Bartram Scenic Highway
(Route 13)
One Fine Ride.
The Saint John's River is Florida's longest flowing body of fresh water, stretching 310 miles over 18 central and north east counties. Rivers which flow from south to north are hard to find, the only other we can recall is the Nile.
Daytona Bike Week riders have a unique opportunity to explore this unconventional portion of east central Florida by rolling up route 13, and hopping on to the "Bartram Scenic Highway" at it's southernmost point, outside the town of Palatka.
The quick way is the superslab, I-95. Head north about 30 minutes and exit at route 206. Take a left, go under the overpass, and head west. When you come to rt 207, take a right and go north for a few miles until you come to a highly banked sweeping right turn, then pull off to the left and get on rt 13, the beginning of the "Bartram Scenic Highway" The first few miles is mainly farmland, which morphs into a leisure putt under giant oak trees with tons of hanging Spanish moss. You'll see lots of orange and grapefruit trees along the way, and nice homes line both sides of the road. At midday, sun rays poking through the treetop canopy is enough to mesmerize even the most jaded biker. You'll know when you're at the end of the nicest portion of 13. You'll see "Pacetti's Fish Camp", row boats for rent, plus a decent rv park. For pure gas, with no ethanol, look to the right for "Buddy Boy's" country store. The little pump has 89 octane, with no alcohol, for about $3.90/gallon. Run a couple tankfulls of this stuff, and you'll wonder what Rhodes scholar came up with the idea of dumbing down our petrol. The only other spot we know of in Volusia County (aside from the marinas) is "Daytona Gas 'n' Grills" on Ridgewood (US1) near Beach Street. Back to the Bartram Highway, after Buddy Boy's, you'll come over the top of a new bridge, and on the left will be the "Outback Crab Shack", fave of the locals. They didn't name it the "crab shack" for no reason. Flip flop crowd, mixed in with the bikers, riverfront dining and relaxation.
Outlet Mall or "Let's do it again!'
For the shoppers, keep heading north, until you come to a traffic light. Turn right, and a dozen or so miles will bring you out to the St Augustine Outlet Mall. From here, you can turn mama loose to blow wads of hard earned cash, or jump on I-95 for a quick jaunt back to Daytona. If you've enjoyed the riverside ride, pull a 180 and do it all over again!
