Crestview to Marianna, FL April 22, 2010

Today was our last really long day - 93 miles. We had a preacher visit us at one of our SAG stops. He started out by telling us that he is sympathetic to women who need to clean bathrooms after men. He had a job cleaning the men's room at a truck stop and said that men are just disgusting. They leave paper on the floor and drip water everywhere.... Then he launched into a short sermon. Some of the other women scooted away real fast when he was just getting warmed up. I stayed and ate my snack and stretched my muscles and added an Amen once or twice. JoAnn even gave him a Hallelujah. At the end he said he wanted to say a bendiction for us. He gave the one that Dad always used at church when we were growing up and I got a big lump in my throat and said it along with him (silently). At the end I told him my Dad was a preacher and he said the same bendiction every Sunday when I was growing up and he gave me a big hug and left. The verse on the back windsheld is original with him.

Dauphin Island AL to Pensacola FL April 20, 2010

Another wonderful ride. We started out with a ferry ride off the island and rode for miles along the gulf shore. Soon after lunch we crossed another state line into Florida. I did not know whether to cheer or cry. I am so anxious to get home, but I will be so sorry to see this end.

Dauphin Island, AL April 19, 2010

Our rest day was on beautiful Dauphin Island. We were right on the beach. White sand, wild dunes and a swimming pool just outside the door. A great place to recuperate those tired old legs. We need to provide our own food on the rest days and here we are carrying a fresh seafood dinner for 9 back to the condos on our bikes!

Crossing the state line - Alabama

Here we are crossing the state line into Alabama.

No, I was not afraid

Yes, it is a real live alligator. His mouth is taped shut with electrical tape. We all took turns holding him. Hia name was Stumpy because a big gator took off his one foot when he was little.

Pascagoula, MS to Dauphin Island, AL April 18, 2010

A fun day. We found an Alligator farm on the right and turned in. We saw baby alligators by the dozen. They are kept in separate pens because the adult gators eat the little ones. The mesquitos are just awful. I have dozens of bites, even a nest of more than 10 of them in the middle of my forehead.

Wiggins to Pascagula MS April 17, 2010

Today was a wonderful ride. 67 miles. There was no wind for a change, bright and sunny. The roads were through the country,back roads. The Azaleas are just amazing so I am posting another Azalea picture. About half of the ride was through a national forest. Truly the best riding conditions. We crossed a river close to the gulf and could see the gulf from the bridge. Great day. If we have too many more of these, I will be sorry to see it end!