December 12th, 2007 | categorizilation: all categories,USA (FLorida)
Today’s distance / 今日の走行距離: 34.1mi / 54km
Average speed / 平均速度: 9.9mph / 15.9km/h
Time on skateboard / 走行時間: 3h 27m
Total skateboarding distance to date / 今までスケボで走った距離: 822mi (plus 266mi) / 1323km
Ascent / 上り: negligible
Descent / 下り: negligible
Tailwinds, smooth roads, strong legs. What a difference a day makes! I finally managed to get off US1, the big, noisy, crowded highway that I have been following up the Florida Keys so far. I was on Monroe County Highway 905 for most of the day, heading either north or west. That means that there were no headwinds today. Also, the wonderful day off yesterday at the Flannery’s really made a world of difference. My legs felt strong, and I was feeling good. And of course the smooth road…pure bliss.
I have a big thank you to make; thank you to Carlos, a random stranger who pulled up ahead of me and treated me to lunch! Thank you so much Carlos for your hospitality and time. It was a pleasure to meet you.
The smooth roads continued after lunch along Card Sound road.
I had my route more or less worked out through Miami, where I would connect with highway 27 through the middle of Florida. This plan was torn apart however after a short chat with some road workers working on new bus lanes alongside US1 highway through Homestead.
“Krome Avenue?! You’re planning on skateboarding Krome Avenue? If you don’t get run over, you’ll get shot!” one worker warned.
I was told that on parts of Krome Avenue there were no pedestrian walkways, and it went through some very rough neibourhoods. And the traffic was very heavy. Plan A scrapped.
They recommended instead to follow the bus route all the way into Miami, and then find my way out of the city to Highway 27. The bus route had cycle paths all along the side of it, so I spent the rest of the afternoon following the newly paved cycle paths to Homestead, even though it was into the wind once again, heading north east.
Stopping at the Homestead Public Library, I called The Call FM, to arrange an interview for tomorrow morning. Rob Robbins from the radio station had emailed me and asked if I would drop by on my way through. Since it was on the way, I accepted. Due to lack of communications after the phone call from the library I missed one of The Call volunteers who had come to look for me to let me stay at their place, so I ended up sleeping in a dark corner of a graveyard in Homestead. Lovely. Gotta get a cellphone, I think.
Hi Rob,
We got a call from Carlos last night after he figured out it was us you stayed with. His daughter is a good friend of Erin's. Hope all is well. I'm glad you ran into the worker's I didn't know all that about Krome-the southern parts through Homestead are nice. We will keep track of your progress.
Amy
Rob, my name is Scott Hoffman I am on the board of directory for Call FM. I am in the West Palm Market I live in a town called Loxahatchee north of you as of now 12/13. I would like to offer you a place to stay and good home cooked food to help you on your journey.
You can contact me email or cell phone 561-723-4052
Hey love! Good luck with the challenge…what you are doing is fantastic, and I wish you all the best for the trip. I will be following you with great interest!
Laura xxx
Hey Rob, I'm one of the workers that stopped you on the Busway and talked about Krome ave. Glade to hear that you decided to stay clear of Krome. Wishing you the best of luck again. I will look forward to following your progress on your adventure
Been really busy at work and forgot about you for a while just catching up, that road looks loads better than all that water.
weather looks nice over here it's awful, anyway hope the wheels keep going round and round and the road stays smooth.
all the best from a cold, wet and generally horrible surrey.
C.
Would be nice to have GPS coordinates,
would be easier to follow you (which I like to do very much)
Rob, What a great pleasure it was to have met you yesterday at 91.9 The CALL. I admire your courage and the ability to leave all your comforts to set out on a great adventure! I had set out to explore all 50 states but had only managed to see 23. Your journey had inspired me to continue my plans. America is a great nation and there's a lot to experience and see. May God bless you and protect you on your great voyage!… TT
P.S. I love your great pictures!
Would a cellphone take some of the come-what-may out of your trip? Do you want to be so readily connected to the rest of the world?
I love how you spell neibourhood…it's hot…Rick said it might take you a few day s to get here…kinda funny how we left Switz around the same time…I've been home for about 5 months, and you're just getting here. Rick's keeping me up to date on your status…see you soon. 
