SEPTEMBER JOURNAL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
I wake up at Levi's house in Sarasota. This is Levi's last day of work as he is going up to Michigan to see the Wolverines play the opener on Saturday. Vacation mode will slowly come over him today. I head out to Starbucks at the corner of Fruitville and Honore to continue working on my website update. Before I go in, I stop at Publix and grab a $5 foot-long turkey and cheese sub. They are good there. I have it put into two bags. One for breakfast and one for lunch.
I eat my first sandwich and grab a coffee at Starbucks. I will be here all day. I hadn't realized there was so much to do. Every hour or two I take a break and stretch. Some folks here are regulars who sit for a few hours. Especially old men. God, please keep me from that! Rehashing life and fixing the world every morning from ten till noon. Not for me! I grab a refill for 50 cents. Later I will get a frappichino for only two bucks using the coupon the coffee receipt. So, I spend a total of less than ten dollars for food, coffee and internet. A good deal.
A few are working diligently on their computers. I wish I could see what they are doing. One young guy, probably in his late 30's, has been there most of the day working away at a table in front of me. He takes a break and I make a comment. We chat. His name is Mike and he, his wife and two children, 8 and 10, have been living in an RV for a year and a half. This has been his dream for some time. Out of the blue one day his wife brought up the idea. They spent at least nine months praying and deciding what to do. He has a successful web design company in California and now he does that on the road. He got rid of the building in California and sold his house as well. They love it.
He and his family are Christians. He and I agree that traveling like this brings one closer to God. Very much so. It is an exciting life. It is good to fellowship with another Christian who understands.
Another fellow I meet was there in the morning and again in the evening. We chat. He makes websites with a lot of Java scripts for a printing company. He has been at it for seven years and now things are taking off. The money is pouring in and he would rather work out of Starbucks in Sarasota than some cold place up north. He is looking to buy a tiny mansion down here. Good for Dave! He is a nice guy, too. And he inspires me to think of way to use my skills to deliver quality for a fee.
It's getting late and I head back to Levi's place. I shower and change clothes. I want to go to the Ritz for dancing tonight and the best chocolate you will ever taste! It is a very nice place and the band is excellent. Plus I know a few people there. I go and get some dancing in. I even meet a friend of a friend from a few of the dances back in Ohio and Indiana. Joyce is her name and she is there with some friends. I remember first where I have seen her before and have fun with that. I tell her that I used to date one of her friends. Then I give her name. Joyce then realizes who I am and we laugh. The dance ends around 11 PM and I head back to Levi's place.
Ed, his roommate comes in later. Levi is putting the finishing touches on a video he made for his mother. He is very, very good. I watch the video and am duly impressed. His mom, my cousin, is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I tell Levi I am writing a journal of my travels and he shows me a book about a film maker, Robert Rodriguez, "Rebel without a Crew". It might help he says to see how a journal looks in print. I set the book aside and will look at it tomorrow. We chat a while and I hit the rack.
I eat my first sandwich and grab a coffee at Starbucks. I will be here all day. I hadn't realized there was so much to do. Every hour or two I take a break and stretch. Some folks here are regulars who sit for a few hours. Especially old men. God, please keep me from that! Rehashing life and fixing the world every morning from ten till noon. Not for me! I grab a refill for 50 cents. Later I will get a frappichino for only two bucks using the coupon the coffee receipt. So, I spend a total of less than ten dollars for food, coffee and internet. A good deal.
A few are working diligently on their computers. I wish I could see what they are doing. One young guy, probably in his late 30's, has been there most of the day working away at a table in front of me. He takes a break and I make a comment. We chat. His name is Mike and he, his wife and two children, 8 and 10, have been living in an RV for a year and a half. This has been his dream for some time. Out of the blue one day his wife brought up the idea. They spent at least nine months praying and deciding what to do. He has a successful web design company in California and now he does that on the road. He got rid of the building in California and sold his house as well. They love it.
He and his family are Christians. He and I agree that traveling like this brings one closer to God. Very much so. It is an exciting life. It is good to fellowship with another Christian who understands.
Another fellow I meet was there in the morning and again in the evening. We chat. He makes websites with a lot of Java scripts for a printing company. He has been at it for seven years and now things are taking off. The money is pouring in and he would rather work out of Starbucks in Sarasota than some cold place up north. He is looking to buy a tiny mansion down here. Good for Dave! He is a nice guy, too. And he inspires me to think of way to use my skills to deliver quality for a fee.
It's getting late and I head back to Levi's place. I shower and change clothes. I want to go to the Ritz for dancing tonight and the best chocolate you will ever taste! It is a very nice place and the band is excellent. Plus I know a few people there. I go and get some dancing in. I even meet a friend of a friend from a few of the dances back in Ohio and Indiana. Joyce is her name and she is there with some friends. I remember first where I have seen her before and have fun with that. I tell her that I used to date one of her friends. Then I give her name. Joyce then realizes who I am and we laugh. The dance ends around 11 PM and I head back to Levi's place.
Ed, his roommate comes in later. Levi is putting the finishing touches on a video he made for his mother. He is very, very good. I watch the video and am duly impressed. His mom, my cousin, is one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I tell Levi I am writing a journal of my travels and he shows me a book about a film maker, Robert Rodriguez, "Rebel without a Crew". It might help he says to see how a journal looks in print. I set the book aside and will look at it tomorrow. We chat a while and I hit the rack.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
I say goodbye to Levi as he is leaving soon. I will stay the weekend. Yeah! I head back to the Starbucks and keep working on my website. I work all day and get a lot accomplished. But not done with July's journal yet. The Keys are hard to piece together and write about, but I am almost done.
That evening I go to Marina Jack because the Ventures are playing and they are very good. My girlfriend and I heard them a week ago at Mattison's downtown. I dance just a little. It feels good just to sit and watch the people. When it is over I walk to the park and have a seat. The night air is perfect. After about an hour I return to Levi's apartment.
That evening I go to Marina Jack because the Ventures are playing and they are very good. My girlfriend and I heard them a week ago at Mattison's downtown. I dance just a little. It feels good just to sit and watch the people. When it is over I walk to the park and have a seat. The night air is perfect. After about an hour I return to Levi's apartment.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011
I work from the apartment in the early morning, around eight o'clock or so. I dress up the home page with some new ideas. It now looks cleaner and sharper. Good. Then I sit around and do hardly nothing but watch a little TV. I think I should go jog Siesta Key Beach again and I really need the exercise so I get up, pack a couple of sandwiches and a few soda pops and go. Parking at Beach Access #5 is hard. There is a pick up in front of me just waiting. I pull in behind and wait as well. I have time.
Finally a car leaves and the pick up gets the spot. I am next. An SUV pulls in behind me. They unload and the guy takes the SUV to find a parking place somewhere else. Many people come off the beach but no one moves their car. I wait. Finally, someone gets in their SUV and pulls out. I park my cargo van, making sure to pull well forward into the trees so others can get by.
I put on my tennis shoes and grab a water. I head to the northern end of Siesta Key Beach and start my exercises. It is about 2 in the afternoon and it feels good. I take off at 2:48. I put on some music and find that I am not much of a fan of Zydeco anymore. I guess it is getting old and I want something more upbeat, and not just fast. I change to another playlist. The beach is full of folks having a good time.
I want to jog this non-stop as it is only three and a half miles. My pace is very good through most of the jog. About the last mile I slow down. I make it to the cement wall at 3:29. I wanted to make it at 3;28, but even though I kicked it in at the end I just couldn't do it. But it is still a good time. Forty one minutes for three and a half miles. I'll take that. Then I walk back, stretching my left calf often. For some reason my left one is the tight one. On the way back I get bored and toss my 32 oz. water bottle high into the air. And I catch it one-handed! I do it again and drop it. So, I keep doing and keep on dropping. Finally I catch it again and a group under a tent all clap. This is fun. I raise my bottle in victory.
I keep doing it for a while and then just walk. I get back just before five. I grab my chair, my cooler bag, book and, like a good Marine, I hit the beach! It feels really good just to sit there. Of course, I forget my sun screen again.
I am reading the book and relaxing, watching the people walk by. The later it gets the more couples stroll along the beach. Some serious, many holding hands and a few look really happy. One couple in particular looks very happy. They are about my age, an attractive couple. As they walk by, I watch and think they have just met. You know how when a couple meets and they hit it off, they begin to share their thoughts and feelings and find the other completely open to them. The smiles are everywhere and so is the chemistry. Well, this couple has that! It is fun to watch. After they pass by I go back to reading my book.
A large, extended family hits the beach right next to me. The guy says he is from Cali. What is Cali? California. Oh. They are a little loud and block my view of the sunset. While in Utah on a motorcycle ride, I met some folks who had moved from California to Utah. They say the folks in California have become to obnoxious to deal with. I lived in California for a year back in the early 80's and it wasn't that way. Now I can see the Utah's couple's point! After a while I move about 30 yards down the beach. I like the quiet and they are entitled to have their fun. A little too loud for me. (They have never had neighbors?)
I see that one couple with all the chemistry walking back, so I head to the shoreline to say hi. I greet and tell them what I am thinking. First, that they look so happy together. They like that. Who wouldn't? I thought they were married at first because she had a ring on, but he didn't so I didn't ask. I did ask if they had just met and then said no. Well, they still look like the happiest couple in the world. He says if she wasn't there he would be what I am doing - siting on the perfect beach reading a good book. And I say that I would be doing what they were doing if my girlfriend wasn't in Chicago! We say goodbye and I go back and pick up my book. Ahh....
Finally a car leaves and the pick up gets the spot. I am next. An SUV pulls in behind me. They unload and the guy takes the SUV to find a parking place somewhere else. Many people come off the beach but no one moves their car. I wait. Finally, someone gets in their SUV and pulls out. I park my cargo van, making sure to pull well forward into the trees so others can get by.
I put on my tennis shoes and grab a water. I head to the northern end of Siesta Key Beach and start my exercises. It is about 2 in the afternoon and it feels good. I take off at 2:48. I put on some music and find that I am not much of a fan of Zydeco anymore. I guess it is getting old and I want something more upbeat, and not just fast. I change to another playlist. The beach is full of folks having a good time.
I want to jog this non-stop as it is only three and a half miles. My pace is very good through most of the jog. About the last mile I slow down. I make it to the cement wall at 3:29. I wanted to make it at 3;28, but even though I kicked it in at the end I just couldn't do it. But it is still a good time. Forty one minutes for three and a half miles. I'll take that. Then I walk back, stretching my left calf often. For some reason my left one is the tight one. On the way back I get bored and toss my 32 oz. water bottle high into the air. And I catch it one-handed! I do it again and drop it. So, I keep doing and keep on dropping. Finally I catch it again and a group under a tent all clap. This is fun. I raise my bottle in victory.
I keep doing it for a while and then just walk. I get back just before five. I grab my chair, my cooler bag, book and, like a good Marine, I hit the beach! It feels really good just to sit there. Of course, I forget my sun screen again.
I am reading the book and relaxing, watching the people walk by. The later it gets the more couples stroll along the beach. Some serious, many holding hands and a few look really happy. One couple in particular looks very happy. They are about my age, an attractive couple. As they walk by, I watch and think they have just met. You know how when a couple meets and they hit it off, they begin to share their thoughts and feelings and find the other completely open to them. The smiles are everywhere and so is the chemistry. Well, this couple has that! It is fun to watch. After they pass by I go back to reading my book.
A large, extended family hits the beach right next to me. The guy says he is from Cali. What is Cali? California. Oh. They are a little loud and block my view of the sunset. While in Utah on a motorcycle ride, I met some folks who had moved from California to Utah. They say the folks in California have become to obnoxious to deal with. I lived in California for a year back in the early 80's and it wasn't that way. Now I can see the Utah's couple's point! After a while I move about 30 yards down the beach. I like the quiet and they are entitled to have their fun. A little too loud for me. (They have never had neighbors?)
I see that one couple with all the chemistry walking back, so I head to the shoreline to say hi. I greet and tell them what I am thinking. First, that they look so happy together. They like that. Who wouldn't? I thought they were married at first because she had a ring on, but he didn't so I didn't ask. I did ask if they had just met and then said no. Well, they still look like the happiest couple in the world. He says if she wasn't there he would be what I am doing - siting on the perfect beach reading a good book. And I say that I would be doing what they were doing if my girlfriend wasn't in Chicago! We say goodbye and I go back and pick up my book. Ahh....
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
I don't know which church to go to today. I opt for the charismatic church on Lime Street. No Sunday School, though. I get there around 9:30 and the early service is halfway over. That's okay, the first part is all singing and I am not in the mood today. The sermon is okay. Maybe it's me. I leave as empty as I entered. And it is a very good church!
I hop in the van and start out for Starbucks and more writing. On the way I pass a Universalist Unitarian Church and have a negative thought or two about it. Then I think about my thoughts. I have never been to this church, so why not check it out? I make a u-turn and go to church again. The first thing I notice is the nice spread of food at the fellowship room. The cookies taste good! Coffee, I am told, is after the service.
The service is interesting. I gather as much literature as I can in order to learn what they believe. I ask the lady next to me why she chose this church. Finally, she says she feels good here. I understand that. The service is extremely light about God. Almost non-existent. We sing a few song from the hymnals and I browse the hymnals. The first verse of Amazing Grace is there! 'saved a wretch like me'? Wonder if that really sing that? I hope so.
The sermons is excellent. I take notes. There is mention of Jesus and the Bible, but it is a pick and choose method. Love is in. Judgement is out. At the end we all hold hands and pray. Later I go get some more cookies and cake. But no coffee as I opt for pineapple juice instead. I will get coffee at Starbucks. I talk to Naomi, the preacher today. I ask her some questions about their dogmas and such. I ask if someone has truth, which they are all searching for, and another person has another truth that is contrary to the first person's truth, who is right? And she admits that that is the crux of the matter. Who decides what is true? I opt for the Bible. She dices and slices. At least now I now what I am talking about!
I get to Starbucks and read the book by Robert Rodriguez as much as I type on my website. Not that I want to, but the book has me riveted. I meet the manager of Starbucks, too. He and his wife came from Indiana. She was raised in Sarasota. They went to Taylor University. So did I. He majored in Theology and Christian Education. Me, too. He is working on a fixer-upper and I volunteer to help tomorrow. I will give him four hours. If he calls, it will be interesting to chat with him some more. And I like helping people.
I leave Starbucks and get back to the apartment. I finish the book and find it fascinating. The last paragraph is what I really like. Here it is: "Good luck to you in following whatever passion you have. You will most probably succeed in attaining it. And if you don't, you'll find that if it's really your passion you are following then you will have found enormous fulfillment and incredible satisfaction from at least trying...' My sentiments exactly!
I hop in the van and start out for Starbucks and more writing. On the way I pass a Universalist Unitarian Church and have a negative thought or two about it. Then I think about my thoughts. I have never been to this church, so why not check it out? I make a u-turn and go to church again. The first thing I notice is the nice spread of food at the fellowship room. The cookies taste good! Coffee, I am told, is after the service.
The service is interesting. I gather as much literature as I can in order to learn what they believe. I ask the lady next to me why she chose this church. Finally, she says she feels good here. I understand that. The service is extremely light about God. Almost non-existent. We sing a few song from the hymnals and I browse the hymnals. The first verse of Amazing Grace is there! 'saved a wretch like me'? Wonder if that really sing that? I hope so.
The sermons is excellent. I take notes. There is mention of Jesus and the Bible, but it is a pick and choose method. Love is in. Judgement is out. At the end we all hold hands and pray. Later I go get some more cookies and cake. But no coffee as I opt for pineapple juice instead. I will get coffee at Starbucks. I talk to Naomi, the preacher today. I ask her some questions about their dogmas and such. I ask if someone has truth, which they are all searching for, and another person has another truth that is contrary to the first person's truth, who is right? And she admits that that is the crux of the matter. Who decides what is true? I opt for the Bible. She dices and slices. At least now I now what I am talking about!
I get to Starbucks and read the book by Robert Rodriguez as much as I type on my website. Not that I want to, but the book has me riveted. I meet the manager of Starbucks, too. He and his wife came from Indiana. She was raised in Sarasota. They went to Taylor University. So did I. He majored in Theology and Christian Education. Me, too. He is working on a fixer-upper and I volunteer to help tomorrow. I will give him four hours. If he calls, it will be interesting to chat with him some more. And I like helping people.
I leave Starbucks and get back to the apartment. I finish the book and find it fascinating. The last paragraph is what I really like. Here it is: "Good luck to you in following whatever passion you have. You will most probably succeed in attaining it. And if you don't, you'll find that if it's really your passion you are following then you will have found enormous fulfillment and incredible satisfaction from at least trying...' My sentiments exactly!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2011
I re-do some work on my website and visit a friend who has a kiosk at the Westfield Mall here in Sarasota. Was planning to do some business with her a few years ago. She is a Messianic Jew, very interesting to talk to . Just stopped in to say Hi and set up something for tomorrow.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
Was supposed to go jog Siesta Key Beach with Stil today, but he didn't show up. So, I emptied my van, washed the inside walls, swept it out and put things away. Getting ready for leaving here and continuing on my jog journey. I miss it! This getting the van ready helps me get focused again! With that done I wash the dishes at my Nephew's place and get ready to leave.
I stop out at Westfield Mall and meet with Tania. I present the idea of a web presence for her jewelry. I don't just want to sell a site, I want to keep it going and take a percentage of sales. Hopefully this will bring more income. We chat and I will meet again tomorrow!
Now at Denny's enjoying my evening repast. I just don't feel like staying at my nephew's any longer. It has already been a week and that is long enough. They are very nice but I kind of miss my van.
I stop out at Westfield Mall and meet with Tania. I present the idea of a web presence for her jewelry. I don't just want to sell a site, I want to keep it going and take a percentage of sales. Hopefully this will bring more income. We chat and I will meet again tomorrow!
Now at Denny's enjoying my evening repast. I just don't feel like staying at my nephew's any longer. It has already been a week and that is long enough. They are very nice but I kind of miss my van.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
The website deal didn't materialize so I went to Marco Island to help a client and get some much needed cash as well. $17 and change in the bank! Yikes! But yesterday got some money for my old wedding ring. I think I got at least as much as I paid for it many years ago. It was just laying around anyway. So that helped, plus the life facilitating helped me and my client! Good!
Left Marco Island for Atlantic Coast! Took I-95 up to Boca Raton. I wanted to check out some of the places I went past and get the names right, etc. But as the evening wore on, I get tired after Palm Srpings and head for Stuart. This seems to be a very nice town. Folks seem nice here. Got online and made a plan for tomorrow. Wally-Hilty for this evening.
Left Marco Island for Atlantic Coast! Took I-95 up to Boca Raton. I wanted to check out some of the places I went past and get the names right, etc. But as the evening wore on, I get tired after Palm Srpings and head for Stuart. This seems to be a very nice town. Folks seem nice here. Got online and made a plan for tomorrow. Wally-Hilty for this evening.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
Woke up late, around 8:30 AM. I must have been tired! I stop at McDonald's and grab a buritto and a hot water. Jus a buck for both. I get a spoon too and put two packets of oatmeal in the hot water. Good enough for me. Even though more money came in over the night, I don't want to waste it! Now I am off to the beaches. I checked the map and take off. I get lost! I check the computer again and find my way.
I get to Hutchison Island and stop at the southern end, a gated community called Sailfish Point. I would like to stage my van or bike at the most southern point, but they won't let me. Nice folks though. So, I park my van just outside the community at Bathtub Reef County Park. I get ready and start hiking down the beach to the jetty, about a mile and a half, then turn the corner and go to the end of the beach. I do a full workout and it feels great! (Probably not tomorrow though!) Around 12:30 PM I take off. It is only a mile and a half so I just bring a bottle of water and I need it as it is very hot today. But the run is easy and I arrive not too tired, just soaked in sweat. The ocean water is a gorgeous blue and the waves are big. It looks fantastic. There are some rocks along the beach and this just adds to the beauty of the place. But high tide is coming in and the jogging has to move more toward the softer sand. Oh, well! I finish this short run.
The folks all along the beach seem nice. I meet one retired fellow who looks to be in good shape. His name is Terry something. Have you ever started a conversation and wish you hadn't? Trapped! So, I sit in a chair and listen. He is nice enough, just needs to talk and tell his story. And he does. I meet his wife and daughter as well. The daughter is leading the mother by hand as her eyesight hasn't quite yet recovered from the stroke she had. But all look happy and that is good.
I head back to the van and grab a cool water and move the van to a shady area. I grab a snack and rest a little. In order to give my legs a rest, I want to start my next jog at 2:30. I find another beach access point as there are a lot of them here, not like Jupiter Beach at all! I park my van at St. Lucea Beach Access Park, Number 55. I bike back to Bathtub Reef and stag my bike. I am a little late but start my jog. It is only a mile and a half or so. I had wanted to do 6 miles today, but the weather and the sand have taken a lot out of me. I jog past the House of Refuge. This is one of the original houses of refuge. The story I got is that after a storm the person at the house would walk 13 miles in one direction looking for shipwrecked seamen to help them. The next day he would go the other way 13 miles. So these houses of refuge were spaced 26 miles apart. They are working on this one as I jog past. Click here to find out more.
I look for the access point. I know it is just past this house of refuge about a half mile. I jog a ways and think that this is taking a long time! I think this is it. Nope it is another one. Now I am confused so I call the Sheriff's office because their number is on the gate at the entrance. I tell the lady where I am and where I need to be. She puts me on hold and then tells me I have to go south. I overran my point! Later I discover that I overshot it by little over a mile! Oops! I start walking back along the road and then switch at Stuart Beach Park and use the beach. The road would take me out of the way. I finally find my access and am very happy as it is about to rain very hard! The rains holds off while I take a shower.
I go back to pick up my bike and the rain lets up again. As I am putting my bike in the van a young man comes up and asks for a ride for him and his buddy. When I say young man, I mean in his mid twenties. It seems their jet ski quit on them. I say I can give just one a ride and the other can wait with the jet ski. They agree and Nick hops in. I take him to Port Salerno just down the road. We chat. He does internet stuff including publishing. I give him my card. He wants to pay me and I say okay. It will cover the gas.
We arrive at his car and he wants to give me a $20. I say five will do and we settle on ten. Thanks Nick. I head back to Stuart and find a buffet I was eyeing and eat there. Filling is all I can say. Mikatas, don't go there. Nearby is a Starbucks and that is where I am now. It has been a good day. Tomorrow I want to jog at sunrise. And jog as much as I can. Then I should finish this 22-mile island on Saturday. At least that is my plan. Many of the Martin County parks at the beach are open 24 hours so I will try to sleep there.
I get to Hutchison Island and stop at the southern end, a gated community called Sailfish Point. I would like to stage my van or bike at the most southern point, but they won't let me. Nice folks though. So, I park my van just outside the community at Bathtub Reef County Park. I get ready and start hiking down the beach to the jetty, about a mile and a half, then turn the corner and go to the end of the beach. I do a full workout and it feels great! (Probably not tomorrow though!) Around 12:30 PM I take off. It is only a mile and a half so I just bring a bottle of water and I need it as it is very hot today. But the run is easy and I arrive not too tired, just soaked in sweat. The ocean water is a gorgeous blue and the waves are big. It looks fantastic. There are some rocks along the beach and this just adds to the beauty of the place. But high tide is coming in and the jogging has to move more toward the softer sand. Oh, well! I finish this short run.
The folks all along the beach seem nice. I meet one retired fellow who looks to be in good shape. His name is Terry something. Have you ever started a conversation and wish you hadn't? Trapped! So, I sit in a chair and listen. He is nice enough, just needs to talk and tell his story. And he does. I meet his wife and daughter as well. The daughter is leading the mother by hand as her eyesight hasn't quite yet recovered from the stroke she had. But all look happy and that is good.
I head back to the van and grab a cool water and move the van to a shady area. I grab a snack and rest a little. In order to give my legs a rest, I want to start my next jog at 2:30. I find another beach access point as there are a lot of them here, not like Jupiter Beach at all! I park my van at St. Lucea Beach Access Park, Number 55. I bike back to Bathtub Reef and stag my bike. I am a little late but start my jog. It is only a mile and a half or so. I had wanted to do 6 miles today, but the weather and the sand have taken a lot out of me. I jog past the House of Refuge. This is one of the original houses of refuge. The story I got is that after a storm the person at the house would walk 13 miles in one direction looking for shipwrecked seamen to help them. The next day he would go the other way 13 miles. So these houses of refuge were spaced 26 miles apart. They are working on this one as I jog past. Click here to find out more.
I look for the access point. I know it is just past this house of refuge about a half mile. I jog a ways and think that this is taking a long time! I think this is it. Nope it is another one. Now I am confused so I call the Sheriff's office because their number is on the gate at the entrance. I tell the lady where I am and where I need to be. She puts me on hold and then tells me I have to go south. I overran my point! Later I discover that I overshot it by little over a mile! Oops! I start walking back along the road and then switch at Stuart Beach Park and use the beach. The road would take me out of the way. I finally find my access and am very happy as it is about to rain very hard! The rains holds off while I take a shower.
I go back to pick up my bike and the rain lets up again. As I am putting my bike in the van a young man comes up and asks for a ride for him and his buddy. When I say young man, I mean in his mid twenties. It seems their jet ski quit on them. I say I can give just one a ride and the other can wait with the jet ski. They agree and Nick hops in. I take him to Port Salerno just down the road. We chat. He does internet stuff including publishing. I give him my card. He wants to pay me and I say okay. It will cover the gas.
We arrive at his car and he wants to give me a $20. I say five will do and we settle on ten. Thanks Nick. I head back to Stuart and find a buffet I was eyeing and eat there. Filling is all I can say. Mikatas, don't go there. Nearby is a Starbucks and that is where I am now. It has been a good day. Tomorrow I want to jog at sunrise. And jog as much as I can. Then I should finish this 22-mile island on Saturday. At least that is my plan. Many of the Martin County parks at the beach are open 24 hours so I will try to sleep there.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
I spend the night at Tiger Shore County Park. I can hear the waves pounding the shore all night. Nice! I wake up at 6 and get up at 6:15. Drive down to stage my bike about four miles down the road at Blind Creek. I am on the beach doing my workout at 6:45. Sunrise is at 7:02 and it is beautiful. The jog is nice. People are out, some jogging, some walking, some fishing and some surfing. Every single person is friendly. Feels great! After about three miles I stop for a two-minute breather and then keet going. There is a lady walking the beach in a white dress and it looks gorgeous against the white spray of the ocean, etc. I give her my card and ask if I can take her picture explaining why. She says yes and I do. Her name is Tracy and she and her hubby are from Ft. Worth, TX. Complete with accent! Thanks for the pic Tracy!
I finish my jog in an hour and 10 minutes hop on the bike and ride back to the van. They have WiFi at this park. Must be one of the condos. On to the next jog of the day!
I stage my bike back at Waveland Access Point and van at Ocean Shore Access point. Many surfers out today. Meet a guy putting a camera on his surfboard and found he has a facebook account, Jeremy Carr. I plan to check it out soon. Seems like a lot of nice people around here except for a few old men. Start jogging as soon as I park my bike. It is hotter but I am only going about 3.5 miles. I hope to finish this island today. After this jog I need to go about 10 miles farther. That will give me two days off. Besides why not begin again with a bang! Whether I do it or not is up to my legs.
Low tide has brought firmer beaches. Nice. I jog and several folks are on the beach, almost everyone friendly. What a treat! Towards the end I ask a young lady walking her dog where we are so I wouldn't overshoot my exit point again. She is very nice and has lived in Stuart all her life. That seems to be the case with most folks here. While getting off the beach at my exit point I ask a fellow, a surfer, if there were showers here. He said no. But he and other locals use this beach because people from other areas surf the other beaches and the vibes aren't good. Basically, they mess up the place with their south style of surfing (whatever that is). Too close, or something, etc. Plus folks want to surf with their friends and so they come to this beach. He offers some water but I decline as I have a cooler full. Nice folks.
