I was somewhat under the weather today, due to inflamed sinuses, likely spring-time allergies. Chose to ride with my glasses instead of contact lenses, and did a fair number of snot rockets off the bike….
Then I read the post of one of the other riders, Marilyn, a friend from CCST13 – it made me realize what a beautiful day it was:
“Well I don’t know if it’s all those Baptist Churches or because we’re in, arguably, the most god-fearing state of the US, but today I felt positively evangelical. The day started with a beautiful cool and sunny morning and just got better as the day grew. .. It was a joyful ride.
I was in a state of bliss at the wonders of nature – the blue skies and soft clouds, the graceful age-old trees in all their various shapes and forms, the green pastures and the corn and onion fields, the neatly planted rows of orchard trees, the lush green pastures, the birdsong, the vultures circling ahead forewarning of possible roadkill, the vultures (again) for cleaning up the roadkill so I don’t have to see it, the tiny caterpillar attempting to cross a gigantic expanse of bitumen road and risking being hit by car or bike, and the friendlier dogs on route. Then I marvelled at the man-made stuff – the men who forged and paved the smooth roads we were riding on, the road rules that make cars and trucks give us a safe and wide berth, the homesteads and the creative landscaping… ” She really appreciated the wonder of nature.
Now my photos of the day:
-
- Emily fixed breakfast at the trailer at the Cheeri-O Motel.
-
- Onion country.
-
- Recently harvested onions.
-
- Across the road from the onion field, corn growing.
-
- Morning shadows in the swamp.
-
- Durrence Home, built in 1872.
-
- Our destination for the night.
Before going to the hotel, I headed to The Bike Shop, to see about the constant click. Billy was most helpful and cleaned and lobbed my bottom bracket as well as my pedals – no more strange sounds. While riding back from The Bike Shop, I wandered through the campus of Georgia Southern University, which is just across the street from our hotel – 20,000 students, though I think many of them have already headed home.
-
- Originally an Agricultural and Mechanical School, then a Teacher’s College, became George Southern College in 1959.
-
- Their mascot is the Eagle.
-
- The Botanical Garden was closed for a private party. Others saw a Raptor Show – I was too late.
Cue sheet called for 47.3 miles, I ended up with 60.85. Early bedtime tonight to nurse my runny nose – and prepare for a 70 mile day tomorrow.