you can rest assured, I’ll always do my best for her, on that I give my word…
With either fate or luck, or both, I’m typing this in Florida – have been in the state for about 15 miles.
3 weeks ago if you had told me I would have spent almost a full week in Alabama, no chance I would have believed it. Even more, to say that I have enjoyed the week would be an understatement – too many tales to tell. Alabama, complete with about 10,000 mountains/hills is amazingly beautiful; the hospitality, advice, humor, and good spirits have been more than I ever would have guessed.
A big thank you to the following:
Perry-ann @ the Piedmont Welcome center, Mr. Wallace from Piedmont, Officer Jordan from Jacksonville, David and Tina from Walmart (again, sooo helpful), everyone at Java Jolt in Jacksonville, everyone at the local hangout in Lineville (the post office), deputy on duty in Alexander City for lining a place for me to camp, Steve and owner from the bike shop in Auburn (4 spokes …), Georgia and mom, and family from Georgia B’s Country cooking in Newton, the folks at City Hall/local police in Newton for the clear on camping at the recreation center, John at Dothan Cycles for the good words, the spokes (4 more…!!!!…) and the deal on shoes/and pedals. The captain in the Army who put Diesel fuel in her car (seriously….) everyone in Reeltown, Louisville, Clio, Blue Springs, Clopton, Skipperville, Ozark, Pinkard, and Taylor. The two guys who stopped in the middle of nowhere to ask if I need help changing a ruined tube, in the middle of nowhere, The staff and employees of the Alabama Parks Service, and all the countless Alabama drivers, neighbors, workers, etc, etc, for the friendly wave or tip of the hat.
Alabama’s been fun, but since this is the Slow boat to Vancouver, (or Slow Hole for you Clutch fans…), I am pushing on. By tomorrow I should pick up on the formal Adventure Cycle Route in De Funiak Springs Florida, and then who knows. John at Dothan Cycles informed me this morning that my rear wheel on my bike should last at least until Lousiana, so that’s something to look forward to….
As for the mileage part, I lost my bicycle computer (be very weary of anything that says “touring, adventure, extremem” as it will pop off an anytime in the middle of nowhere, and down into a stream.)
This trip has turned into “I’ll get there when…”, so no idea how far I’ve gone – just a lot of pedaling…
Cheers, and, again thanks for the comments.
Jason
