Day 37 - 80.6 miles - Alachua, FL

     I was anxious for today's ride because it is the second day I will be using my AAA maps and the route I picked is unknown. Yesterday worked out great but today is a new day and anything can happen. After eating breakfast I was happily on the road and again pleased with me decision of this route. Traffic was light, the road surfaces and shoulders were good, and I passed five state parks. Why this route isn't the official route of Adventure Cycling is beyond me, but I am so glad I took it. 

     It was 30 miles until I would pass through Mayo, my first town of the day. I topped off my water bottles and took a break in front of the closed Layayette County Courthouse. 17 miles later I was in my second town of Branford. Again I needed fluids due to this heat and took a rest in the towns park along the Santa Fe River. To my surprise I noticed a bike path leaving Branford, but with no sign around I choose not to take it. I didn't now where it went so I played it safe and took the main road out of town. Pleasantly surprised again, the bike path paralleled my road. I couldn't believe it, now I have a nice bike path to ride. The bike path went on for 13 miles where I was treated to beautiful wild flowers in full bloom along the trail. I think Florida has the most paved bike paths of any state. It sure is a pleasure riding on the quiet paths without the worry of traffic. 

     Today's scenery changed from farmland to wooded to small town. Today's weather changed just as much as the scenery. First it was all sun and I needed to apply sunscreen and put on my safari attire. Then it got dark and had threatening skies. I actually felt a drop of rain, and I mean a drop of rain. I thought I was in for my first wet day riding but it changed again. The sun came back out, hotter then ever. I really can not believe that I have been on the road for 37 days and I have not been rained on yet. All 37 days have been over 90 degrees. That is just incredible.

     If all goes to plan, I should only have two more days of riding. I am just 120 miles from St. Augustine and the Eastern Terminus of the Southern Tier Bicycle Route. I plan to finish by the same way I started on the Pacific Ocean. By touching the Atlantic Ocean at St. Augustine Beach and Anastasia State Park. I am excited just thinking about it, but for now it's one day at a time.

Photos: Mayo's town park - Downtown Mayo, FL - Lafayette County Courthouse in Mayo - Roadside wild flowers - Santa Fe River in Branford - Branford Spring - Tree art in Branford's town park - Branford town park ( last 2 photos )