Cycling the Atlantic Coast

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1998297541?share_unique_id=108 Big day today at a little over 86 miles.  It was through the lowlands of the South Carolina and not our most interesting ride.  We got some cloud cover, tailwinds and had cool temperatures thanks to hurricane Maria being offshore,  so that was a bonus. About the only things of note are that we entered South Carolina today.  Also, the fact that we are staying in the birthplace of Chubby Checkers (and Chris Rock)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1994152261?share_unique_id=104 https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1994152261?share_unique_id=106 Well, I have slacked off the blogging for a few days.   As you can tell from the blurred photo, looks like I have stopped cleaning the lense on my phone camera too, sorry. The last week we have cycled about 400 miles through North Carolina.  The trip total is over 1800 miles. While not blogging and riding, we have had lots of fun.   For the past 5 days, we have been able to swim in the ocean after cycling (or on the route) which has been wonderful. Tomorrow is a big day.   We enter South Carolina and will cover nearly 90 miles.   Also, it has been decided that the ride will end 4 days early in Fort Lauderdale.   The Key's are still in  very fragile condition and if it is even possible to get to the end, it is doubtful it would be much fun. The map shows the next week or so of our adventure.  ...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1992243817?share_unique_id=102 Today was the second time in as many weeks that we circumnavigated a Marine base.  Last week it was Quantico and today it was camp Lajune.  It was not the most interesting ride with lots of places to get your hair cut and strip joints.  I went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch and was surrounded by clean cut 20 to 30 year old men (presumably marines on their day off). We are right on the beach again tonight.  It was wonderful to end the riding day with a dip in the Atlantic.   As you can tell from the photo,  it was a combined wash/swim for Derald, Shell and Tom.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1990725873?share_unique_id=100 Today we left Ocracoke Island on the 7:30 AM ferry.   It was a 2 1/2 hour crossing to Cedar Island on the near empty ferry.   We used the wind and opportunity to dry out our tents and towels after they were drenched last night by an unexpected downpour. Most of the ride was very quiet, through a nature preserve and through relatively uninhabited lowlands.   We were assisted by a slight tailwind which lessens the load.  As we approached our lodging for the night, we were showered by another squall.   The dark clouds and thunder on the horizon made us feel lucky to get away with just a shower. We got a swim in again in the ocean.  The waves were light and regular,  very different from the storm tossed ocean of two days ago.  The water temperature must be near 80.  What a way to end a day of cycling.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1989099944?share_unique_id=98 What a difference a day makes.  Today is as wonderful as yesterday was challenging.   We had a very nice cycle through the Outer Banks.   The traffic was reasonable and scenery and sites were fantastic. The Cape Hatteras Park was miles and miles of oceanfront splendor.  There were pelicans in the area above you and any number of places to stop and view the wild and wonderful Atlantic Ocean in solitude. Some "treats" along the way were the largest brick lighthouse in America  (second tallest in the world) which offered beautiful views and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.  Right now I am on a ferryboat between outer bank islands.  The weather is perfect. So it looks like we survived Jose.  As I saw on a restaurants sign...."no way Jose."  We rode through water again today,  which means tonight we will all need to wash our bikes and oil the chains be...

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1987041402?share_unique_id=96 Today was an interesting day.  It started with a visit to the historical site of the first aircraft flight by the Wright Brothers in 1903.  I have a picture of the distance of the first 4 flights on that day (the first marker is the staring point and subsequent markers were the distance of the next 4 flights).  What a remarkable achievement and beginning of an amazing development of flight in only 114 years.  It is hallowed ground. On the road, we were contending with the aftermath of tropical storm Jose which was off the coast of North Carolina.   While we benefitted from a steady 30 mph tailwind,  we were hampered by rain and storm surge and high tide flooding the road.  If you look closely on one of the photos,  you can see some co-riders navigating the flooded road. It was a short ride and we all survived the day.  The weather forecast for the next week is ve...

Saturday - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1982510598?share_unique_id=90 Sunday - https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1983406133?share_unique_id=94 Today's post will include the last two days.  Yesterday,  we did not have an Internet connection  (or any other services).  In fact,  for dinner, the boy scouts had a $5.00 spaghetti dinner that we proved to be perfect for our calorie requirements.  There were no grocery stores or restaurants for miles. Yesterday,  we did cross into North Carolina.   It is a very rural area, filled with farms and woods.  We rode around a wilderness area called the great dismal swamp.  It certainly was flat. Today, we cycled to Kitty Hawk.  That ended a 7 day 400 mile week.  As we got closer to town, it got much more commercial  (think Wisconsin Dells).  Tomorrow,  we have a day off.  The weather is so-so.   We are being influenced by the remn...