Misty Blue (Day Fifty-five)

I started today with a fantastic breakfast at the Brickhouse in Folkston, and met an amazing woman named Terry. She was a bartender at a casino in Biloxi for many years and really enjoyed it. The money wasn’t bad either. Now she’s living in Georgia, but I could tell there’s still so much she wants to do. We seemed to have a lot in common. She said she’d love to go to Ireland, and I said “Me too!” She wished me well and promised to keep in touch. 

I went off my route today, to save myself some miles. I’ve really been putting on a lot of miles each day lately, and I needed a break. Only 35 today. I headed north to 40 and then east. Once I reached 17, I headed south, to Florida. Riding through Georgia this morning was quiet and it was very foggy. I held my headlamp in my hand, since I lost the mount for it (long story). I was surprised how many people were driving through the fog with no headlights. I waved my light at them, but I don’t know if they got the message. It was so foggy, moisture accumulated on my eyelashes, which was kinda cool. 

I stopped at a gas station for a water, and a man going in said, “Hey, I like your rig!” I said, “Thanks! Me too! It got me here from Maine.” He looked at me in disbelief, and told me to be careful. 

As I approached the blue bridge into Florida, I noticed a familiar sound. I heard the cars going across, and could tell it was not paved. There was no sidewalk either. It was a narrow bridge with a grating for a surface, and that means trouble. I won’t ride on a surface like that because it risks a tire puncture. I got off and walked my bike across. Luckily, because it was early on Sunday morning, there weren’t many cars crossing the bridge. 

I stopped at the Welcome to Florida sign, and just cried. I couldn’t believe I was actually standing there with my bike in Florida. It was pretty awesome. 

I rode on for bit, and I spotted a pretty, young woman walking down the street. I waved to her and she flagged me down. She needed to make a call to get a ride, so I lent her my phone. She reminded me of Jenn Dobos, when we first met. She had red hair, cut-off jeans, tattoos, piercings and she was carrying a gold and silver-sequined backpack. Inside that, she had a teddy bear that also doubled as a backpack (I want one). After she made her call, she thanked me and asked if I’d like a knife for protection. I said sure, and she gave me a really nice knife (which will most likely be used for slicing apples and such...)

I made it to Yulee at 11:30, and again, I was able to check in early. I had some good Chinese food for lunch down the street, and thought it was interesting that every single person who came in ordered sweet and sour chicken. I had shrimp lo mein. After that, I went to the bowling alley to hang out and watch people bowl. I had a great time, and made a lot of new friends. Tomorrow I get to ride back to the ocean, and I can’t wait! This part of the trip is going to be incredible, I know. I’m so happy.