I head back to find some WiFi and stop at the Island Restaurant advertising $5.99 lunch specials. I get the Island Burger. No fries though, just chips. The burger is large and is sitting in my belly like a lead weight. Sandy, the waitress, and maybe owner is nice, but the food leaves room for improvement. She asks me how it is and I don't want to complain since I am not going to eat there again so I say it is fine. Not hot, no fries, basic hamburger meat and not the best. Not again. There was an old guy who came in complaining about all the politics of today. Complain, complain, complain. I finally ask him if he knows Micah 6:8. I started the verse, "What does the Lord require of you, O man..." He had no clue, but I am sure he would talk about it. So I told him. "To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly before God." By the way, try that not filled with the Spirit! Impossible! It keeps boomeranging on you. Trust me, I know! Anyway, the old guy said I wouldn't be able to jog past the Nuke Energy site. I did.it. A positive fellow he is not! But full of himself he is. Fortunately he is the exception to the rule around these parts.
Now for another jog I hope! It is three miles. I stage my van at the north end and check the beach. There is just a log to show the access from the beach. I look around and find an old plastic yellow bottle and stick that into the ground. This will help me find the place. I then ride my bike back three miles, lock it up and start the jog.. It is 2:55 and I should complete it within an hour I am a little tired, but not too bad. I start out and find some awesome shells. This is the first good shelling since the Gulf side at Captiva. And I see some I have never seen before! Cool! I meet another person shelling and show him a big one I found. He is very gracious about it and smiles and says "Good for you!". That is nice of him. Most folks show a hint of envy. He doesn't. I keep jogging and reach the nuke plant. I go up and take a picture of it past the water pond they have. I also take a break in the shade of the fence there. After about a minute or two I take off. The pace slows and I am tired. My knee is starting to bother me just a little. Nothing to be alarmed about, but this will be my last jog of the day. I should have about eight or nine miles to jog tomorrow. I find the plastic bottle. It is 4:00. Just five minutes over. Not back for a tired, old guy!
I get back to the van and find some nice cold water and put some ice on my knee. There is no place to shower at this access point. Instead of going back to get my bike. I want to see the end of the island so I head north. There are enough parks so I won't have to do a long jog yet. I reach the jetty and there is a park there. And it is open all night! This looks like a nice little town, a bit rough maybe, just not sure of the name yet (Fort Pierce). It begins to rain really hard so I shed my shirt and hop out into the rain. The water rinses me off quite well! I open the side doors and grab a towel, then hop inside to dry off and change. I feel better. I have two ham, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches with a diet Mountain Dew. Feels great! I look up and see no bike! Oops. I forgot. Guess I won't sleep here tonight. I go and pick it up.
While at Starbucks in Stuart I get online and find a dance in town. It turns out to be a beautiful venue but only three couples are there. They are very nice folks and we have a good time. I dance just once but this is okay as I am tired. They suggest other places but I decide against it. Tom, one of the fellows there told me that back in the '70s his parents traveled all over Florida to find a place to live. They settled on Stuart. I think they made a good choice. Stuart has islands, beaches, ocean, river, etc. In fact, one can travel via watercraft across Florida. From Port Charlotte I believe to Stuart. Wonder if I could do that in my kayak?
I mention Ft. Pierce and they suggest that Ft. Pierce is still a bastion of rednecks and they are slowly being introduced to more genteel ways. Having been there just for a few minutes I tend to agree. Nice, but a little rednecky.
These folks are good ballroom dancers and I feel very rusty except for some west coast swing and east coast swing, my favorite ballroom dance. Freestyle is a lot of fun! I watch and relax. Another couple is at the bar and I meet later. They are a lot of fun! He is a self-proclaimed computer geek. Actually he works with professional musicians. She has been a vocalist since childhood and would like to retire but they keep calling her back to help. And she loves it. They are having fun! And Pauly's is a very nice place.
The owner, Pauly, a dance instructor and very nice fellow gets out a long ladder to adjust a light. I volunteer to hold the ladder. For that he gives me a glass of wine, very nice wine, too! Diseno a Malbec from Mendoza Argentina 2009. I leave around 11 PM.
I finish my jog in an hour and 10 minutes hop on the bike and ride back to the van. They have WiFi at this park. Must be one of the condos. On to the next jog of the day!
I stage my bike back at Waveland Access Point and van at Ocean Shore Access point. Many surfers out today. Meet a guy putting a camera on his surfboard and found he has a facebook account, Jeremy Carr. I plan to check it out soon. Seems like a lot of nice people around here except for a few old men. Start jogging as soon as I park my bike. It is hotter but I am only going about 3.5 miles. I hope to finish this island today. After this jog I need to go about 10 miles farther. That will give me two days off. Besides why not begin again with a bang! Whether I do it or not is up to my legs.
Low tide has brought firmer beaches. Nice. I jog and several folks are on the beach, almost everyone friendly. What a treat! Towards the end I ask a young lady walking her dog where we are so I wouldn't overshoot my exit point again. She is very nice and has lived in Stuart all her life. That seems to be the case with most folks here. While getting off the beach at my exit point I ask a fellow, a surfer, if there were showers here. He said no. But he and other locals use this beach because people from other areas surf the other beaches and the vibes aren't good. Basically, they mess up the place with their south style of surfing (whatever that is). Too close, or something, etc. Plus folks want to surf with their friends and so they come to this beach. He offers some water but I decline as I have a cooler full. Nice folks.
I head back to find some WiFi and stop at the Island Restaurant advertising $5.99 lunch specials. I get the Island Burger. No fries though, just chips. The burger is large and is sitting in my belly like a lead weight. Sandy, the waitress, and maybe owner is nice, but the food leaves room for improvement. She asks me how it is and I don't want to complain since I am not going to eat there again so I say it is fine. Not hot, no fries, basic hamburger meat and not the best. Not again. There was an old guy who came in complaining about all the politics of today. Complain, complain, complain. I finally ask him if he knows Micah 6:8. I started the verse, "What does the Lord require of you, O man..." He had no clue, but I am sure he would talk about it. So I told him. "To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly before God." By the way, try that not filled with the Spirit! Impossible! It keeps boomeranging on you. Trust me, I know! Anyway, the old guy said I wouldn't be able to jog past the Nuke Energy site. I did.it. A positive fellow he is not! But full of himself he is. Fortunately he is the exception to the rule around these parts.
Now for another jog I hope! It is three miles. I stage my van at the north end and check the beach. There is just a log to show the access from the beach. I look around and find an old plastic yellow bottle and stick that into the ground. This will help me find the place. I then ride my bike back three miles, lock it up and start the jog.. It is 2:55 and I should complete it within an hour I am a little tired, but not too bad. I start out and find some awesome shells. This is the first good shelling since the Gulf side at Captiva. And I see some I have never seen before! Cool! I meet another person shelling and show him a big one I found. He is very gracious about it and smiles and says "Good for you!". That is nice of him. Most folks show a hint of envy. He doesn't. I keep jogging and reach the nuke plant. I go up and take a picture of it past the water pond they have. I also take a break in the shade of the fence there. After about a minute or two I take off. The pace slows and I am tired. My knee is starting to bother me just a little. Nothing to be alarmed about, but this will be my last jog of the day. I should have about eight or nine miles to jog tomorrow. I find the plastic bottle. It is 4:00. Just five minutes over. Not back for a tired, old guy!
I get back to the van and find some nice cold water and put some ice on my knee. There is no place to shower at this access point. Instead of going back to get my bike. I want to see the end of the island so I head north. There are enough parks so I won't have to do a long jog yet. I reach the jetty and there is a park there. And it is open all night! This looks like a nice little town, a bit rough maybe, just not sure of the name yet (Fort Pierce). It begins to rain really hard so I shed my shirt and hop out into the rain. The water rinses me off quite well! I open the side doors and grab a towel, then hop inside to dry off and change. I feel better. I have two ham, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches with a diet Mountain Dew. Feels great! I look up and see no bike! Oops. I forgot. Guess I won't sleep here tonight. I go and pick it up.
While at Starbucks in Stuart I get online and find a dance in town. It turns out to be a beautiful venue but only three couples are there. They are very nice folks and we have a good time. I dance just once but this is okay as I am tired. They suggest other places but I decide against it. Tom, one of the fellows there told me that back in the '70s his parents traveled all over Florida to find a place to live. They settled on Stuart. I think they made a good choice. Stuart has islands, beaches, ocean, river, etc. In fact, one can travel via watercraft across Florida. From Port Charlotte I believe to Stuart. Wonder if I could do that in my kayak?
I mention Ft. Pierce and they suggest that Ft. Pierce is still a bastion of rednecks and they are slowly being introduced to more genteel ways. Having been there just for a few minutes I tend to agree. Nice, but a little rednecky.
These folks are good ballroom dancers and I feel very rusty except for some west coast swing and east coast swing, my favorite ballroom dance. Freestyle is a lot of fun! I watch and relax. Another couple is at the bar and I meet later. They are a lot of fun! He is a self-proclaimed computer geek. Actually he works with professional musicians. She has been a vocalist since childhood and would like to retire but they keep calling her back to help. And she loves it. They are having fun! And Pauly's is a very nice place.
The owner, Pauly, a dance instructor and very nice fellow gets out a long ladder to adjust a light. I volunteer to hold the ladder. For that he gives me a glass of wine, very nice wine, too! Diseno a Malbec from Mendoza Argentina 2009. I leave around 11 PM.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011
I again sleep at Tiger Shore Beach Access on Hutchinson Island. A nice quite place near the beach with WiFi! Except the mosquitoes attack me! I wake up in the middle of the night scratching my ankles. Wow. They really get me! They are the tiny ones, like the kind we had in Hawaii.
The alarm goes off at 6 and I turn it off. Finally I arise about 7:30 and take off 10 miles down the road to the Fredrick Douglas Beach Access. Stage my van and ride the bike back about three miles to today's starting point. But not before I check the beach out. There are no distinguishing marks just sea oats and beach and water. So I find two sticks about four feet long and put them in the ground to form an X. That will be my end point. It is a little over three miles. I start jogging right away with no warm ups. Just feel like it. I take off at 8:22 and end at 9:18. A beautiful morning. Very few are on the beach, mostly fisherman and they aren’t catching much either. The sand is nice and firm. I can stretch my legs out a bit more.
I take just a few minutes to refresh myself then get on the bike and ride back. It doesn't take long at all. As I turn into the beach access my water my bike, and I, flip right over the top! Halfway down I realize what happened. My water bottle holder got caught in the front wheel! It had to look really funny! I land on my right side, but no scrapes or broken bones. I hop back up and ride to the van. Then I drive to the end of the island, to that very nice park they have there. I ask a few people as they were leaving if they were going my way, but on one is. So I eat a can of stew with bread and take off on my bike back to Fredrick Douglas Beach Access. By my van’s odometer says it is 4.2 miles. A nice ride and a nice jog. Nothing too strenuous for this jog. I stop a few times. One time I stop and get angry at God. Why make a place to live, Earth, and allow evil with the accompanying pain and suffering on it? I throw my water bottle down and go off for a minute or two. It has been simmering for a long time.
Finally, I start jogging again.
I see the jetty and keep looking for the end of the beach. Now I am passing by the town and its lovely parks. Finally I am at the end. A song was playing by Queen a few minutes ago in my headset. "Another One Bites the Dust" And that is what I shout about this island, "Another one bites the dust!" Yes. Getting closer. Next week North Hutchinson Island and more!
I walk back toward my van and take a seat on a bench under a shade tree. An older couple is enjoy the morning there. They are very nice people and now reside in Vero Beach. They visit the farmer's market in Ft. Pierce on Saturdays and then drive over the bridge to this park. Very nice couple. She tells me I still have time to visit the market as it is only 12:30. He gives me directions and off I go.
The market is winding down with many stands are closing up. One stand has some very strange fruit. The lady explains some of it and her hubby in a veteran's cap help out. He was on a ice-breaker in Alaska in the 60's. He said the Navy gave them R & R in Hawaii and they all got sick the first week because of the extreme temperature change. (But I bet they had fun the next week!) I buy a few strange short bananas that are supposed to be very tasty and a reddish fruit they let me taste. Also, some key limes for my diet coke.
On my way back I stop at Archie's, the local watering hole and restaurant. It is quite big, but no WiFi. I have a Yuengling and a small burger with Sweet Potato Fries. I have to quit eating burgers as they just don't sit well in my stomach. And it is raining off and on quite hard. Such is Florida! Soon the sun will be out again! Whereas back in Ohio I am told it has been raining for three days. I'd rather be here.
There is a 50's and 60's dance in Stuart tonight, but I take off for Lake Worth and they Starbucks there. They always have interesting people and maybe I will play a game of chess. I arrive and it might be me, but the people of this downtown seem to be getting weirder. I take an extra shirt into Starbucks (They keep it really cool.) and find a favorite spot and here I sit.
I am off to go to a dance. I need some social interaction and dancing is a great way to meet people. There are a few dances, but I choose one close by. It happens to be at the Chesterfield Hotel in Palm Beach. This will be fun! Here I am at Palm Beach parked near the beach along side very beautifully manicured shrubbery and elegant home and I am changing clothes in my van. I find the hotel and a parking spot. This is a very nice place. I enter and meet Allysia who hosts several events often. She is a very nice lady who loves dancing and meeting people. This is not a dance per se but many of the folks who attend her dances are here for the evening. The ambiance is superb. the band is good and the small dance floor is soon full. I dance as well. It feels good.
I have a martini with Kettle Vodka. Just one and then water. Josh and Lou take care of us nicely. Most men are in jackets, but a few of us are just in nice shirts. I sit with Allysia and a few of her friends. Nice people, and fun. After they find out about me jogging the beaches one asks me where I sleep. Well, what do you say to the wealthy folks at Palm Beach? The truth! I sleep in my van. She appreciates the answer. These people I am with seem real, too.That's what makes it fun.
On the dance floor I see several very nice couples and several couples where the woman is at least 20 years younger. Dressed very well and looking good to be sure. Ah, choices in life. I am not judging, just commenting. At the top of most women's lists is security, either financial or emotional. At the top of most men's lists is admiration and physical appreciation. Basically, she is his in the sense that she relying on him in life and sexy towards him as well. Besides all the other things that make a relationship continue, such as mutual respect, fun, humor, etc.,the first mentioned are at the top of most lists. But don't take my word for it, ask around. Start your own questionnaire. I did that a few times and the answers are highly interesting and telling! It's lots of fun and you will learn things and hopefully share them on the comments page!
By the way, you do know the five love languages, right? Each of us has a dominant way of expressing love. Words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch. So, the author says, if you want to love your other half, find out how she shows love to you. Thay is probably how she see love expressed and it would be wise for you to do the same for her. Click here for more.
After the dance I take off for Hobe Sound County Park on the beach. Might as well sleep there tonight. Tomorrow I have to take several tests for my insurance business. So, the first Starbucks I come across will be my office.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011
Found a laundry early. As I am doing my wash I am cleaning and sweeping the van. The lady working at the laundromat asks if I am living in the van. Yep. She suggest that if I need a place to park it and can't find one, I should put out a sign saying "Broke Down, Be Back Tomorrow" I asked here if she ever used it. Yep. Her and her hubby were out of work for about three years and lived in a tent, etc. She has been working two years full time at the laundry. Good for her!
Ready for the week! Instead of church I listened to one of Warren Weirsbe's sermons online. He has always been excellent. And this sermon was worth listening to. Here's a link to enjoy. Warren Weirsbe. I am at Starbucks and get online, pay for the big Medicare Training test called AHIP and take it. It take a few hours to study and then the test. Scored 100%! Yeah! That feels good. Now to rest and relax. I watch a movie by Robert Rodriguez on NETFLIX.
Ready for the week! Instead of church I listened to one of Warren Weirsbe's sermons online. He has always been excellent. And this sermon was worth listening to. Here's a link to enjoy. Warren Weirsbe. I am at Starbucks and get online, pay for the big Medicare Training test called AHIP and take it. It take a few hours to study and then the test. Scored 100%! Yeah! That feels good. Now to rest and relax. I watch a movie by Robert Rodriguez on NETFLIX.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
Spent the night at Ft. Pierce State Park. Watched an episode of Lie to Me on an IPOD. Since my girlfriend and I parted ways, I guess I needed a little diversion. My best to her and hers to me as well. C'est la vie...
I wake up around 6 AM to the tune of "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Cupid Shuffle" on my phone alarm. And I am glad I get up quickly as a park ranger shouts for the person in the van - me. I was up already and tell him I have a pass, which I do for early and late entry and he apologizes several times. He is a nice guy. In fact, all the park rangers here are nice and professional. Cass Meadows runs the place and she goes a darn good job of it, too! So far I have met three rangers, Tom, Caroline and Cass. All nice people. I have an idea to volunteer next near at this park if I am in this area.
Anyway, I pump up my kayak and paddle over to Coon Island because there is a sliver of beach that I need to jog. After kayaking back and putting the kayak in the van I drive to find a beach access to stage my bike. There aren't many beach access points on this island. Not at all like the last one. This is a different county. St. Lucie and then Indian River County. I pass the Navy UDT - SEALS Museum. If I have time I will stop by. Finally I find a county park in Indian River County. It is around 6 miles away which is a little more than I wanted but very doable. I stage my bike and get back to my starting point where I do my exercises and begin the jog at 8:05. Funny though, across the water there is a Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit and at 8 they raise the flag and play colors. I naturally come to attention when I see the flag and saluted. It feels kind of good.
After the initial run on the side on the side beach before reaching the jetty I have to walk a little ways and then resume jogging at the jetty. It is high tide, which means soft sand and there was nothing I could do about that. So what, though? It will just take a little longer. My right side bothers me a bit from the bike somersault, both the front and back. Nothing serious though! Just sore.
The jog goes well, even in soft sand. It is a beautiful morning and some fishermen and surfers are out. They say that some of the best surfing on the Atlantic side is in this area. The beach slopes noticeably and the wave action is pretty good. The water color is dishwater dirty because of the churning in this area. They say this is the last quartz beach going south. I pass rows of nice condos and homes. I see this big tall tree that goes almost straight up and now I am close. I jog by one more house and finally arrive at the beach park. After a few minutes rest I bike back to the state park.
At the ranger station I ask Caroline if I can speak with Cass. (Tom told me last night she is the one to talk to about volunteering, etc.) She calls Cass and Cass will meet with me in a few minutes. Caroline get me a chair and I wait. A lot of surfers are coming into the park - "so they can surf near the jetty", Caroline says.
Cass shows up, a big smile on her face. She enjoys her job and knows it completely. What a joy to talk to her. She explains how to be a volunteer at Ft. Pierce State Park. And we talk about other things as well. They even have bobcats at the park. How cool is that!
After chatting with Cass and Caroline, who is the wildlife expert there, I bike to the van and have a meal of ham, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches. Yummy! Plus some small bananas I bought a the farmer's market. They are delicious!
Instead of jogging right away the next leg of my journey, I head into town to find a place to receive a letter. My brother checks my PO Box and has one or two items I need sent to me. No luck. I will get it done tomorrow for sure! I get back on the island and find where the next beach access is. Now I am in Indian River County. They have sold themselves out like Jupiter, Palm Beach County and Ft. Lauderdale. Rare beach access points. Many gated communities. So, local residents of these places, your local government has sold you down the drain. Not at all like Martin and St. Lucie Counties. They make sure the beaches are open to their people!
So, the place to stage my bike is called South Beach. Now please don't confuse this little so-so beach with The South Beach of Miami! The comparison has to stop at the name! But they have a parking lot so I stage my bike. I think it is about 6 miles for this jog. Even though it looks like rain, I bike back the six or so miles. Jogging in the rain isn't too bad, in fact, it keeps things cool. It starts to rain when I start jogging. I play some FM radio for the jog. John Tesh is on Breeze Radio along this Treasure Coast. Cass said they call it the Treasure Coast because of a flotilla of ship carrying gold and silver sunk along this coast. A year or so ago a gentleman with his metal detector found a gold doubloon. Yes! And a lady found a huge emerald at a state park as well. Hmm...
Lightening strikes a short distance away,but not on the beach. Oh, well. I keep jogging. After an hour or so the rain stop and the sun is out making all the grass glisten and sparkle. Beautiful. It seems like no time that I have reached South Beach. I ask a youth with a skim board thing if this is South Beach. "Yes, it is." I say, "Thanks. It looks like you're having fun!" "I am." he says. I chuckle and head to the parking lot. Wow, just an hour and 15 or so minutes! Firm sand and low tide!
I head for McDonald's to get online and while there meet Reggie. That is his nickname. His real name is Varky. He just came back from living in Tampa. He is a young man working on a master's degree. He has already worked for a pharmaceutical company in Tampa where he tried to differentiate his company from the drug mills there. He is an Indian Orthodox Christian. His parents came from a southwest state in India. We had a remarkable conversation. Never having heard of Indian Orthodox Christians, I had many, many questions. He proved to be intelligent and kinds as well. And did he know his history of Christianity. We had a lot of fun talking.
I get gas, get my bike and had to McDonald's for the second time today. They have any size drink for $1 and I can add the key limes I bought to the diet coke. Delicious! A black guy at the soda fountain asked for a $1 sandwich. I said no. A white guy siting outside with a fishing pole asks for a sandwich as well and I said no to that guy too. He then cursed me as a large truck was going by so I couldn't really hear him. I turned from my van and looked at him and asked told him I couldn't hear him, what did he say? He just looked. So much for this McDonald's!
I head back to Ft. Pierce State Park and get some sleep.
I wake up around 6 AM to the tune of "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Cupid Shuffle" on my phone alarm. And I am glad I get up quickly as a park ranger shouts for the person in the van - me. I was up already and tell him I have a pass, which I do for early and late entry and he apologizes several times. He is a nice guy. In fact, all the park rangers here are nice and professional. Cass Meadows runs the place and she goes a darn good job of it, too! So far I have met three rangers, Tom, Caroline and Cass. All nice people. I have an idea to volunteer next near at this park if I am in this area.
Anyway, I pump up my kayak and paddle over to Coon Island because there is a sliver of beach that I need to jog. After kayaking back and putting the kayak in the van I drive to find a beach access to stage my bike. There aren't many beach access points on this island. Not at all like the last one. This is a different county. St. Lucie and then Indian River County. I pass the Navy UDT - SEALS Museum. If I have time I will stop by. Finally I find a county park in Indian River County. It is around 6 miles away which is a little more than I wanted but very doable. I stage my bike and get back to my starting point where I do my exercises and begin the jog at 8:05. Funny though, across the water there is a Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit and at 8 they raise the flag and play colors. I naturally come to attention when I see the flag and saluted. It feels kind of good.
After the initial run on the side on the side beach before reaching the jetty I have to walk a little ways and then resume jogging at the jetty. It is high tide, which means soft sand and there was nothing I could do about that. So what, though? It will just take a little longer. My right side bothers me a bit from the bike somersault, both the front and back. Nothing serious though! Just sore.
The jog goes well, even in soft sand. It is a beautiful morning and some fishermen and surfers are out. They say that some of the best surfing on the Atlantic side is in this area. The beach slopes noticeably and the wave action is pretty good. The water color is dishwater dirty because of the churning in this area. They say this is the last quartz beach going south. I pass rows of nice condos and homes. I see this big tall tree that goes almost straight up and now I am close. I jog by one more house and finally arrive at the beach park. After a few minutes rest I bike back to the state park.
At the ranger station I ask Caroline if I can speak with Cass. (Tom told me last night she is the one to talk to about volunteering, etc.) She calls Cass and Cass will meet with me in a few minutes. Caroline get me a chair and I wait. A lot of surfers are coming into the park - "so they can surf near the jetty", Caroline says.
Cass shows up, a big smile on her face. She enjoys her job and knows it completely. What a joy to talk to her. She explains how to be a volunteer at Ft. Pierce State Park. And we talk about other things as well. They even have bobcats at the park. How cool is that!
After chatting with Cass and Caroline, who is the wildlife expert there, I bike to the van and have a meal of ham, cheese and peanut butter sandwiches. Yummy! Plus some small bananas I bought a the farmer's market. They are delicious!
Instead of jogging right away the next leg of my journey, I head into town to find a place to receive a letter. My brother checks my PO Box and has one or two items I need sent to me. No luck. I will get it done tomorrow for sure! I get back on the island and find where the next beach access is. Now I am in Indian River County. They have sold themselves out like Jupiter, Palm Beach County and Ft. Lauderdale. Rare beach access points. Many gated communities. So, local residents of these places, your local government has sold you down the drain. Not at all like Martin and St. Lucie Counties. They make sure the beaches are open to their people!
So, the place to stage my bike is called South Beach. Now please don't confuse this little so-so beach with The South Beach of Miami! The comparison has to stop at the name! But they have a parking lot so I stage my bike. I think it is about 6 miles for this jog. Even though it looks like rain, I bike back the six or so miles. Jogging in the rain isn't too bad, in fact, it keeps things cool. It starts to rain when I start jogging. I play some FM radio for the jog. John Tesh is on Breeze Radio along this Treasure Coast. Cass said they call it the Treasure Coast because of a flotilla of ship carrying gold and silver sunk along this coast. A year or so ago a gentleman with his metal detector found a gold doubloon. Yes! And a lady found a huge emerald at a state park as well. Hmm...
Lightening strikes a short distance away,but not on the beach. Oh, well. I keep jogging. After an hour or so the rain stop and the sun is out making all the grass glisten and sparkle. Beautiful. It seems like no time that I have reached South Beach. I ask a youth with a skim board thing if this is South Beach. "Yes, it is." I say, "Thanks. It looks like you're having fun!" "I am." he says. I chuckle and head to the parking lot. Wow, just an hour and 15 or so minutes! Firm sand and low tide!
I head for McDonald's to get online and while there meet Reggie. That is his nickname. His real name is Varky. He just came back from living in Tampa. He is a young man working on a master's degree. He has already worked for a pharmaceutical company in Tampa where he tried to differentiate his company from the drug mills there. He is an Indian Orthodox Christian. His parents came from a southwest state in India. We had a remarkable conversation. Never having heard of Indian Orthodox Christians, I had many, many questions. He proved to be intelligent and kinds as well. And did he know his history of Christianity. We had a lot of fun talking.
I get gas, get my bike and had to McDonald's for the second time today. They have any size drink for $1 and I can add the key limes I bought to the diet coke. Delicious! A black guy at the soda fountain asked for a $1 sandwich. I said no. A white guy siting outside with a fishing pole asks for a sandwich as well and I said no to that guy too. He then cursed me as a large truck was going by so I couldn't really hear him. I turned from my van and looked at him and asked told him I couldn't hear him, what did he say? He just looked. So much for this McDonald's!
I head back to Ft. Pierce State Park and get some sleep.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Bang, bang. I hear someone knocking on my van. What? Again? I thought we had cleared that up yesterday! This time a lady ranger tells me that yesterday morning the man had warned me about sleeping in the van at the park. I said that he didn't. That in fact he apologized more than once for bothering me. She said I have to be actively doing some to be there after hours. And this is a warning and next time they will pull my early/late entry pass for that park. Okay, now I understand and it won't happen again. Hmm.... I wonder what the communication was between the guy yesterday and this lady today. Oh, well. Just doing her job. Still a great park!
I head out and find a place to stage my bike. Turtle Trail Park Beach Access is my next stop, then drive back to South Beach Park. On the way I see several beach access points. They are small, and parking can be non-existent or very limited, but they also have some parks that are very nice and have plenty of access.
I stretch and do my push ups and start out. It is high tide and the sand can be soft, but not as soft as yesterday it seems. It is a beautiful morning with few people on the beach. The surf is too low for surfing, but there are a few fishermen out this morning and a few walking their dogs as well. My pace is slow today. I am guessing it is between 7 and 8 miles and I am a little tired so I don't push myself. Taking a few very short breaks, I finally tell myself to take a 20-minute break because I am jogging too slow. I think that if I rest a while I can jog faster. While on break I call a few of my insurance companies and try to find out when they are going to pay me this month. Bad news. The biggie is not until the end of next week and the steady one is way short for tomorrow! Doable, but not funnable. Such is life!
I get my self up and take off. The end point is less than 500 yards away! I didn't know that of course, and have a laugh. I hop on the bike and notice the tires I just filled with air a few days ago are low again! Shoot! I have a long way to go. I hope they hold and they do. I get to the van in about 40 minutes and stow my gear. Then I open a can of stew and eat that with crackers, with a few oreos for desert. Yummy!
