Day 56 Cross Country Bike Trip
You know what they say about the weather, if you wait five minutes, it will change. Well, it was more than five minutes, but it did warm up a bit before Tobey took off today. It was in the low 40s when we got up and warmed to mid-high 40s when he took off about 9:15. There was a strong wind again today, so he did start off in long pants and jacket.
For a good share of the morning Tobey’s route was on bike trails which made for a pleasant ride.
We touched base in Hawthorne and things were going well. He had about six miles on Hwy 26 before turning onto County Road 219A. It was a TERRIBLE road! It reminded us of the worst roads in Mexico. 
AND, just after turning onto it, Tobey had another flat tire! I caught up and helped him changing the tube out. Okay, four flats, and ALL of them have been on the rear wheel – the hardest to change.
Thank goodness he only had about seven miles on Hwy 219A before he was able to get back onto a bike trail! The temperature warmed up, too! It was still windy, but warmer.
He went by several lakes and pretty scenery.
He did have a section of trail that went underwater! He kept pedaling, slowly, and figured it was only a few inches deep. As he kept going, it kept getting deeper and deeper. By the time he was through the water, he was wet 10” up his legs! His shoes were soaked making the rest of the ride a bit uncomfortable. Here is a link to his water ride.
https://youtu.be/75zYXs8JRU0
I saw several lumber trucks on the highway today. 
Our destination for the day was Palatka located on the St. Johns River. It is a busy town with a population around 10,000. They have a wonderful historic district downtown and after Tobey arrived, we did a bike tour around the area – because he hadn’t ridden far enough today!! (kidding)
After the Civil War, riverboats on the St Johns River made Palatka the gateway to the interior of Florida. It was a thriving community in the 1800s until 1894 and 1895 when a devastating fire destroyed many of the grand hotels in the downtown. Much of the citrus agricultural economy was destroyed from deep freezes at the same time.
In 1998, the City of Palatka Historic Preservation Board made their mission to depict the historical, cultural, and natural riches of Palatka and Putnam County. They commissioned beautiful murals to be painted on several of the buildings downtown. We got the map and made the rounds but these are only a few of the murals,
This is the “Putnam House,” actually painted on the side of the original hotel.
The “Battle at Horse Landing” commemorates the battle between a Union gunboat and a force of dismounted Confederate Calvary. 
This is “Bygone Days.”
Number 17 is “Cattle Drive to Paynes Prairie.”
Number 20 is the “Mary Lawson Hospital” which opened in 1918 first as a facility for African-Americans. The hospital was soon integrated and both black and white patients were cared for by doctors and nurses of both races.
Annie Oakley is Mural number 22. She brought her sharpshooter show to Palatka in 1908.
Number 23 is “Harlem Nights.”
Number 11 is “Putnam County Wildflowers.”
This mural is not named in the brochure, but I was moved by it. There is a second half honoring those who have lost their lives, as well. 
We went by Saint Mark’s Church and circled back by the river.
There is a bike/walking trail that goes along the river. We rode on the trail for a while before going back to the RV. We will be crossing the bridge tomorrow on the last leg of this journey!
We got permission to park overnight at the City Boat Ramp parking lot. We have a great view of the river and watched as some boats were coming off the water. 
This boat caught our eye – a very interesting “house” boat!
As we were finishing dinner, we saw several bikes pulling trailers come into Riverfront Park. We walked over to see if they were also doing the “Southern Tier” cross country bike trek.
No, they were a performing troupe, the Agile Rascal Bicycle Touring Theatre. They are bicycling all over Florida putting on free performances. Their focus was on social/environmental issues, with music and comedy. We took our chairs over and watched their hour-long show. It was thought provoking and entertaining at the same time.
Tobey rode 61.6 miles today. This is the link to today’s ride. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/31983745.
Tomorrow – St. Augustine! The end is in sight!!
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