Atlantic Coast Tour
April 4th, Ft. Lauderdale to Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Today's route is 55 miles long. Louie exclaims "massive hill climb ahead!" every time we encounter a bridge over a river or canal. In fact we climb almost 600 feet throughout the day. That is almost twice as high as the highest point in all of Florida. Outdoor thermometers tell us it is 85 but to us it is very hot. We ride along Ocean Drive and see many very expensive looking estates with homes on one side of the road and private docks on the other side. We come to a sign warning us that the road is closed ahead. We stop and ask a police officer if we can get through. He says, "No, the road is totally closed for construction". Just after that a man on a bicycle complains to us that the cop just gave him a ticket for running a red light. We tell him that cyclist get tickets all the time where we come from.

Most folks are polite as we ride by. One cyclist rides next to us telling us all the places we must see. He enjoys supported tours and thinks what we do is tougher than the rides he does, like a tour in the Rocky Mountains cycling over 100 miles a day. He certainly must be a strong rider. We stop and talk to some folks on the beach. They are so happy to live here in Florida. They are from Chicago and do not miss it one bit. Bec talks with a female employee at a grocery store we stop at. She doesn't have a clue where Oregon is or even what it is. She asks if it is a foreign country or an island somewhere. She was serious.

So far all the beaches we see are turtle nesting areas. There are strict rules on beach activities so as not to disturb the little guys. They keep the lights off at night so as not to disturb their nesting and no animals or campfires are allowed on the beach. People aren't even allowed on the beach after dark. For lunch we stop at a park where we can ride the tandem close to the ocean. Louie has to feel the warm water of the Atlantic. He kicks off his bike shoes and walks into the water. The temperature of the water is in the mid 70's. He finds it quite refreshing but does not stay long because signs warn of jelly fish that can be quite dangerous.

We arrive at our campground, Jonathan Dickinson State Park. A sign at the office says they are full. Bec speaks with an employee who tells us that a State Park will not turn away anyone who cannot make it to the next park "AKA Us". She finds us a great spot near the showers. We get cleaned up and eat our dinner. Bec reads in the campground brochure that there are alligators around the park and that it is illegal to harass them. No problem. We intend to leave them well enough alone.

NEXT PAGE