To tell you the truth, I wasn’t looking forward to today’s ride, after riding 85 miles yesterday with a fair amount of hills, a headwind, and the loss of an hour due to entering east coast time. That being said, my fears were completely unfounded, as the route today was relatively flat, and rode much, much faster than yesterday. The road surface was extremely good, and the traffic was relatively light, so I really don’t have much to complain about. All that being said, it did take me about 6 hours to finish the route, so I didn’t exactly set any speed records. I know I am going slowly when a HOUSE passes me, like it did today. Of course, the sign on the front of the truck read, “Wide Load”, which at first I thought they were referring to me, but alas, they were simply relocating a mobile home. But facts are facts, and when a house passes you, it may be time to start to try a little harder!
Our route today followed route 90, through the towns of Monticello, Greenville, and Madison, and also crossed over the Suwannee River, which runs 250 miles from South Georgia to Florida. (The river is the one that inspired the song, “Way down upon the Suwannee River, Far, Far, away…”. It is one of Florida’s state songs). I must admit, the more I see of rural northern Florida in the panhandle, the more I like it. Many of the towns are extremely clean, with beautiful moss-lined oak trees and breathtaking, antebellum style houses and southern style buildings, many of which have been well preserved, (unlike myself). Please don’t think that I am working for the chamber of commerce, or that I am considering a run for public office in Florida, however, if elected, I will serve. Just remember, vote early and vote often!
One of the highlights today was a trip through Greenville, which is the childhood home of Ray Charles. Greenville is relatively small, with a population of only 750 people, yet they have done a really nice job with their city park and downtown area. It doesn’t take too long to ride through this town, but it is well worth stopping at the park to see the statue of Ray, and read a little about his history. As a child, Ray was simply known as R.C. He grew up poor, and reportedly learned to play the piano from the owner of the Red Wing Cafe, (not to be mistaken for the Red Roof Inn). At the age of 7, Ray’s eyesight failed, and he was sent to a school in St. Augustine for the deaf and blind. During summers and holidays, he always returned to Greenville, to be around family. When he was 15, his mother died, and he suddenly found himself to be on his own. He took it upon himself to travel and exhibit his musical talent. The rest, as they say, is history. Ray is credited for pioneering soul music, and is considered to be one of the most outstanding musical talents of the century.
Tonight, we are staying at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds, in a modified warehouse with concrete floors and fake wood paneling. Essentially, it has the charm of an airplane hanger, however I’m not complaining, since it is technically indoors, though I am expecting any moment a sheep or perhaps an award winning pig to enter to inspect our barracks. Fortunately, we are located close to the rodeo arena, so hopefully there will be time after dinner to do a little barrel racing or rope a calf before lights out.
Tomorrow is a relatively short ride, with 56 miles on the menu to get us from Live Oak to the Oleno State Park in High Springs, Florida. Tomorrow will be a sad day, as it is our last scheduled tent camping of the tour. Providing a bear does not eat me during the evening, we will have an 80 mile day scheduled for the following day into Old Palatka, setting the stage for the final leg of our tour into St. Augustine. I suppose that even IF a bear should eat me, the group will STILL make the trip into Old Palatka. If this happens, my only hope is that the group says a few nice words about me at breakfast before mounting their saddles and riding onward. Hopefully that’s not too much to ask, is it?
The Walking Machine 