Hey folks, we know we've been negligent in keeping up to date with blog posts. It's been more challenging than we thought! Here are a couple small moments from the last couple of weeks...
In Ormond Beach, FL we had the opportunity to see the Fairchild Oak Tree reported to be 2,000 years old! Later we had dinner with Andrew's parents Fred and Alice, and as it turns out, Alice played a pivotal role in saving the land from development. I think she's my new favorite superhero! She gave us Fairchild Oak ribbons from the rededication ceremony, and I've just sent mine home for safe keeping.
Outside of Gainsville, FL we came across a telescope in someone's yard.
We were perplexed! I knocked on the resident's home and were greeted by Vivian. Turns out her husband purchased the telescope for $10,000 and designed the platform and 'faux' NASA text for it. He's a member of the Planetary Society and takes photo after photo of the moon, planets, and stars. Unfortunately he was at work, so were were unable to see the 'scope inside. It was however, a great experience.
In Tallahassee, FL we stayed with Lexi, Collin's awesome friend who gave us a place to stay for the night on a day that started with 30 mph winds and 97% humidity. Her and her roommates live in house with all of flair of a Portland house. So awesome! Her roommate Mary made a yummy vegan dinner and we had the best green bean casserole either of us have EVER HAD. Thank you Lexi and Mary!Pensacola, FL...I met a man who has walked over 4,000 miles in the United States. Steven, is starting is working a project in which land will be set aside for a 200 mile walking tour of America History. With it, he hopes to create economic, social and environmental awareness to the problems we repeat, and have repeated over time. He told me that he has perfect Karma. A gift given to him by a woman he thought at the time, was crazy. On a 1,500 miles stretch he said it never rained on him once, even though the camera crew that was following him was drenched. It was FOX news. He said 'Why are you following me?' They wanted to take his picture, and then became fascinated with his journey. He said the reason they were drenched and not he, was his perfect Karma. They were after all, from FOX news.
In Perdido Key, FL a storm hit early. (4pm instead of 10pm). We quickly dove for cover and made a plan. We would sleep on the beach, and set up the tent under an awning first at a nearby resort, thus keeping the tent as dry as possible. First though, we would grab a margarita at the nearby Mexican restaurant. It continued to pour outside. Our plan *mostly* worked. We set up the tent, but hand not accounted for extreme wind. Have you ever tried to walk a tent out to the beach with 20 mph wind gusts? Good grief. We used my panniers to secure the tent inside. Collin grabbed the rest of our things while I secured water bottles to the tent rain fly ends. Feeling deserving of some comfort, we donned our swim suits and visited the hot tub at the resort behind us. It was a nice moment prior to a very long night. The wind howled, the lighting flashed, the rain thundered on the tent- and we waited patiently, for the morning. 
Ahhhh.... Alabama! Our stay in Alabama was brief. We took the ferry to Dauphin Island. After looking for a place to camp we hit up the local tavern to write postcards and BE WARM. It was 40 degrees most of the day and we were cold! The Pelican Pub was just the spot. Here we met Paula, Grace, Karen, Randi, and Mitch 
who were watching the North vs. South football game and having a potluck dinner. Paula, the manager of the bar invited us to eat, and we stuffed ourselves with southern cornbread, cabbage, black beans, and dumplings. We had a great time chatting with them, and much laughter was had. Grace, of Grace Tyson,real estate, gave us a spot to sleep for the night in an awesome vacation house a 1/2 mile away. It was amazing! We've been completely blown away by the generosity that people have shown us on this trip. Paula, and Grace, thank you so so much!Now we're in Bay St. Louis, MS about to enter Louisiana. Yesterday, after waking to a frosty morning,
a couple stopped us on the road and gave us grapes and yogurt. Her and her husband lost their home in Katrina, and we felt humbled by their generosity in the face of having gone through so much. Last night we stayed in Biloxi, MS. The Gulf coast here is somewhat eerie. Walkways that lead up to houses that no longer exist line the entirety of the coast line. New Casinos seems to be disrupting what looks like a small community trying to keep, or create its identity.
On a more positive note, we stayed behind a church and met Jonny this morning, a neighbor of the church, who made us cappuccinos!
Jonny was a messenger in D.C. for 12 years and has toured in Europe twice, and seen the Worlds, and was a devote Italian bike lover. He shared stories and photos while we sipped our coffee and gifted us with two wolf arrowheads from the region. The days are packed with so many moments, it's hard to keep up! Pedaling on...
-Smash
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