On Command

Early start out of my West Palm Beach Air BnB, hit with the first wave of Florida humidity, and wind(!) and a growling stomach on a mere RX bar.

But there’s always room for a Claes Oldenburg—Typewriter Eraser, Scale X—at the Norton Museum of Art. Don’t these folks know we want to see art at 6:48 am?

Sunrise over the intracoastal in West Palm Beach. Sections of Flagler Drive were closed due to set up for the Internatiinal Boat Show—a couple of early arrivals.

Certain sections of Flagler Drive reminded me of Cuba—and this wasn’t far from Jose Marti Park… who knew?

After making it it over the intracoastal over the Riviera Beach bridge, where the wind slowed me down to 4.8 miles per hour—on a 13.7% graded section (Oy!)—my stomach was growling for something more substantial than a 200 calorie RX bar… 

… and I got it at Mulligan’s: a week’s worth of cholesterol in one fell swoop. Boy, that western omelette was earned and good!

Along with heavy winds beachgoears at Juno Beach had to contend with riptides, and as I suspected yesterday: Man O’ War.

The manner in which I contend with short rain bursts is to find a good dinner theater’s awning and picture what their version of Guys and Dolls is like. They’re staging it now. Get your tickets!

The sun peeked out over Jupiter Sound with its historic lighthouse on the intracoastal side.

Sore butt break after 30-some-odd miles at Hobe Sound. People where at the beach, but no one was in the water.

The very cool Seabranch Preserve State Park, after the briefest gravel foray—here’s a traffic-free bike path through the scrub forest.

The signs claimed there was wildlife about…

… and nature provided: multiple gopher tortoises spotted…

… this one froze mid-munch thinking I couldn’t spot it…

… and this one was in front of the interpretative sign as if on command display…

… and it’s always heartening to see an East Coast Greenway blaze—I’m sure I’m where I need to be.

Lunch in Stuart, FL—after 40 miles riding—at the Whistle Stop, obviously situated right by the train tracks.

Today’s destination town in effect: Jensen Beach.

Gotta’ pick up dinner to go—at Juancito’s Taco Truck—and again I go with the chicken burrito, not the tacos. And see, that’s still me, your host.

I had to take food with because tonight’s Air BnB is off the beaten path—it abuts Savannas Preserve State Park.

No it’s not the house. It’s that blue thing down at the end of the driveway…

…yes, it’s my shipping container tiny home for the night—the blue one in the forefront.

Note, in this pano shot, that it has everything one tired touring bicyclist needs for the night:

Even, of paramount importance, room for the bike!

Day 7
Start: West Palm Beach, FL
End: Jensen Beach, FL
Miles: 52.09

A cooler and longer day on-tap tomorrow.

What I’m Reading:

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.

— Moira Egan / “Ghazal: Sea”