What a Small World

Tony's View

Let me explain what I mean about it being a small world. We had been traveling down Highway 98 for about 35 miles today when we found Sacred Heart Catholic Church and decided to stop there for a break. After recharging, we were getting ready to leave and my phone rang. The call displayed from Rome, Georgia. I thought it was a junk call, but answered it anyway. I said, "Hello" and she said, This is Joy." I said, "Who?" She said, "Joy Walker," and it hit me. I was happy to hear from Joy and said, "What a coincidence. We are on a bicycle tour." You see, Joy is a friend of Wade and mine from the Cross Country bicycle trip we took in 2010. (See www.tonychasingwade.blogspot.com) Joy has since been on other bicycle trips with us too, including GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure) and PALM (Pedal Across Lower Michigan), with several of our family members (Marla, Nick, & Joan). Anyway back to the story. Joy said, "Are you in the Florida Panhandle?"  I said, "Yes on Highway 98." She said, "I just passed you! I thought it was you because who else has a bicycle like that!" The world is so small. What are the chances that we would be on the same road at the same time? We talked for about 10 minutes and caught up on our kids and her Uncle Will. 

We started out today crossing a big bridge, the longest one on this trip. It was 5 miles long. Great views as you can see from the picture above. We came across the bridge to East Point. After crossing the bridge, the road was in bad shape again for many miles from the storm surge of Hurricane Michael. Through one of the construction areas where it went to one lane, we had a Sheriff behind us so we hurried and got inside the barrels. The Sheriff got on his loudspeaker and thanked us for hurrying to get over so traffic didn't back up too much. Later, down the road there was a sign that read, "State prisoners at work." When we got to that area, the prisoners waved and yelled, "Neat bicycle." As nice as they were, you wonder what life experinces got them to where they are. We truly have a lot to be grateful for. We saw signs today for bear crossings. We were in good hands though because Joan watches the TV Show "Alone" and she knows what to do if we would see one. Just say, "Hey bear." 😀 We were wondering if they went fishing in the Gulf or not. I doubt it because they are probably fresh water bear. 😂 

After about 15 miles, Joan spotted a porta potty in someone's front yard and we stopped to use it. After we both used it, a lady came out of her nearby trailer and asked if she could help us. We said that we just needed to use the porta potty. She was very nice and was glad to help us out. We actually woke her up with our talking. She told us that they just got finished rebuilding their log cabin when Hurricane Michael wiped it out. Now they are rebuilding it again, but this time on a platform. She had a wonderful attitude about it. She also said that she would pray for angels to protect us on our trip.

The picture to the right shows two storage containers on concrete columns up in the air. Friends of mine, Lisa and Nate, own a lot in the Bahamas on the water. They told me that they were planning on shipping their stuff down there in storage containers and then use the storage containers as their house. So if they have hurricane and storm surge issues down there, this might be a good idea for them.

 As mentioned before, we stopped at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Joan found these paths behind the Church with statues spread out along the paths. This is something like what I want to do in the back yard in the woods of our new lot.

After leaving the Church, we ran into Tate's Hell State Forest, I had to get a picture of it because of it's an interesting name. This State Forest went on for many miles.

Further down the road, we got our first flat tire on any of Joan and my trips. Actually, it is the first flat on this bicycle. We were riding on the shoulder when we heard, "pssssss." Not sure how to spell that but I am saying it as I type it, so hopefully that helps. Joan said, "Now that is a flat" as it was happening, and as you can see in the picture, it was completely out of air. The other pictures are pictures Joan took during the repair process.

The picture to the left show Joan's idea to jack up the front of the bike by placing our bags under her seat to make it easier to get to. Below, I was trying to find out what actually caused the flat but found nothing, which can be scary because it could lead to another flat. To the right I was pumping up the new tube with our handy pump. 
After repairing the tire, we stopped at the next gas station convenience store so that I could washed up and grab a few snacks. While we were there, a couple pulled up next to us in their car. Their windshield wipers were constantly running and they couldn't turn them off. We watched and snickered with them as they attempted to find a solution. Another first for us - windshield wipers that won't quit. That couple eventually decided to drive with the wipers on all the way to Tallahassee because they had a doctor appointment to get to.

On the way to the hotel for the night, the first 48 miles we were able to dodge the rain. However, the final 4 miles we got wet and the bike got dirty with grit and sand. When we got to the Best Western, they gave us some rags to clean it up. One last thing, they had a washer and dryer, and our clothes are clean once again.

Joan's Extras

# of Bear Crossing Signs - 4

# of Realtor Signs with Bears under it - 1

# of Bears seen - 0

Hey all, it's Grandma Monday so here is what I what I am missing in Ohio:

Luke, the puzzle Guru

The rest of the Wolters - Nick, Todd & Cara