Monticello, FL - Thur 4/12

We rode across Florida State University, then stopped to tour the Museum of Florida History.  I was surprised at how tough it was to settle here 500 years ago and to live here before the railroad came through.  Florida wasn't always a tourist and retirement Mecca.

After leaving Tallahassee the route followed a scenic bike path and beautiful country roads through woods and farms.  We saw lots of horses, cows, sheep and pigs, and one raccoon that crossed the street in front of us.  The weather was great and half of the ride was fairly flat.

We met a woman named Lisa riding solo the other way across the country.  She plans to stop in Del Rio, where she lives, for the summer.

In Monticello we stopped to find a place to stay on the road ahead.  We couldn't find any, so we kept our ride short and got a room in Monticello.  I had a po' boy sandwich for supper.

Miles: 53.2  Average: 11.6

Photos:
Museum of Florida History.
Prehistoric giant armadillo (model).
Early Florida explorers.
"Tin can tourist" vehicle (early motorhome).
Air Mail mailbox on a country road.
Monticello courthouse.

The truth from Ruth:  The ride today was easy and flat for about 30 miles.  Then suddenly, there were a lot of hills.  My left leg started aching.  At 5:00 I was ready to quit.