{"id":20554,"date":"2017-05-04T20:14:12","date_gmt":"2017-05-05T00:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=20554"},"modified":"2017-05-04T20:14:12","modified_gmt":"2017-05-05T00:14:12","slug":"day-14-thursday-may-4-stuart-to-vero-beach-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=20554","title":{"rendered":"Day 14. Thursday, May 4 \u2013 Stuart to Vero Beach, Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

This morning’s southeast wind brought with it an increase in humidity; 74\u00b0 seemed a little warm.\"\"<\/a> We pedaled through the cute streets\"\"<\/a> of downtown Stuart,\"\"<\/a> over the St. Lucie River\u00a0\"\"<\/a>and then the Indian River Lagoon. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0 It was a long (40 minutes) and difficult six and a half mile warm up (albeit pretty)\"\"<\/a>over two high bridges\"\"<\/a> and into the wind.<\/p>\n

But once on our northerly course, we cruised along nicely. \u00a0The homes we saw today were scaled down slightly \"\"<\/a>and their piece of land was but a slice of previous neighborhoods. \u00a0Their backyard was the Atlantic Ocean\"\"<\/a> and the front yard view was across A1A and the wide Lagoon.\"\"<\/a>What is even more remarkable is many\u00a0of the condos and even the grand homes are not the owners only residence, as evidenced by all the hurricane shuttered windows.\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 There was a stretch of new development, very reminiscent of beaches back home.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In between the grand homes and condos were miles and miles of marsh, parks, \"\"<\/a>preserves and yet undeveloped land. \u00a0Even when there was development, we had the roads mostly to ourselves.\"\"<\/a>At Ft Pierce, we had to navigate around an inlet to the ocean. \u00a0Small cottages, \"\"<\/a>not yet torn down for “bigger and better”, held tightly to their little slice of paradise on the inlet. \u00a0This causeway and it’s white strip of beach,\"\"<\/a> reminds us of Southern California.\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 Our\u00a0roundabout around the inlet\u00a0took three bridges to navigate, but the views from the top are always impressive.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Back on the barrier islands new developments were boasting lots (not on the water) “from the $800’s,\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 two homes already constructed.<\/p>\n

Shortly after noon and less than two miles from our hotel, we had to take a break. \u00a0We had taken\u00a0less than a total of 30\u00a0minutes rest in the four++ hours since we’d left and we needed a rest. \u00a0We had to wind our way through pretty neighborhoods with huge\"\"<\/a> and modest houses\"\"<\/a> side by side.<\/p>\n

This street\u00a0looked a lot like our neighborhood, \"\"<\/a>except for much more colorful houses.\"\"<\/a>Finally\u00a0found the perfect spot for rest and lunch…\"\"<\/a>…apparently, someone was hungry!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Our motel, The Sea Turtle Inn, \"\"<\/a>was a very pleasant surprise, \"\"<\/a>as we had not been able to find\u00a0much in the way of pictures. \u00a0Plus, we were within walking distance of all the fancy shops,\"\"<\/a> spas and bistros.<\/p>\n

For dinner, we managed to find a little Italian cafe for a delicious\u00a0dinner\"\"<\/a> including wonderful garlic rolls. \u00a0Not sure our wind assisted 48 miles deserved this, but it sure was good.<\/p>\n

A stroll to the ocean after dinner was a different sight than earlier today.\"\"<\/a> Hoping this squall blows itself out by the morning.<\/p>\n

Shortly after getting back to the room. the rain began.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t