So…

This never gets old.

No matter how many times you see it, from where, or when.

This was the sunrise over Melbourne Beach at 6:43 am yesterday.

And that’s me, your shadowy host, happily riding into nearly nonexistent winds—a mere 6mph most of the day. Much easier pedaling. No more talk of wind.

That’s the Eau Gallie Bridge over the intracoastal—the last intracoastal crossing until I get to Ormond Beach, at least 2 days without criss-crossing the Indian River Lagoon. It seems like I’d crossed the intracoastal twice a day since leaving Miami.

This may have been this week’s most important stop: I needed Chamois Butt’r (sometimes known as Asmaster or Ass Magic) anti-chafing cream—the savior of all long distance cyclists… or at least savior of their undercarriages. An uncontrolled hot spot, turns into a saddle sore, then turns into serious long-term trouble. Ain’t gonna’ happen.

A very peaceful ride most of the morning—miles upon miles on Rockledge Drive, an old Florida scenic road along the Indian River Lagoon (the intracoastal).

So peaceful, solitary, and slow, that action shots are possible: Look, Ma’, no hands!

This area in Rockledge, FL was cormorant central…

While here, near Cocoa, I spotted an Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphin:

And apropos of nothing… a gratuitous picture of lunch: bbq brisket sandwich and cornbread casserole.

See that white speck in the distance left of frame?

It’s the largest single story building in the world.

NASA’s VAB (vehicle assembly building): it covers 8 acres and it’s where the Saturn rockets and space shuttles were assembled. That’s about 20 miles away across the intracoastal in Cape Canaveral.

And finally, really peaceful, dedicated trail riding on the 52-mile long East Central Florida Rail Trail.

Although I was only on it today for 3-4 miles. But this is so appreciated. Only bicyclists and walkers on this trail.

I didn’t have far to go to the day’s endpoint: The Wayward Traveler’s Inn in Mims, FL.

I’m in the Mardi Gras Room.

Day 9
Start: Melbourne Beach, FL
End: Mims, FL
Miles: 50.2

The bike is by the Inn’s fireplace.

What I’m Reading:

I will end all that robs me of my feeling as a stranger.
A stranger I will remain,
and strangers are content
with the magic of their sorrow.

— Salim Barakat / “A Spiritual Admonition”