Wake up to the sound of birds and the lapping of waves on the lake next to our RV in River Forks Park, spot 45, at 5:14am. My routine is now in stone after 14 days but today it diverges - normally -> grab bathrobe, brush teeth, brew double coffee with cream & sugar, read news and here it is different because today is off day so i walk out to the lakeside with the coffee and listen to the harmony of nature, smell all the life around me and watch the moon and stars setting as the sun beckons a new day with hope.

I am also watching Lucky who is with me grazing on grass as if he thinks he is a cow!

Today I will learn my fate as Alex and I head into Athens GA to have an MRI done on the right shin that has been annoying me for the past 100 miles or so. Although it has stabilized as a constant pain of 6 or 7 out of 10, it is the hitting it on the right/wrong spot which becomes instantaneous debilitating pain of 9 of 10 that concerns Alex and I. Walking with Yash yesterday I thought out loud i would cancel the appointment - after all, I was able to walk 28 miles and my leg didn’t fall off?! Yash convinced me otherwise. So here we are checking in for the test...Big shout out and thank you to the team at MRI and Imaging of Athens for fitting me in on no notice!

Afterwards, Alex and I head to Jittery Joe’s Coffeehouse company to meet up with friend and co-founder Mike Ripps. I love wine, I love coffee. I’ve been to wineries around the world exploring the world of grapes but never had the opportunity to pursue the process and world of coffee, until today. I went to where they roast the coffee and Charlie, the Roastmaster, took me through the process and ran an Ethiopian bean through the roasting process while i stood there. I wouldn’t do the process justice by trying to describe it so I did better, I filmed him! What is missing from the film are the wonderful aroma’s of roasting beans that are wafting through the hangar they reside in. It is a magical place to visit if you have time coming through Athens but most importantly, the coffee is wonderfully balanced and elegant to drink. I was sent on the road with best wishes and a care package that included Ice Cream they make which I can’t wait to taste! Thank you for the hospitality Charlie, Mike and the rest of the Jittery Joe’s team! P.s. I asked Mike if dogs are allowed and he responded, “they are encouraged”. Lucky enjoyed the visit as well, we was sniffing around the hangar the entire time!

Alex and I are back at our home base now, a Walmart parking lot in Gainesville, GA getting ready for tomorrow’s stage to Dahlonega.

That’s all for now as I anxiously await the positive new I am hopeful to hear.

Thank you all for your ongoing support.