Could be Epic

[1911]

A little "Hey we've been there!" (we loved191 between Helper and Duchesne) and a little more POIs added to our to-do list.

^^^^properties of a great ride report^^^^^

I won't say epic yet just because I don't want to jinx anybody

 

[sapest]

Day 12
‘a little bit of home’
Today was another ‘get there’ day, about 350 miles from Tuscaloosa to Tallahassee.
Going thru central AL I saw many logging trucks and smelled the sweet smell of pulp mills. Ah home for a moment!
82 & 219 into Selma.

Looking the other way, pretty sad looking street

80 around Montgomery, then 231 south to the state line.

Last state going east! 10 in total so far.
231 becomes 73, and then we jumped onto I10 into Tallahassee.
Pretty flat hereabouts, some rolling hills in north east FL.
It got hot by 11 am, and stayed between 85 & 90F for the rest of the day.
Cheapest gas $3.07
-Steve

 

[sapest]

Day 13
Need a good nights sleep. Feeling a bit tired today. Good thing its a short day.
East to St Augustine, I10 to 16.
Rain (!!) at Penny Farms on 16.
Florida is flat.
Florida has nice live oaks.
Clear cuts, solar farms, billboards.
Lots of poor driving habits, no one appears to know the left lane is for passing.
Oil change at dealer in St Augustine.
Over 4100 miles now.
Cheapest fuel $3.36
-Steve

 

[1911]

19 through Ocala National Forest south of Palatka does not suck

 

[sapest]

Day 14
‘Familiar Names’
Heading south from St Augustine to Florida City, about 360 miles.
Bad weather today, rain cells, lots of lightning and thunder. Temps remain in the high 80's.
Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, all names I know from film & TV.
In Fort Lauderdale I am looking for the Busted Flush as we cruise by marina's, when going around Miami its Crocket & Tubbs while listening to Smugglers Blues.
Took 997 to get a look at the Everglades.
Earlier in the day (before the rain started) while stopped in a rest area, came across this sign -

Dogs must be very confused by this sign. I know I was.

-Steve

 

[roger dodger]

I’m looking for Luke, Dragline and the rest of the gang. (Yes, movie reference if you are old enough).

“Gettin’ some water here boss”…..

Cool... 50 eggs are still a lot!

Thanks for the great RR!!! I've seen half of these roads , but not thru your eyes. Enjoying it all over again!

 

[sapest]

Thanks for the great RR!!! I've seen half of these roads , but not thru your eyes. Enjoying it all over again!

You are most welcome. Glad you are enjoying my story.
-Steve

 

[Cycle]

Awesome Ride Reports. Thanks!!

 

[sapest]

Day 15
‘There and back’
Its about 125 miles from Florida City to Key West.
Highway 1. No tolls. The day started with a crazy person passing me on the right shoulder as I was doing 65 in a 55 zone, I guess I wasn't going fast enough. After that experience, I saw turn/merge lanes being used as passing lanes, more passing on the right shoulder and generally very bad behaviour from vehicles, all with Florida plates. But enough about that.
There are very beautiful parts on this highway. There many bridges, the seven mile bridge is like a mini version of the bridge at Astoria OR.

South end of 7 mile on the right, restored chunk of old bridge on the left.


Another bridge.

There is swampland. I think this is the piece that people keep trying to sell me.

Some critters I met along the way -


(With tail, this guy was about 2 ft long)

(no idea how long this guys tail might be)
Then there are miles of what looks like one big strip mall of gas stations, tackle shops, motels, and restaurants. Lots of variety. The speed limits are in constant change from between 30 and 55. Lots of 40 and 45 mph sections. Lots of speed enforcement too. When we finally got to Key West I felt like we had just ridden an obstacle course by motorcycle. And gas prices go like this (north to south) Florida City - $3.36, Key Largo $3.25, Key West $4.45.

Key West is a touristy, interesting city. Lots to see, do, and eat. I cant imagine how busy it must be in peak season. We were told Sept is off season, and few places were ‘closed till Oct’.
The obligatory shots -


There was a block long line to snap a photo. If you do this ^ come south on Whitehead St and just park beside the barrier. Cars stop in the middle of the intersection, roll down a window and take a photo. Its madness, so you will fit right in. No one seemed to mind. (Ah, the young lady isnt travelling with me; 3 guys were taking her photo, one must be her boyfriend)
It did rain a bit here & there on the way back. Temps were around 90F, humidity the same.
On the return journey we took Card Sound Road (in North Key Largo) instead of 1. It was suggested to eat at Alabama Jacks on Card Sound. Dont bother, this place requires a full set of shots and a can of roach powder before entering.
-Steve

 

[sapest]

Day 15 photo 11
Alabama Jacks -

-Steve

 

[Rocnsanman]

Awesome! I too have ridden through the keys, beauty abounds! Thanks for the update and pictures and stay safe.

