Days 31 & 32_REST DAYS

Tues and Wed, 5 and 6 November 2019

Tuesday the 5th, we slept in after a fun evening Monday with Alice. We decided to move from our Fort Pierce KOA down to Jonathan Dickinson State Park where we would be staying Wednesday night. It was closer to Palm City and Alice. But first we wanted to visit the National Navy UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) and SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce. I had ridden by in on the ECG on the way in. DL had driven by it, and we both were interested. (No, we did NOT visit the museum because of David Boreanaz.)

We had a large breakfast out, and then headed to the Museum when they opened. It was very interesting and gave us history and a better understanding of the UDT and SEAL missions. There are space capsules, helicopters, drones, boats, uniforms, gear, and lots of info. I sat inside a helicopter on exhibit. That is as close to being in a helicopter as I ever hope to be. Unless you enlarge the photo, you probably can't see the look of fear on my face!

Then, of course, I had an opportunity to pose as a frogman. I had the deep-sea diver GI Joe when I was a child. He also had his Marine dress uniform. My dad had been a Marine, so I was partial to the Marines and Navy. 

Was interesting seeing the field medical bag. Also the delicious-looking shrimp cocktail.

 

We moved our show on down to the park. Left Jack in Roxy's air-conditioned comfort, and headed back to Alice's. I dropped DL off and went back to pick my bike from its tune-up.

Special Thanks to Linda Chafin for the tune-up. It was much needed. And shout-out to Treasure Coast Cyclewerks for fixing me up. If you're in the Port St. Lucie area, I recommend their service.

In the lot at Cyclewerks, met a woman who had lived in Key West for several years. She used to live in Maine. She was so interested and thrilled at my ride adventure. That was cool. Then back to Alice's and dinner and visits with Alice and her daughter, Whitney.

Because of the intense heat again expected for Wednesday, and because my sit bones were trying to recover, I opted for a second rest day. I will lose those miles from Fort Pierce to Hobe Sound. But trust me, they look almost exactly like many of the miles I have ridden and will ride.

Wednesday (today) started beautifully.

I made breakfast, and we did a few housekeeping tasks. As we were readying for an early morning ride, we saw the two women I had seen previously. We were able to chat a bit more. They stayed at the same park last night. One of them had been forced off the road by an inattentive driver who veered into the bike lane. The cyclist fell, but she was not hurt badly or hit by the driver. Makes me know why I try to stay vigilant (except when I composing songs or planning novels). Yikes.

DL and took a short (8-10 mile) ride in the park. We went to the observation tower on Hobe Mountain, and I took a pano shot. I am not usually successful with these, but this one gives a good idea of the surroundings. Hobe Mountain is the highest natural point south of Lake Okeechobee at 86 feet above sea level. Had I taken one looking east, you might have been able to see the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. We saw a kestrel who hung out nearby the entire time we were up there. 

Then we rode down to the river section of the park and explored a little there. It was hotter than blue blazes again by 11:00, and I was glad I was not out on the road for another two hours.

Back into Palm City and Stuart for a visit and lunch with Alice. Special thanks to Alice for buying us lunch at a great place on the river in Stuart, Pelican Cafe and Beach. Then visited Whitney's business venture, AR Workshop Port St. Lucie. Cool place. After saying good-byes, headed back to Roxy, Jack, and the Park.

Tomorrow on to Deerfield Beach. Plan on starting much earlier on the road to try and beat some of this heat. Luckily, the forecast is for a few degrees cooler.