Baking on the highway...

Since my mental capacity is apparently diminished, I decided to go for a ride this past Saturday...yes, in the frikkin heat! What was I thinkin!!!
A friend rode with me and went headed south on Highway 421 from Wilmington towards Carolina Beach. Not a bad ride. I was told after 10am the traffic would be bumper to bumper, but luckily, it wasn't. As we crossed the bridge onto the strip of sand that makes up CB, a nice breeze picked up. Not "cool", but definitely not as hot as riding on a 4 lane blacktop road.
Anyway, we stopped at a little turn-out, for lack of better words, and snapped a pic or two with a pier in the background. The traffic still wasn't too bad, but people certainly don't like to stay within the speed limit. NOTHING gets under my skin as much as someone riding up close to the back of my bike as I observe the law. As we continued south, we made a stop at Fort Fisher. From the signs I saw, it was a historic Civil War battle site. Looked like a nice place to spend some time in cooler weather!!
Going further south, we hopped on the ferry over to Southport. By this time we were both drenched with sweat! What a relief that there was an air-conditioned lounge aboard!! Not wanting to risk heat stroke, we soaked up the A/C the entire 30 minute or so trip! Disembarking (credit for a big word!) in Southport, we rode to the tiny seafood place called "Yacth Basin Provision Co."...nicknamed simply 'Provisions.' I had the most incredible GrilledYelloFinTuna Sandwich ever!
As we finished up, a group of 8 or 10 bikers rode up. We found out they rode all the way from Fayetteville....yes, in the heat! Bless their hearts...I dont think I coulda made it that far!!!
We headed back up route 133 towards Leland. The further we got from the coast, the less actual "cool" air there was...gradually getting warmer, by the time we passed the Battleship, we were roasting! I coulda sworn as we crossed the bridge after the ship, the temp increassed 25 degrees!! It took about an hour to cool off, and re-hydrate.
I'm certainly looking forward to the same route when it's not so hot, and a leasurely pace can be maintained...!!