March 20, 2025
3: not snowing, mitzi, tragedy strikes, mailboxes, hurricane monument
Marathon to Tavernier
I'd like to start off by saying that it's snowing in Iowa City today. Here, today's low is 72F/22C and the high is 75F/23.8C.
And also that I'll have a tailwind today.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricolored_heron
White one is a white ibis.
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3751-Eudocimus-albus
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https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/56932-Cuscuta/browse_photos?place_id=21
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The Dolphin Research Center is a "serious-minded facility devoted to education and public awareness." More importantly to me, it's also the final resting place of my favorite dolphin of all time, Mitzi, whom everyone knows as as Flipper (a stage name). I saw every episode of the TV series when I was growing up.
You may be surprised to learn that Flipper is actually a she. A male stunt dolphin, Mr. Gipper, did all of Flipper's tail-walking (Mitzi could never master that trick). Even without the tail-walking, Mitzi was the star who, apparently smarter than her keepers, nudged wayward boats back to safety, knocked guns out of poachers' hands with well-timed leaps, and warned Bud and Sandy whenever danger lurked. I think I recall one episode where she completed their taxes and helped repair their carburetor with only duct tape and a pencil.
In the early sixties, the Dolphin Research Center was known as Santini's Porpoise School. It was run by Milton Santini, a pioneer in dolphin husbandry and training. Mitzi, who was Santini's first pupil, was picked to star as Flipper in the original movie. It was filmed here at the research center.
When Mitzi died of a heart attack (was it due to drink and drugs like so many stars??) she was buried beneath a dolphin statue in the School's courtyard. The research center maintains the grave, and in honor of her accomplishments they always make it the first stop on the tour. There's a small plaque inside which reads:
Dedicated to the Memory of Mitzi
The Original Flipper
1958 - 1972
Mitzi left no progeny, but Mr. Gipper did. His daughter, Tursy, can also tail-walk.

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I like my bike a lot, but I'm still getting used to it, especially riding loaded (subtle foreshadowing).

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As you expected, my handlebar caught on the tent pole and I went down faster than a boxer throwing a fight. First, my hip thudded against the pavement, then my shoulder a bit harder, and by the time my head got around to joining the party it slammed onto the concrete... once, then a softer second bounce.
I lay there, face up and unmoving, until a woman's face appeared above me. In broken English,
"You... Okay?"
"I don't yet. No sé todavía."
The cyclist pictured above wearing the Outer Banks jersey also appeared.
I did a mental examination of everything and after a few seconds found that other than my elbow nothing felt seriously injured, or even painful. I got up and continued my examination.... there was some blood on my elbow, but no bones were sticking out and I could move everything.
I felt really fortunate that the only injury was a minor excoriation to my elbow, and even more fortunate I was wearing a helmet.
Crashing is inevitable. I knew before I started that I'll likely crash, and probably more than once. I only hoped that when it happened it wouldn't tragically end my tour.
Once I got back on my bike, that's when tragedy struck.
Just before I started riding, the bicyclist who'd recently passed me, then came back to help, said that the reason he turned around is because the bridge we're on ends about 50 yards ahead.
That's the real tragedy. This entire episode was for nothing.

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Nothing to do but turn around and ride over the same ground I'd already pedaled.

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You should get one like that! 🤣😂
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Within eyesight of my lunch stop was the Hurricane Monument. This limestone structure is a memorial to the hundreds who died in the 2 September 1935 hurricane, and even houses some of the unidentified people’s cremated remains.
This hurricane, which killed more than 300 people, is considered the most intense hurricane ever to make landfall in United States history. It resulted in the highest sustained winds (estimated to be more than 200 mph), a 15-foot storm surge, and the lowest barometric sea-level pressure ever measured in the USA (892 millibars/26.35 inches).

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I'll also add that it's amazing how often I smell marijuana cycling down the road. Cars whizzing past at 45-50 mph and I smell it for 5-10 seconds at least five times a day.
After 40 miles I rolled into Tavernier, just south of Key Largo, and checked into my AirBnB.
After showering, I decided to sit on the front porch because the weather is absolutely perfect. As Heather and I were doing an online crossword puzzle together some movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I knew I saw something move, but there was nothing. It happened again so I went to investigate.
One of the things I learned at the Turtle Hospital yesterday is that you should never, ever stick your hands into the water where the turtles are. They can, and will, take off a finger. In the second video this guy seemed to be coming straight for me, and has a hungry look in his reptilian eyes.
Eventually, it was time to eat so I walked to the restaurant recommended by my host. I briefly talked to her, and without me asking she told me that her black eye wasn't from someone hitting her. It's from falling off a barstool.
"It's a good thing it was the one in my backyard. If it was over at Snapper's I'd've never heard the end of it."

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Back in my room I made a couple of videos showing how well hydrogen peroxide removes blood, both from skin and clothing, but decided no one wants to spend 30 seconds looking at me pouring something on my elbow. It works great, though.
I looked up instructions on how to repair the hole in my tent and found that I need to clean it with alcohol. If only I had some alcohol wipes.... but wait! I do! Did you forget my massive packing list already?
Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 100 miles (161 km)
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Comment on this entry | Comment | 7 |
By the way, check the helmet for cracks or dents. After a crash/fall like yours there is often some damage, to the helmet as well as other body parts. If you find any it is best to replace the helmet as soon as possible. You might need it for the next time. Not that we want there to be a next time, of course. Love, Dodie
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