All By Myself (Day Sixty-eight)

I really enjoyed my day off with Jason yesterday. I was worried that it would be difficult to get back on my bike today, but my 33 miles today were easier than my 23 miles on Friday. Jason and I went down the street to a fabulous bakery for breakfast. We got a few items and shared them. They had really good coffee, and freshly-squeezed orange juice. We went back to the hotel and I packed up my stuff. Jason’s taking some of my stuff back to Boston, so my trailer is a lot lighter and doesn’t close as tightly as it did. I’ll really have to keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t pop open. 

Miami Beach is not bike friendly, but Miami totally is. It certainly helped that once again, I was lucky enough to be biking through a major city early on a Sunday morning. I couldn’t have planned that better if I tried. I passed a lot of homeless people, sleeping wherever they could find a space. The streets were mostly empty of cars, and there was a beautiful bike lane that was being used by lots of bikers! I followed Google’s directions to the M Trail. This is a beautiful bike trail that runs under Miami’s elevated train, callled the Metrorail. It was so cool. It changes to the South Dade Trail, at one point, and continues all the way to Homestead, which was my stop for the night. The thing that impressed me the most was the Busway. It is a completely separate road, just for city buses. What a great idea. And the bike trail runs alongside it. Way to go, Miami!

There were a lot of street crossings, so I was careful to stop and use the walk lights, and the trail goes through a couple of train stations. It did get a little confusing at times, but the signage is pretty good, and I never lost my way. As I approached Homestead, I could see storm clouds gathering. It was nice to have shade and cloud cover today. I didn’t wear any sunscreen, and I was fine. I had been using Google’s bike directions, and after I stopped to get some water, I couldn’t figure out which way they wanted me to go. I switched to the car directions, and it told me the hotel was a few miles down the road. No turns needed. Sometimes the bike directions are a little screwy. I pulled up to the hotel, and just then, the sky opened up. I didn’t even get wet. How lucky is that? 

It was 3:00, and I hadn’t had lunch, so I went next door to a Cuban restaurant. I wish I’d paid more attention in Spanish class! I haven’t heard a lot of English being spoken down here. I ordered a Cubano sandwich, and although it was a little heavy on the ham, it was delicious and just what I needed. I walked around a little, and a man pulled up in front of me, and asked if I knew where Walmart was. I told him I was new in town and looking for a pharmacy. He cleared his passenger seat, and said “Get in - I’ll help you find it.” Ummmm, no. He looked hurt when I said no, but it would have been pretty stupid of me to get in his car. I found Walgreens on my own. Unfortunately nobody down here sells the earplugs I’m looking for. 

I hung out in my room for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow I hit the Keys! My first stop is Key Largo. I always liked that movie, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Edward G. Robinson plays the gangster, a role he played quite a bit. There’s a song about Key Largo, but I don’t think it’s very good. Here’s looking at you, kid.