Down The Road A Piece ... in a 5th wheel: Bike Ride to Atlantic Beach and Dinner at Singleton's

Today we were debating on going back to the beach or riding our bikes to Atlantic Beach which we have done every time we are in Jacksonville. We decided to drive over to a little restaurant we had been to before for breakfast then went back for the bikes for the ride to Atlantic Beach. The ride was about 14 miles total so not very long but still very enjoyable except for one minor incident with an impatient driver where things got a little ugly We stopped at Pete's bar for some refreshments before making the trip back to the rv park. When we got back Huli took the dogs for a walk as I was putting the bicycles up and then we took off to Singleton's Seafood Shack for dinner. At Singleton's I had a combination dinner of shrimp, oysters and scallops while Huli had the catch of the day fish sandwich which she said was very good and not fishy. I forget the variety of fish the sandwich was made of but neither of us had ever heard of it before. My shrimp and oysters were excellent but the scallops were unlike I had ever had before and not the greatest. We were both amazed that Singleton's had not fallen down since we were there last year. The place is always packed but it's not due to the decor. The place looks as if some kids built it from wood they salvaged from run down construction sites. The place is paneled with chip board with wires, some in conduit' some not, all ran on the outside of the walls. The tables and some of the chairs are made from plywood. The hostess who seated us had a nose ring and at least different six colors in her hair. The service is not the greatest but the seafood is very good and very reasonably priced for the quantity you get.

Last night we made reservations for our next destination which is Stephen C. Foster state park in Georgia. This state park is known for being the gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp. Here is a brief description of the park from their website. Hopefully Sydney and Tanner make it through our stay at this park since they discourage you from bringing pets to the park due to the alligators and bears. We never let the dogs leave our sight when were outside so we think they will be ok.

This remote park is a primary entrance to the legendary Okefenokee Swamp -- one of Georgia's seven natural wonders. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the black swamp waters, while cypress knees rise upward from the glass-like surface. Here, paddlers and photographers will enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Alligators, turtles, raccoons, black bears, deer, ibis, herons, wood storks, red-cockaded woodpeckers and numerous other creatures make their homes in the 402,000-acre refuge. Stargazers will appreciate the particularly dark sky.

Oh I almost forgot about the impatient driver I mentioned in paragraph one. In Florida I have noticed drivers seem to be very aggressive. They don't let you in front of them, they go when it's not their turn at stop signs, etc. etc. So when this guy saw me coming down the sidewalk on my bicycle he started pulling across the crosswalk. The closer I got the more he pulled forward even though cars were coming and he couldn't pull out. As I started across the street using about one foot of the cross walk he had not encroached upon he still moved forward so I stopped right in front of his car and hollered at him and ask him if was going to hit me. He wouldn't look at me so I moved on. Huli came up behind me and called him some more four letter words and the guy in the car behind the ass hole said he had our back ( he must also be a bike rider or thought we were so old and decrepit that we couldn't handle ourselves). It was no big deal to me but Huli said "I like it when you get mad like that" which she says I rarely ever do anymore. Ain't retirement great!

Below are some of the pictures we took today. Sorry about all of the helicopters I am still trying to get the hang of the new camera. Most of these are very far away and trying to find them in the sky using the telephoto lens setting is very difficult but getting easier. Since there is a Navy base in Mayport which is very close by so there are always helicopters flying around for me to use as practice.