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Permit to fish, walk on water, or both? November 9, 2008Leave a comment ;)
Why would someone offer you a place to fish, require you to get a permit and then plant grass all over the bank and say you can't stand there? I bet someone didn't even stock the pond! Lure you in and gotcha! I left the hotel this morning and headed back up the road to start my ride where I left off in Brundidge, AL. A heavy fog was settled over the low points of the highway and made for a spectacular sight as we descended each hill and disappeared into the mist. Hwy 231 is four lane and the traffic was much lighter this morning than it was the day before. I loaded myself with a cup of strong caffeine and chatted with some local folks outside the store. I asked if this is an everyday occurrence and I was told it was their Sunday morning ritual. I've found these types of gatherings all across the nation, be it next to a gas station or a local cafe. The place to get the latest news and make plans for the day. This is the American experience, the people and their ties to the community! The stretch from Brundidge to Dothan was an easy pedal, some hills and a shoulder of varying width and rumble. This is also the home of Army Aviation, Fort Rucker, AL. Many of my friends at NASA and in the flight test community come from Army Aviation and have ventured through Fort Rucker during their training. One of my classmates from TPS, John Reddington is still here and I met his wife Jill for lunch. We met unexpectedly beside the road as I was off the bike taking a picture of the lower half of Buzz Lightyear! We had not seen each other in almost twenty years. It was nice to get together and talk about our kids and our experiences from our Test Pilot School days. Just as I was leaving Dothan I came across a small restaurant with a rather unique way to advertise their breakfast menu! The ride south into Florida was a piece of cake. I passed the National Peanut Festival (I didn't know there was one) and flew ride across the state line. Just beyond the spot where I took the state line photo, there is a very nice visitor's center that serves up great information and a fine glass of cold orange juice! I don't recall getting a free pineapple when I visited Hawaii. Maybe the Hawaii visitor's bureau needs to get with the program! I would venture to say that Hawaii doesn't have many bicycles coming across the border either... For every little bizarre piece of junk I find beside the road, there is always a sign that leaves me guessing as to the purpose behind it. I have no idea what "bull testing" might be, but they sure want you to know where it is done. Though their signage can leave me guessing, they sure know how to pave a highway. What a treat to cross the border and actually have a shoulder without a rumble strip and even markings for bicycles along the shoulder. I hope this is a constant theme as I head further east. As a native of Oklahoma, I have a strong affinity for peanuts. Raw peanuts. Not those salty roasted critters that make you crave liquid to wash them down with, but plain old raw goobers (eating goober peas). However, I have never had a "boiled" peanut! And I probably never will again! If you like boiled peanuts, more power to ya! Yuck! But the gentleman running the peanut stand was a most gracious host and warm soul. He boils his peanuts in an old beer keg and , according to my Dad, he had cars lining up for his product. The last leg of my ride today took me down Hwy 71 into Marianna, FL. The sun was setting just as I pulled into town, but I still had about five miles to cover before I pulled into the hotel near I-10. Tomorrow I will head back up to Hwy 90 and head east toward Tallahassee. It looks like I will be able to complete my journey to the Cape by Friday and be on hand to witness the launch of STS-126. According to Google Earth, I have another 393 miles to cover. If I pedal approximately 12 mph, how many hours should I pedal each day in order to arrive by 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon? Now that I have crossed my last state line, I am beginning to get a bit nostalgic about my ride. This has been a remarkable journey that I have enjoyed immensely and it is going to be hard to see it end. Every challenge that we face in life has some distinct period of time over which it occurs. There are times when the end sneaks up on you and you catch your breath that it went by so quickly. That's what it was like to fly in space. You train so hard and once you fly, it goes by far too quickly. Even though my trek has been much longer than my time in space, it has passed with alarming speed. So many memories, so many wonderful experiences. It has been my pleasure to share the journey with all of you. Thanks for being there for me! More Images: ;)
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3 Comments
Nov 10, 2008 11:08 am - Jerry wrote : John- looking forward to seeing you in Florida. I head out tomorrow for KSC. The crew will arrive around 1600. Hope you bring some good weather for a picture-perfect launch!
Nov 10, 2008 7:12 am - your lil sis & family wrote : Wow, I can't believe you are in Florida and will be at the Cape by Friday...you are right, this amazing trip has gone by so fast! We have enjoyed following your journey and look forward to finally being able to see you again soon!! We hope you have safe travels the rest of the week. The pictures are great! Love you lots, ls Add a comment: |
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OMG!! WOW! Amazing work! You DA MAN! You were sounding not so hopeful about making it to the launch, but now here you are! Already in FL! Not even 7 hours per day and you'll make it! Okay, I really was considering not going this weekend, because you weren't going to be there, and a host of other reasons, but it's ON! Haha TR and LW, you girls are gonna miss out! :-p see you soon! Neal, me and his posse of three actually 4, but i wanted to rhyme will be there with glasses raised for ya! Hugs - J