Road testing the Magic Bus

©2015 Lydia Hinshaw

Northbound near Flagler Beach, FL

Northbound near Mendocino, CA 

 ORMOND BEACH, FL -- After nine days in the shop, we ransomed the Magic Bus, which had been in for major surgery -- replacement of its timing chain and assorted other parts.

 We needed to put some miles on it before it goes in for a post-op checkup, and so last weekend we drove to St. Augustine, probably our favorite day trip.

 It's about 50 miles away, north up A1A, probably the most scenic coastal road in Florida, that is if you like natural scenery as opposed to high-rise condos, hotels or mansions.

 The road is straight flat and runs just parallel to the breakers.  Often, you race pacelines of pelicans, gliding without effort up the beach.

 The drive always makes me think of another coastal drive we've done several times now, in Northern California.  This is a roller-coaster road, rising and dipping and twisting and turning, sometimes right at the water's edge, and sometimes hundreds of feet above it.  Whoever is driving is busy wrestling the wheel around turns, and whoever isn't driving is holding on tight and, if it's me, trying to hold off motion sickness.

 I can't say I like one road better than the other, but I feel lucky to have enjoyed both.

 The Bus, by the way, performed perfectly.