MEANDERING MOOSE

    My last day!  36 miles.  80+ degrees and sunny, slight headwind.  I was real excited to get this last stretch under my belt.  In fact, at one point on the ride I called Nan to come pick me up as I would be finishing in a few minutes!  In fact, in my excitement of anticipating the end I screwed up the math and was actually at mile 26 not 36.  So never mind!  Today was the easiest ever.  There was no way of getting lost on this stretch and my legs were rearing to go.  The trail traveled through commercial areas, downtown areas and several parks in the heavily populated west coast of Florida.  This was the only time on the trip where I had to weave in and out around bikers, walkers, skaters, scooters, etc.  Although I reached Florida's west coast in Clearwater, I had to veer back inland to the trail's terminus on Tampa Bay at Demens Landing Park in St. Petersburg to complete the entire trail. Some Clearwater art work.     The trail was almost uneventful except for one incident

Manatees! Although we were in crystal clear water swimming with the manatees, quality photos were impossible. Nan took this picture of a photo which pretty accurately depicted our own experience swimming with the manatees.          Zero Day:  No riding.  Temperatures in the low 70's and sunny.  Nan and her best friend Marie once visited Florida together for a vacation.  When Nan returned home she insisted that she swam with the manatees.  However, Marie denied that Nan performed the swim and Marie's journal did not reflect Nan's version.  This dispute has been continual for several years; so Nan decided that she must swim with the manatees and properly document the trip.  That day finally arrived!  The only place to legally swim with the manatees is in Crystal River, Florida which was only an hour and 20 minutes from our location in Tarpon Springs.  We made a reservation with a dive company and off we went. Our pontoon boat and dive captain.     The journey with the manatee

      Day 5:  53 miles.  Today I hit the trifecta:  temperatures started in the 50's, plenty of rain, and a strong headwind!  I thought the day was going to be horrible as I sat there eating breakfast listening to the rain pour down so heavily I could barely concentrate.  I knew there may be a day like this so I figured I would have to tough it out.  As I went out to set up my bike for the day the rain suddenly stopped.  I decided to be an optimist and take off without rain gear--bad decision.  I hadn't rolled more than a few hundred yards when the downpour started again.  Fortunately, I was next to an ice cream stand with a significant overhang.  I darted under the small roof and donned my rain jacket and rain pants.  Now I was prepared for the big event and off I went.  The rain only lasted 3 more minutes; but I didn't trust the weather so I continued on in full rain gear.  After about 20 minutes of overheating, I relented and took off all the rain gear again.  No sooner