Tonight, after cooking dinner for my hosts and making a mess of their kitchen and stove, I have wheeled out my trike and locked it up, ready to roll in the morning. All the bags have been hauled back in because there is a lot of theft in the area. I will have to re-assemble things in the morning.
I am setting the alarm for 5 a.m. It is going to be a hot day so I would like to be through the SunCoast trail by noon. We'll see. I did NOT arrange for a stop/sleepover part way. Years ago, George and I rode the whole way from Inverness to Tarpon Springs. 83 miles. Can I do it now in this heat? I have packed nuts and salty snacks, a bottle of Gatorade and two thermoses of ice water. There will be gas stations and restaurants and parks along the way for refilling the waters and refueling. Since George and I rode to Tarpon, we moved 5 more miles away... 88 miles.
Several friends ride over 100 miles several times a year. Preston rode his trike 100 miles in one day for every week of the year just a few short years ago. Dana Thomas recently biked across Florida in summer heat. Over 100 miles. I am only 66, I got this! Just the same, I might put a shout out for possible lodging in Brooksville just in case.
Today Ellen and I tried walking but it got too hot in the sun and we turned around (95 and humid).
Ellen took care of her husband living with dementia. Now she is caring for her 93 year old Mom that has some short-term memory loss. As we talked I have learned that her adult life has been about caring for others. Children, foster children, homeless people, disabled old dogs, and me, all under the her momma-bird wings.
I hope to see her and Amy again at a Sister's on the Fly event.
People bless and delight us with their caring and understanding. And that us such an encouragement as we travel through this life.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have found that life would be very hard indeed if it weren't for the help of friends and even strangers. The acts of kindness humble me, yet raise up my heart in gratitude.
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