The Big Ride – All good things come to an end….but only to get better! (Florida)

Yesterday, May 29, 2015, marked the end of my visit to Daytona Beach, FL as I started to make my way west.  Initially I felt disappointed about leaving the Atlantic seaboard as I always enjoy being close to the ocean.  Here is a short video of the “Daytona Beach Strip”.  I hope you enjoy it.

The ride to Perry, FL was relatively sedate with an awesome breakfast stop in Astor at a little locally owned establishment located close to the Ocala National Forest. I had the feeling that it was going to be one the best when the little parking lot was full of pickup trucks.  I had an egg served with “corned beef hash” along with a warm biscuit fresh from the oven.  It was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had since leaving home.  I sure enjoy “doing as the Romans do!”

After breakfast I continued through the Ocala / Marion country which is termed as the horse capital of the world with more 70,000 acres of thoroughbred breeding and training farms.  The sprawling horse ranches consisted of some very impressive properties.  The video can hardly do it justice.

After my stay in Perry, FL, I headed out this morning towards Panama City, FL on Highway 98 which is the coastal route along the Gulf of Mexico also known as the Emerald Gulf.  The ride was breathtaking!  The route wound gracefully along miles and miles of pure white sandy beaches and the aqua marine colored water as it sparkled under the sunny skies. The warm salty breeze was welcomed as temperatures soared to a high of 33 degrees Celsius.  What was most impressive were the expansive bridges that linked the many islands and gulfs that in some cases went on for miles!  The Gulf is known for its oyster and bay scallop industry.

Here is a clip of the ride to the historic St George Island.  The bridge is an impressive 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) long!

Here is another short film of some of the shoreline from today’s ride,  Tomorrow will be much the same – lucky me!