I call it a day and dial 411 to find the nearest Starbucks. There I meet some people who are from Vero Beach and ask about the town. It is a small town, according to them, and has two types of people, upper scale retired folks and the serving class. One lady raised her kids here as opposed to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami and she is happy with that decision. Another is retiring here soon. Not a place for young and fun, I think. It seems this town with its quaint shops and restaurants closes down with the sun. Basically, they confirmed my opinion of the place. Interestingly, when I mentioned what some folks from Stuart thought of Ft. Pierce being the bastion of rednecks in the area, one person readily agreed. That is a rough place she says. So far, Ft. Pierce, 2 against and 0 for.
I also meet Gary, a very interesting 70-year old who spent 10 years in the Air Force and then worked on the Saturn rockets, the ones that sent our citizens to the moon. I quizzed him about that because it was so interesting. He is currently going through a divorce, but he can finally be himself, he says. I know exactly what he means. No acrimony, he says, just a parting of the ways. Good for both of them!
Decided to make some room in the budget to go to the dance. After all, how many times does one get the chance to attend a Millionaire's Club dance? And Alisia was hosting the party with the help of some friends and it would be good to see familiar faces again. Plus there was free good food, live music and dancing! So, off I went. To the 51 Club in Palm Beach Gardens with free valet parking. And besides, I just love having my van parked by valet service. It give me the chance to say, "Don't scratch it!" which always brings a laugh!
This event has a dress code so I dressed appropriately with jacket, black striped shirt and black pants. The 51 Club is very nice and right across from the Dirty Martini club. I walked in and paid my $10, greeting those I knew and someone gave me a number. The idea is to find the person of the opposite sex with the same number. So, I went around saying hello to a few ladies but was a little shy. And then I thought, "Why am I skipping the beautiful ladies?" Foolish inferiority creeps up from time to time so I have to nip it in the bud. And immediately I found my numbers match. Cool. We introduce ourselves and then I am introduced to her friends at the table. I am offered a seat and I take it. (It is nice to know the person handing out the numbers. She put me with the most attractive ladies there!)
The ladies are interesting. One is a sculptor, another an astrologist and very busy, and the third a life coach. At least two are French and possibly the third as well. They ask what I do and I can't simply say jogging beaches as I usually do. Actually I do say that and add that I practice insurance, am a theologian, a life facilitator using the Heart Walk and other tools to help people. It is fun talking with them and others as well. Then the dancing starts and it is even more fun. I meet a few other people as well and say hi to those I already know. Elvis is there as well, along with Marilyn Monroe. Real Sideburns! (Elvis, not Marilyn!)
I stay and dance until around midnight then say goodbye and stay at the Walmart Hilton about 10 miles down the road. I stay in the area because I had opened a bank account had had the bank card sent to that branch and now I have to pick it up.
I head out and find a place to stage my bike. Turtle Trail Park Beach Access is my next stop, then drive back to South Beach Park. On the way I see several beach access points. They are small, and parking can be non-existent or very limited, but they also have some parks that are very nice and have plenty of access.
I stretch and do my push ups and start out. It is high tide and the sand can be soft, but not as soft as yesterday it seems. It is a beautiful morning with few people on the beach. The surf is too low for surfing, but there are a few fishermen out this morning and a few walking their dogs as well. My pace is slow today. I am guessing it is between 7 and 8 miles and I am a little tired so I don't push myself. Taking a few very short breaks, I finally tell myself to take a 20-minute break because I am jogging too slow. I think that if I rest a while I can jog faster. While on break I call a few of my insurance companies and try to find out when they are going to pay me this month. Bad news. The biggie is not until the end of next week and the steady one is way short for tomorrow! Doable, but not funnable. Such is life!
I get my self up and take off. The end point is less than 500 yards away! I didn't know that of course, and have a laugh. I hop on the bike and notice the tires I just filled with air a few days ago are low again! Shoot! I have a long way to go. I hope they hold and they do. I get to the van in about 40 minutes and stow my gear. Then I open a can of stew and eat that with crackers, with a few oreos for desert. Yummy!
I call it a day and dial 411 to find the nearest Starbucks. There I meet some people who are from Vero Beach and ask about the town. It is a small town, according to them, and has two types of people, upper scale retired folks and the serving class. One lady raised her kids here as opposed to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami and she is happy with that decision. Another is retiring here soon. Not a place for young and fun, I think. It seems this town with its quaint shops and restaurants closes down with the sun. Basically, they confirmed my opinion of the place. Interestingly, when I mentioned what some folks from Stuart thought of Ft. Pierce being the bastion of rednecks in the area, one person readily agreed. That is a rough place she says. So far, Ft. Pierce, 2 against and 0 for.
I also meet Gary, a very interesting 70-year old who spent 10 years in the Air Force and then worked on the Saturn rockets, the ones that sent our citizens to the moon. I quizzed him about that because it was so interesting. He is currently going through a divorce, but he can finally be himself, he says. I know exactly what he means. No acrimony, he says, just a parting of the ways. Good for both of them!
Decided to make some room in the budget to go to the dance. After all, how many times does one get the chance to attend a Millionaire's Club dance? And Alisia was hosting the party with the help of some friends and it would be good to see familiar faces again. Plus there was free good food, live music and dancing! So, off I went. To the 51 Club in Palm Beach Gardens with free valet parking. And besides, I just love having my van parked by valet service. It give me the chance to say, "Don't scratch it!" which always brings a laugh!
This event has a dress code so I dressed appropriately with jacket, black striped shirt and black pants. The 51 Club is very nice and right across from the Dirty Martini club. I walked in and paid my $10, greeting those I knew and someone gave me a number. The idea is to find the person of the opposite sex with the same number. So, I went around saying hello to a few ladies but was a little shy. And then I thought, "Why am I skipping the beautiful ladies?" Foolish inferiority creeps up from time to time so I have to nip it in the bud. And immediately I found my numbers match. Cool. We introduce ourselves and then I am introduced to her friends at the table. I am offered a seat and I take it. (It is nice to know the person handing out the numbers. She put me with the most attractive ladies there!)
The ladies are interesting. One is a sculptor, another an astrologist and very busy, and the third a life coach. At least two are French and possibly the third as well. They ask what I do and I can't simply say jogging beaches as I usually do. Actually I do say that and add that I practice insurance, am a theologian, a life facilitator using the Heart Walk and other tools to help people. It is fun talking with them and others as well. Then the dancing starts and it is even more fun. I meet a few other people as well and say hi to those I already know. Elvis is there as well, along with Marilyn Monroe. Real Sideburns! (Elvis, not Marilyn!)
I stay and dance until around midnight then say goodbye and stay at the Walmart Hilton about 10 miles down the road. I stay in the area because I had opened a bank account had had the bank card sent to that branch and now I have to pick it up.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
Up and at 'em. I find the bank and get my card. They also mentioned that new changes are taking place. And, of course, those changes are additional fees. The reason for this the manager says is the recent changes in laws that limits banks from charging for other things and making them stop other ways they were getting our money. For example, now overdraft protection is something we must agree with rather than be automatically added to. So, the banks have decided to recoup their profits another way. Mandatory fees on just using a bank card, etc. Guess I will have to shop for a bank that doesn't keep nickel and diming me. Good luck, eh?
I head back up north and realize while I am driving that I have jogged the entire length of what I have been driving for almost the past hour. I really don't know how I feel about that. If it were someone else, I would think, "Wow!" But it is me, and it is just something I am doing, no wow about it. (A little smile though!)
I drive to Turtle Trail Park and then drive north. I plan to do all ten miles today,but I see a beach access, Treasure Shore, at exactly the 5-mile mark so I stage my van there and get the bike out. The tire is low but maybe that is all the lower it is going to get. I ride back and keep an eye on that tire. I make it to the access point and do some quick stretches and take off. It is near high tide, but the sand is firm. Great. I can stretch it out now. And I do. I keep a very good pace for about 40 minutes with a few slows and some fasts. The folks on the beach do not seem as friendly as those of recent jogs. They seem either stand-offish or just not willing to say hi. Not an arrogance, but something else. Not sure yet. Redneck? Maybe. I take a break and get some water at a resort. There was no "Private - No Trespassing" sign so I filled my bottle with their cold, purified water. I took a long drink start back to the beach to continue my jog. That water doesn't settle well with me. Just a little upsetting.
I finally finish and drive back, pickup my bike and head to Sebastian Inlet State Park. Rachel, the park ranger on duty tell me this is the only 24-hour state park in Florida. This is due to the great fishing at the inlet. I ask about the area and she give me a map what the park and surrounding area. Bleak. I ask about a place to get a pump for my bike tire. She calls her maintenance people and directs me to the service area. They have a compressor there. I thank her and head out.
I am not impressed with these folks at this park. On the past the exit to the service area I stop and ask Rachel, whose replacement had just arrived, if she could by any change take me back five miles. I will pay her. She declines. I get back to the van there is a park mule there. A young ranger with a little beard thing going asks if it is my van. I seem to be parked wrongly for some reason. (Now this isn't a really busy place!) Yep, just asking Rachel for a ride, etc. I say. And I hop in and take off. Something in his demeanor makes me think that these folks wear these uniforms to gain respect from people. He sticks his hand out to stop me from as I am going to the garage Rachel told me about, the park service garage. He says there must be some miscommunication as no one can give me a ride. I respond by saying I am going to the area for my bike tire, etc. He says nothing. I proceed. And I think, "This guy is a jerk!" When I get to the garage Oops, web host is upgrading. more later....
Okay, it's later! When I get to the garage there are three or four people standing around. One is working on a coworker's private vehicle. I ask for Mike and one says "You mean Mark?" so I say, "Yes, I do." It is Mark, the mechanic there evidently. He is a heavy set, somewhat sloven fellow. I get my tire off the bike and bring the tube over. He puts the pressure to it before I have a chance to secure it. It blows off. I make sure it is secure and he puts some air into it. I say something like I have to find the leak and another fellow standing there points and says, "Well, there it is, right there!" He says it like "Duh" Don't you see it? Mark asks if I have a patch and I am not sure. I used to, but that was months and months ago.
The last time I checked I didn't see any patches and I said, "Well, maybe somewhere." I said it slowly hoping they might volunteer one. Boy, was I in the wrong crowd! No one said anything. So, I said, "Thanks." and then the guy with the bear shows up and says something smart. Not to me, but his attitude will need to be adjusted someday. Let's see... Marine Corps Boot Camp? A negative and mean wife? A knock upside the head with a two-by-for? Nah... I don't see anything to help him. Sorry, fella!
So, I walked the few yards to the open doors of the back of the van and started to search for any patches. I knew I had some patches for my kayak but wasn't sure if they would work. I was willing to try though. When I look back at the garage they had closed up and left! Not even a word. This was about three in the afternoon. Well, thanks fellows! So, no compressor to inflate my tire. What were they thinking? Actually, they were probably thinking about themselves and nothing else. So much for their help! Their whole demeanor and actions revealed to me they were rednecks who had a state job and their ship had come in! They seemed the kind of people who would steal my van and laugh when I couldn't find it. Then they would blow it up for further amusement. For people who always wanted a classless society, just stop at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, south side. The volunteers at the museum on the other hand are simply very nice people. Informed, friendly and nice.
This is the first Florida Sate Park that I really don't like. I am sure camping there is good and it is open 24 hours with excellent fishing. I just don't want to deal with those people. Ft. Pierce State Park - excellent! Here - lousy! It all goes back to management. I would like to chat with the manager of this park.
So, I need to fix my bike! First I stop at a McDonald's that is in Vero Beach and is beautiful. Not like the other one at all! Inside the wall is covered with old photos of Vero Beach showing it's history. Vero, one reveals, means 'truth' in Latin. This one also proclaims that Vero Beach is the start of the tropics in Florida.
While I am siting doing my website looking at that a well dressed lady is walking by staring at the pictures as well. I ask about this town and she stands there for at least 15 minutes and tells me all about it. She is very nice. Her name is Bobby (or Billy) Miller and she and her husband have been here son the 80's. They love it here and raised their three children her. Vero, she says, has the arts, a wonderful playhouse, dancing, a great high school that always places very well in the state. A band that will blow your mind and 5000 folks turn out for the Friday night football game. Plus the kindness of the people,the university here, etc. She really loves this place.
I tell her my less-than-grand experiences on the beach today and she says they must have been tourists. She tells me to come to the beach on the weekend and I will see the good folks of Vero Beach. We say goodbye and I soon leave and find a Dollar Tree. There I ask where Walmart is and find that it is on Hwy 60 about five miles or so west. I drive to Walmart and see a whole lot of stores. This looks like a nice place. Usually these coastal towns kind of die out the more west one goes. The hidden slums and ghettos of Florida. (That's why in Lake Worth, at the local Publix, or was it CVS?, there is an armed security guard. Armed, mind you. I asked him about that and he fills me in. I mentioned that it was the first time I every saw that and he responded that there is another one down the road with an armed guard, too!
So,this place is a new and positive experience! I check out some of the stores. Everyone seems friendly. Maybe the lady has a point! I finally buy a small tub if ice cream at the Dollar Tree near there and park at Wally World, watch a show on my IPOD and enjoy chocolate ice cream. Good night!
I head back up north and realize while I am driving that I have jogged the entire length of what I have been driving for almost the past hour. I really don't know how I feel about that. If it were someone else, I would think, "Wow!" But it is me, and it is just something I am doing, no wow about it. (A little smile though!)
I drive to Turtle Trail Park and then drive north. I plan to do all ten miles today,but I see a beach access, Treasure Shore, at exactly the 5-mile mark so I stage my van there and get the bike out. The tire is low but maybe that is all the lower it is going to get. I ride back and keep an eye on that tire. I make it to the access point and do some quick stretches and take off. It is near high tide, but the sand is firm. Great. I can stretch it out now. And I do. I keep a very good pace for about 40 minutes with a few slows and some fasts. The folks on the beach do not seem as friendly as those of recent jogs. They seem either stand-offish or just not willing to say hi. Not an arrogance, but something else. Not sure yet. Redneck? Maybe. I take a break and get some water at a resort. There was no "Private - No Trespassing" sign so I filled my bottle with their cold, purified water. I took a long drink start back to the beach to continue my jog. That water doesn't settle well with me. Just a little upsetting.
I finally finish and drive back, pickup my bike and head to Sebastian Inlet State Park. Rachel, the park ranger on duty tell me this is the only 24-hour state park in Florida. This is due to the great fishing at the inlet. I ask about the area and she give me a map what the park and surrounding area. Bleak. I ask about a place to get a pump for my bike tire. She calls her maintenance people and directs me to the service area. They have a compressor there. I thank her and head out.
I am not impressed with these folks at this park. On the past the exit to the service area I stop and ask Rachel, whose replacement had just arrived, if she could by any change take me back five miles. I will pay her. She declines. I get back to the van there is a park mule there. A young ranger with a little beard thing going asks if it is my van. I seem to be parked wrongly for some reason. (Now this isn't a really busy place!) Yep, just asking Rachel for a ride, etc. I say. And I hop in and take off. Something in his demeanor makes me think that these folks wear these uniforms to gain respect from people. He sticks his hand out to stop me from as I am going to the garage Rachel told me about, the park service garage. He says there must be some miscommunication as no one can give me a ride. I respond by saying I am going to the area for my bike tire, etc. He says nothing. I proceed. And I think, "This guy is a jerk!" When I get to the garage Oops, web host is upgrading. more later....
Okay, it's later! When I get to the garage there are three or four people standing around. One is working on a coworker's private vehicle. I ask for Mike and one says "You mean Mark?" so I say, "Yes, I do." It is Mark, the mechanic there evidently. He is a heavy set, somewhat sloven fellow. I get my tire off the bike and bring the tube over. He puts the pressure to it before I have a chance to secure it. It blows off. I make sure it is secure and he puts some air into it. I say something like I have to find the leak and another fellow standing there points and says, "Well, there it is, right there!" He says it like "Duh" Don't you see it? Mark asks if I have a patch and I am not sure. I used to, but that was months and months ago.
The last time I checked I didn't see any patches and I said, "Well, maybe somewhere." I said it slowly hoping they might volunteer one. Boy, was I in the wrong crowd! No one said anything. So, I said, "Thanks." and then the guy with the bear shows up and says something smart. Not to me, but his attitude will need to be adjusted someday. Let's see... Marine Corps Boot Camp? A negative and mean wife? A knock upside the head with a two-by-for? Nah... I don't see anything to help him. Sorry, fella!
So, I walked the few yards to the open doors of the back of the van and started to search for any patches. I knew I had some patches for my kayak but wasn't sure if they would work. I was willing to try though. When I look back at the garage they had closed up and left! Not even a word. This was about three in the afternoon. Well, thanks fellows! So, no compressor to inflate my tire. What were they thinking? Actually, they were probably thinking about themselves and nothing else. So much for their help! Their whole demeanor and actions revealed to me they were rednecks who had a state job and their ship had come in! They seemed the kind of people who would steal my van and laugh when I couldn't find it. Then they would blow it up for further amusement. For people who always wanted a classless society, just stop at the Sebastian Inlet State Park, south side. The volunteers at the museum on the other hand are simply very nice people. Informed, friendly and nice.
This is the first Florida Sate Park that I really don't like. I am sure camping there is good and it is open 24 hours with excellent fishing. I just don't want to deal with those people. Ft. Pierce State Park - excellent! Here - lousy! It all goes back to management. I would like to chat with the manager of this park.
So, I need to fix my bike! First I stop at a McDonald's that is in Vero Beach and is beautiful. Not like the other one at all! Inside the wall is covered with old photos of Vero Beach showing it's history. Vero, one reveals, means 'truth' in Latin. This one also proclaims that Vero Beach is the start of the tropics in Florida.
While I am siting doing my website looking at that a well dressed lady is walking by staring at the pictures as well. I ask about this town and she stands there for at least 15 minutes and tells me all about it. She is very nice. Her name is Bobby (or Billy) Miller and she and her husband have been here son the 80's. They love it here and raised their three children her. Vero, she says, has the arts, a wonderful playhouse, dancing, a great high school that always places very well in the state. A band that will blow your mind and 5000 folks turn out for the Friday night football game. Plus the kindness of the people,the university here, etc. She really loves this place.
I tell her my less-than-grand experiences on the beach today and she says they must have been tourists. She tells me to come to the beach on the weekend and I will see the good folks of Vero Beach. We say goodbye and I soon leave and find a Dollar Tree. There I ask where Walmart is and find that it is on Hwy 60 about five miles or so west. I drive to Walmart and see a whole lot of stores. This looks like a nice place. Usually these coastal towns kind of die out the more west one goes. The hidden slums and ghettos of Florida. (That's why in Lake Worth, at the local Publix, or was it CVS?, there is an armed security guard. Armed, mind you. I asked him about that and he fills me in. I mentioned that it was the first time I every saw that and he responded that there is another one down the road with an armed guard, too!
So,this place is a new and positive experience! I check out some of the stores. Everyone seems friendly. Maybe the lady has a point! I finally buy a small tub if ice cream at the Dollar Tree near there and park at Wally World, watch a show on my IPOD and enjoy chocolate ice cream. Good night!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
Last night I put a patch on my tube and it didn't hold. It was a patch for my kayak. Oh, well. I have to bite the bullet and go buy a patch repair kit. But I don't want to spend five bucks for a kit. I just need a patch! I tried to get one at Target last night, but they only sold kits. And Wally World is notorious for selling kits and not just the basic stuff. So, I walk into Walmart and walk to the back, (It's always far back somewhere, isn't it?) Lo and behold! I find a packet of just patches, pre-glued patches at that! And for a little over two bucks! I buy them and head back to the van.
Now, when I walked into Walmart, the greeter said, Hello, young man! and I retorted, Hello, Old man! Oops! He looked at me like I committed a faux pas directly against him. I felt bad about that, so when I left I said, Goodbye, Boss man, and patted him on the back.
I put the patch on and pumped it up. Finally got my little portable pump working. Actually I figured out how to use it! Kind of. It works good enough to pump it up part way. I hop on and ride for a bit and it seems to hold. I put it in the van and grab two oatmeal packets from the back and add them to a cup of lukewarm water. A friend of mine in Korea who is from northern England told he he tried it with cold water and it worked so I tried it with lukewarm water. Not bad! But mine is the maple sugar kind.so that sweetness saved the day.
I drive out to the end of the island, about 15 miles away. I enter the park and get ready to do my jog. I am still hungry so I have another two packs of oatmeal. Yummy! I walk out under the bridge. Folks are fishing and it looks to be a beautiful day. I hop on my bike and ride the five miles back to Treasure Shore Park. It is a nice ride and the tire holds up!
I was going to just take off, but I thought that I really need to exercise even though I don't want to. So, I do 50 push ups. Whew! First time I did that many in a long time. I do all my stretches and squats and then I take off to the sound of 93.7 FM where they pledge "Never the Same Song Twice Work Week" or something like that. (Actually they say, "Home of the No Repeat Work Weak".) That has been my music of choice the past few days. After all, John Tesh is on in the afternoon! I start off about 11 something. The day is beautiful, the tide is high,but the sand isn't too bad. There are some people on the beach, mostly fishermen and folks who are shelling. I find a nice shell and give it to one of the shelling folks. It was too big for me to carry. I find another just as it comes from the surf and keep that one! Just for me! And it is not too big!
Everyone is nice today! Maybe Bobby is right! Hope so as it makes for a much better day. There is the young couple setting up. He for fishing and she for lying out for a tan. Just down the beach an older couple has their spot. He is fishing and she is reading a book. They are very nice and he says he caught a nice drum but wasn't keep fish today. I mention that I should get his phone number and call to see if he catches another. He say if I am coming back to stop by and he will give me a keeper if he catches one. I agree and say I will be there in an hour.
By this time I see the jetty and step up my pace. I pass some others and touch the jetty with my foot! All done. Another one bites the dust! Next Island coming up! I am so happy I dance to that song that says, "no, no, I'm not the one for you..." Love that beat! There is a lady watching an egret or white heron or some beautiful white bird. I snap a pic. That bird is just standing there. Cool.
I get to the van and grab an empty bottle and head to the building to find some water. They have a museum! It is about the history of the local fishing here. Outside is a plaque to all the fallen fishermen, and I don't mean those who had too many Miller Lights and fell off the boat!. The museum is small but packed and the volunteers are nice. I get some history and some water too. Cool.
I drive and get my bike and on the way back stop to see if I have fish for lunch. Nope, he just caught a small whitefish and threw it back. We chat about the area and he and his wife live it here. They are from Vero Beach and really enjoy it. They are nice folks and I am beginning to change my thinking about this place. Maybe yesterday was an anomaly. Good!
I cross the bridge to the new island. The state park is on this side as well. Good. I drive to find a place to stage my bike or van and find that there are some so it is doable. I stop about five or six miles down the road at a Subway/gas station. I want to know where the bridge is to get back to the mainland and some place to get online. T.C. tells me that I am right in the middle. I can go 13.6 miles south or 14 miles north to Melbourne. I find that kind of funny. I choose Melbourne because I haven't been there yet. We chat. She has an amazing story. From a six figure income in Virginia with over a quarter of a million dollars in the bank, house, vehicles, etc. to nothing. She tells me that "If I am going to get screwed, I might as well get screwed in Florida!" She came out here and lived in a tent for a while. The cool thing about this is that she is very happy and loves it here. Very Positive!
Well, back to the beaches. It is 4:28 and I need to jog five more miles today. By the way, I have been getting well over a hundreds hits on this site for the past few days. Thanks! Let me know who you are?
I get to the Sebastian Beach Inn and ask to leave my bike there. Tiki says okay. Great. Now I drive back to the north side of the Sebastian Inlet State Park and park my van. I jog the little bay they have and then walk to the jetty. Folks are there who stare but don't say hi. Rednecks from inland? Probably. I don't normally use the term rednecks, but I see no other way to distinguish these folks. I am open to suggestions.
I take off. It is 6:12 PM so I have to hurry as the inn is at least five miles away and I want to reach it before dark. Low tide but because of the steep grade of the beach, this doesn't mean much! But it is firm, I will get my feel wet is all. It feels to to really jog with long stretches. I keep it up for most of the trek, stopping once in a while to drink. Folks on this beach are friendly. Refreshing!
I ask a couple how far to the inn, or SBI, as everyone calls it around here. The gent said about a mile up the beach. Bummer! I have already jogged for over an hour. I must not be making as good of time as I thought! I finally arrive at the inn. Tiki is there and says, "That;s quick!" I said not really or something like that. But it is done. And the folks eating there look like a nice bunch of people. I grab my bike and ride back in the dark. I am not on the road though, just a paved sidewalk. It takes a loonnnngggg time to get back. I must be tired!
Finally I see the park entrance sign and peddle in. My van! I stow my gear, grab a bite and watch some Lie To Me on my IPOD and before 10 PM I am asleep.
Now, when I walked into Walmart, the greeter said, Hello, young man! and I retorted, Hello, Old man! Oops! He looked at me like I committed a faux pas directly against him. I felt bad about that, so when I left I said, Goodbye, Boss man, and patted him on the back.
I put the patch on and pumped it up. Finally got my little portable pump working. Actually I figured out how to use it! Kind of. It works good enough to pump it up part way. I hop on and ride for a bit and it seems to hold. I put it in the van and grab two oatmeal packets from the back and add them to a cup of lukewarm water. A friend of mine in Korea who is from northern England told he he tried it with cold water and it worked so I tried it with lukewarm water. Not bad! But mine is the maple sugar kind.so that sweetness saved the day.
I drive out to the end of the island, about 15 miles away. I enter the park and get ready to do my jog. I am still hungry so I have another two packs of oatmeal. Yummy! I walk out under the bridge. Folks are fishing and it looks to be a beautiful day. I hop on my bike and ride the five miles back to Treasure Shore Park. It is a nice ride and the tire holds up!
I was going to just take off, but I thought that I really need to exercise even though I don't want to. So, I do 50 push ups. Whew! First time I did that many in a long time. I do all my stretches and squats and then I take off to the sound of 93.7 FM where they pledge "Never the Same Song Twice Work Week" or something like that. (Actually they say, "Home of the No Repeat Work Weak".) That has been my music of choice the past few days. After all, John Tesh is on in the afternoon! I start off about 11 something. The day is beautiful, the tide is high,but the sand isn't too bad. There are some people on the beach, mostly fishermen and folks who are shelling. I find a nice shell and give it to one of the shelling folks. It was too big for me to carry. I find another just as it comes from the surf and keep that one! Just for me! And it is not too big!
Everyone is nice today! Maybe Bobby is right! Hope so as it makes for a much better day. There is the young couple setting up. He for fishing and she for lying out for a tan. Just down the beach an older couple has their spot. He is fishing and she is reading a book. They are very nice and he says he caught a nice drum but wasn't keep fish today. I mention that I should get his phone number and call to see if he catches another. He say if I am coming back to stop by and he will give me a keeper if he catches one. I agree and say I will be there in an hour.
By this time I see the jetty and step up my pace. I pass some others and touch the jetty with my foot! All done. Another one bites the dust! Next Island coming up! I am so happy I dance to that song that says, "no, no, I'm not the one for you..." Love that beat! There is a lady watching an egret or white heron or some beautiful white bird. I snap a pic. That bird is just standing there. Cool.
I get to the van and grab an empty bottle and head to the building to find some water. They have a museum! It is about the history of the local fishing here. Outside is a plaque to all the fallen fishermen, and I don't mean those who had too many Miller Lights and fell off the boat!. The museum is small but packed and the volunteers are nice. I get some history and some water too. Cool.
I drive and get my bike and on the way back stop to see if I have fish for lunch. Nope, he just caught a small whitefish and threw it back. We chat about the area and he and his wife live it here. They are from Vero Beach and really enjoy it. They are nice folks and I am beginning to change my thinking about this place. Maybe yesterday was an anomaly. Good!
