Pappy Smith's Adventure Continues

Trisha and I rode27 miles today . Started out in Trenton FL and rode to Devil's Den in Williston FL  Great day for a ride very little wind mostly flat.  We got here by 11:30 am. Set up camp and Trisha went snorkeling in the springs here. Nice campground primitive tho. Closest town is Williston about 2 miles away. Still taking it slow. Butt is recovering slowly.  Will have the next few days off to recoup when we get back tomorrow. Loved the picture of the old house on the way here. Wish I could of gotten closer. I will  post tomorrow about our  ride then when Pam and I go on our cruise will be the next blog. Good  night God Bless

My day started out with my  butt still hurting.  My feet felt alot better. I got on the road about 8 am. Weather was looking a little iffy. Started out and about a half hour in starting to rain. Put on my rain gear and about half hour later it stops. Take off rain gear and continue on. My butt is still hurting.  This is the first time since I've been riding that I have had a issue. Just think it was from riding in the rain the day before and not being able to changes clothes. Trisha picked me up just outside of Gainesville.  I got in 40 miles today. Stopped and picked up butt butter for the ride tomorrow.  Trisha and I are riding to Devils Den I believe.  About 27 miles only. Trying to get in alot of riding before Pam and I go on a cruise with Shirley and Jerry. Leaving out of Miami to Key West then Cozmel. We leave out Monday and back on Friday. Excited to see Pam! Will blog tomorrow about riding and update on my butt. Lol. Good night God Bless

Today I left Ormond Beach. Today was the first day I ever started a ride in the rain.  It poured down rain about 40 minutes.  The wind was blowing 30-40 miles per hour. Mostly out of the east to start then more from the north.  It blew so hard that the sand came over the sidewalks where you were not able to ride. Had to push my bike thru the sand on the sidewalk.  After lunch I had to ride on the road but the wind was blowing so hard I had to put on my rain coat to protect my face and arms from the sand. I rode 40 miles to Crecent City with a headwind most of the day. Once I turned and headed west the wind was at my back. The last 25 miles went by pretty fast. The only issues were my feet and butt. Rode all day with wet feet and clothes.  Will not do that again. Posted a few pictures today. I had to post the picture my  granddaughter sent me. She  caught a nice bass. Very proud of her! Also a picture  of Trisha,  she was supposed to ride with me but weather was looking

Good evening all! I am home for now from my bicycle trip up to Mackinaw then down to Traverse and up to Leland.  Total 650 miles. Pam picked me up in Leland. I had a great time visiting with my nephew Andy and is wife Amy and there beautiful twins Max and Claire plus baby Eleanor.  What a beautiful family! I was able to help them build a deck on the back of there house so they have more room for the children to play and the adults to unwind. Also put steps on the driveway side of there front porch.  It was alot of work but I truly enjoyed being there to help. Amy's parents let me stay in there cottage while I was there. Bob and Arden are some wonderful people! They really help out with the children! They truly are a blessing for Andy and Amy. I also got to visit with Amy's sister Beatty and her husband John and there children Rook and Biggs. I hope I spelled his name correctly.  We truly had some good times together either sitting around talking or over dinner or out drinkin

Good morning all, I arrived in Leland monday afternoon  at Amy and Andy's.  Planned on being here visiting and helping them build a deck off the back of there house. Andy works days and coaches soccer 3 nights a week. So during the week a slow process to get it laid out and dug out. Saturday we got all the framing in and started laying out the deck boards. Doing a picture frame on the outside so a little time consuming to make sure its right. We will start on the deck about 12:30 today and see how much we can get done. Just wanted to let everyone know doing well and still might get in a couple more days of riding before I head home. Beautiful children of Amy and Andy's. Eleanor, Max and Claire. Love my family! Good day God Bless

Today I was up at 6:00 am. Made my coffee and oatmeal.  After breakfast packed up and headed out.28 mile ride to Leland today and 1/2 of it was a bike trail. Meet 2 guys going the other way. I believe Tom and Tim. Father son. The left Suttons Bay and were headed for Charlevoix.  Arrived about 1 pm in Leland.  Stopped in town for lunch and a drink. After lunch rodr my bike to Amy's parents where theh are putting me up to we get Andy's deck built. Max, Claire and Eleanor are getting so big and cute. Not sure how long I be here so I dont know if I will blog every day. Good night God Bless

Got up around 6:30am to start packing up. Got everything but the tent packed was waiting for the sun to dry it a bit so I had my coffee and oatmeal. I was on the road by 8 :10am. What a great morning to ride.  I rode St Rt 31 in to Traverse City.  When I got close to town I had no berm and no sidewalks.  Rode in the rode and a few people were not happy about it. As soon as I got to a sidewalk I got off the main road. A little scary for a bit there. Arrived Traverse City State Park around noonish.  Will be here for the night then up to Leland tomorrow.  Not sure how long I will be staying there yet. My nephew Andy talked about building a deck.  Still might be able to ride south a bit before heading home on the 18th. A good 30 mile ride today and a 28 mile ride tomorrow. Still feeling great!! Sti working on getting in shape. Almost z month of riding and only 1 day with a headache on the trip. Plan on making a couple blogs to post a few pictures.  Good night God Bless

Today started well! Heading out of campground meet up with 2 bicyclists heading to New Orleans. I was only going to ride 26 miles but decided to ride 20 miles further so I could make Traverse City tomorrow. The other couple were from France and only riding 26 miles today. We parted ways and I headed towards Barnes campground. Today turned out to be  warm day. Stopped and had lunch in Charlevoix.  Headed on for about 12-13 miles stopped for about a 1/2 hr to cool off and fill water jugs. Got to Barnes campground and they were full also but let me set up in the over flow section. What I can tell beautiful campground.  Wi explore later after charge phone and other devices. Still dont have wifi or great cell service. Will try and post a couple pictures today. Good night God Bless

Just a quick blog. No power to recharge and very little reception. Just wanted to thank Pam for coming up and bringing Maddee and Heather.  Had a great time in Mackinaw City and on Mackinaw Island. Pam dropped me off and I rode 22 miles to Petoskey State Park.  Will spend the night here then on to Charlevoix for tomorrow night. Sending no pictures till I have a good wifi connection. Doing great slowly getting in shape. Good night God Bless

My day off! Trained on and off most of the day. Rested most of day.  Good night God Bless

Got up around 6am and starting packing up. Packed and heading out of VFW by 6:45am. Stopped at Bob Evan's for breakfast.  On the road by 8am. Decided to ride a bike trail. Sorry I did, was going to save me 5 miles but ended being a tougher route then expected.  Small gravel trail some packed some not. With all my gear was only riding 6-7 miles per hour. Riding on this trail about 20 miles.  Finally came to a state route so ended up taking it and rode a total of 42 miles today.  That is the most ridden so far on this journey.  Staying at another Michigan state campground.  Spending 2 nights. I have ridden 3 days in a row. Head out Tuesday for Mackinaw City. Will have about a 50 mile ride. Worst case Pam can pick me up drive to Mackinaw City. She her Daughter Heather and my niece Maddee coming up to hang out a couple days. Love when a plan comes together. Tired so calling it a night. Good night God Bless