From Union Springs to Eufaula, there were plenty of signs that somebody is spending a bit o' federal stimulus money. There is a lot of road work going on, folks. No need to doubt that your tax dollars are being spent. Lotsa nice, smooth new asphalt and pretty bright yellow paint being applied in east Alabama. Very nice ride east.
As I rode through Eufaula, which is always enjoyable, I decided I wouldn't mind living there. What a beautiful, but too short, ride under the overhanging trees and betwixt the rows of incredible old homes. Hard not to veer off and wreck the bike as I stared at beautiful house after beautiful house. On to a road I'd wanted to take previously, but never had:
82 east into Georgia. Cuthbert had some weird homes and a very strange-looking school, Andrew College (left). Wanted to shoot my own pics, but needed to haul ass. On through Dawson and into Albany, where it just so happened, my wonderful, sweet mom-in-law was attending a funeral yesterday. Didn't see her, but thought about her. South of Albany, lots more fed bucks at work...road work for miles.When I left home yesterday morning, my leather jacket was feeling just right. I had all the vents open and just enough cool breeze was blowing through. Couldn't have been more comfortable. As I made ground southward and the hours went by, I knew my attire might become a bit of a problem. Note to self: Uh, dumbass...you're riding in FLORIDUH. Just south of Monticello, I scarfed down some wings and tea and relaxed for a while. There was a lot of bitchin' and moanin' in the Tallahassee Democrat about ol' Bobby Bowden. Speaking of old...my old body was starting to feel the miles. Actually I was hurtin'. But the brief rest did wonders and when I got back on the bike, all was good in the world.
When I got to Chiefland, I couldn't help but smile at the high school's sign. So I looped back around, parked in the school lot, and got a pic. I'll add it later. Signs all around the lot prohibited trespassing and warned creepy old guys on bikes to stay away from the local kids. I thought about how this must look to the school security personnel: old guy, black jacket, black helmet, school is close to letting out, guy's got his camera out, out of state tag on bike...this can't be good. As I sat on the bike, I made a call to a friend who I knew would be able to find me a good local attorney quickly if need be. Yeap wehat! I gotta roll. So on down Hwy 19 I headed.
More than a few pteradactyl-sized bugs slammed into my faceshield after I got back up to cruising speed. Not full-grown pteradactyls...more like infant-sized ones with a wingspan of two to three feet. Healthy suckers that bang off your shield sounding like bullet impacts. I hadn't seen a drop of rain yet, so I kept the leather jacket on and the rainsuit stowed away. Sometimes my dumbassery boggles meself. According to the Tallahassee paper, record high temps were anticipated. Lovely. As I hit either Cross City or Crystal something or other, here came the rain. I saw a sign for Lecanto, which I had been considering visiting to see the Ted Williams Museum. (Apparently Lecanto is where the baseball great retired). As the rain wasn't coming down hard enough to clean the road, I dipped into a car wash bay to wait it out or to put the rain gear on. I got off the bike to call my son to ask about how far Lecanto was out of my way and to see if it was raining in Tampa. As I paced and talked, I was sweating buckets in that damn jacket. I was quickly edging toward extremely miserable. Josh directed me toward Lecanto and also to the Suncoast Parkway. I pulled back out intending to see Ted's crap, but then saw that I could hit the parkway (a toll road that cuts off many miles of 19, a miserable, trafficlight loaded, strip-mall blighted stretch) really easily from where I was. Sweat-soaked now, I headed toward Brooksville and hopped on the toll road. Once up to speed, I cooled off and dried out somewhat. That toll road is a lifesaver. Rather than dealing with the constant stop and go and bumper to bumper traffic that I experienced my first ride down here, it's miles of open, lightly traveled highway. Worth the combined $3.75 that I had to give up at three toll booths.
The exit I took in Tampa practically spit me out at Josh's house, so here I sit this morning after an evening of playing with the baby, enjoying a good meal, and scarfing down a beer with Josh and Kim and the neighbors. We're going to Ybor City in a few minutes, I think. I know Kim's glad to have Josh at home on a Friday and is anxious to get out and about for a change.
10/10 Here it is Saturday and I'm alone with a gorgeous woman in my arms. Don't fret, Punk...she's six months old and drooling all over my shoulder. Josh and Kim have gone to a friend's wedding at a beach. They'll be back this evening, so I'm babysitting. Yesterday was hot as hell, but a good day nonetheless. Ybor is an interesting area. Lots of cigar places, good food, and more tanned breasts than a man should have to look at. This morning we watched Josh's flag football team win a tough game, 7-6. Arkansas is wrapping up their win over Auburn and THE game of the day is about to begin, so Ryleigh and I have to go back in the other room.
Must remember to write about bevel worshippers. Pictures to be added ASAP.
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