I cross the bridge to the new island. The state park is on this side as well. Good. I drive to find a place to stage my bike or van and find that there are some so it is doable. I stop about five or six miles down the road at a Subway/gas station. I want to know where the bridge is to get back to the mainland and some place to get online. T.C. tells me that I am right in the middle. I can go 13.6 miles south or 14 miles north to Melbourne. I find that kind of funny. I choose Melbourne because I haven't been there yet. We chat. She has an amazing story. From a six figure income in Virginia with over a quarter of a million dollars in the bank, house, vehicles, etc. to nothing. She tells me that "If I am going to get screwed, I might as well get screwed in Florida!" She came out here and lived in a tent for a while. The cool thing about this is that she is very happy and loves it here. Very Positive!
Well, back to the beaches. It is 4:28 and I need to jog five more miles today. By the way, I have been getting well over a hundreds hits on this site for the past few days. Thanks! Let me know who you are?
I get to the Sebastian Beach Inn and ask to leave my bike there. Tiki says okay. Great. Now I drive back to the north side of the Sebastian Inlet State Park and park my van. I jog the little bay they have and then walk to the jetty. Folks are there who stare but don't say hi. Rednecks from inland? Probably. I don't normally use the term rednecks, but I see no other way to distinguish these folks. I am open to suggestions.
I take off. It is 6:12 PM so I have to hurry as the inn is at least five miles away and I want to reach it before dark. Low tide but because of the steep grade of the beach, this doesn't mean much! But it is firm, I will get my feel wet is all. It feels to to really jog with long stretches. I keep it up for most of the trek, stopping once in a while to drink. Folks on this beach are friendly. Refreshing!
I ask a couple how far to the inn, or SBI, as everyone calls it around here. The gent said about a mile up the beach. Bummer! I have already jogged for over an hour. I must not be making as good of time as I thought! I finally arrive at the inn. Tiki is there and says, "That;s quick!" I said not really or something like that. But it is done. And the folks eating there look like a nice bunch of people. I grab my bike and ride back in the dark. I am not on the road though, just a paved sidewalk. It takes a loonnnngggg time to get back. I must be tired!
Finally I see the park entrance sign and peddle in. My van! I stow my gear, grab a bite and watch some Lie To Me on my IPOD and before 10 PM I am asleep.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
Up at dawn and get cleaned up, I hop back in the van and get jogging. I just want to go in 3-mile spurts today. I drive past SBI (Sebastian Beach Inn) and mark my odometer. Three miles down the road there is on access. I keep going. Still no access. I get 6 miles down the road and reach Ponce de Leon County Park. Oh, well. six miles it is. While there, the sun comes up and it is beautiful so I snap a few picks. This is a very cool park. The murals at this park, debunks he myths surrounding the man and where he landed, which was here. And it does it quite well. The 3D mural is very cool as well.
I get ready by enjoying my morning oatmeal (4 packs) and don my gear. There is one bottle of cold water I have been saving and I put it on the bike. I ride back to SBI and do a few exercises and take off. A slow pace. I have time today and am still tired from yesterday evening. As the morning advances more people are on the beach and all are friendly. Some even wave before I do. Wow. This is fun again! It's high tide but the sand isn't too soft and I follow the gator tracks when I can. I also follow other people's tracks when feasible. The wind is steady from the east and the sun isn't too hot yet. The waves are pounding the beach and the water is more blue today. Nice.
I jog for half an hour and stop a few minutes to take a drink. Then I go again. It is a slow jog and feels good. Later I see a hose and get some more water for my bottle. There I sit on the steps and call my bank. Some money had come in and I wanted to be sure where it was from and how much. Well, that helps!
I jog again and am startled by a brown 5 to 6-foot snake on the beach heading for the underbrush. Wow! The biggest snake I have seen yet. I take a picture of the trail it leaves. No rattle and no distinguishing designs and it is more scared of me that I of it evidently. Sure does add some energy to my step though! (This reminds me of the time I was golfing and went to find my ball near the pond. I also found a snake sunning itself. The next drive was the longest I ever hit! That is what adrenalin will do for you!)
Next I come across a little trail through the ankle high vegetation so I take it. It looks pretty cool. It takes me to the road (A1A) and nothing else is there except some houses across the street. Since I am low on water again I walk up to a house, a very nice house, and ring the door bell. One never knows what is going to happen at these times, but it is usually good. Jim answers the door along with his beautiful,big dog. I mention how I got there and thought I might ask for some water. He says sure and takes the bottle. The dog comes out to visit me and I give it a doggy massage. You know, between the shoulder blades, behind the ears and across the thighs of the forelegs. The dog likes it.
Jim asks if I want ice. You bet! He is a very nice fellow who has been here for the past 12 years. From Manhattan. I mention how nice all the people seem and he readily agrees. He loves it here and many others do too.
I take off back down the path and finish my jog a while later. It takes two hours and twenty minutes for six miles. Not record breaking, but not terrible either. I shower with soap and does it feel good! It was been a few days. Way too long for me. Then I grab a sandwich and head back to SBI to get my bike. If they have internet I will stay and have a beer and start typing.
I get there and yes, they have internet so I order a beer and an ice water. Tiki is there and puts me in the right place for a view of the water and an outlet for the plug for my computer. SBI is a nice place. And it has quite a history as well. If you are in this area be sure to stop by. The view along is worth it. And Tiki, in charge when the boss is away, will make sure you feel at home and get excellent service. Here is their website. http://www.sbimelbournebeach.com
My legs are tired so I am taking the rest of the day off and plan to jog tomorrow. Time to soak up some of that sun while taking a nap!
Later I stop by the Dollar Tree to pick up a few items and head to a nearby Walmart as the parks on Brevard County, even the marinas, do not seem conducive to overnight parking. Not sure,but just think so. I am asleep by 10 PM. Must be tired!
I get ready by enjoying my morning oatmeal (4 packs) and don my gear. There is one bottle of cold water I have been saving and I put it on the bike. I ride back to SBI and do a few exercises and take off. A slow pace. I have time today and am still tired from yesterday evening. As the morning advances more people are on the beach and all are friendly. Some even wave before I do. Wow. This is fun again! It's high tide but the sand isn't too soft and I follow the gator tracks when I can. I also follow other people's tracks when feasible. The wind is steady from the east and the sun isn't too hot yet. The waves are pounding the beach and the water is more blue today. Nice.
I jog for half an hour and stop a few minutes to take a drink. Then I go again. It is a slow jog and feels good. Later I see a hose and get some more water for my bottle. There I sit on the steps and call my bank. Some money had come in and I wanted to be sure where it was from and how much. Well, that helps!
I jog again and am startled by a brown 5 to 6-foot snake on the beach heading for the underbrush. Wow! The biggest snake I have seen yet. I take a picture of the trail it leaves. No rattle and no distinguishing designs and it is more scared of me that I of it evidently. Sure does add some energy to my step though! (This reminds me of the time I was golfing and went to find my ball near the pond. I also found a snake sunning itself. The next drive was the longest I ever hit! That is what adrenalin will do for you!)
Next I come across a little trail through the ankle high vegetation so I take it. It looks pretty cool. It takes me to the road (A1A) and nothing else is there except some houses across the street. Since I am low on water again I walk up to a house, a very nice house, and ring the door bell. One never knows what is going to happen at these times, but it is usually good. Jim answers the door along with his beautiful,big dog. I mention how I got there and thought I might ask for some water. He says sure and takes the bottle. The dog comes out to visit me and I give it a doggy massage. You know, between the shoulder blades, behind the ears and across the thighs of the forelegs. The dog likes it.
Jim asks if I want ice. You bet! He is a very nice fellow who has been here for the past 12 years. From Manhattan. I mention how nice all the people seem and he readily agrees. He loves it here and many others do too.
I take off back down the path and finish my jog a while later. It takes two hours and twenty minutes for six miles. Not record breaking, but not terrible either. I shower with soap and does it feel good! It was been a few days. Way too long for me. Then I grab a sandwich and head back to SBI to get my bike. If they have internet I will stay and have a beer and start typing.
I get there and yes, they have internet so I order a beer and an ice water. Tiki is there and puts me in the right place for a view of the water and an outlet for the plug for my computer. SBI is a nice place. And it has quite a history as well. If you are in this area be sure to stop by. The view along is worth it. And Tiki, in charge when the boss is away, will make sure you feel at home and get excellent service. Here is their website. http://www.sbimelbournebeach.com
My legs are tired so I am taking the rest of the day off and plan to jog tomorrow. Time to soak up some of that sun while taking a nap!
Later I stop by the Dollar Tree to pick up a few items and head to a nearby Walmart as the parks on Brevard County, even the marinas, do not seem conducive to overnight parking. Not sure,but just think so. I am asleep by 10 PM. Must be tired!
SATURDAY, 9/17/2011
I wake up late, around 8:45 AM. Guess I was tired! I go into Wally World see if I need anything like fruit and veggies. Nope! On the way out I notice a bus stop. Bu#24 pulls up and is waiting until the schedule tells her to go. I ask the drive about the buses and wonder if a bus goes to the beaches. Yes, they do. Bus #26. Great. She has some schedules and I grab a couple, one for each bus I am interested in. This is great news. This means I can jog and jog some more and not worry about staging my bike and riding it back.
Later on the beach road, A1A, I find that the bus only goes up to the Eau Gallie Bridge Road. So, I will have to stage and jog is another six miles and hopefully that will be it till the end of this island! (I am still fretting over Cape Canaveral though. I really want to jog ALL the perimeter beaches Florida.)
On the way back to the van I notice a few folks at some picnic tables nearby. I want to find out more about my surroundings including the fastest way to the beach. They are Walmart employees. Two ladies and a gent. I ask about the buses and the best way to the beach. They readily help me. Only lady is thin and slightly older than me, the other is younger. The gent has a couple of American Indian-style earrings and kind of long hair. I joke about our age or something and we have a laugh. He mentions he has over a million miles on motorcycles. I respond by saying he must be a good driver because he looks pretty healthy. He laughs at that and say he has broken almost every bone in his body.
Well, there must be a story here! So I start asking questions. His name is Jeff and he rode bulls on the rodeo circuit for six years. That accounted for several broken bones. The last fight with a bull made him rethink his future in the rodeo. The bull came at him and, first, hit him in the sternum, breaking it and cracking five ribs also. Next the bull stepped on his left thigh and broke it in two places. Then the bull swiped his face with it's horns and broke his jaw and broke his left arm as well. Then he goes on to say that during his 38 years of riding harleys, the worst accident he has was when an old lady was driving on the wrong side of the rode and hit him head on. He says he spent 7 months in the hospital after that one.
I asked him how long he worked at Wally World and he says about a year and a half. Before that? At a Harley-Davidson dealership nearby which closed down. He has two bikes now that need work. As a mechanic he can fix them, but parts simply cost too much right now. He is not bitter at this turn in life, just getting through it. We both talk about the politicians and the loss of jobs in America. He saw it coming from the real estate side and I saw i it coming from the losing of the middle class which I saw whenever I came back to America from South Korea. I say goodbye and tell him there is a saying in the Bible, "This too shall pass!" He laughs, we shake hands and part. (Actually the KJV says "It came to pass...)
For some reason that conversation cheered me up! The cash flow from my insurance is very slow this month. I am not sure why as I call my clients. I hope poaching is not going on. So, time to tighten the belt! Till next week! Not broke, just can't play! lol I decide I have been too concerned or too tired out from jogging this area, so I am not jogging today. I am going to the beach to relax, something I haven't done since I got back to the Atlantic side. So, I take off for the beach. The quickest way, they said, is to turn right at the next light and take Eau Gallie to the beaches. I take the turn and see this beautiful, long bridge. I see people jogging and I want to jog it too. Just for fun! Not because I have to. So I turn into the causeway parking lot and get ready.
I see three ladies and a guy doing sit-ups nearby. After getting ready, I walk over and say Hi. I wanted to now a little about the bridge and Cape Canaveral beaches. The guy has some knowledge about it. Good. Every little bit helps. I mention to the ladies that there an exercise I recently learned for the abs that works great. I show one lady how to do it. She really likes it. This is one you can do standing up and can even focus on upper, lower or mid abs.
Then I take off for the bridge. I hope I can keep the same pace and not slow down before I reach the top. I don't. It feels fun! I say hi to the other joggers and walkers. Most say hi back and smile. Then I turn around and read the plaque about the bridge. It used to be a wooden bridge. One that caught on fire 16 times in one year! Finally they built a concrete bridge in 1988. Besides being the only hill in the area, it is a fun jog and the view is simply beautiful overlooking the Indian River along the Intracoastal Waterway. Then I jog back at a slower, relaxed pace. Once I reach the top, which is marked at 400 yards or meters, I stop and take in the view. Then I head down. A fit grandmother and her grandson, about 10 years old and slightly chubby, are jogging up. He is slowing. I want to encourage him so I tell him he can do it. Keep it up! She looks at him and smiles at me. I tell the boy that I'll we watching him. And I do. "Way to go!"" I say, "Don't touch the rail!" "You can do it!" He slows and she grabs his hand. When he reaches the top I shout, "You did it!" "Way to go!" They both wave. It is fun to encourage others! Just plain fun!
There are several places to access the beach. I choose Ponce de Leon Park because I know it and want something I already I know. I decide to take my fishing gear, beach chair, a book, some water and a towel. The beach has some folks but is not crowed. It's not a good day for surfers as the waves are breaking late. Two ladies to my left have their beach umbrella blown down. They gather it in. Later they get in the water. The surf is beating them up. They practice diving into the strong waves hitting the beach. It is fun to watch. Sometimes they get tossed sideways, sometimes they make it through. They laugh a lot.
After casting my line and fishing for a while. (It took about four time to get it anywhere near out there!) I get in the water. I did this once on North Shore on Oahu. A Marine buddy and I went swimming there during the time of big waves. He dove right into it. I look up at the wall of water above me and didn't dive. The wave slammed me into the sand and drove me for at least 5 to 10 yards. I did my best to keep my head from tumbling because I heard most injuries are neck injuries, like broken neck injuries. Later I got in at another area. So, this time, the waves were smaller but still powerful. I dove in and it was smooth. I did get knocked around a bit. But that was just fun.
I lay in the sun for quite a while and get burned. Lobsters have nothing on me today! I have some after-sun stuff, so I don't worry too much. About 5 PM I decide to call it a day. Now I am at McDonald's typing away. Starbucks will have to wait a few days! Tomorrow is church and there are plenty to choose from. On person tells me about a church called The Way and I ask if it is the same as the group that started in the 70's. No, it is a new church. But they have no Sunday School. Bummer!
Next week I finish this island and then Cape Canaveral!
Story: There is one story about the Millionaire's Club Dance. Our waiter, a young man named Tony, who spoke French as well as English, got me my beer. He forgot the water and forgot my change as well. He was very busy, though. After I while I went over to him and asked about he water and my change. He said, "Oh, you had the beer, right?" "Yep", I said. "How much did you give me?" he asked. I said, "I gave you a ten." "And I just need a buck for the valet." He nodded and soon returned with my buck and water.
Later that night, they were taking the food away. Tony was walking by and I asked him, "Say, Tony, would it be possible to fix a plate to go for me?" "It's all gone." he said. (remember today is Tuesday) "Besides," he said, "you wouldn't want it anyway. It was Sunday's brunch. We only had 15 people for brunch so there was a lot left over." He goes on to add, "Our washer is from Haiti and even he won't eat it!" LOL I cracked up at that. And this is a posh place! The things one learns.
Later on the beach road, A1A, I find that the bus only goes up to the Eau Gallie Bridge Road. So, I will have to stage and jog is another six miles and hopefully that will be it till the end of this island! (I am still fretting over Cape Canaveral though. I really want to jog ALL the perimeter beaches Florida.)
On the way back to the van I notice a few folks at some picnic tables nearby. I want to find out more about my surroundings including the fastest way to the beach. They are Walmart employees. Two ladies and a gent. I ask about the buses and the best way to the beach. They readily help me. Only lady is thin and slightly older than me, the other is younger. The gent has a couple of American Indian-style earrings and kind of long hair. I joke about our age or something and we have a laugh. He mentions he has over a million miles on motorcycles. I respond by saying he must be a good driver because he looks pretty healthy. He laughs at that and say he has broken almost every bone in his body.
Well, there must be a story here! So I start asking questions. His name is Jeff and he rode bulls on the rodeo circuit for six years. That accounted for several broken bones. The last fight with a bull made him rethink his future in the rodeo. The bull came at him and, first, hit him in the sternum, breaking it and cracking five ribs also. Next the bull stepped on his left thigh and broke it in two places. Then the bull swiped his face with it's horns and broke his jaw and broke his left arm as well. Then he goes on to say that during his 38 years of riding harleys, the worst accident he has was when an old lady was driving on the wrong side of the rode and hit him head on. He says he spent 7 months in the hospital after that one.
I asked him how long he worked at Wally World and he says about a year and a half. Before that? At a Harley-Davidson dealership nearby which closed down. He has two bikes now that need work. As a mechanic he can fix them, but parts simply cost too much right now. He is not bitter at this turn in life, just getting through it. We both talk about the politicians and the loss of jobs in America. He saw it coming from the real estate side and I saw i it coming from the losing of the middle class which I saw whenever I came back to America from South Korea. I say goodbye and tell him there is a saying in the Bible, "This too shall pass!" He laughs, we shake hands and part. (Actually the KJV says "It came to pass...)
For some reason that conversation cheered me up! The cash flow from my insurance is very slow this month. I am not sure why as I call my clients. I hope poaching is not going on. So, time to tighten the belt! Till next week! Not broke, just can't play! lol I decide I have been too concerned or too tired out from jogging this area, so I am not jogging today. I am going to the beach to relax, something I haven't done since I got back to the Atlantic side. So, I take off for the beach. The quickest way, they said, is to turn right at the next light and take Eau Gallie to the beaches. I take the turn and see this beautiful, long bridge. I see people jogging and I want to jog it too. Just for fun! Not because I have to. So I turn into the causeway parking lot and get ready.
I see three ladies and a guy doing sit-ups nearby. After getting ready, I walk over and say Hi. I wanted to now a little about the bridge and Cape Canaveral beaches. The guy has some knowledge about it. Good. Every little bit helps. I mention to the ladies that there an exercise I recently learned for the abs that works great. I show one lady how to do it. She really likes it. This is one you can do standing up and can even focus on upper, lower or mid abs.
Then I take off for the bridge. I hope I can keep the same pace and not slow down before I reach the top. I don't. It feels fun! I say hi to the other joggers and walkers. Most say hi back and smile. Then I turn around and read the plaque about the bridge. It used to be a wooden bridge. One that caught on fire 16 times in one year! Finally they built a concrete bridge in 1988. Besides being the only hill in the area, it is a fun jog and the view is simply beautiful overlooking the Indian River along the Intracoastal Waterway. Then I jog back at a slower, relaxed pace. Once I reach the top, which is marked at 400 yards or meters, I stop and take in the view. Then I head down. A fit grandmother and her grandson, about 10 years old and slightly chubby, are jogging up. He is slowing. I want to encourage him so I tell him he can do it. Keep it up! She looks at him and smiles at me. I tell the boy that I'll we watching him. And I do. "Way to go!"" I say, "Don't touch the rail!" "You can do it!" He slows and she grabs his hand. When he reaches the top I shout, "You did it!" "Way to go!" They both wave. It is fun to encourage others! Just plain fun!
There are several places to access the beach. I choose Ponce de Leon Park because I know it and want something I already I know. I decide to take my fishing gear, beach chair, a book, some water and a towel. The beach has some folks but is not crowed. It's not a good day for surfers as the waves are breaking late. Two ladies to my left have their beach umbrella blown down. They gather it in. Later they get in the water. The surf is beating them up. They practice diving into the strong waves hitting the beach. It is fun to watch. Sometimes they get tossed sideways, sometimes they make it through. They laugh a lot.
After casting my line and fishing for a while. (It took about four time to get it anywhere near out there!) I get in the water. I did this once on North Shore on Oahu. A Marine buddy and I went swimming there during the time of big waves. He dove right into it. I look up at the wall of water above me and didn't dive. The wave slammed me into the sand and drove me for at least 5 to 10 yards. I did my best to keep my head from tumbling because I heard most injuries are neck injuries, like broken neck injuries. Later I got in at another area. So, this time, the waves were smaller but still powerful. I dove in and it was smooth. I did get knocked around a bit. But that was just fun.
I lay in the sun for quite a while and get burned. Lobsters have nothing on me today! I have some after-sun stuff, so I don't worry too much. About 5 PM I decide to call it a day. Now I am at McDonald's typing away. Starbucks will have to wait a few days! Tomorrow is church and there are plenty to choose from. On person tells me about a church called The Way and I ask if it is the same as the group that started in the 70's. No, it is a new church. But they have no Sunday School. Bummer!
Next week I finish this island and then Cape Canaveral!
Story: There is one story about the Millionaire's Club Dance. Our waiter, a young man named Tony, who spoke French as well as English, got me my beer. He forgot the water and forgot my change as well. He was very busy, though. After I while I went over to him and asked about he water and my change. He said, "Oh, you had the beer, right?" "Yep", I said. "How much did you give me?" he asked. I said, "I gave you a ten." "And I just need a buck for the valet." He nodded and soon returned with my buck and water.
Later that night, they were taking the food away. Tony was walking by and I asked him, "Say, Tony, would it be possible to fix a plate to go for me?" "It's all gone." he said. (remember today is Tuesday) "Besides," he said, "you wouldn't want it anyway. It was Sunday's brunch. We only had 15 people for brunch so there was a lot left over." He goes on to add, "Our washer is from Haiti and even he won't eat it!" LOL I cracked up at that. And this is a posh place! The things one learns.
Sunday, 9/18/2011
I awake around 8:30 and think I had better get ready for church. I almost feel like skipping church today, but throw that thought away and get ready. Which church. I saw a baptist church down the road earlier and might go there. But I really don't want to. On the way down Eau Gallie Blvd. I see on the left the Emmanuel United Methodist Church so I swing in there. Casual service starts at 9:15 so I am in time. Plus they have coffee and plates of goodies. I grab s half cup of coffee and some chocolate cookies. Yummy! The folks here are nice, introducing themselves and being friendly. On glitch though is that Sunday School starts while Casual Church is in progress. Oh, well. I stay in the service until Sunday School starts. I was sitting in the back so as not to disturb too many folks.
I find the S.S. classroom and enter. There are about 10 folks sitting around a square of tables. Great! We joke when I walk in. It is an interactive class with Marge in charge. All are older than me, which is fine. The class is enjoyable and folks are nice. I, of course, toss in my 2 cents when I think it is needed. I also tell them to let me now when to shut up. They laugh, (well at least most of them do!). People expressing their personal Christianity is one of the best things in life. And I find out that they are having a church picnic today,. And I am invited! Wow! Can't wait!
S.S., is over and I head to the church proper. I really don't want to go to church again so I ask an usher or someone where the library is. They don't think there is one. Hmm.... I take off back to the classroom and find it. I see they have a good selection. I even find a few by Watchman Nee, the Chinese Christian leader. He writes some really good stuff. There is another written by a couple on Proverbs. I pick that one and another on Psychology of Christianity or something like that from a psychologist at Dallas Theological Seminary. Looks good. I graba few others and head back to the foyer in the church where I can hear the sermon and browse at the same time (with coffee!).
Oh, yeah. This church give out free bread from Panera's. Kind of like the Ft. Myers Beach Baptist Church. These are good ministries. I am offered as much bread, bagels, etc. as I want. But I only choose one. I already have a loaf in the van and if I take more it will just spoil. They also give me a welcome gift of a coffee mug filled with a pen, a cross, an embroidered plastic thing, the kind mom used to make, and some literature. I keep the cross and the embroidery and pen, but give the rest back. What would I do with it?
Pastor Pam gives a good sermon and church is over. These folks really are nice. I chat with the pastor after she is done greeting and mention the two book I would like to borrow. She readily agrees and tells me to keep them if I can get them back to the church. I tell her I will pass them along to another church if I don't get them back here.
It is time to go to the picnic. What a spread. Hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork with two kinds of sauces, cole slaw, homemade potato salad and more! I each two plate's full and am stuffed! Not supper for me tonight! The conversations are good. Evidently some are going on a cruise tomorrow that there is much talk about that. The picnic is at Wickham Park and it is a nice, big and busy park. The group next to us is celebrating a four-year old's birthday, complete with water slide, etc. The weather is nice.
I bid goodbye and head to Starbucks to work on my website, take some more insurance test and watch an old Michael Caine movie. A Harry Palmer one. The old spy stuff, where people actually think! Not many people are here today and none of real interest. Bummer! After Starbucks I head back to my nightly slumber area.
I would rather be along the beach, but this county may frown on that. So, Wally World it is. Funny about that. I was at one near Palm Beach and there were many, many cars doing an overnighter there. Not just folks passing through, it seemed, but folks without a home. So, Wally World, one of the major culprits in causing American job losses, let's folks sleep in its parking lots! Hmm... talk about ambivalence!
There was one fellow at at the church picnic who asked a few good questions like how did I manage, where was I staying tonight, etc. I gave simple answers. I really didn't feel like staying at someone's home. Just wanted to relax. He was a nice guy though. Most folks don't think about others like that.
I find the S.S. classroom and enter. There are about 10 folks sitting around a square of tables. Great! We joke when I walk in. It is an interactive class with Marge in charge. All are older than me, which is fine. The class is enjoyable and folks are nice. I, of course, toss in my 2 cents when I think it is needed. I also tell them to let me now when to shut up. They laugh, (well at least most of them do!). People expressing their personal Christianity is one of the best things in life. And I find out that they are having a church picnic today,. And I am invited! Wow! Can't wait!
S.S., is over and I head to the church proper. I really don't want to go to church again so I ask an usher or someone where the library is. They don't think there is one. Hmm.... I take off back to the classroom and find it. I see they have a good selection. I even find a few by Watchman Nee, the Chinese Christian leader. He writes some really good stuff. There is another written by a couple on Proverbs. I pick that one and another on Psychology of Christianity or something like that from a psychologist at Dallas Theological Seminary. Looks good. I graba few others and head back to the foyer in the church where I can hear the sermon and browse at the same time (with coffee!).
Oh, yeah. This church give out free bread from Panera's. Kind of like the Ft. Myers Beach Baptist Church. These are good ministries. I am offered as much bread, bagels, etc. as I want. But I only choose one. I already have a loaf in the van and if I take more it will just spoil. They also give me a welcome gift of a coffee mug filled with a pen, a cross, an embroidered plastic thing, the kind mom used to make, and some literature. I keep the cross and the embroidery and pen, but give the rest back. What would I do with it?
Pastor Pam gives a good sermon and church is over. These folks really are nice. I chat with the pastor after she is done greeting and mention the two book I would like to borrow. She readily agrees and tells me to keep them if I can get them back to the church. I tell her I will pass them along to another church if I don't get them back here.
It is time to go to the picnic. What a spread. Hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork with two kinds of sauces, cole slaw, homemade potato salad and more! I each two plate's full and am stuffed! Not supper for me tonight! The conversations are good. Evidently some are going on a cruise tomorrow that there is much talk about that. The picnic is at Wickham Park and it is a nice, big and busy park. The group next to us is celebrating a four-year old's birthday, complete with water slide, etc. The weather is nice.
I bid goodbye and head to Starbucks to work on my website, take some more insurance test and watch an old Michael Caine movie. A Harry Palmer one. The old spy stuff, where people actually think! Not many people are here today and none of real interest. Bummer! After Starbucks I head back to my nightly slumber area.
I would rather be along the beach, but this county may frown on that. So, Wally World it is. Funny about that. I was at one near Palm Beach and there were many, many cars doing an overnighter there. Not just folks passing through, it seemed, but folks without a home. So, Wally World, one of the major culprits in causing American job losses, let's folks sleep in its parking lots! Hmm... talk about ambivalence!
There was one fellow at at the church picnic who asked a few good questions like how did I manage, where was I staying tonight, etc. I gave simple answers. I really didn't feel like staying at someone's home. Just wanted to relax. He was a nice guy though. Most folks don't think about others like that.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
Wake up Little Susie and Cupid Shuffle go off within a few minutes of each other. Time to get up! The beach is beckoning, calling my name! I get up, cross the bridge and head to my access point. I plan to do 3-mile jogs today. I shave, etc.and am jogging by 8:11 and the day look beautiful. The sand isn't too firm, but not too bad either.; I finish the jog in less than 45 minutes I actually thought I had jogged just two miles,but thought I had better check. So I walked up to the park and took out my phone and looked at the picture I took of the sign. Yep, this is it! Wow! I walk to the end and find my bike. Cool.
