Rush hour traffic, industrial areas and tractor trailers going to/from the second largest port in the United States (New York is the largest) made for a very hectic and especially noisy ride out of town.

Less than an hour of pedaling, we left the industry and congestion behind and pedaled on to Alligator Alley.

Across the fields and marshland we could still see the bridge that had been but a mile from our hotel. We knew we had to make this big circle to get out of town, but the sight of the bridge and hotels we’d just left was rather discouraging.

Once in South Carolina the road opened up to four lanes and shade; we thought it would be smooth sailing.  It was anything but; the very bumpy road had been well used and abused by the trucks.  The road smoothed when the trucks left for the faster pace of the interstate.  Once again we gained shade from the trees and even an occasional cloud shielded the sun, the difference could be as much as 10° cooler.  Especially pretty was a one mile stretch of road through Switzerland; who knew there was a Switzerland in South Carolina?  This state, however, is no more welcoming to bicyclists than Georgia had been; still no shoulder or bike lane.

After three hours of biking, we took a rest and refreshment break.  A half hour later we were back on the road.  Our last stretch was on a frontage road tightly tucked between the Interstate and railroad.  The noise was deafening and in stereo when a train passed, three times!  There was a slight separation from the highway before we had to climb over it to bike the other side.  Just short of checking in, we treated ourselves to a Frosty to celebrate our 53 mile day.  Even with the noisy ride and not much in scenery, it was a beautiful day.

Dinner was as unremarkable as today’s sightseeing, so no food pics.