Day 9 - Heading Home

This is the day I start riding north. I was concerned that the day would be filled with more rain.  However, not only did I wake up to find dry pavement, but this was the view on the beach at about 7am:

Here's a picture of the fine old hotel I stayed at:

I got an early start and was really excited about driving under sunshine. US 441 runs straight north about ten miles from the Atlantic coast and then heads west over toward Lake Okeechobee.  This lake is surrounded by a levee that rises above the highway, so it's hard to actually see it from the road.  I did get a great view, however, when the road took a high bridge over a canal.  This is one big lake!  It may as well be the ocean, since you cannot see the other side.  I do believe it is very shallow though. 

Well I drove 200 miles before having to don the rain suit.  I really thought this would be the first day without it. As I approached Orlando I met the wet weather, but it was not a hard rain this time. I made it through Orlando and stopped for the night in Apopka, 258 miles for the day. I'm not far from Sanford where the Zimmerman jury began deliberation today. I should make it somewhere near the Georgia line tomorrow. Part of my route will follow US 27, which was my route going south.  I wonder if I'll recognize anything. 

Here's a little summary of my trip south over 6 days:

Total miles:      1631

Avg miles per day:     271

Total gas purchased:   40.4 gal. 

Average mpg:       40.37

Total cost for gas, food & lodging:   $659.76

Average cost per day:   $109.96