I make a peanut butter sandwich and head to the next 3-mile point. I come to a park and see two things: parking meters and homeless. . Gee,sometimes they go together! I see two homeless dudes with long hair braided back sitting next to a bike. I mention, "So, this is where the homeless hangout!" They disagree,but not too much. Well,I am not going to pay to park my van here, so I stage my bike and drive back. This is the first time I see parking meters since Palm Beach! Evidently the town of Indiatlantic decided it need more revenue. They just got them in about a year ago I hear. I see a meter man gathering the coins. We chat. He doesn't like them either. He said Cocoa Beach has them too. He is a nice guy. He tells of the story of getting a parking ticket at Hollywood, Florida because he didn't understand their system of having a little pay station. He didn't see a meter so he thought the parking was free. It cost him $75, he said. His girlfriend ribbed him about it all the way home, er, his ex-girlfriend I should say!
I take off down the beach and it feels good. The tide might be at the low stage because I find some firm ground. Folks are out and it is a beautiful day. Lots of fishermen, a few surfers and many tanners. Some walkers and a few joggers. The weather has cooled somewhere here and it feels like autumn with temps only in the high 80's barely reaching the 90's. Sure beats Ohio! And that is what I say to folks I meet who are from Ohio or any other northern state. You know how some say, "I'm from Michigan!" or "I'm from Iowa!" like they are proud of it. And these are nice folks. But I always like to say, "Sure beats Michigan!" or "Sure beats Iowa!". They smile and always agree.
Six miles under my belt! I walk up to the park and see a black guy hanging his scant laundry on some bushes right along the path to the beach. A homeless faux pas, I believe. I ask if he got all his laundry done and he says he did. The two other guys are still there, too. Just sitting their watching folks. I walk to my bike, which is away from that area, and ride back. Next I clean my cooler because I had put a couple of small cupcakes from yesterday in there. They got watery.
With the cooler cleaned, I head back about 14 miles to see T.C. I am having a letter sent to her house and need to tell her. She was supposed to call me at the end of last week so I am a little concerned. But it is easy to misplace business cards. I certainly have done it before. She is the one who had a six figure income and lost everything, but is happy as can be here at Melbourne Beach. She is a nice person who I think has other stories to tell!
She is behind the counter at Subway and immediately apologizes. She washed my card with her clothes. So I gave her a new one. She is good about the letter. She has a second job now and we will get together in a few days. Her second job involves a Porsche. Stay tuned!
I decide to jog one more time today. But where to park my van? I am not going to pay parking meters. Uppity Indiatlantic can forget that! But there is a Starbucks there so I park and get out my computer. I check the bus schedules to make sure my bus, #26 stops where I want to stop jogging. It does. I drive into the CVS parking lot and see Tow-Away Zone signs. So, I hop out and enter the store. I ask for the manager and find the assistant manager. I tell him what I am doing and if I can leave my van there. He says sure. Cool. I give my card because he and a clerk showed interest. I head out and double check my van doors and hit the beach.
The sand is soft. No getting around it either. Oh, well. Better start getting used to it. The jog feels good. Along the way I see a guy with a surfboard. His wife is bringing one to their spot as well. These aren't teenagers! I gotta stop. I ask him how long he has been surfing. He say all his life. It's a lot of fun and keeps him in shape. He is in shape, but has a little belly. I ask how old he is. He says almost 40. Still surfin'! He mentions being in the Marine Corps and his wife goes and sits in a chair. She knows we are going to chat! He was recon and has been to many places, including Panama when Noriega was captured, etc. With a couple of Semper Fi's and an "Oorah!" or two we say goodbye.
It always feels good to meet nice folks, especially if we have something in common. My pace shows it. I step it up a notch. And don't quit. It feels good. I do stop for a drink a few times, but that is it. I get to a beach with some people and ask a couple where the bridge on Eau Gallie is and they say right here! I make it! I could have kept jogging. Sometimes it just feels good.
Now to catch the bus. I ask a Friendly's where the bus stops. They tell me at Walmart, right behind them. I also get a glass of ice water there. Yummy! I go to Walmart and see people sitting down on benches outside. I say, "So, this is where the bus stops!" Oops! Guess not. They are just smoking before they go into the store. They think it is on the other side of the doors. I walk over and see the blue sign. I call the number on the sign to be sure this is where the bus heading south stops. Yes, it is and it might be early. Glad I am early!
The bus is a few minutes late. It costs $1.25 and I have the exact change because the website said they don't give change. The driver, another girl, is very helpful and will let me know when to get off. I come to the CVS store corner. I ask her where the stop is. She passed it. Can I get out here? She opens the door. Thanks! Right at my van!
I walk in the store to thank them. One of the clerks I saw before is there but busy. I kind of wave, and she smiles. Good, they know I appreciate them. I hop back in my van and see several county parks. The difference is - No Parking Meters! So, i you are headed this way and see parking meters, just go a few more blocks. The county parks are free!
I drive by the beach park and find the two homeless guys sitting there. I call one over and give him a loaf of bread since I have two and one will surly spoil. I keep the one from Panera's! They appreciate it. Oh, and before, when I was sitting there earlier and talking with them while taking of my shoes, one told me a joke. "Do you know the difference between a crackhead and a meth head?" he asked. "No." I said. He said, "The crackhead will steal from you, but he meth head will steal from you and then help you look for it!" ha ha (?) Yep, humor always has a bit of truth and I am outta there! Of course, neither use drugs! Just a little weed. Yeah, sure! And I am the Queen of England's secret love child!
I reach my destination, A1A and Eau Gallie. I saw a Dollar Tree and know they give cash when using a debit card and I need cash for bus fare tomorrow. And maybe the next day. Plus there is a Mickey D's in the same shopping complex. So,here I am typing away. A few interesting people here though. Plus I can get some computer work done. And the hot fudge sunday is really good!
Note: A few days ago I wrote an email to the Canaveralval National Seashore. They are supportive and check with the folks at NASA. So, far it's a no-go. God and I have a few issues these days and His promises are usually conditional. I don't think it is as much as a sin issue as a logic issue. Could be wrong though. I just can't agree with His ideas completely. Oh, I know He loves me and Jesus is His Son, etc. I have no doubts about any of that. But, it's more of a trust issue.
Time to call a radio station!
I call the station and leave a message. Maybe they will call me tomorrow. I head back to where I am parking my van and call it a day.
I make a peanut butter sandwich and head to the next 3-mile point. I come to a park and see two things: parking meters and homeless. . Gee,sometimes they go together! I see two homeless dudes with long hair braided back sitting next to a bike. I mention, "So, this is where the homeless hangout!" They disagree,but not too much. Well,I am not going to pay to park my van here, so I stage my bike and drive back. This is the first time I see parking meters since Palm Beach! Evidently the town of Indiatlantic decided it need more revenue. They just got them in about a year ago I hear. I see a meter man gathering the coins. We chat. He doesn't like them either. He said Cocoa Beach has them too. He is a nice guy. He tells of the story of getting a parking ticket at Hollywood, Florida because he didn't understand their system of having a little pay station. He didn't see a meter so he thought the parking was free. It cost him $75, he said. His girlfriend ribbed him about it all the way home, er, his ex-girlfriend I should say!
I take off down the beach and it feels good. The tide might be at the low stage because I find some firm ground. Folks are out and it is a beautiful day. Lots of fishermen, a few surfers and many tanners. Some walkers and a few joggers. The weather has cooled somewhere here and it feels like autumn with temps only in the high 80's barely reaching the 90's. Sure beats Ohio! And that is what I say to folks I meet who are from Ohio or any other northern state. You know how some say, "I'm from Michigan!" or "I'm from Iowa!" like they are proud of it. And these are nice folks. But I always like to say, "Sure beats Michigan!" or "Sure beats Iowa!". They smile and always agree.
Six miles under my belt! I walk up to the park and see a black guy hanging his scant laundry on some bushes right along the path to the beach. A homeless faux pas, I believe. I ask if he got all his laundry done and he says he did. The two other guys are still there, too. Just sitting their watching folks. I walk to my bike, which is away from that area, and ride back. Next I clean my cooler because I had put a couple of small cupcakes from yesterday in there. They got watery.
With the cooler cleaned, I head back about 14 miles to see T.C. I am having a letter sent to her house and need to tell her. She was supposed to call me at the end of last week so I am a little concerned. But it is easy to misplace business cards. I certainly have done it before. She is the one who had a six figure income and lost everything, but is happy as can be here at Melbourne Beach. She is a nice person who I think has other stories to tell!
She is behind the counter at Subway and immediately apologizes. She washed my card with her clothes. So I gave her a new one. She is good about the letter. She has a second job now and we will get together in a few days. Her second job involves a Porsche. Stay tuned!
I decide to jog one more time today. But where to park my van? I am not going to pay parking meters. Uppity Indiatlantic can forget that! But there is a Starbucks there so I park and get out my computer. I check the bus schedules to make sure my bus, #26 stops where I want to stop jogging. It does. I drive into the CVS parking lot and see Tow-Away Zone signs. So, I hop out and enter the store. I ask for the manager and find the assistant manager. I tell him what I am doing and if I can leave my van there. He says sure. Cool. I give my card because he and a clerk showed interest. I head out and double check my van doors and hit the beach.
The sand is soft. No getting around it either. Oh, well. Better start getting used to it. The jog feels good. Along the way I see a guy with a surfboard. His wife is bringing one to their spot as well. These aren't teenagers! I gotta stop. I ask him how long he has been surfing. He say all his life. It's a lot of fun and keeps him in shape. He is in shape, but has a little belly. I ask how old he is. He says almost 40. Still surfin'! He mentions being in the Marine Corps and his wife goes and sits in a chair. She knows we are going to chat! He was recon and has been to many places, including Panama when Noriega was captured, etc. With a couple of Semper Fi's and an "Oorah!" or two we say goodbye.
It always feels good to meet nice folks, especially if we have something in common. My pace shows it. I step it up a notch. And don't quit. It feels good. I do stop for a drink a few times, but that is it. I get to a beach with some people and ask a couple where the bridge on Eau Gallie is and they say right here! I make it! I could have kept jogging. Sometimes it just feels good.
Now to catch the bus. I ask a Friendly's where the bus stops. They tell me at Walmart, right behind them. I also get a glass of ice water there. Yummy! I go to Walmart and see people sitting down on benches outside. I say, "So, this is where the bus stops!" Oops! Guess not. They are just smoking before they go into the store. They think it is on the other side of the doors. I walk over and see the blue sign. I call the number on the sign to be sure this is where the bus heading south stops. Yes, it is and it might be early. Glad I am early!
The bus is a few minutes late. It costs $1.25 and I have the exact change because the website said they don't give change. The driver, another girl, is very helpful and will let me know when to get off. I come to the CVS store corner. I ask her where the stop is. She passed it. Can I get out here? She opens the door. Thanks! Right at my van!
I walk in the store to thank them. One of the clerks I saw before is there but busy. I kind of wave, and she smiles. Good, they know I appreciate them. I hop back in my van and see several county parks. The difference is - No Parking Meters! So, i you are headed this way and see parking meters, just go a few more blocks. The county parks are free!
I drive by the beach park and find the two homeless guys sitting there. I call one over and give him a loaf of bread since I have two and one will surly spoil. I keep the one from Panera's! They appreciate it. Oh, and before, when I was sitting there earlier and talking with them while taking of my shoes, one told me a joke. "Do you know the difference between a crackhead and a meth head?" he asked. "No." I said. He said, "The crackhead will steal from you, but he meth head will steal from you and then help you look for it!" ha ha (?) Yep, humor always has a bit of truth and I am outta there! Of course, neither use drugs! Just a little weed. Yeah, sure! And I am the Queen of England's secret love child!
I reach my destination, A1A and Eau Gallie. I saw a Dollar Tree and know they give cash when using a debit card and I need cash for bus fare tomorrow. And maybe the next day. Plus there is a Mickey D's in the same shopping complex. So,here I am typing away. A few interesting people here though. Plus I can get some computer work done. And the hot fudge sunday is really good!
Note: A few days ago I wrote an email to the Canaveralval National Seashore. They are supportive and check with the folks at NASA. So, far it's a no-go. God and I have a few issues these days and His promises are usually conditional. I don't think it is as much as a sin issue as a logic issue. Could be wrong though. I just can't agree with His ideas completely. Oh, I know He loves me and Jesus is His Son, etc. I have no doubts about any of that. But, it's more of a trust issue.
Time to call a radio station!
I call the station and leave a message. Maybe they will call me tomorrow. I head back to where I am parking my van and call it a day.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 20, 2011
It rained pretty hard last night. I wake up a little late, around 8:30. Bummer, I had wanted to jog at least 10 miles today. But the last five miles of that is Patrick Air Force Base so it has to be done in one shot. So, I decide to jog just five. I shave, etc., and head out to Canova Park at the end of Eau Gallie Blvd. I park my van and I don't have to stage my bike today! I am catching a bus back!
The weather threatens more rain and there is a steady wind blowing in. I get my shoes on, etc. and hit the beach. There is a lone surfer out there and doing a pretty good job. While standing there two other surfers come up and start waxing their boards. One is saying how they always miss high tide. Gee, glad I am not in that group! They get out of the water before I start my jog.
I do my exercises and start jogging. I am a little sore, especially my heels, but that goes away before i know it. It feels good to be on the beach and getting ready to jog. The sand is its usual soft and firm, so I just keep jogging and looking for gator tracks. They are always there for some reason. Sometimes I jog near the water where the sand is usually firm. If it is not firm there it is very soft! But then I get tired of dodging he incoming waves so I head to higher ground and usually soft sand. So what! I am not in a rush. Just a jog.
Sometimes I forget why I am here and loose focus. When that happens I just look ahead, down the beach to Jacksonville and it all comes back. And my focus is sharp again.
The grade is still kind of steep. I think the Atlantic side is often like that.
While jogging today I am waxing eloquently in my mind. I must have a philosophical bent today. Yesterday I had pulled some stuff off the internet on my current issue. It is about the problem of evil. I have been fighting with this idea for some time and decided to see what the scholars have thought up. Wikipedia has a good article and it even includes some Christian writers I know to be very good like C.S. Lewis. I haven't really read this yet, but I am looking forward to. Not sure i will understand all of it, but it is important to me. Wikipedia call it Problem of Evil. The crux of the matter is, If God really is good and He created the universe and all that is in it including you and me, why is there pain and suffering? Good God and Pain and Suffering? Together? Does not compute to me right now. But I know God is really good. That is the problem.
I have had different challenges before. For example, Matthew 7:9-11 where Jesus is talking about prayer and that we should pray because God really wants to answer our requests! 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!Matt 7:9-11 (NIV) My question with this was, If man is evil, how can he do good? How can evil do something good? This troubled me for some time. Until I studied it using my Greek I learned in college. The answer is that there are two words for evil in Greek. One mean the inherent evil we all have. But this passage uses the second one. This one means the outworking of evil. How does evil work outward? It affects others in a planned detrimental way. In other words, it hurts someone. It is based on one's selfishness. If there is a goal I have and I can advance that goal even though I hurt someone in the process, I will do it! I will hurt someone to reach my goal. That is selfishness. But if there is not personal goal attached to an action, I can do good. It doesn't affect me! That is the meaning of evil in this passage. Selfishness that overrides the rights of others. Evil.
So, I am not a stranger to these ideas. But this one really has me going and a bit angry as well. But, enough of that for now. (Would love to hear your thoughts on this though!)
Back at the beach I take a little break and call one of my insurance companies that pay on Wednesday. Yipee! Money in the bank tomorrow! And on Friday, the larger one. Whew! Fine dining tonight! And laundry today!
The beach curves and the condos run out into a wooded area which I guess is a park and my point of departure. After jogging a while, I ask a couple of fishermen who have a lot of gear with them. I figure they are locals and I am right. They know where the air force base begins and direct me correctly on how far I need to jog to get to my departure point. And in about fifteen minutes I reach it. Now if the bus is not too early I can take the bus back the five miles I jogged.
The bus it late, but it picks me up and drops me off not too far from my van. I stop at the Dollar Tree and get some laundry detergent, find a laundromat and wash my clothes. Could use some bleach I guess. Oh, well. I as the lady working there for an ironing board. None. Any outlets so I can iron? Yep, and she give me a towel to iron on as well. Cool. I iron my shirt and even some T-shirts because the dryer was really hot and everything got wrinkled. (I finally got the idea of asking the attendants which dryers work best. They do know!)
While there, I get a phone call from T.C. My letter has arrived. We agree to meet tomorrow at 2:30 as she is too busy today. Cool! I hope to get some more stories about her life her and get my new bank card! The one I have now expires at the end of the month!
Now for some chow. I end up at Beef O' Brady's. It is a nice, basket-food place. I have a Yuengling and a beef sandwich. Very nice and about $10. I actually thought it service a dinner on real plates going in because of the building and atmosphere it presented. But it served my needs nicely! And it was busy, which is usually a good sign.
After that I went the the Emmanuel UMC men's bible study. There were about 10 of us there. They were studying Isaiah. Hmm... Pretty heavy stuff. The folks were nice. The teach asked me to introduce myself and share any special verse I had. He mentioned he was going to pick on me and put me on the spot. Little did he know! I gave my spiel about jogging and shared Micah 6:8. Then because they had already read 2 Timothy 2:15 which tells preachers (and us) to study the Bible I also read 2 Timothy 2:14 about avoiding useless arguments over words, etc. Little did I know!
The teach is highly educated and very informative, but he gives choices in interpretations and usually discounts the literal for the allegorical. Isaiah walked around naked? Well... For three years? Maybe three days.... I don't fuss too much but do add there were reasons for the three years. (He had portrayed it as foolish, like wearing a hot dog suit for three years when three days would do just fine.) I mention that the three years was to give the folks a chance to repent which God has continuously told them to do. Then the fall of their country would have been avoided. But we all play nice and harbor no ill-will.
Now I am at Starbucks enjoying an ice coffee. I just met a district manager and her assistant for tutoring here. I give her my card and tell her I may be interested in a couple of months.
Can't wait to jog tomorrow!
The weather threatens more rain and there is a steady wind blowing in. I get my shoes on, etc. and hit the beach. There is a lone surfer out there and doing a pretty good job. While standing there two other surfers come up and start waxing their boards. One is saying how they always miss high tide. Gee, glad I am not in that group! They get out of the water before I start my jog.
I do my exercises and start jogging. I am a little sore, especially my heels, but that goes away before i know it. It feels good to be on the beach and getting ready to jog. The sand is its usual soft and firm, so I just keep jogging and looking for gator tracks. They are always there for some reason. Sometimes I jog near the water where the sand is usually firm. If it is not firm there it is very soft! But then I get tired of dodging he incoming waves so I head to higher ground and usually soft sand. So what! I am not in a rush. Just a jog.
Sometimes I forget why I am here and loose focus. When that happens I just look ahead, down the beach to Jacksonville and it all comes back. And my focus is sharp again.
The grade is still kind of steep. I think the Atlantic side is often like that.
While jogging today I am waxing eloquently in my mind. I must have a philosophical bent today. Yesterday I had pulled some stuff off the internet on my current issue. It is about the problem of evil. I have been fighting with this idea for some time and decided to see what the scholars have thought up. Wikipedia has a good article and it even includes some Christian writers I know to be very good like C.S. Lewis. I haven't really read this yet, but I am looking forward to. Not sure i will understand all of it, but it is important to me. Wikipedia call it Problem of Evil. The crux of the matter is, If God really is good and He created the universe and all that is in it including you and me, why is there pain and suffering? Good God and Pain and Suffering? Together? Does not compute to me right now. But I know God is really good. That is the problem.
I have had different challenges before. For example, Matthew 7:9-11 where Jesus is talking about prayer and that we should pray because God really wants to answer our requests! 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!Matt 7:9-11 (NIV) My question with this was, If man is evil, how can he do good? How can evil do something good? This troubled me for some time. Until I studied it using my Greek I learned in college. The answer is that there are two words for evil in Greek. One mean the inherent evil we all have. But this passage uses the second one. This one means the outworking of evil. How does evil work outward? It affects others in a planned detrimental way. In other words, it hurts someone. It is based on one's selfishness. If there is a goal I have and I can advance that goal even though I hurt someone in the process, I will do it! I will hurt someone to reach my goal. That is selfishness. But if there is not personal goal attached to an action, I can do good. It doesn't affect me! That is the meaning of evil in this passage. Selfishness that overrides the rights of others. Evil.
So, I am not a stranger to these ideas. But this one really has me going and a bit angry as well. But, enough of that for now. (Would love to hear your thoughts on this though!)
Back at the beach I take a little break and call one of my insurance companies that pay on Wednesday. Yipee! Money in the bank tomorrow! And on Friday, the larger one. Whew! Fine dining tonight! And laundry today!
The beach curves and the condos run out into a wooded area which I guess is a park and my point of departure. After jogging a while, I ask a couple of fishermen who have a lot of gear with them. I figure they are locals and I am right. They know where the air force base begins and direct me correctly on how far I need to jog to get to my departure point. And in about fifteen minutes I reach it. Now if the bus is not too early I can take the bus back the five miles I jogged.
The bus it late, but it picks me up and drops me off not too far from my van. I stop at the Dollar Tree and get some laundry detergent, find a laundromat and wash my clothes. Could use some bleach I guess. Oh, well. I as the lady working there for an ironing board. None. Any outlets so I can iron? Yep, and she give me a towel to iron on as well. Cool. I iron my shirt and even some T-shirts because the dryer was really hot and everything got wrinkled. (I finally got the idea of asking the attendants which dryers work best. They do know!)
While there, I get a phone call from T.C. My letter has arrived. We agree to meet tomorrow at 2:30 as she is too busy today. Cool! I hope to get some more stories about her life her and get my new bank card! The one I have now expires at the end of the month!
Now for some chow. I end up at Beef O' Brady's. It is a nice, basket-food place. I have a Yuengling and a beef sandwich. Very nice and about $10. I actually thought it service a dinner on real plates going in because of the building and atmosphere it presented. But it served my needs nicely! And it was busy, which is usually a good sign.
After that I went the the Emmanuel UMC men's bible study. There were about 10 of us there. They were studying Isaiah. Hmm... Pretty heavy stuff. The folks were nice. The teach asked me to introduce myself and share any special verse I had. He mentioned he was going to pick on me and put me on the spot. Little did he know! I gave my spiel about jogging and shared Micah 6:8. Then because they had already read 2 Timothy 2:15 which tells preachers (and us) to study the Bible I also read 2 Timothy 2:14 about avoiding useless arguments over words, etc. Little did I know!
The teach is highly educated and very informative, but he gives choices in interpretations and usually discounts the literal for the allegorical. Isaiah walked around naked? Well... For three years? Maybe three days.... I don't fuss too much but do add there were reasons for the three years. (He had portrayed it as foolish, like wearing a hot dog suit for three years when three days would do just fine.) I mention that the three years was to give the folks a chance to repent which God has continuously told them to do. Then the fall of their country would have been avoided. But we all play nice and harbor no ill-will.
Now I am at Starbucks enjoying an ice coffee. I just met a district manager and her assistant for tutoring here. I give her my card and tell her I may be interested in a couple of months.
Can't wait to jog tomorrow!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
Last night at Starbucks I met Elliot. I had set my coffee and water down behind his laptop and I mentioned that I had set them there just in case things got knocked over and something would spill on his computer. So, anyway, we started chatting. He is in the National Guard and has completed two tours in Afghanistan. Also, he is a Cocoa Beach cop. He was waiting in Starbucks as his daughter was in dance class across the street. I told him what I was doing and he enjoys jogging as well. We will be in warrant officer's school soon and is excited about that. He mentioned how you have to think for yourself and sometimes just do it your way. That attitude is one I completely agree with. And it served him well overseas, he said. The people you meet!
I got a refill at Starbucks and the guy asked if I wanted a larger glass, otherwise he would have to throw some away. So, sure! That was around 10 PM. I was up till 2 AM with that coffee buzz! But I did get up early today!
I am at the beach and ready to jog by 8 AM. No exercises or stretching today as I want to be sure to catch a bus back and will have to transfer. Not quite sure how that will work so I will finish at least 30 minutes before that takes place. I step it up and the tide is low so the sand is firm. My pace keeps up with the Zydeco tune! Good! The water is green, waves not too rough and there are some people on the beach, even a couple jogging. I finish sooner than I expected and am off the beach looking for a bus stop. I find it. But looking at the schedule, I will have to wait one hour. A few surf shops nearby could entertain me for a while, but maybe I will try hitchhiking Before I stick out my thumb a jaguar stops.
Cool! I have a look-see before I hop in. It seems okay as there is only the driver. He knows the bus system her and isn't too fond of it. He then proceeds to tell me his story of last night. He was at a bar and got hit in the head outside the bar. His wallet is gone with all his credit cards. He shows me a big bruise on his forehead, above and to the left of his left it. He mentions he may have a concussion. He has had to stop the car and vomit once or twice. I ask if he knows who did it. Ye thinks he does and the place he was at has cameras all over the place. (This is really true, but how do I get into these situations where I meet all these interesting people?) I ask if he plans to go to the hospital? No. Insurance? No. VA? No. Emergency rooms are free! Don't have time. He has a $1000 job to install an air conditioner today. Don't you think you should go to the cops first? No time. How long will it take? The way I feel? All day.
We arrive at my stop and I try to open the door. You have to pull twice on these doors, once to unlock it and again to open it. I wish him the best and throw up a prayer. Nice car, though! And he seems to be a nice guy who might have partied a little too hardy last night and got tagged by some bad guys. And that's one reason why I stay away those places!
I get back to my vanand it is only 9:15 AM. Now what? I have a 2:30 appointment with T.C., so I really can't jog anymore today. Hmm.... Back at the van, the pickup next to me has an older fellow sitting inside. I say hi and notice the air force insignia on his windshield. I ask what his rank was. (The air force has way too many rockers!) He was a master sergeant with 31 years in. I asked how I could get to jog the cape and he suggested I go to building 425 and see the general's secretary. I will try.
Then I take off north so Cape Canaveral Air Station. This is the first time I am over the bridge and it is all new to me. First there are ports for cruse ships, then the base. This makes no sense to me, especially for security reasons. Like Tyndall AFB was so secure at the front and it's back door (the beach) was wide open,not even a security camera let alone a guard post. Makes no sense. I stop at the gate and inquire and they tell me that the general is back at Patrick AFB and he only comes here when they sling something into space. I thank them and head back to Patrick AFB.
Cocoa Beach is really built up with shops and all kinds of cool stuff. Ron Bon's is open 24 hours there. I stop at IHOP and have a bite to each and head to the base. The visitor and badge center tells me I would need to have someone escort me to the building. Maybe you can call them, he says. I ask for the phone number and he talks to his boss. (Can middle managers every say yes?) Instead of giving me the general's secretary's phone number, he give me his superior's phone number, a MSGT Humphry. I call right there and get a recording so I leave a message and hope he will call back.
Tomorrow I finish this island, the cape is next.
I arrive at 2:30 at T.C.'s house near the Sebastian Beach Inn. She has the letter from my brother for me. It contains my new card from my bank! Great! Thanks, bro!
We go to SBI and she orders an iced tea and I get a Yuengling and we get an appetizer of fresh shrimp. And they are good! T.C. proves to be even more interesting than I thought. She has worked or major corporations in the hotel industry, always increasing profits for the companies. When she came to Melbourne she had five bucks and a little bit of gas in her jeep. How she lost everything is a sad note. First she got laid off and then two weeks later her live-in partner o 7 1/2 years, who also make very good money, changed the locks on the house and emptied the bank accounts, etc. She finally said to herself, "Well, if I am going to get screwed I am going to get screwed in Florida." She never applied for benefits and didn't go after her partner as that would have ruined that person's career. She took the high road and it cost her. But she can hold her head high.
