Naples to Everglades City

February 6, 2016

A great day. A little chill in the morning, but it wore away quickly. We started early, around 8:45, and headed for breakfast at a local spot that was supposed to be less than a mile away. I never found it! But there was a First Watch five miles further and on our route, so we made for there, arriving about 9:30 or so.

Livingston Road was our main route south, and even though it had bike lanes, I rode the sidewalk, which, in Florida, can be quite wide and well-landscaped.

Livingston Road while headed south on the northbound side.

Livingston Road headed south. There were long stretches between street intersections and/or development entrances.

The reason you get those long sections is because the only side streets lead to big, resort-style developments with gated entrances. I guess that pays for the landscaping as well.

On our way south. Eventually we made a left and then a right onto the Rich Green Memorial Greenway, which we followed for 2-1/2 miles. It was a nice trail.

At the entry point to the Rich Green Memorial Greenway.

Riding along the trail. Unfortunately, it only went for 2-1/2 miles.

Eventually, however, we ended up on good ole US 41 . . . again! It can't be avoided sometimes. We followed it for 22 miles through various stages of reconstruction, mostly for the better.

This type of off-set bike trail is planned for the length of US 41.

But planned is a good way to describe it . . . it is still years away. This is the transition to the old, narrow US 41.

Along the way, especially after the transition point to the older, two-lane section, you start seeing lots of wildlife. Mostly birds. But I did see an alligator on the roadside near a water crossing.

So I blew right by this guy and noticed him as I looked right. I stopped and turned around to go back for a pic, and he slipped into the water . . . never to be seen by me again. Other wildlife was more cooperative in having their pics taken.

And even without wildlife, the vistas were dramatic the further east I went.

And then there were the predictable road issues, most of which will go away when all is complete, primarily these Florida rumble strips:

These were generally found on the approaches to narrow bridges.

Road construction, for the better, I hope. I stopped and mounted my light system for this section, but it turned out to be quite short — less than 2/10 of a mile is my guess. Better safe . . .

But in short order, I was in Carnestown, the gateway to Everglades City! I made a hard right and finally saw Happy (who had departed breakfast ahead of me). I quickly caught up, just in time to enter the city.

Everglades City Town Hall. Quite an edifice!

Our accommodations were still 2-1/2 miles away, but we arrived before the deluge, which started shortly after 5:00 PM. Later, after it had lightened up, we walked back into town and had a nice seafood dinner. I had the crab cakes appetizer and the Captain's Platter for the entrée. Back to seafood!

Followed by the Captain's Platter: grouper, shrimp, and oysters. With swamp salad (yes, again) and potato salad.

Today's ride

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Today's ride: 48 miles (77 km)
Total: 1,461 miles (2,351 km)

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