Leg 10 - Homosassa, FL to Homestead, FL

Left Dawn and Frank's right at 6 am after a good nights sleep. When I woke up and walked out into the kitchen at 5:15 am , both Dawn and Frank were sitting at the table checking the news.

Frank had helped me plan a route to Homestead, FL using Hwy 98 and Hwy 27, secondary roads he knew well.

The sun didn't rise until 6:30 am. It was gorgeous seeing the lush green fog covered valleys in the early morning light.

I spotted a box turtle or maybe a tortoise crossing Hwy 98 in one section which was four lanes. It had a long way to go as I swerved to avoid it while riding in the slow lane (no pun intended). I was headed south and it was going east so it had the rest of the two southbound lanes, the median and the two northbound lanes to make it to the other side.

Stopped for breakfast after a few hours of riding. Eggs and grits are getting to be a breakfast staple.

I checked the predicted weather and knew I would be in for some crosswinds for the last 175 miles. At a gas stop I took the following photo of my front tire. Motorcycle tires are subject to 'cupping', a condition brought on by riding in crosswinds. You can see the left side of the tire (right side in the photo) is darker than the other side. The crosswinds were strong enough to cause the bike to lean to the left, riding on that side of the tire for most of the 175 miles. I will have to stop soon and get it changed.

Pulled into a Best Western in Homestead, 'The gateway to the Keys' around 4:30. Sitting in the room having a well deserved Modelo. ;-)

Overall,  348 miles and 10 1/2 hours.