She really loves it here in Melbourne Beach. She got a jog in a pizza place and increased their profits by over 200%, as a chef, had an article written about her and that pizza place in "Florida Today" The owner of the place kept trying to cheat her out of money so she quit and is currently at Subway, always smiling and positive. Restaurant managers won't hire her after they check her background because their job will be in jeopardy! She knows this is just a snag in her life and she plans to rebound. In fact, she is already being head hunted by a company which owns golf courses with restaurants to turn things around for them.
And she can do it, too! But for now times are tough. Besides working at Subway, she does the shopping and makes meals for a few clients. She made a deal with one client to grocery shop and cook for her once a week, making about 3-5 meals, but only if she could take the client's Porsche to the grocery store! The client said yes. Now T.C. thinks Porsche's are very overrated! So, she has had some tough times but is sticking to her sense of what is right and keeping positive. She even turns down offers of huge tips clients. Just wouldn't be right. Good for her. In a year or two I would like to see her again and have a chat. A very nice, fun and positive person. I will post her pic soon.
I head back over the bridge for dinner. I have never been to a Boston Market but their food looks wholesome so I will try that. It is good! Now over to Starbucks and relax a little before beddy-bye, which is coming soon as I am tired. No more late night caffeine!
I got a refill at Starbucks and the guy asked if I wanted a larger glass, otherwise he would have to throw some away. So, sure! That was around 10 PM. I was up till 2 AM with that coffee buzz! But I did get up early today!
I am at the beach and ready to jog by 8 AM. No exercises or stretching today as I want to be sure to catch a bus back and will have to transfer. Not quite sure how that will work so I will finish at least 30 minutes before that takes place. I step it up and the tide is low so the sand is firm. My pace keeps up with the Zydeco tune! Good! The water is green, waves not too rough and there are some people on the beach, even a couple jogging. I finish sooner than I expected and am off the beach looking for a bus stop. I find it. But looking at the schedule, I will have to wait one hour. A few surf shops nearby could entertain me for a while, but maybe I will try hitchhiking Before I stick out my thumb a jaguar stops.
Cool! I have a look-see before I hop in. It seems okay as there is only the driver. He knows the bus system her and isn't too fond of it. He then proceeds to tell me his story of last night. He was at a bar and got hit in the head outside the bar. His wallet is gone with all his credit cards. He shows me a big bruise on his forehead, above and to the left of his left it. He mentions he may have a concussion. He has had to stop the car and vomit once or twice. I ask if he knows who did it. Ye thinks he does and the place he was at has cameras all over the place. (This is really true, but how do I get into these situations where I meet all these interesting people?) I ask if he plans to go to the hospital? No. Insurance? No. VA? No. Emergency rooms are free! Don't have time. He has a $1000 job to install an air conditioner today. Don't you think you should go to the cops first? No time. How long will it take? The way I feel? All day.
We arrive at my stop and I try to open the door. You have to pull twice on these doors, once to unlock it and again to open it. I wish him the best and throw up a prayer. Nice car, though! And he seems to be a nice guy who might have partied a little too hardy last night and got tagged by some bad guys. And that's one reason why I stay away those places!
I get back to my vanand it is only 9:15 AM. Now what? I have a 2:30 appointment with T.C., so I really can't jog anymore today. Hmm.... Back at the van, the pickup next to me has an older fellow sitting inside. I say hi and notice the air force insignia on his windshield. I ask what his rank was. (The air force has way too many rockers!) He was a master sergeant with 31 years in. I asked how I could get to jog the cape and he suggested I go to building 425 and see the general's secretary. I will try.
Then I take off north so Cape Canaveral Air Station. This is the first time I am over the bridge and it is all new to me. First there are ports for cruse ships, then the base. This makes no sense to me, especially for security reasons. Like Tyndall AFB was so secure at the front and it's back door (the beach) was wide open,not even a security camera let alone a guard post. Makes no sense. I stop at the gate and inquire and they tell me that the general is back at Patrick AFB and he only comes here when they sling something into space. I thank them and head back to Patrick AFB.
Cocoa Beach is really built up with shops and all kinds of cool stuff. Ron Bon's is open 24 hours there. I stop at IHOP and have a bite to each and head to the base. The visitor and badge center tells me I would need to have someone escort me to the building. Maybe you can call them, he says. I ask for the phone number and he talks to his boss. (Can middle managers every say yes?) Instead of giving me the general's secretary's phone number, he give me his superior's phone number, a MSGT Humphry. I call right there and get a recording so I leave a message and hope he will call back.
Tomorrow I finish this island, the cape is next.
I arrive at 2:30 at T.C.'s house near the Sebastian Beach Inn. She has the letter from my brother for me. It contains my new card from my bank! Great! Thanks, bro!
We go to SBI and she orders an iced tea and I get a Yuengling and we get an appetizer of fresh shrimp. And they are good! T.C. proves to be even more interesting than I thought. She has worked or major corporations in the hotel industry, always increasing profits for the companies. When she came to Melbourne she had five bucks and a little bit of gas in her jeep. How she lost everything is a sad note. First she got laid off and then two weeks later her live-in partner o 7 1/2 years, who also make very good money, changed the locks on the house and emptied the bank accounts, etc. She finally said to herself, "Well, if I am going to get screwed I am going to get screwed in Florida." She never applied for benefits and didn't go after her partner as that would have ruined that person's career. She took the high road and it cost her. But she can hold her head high.
She really loves it here in Melbourne Beach. She got a jog in a pizza place and increased their profits by over 200%, as a chef, had an article written about her and that pizza place in "Florida Today" The owner of the place kept trying to cheat her out of money so she quit and is currently at Subway, always smiling and positive. Restaurant managers won't hire her after they check her background because their job will be in jeopardy! She knows this is just a snag in her life and she plans to rebound. In fact, she is already being head hunted by a company which owns golf courses with restaurants to turn things around for them.
And she can do it, too! But for now times are tough. Besides working at Subway, she does the shopping and makes meals for a few clients. She made a deal with one client to grocery shop and cook for her once a week, making about 3-5 meals, but only if she could take the client's Porsche to the grocery store! The client said yes. Now T.C. thinks Porsche's are very overrated! So, she has had some tough times but is sticking to her sense of what is right and keeping positive. She even turns down offers of huge tips clients. Just wouldn't be right. Good for her. In a year or two I would like to see her again and have a chat. A very nice, fun and positive person. I will post her pic soon.
I head back over the bridge for dinner. I have never been to a Boston Market but their food looks wholesome so I will try that. It is good! Now over to Starbucks and relax a little before beddy-bye, which is coming soon as I am tired. No more late night caffeine!
THURSDAY, 9/22/2011
The alarm rings and I shut it off. 6:00 AM. I go back to sleep. The next thing I know is it is 9:30 AM. Wow! What happened? I went to bed early, too. Oh, well I can sill jog that beach today. Before I go I check my bank account via texting. Yes! Good news! So, now off I go to the beach. But I make a wrong turn and get lost. Not to worry. The sun is in the east. Let's see.. I am heading south? Hmm... Oh, well. I make adjustments when I can and finally wind up on 192. But I see a Sports Authority which is like a Dunhams back home. And I need jogging shoes. Mine have started to show the miles. Holes on the sides and up front, the heel is ragged and the inserts are worn terribly. I have a long jog ahead in a few days and need reliable shoes.
So, in I go. I ask what's on sale and find that my brand has shoes on sale. There are some at the front door and some at the shoe area. My brak is up front. Their sale price ranges from $89 to $99. Originally, they were between $124 and $134. Well, that is possible,but the lady says there might be better sales back in the shoe area. I go back and find better deals. The type I like and have been using are here, but with an upgraded model number. They are gray and white as opposed to blue and white,but that's okay. I try on size 12's. They don't fit. I check my shoes. Oops. Size 13. I get some 13's and put them on and walk around for a while in the store. Nice. And only $54.00. I buy them.
For some reason I don't feel like running today. I think it is my back. I haven't been using the air mattress lately because it is such a pain. But now I have the pain. It has been bothering me for a while and making me not want to stress it out. So, I stop at a Chinese buffet. (Why, oh, why do I keep doing that?) The food is so-so except for a few items. By this time it is past 12:30. (It took a long time to buy those shoes) If I want to jog I will have to get to the starting point and finish the 8 miles by 3:30 at the latest in order to catch the bus back. Nope, not going to work.
I decide to rent a room for the night at Motel 6 on Cocoa Beach. I saw it earlier and it has a bath! Can't wait to soak in a tub of hot water!
I check in. The lady is very funny. She is a small Puerto Rican with glasses and an happy smile full of humor. Also, she is wearing a Star of David. Thinking she might be like Mrs. Perez in Miami, I ask about it. She said she had a dream and God told her to wear it. Good enough for me! God speaks to us in dreams today just as He did in the past. Visions too! Just gotta make sure they are from Him!
I want to get a few things and stop by a Winn-Dixie just down the road. But I also spy an oriental market, which I had been looking for. I need some Korean rice! The guy and his wife run the place. It is an ice-cream parlor/oriental food store. Never saw that combination before. Kimchee ice-cream? The guy went to school at BGSU just south of Toledo. He is kind of weird. Ohioans! lol Next I see a pub and walk in. The folks who run it say to come back this evening and there will be live music. I might. Then I go to Winn-Dixie and get a few things. Some beer and chips. I plan to relax today.
The first thing I do back at Motel 6 is run bath water. Oh,that feels good! Especially on my legs. And then especially on my back. I just feels good. I finish my book Predictable but good nonetheless. I get dressed and walk to the pub. There is also karaoke this even at the Lagoon at Comfort Inn. I plan to stop by on the way back.
The Pub is nice. Nolan's Pub, I think it is called. The interior is very nice. Not many people there. And the music maker called in sick I am told. I get a sandwich, something Irish. It has tomato, onion, cheese and ham. $8 for this and it is just a sandwich on toast. With a small bag of chips. Hmm... But the ambiance is very nice! I have a black and tan. Tasty! My brother-in-law Frank showed me that drink. Thanks Frank!
While sitting there I chat with the folks. The owners are there as well as the manager. They are nice folks. I ask about Cocoa Beach. They say it is a nice, small town. I said that I thought it touristy and not very friendly. Oh, no! A very nice town, I am assured. They did say that there is about 12,000 folks here but during the busy season, it swells to well over 30,000. We have a nice chat and they leave and I take my beer and newspaper and sit in a snug little area with four upholstered chairs, a lamp and a small table. With a library. Very relaxing. i choose a book entitled "Irish Blessings". That gets old really quickly! I read my WSJ. Too much news and none of it good. Oh, well.
I pay my bill and head to the singing place. It is on the way back. After I finally find it, I walk in and take a look. Maybe 15 people in the whole place, and no one interesting. The bartender asks what I'll have and I say nothing yet. Then I walk out. Bryan Ohio has better karaoke nights!
I rest my body. Especially my back. Just a little sore. But I am only staying one night. Tomorrow I have to finish this island! Cape Canaveral has been on my mind too much.
So, in I go. I ask what's on sale and find that my brand has shoes on sale. There are some at the front door and some at the shoe area. My brak is up front. Their sale price ranges from $89 to $99. Originally, they were between $124 and $134. Well, that is possible,but the lady says there might be better sales back in the shoe area. I go back and find better deals. The type I like and have been using are here, but with an upgraded model number. They are gray and white as opposed to blue and white,but that's okay. I try on size 12's. They don't fit. I check my shoes. Oops. Size 13. I get some 13's and put them on and walk around for a while in the store. Nice. And only $54.00. I buy them.
For some reason I don't feel like running today. I think it is my back. I haven't been using the air mattress lately because it is such a pain. But now I have the pain. It has been bothering me for a while and making me not want to stress it out. So, I stop at a Chinese buffet. (Why, oh, why do I keep doing that?) The food is so-so except for a few items. By this time it is past 12:30. (It took a long time to buy those shoes) If I want to jog I will have to get to the starting point and finish the 8 miles by 3:30 at the latest in order to catch the bus back. Nope, not going to work.
I decide to rent a room for the night at Motel 6 on Cocoa Beach. I saw it earlier and it has a bath! Can't wait to soak in a tub of hot water!
I check in. The lady is very funny. She is a small Puerto Rican with glasses and an happy smile full of humor. Also, she is wearing a Star of David. Thinking she might be like Mrs. Perez in Miami, I ask about it. She said she had a dream and God told her to wear it. Good enough for me! God speaks to us in dreams today just as He did in the past. Visions too! Just gotta make sure they are from Him!
I want to get a few things and stop by a Winn-Dixie just down the road. But I also spy an oriental market, which I had been looking for. I need some Korean rice! The guy and his wife run the place. It is an ice-cream parlor/oriental food store. Never saw that combination before. Kimchee ice-cream? The guy went to school at BGSU just south of Toledo. He is kind of weird. Ohioans! lol Next I see a pub and walk in. The folks who run it say to come back this evening and there will be live music. I might. Then I go to Winn-Dixie and get a few things. Some beer and chips. I plan to relax today.
The first thing I do back at Motel 6 is run bath water. Oh,that feels good! Especially on my legs. And then especially on my back. I just feels good. I finish my book Predictable but good nonetheless. I get dressed and walk to the pub. There is also karaoke this even at the Lagoon at Comfort Inn. I plan to stop by on the way back.
The Pub is nice. Nolan's Pub, I think it is called. The interior is very nice. Not many people there. And the music maker called in sick I am told. I get a sandwich, something Irish. It has tomato, onion, cheese and ham. $8 for this and it is just a sandwich on toast. With a small bag of chips. Hmm... But the ambiance is very nice! I have a black and tan. Tasty! My brother-in-law Frank showed me that drink. Thanks Frank!
While sitting there I chat with the folks. The owners are there as well as the manager. They are nice folks. I ask about Cocoa Beach. They say it is a nice, small town. I said that I thought it touristy and not very friendly. Oh, no! A very nice town, I am assured. They did say that there is about 12,000 folks here but during the busy season, it swells to well over 30,000. We have a nice chat and they leave and I take my beer and newspaper and sit in a snug little area with four upholstered chairs, a lamp and a small table. With a library. Very relaxing. i choose a book entitled "Irish Blessings". That gets old really quickly! I read my WSJ. Too much news and none of it good. Oh, well.
I pay my bill and head to the singing place. It is on the way back. After I finally find it, I walk in and take a look. Maybe 15 people in the whole place, and no one interesting. The bartender asks what I'll have and I say nothing yet. Then I walk out. Bryan Ohio has better karaoke nights!
I rest my body. Especially my back. Just a little sore. But I am only staying one night. Tomorrow I have to finish this island! Cape Canaveral has been on my mind too much.
FRIDAY, 9/23/2011
Time for one more soak! Still feels great! I would like to stay till noon check-out,but I need to finish this last 8 miles. So, I head out around 10:30. I fill my cooler with ice before I go. The stay was so-so. I think there is black mold in the toilet. I could see it while soaking in the tub. On the way out I tell the lady and she immediately calls housekeeping to get it fixed.
I drive back to the access point. No parking, just a walkway. And the place next to me is a condo with Towing signs. And the building next to it as well. After that is a taco place. I go in and ask if I can park there. Sure, they say! I order a taco. Pricey, but good. While waiting for mine an order comes up for a lady, Since I am standing right there, I take it to her remembering to say, "Be careful, it's hot!"" I get my taco and since it is a small place I ask the lady if I can sit at her booth. She says yes and we have a nice conversation. She loves it here, works in the claims department for an insurance company and is on a two-week vacation! We talk about books and psychology, as she is interested in psychological thrillers. It is a nice lunch. From her I find that St. Pete Beach on only three hours away from here! Tempting! The beaches here are nice, but St. Pete Beach is very nice! And swing dancing too! C'est la vie.
I also talk to some men who know a little about the security at Cape Canaveral and NASA. Bummer! Not easy at all. I hate to bypass these beaches but I may have too, just to keep the momentum going. Bummer! I will try for two days to get access. If that doesn't work, I am skipping it. I heard there is a 30-day background check even for family members. Not sure how accurate it is, but I can't just sit and wait either!
I start my jog at 12:32 and it feels very good to be jogging again. the beach has people in areas and in other areas it is empty. There is a lot of sea grass. And many jelly fish too. T.C. told me that the recent storms pushed them around from the Gulf side. This is the worst anyone has seen it on the Atlantic side. At least in this area.
I settle in to a nice even jog. The IPOD radio is playing classic rock, which I usually avoid,but these songs aren't the same old stuff. Nice. The sun is out and it is hot. The sand is firm! And the water has small waves coming in. People are enjoying themselves. I nod or wave as I think best. Not many wave back. Some do. Many don't. Are these tourists or locals? I don't know. But I think I am getting too close to New York City and part of New Jersey. I smile at one guy, wave, wave again. Nothing, just a stare. People go by on bikes and walking, nobody wants eye contact. So much for Cocoa Beach. It doesn't seem to be very friendly. At least, compared to the ones I just jogged.
But what I do see on the beach are parents with young kids. Lots of them. I don't know if this is part of the Orlando/Disney World thing or not. But it is nice to see! They are having fun! And the water is shallow for quite a ways out.
I come to a long pier and stop to get some more water. I check my watch and it is 2:12. Neat, I have been jogging for an hour and a half and feel great! I walk up the Tiki area and have an idea that they will charge for water like Ft. Lauderdale. This Cocoa Beach just has that feel, but not as flagrant. But I am surprised! The lady, and not a kid, give me a cup of ice water and fills my 32-oz. bottle. Not charge. I leave a buck tip. That is a nice place. It is right in front of the pier. Check it out. And the prices look reasonable as well!
I ask how far it is to the end and the answer is about 3 1/2 miles. Wow. Not bad! After ten minutes I take off and the jog still feels great. But, as usual, it takes a while to get loosened up again after a rest. My muscles just don't want to stretch so quickly and so far again! Soon they are feeling just fine. I see a fellow teaching his new girlfriend how to surf. Fun! I hope to try surfing sometime. A lot of old guy bring their surfboards to these beaches. Keeps them in shape, they say.
I see the jetty and am not sure how far along the jetty I need to jog if at all. It goes out a long way. But now I see that it is all rocks, so the beach ends soon. I think! I keep jogging and jog some more and reach the rocks at the jetty! Island done!!!
The end is at Jetty Park. It is controlled by the Port Authority,not county nor the state. I walk to the gate and the lady says the first bus stop is two long light down. Her face shows that she really doesn't care. I start walking. It is a long walk. Finally I see a beach trolley sign and call the bus people. Yep, it connects with bus #26, my bus back to the taco place.
The bus comes in about 10 minutes and takes me back south. It is a long ride until I think I jogged this whole sucker just a while ago. Wow! The bus driver change and then I get dropped off that the transfer point. I find out from another passenger that I have to wait a half hour, until 5 PM before bus #26 arrives. Wondering how far it is to the taco place, I am told it is two miles. So,I wait. And rest.
The bus comes and I get off and get to my van. Now I am in McDonald's typing away. The Hamburgler was here! I forgot what his name was. I am not sure what the plan is tomorrow. I think I will check out the National Seashore to get a permit to the back country for the beach on the northern half of Cape Canaveral.
I spend the night at Motel 6 in their parking lot. With their permission. i sleep early and well.
I drive back to the access point. No parking, just a walkway. And the place next to me is a condo with Towing signs. And the building next to it as well. After that is a taco place. I go in and ask if I can park there. Sure, they say! I order a taco. Pricey, but good. While waiting for mine an order comes up for a lady, Since I am standing right there, I take it to her remembering to say, "Be careful, it's hot!"" I get my taco and since it is a small place I ask the lady if I can sit at her booth. She says yes and we have a nice conversation. She loves it here, works in the claims department for an insurance company and is on a two-week vacation! We talk about books and psychology, as she is interested in psychological thrillers. It is a nice lunch. From her I find that St. Pete Beach on only three hours away from here! Tempting! The beaches here are nice, but St. Pete Beach is very nice! And swing dancing too! C'est la vie.
I also talk to some men who know a little about the security at Cape Canaveral and NASA. Bummer! Not easy at all. I hate to bypass these beaches but I may have too, just to keep the momentum going. Bummer! I will try for two days to get access. If that doesn't work, I am skipping it. I heard there is a 30-day background check even for family members. Not sure how accurate it is, but I can't just sit and wait either!
I start my jog at 12:32 and it feels very good to be jogging again. the beach has people in areas and in other areas it is empty. There is a lot of sea grass. And many jelly fish too. T.C. told me that the recent storms pushed them around from the Gulf side. This is the worst anyone has seen it on the Atlantic side. At least in this area.
I settle in to a nice even jog. The IPOD radio is playing classic rock, which I usually avoid,but these songs aren't the same old stuff. Nice. The sun is out and it is hot. The sand is firm! And the water has small waves coming in. People are enjoying themselves. I nod or wave as I think best. Not many wave back. Some do. Many don't. Are these tourists or locals? I don't know. But I think I am getting too close to New York City and part of New Jersey. I smile at one guy, wave, wave again. Nothing, just a stare. People go by on bikes and walking, nobody wants eye contact. So much for Cocoa Beach. It doesn't seem to be very friendly. At least, compared to the ones I just jogged.
But what I do see on the beach are parents with young kids. Lots of them. I don't know if this is part of the Orlando/Disney World thing or not. But it is nice to see! They are having fun! And the water is shallow for quite a ways out.
I come to a long pier and stop to get some more water. I check my watch and it is 2:12. Neat, I have been jogging for an hour and a half and feel great! I walk up the Tiki area and have an idea that they will charge for water like Ft. Lauderdale. This Cocoa Beach just has that feel, but not as flagrant. But I am surprised! The lady, and not a kid, give me a cup of ice water and fills my 32-oz. bottle. Not charge. I leave a buck tip. That is a nice place. It is right in front of the pier. Check it out. And the prices look reasonable as well!
I ask how far it is to the end and the answer is about 3 1/2 miles. Wow. Not bad! After ten minutes I take off and the jog still feels great. But, as usual, it takes a while to get loosened up again after a rest. My muscles just don't want to stretch so quickly and so far again! Soon they are feeling just fine. I see a fellow teaching his new girlfriend how to surf. Fun! I hope to try surfing sometime. A lot of old guy bring their surfboards to these beaches. Keeps them in shape, they say.
I see the jetty and am not sure how far along the jetty I need to jog if at all. It goes out a long way. But now I see that it is all rocks, so the beach ends soon. I think! I keep jogging and jog some more and reach the rocks at the jetty! Island done!!!
The end is at Jetty Park. It is controlled by the Port Authority,not county nor the state. I walk to the gate and the lady says the first bus stop is two long light down. Her face shows that she really doesn't care. I start walking. It is a long walk. Finally I see a beach trolley sign and call the bus people. Yep, it connects with bus #26, my bus back to the taco place.
The bus comes in about 10 minutes and takes me back south. It is a long ride until I think I jogged this whole sucker just a while ago. Wow! The bus driver change and then I get dropped off that the transfer point. I find out from another passenger that I have to wait a half hour, until 5 PM before bus #26 arrives. Wondering how far it is to the taco place, I am told it is two miles. So,I wait. And rest.
The bus comes and I get off and get to my van. Now I am in McDonald's typing away. The Hamburgler was here! I forgot what his name was. I am not sure what the plan is tomorrow. I think I will check out the National Seashore to get a permit to the back country for the beach on the northern half of Cape Canaveral.
I spend the night at Motel 6 in their parking lot. With their permission. i sleep early and well.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011
I am up and wondering what to do today. I don't want to waste two days. There is a music festival going on at Cocoa Beach today. Maybe I'll attend that and pick up some local flavor. No, I had better see if I can at least jog that strip of beach in front of the parking lot at Port Canaveral. I don't know how to access it.
I drive over A1A and get off and enter the port area. I can park at the garage next to the strip of beach. Cool. But they have a fence and there is no gate to access the beach. The toll booth attendant give me a free pass as I was looking for some cash. Thanks! Across from the beach is a marina. So I drive over there. It takes a few times to get the right exit and find the place. I park at the Cape Marina and tell them what I am planning to do. With a wink and a nod they close their ears and let me put my kayak in at their place. II give them my card.
I pump up my kayak and don my beach shoes,the kind one wears in the water. I kayak over and starting at the inland end jog a little bit of beach. Then I grab my kayak and jog the rest. I am carrying my kayak in case someone comes after me. My plan is to jump in the kayak and skedaddle! No one even comes out. Cool. In the water there are two or three dolphins nearby. Maybe they will come and play! Hope so. They are beautiful animals. But they are feeding. I see one after some fish. Mullet, I guess. One fish jumps out of the water and the dolphin jumps and snatches it in midair! Awesome!
As I am kayaking back across the inlet I begin to thing that it isn't far to the end of the jetty! And I don't want to pay $5 and not have a place to put my kayak in either. So, I ask a guy on a boat how are it is to the jetty. He says between a quarter and a half mile. Well, I can do that! Even though this inlet is busy with a Nuke sub base, at least three cruise carriers, daily marina activity, etc. Carnival Dream is soon to go out I think.
In the water there are many jelly fish. Some are huge, at least 14 - 18 inches across and more! One looks really nasty. It's top is not round and smooth but looks like a drunk hairdresser gave it the works. And the tentacles hanging down under it are many, long and nasty as well. I circle it a few time in the kayak. I circle a few more today too.
The tide is nice to me and I make good time. I turn in at the nuke base channel, curious to see how far I can go. There is a gate across the water with a boat there. As I get about halfway form the channel entry to the gate a guy steps out of the boat and tells me to turn around. I request permission to speak. Nothing. I request it again stating I am jogging beaches. Nothing. I ask if he can hear me. He says I can't jog these beaches (there is one not in the gate) and then says something about the other beaches which i didn't catch.
Off I go. I spot a tiny beach with not guard. So I stop there and jog it. As I have no water (I thought this was going to be a very short jog across the inlet) I look for water and find several bottles Some have some water. I taste one that has its cap on a little crooked. Salty! Throw that one out! The next has dirty water. Nope! The next has a few gulps of fresh water. Yummy! The next is about 2/3 full of fresh water so I take it with me.
I paddle out around the rocks of the jetty and turn the corner. There are two fishing boats there. One pulls in his line as I go around. I said I would go around it but he said he needs to check the bait anyway. Nice guy. There are two guy on the other boat. One has his face wrapped in camo. Must have gotten too much sun! I ask about the beach and he says they will shoot me. "I'll give them one shot!" I say. (they aren't going to shoot me! Not without proper warning signs like "Use of Deadly Force Authorized". They might treat me a little roughly, but I doubt that too. At least I hope not!
I land. After pulling my kayak up on the beach I do my stretching and stuff and some pull ups (macho thing to do in front of these guys) I look around. No one coming at me. So, I take off jogging, thinking I will get stopped any moment. I don't. I can see the cape out there some miles. I sure would like to make it that far. (Write more later, power is low and this Mickey D's has no outlets.
Back to the journal!
I keep jogging, not looking back. My kayak is back there and if someone takes it I am too far away to do anything about it so I just make up my mind not to look back. The day is hot but with a nice breeze. I have no water as I left the bottle back in the kayak. I don't think this will be too long of a jog anyway. I keep glancing to my left at the beachside,but see no one. Cool! I am about a mile down the beach now and maybe I can make to to the point where it starts curing to the cape.
Yep, made it this far. There are some very nice shells on the ground but I don't have time to pick them up. Well, I did pick two up. I make the turn toward the cape. I see some folks out at the cape. Maybe that is an outpost and they are just waiting for me. Later I see a beach umbrella so they probably aren't security. In fact, I don't see security anywhere. And I am jogging by some launch sites, or at least they look like launch sites. It's kind of fun to be so close and just jogging by.
They are fishing. There is a retired couple fishing sitting under the beach umbrella. The fellow is a nice guy. His wife is oriental. The fellow sees my shirt, a Korean soccer shirt, and says his wife is Korean. We talk about Korean food and how good it is. He agrees, rubbing his rather large belly. I say hello to his wife in Korean and we have a little chat. The fellow is a nice guy and asks my how I got there. I say I jogged from the jetty. He looks at me kind of funny.
"Have a badge?"
"Nope."
"You can't be on here without one."
"Oh."
"How high up is your kayak?"
"Not too high. I didn't think I would get this far."
"Well, the tide is coming in."
""How much farther to go/"
"From here to NASA, about 12 miles."
"Really?"