 

[Ridelikethewind]

I love watching this story unfold right before our eyes, thank you so much for documenting it all for us to tag along.

 

[user 90243]

Day 13
Need a good nights sleep. Feeling a bit tired today. Good thing its a short day.
East to St Augustine, I10 to 16.
Rain (!!) at Penny Farms on 16.
Florida is flat.
Florida has nice live oaks.
Clear cuts, solar farms, billboards.
Lots of poor driving habits, no one appears to know the left lane is for passing.
Oil change at dealer in St Augustine.
Over 4100 miles now.
Cheapest fuel $3.36
-Steve

Thank goodness you're on an FJR. Unlimited strength and dependability.

 

[sapest]

I love watching this story unfold right before our eyes, thank you so much for documenting it all for us to tag along.

Your most welcome, glad you are enjoying the read.
-Steve

 

[sapest]

Day 16
’what does that sign say?’
Some bad, but hopefully minor news today.
My riding buddy‘s Harley has become ill.
We believe its the compensator.
And now no running lights.
We are in Clearwater FL, and on our way to the local HD dealer tomorrow am.
Todays route from Florida City took us back up 997, and west on 41. Many airboat rental places along 41. Swamp grass as far as you can see, the Hollywood image of the Everglades. Caught 29 north to hook up to I75. 29 has cypress and live oaks, you lose the swamp grass.
29 also has this posted for about 12 miles.

The first time I saw one of these I was sure I had read it wrong. But there are many, and other variations along the same lines. 8’ high chain link on both sides of the road, I presume to keep the animals off the road.
Where else are you going to see a road sign warning about panthers?

Met this guy today at one of the highway rest stops.

Finally I75 into the madness of Tampa traffic and construction and on to Clearwater. This has been the hottest riding day so far. ‘Feels like’ around 104 with the humidity.
Cheapest fuel $3.34
-Steve

 

[keithq]

Day 16
’what does that sign say?’
Some bad, but hopefully minor news today.
My riding buddy‘s Harley has become ill.
We believe its the compensator.
And now no running lights.
We are in Clearwater FL, and on our way to the local HD dealer tomorrow am.
Todays route from Florida City took us back up 997, and west on 41. Many airboat rental places along 41. Swamp grass as far as you can see, the Hollywood image of the Everglades. Caught 29 north to hook up to I75. 29 has cypress and live oaks, you lose the swamp grass.
29 also has this posted for about 12 miles.
View attachment 2667
The first time I saw one of these I was sure I had read it wrong. But there are many, and other variations along the same lines. 8’ high chain link on both sides of the road, I presume to keep the animals off the road.
Where else are you going to see a road sign warning about panthers?
View attachment 2668
Met this guy today at one of the highway rest stops.

Finally I75 into the madness of Tampa traffic and construction and on to Clearwater. This has been the hottest riding day so far. ‘Feels like’ around 104 with the humidity.
Cheapest fuel $3.34
-Steve

Looks like an Ibis, maybe. I'm no avian biologist!

 

[sapest]

Day 17
’way down upon the . . . . ‘
Now 11 States, over 5400 miles.
The Harley dealer had the parts, and did the work as promised. Even washed the bike.

Finally found something that gets recycled in Florida!
After 4 hours at an H-D dealer I needed another laugh.
Had lunch here-

(it was right across the parking lot)
There are no photos of Jr. anywhere.
Lunch was better than I thought it would be.
Restroom was another laugh -


This day started with a giant white SUV crossing two sets of dble yellows, driving over a raised island and exiting the freeway by using the merge lane I was entering. I do not recommend riding in Florida, ever.
Basically took I75 north.
We have made it to Valdosta Georgia, having crossed the Suwannee River for the second time in two days.
Its still pretty flat, some trees. Georgia, so far, has a nice roadbed, good shoulders, and unlike Florida, some serious wildlife safety fencing on both sides of the Interstate. Good for you Georgia.
Dinner at Big Nicks BBQ, rib tips, coleslaw and peach cobbler. The WiFi password is ‘raycharles’.
Cheapest gas $2.97
-Steve

 

[Bugnatr]

I passed a dead black Panther on a freeway in Northeastern Oklahoma a few years back. They are out there.

 

[1911]

It would be a shame not to hit some NC TN VA on the way home. Just saying.

 

[Ironkev]

Great roads in the ga mountains