Day 26 - gainesville

Sat 12/25
Well, I made it to gainesville. Sorry for the blog delay, I ate christmas dinner and then crashed out early. I was really happy to get here, especially when it started pouring rain last night.
The ride was definitely a grind. I had wanted to leave early but didnt really get to. It was mostly flat but windy (again) and progress was slow. I was just beat from 70 miles the day before. I stopped for lunch after 30 miles at itchatucknee springs, the headwaters of the itchatucknee river. It was pretty and clear and blue but I didnt stay long and kept riding. I would be there later than I wanted already.
Jake had been at his parent's house outside of gainesville with the family, and he came back to meet in town. I showered up and we went back out there for dinner and amusements. There was family singing and a tree with all the trimmings. It was a great way to acknowledge the christmas season, which I sort of spent on a bike. I missed my family, my usual christmas companions, very much.
Im hoping to post some more ramblings from the ride and otherwise as they occur to me, so keep checking back.

Day 25 - white springs

I can't believe I'm only 70 miles from gainesville. this trip has gone by so fast. it really seems like just the other day that I was rolling out of austin. being on the road is lots of fun, but ill be really glad to be among friends tomorrow.
Before I set out, Oona made a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon and bagels. There was also fresh oj, a  probiotic smoothie and blueberries in the cottage fridge. It was amazing! Oona and Zef are great people who have a good instinct for doing what makes them happy. Theyve cast off the shackles of the workaday world in favor of a simpler life. I think thats why we got along so well.
Before I left their property I went to go check out an old family cemetary with a couple of c.s.a. markers in it. Once I hit the road, the first 40 miles were on highway 90. It was more rural and prettier than it had been in the preceeding days. I just tried to settle into a rhythm. After 30 miles I stopped for lunch and made sure to hit the open grocery store for a food resupply. I didnt want to be caught out on christmas with no lunch. It was still relatively busy, even on the smaller roads. I stopped frequently, but didnt take too many pictures. Mostly it was pine trees and farmland.
I crossed over i75 and turned into lees country campground, my last stop of the tour. Mostly they do rvs, but there was basically  no one here so I had my pick of the spots. Christmas eve dinner was mac n cheese with cookies for dessert. It felt like a treat to me. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I'm definitely feeling a little more alone tonight, but I just keep reminding myself ill be there soon. I talked to my family and to jake, and really felt loved.
I wish that I could provide some comprehensive insight to wrap up the whole trip, but it hasnt come to me yet. Probably because im not quite done. Ive really enjoyed writing blog though, because it helps me organize and categorize my thoughts. Look for some pictures tomorrow of the grand arrival. I cant wait to see everyone!

Day 24 - Monticello

Thurs 12/23
Today was fun. Now that Im so close I'm really savoring my remaining miles. Even though I've been feeling a little tired I wouldnt rather be doing anything else. I can't believe I'll get to gainesville in just 2 more days.
I left martha and vince in tallahassee and headed out of town south, despite my destination being almost due east. I took the flatter more rural longcut which started off on a city/rails to trails bikepath. I love bikepaths. I found a perfectly orange under a bridge and ate it. The bridge orange was good but not as good as the gas station orange I bought the day before. Florida, go figure. Anyway, I even saw someone else on a bike. He was stopped behind a bush drinking a 40oz malt liquor, but he was still astride his bicycle. I did actually see a couple other riders also (pedaling, not drinking). Once I got to roads it was scenic pine hills but there was holiday traffic. it just seemed like more traffic than there should be for a regular thursday. I stopped and checked out a few little spots that caught my eye, mostly ungated forest roads. They burn the underbrush here so it's not uncommon to see trees that are charred up to about 5 ft. I guess it doesn't hurt the trees.
I made sure to take another dirt shortcut on my way to monticello. Theyre fun, but my hosts live out past the pavement so I was guaranteed to have some dirt anyway. About 25 yds from their house the packed sand road finally gave way and I could ride no further.
I was greeted right away by Zef, who was working outside. He showed me to the cottage where im staying, which is basically a guest house. His wife Oona got back a little after me. they have several acres and it's really pleasant. after drinking a couple beers and chatting, another friend came over and we ate dinner. It was a very tasty lasagna.
I've got about 140 miles to go to gainesville. Its definitely 2 full days. I need to make sure to stop for groceries during the day tomorrow because everything will be closed in the evening and on christmas. Ill be having a christmas eve campout.

Day 24 - Continued

Day 23 - Tallahassee

Weds 12/22
No pictures today! I am such a slacker. I swore I took some, but they must be on the other camera. I thought about stopping more but I had such a nice tailwind that it didnt seem necessary. The last couple days have really been a nice respite. Im not sure if its the hills or just 1200 miles in 3 weeks but im feeling a little road weary. Earlier in the trip I would feel soreness in my legs at the end of the day, but it would be gone by morning.  Now its there pretty much all the time.
I saw two west bound tourists today, sarah and walter, who started in the catskills and were headed to san diego. Ill be back in austin by the time theyre there, so I told them to look me up and come stay.
The environs of tallahassee were noticably more affluent than the surrounding areas. All of a sudden I started seeing shiny black bmws and cadillac escalades with some big plantation style homes to match. Some years ago I imagine they were country houses and farms for the florida statesman, but now theure more like suburbs.
Tallahassee is probably the hilliest place ive been yet. I had to use the loweat gear on my bike for the first time climbing up the hill to the house where I was staying. My hosts, martha and vince, lived for many years in the hills of west virginia, and picked tallahassee partially because they liked the elevation profile. Theyre both very gracious hosts. They made delicious spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, and we were joined by their adult son nick. They even let me wash all my dirty clothes.
Im looking forward to the ride tomorrow. Part will be on a bike path, which is always nice. Im going to be staying in a little cottage in monticello. There will definitely be pictures of that, so dont worry! More later...

Day 22 - continued

Look out for gators!

Day 22 - chattahoochee

Tues 12/21
it was nice to get a bit of a rest today. I took my time getting ready, and on my way out went to go look at the highest waterfall in florida. It was really just a little trickle cascading down into a sink hole. the mild acidity of the water wears through the limestone over time, occasionally collapsing into caverns below. This forms the sinkholes. There were lots of other ones besides the one with the waterfall. Presumably they all had water flow at some point.
I only had about 50 miles to do before my next stop, so I took it easy. This was helped dramatically by my first tailwind in days. It was really nice to get a little help from the weather. Tomorrow should also be favorable. I took a few more dirt shortcuts and got off the highway for a little while.
My favorite sign from today was the one advertising "pistol ammo, guns, ice, cold beer, bait, cheap cigarettes, hunting and fishing licences". Why shouldnt you sell all those things in one place? Its better than superwalmart. Im also really close to the time zone boundary so all the signs say either cst or est. My phone also keeps jumping between hours.
Three rivers state park is pretty pleasant. Its right on lake seminole, which shares a border with georgia. I saw another nice moon rise over the water and got to sleep early. Tallahassee is my stop tonight, itll be nice to be in a house!