11 August 2009

Slab Runs are Uninspiring - 267 miles

Today was mainly just a transport day. The idea to get to near the Kennedy Space Centre for tomorrow's visit.

Still it was quite a few miles to get through for the day. Straight up on to I-95 and south we went. Eventually in to Florida and made the now customary stop at the state Welcome Centre to pick up our coupon books. Most of the major hotel chains advertise in the books, including the ones we are mainly using. Using the coupons in the books from the Welcome Centre can get you around $15-20 off the standard room rate. Only setback is you cannot book ahead. We have been pulling in early enough most days that it is not a worry.

On advice from locals (thanks Bartman) we by-passed Jacksonville to the east as apparently there are roadworks on the I-95. This bypass took us over the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in America. It is certainly huge and impressive.

We also went to have a look at Jacksonville Honda. This dealership is often used by the Iron Butt crowd as a starting point for an Across America ride, coast to coast in under 50 hours. From Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego, California is the shortest route for the crossing. But alas, they are closed on Mondays. Something Brisbane mororcycle dealers would never do.

We also had two near misses today in the blowout department. Riding down I-95 earlier, we heard a tremendous explosion as a truck tyre literally blew up in the northbound lanes right across from us. We were glad we weren't close to that.
Then, later inthe day, we were travelling side by side with a large semi. Jack and Linda stayed beside him for a time as he attempted to overtake but didn't quite have the speed. We eventually pulled in for fuel and when we got going again, there was the same truck stopped on the side of the road with a drive axle sitting on the ground. Not a good idea to be beside a semi when that kind of thing goes wrong.

Shortly after we arrived at our digs for the next two nights. Right next door is a Mexican Restaurant offering all-you-can-eat tacos for $5 so we got stuck in.

Not many pics today. Slab runs are uninspiring.

Lots of rivers and low lying country around here

The bridge is getting work

A very round mosque

They race cars somewhere near here

5 comments:

  1. Clint,

    I wish I had known you were thing about stopping at Honda of Jacksonville today. I could have saved you some aggravation. One GREAT thing about HOJ, you can get a brand new set of E3's for about $280US mounted, balanced, installed including tax! They have GREAT prices on tires.

    Glad you made it to Titusville. Enjoy the NASA tour and wile your in Titusville, be sure to have lunch or dinner at Dixie Crossroads and scarf some rock shrimp!

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  2. We weren't sure if they would be open, but it was only a mile or so off Hwy 9a so worth a look.

    Dixie Crossroads sounds good. Thanks

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  3. Hey C&C some nice pics on Killboy of you guys

    John

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  4. sorry here is a link not sure if it will work
    http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK00ZS080025&po=25

    I thought his was a good one lots more there

    John

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  5. and this one is good as well

    http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK00ZS080051&po=51

    john hope the links work

    ReplyDelete