Today's ride was along the beautiful gulf coastfor almost 40 of hugging the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. The first town we passed through was East Point, a small fishing community, known for its oysters. Tongers (the traditional name for oystermen) still harvest the oysters in the way they have for over a century. Working from small wooden boats (20-25 foot long) in shallow water, they use tongs that look like two rakes attached (in a scissor like fashion) to scoop the oysters to the surface and dump them into the boat. On shore, the seafood houses sort the oysters and package them for sale. The bay is carefully monitored to ensure the health and productivity of the oyster beds.

.There was was an optional stop at Ochlocknee State Park, which offers perfect examples of the scenic natural characteristics found along north Florida's Gulf coast. It has a diverse habitat of Pine flat woods and oak thickets with lots of wildflowers for wildlife (deer, bobcats, gray foxes and extensive bird life including red-cockaded woodpeckers).

Sopchoppy is our last overnight location and the home of the world Famous "Worm Gruntin' Festival. You' were able to watch a video of last year's festival and meet the 2004 "Worm Gruntin' King", tried our hand at gruntin' and viewed film footage of Charles Kuralt covering worm grunting and Sopchoppy in the 1970's.