Well, as I got closer to home, I got less enthusiastic about taking pictures, so the video record gets a little sparse at this point.

Last night would be my last camping, as I was riding today to St. George Island where my Aunt June has a beautiful home right on the bay. I've made it a habit to stop in and stay with her for my last night on the road for these trips, this one would be no exception.

Vowing to avoid large population centers, I decided to head north out of Wiggins, then east over the top of Mobile. It would take me an hour or two out of my way, but it was well worth it.

I hit Hwy 42 in Richton, east of Hattiesburg, and turned east towards Alabama. After crossing over into Alabama, I turned south on US 45 to Citronelle where I took CR 96 to Mt Vernon. From there I took US 43 to I-65 where I rode the interstate for about 30 miles to exit at US 31 in Perdido.

I crossed into Florida at Flomation, and made my way to Hwy 4 to Crestview, then on to Hwy 85 to Niceville, then I followed Hwy 20 across the panhandle to a series of small county roads that lead me to the Gulf at Apalachicola Bay.

I crossed the bridge over to St. George Island and rode the short distance across the island to my Aunt's house.

 

 

My Aunt June's house:



Leaving the next morning, it was 85 F at 7:30 am and I longed for the days out west with the cool temps and low humidity. But I was home, and that's how it is in Florida.

I ran across the little guy crossing the bridge to the mainland the next morning. He was in no hurry to get out of the way.

 

 

I made my way home from here on familiar roads. The whole way planning the trip I'd take the next year. There would be more adventures to come this summer; a couple of memorable trips up the BRP and back with my son, many smaller trips around the mountains near my cabin in north Georgia, and the day trips my wife and I would take near our home in central Florida. But it's these big journeys I live for, and the one I'm planning for 2010 will be epic. I thinking I'll start in the Pacific Northwest, maybe Seattle, and come across the northern part of the country, then down the eastern seaboard back to Florida. I'll be searching come spring for the ride that will carry me.

Me and the TDM immediately after arriving home.