Day 32, - Sunday, June 20
Happy Father’s Day! I completely forgot about it but as I tell my 2 boys - every day is Father’s Day for me.
After last night’s Nashville Honky Tonk bust, I was happy to get back out onto the quiet road. Chris and I boondocked in a pleasant spot called Greenway at Fontenal. We left at 5:30am to get back to the stopping point and I was on the road at 5:45am. Today was the day I dreamed of when I thought about running across the United States - small country roads, rolling hills, canopy, history and friendly folk.
Lucky and I worked our way over the first half of the day as the temps rose to mid 90’s with plenty of humidity, he was feeling it by 9:30am, especially with the hot pavement. We were helped by an elderly couple doing yard work around 7am and they gave Lucky a hose to drink from. I chatted with the couple of 76 (woman) & 83 (man). She told me they gave up the internet a few years back and recently stopped watching TV - not sure what to believe in any media and when I asked about where they get news they told me “no need, we are following God’s master plan.”
Around 8:30am a dog ran out of a small trailer home and as Lucky ran towards it, he turned and hightailed it back to its owner - Savannah. She provided us with another bowl of water and I learned she is mother of 2 and moving in to take care of her grandmother and fix up her place.
After a refuel with Chris at 10am, I was out alone for the balance of the day. I enjoyed running into John Haley who showed me how the road I was on while marked Trail of Tears isn’t the original - which actually runs through his property. He also brought me to an old structure that he believed based on the foundational architecture was probably from the Trail of Tears period. We also discussed moonshine - he has with apple cider and it’s dangerous - to other interesting local facts - thanks for inviting me in!
We finished off the day in Port Royal TN - once a thriving commerce hub and today just a cross Road Town. The history is fascinating and can be found here if interested: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Royal,_Tennessee
I was shot after the 10 hour day and after 3 hot/humid days I’ve lost 9 pounds so I need to work harder on hydration. Shin is holding up for now so I’m hopeful to ramp up the miles slowly over next few weeks. I started week 1 with 120 miles and the last 7 days I’ve done 150 miles so progress toward the 35’ish miles I was doing prior to injury…one step at a time.
Tomorrow is Lucky’s chemo day which is an oral one. Our last vet was kind enough to provide everything we need to administer.
All for now -
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s!
Cheers,
David.
Getting ready to roll - pic by Chris
Sunrise on Father’s Day
Sunrise at Fontanel Park - pic by Chris
If Lucky isn’t running, he is in the co-pilot seat
Where’s Waldo? There is a baby deer in this picture…
John Haley
Winding country roads
Harmony Baptist Church founded 1835
Bourne Graveyard 1835
End of 10 hour day
Pre-shower rest on the floor w kisses from Lucky
