
We continued following Route 90 into Milton. With our recovery day yesterday and the winds at our back, it was an easy ride. We are hoping the next six days will go as well.

Thank-you for all your comments and encouragement. We are excited that this blog has enticed Bill's Aunt Marion to discover the Internet!

Mary Jo and Ruth

Gatorade, our drink of choice, was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.
Posted by
Labels:

6 comments:

  1. julia kApril 25, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    What a great feeling to be in your last state even if it is a long one. I am so glad you missed the tornadoes to your north. Hope you have the winds at your back and sunny skies the next 6 days!!!! Julia

    ReplyDelete
  2. jonApril 25, 2010 at 10:45 PM

    That's incredible that you guys are in Florida. It doesn't seem like much time has passed to me, but then again I haven't had to ride a bike 100 miles every day.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Becky, Jon and Madeline SchneiderApril 26, 2010 at 4:18 AM

    Wow, I want a vacation to Florida now after looking at those pictures! Beautiful. I hope the rest of your ride goes as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MaxannaApril 26, 2010 at 6:07 AM

    Beautiful pics! And what a glorious day to begin your final STATE. I am having a bit of withdrawal when I realize this adventure ends for me soon. What will I do with my morning coffee???
    You and Ruth are going to have to plan another trip real soon:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. NoraApril 26, 2010 at 9:07 AM

    Hooray for you..."rounding third and headed for home" soon! (By the way, you're doing way better than the Reds.) Keep smiling and be safe!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Davis FamilyApril 26, 2010 at 11:18 AM

    In love with your blog!
    You are both such an inspiration! Can't wait to hear more stories when you return to cincy! I can only imagine the withdraw you will have for each other and the road when you are finished! Such a wonderful trip for best friends.
    Women power all the way!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)