"Yep, when you round the cape you can see how far it goes. It just around the bend over there."
"Any water at that parking lot?"
"No. There is no water there."
"Thanks, I want to go see around the bend. And I am coming to your house for dinner, by the way."
"Here that, honey? He's coming to our house for dinner."
She laughs. We all chuckle and I say thanks and goodbye and am on my way further up the beach. Gotta see more!
I take off and round a bend or two. I begin to see the long beach, at least I think I do. Because right at that time I see a guard shack on a tower. The guy in cammies is out the door, looking my way, back in the door, out the door. He seems rather excited for some reason. I am thinking that reason is me!
Well, I think it is time to stop anyway. I achieved my target for today and did much more than I expected. So, I jog to a big bush and there is another big busy down the beach and the first is my mark. I am already formulating plans for tomorrow. I will bring both hydration packs, kayak to the beach, hike to this point and finish my jog. Great! So, I stop, turn around and start walking back. I am not sure how far it is yet, but it is far!
There is a man and his wife head up to their vehicle and I ask if they are going toward the jetty. He says yes and I ask for a ride. He says I would have to sit in the back of the pick up or something like that. No problem! I asked again if there is a road to the jetty because I didn't want him to drop me off somewhere else and be wondering around on a highly secured base. He asks if I have a badge. Nope. Well,then he can't even give my a ride or he may be in trouble! He smiles and is a friendly guy, just can't do something like that! I don't blame him one bit.
I want to reach the kayak before the tide gets it. But I am also thinking that if the tide keeps coming in, it won't take my kayak out to sea. But I am not sure. So, I walk and jog, jog and walk. The fellow and his Korean wife are coming up the beach hauling their fishing gear in a cart, he pulling and she pushing from behind. He stops and says.
"You know, maybe they confiscated your kayak."
"Huh?"
"If they see it on the beach. Usually the navy boat patrols this area,but since they have a nuke in there, maybe they aren't coming out."
"Oh, I was just there."
"Goodbye.""
I keep walking and jogging, more walking that jogging. And I stop a few times, just for about fifteen seconds, enough time to put my hands on my knees, bend over and catch my breath. Then I am up again and moving. I walk fast but I want to hurry so I jog 100 steps and walk twenty. I keep doing this for a while and then just start jogging. Then I walk. Then I jog.
Finally I reach the point where the curve begins to the cape. Now I can see the jetty, but it is still too far to spot my kayak. And on the way there are some boats offshore fishing. But I see two people on shore in dark clothes and they don't look like they are fishing. Hmm... Another 20 minutes or so and I am near the jetty. They are not fishing. These two folks are waiting. One about two yard from the other. Well, they have weapons, but no one is pointing an M-16 at me, though she has one. I just plan to jog to my kayak. But I look up and she waves me over.
So over to her I go.
"Hi. How are you?"
"Do you now you are on a secured beach?"
"I wasn't sure. I didn't see a sign."
By this time the gent has joined her and says,
"The signs are right up there."
"Oh", I say, "I didn't read those, They are off the beach and to small. When I see a military beach sign it is always right on the beach and very big." using my hands to explain "Big". "Like the one at the naval station in Key West or the one in Pensacola."
They both request I follow them to their truck. My kayak is right over there with my water, but I am still not that thirsty. (I usually stay hydrated whether jogging or not, so that helps think.)
Their boss in on the way. They tell me that evidently there were two teams trying to stop me. One team,this team, was behind me blowing their whistles and waving and running after me, but I didn't hear them and I didn't look back. The other team was sent ahead to intercept me but their truck got stuck in the sand. So, no one stopped me! But I had no idea this was happening. If I would have seen someone signaling for me to stop I certainly would have. Be that as it may, I jogged over five miles on a secure beach! Pretty cool! And petty lucky!
Their boss comes and we have a nice chat. He is from Tennessee and I tell him about the how a stewardess told me when I asked her who were the nicest people in the world and she said, Knoxville, Tennessee. He said he lived just 30 miles from there. Then proceeds to tell them to write me up for trespassing so I will have to go to court. "Just joking," he says! Whew! Talbot is from Youngstown, OH, Bomboy is from PA and Nester is from Tennessee. All nice folks just doing their job. The fill out a report and I give them my driver's license, which I brought just for that purpose and I also give my card with my website on it. They say goodbye and I head for my kayak just a little ways away. On the way I pick up three really nice shells! I hope in my kayak and take off.
Tired, I paddle around the rocks of the jetty. I put my feet out and lean my head back and relax. The current is coming in so I am not losing distance when I do this. It feels so good. I paddle again and go past the sub base channel. I relax again. I am tired. I paddle past the next channel and cross the inlet to the south side. I paddle and rest, rest and paddle. It just feels so good out there bobbing in the water, soaking up the sun, relaxing my body. Wonderful.. I paddle past some marina restaurants. Some wave, I hold out my hands for a beer to be tossed. Oh, well. We chuckle. This continues past a few more restaurants.
I reach the marina and pull my kayak out of the water. I carry it to my van and open the door and grab my blue cup. I open the cooler and dip my cup into the icy water. Delicious. After a few cups, I open a nice and cold Yuengling. That's good too. I have had no breakfast and just a little water so far today so this is nice.
While putting my kayak in at the marina I saw a sign where it says public restroom and two more doors saying public shower. So, I grab some clean clothes, my washing kit and a towel and head for the showers. They are coin operated. $1.25. I didn't bring any with me and I am really tired. So, I use the restroom which has a sink. The place is nice and clean with a drain at the bottom so I take a modified bath/shower. Nice and clean.
I ask a fellow in a golf card who works there where a good place for fish and chips is. He say Fishlips. I saw than kayaking by and that's where I will go. But first I head to the marina office and thank them. The fellow said he saw me jog the beach with the kayak in my hand. He came outside to congratulate me but since I didn't see him, he went back inside. I said thanks and we went to my website. I asked them the time and it was a little after 4 PM. Wow. Since 8 or 9 this morning. What a great day!
I head to Fishlips and have my fish and chips. Good, very good, but not as good at the Old Lime House in Lantana. The view is better though! And the atmosphere is very nice here. Many of the folks sitting around me are heading out on a cruise tomorrow so they are excited. I personally think that laying back in my kayak relaxing in the water is just as good as any cruise.
I am done with Cocoa Beach. Even though there is a music festival going on, I need to get to Titusville and get ready for more jogging. I get acquainted with the town. It seems to be dying. And not for the first time I am told. When the moon shots stopped,this town went downhill fast. The space shuttle program brought it back to a good life. Now with that done, many have lost and are losing their jobs. So, down it goes again. What about the planned man missions to an asteroid and to Mars. Yes, but that will take time to develop. So, for now, this town is dying... again.
I really want to dance some. It is fun and I can meet people.
I get online and find a place, but when I go to that place, it is not there. So, I drive around getting used to the town. I find the Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Garden St. They have Sunday School as well as two services, one regular and one casual. I think I will go there tomorrow.
I see a place with a band. There are several cars there and it is a pub, Shamrock and Thistle Pub. It is around 8 PM and the place is busy. I get my black and tan and find a seat. The band is quite good. Very good dance music. And no room to dance! "This is a pub." someone says. Maybe that's why the Irish dance without moving their arms! Someone might see them!
"Are you dancing in the pub?"
"Oh, no! Just tapping my feet!"
"Well, don't tap them so high! You look like a damn Scotsman! This is a pub,you know!"
The folks are friendly though and I talk to two brothers and their fiance's. Don and Nancy, Jeff and Tammy. The latter are from Melbourne. Don is losing his NASA job and Jeff lost his a year ago. It is happening all over this town. They tell me where to get to the nearest beach just past NASA. soon say goodbye and call it a night.
I drive over A1A and get off and enter the port area. I can park at the garage next to the strip of beach. Cool. But they have a fence and there is no gate to access the beach. The toll booth attendant give me a free pass as I was looking for some cash. Thanks! Across from the beach is a marina. So I drive over there. It takes a few times to get the right exit and find the place. I park at the Cape Marina and tell them what I am planning to do. With a wink and a nod they close their ears and let me put my kayak in at their place. II give them my card.
I pump up my kayak and don my beach shoes,the kind one wears in the water. I kayak over and starting at the inland end jog a little bit of beach. Then I grab my kayak and jog the rest. I am carrying my kayak in case someone comes after me. My plan is to jump in the kayak and skedaddle! No one even comes out. Cool. In the water there are two or three dolphins nearby. Maybe they will come and play! Hope so. They are beautiful animals. But they are feeding. I see one after some fish. Mullet, I guess. One fish jumps out of the water and the dolphin jumps and snatches it in midair! Awesome!
As I am kayaking back across the inlet I begin to thing that it isn't far to the end of the jetty! And I don't want to pay $5 and not have a place to put my kayak in either. So, I ask a guy on a boat how are it is to the jetty. He says between a quarter and a half mile. Well, I can do that! Even though this inlet is busy with a Nuke sub base, at least three cruise carriers, daily marina activity, etc. Carnival Dream is soon to go out I think.
In the water there are many jelly fish. Some are huge, at least 14 - 18 inches across and more! One looks really nasty. It's top is not round and smooth but looks like a drunk hairdresser gave it the works. And the tentacles hanging down under it are many, long and nasty as well. I circle it a few time in the kayak. I circle a few more today too.
The tide is nice to me and I make good time. I turn in at the nuke base channel, curious to see how far I can go. There is a gate across the water with a boat there. As I get about halfway form the channel entry to the gate a guy steps out of the boat and tells me to turn around. I request permission to speak. Nothing. I request it again stating I am jogging beaches. Nothing. I ask if he can hear me. He says I can't jog these beaches (there is one not in the gate) and then says something about the other beaches which i didn't catch.
Off I go. I spot a tiny beach with not guard. So I stop there and jog it. As I have no water (I thought this was going to be a very short jog across the inlet) I look for water and find several bottles Some have some water. I taste one that has its cap on a little crooked. Salty! Throw that one out! The next has dirty water. Nope! The next has a few gulps of fresh water. Yummy! The next is about 2/3 full of fresh water so I take it with me.
I paddle out around the rocks of the jetty and turn the corner. There are two fishing boats there. One pulls in his line as I go around. I said I would go around it but he said he needs to check the bait anyway. Nice guy. There are two guy on the other boat. One has his face wrapped in camo. Must have gotten too much sun! I ask about the beach and he says they will shoot me. "I'll give them one shot!" I say. (they aren't going to shoot me! Not without proper warning signs like "Use of Deadly Force Authorized". They might treat me a little roughly, but I doubt that too. At least I hope not!
I land. After pulling my kayak up on the beach I do my stretching and stuff and some pull ups (macho thing to do in front of these guys) I look around. No one coming at me. So, I take off jogging, thinking I will get stopped any moment. I don't. I can see the cape out there some miles. I sure would like to make it that far. (Write more later, power is low and this Mickey D's has no outlets.
Back to the journal!
I keep jogging, not looking back. My kayak is back there and if someone takes it I am too far away to do anything about it so I just make up my mind not to look back. The day is hot but with a nice breeze. I have no water as I left the bottle back in the kayak. I don't think this will be too long of a jog anyway. I keep glancing to my left at the beachside,but see no one. Cool! I am about a mile down the beach now and maybe I can make to to the point where it starts curing to the cape.
Yep, made it this far. There are some very nice shells on the ground but I don't have time to pick them up. Well, I did pick two up. I make the turn toward the cape. I see some folks out at the cape. Maybe that is an outpost and they are just waiting for me. Later I see a beach umbrella so they probably aren't security. In fact, I don't see security anywhere. And I am jogging by some launch sites, or at least they look like launch sites. It's kind of fun to be so close and just jogging by.
They are fishing. There is a retired couple fishing sitting under the beach umbrella. The fellow is a nice guy. His wife is oriental. The fellow sees my shirt, a Korean soccer shirt, and says his wife is Korean. We talk about Korean food and how good it is. He agrees, rubbing his rather large belly. I say hello to his wife in Korean and we have a little chat. The fellow is a nice guy and asks my how I got there. I say I jogged from the jetty. He looks at me kind of funny.
"Have a badge?"
"Nope."
"You can't be on here without one."
"Oh."
"How high up is your kayak?"
"Not too high. I didn't think I would get this far."
"Well, the tide is coming in."
""How much farther to go/"
"From here to NASA, about 12 miles."
"Really?"
"Yep, when you round the cape you can see how far it goes. It just around the bend over there."
"Any water at that parking lot?"
"No. There is no water there."
"Thanks, I want to go see around the bend. And I am coming to your house for dinner, by the way."
"Here that, honey? He's coming to our house for dinner."
She laughs. We all chuckle and I say thanks and goodbye and am on my way further up the beach. Gotta see more!
I take off and round a bend or two. I begin to see the long beach, at least I think I do. Because right at that time I see a guard shack on a tower. The guy in cammies is out the door, looking my way, back in the door, out the door. He seems rather excited for some reason. I am thinking that reason is me!
Well, I think it is time to stop anyway. I achieved my target for today and did much more than I expected. So, I jog to a big bush and there is another big busy down the beach and the first is my mark. I am already formulating plans for tomorrow. I will bring both hydration packs, kayak to the beach, hike to this point and finish my jog. Great! So, I stop, turn around and start walking back. I am not sure how far it is yet, but it is far!
There is a man and his wife head up to their vehicle and I ask if they are going toward the jetty. He says yes and I ask for a ride. He says I would have to sit in the back of the pick up or something like that. No problem! I asked again if there is a road to the jetty because I didn't want him to drop me off somewhere else and be wondering around on a highly secured base. He asks if I have a badge. Nope. Well,then he can't even give my a ride or he may be in trouble! He smiles and is a friendly guy, just can't do something like that! I don't blame him one bit.
I want to reach the kayak before the tide gets it. But I am also thinking that if the tide keeps coming in, it won't take my kayak out to sea. But I am not sure. So, I walk and jog, jog and walk. The fellow and his Korean wife are coming up the beach hauling their fishing gear in a cart, he pulling and she pushing from behind. He stops and says.
"You know, maybe they confiscated your kayak."
"Huh?"
"If they see it on the beach. Usually the navy boat patrols this area,but since they have a nuke in there, maybe they aren't coming out."
"Oh, I was just there."
"Goodbye.""
I keep walking and jogging, more walking that jogging. And I stop a few times, just for about fifteen seconds, enough time to put my hands on my knees, bend over and catch my breath. Then I am up again and moving. I walk fast but I want to hurry so I jog 100 steps and walk twenty. I keep doing this for a while and then just start jogging. Then I walk. Then I jog.
Finally I reach the point where the curve begins to the cape. Now I can see the jetty, but it is still too far to spot my kayak. And on the way there are some boats offshore fishing. But I see two people on shore in dark clothes and they don't look like they are fishing. Hmm... Another 20 minutes or so and I am near the jetty. They are not fishing. These two folks are waiting. One about two yard from the other. Well, they have weapons, but no one is pointing an M-16 at me, though she has one. I just plan to jog to my kayak. But I look up and she waves me over.
So over to her I go.
"Hi. How are you?"
"Do you now you are on a secured beach?"
"I wasn't sure. I didn't see a sign."
By this time the gent has joined her and says,
"The signs are right up there."
"Oh", I say, "I didn't read those, They are off the beach and to small. When I see a military beach sign it is always right on the beach and very big." using my hands to explain "Big". "Like the one at the naval station in Key West or the one in Pensacola."
They both request I follow them to their truck. My kayak is right over there with my water, but I am still not that thirsty. (I usually stay hydrated whether jogging or not, so that helps think.)
Their boss in on the way. They tell me that evidently there were two teams trying to stop me. One team,this team, was behind me blowing their whistles and waving and running after me, but I didn't hear them and I didn't look back. The other team was sent ahead to intercept me but their truck got stuck in the sand. So, no one stopped me! But I had no idea this was happening. If I would have seen someone signaling for me to stop I certainly would have. Be that as it may, I jogged over five miles on a secure beach! Pretty cool! And petty lucky!
Their boss comes and we have a nice chat. He is from Tennessee and I tell him about the how a stewardess told me when I asked her who were the nicest people in the world and she said, Knoxville, Tennessee. He said he lived just 30 miles from there. Then proceeds to tell them to write me up for trespassing so I will have to go to court. "Just joking," he says! Whew! Talbot is from Youngstown, OH, Bomboy is from PA and Nester is from Tennessee. All nice folks just doing their job. The fill out a report and I give them my driver's license, which I brought just for that purpose and I also give my card with my website on it. They say goodbye and I head for my kayak just a little ways away. On the way I pick up three really nice shells! I hope in my kayak and take off.
Tired, I paddle around the rocks of the jetty. I put my feet out and lean my head back and relax. The current is coming in so I am not losing distance when I do this. It feels so good. I paddle again and go past the sub base channel. I relax again. I am tired. I paddle past the next channel and cross the inlet to the south side. I paddle and rest, rest and paddle. It just feels so good out there bobbing in the water, soaking up the sun, relaxing my body. Wonderful.. I paddle past some marina restaurants. Some wave, I hold out my hands for a beer to be tossed. Oh, well. We chuckle. This continues past a few more restaurants.
I reach the marina and pull my kayak out of the water. I carry it to my van and open the door and grab my blue cup. I open the cooler and dip my cup into the icy water. Delicious. After a few cups, I open a nice and cold Yuengling. That's good too. I have had no breakfast and just a little water so far today so this is nice.
While putting my kayak in at the marina I saw a sign where it says public restroom and two more doors saying public shower. So, I grab some clean clothes, my washing kit and a towel and head for the showers. They are coin operated. $1.25. I didn't bring any with me and I am really tired. So, I use the restroom which has a sink. The place is nice and clean with a drain at the bottom so I take a modified bath/shower. Nice and clean.
I ask a fellow in a golf card who works there where a good place for fish and chips is. He say Fishlips. I saw than kayaking by and that's where I will go. But first I head to the marina office and thank them. The fellow said he saw me jog the beach with the kayak in my hand. He came outside to congratulate me but since I didn't see him, he went back inside. I said thanks and we went to my website. I asked them the time and it was a little after 4 PM. Wow. Since 8 or 9 this morning. What a great day!
I head to Fishlips and have my fish and chips. Good, very good, but not as good at the Old Lime House in Lantana. The view is better though! And the atmosphere is very nice here. Many of the folks sitting around me are heading out on a cruise tomorrow so they are excited. I personally think that laying back in my kayak relaxing in the water is just as good as any cruise.
I am done with Cocoa Beach. Even though there is a music festival going on, I need to get to Titusville and get ready for more jogging. I get acquainted with the town. It seems to be dying. And not for the first time I am told. When the moon shots stopped,this town went downhill fast. The space shuttle program brought it back to a good life. Now with that done, many have lost and are losing their jobs. So, down it goes again. What about the planned man missions to an asteroid and to Mars. Yes, but that will take time to develop. So, for now, this town is dying... again.
I really want to dance some. It is fun and I can meet people.
I get online and find a place, but when I go to that place, it is not there. So, I drive around getting used to the town. I find the Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Garden St. They have Sunday School as well as two services, one regular and one casual. I think I will go there tomorrow.
I see a place with a band. There are several cars there and it is a pub, Shamrock and Thistle Pub. It is around 8 PM and the place is busy. I get my black and tan and find a seat. The band is quite good. Very good dance music. And no room to dance! "This is a pub." someone says. Maybe that's why the Irish dance without moving their arms! Someone might see them!
"Are you dancing in the pub?"
"Oh, no! Just tapping my feet!"
"Well, don't tap them so high! You look like a damn Scotsman! This is a pub,you know!"
The folks are friendly though and I talk to two brothers and their fiance's. Don and Nancy, Jeff and Tammy. The latter are from Melbourne. Don is losing his NASA job and Jeff lost his a year ago. It is happening all over this town. They tell me where to get to the nearest beach just past NASA. soon say goodbye and call it a night.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
Cupid Shuffle has played about three times on my phone. Time to get up if I want to get to the 8 o'clock service. I take a new and shorter way to get there. Oops. I finally get there about ten after. But the service doesn't start till 8:30 AM. Serendipity. (A word used for God's plan in little things!) There are many old folks here. All sitting in the back. It is a small church.. walk to the middle because that is where I am going to sit. I turn and ask folks why they are sitting way back there. Then the preacher has to come all the way up to speak. They look at me. And just look. It is kind of fun and they are nice folks. I sit and a lady sits near me. She is going to be 87 this week. Her son will join her in a minute. She is nice, but with an edge I think.
Behind me a lady more my age sits. Her name is Lynette. She is nice. She doesn't work for NASA but for an office in town. I ask about the town of Titusville and they way she describes it, it is like Bryan or Wauseon, Ohio. A good place to raise kids. Nice and quiet. I ask about the nearest beach and she tells me how to get there. She was just there yesterday. Loves the beach! I know how that feels. A fellow comes up and introduces himself. He lives here also and was in the Air Force years ago. Worked for general so-and-so. (Ever notice, when a military guy works for a general? They have to say it. "I worked for general ..." Like they were important because the general was important? Not sure,but it happens a lot!) He is a nice guy, though. And we chat some.
Service starts. I thought this was the casual service, but it is the formal service. And here I am in short pants and a T-shirt! Faux Pas! (Or as a friend say, Foo Poo!) The preacher starts and he has his robe, etc. He is a younger guy, a little heavy and talks really fast. But his sermon is good. Evangelical. Martin would have been proud! There is a lot of liturgy and getting up and down, but that is how some people like worship and the liturgy is very deep in forgiveness of sins, etc. His sermon is about prostitutes and tax gatherers getting to Heaven and the religious folks missing out! That is pretty clear to me. But then I wonder, "How many prostitutes and crooked government folks are in this service?" Hmm...
But the gospel is there in that church every Sunday. I hope those folks figure it out before it's too late! And maybe some of them have!
Now for Sunday School! That's why I chose this church. Sunday School! We have coffee and food bits and meet in the fellowship hall. On the walk there I see this tree with a beautiful, metal fence around it and wonder why. Sunday School is a presentation of Christianity and Science and how most sciences were began by Christians. There is much is question, but not much time to do so. The preacher, Bruce, is very intelligent with an excellent vocabulary. I like the guy. I disagree with some of what he has to say, but don't voice my ideas. This class isn't set up that way. I did it once earlier and it went okay, but you could tell this is not an interactive class.
Later he had a Q and A time and several folks spoke, I did too. Not much. No use. The folks are nice. I have to stay for the next service because I have never seen a casual Lutheran service. No robes, different songs and folks can dress more comfortably and enjoy a snack. But the same rise and sit and liturgy. I like it. There are more young people here too. A nice mix.
After the service I mentioned to the preacher that my aunt worked for the Missouri Synod for many, many years in Missouri. I then asked him why he chose to be a Lutheran. He said he was brought up Lutheran and agreed with their theology. Good answer. I later ask him about the tree with the fence around it. He explains that it is a memorial tree and that there are ashes scattered around it. So, that's it! Okay. We shake and I am off to the National Seashore to check out how and where to access the beach. The visitor's center is closed but the ranger station fellow is really helpful. They open at 6 AM and a permit is $2 extra per day. Cool! But the road stops for 12 miles and then picks up again on the other side, the Apollo Side. So, I will have to jog about 5 or so miles, then jog 6 more, walk back and attack the beach from the other the next day. If I had help I could do it all in one shot. But I don't, so I won't! To be there at 6 AM I will have to get up at 4:30 or 5:00. But it is time to get moving so that is my plan.
I see a Staples and get some more cards made. And eat at an American Buffet for a change. From now on, I will start cooking again.
Behind me a lady more my age sits. Her name is Lynette. She is nice. She doesn't work for NASA but for an office in town. I ask about the town of Titusville and they way she describes it, it is like Bryan or Wauseon, Ohio. A good place to raise kids. Nice and quiet. I ask about the nearest beach and she tells me how to get there. She was just there yesterday. Loves the beach! I know how that feels. A fellow comes up and introduces himself. He lives here also and was in the Air Force years ago. Worked for general so-and-so. (Ever notice, when a military guy works for a general? They have to say it. "I worked for general ..." Like they were important because the general was important? Not sure,but it happens a lot!) He is a nice guy, though. And we chat some.
Service starts. I thought this was the casual service, but it is the formal service. And here I am in short pants and a T-shirt! Faux Pas! (Or as a friend say, Foo Poo!) The preacher starts and he has his robe, etc. He is a younger guy, a little heavy and talks really fast. But his sermon is good. Evangelical. Martin would have been proud! There is a lot of liturgy and getting up and down, but that is how some people like worship and the liturgy is very deep in forgiveness of sins, etc. His sermon is about prostitutes and tax gatherers getting to Heaven and the religious folks missing out! That is pretty clear to me. But then I wonder, "How many prostitutes and crooked government folks are in this service?" Hmm...
But the gospel is there in that church every Sunday. I hope those folks figure it out before it's too late! And maybe some of them have!
Now for Sunday School! That's why I chose this church. Sunday School! We have coffee and food bits and meet in the fellowship hall. On the walk there I see this tree with a beautiful, metal fence around it and wonder why. Sunday School is a presentation of Christianity and Science and how most sciences were began by Christians. There is much is question, but not much time to do so. The preacher, Bruce, is very intelligent with an excellent vocabulary. I like the guy. I disagree with some of what he has to say, but don't voice my ideas. This class isn't set up that way. I did it once earlier and it went okay, but you could tell this is not an interactive class.
Later he had a Q and A time and several folks spoke, I did too. Not much. No use. The folks are nice. I have to stay for the next service because I have never seen a casual Lutheran service. No robes, different songs and folks can dress more comfortably and enjoy a snack. But the same rise and sit and liturgy. I like it. There are more young people here too. A nice mix.
After the service I mentioned to the preacher that my aunt worked for the Missouri Synod for many, many years in Missouri. I then asked him why he chose to be a Lutheran. He said he was brought up Lutheran and agreed with their theology. Good answer. I later ask him about the tree with the fence around it. He explains that it is a memorial tree and that there are ashes scattered around it. So, that's it! Okay. We shake and I am off to the National Seashore to check out how and where to access the beach. The visitor's center is closed but the ranger station fellow is really helpful. They open at 6 AM and a permit is $2 extra per day. Cool! But the road stops for 12 miles and then picks up again on the other side, the Apollo Side. So, I will have to jog about 5 or so miles, then jog 6 more, walk back and attack the beach from the other the next day. If I had help I could do it all in one shot. But I don't, so I won't! To be there at 6 AM I will have to get up at 4:30 or 5:00. But it is time to get moving so that is my plan.
I see a Staples and get some more cards made. And eat at an American Buffet for a change. From now on, I will start cooking again.
NOTE
Signs do more that just tell us where we are and what's up ahead. They let us know how far we have come!
I remember the thrill of seeing the MIAMI sign for the first time. I was on my way to Marco Island and there it was, right in front of me. That really made me happy inside. What a thrill! Knowing that that I had come this far! Miami coming up!
This has happened before. The PANAMA CITY sign, the ST. PETERSBURG sign and the NAPLES sign. All were mega boosts to my heart as I saw these signs. The satisfaction and the challenge all at the same time. Sweet! (as my son like to say)
A while back I saw the sign, JACKSONVILLE 176 MILES. WOW! The last big sign. It is more than just getting there. It is where I have come from. All the people and things I saw and did along the way. What started out as an idea, a really good idea, if I may say so, has become a wonderful adventure, turning out like I had never imagined. I just checked my future route, around 155 miles to go. Home stretch coming up! It feels good. Thinking of when I first saw these signs feels good. Very good!
I remember the thrill of seeing the MIAMI sign for the first time. I was on my way to Marco Island and there it was, right in front of me. That really made me happy inside. What a thrill! Knowing that that I had come this far! Miami coming up!
