pine plantations along the road
SPF #2 or small purple flower , as yet unidentified
tyf, tall yellow flower, also unidentified
these flowers have been with us all along the road side since California, I think they are sweet william or dianthus or at least related to them
Ichetucknee Spring
yes, we did all go swimming in our bike clothes minus shoes, socks, and jerseys
and then we sunned ourselves dry while we ate lunch
a log full of yellow throated sliders in the Santa Fe River just outside High Springs, FL.
Today's ride was absolutely beautiful. The countryside has opened up and there are less forests right along the road, and more signs of civilization with open fields plowed for planting, or being grazed by cattle, with stately live oaks to provide shade. We passed fields of corn, not as high as an elephant's eye, but doing nicely, thank you, and beans, along with some obviously plowed and recently planted. There were also quite a few pine plantations with the trees all neatly planted in rows and creating long aisles to look down to the green pasture and fields beyond. Like yesterday, the temperatures were moderate, and there were some scattered clouds which helped to keep things comfortable. Even though we had a pretty steady headwind, it was also appreciated because it helped keep the bugs off and the riding conditions moderate.
We crossed the Suwannee River at mile 45, and it was running very high from the torrential rains and flooding from several weeks ago as well as the heavy rains upstream. The area around the river was so flooded that the picnic tables on the bank about 40 feet away from the river were submerged over the seats and almost to the table tops. Unfortunately the start of the bike path we were supposed to take was also submerged so we rode along the highway for about three miles and then portaged our bikes across the grass and flowers to get on the path. As it turned out, the road shoulder was actually the better riding surface, but we persisted, treating the drifts of road sand at the crossings, the frequent cracks and holes and the overhanging branches and vines as obstacles. We rode on to the turnoff that led to the north entrance of the Ichetucknee Springs State park, then portaged our bikes back through the weeds to cross the highway as there was no formal exit.
7 miles later we finally turned off the highway into the park and found the parking lot next to the spring pool. A short walk and a flight of stairs down later and the pool appeared through the trees. The water was so clear you could see the limestone cliff and the slit where the spring enters the pool, which was at a depth of 50 feet. It looked like it was about 15 feet down. Although the river the spring feeds is closed until the summer season begins after Memorial Day to allow the plants and the bottom to recover from the constant flow of kayaks, canoes and inner tubes, the spring pool is open all year around. The water is a constant 75 degrees. the pool itself has a mixed limestone and sand bottom and drops off sharply into turquoise blue depths. Although we all started out deciding that we would only dip our feet and legs because we didn't want to have to ride in wet biking clothes, within 15 minutes, we had all stripped down to sports bras and biking shorts and plunged in. Several of us performed an impromptu water ballet, and then we had a hands above the water while treading water to see how strong our legs were. Most of us gave up after a couple of minutes, but one of the riders was still going strong at 6 minutes.
The rest of us adjourned to the steps and ledges to dry out and then went up and ate our peanut butter and banana, or m&m, or raisins, or craisins, or jam sandwiches in the shade.
The last 15 miles into town were peaceful and fast, and actually comfortable because of the wet clothes which dried as we rode. I had actually taken my bathing suit bottom along in my bike bag, but it was much easier just to swim in the bike clothes, and I have the added benefit of having "clean" shorts, bra and underlayer to wear on our final long ride tomorrow.
today's stats
distance 77.25
ride time 5:36
speed 13.8
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