This has happened before. The PANAMA CITY sign, the ST. PETERSBURG sign and the NAPLES sign. All were mega boosts to my heart as I saw these signs. The satisfaction and the challenge all at the same time. Sweet! (as my son like to say)
A while back I saw the sign, JACKSONVILLE 176 MILES. WOW! The last big sign. It is more than just getting there. It is where I have come from. All the people and things I saw and did along the way. What started out as an idea, a really good idea, if I may say so, has become a wonderful adventure, turning out like I had never imagined. I just checked my future route, around 155 miles to go. Home stretch coming up! It feels good. Thinking of when I first saw these signs feels good. Very good!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
Up at 4:52 AM. There is much lightening in the distance. I hope it doesn't rain. If it does I will have to cancel today's jog. I got up early because I want to be at the National Seashore when it opens at 6. I buy a bag of ice and head out. I arrive at 5 till and wait about 10 minutes just outside the gate. I want to give the folks time to get ready for the day and, besides, it is still dark out. I pay my fee and get my permit for the back country (i.e. the beaches where there is no road access).
I go to the end and see the gate onto NASA. This road makes a hairpin turn back up to the parking areas, thirteen of them. I go to Parking Lot one and get my bike out. There is still lightening and thundering in the distance. I decide to start unless it rains before my devotions are over. (Jeremiah) It doesn't and I take off. I ride to Parking Lot 1 which is nearest my point. After locking it up I hit the beach and start walking until I see the guard tower and the cables going across the beach. Well, this is pretty plain. Can't confuse this with a mistake!
I do some exercises and head out at 7:50. The day is overcast and the weatherman says there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms today and some chances for the next few days as well. Well, it if does rain, I will do my usual and take my shirt off and keep going.
The sand is firm enough and I think low tide might be coming in. This means I will be jogging at less of a sideways angle. I maintain an good, steady pace of a little over three miles an hour. It just feels good at that pace. I get to Parking Area #1 and hop in and get my bike and come back to this area. Now for the 6-mile jog and walk back into the 'back country'. I take an hour break and then go. I take one water with me and don't plan to open it until I get to my 6-mile point, wherever that my be! I plan to jog for two hours and then look for a place that will be easily identifiable so when I come up from the other end, I will be sure to know my starting point.
While jogging on the now slightly overcast day, I notice these brown wooden post with numbers. I don't know what they are. The first one is see is #72 and then they go downward, 71, 70, 69, etc. Well this these posts it will be easy to mark where I stopped. I started jogging at 12:13 and so plan to stop at 2:13. I don't look at my phone clock for a while and then I look. 1:12. Great, one hour has past. I jog a ways and look again. 1:46. Oh, well, I was hoping it was longer! But just a half hour to go. I hear something from behind and take a look.
There is a mule and a tricycle. Looks like they are checking on the turtle nesting areas. I ask the young lady park ranger in the mule what those signs stand for. She says they mark each quarter mile of the seashore. Cool! We do some math and I have jogged 5 1/4 miles so far. Better yet, I know how far I have to jog and my market is set. #46! I reach it very near the 2-hour mark and then start walking back. These markers are nice. I get back one mile and take a break, take a seat, have some Ion 4 Water and enjoy this beautiful view. The waves keep rolling in gently, about three or four are breaking at a time. I really enjoy the view.
And then something amazing happens. All I can say is some angels took my under their wings and flew me back to my starting point! What a wonderful gift! Now maybe I can jog the rest of the back country from the other side today! But there are some differences when I get back to my starting point. Evidently it is a nude beach! Several guy couples are there with at first makes me think this is a gay beach, but then I see the familiar sights of women and feel better. But, what a surprise! I take off and loot at the map. I have to go a long way to access the Apollo Beach side of this national seashore. And then I have to come back a ways to the park! I figure that if I get there by 3 PM I can surely be done well before 8 PM, closing time for the park.
I arrive at the park and show my entry receipt for the day and my back country permit. The guy at the gate gets confused. He is not used to anything out of the ordinary and seems a little lazy as well. I get a park map and set off to the end of the road. It is Parking Area #5. I get there around 2:45 so I decide to start out. This will mean about 17 miles of beach jogging today as well as over 6 miles of walking on the beach and some miles on my bike as well. But I want to get this done. I can smell the finish line it seems. Time to push it. I grab a water, check my stuff and hit the beach. Another nude beach! I march past them out to the back country. I start at marker #27 and have to reach #46. That is 4 3/4 miles. As I walk pass the back country sign a ranger on a tricycle come up and ask for my papers. I give them to him and wonder if I can get a ride. Nope. Against the rules! Oh, well.
the wind is steadily picking up. By the time I reach Post #46 it is very strong and looks like there is a storm on the way. I take a pic at #46 and start jogging. I am tired, but jogging isn't hard, just one step at a time. And with a tailwind, I stay cool as well. I am getting tired of counting posts! I don't think I like this. I would rather look at a distant object and jog till I get there. So, I try to avoid looking at them, but with little success. I am guessing I will reach the end at 6 at the latest.
I stop to bend over and rest for about 30 seconds a few times. That is all I really need as I don't jog fast enough to be out of breath. No sense in that. I start seeing naked bodies and know I am close. I arrive at Parking Area at 6:08, just a few minutes past my guesstimate. Cool. I am beat, though. My Achilles tendons are tender. My new shoes aren't perfect so I have a blister on one toe and some chafing on a big toe. Oh, well. I did it! Now for some chow, typing and sleep!
I pull into Denny's and eat a can of stew and a can of sweet corn in the van before I go in. The in Denny's I order off the $2 menu. Biscuits and gravy with a poached egg. Yummy. I talk to the waitress. He hubby has just finished chemo and other stuff for his cancer. He lost a lot of weight, teeth fell out, etc. but is now cancer free. And he is putting weight back on. A good sign. Of course, I give her a better tip. She has had a rough time, too!
I ask about New Smyrna and she says there are a lot of old people here. I comment on this Denny's as it is really nice and there are electrical outlets for computers all over the place,. She says they just remodeled it a few years ago. She used to work at Denny's in Ft. Pierce and it was terrible she said. With fight often breaking out in the parking lot, etc. (I have yet to hear a good word about Ft. Pierce.) (Daytona, too, for that matter!)
She leaves and I stay and type, then I am too tired and pack up, re-park my van and sleep. Ahh...
I go to the end and see the gate onto NASA. This road makes a hairpin turn back up to the parking areas, thirteen of them. I go to Parking Lot one and get my bike out. There is still lightening and thundering in the distance. I decide to start unless it rains before my devotions are over. (Jeremiah) It doesn't and I take off. I ride to Parking Lot 1 which is nearest my point. After locking it up I hit the beach and start walking until I see the guard tower and the cables going across the beach. Well, this is pretty plain. Can't confuse this with a mistake!
I do some exercises and head out at 7:50. The day is overcast and the weatherman says there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms today and some chances for the next few days as well. Well, it if does rain, I will do my usual and take my shirt off and keep going.
The sand is firm enough and I think low tide might be coming in. This means I will be jogging at less of a sideways angle. I maintain an good, steady pace of a little over three miles an hour. It just feels good at that pace. I get to Parking Area #1 and hop in and get my bike and come back to this area. Now for the 6-mile jog and walk back into the 'back country'. I take an hour break and then go. I take one water with me and don't plan to open it until I get to my 6-mile point, wherever that my be! I plan to jog for two hours and then look for a place that will be easily identifiable so when I come up from the other end, I will be sure to know my starting point.
While jogging on the now slightly overcast day, I notice these brown wooden post with numbers. I don't know what they are. The first one is see is #72 and then they go downward, 71, 70, 69, etc. Well this these posts it will be easy to mark where I stopped. I started jogging at 12:13 and so plan to stop at 2:13. I don't look at my phone clock for a while and then I look. 1:12. Great, one hour has past. I jog a ways and look again. 1:46. Oh, well, I was hoping it was longer! But just a half hour to go. I hear something from behind and take a look.
There is a mule and a tricycle. Looks like they are checking on the turtle nesting areas. I ask the young lady park ranger in the mule what those signs stand for. She says they mark each quarter mile of the seashore. Cool! We do some math and I have jogged 5 1/4 miles so far. Better yet, I know how far I have to jog and my market is set. #46! I reach it very near the 2-hour mark and then start walking back. These markers are nice. I get back one mile and take a break, take a seat, have some Ion 4 Water and enjoy this beautiful view. The waves keep rolling in gently, about three or four are breaking at a time. I really enjoy the view.
And then something amazing happens. All I can say is some angels took my under their wings and flew me back to my starting point! What a wonderful gift! Now maybe I can jog the rest of the back country from the other side today! But there are some differences when I get back to my starting point. Evidently it is a nude beach! Several guy couples are there with at first makes me think this is a gay beach, but then I see the familiar sights of women and feel better. But, what a surprise! I take off and loot at the map. I have to go a long way to access the Apollo Beach side of this national seashore. And then I have to come back a ways to the park! I figure that if I get there by 3 PM I can surely be done well before 8 PM, closing time for the park.
I arrive at the park and show my entry receipt for the day and my back country permit. The guy at the gate gets confused. He is not used to anything out of the ordinary and seems a little lazy as well. I get a park map and set off to the end of the road. It is Parking Area #5. I get there around 2:45 so I decide to start out. This will mean about 17 miles of beach jogging today as well as over 6 miles of walking on the beach and some miles on my bike as well. But I want to get this done. I can smell the finish line it seems. Time to push it. I grab a water, check my stuff and hit the beach. Another nude beach! I march past them out to the back country. I start at marker #27 and have to reach #46. That is 4 3/4 miles. As I walk pass the back country sign a ranger on a tricycle come up and ask for my papers. I give them to him and wonder if I can get a ride. Nope. Against the rules! Oh, well.
the wind is steadily picking up. By the time I reach Post #46 it is very strong and looks like there is a storm on the way. I take a pic at #46 and start jogging. I am tired, but jogging isn't hard, just one step at a time. And with a tailwind, I stay cool as well. I am getting tired of counting posts! I don't think I like this. I would rather look at a distant object and jog till I get there. So, I try to avoid looking at them, but with little success. I am guessing I will reach the end at 6 at the latest.
I stop to bend over and rest for about 30 seconds a few times. That is all I really need as I don't jog fast enough to be out of breath. No sense in that. I start seeing naked bodies and know I am close. I arrive at Parking Area at 6:08, just a few minutes past my guesstimate. Cool. I am beat, though. My Achilles tendons are tender. My new shoes aren't perfect so I have a blister on one toe and some chafing on a big toe. Oh, well. I did it! Now for some chow, typing and sleep!
I pull into Denny's and eat a can of stew and a can of sweet corn in the van before I go in. The in Denny's I order off the $2 menu. Biscuits and gravy with a poached egg. Yummy. I talk to the waitress. He hubby has just finished chemo and other stuff for his cancer. He lost a lot of weight, teeth fell out, etc. but is now cancer free. And he is putting weight back on. A good sign. Of course, I give her a better tip. She has had a rough time, too!
I ask about New Smyrna and she says there are a lot of old people here. I comment on this Denny's as it is really nice and there are electrical outlets for computers all over the place,. She says they just remodeled it a few years ago. She used to work at Denny's in Ft. Pierce and it was terrible she said. With fight often breaking out in the parking lot, etc. (I have yet to hear a good word about Ft. Pierce.) (Daytona, too, for that matter!)
She leaves and I stay and type, then I am too tired and pack up, re-park my van and sleep. Ahh...
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
I wake up around 7:30 and head for the beach. Before I go to the park I want to check out the northern end of the island. I find my way to the end and see this nice little park. Vehicles are $5 and bicycles are free! I hope to jog this today, but the park closes at 5 PM and it is too lake to jog all those miles by that time. So, I change my plans.
I had scoped out yesterday where to stage my bike. It is just outside the park. There is a small beach access point. Not parking and not much signage either. I take out my bike and lock it up on the only sign the have. Then I drive to the park, pay my $5 fee and head for Parking Area #5. I get ready for the day, shave, have devotions, etc. Some people are getting stuff out of a truck. I say, "You know this is a nude beach, right?" They laugh. Yep, they know! They are nice folks from Orlando out to enjoy the fresh air. Really enjoy the fresh air!
I drink a few cups of water. I have an Ion 4 at the bike so decide not to take any with me. I get to the beach, do my stretching and exercises (with clothes on) and take off down the beach. My heel tendons slowly stretch out and I feel good. It is going to be hotter today. Let's see... I start just before Post #26 so that means I have at least 6 1/2 miles to jog. These posts are nice for the reason that I can check my pace. The first miles is 16 minutes. The second and third are the same. Each 16 minutes. After that things slow down a little. Now I am doing an 18=minute mile and then a 20-minute mile. The last mile I didn't even worry about, just kept jogging. It was rather hot and perhaps I should have taken some water. But not really bad.
There are a lot of fisherman out today. They are using heavy sinkers with prongs on them to keep them in the surf. The rip is taking things sideways and look powerful.
I get to the bike and grab my drink and start riding back. A very uncomfortable ride. The seat is killing me for some reason. I keep shifting in the hopes of find comfort. Doesn't last very long. I get to the gate and show my pass. "Is there a water fountain here?" I ask. "No, but there is one at the Visitor's Center". Good. I take off and get to the center. It is a little confusing since there is one building set apart and two trailers. The center is in one of the trailers. I ask about the water fountain and the guy says it is outside. The water is cold and wonderful. I drink at least five times. Then I take off again.
It is a long ride back to my van. And since I can't jog the rest of the island till tomorrow, I grab my swimsuit, chair, etc.and hit the beach. In no time I am asleep. I wake up read a little, etc. The I grab a shower at Parking Area #1 and head to New Smyrna to see more of the town. It seems to be a nice town. Folks say a lot of old people live here. People seem happy here. The restaurant seems busy. That is a good sign.
I had scoped out yesterday where to stage my bike. It is just outside the park. There is a small beach access point. Not parking and not much signage either. I take out my bike and lock it up on the only sign the have. Then I drive to the park, pay my $5 fee and head for Parking Area #5. I get ready for the day, shave, have devotions, etc. Some people are getting stuff out of a truck. I say, "You know this is a nude beach, right?" They laugh. Yep, they know! They are nice folks from Orlando out to enjoy the fresh air. Really enjoy the fresh air!
I drink a few cups of water. I have an Ion 4 at the bike so decide not to take any with me. I get to the beach, do my stretching and exercises (with clothes on) and take off down the beach. My heel tendons slowly stretch out and I feel good. It is going to be hotter today. Let's see... I start just before Post #26 so that means I have at least 6 1/2 miles to jog. These posts are nice for the reason that I can check my pace. The first miles is 16 minutes. The second and third are the same. Each 16 minutes. After that things slow down a little. Now I am doing an 18=minute mile and then a 20-minute mile. The last mile I didn't even worry about, just kept jogging. It was rather hot and perhaps I should have taken some water. But not really bad.
There are a lot of fisherman out today. They are using heavy sinkers with prongs on them to keep them in the surf. The rip is taking things sideways and look powerful.
I get to the bike and grab my drink and start riding back. A very uncomfortable ride. The seat is killing me for some reason. I keep shifting in the hopes of find comfort. Doesn't last very long. I get to the gate and show my pass. "Is there a water fountain here?" I ask. "No, but there is one at the Visitor's Center". Good. I take off and get to the center. It is a little confusing since there is one building set apart and two trailers. The center is in one of the trailers. I ask about the water fountain and the guy says it is outside. The water is cold and wonderful. I drink at least five times. Then I take off again.
It is a long ride back to my van. And since I can't jog the rest of the island till tomorrow, I grab my swimsuit, chair, etc.and hit the beach. In no time I am asleep. I wake up read a little, etc. The I grab a shower at Parking Area #1 and head to New Smyrna to see more of the town. It seems to be a nice town. Folks say a lot of old people live here. People seem happy here. The restaurant seems busy. That is a good sign.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
Up and out of there. I stop by Wally Word to get some ice. This is a unique Walmart. It doesn't take top billing on the sign outside and definitely doesn't have its own sign. I ask if this is an older Walmart. Yep. First time I have seen that. There is a Dollar Tree nearby. This store is small and hasn't the food I wanted. Beef stew, and stuff. So, I head out. I am on the island again and see my access point. I park my van at 27th Street Park, a very nice place where you can drive out onto the beach. I bike the 6 or so miles back to the access point and have to take a pic or two because the tide is high and the water is splashing against the rocks that line the shore. Wow! Guess I will get my new shoes wet again!
11:00 AM starts my jogging clock. I hope to make it in two hours so I can jog the rest of the island today as well. The sand is firm and I don't get wet. The tide is receding little by little. It is a beautiful day and many people are out sinning, sitting in the water or fishing. I wave but get very little response. I take this to be the guests from up the coast a few hundred miles. So strange to see people so out there that they can't even acknowledge another human. Tourist, I really believe. Because most folks in these areas I am jogging now are pretty darn nice.
I stop to drink some water and check the time. About 50 minutes. Good. I feel good and start again. I stop once more on the jog to get a drink and then I am there. I ask a lady if this is 27th AVe. Park and she says it is. Good. 12:40. Quicker than I had expected. I hop in the van and take off for my bike.
Then I drive to the park at the end of the island and talk to Alice, whose hubby is a jarhead, too! I leave my bike there, because bikes are free! After driving back to the park, I grab a new sandwich. Dill pickle in whole wheat bread. Surprisingly yummy! I have another. I think I need more carbs. I get down to the beach and it is beautiful, very wide, very flat and nice! Many folks are out on the beach. I wave or nod when I can. Most folks are reading or doing something else. One lady give me a sign language and then tells me it means "I love Chicago!" (I am wearing my Taste of Chicago T-shirt. We chat a little about how nice and cool that city is. Then I head out.
The tall buildings of the resort at the end of the island are getting closer and closer. Good, because I am getting a little tired. In fact, I stop and rest for about three to five minutes. Soon, though I spy the rocks of the jetty. Not too far. I step up my pace and outright run to the end just for the heck of it. I am at the jetty and step on a rock. There I am done. But I thought there war more. I thought it curved around. I look over the jetty and sure enough there is more beach. It arcs way out there. Walking up the jetty I find my place to attack the last beach of this island.
A slow jog for sure, but can't stop. I think I am running low on carbs. I round the beach and keep jogging. There is a couple with their little doggy. I say, "And you thought you had this whole beach to yourself!" They laugh and say that not many people come here. Nice folks.
I jog till I reach a boardwalk then stop and take the boardwalk. Fortunately it takes me back to the parking area, where I grab some water and down the whole thing, all 32 ounces! Hydration is wonderful! I get my bike and thank Alice who is giving tidbit to a dog in a truck. There is a pet-friendly beach here.
the bike ride back is slow, and I turn down another street just to see it. Flagler Ave. Quaint street that ends at the beach where there is a ramp for cars to go on the beach. I ask how much for a bike and it is free! How far to 27th Ave. Park? 2.2 miles. Cool. I bike down the beach. Fun!
I look for my footsteps and can"t find them. Oh, well.
At the park, I decide to cook some rice. Haven't had it in a long time. Rice with collard greens on top. Hope it is good. I get the stove out, which I don't remember the last time I used it. Still has gas in it. And it works. I wash the rice and cook it. The meal is so-so. Needs more spice!
I take off down the road to see what's there. About 20 miles down I find a Starbucks again! Yippee! And some are playing chess. I type and watch part of the game. We chat a little. I also chat with Kelly, who works there. I ask about Daytona and she really speaks bad about it. What is worse, a guy who has been in a band for all his adult life and was born and raised in Ormond, just north of Daytona Beach, speaks even worse of it. Drugs and prostitutes. The only good time with good people is the Biker rally. Otherwise, it is a dump. He cites a 60 Minutes episode where they said Daytona Beach has more pedophiles than any other place in America.
So, I have yet to hear much good about this place. I passed through this place a few times on my motorcycle (Harley Road King Classic 2007) and found this place to be dirty and looking like a bad neighborhood. I was hoping I was wrong, but guess not. The faster I jog through, the better. The beach looks really nice.
11:00 AM starts my jogging clock. I hope to make it in two hours so I can jog the rest of the island today as well. The sand is firm and I don't get wet. The tide is receding little by little. It is a beautiful day and many people are out sinning, sitting in the water or fishing. I wave but get very little response. I take this to be the guests from up the coast a few hundred miles. So strange to see people so out there that they can't even acknowledge another human. Tourist, I really believe. Because most folks in these areas I am jogging now are pretty darn nice.
I stop to drink some water and check the time. About 50 minutes. Good. I feel good and start again. I stop once more on the jog to get a drink and then I am there. I ask a lady if this is 27th AVe. Park and she says it is. Good. 12:40. Quicker than I had expected. I hop in the van and take off for my bike.
Then I drive to the park at the end of the island and talk to Alice, whose hubby is a jarhead, too! I leave my bike there, because bikes are free! After driving back to the park, I grab a new sandwich. Dill pickle in whole wheat bread. Surprisingly yummy! I have another. I think I need more carbs. I get down to the beach and it is beautiful, very wide, very flat and nice! Many folks are out on the beach. I wave or nod when I can. Most folks are reading or doing something else. One lady give me a sign language and then tells me it means "I love Chicago!" (I am wearing my Taste of Chicago T-shirt. We chat a little about how nice and cool that city is. Then I head out.
The tall buildings of the resort at the end of the island are getting closer and closer. Good, because I am getting a little tired. In fact, I stop and rest for about three to five minutes. Soon, though I spy the rocks of the jetty. Not too far. I step up my pace and outright run to the end just for the heck of it. I am at the jetty and step on a rock. There I am done. But I thought there war more. I thought it curved around. I look over the jetty and sure enough there is more beach. It arcs way out there. Walking up the jetty I find my place to attack the last beach of this island.
A slow jog for sure, but can't stop. I think I am running low on carbs. I round the beach and keep jogging. There is a couple with their little doggy. I say, "And you thought you had this whole beach to yourself!" They laugh and say that not many people come here. Nice folks.
I jog till I reach a boardwalk then stop and take the boardwalk. Fortunately it takes me back to the parking area, where I grab some water and down the whole thing, all 32 ounces! Hydration is wonderful! I get my bike and thank Alice who is giving tidbit to a dog in a truck. There is a pet-friendly beach here.
the bike ride back is slow, and I turn down another street just to see it. Flagler Ave. Quaint street that ends at the beach where there is a ramp for cars to go on the beach. I ask how much for a bike and it is free! How far to 27th Ave. Park? 2.2 miles. Cool. I bike down the beach. Fun!
I look for my footsteps and can"t find them. Oh, well.
At the park, I decide to cook some rice. Haven't had it in a long time. Rice with collard greens on top. Hope it is good. I get the stove out, which I don't remember the last time I used it. Still has gas in it. And it works. I wash the rice and cook it. The meal is so-so. Needs more spice!
I take off down the road to see what's there. About 20 miles down I find a Starbucks again! Yippee! And some are playing chess. I type and watch part of the game. We chat a little. I also chat with Kelly, who works there. I ask about Daytona and she really speaks bad about it. What is worse, a guy who has been in a band for all his adult life and was born and raised in Ormond, just north of Daytona Beach, speaks even worse of it. Drugs and prostitutes. The only good time with good people is the Biker rally. Otherwise, it is a dump. He cites a 60 Minutes episode where they said Daytona Beach has more pedophiles than any other place in America.
So, I have yet to hear much good about this place. I passed through this place a few times on my motorcycle (Harley Road King Classic 2007) and found this place to be dirty and looking like a bad neighborhood. I was hoping I was wrong, but guess not. The faster I jog through, the better. The beach looks really nice.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011
The day has much promise! I spend the night at Denny's on Daytona Shores. I asked the folks if I could after I ate there and they were very nice and okayed my plan. They even thanked me for asking! And the food there was good! Leah, the waitress on the night shift was very helpful. She said the same as everyone else. Daytona Beach is a very, very bad place to be at night. I asked why and she said drugs and prostitution. But Daytona Shores, just south, and Ormond Beach, just north are great places. So, they are right next to each other, why the difference?
The police at Daytona Beach are too busy chasing murders she said. I don't know about that, but Wow! But where I am at is very pleasant. And the Lighthouse Inlet Park is just six miles down the road. I already have a pass for today and I get to the gate around 7 AM. I am excited. I can take a bus back to the park. No time-consuming staging of the bike and riding it back! I hope to jog far today, maybe 20 miles. That's as far north as the bus goes I find out.
While getting ready for the day I have two dill pickle sandwiches. Still yummy! I am on the beach and take off at 7:40. The morning breaks beautifully. Check out the pic. I take off and feel good. It does take a while to get into stride as my Achilles tendons are tight. But soon they are happy to be jogging too. There are several people on the beach jogging and walking. And most are very nice folks. And the houses! Very nice. Some of the architecture is just fun to look at. I am smiling most of the way. Because I can jog all day!
I see some fishing line with a few hooks in it on the beach. I pick it up and serendipitously a truck is slowly coming behind me. The two ladies are some sort of officials so I ask them to take the line as I can't very well jog with it. They say sure and open the door so I can put it on the floor. I ask what they are doing. They are turtle watching. We chat a bit about this and they agree with other turtle watchers that this is a very good year for turtle egg hatching. I say that that is very good. They agree. Then I say, "Because turtles taste good!!" They take in a fun way and laugh.
After an hour I stop and take a 10-minute break. I decide to do this every hour so as not to be too tired to jog effectively later. Otherwise I will be just slogging it out at the end of the day at about 2 miles an hour and I would rather do about 3 mph. In ten minutes I get up and jogging. There are cars on the beach and more people are arriving. It is going to be a beautiful day. Another hour goes by and I stop again. Each time I stop I get some water. But it is not that hot and there is a slight breeze. The tide begins to recede. Kind of like my hair line! When I wash my face, my hands go higher and higher.
The fourth break is coming up and I decide to get a bite to eat. I want some carbs. I first walk into a small beach shop and see some flip flops not for $100. Only $16. I hope to come back and buy them. I ask where a good, inexpensive restaurant is. She says there is one two doors down. She hasn't eater there so I say I will tell her how it is.
It's called Zoni's. I walk in and there is no one there. I shout hello, but nothing. I am about to walk out and this short, stocky, long-haired guy comes in. He is the chief cook and bottle washer. His nickname is Bambam. A very interesting character whom I will talk about tomorrow because now I need my sleep.
Bambam played semi-pro hockey. He has had broken ribs, and other broken stuff. He is a chef who makes excellent Italian food. He is also a bouncer at a well-known night spot on Daytona Beach. He often works the door. He is short, stocky, tough and enjoys life. He sells ice cold bottled water for a buck, not the thee bucks most places sell it for. He warms people about Daytona Beach at night. He has seen a guy laying on the sidewalk with a knife in his gut and several other acts of violence. He always watches what is happening around him. Basically, he is a nice guy who enjoys life and is aware of what's going on.
After a hearty meal full of carbs the jog continues. I have a few more hours before the day is done. I see the last building in the distance. It is narrow and the windows make it look like the letter "i". My goal is to make it there before three. That is my cut-off time so I can catch the buses back. I have to switch buses and am not sure how to do it in this county. As long as I focus on the building I am not tired. But when I look around, I soon feel the tiny blister on my toe, or my left hip twinge or my hot feet (for some reason, my feet get hot in these new shoes). But when I focus on the building at the end, it all goes away. Or when a kicking song plays on my IPOD. Minds are funny, aren't they?
I realize I can't reach the building in the time I allotted myself. And I will use the bus tomorrow so if I keep running, the bus will almost not be worth taking tomorrow. I stop around 2:30 and head for the access I just passed. It is Neptune St. on Ormund Beach.
Now to find the bus sop. Shoot. On the other side of the street is a golf course. Buses don't stop at golf courses. I have a long walk ahead of me. At least a half mile. I jog most of it. In the grass beside the sidewalk. Feels better. I ask a gardener about the bus stop and he says it is past the next light. I get to the light and see the Starbucks I was at last night! Cool!
There are three people, two with bikes, waiting for the bus. I say "Hi!" and ask about the bus time and how to transfer. Two are helpful. One, the guy with the bike, long hair and a campaign hat, tells me how to do it. The lady with the other bike helps out as well. We chat and talk about living here and the fellow says he is very lucky. He doesn't elaborate, but I take it he doesn't have to work.
The bus comes and there is already one bike which means there is only room for one more. The lady says they might as well flip a coin and he offers the bus to here. Nice gesture.
I hop on the bus, pay my $1;.25 (exact change only) and ask the bus driver about transfers. He grunts. That's it, that's all he says. I take a seat and chat with the lady with the bike. She helps out. I get off when the lady with the bike gets off. I can catch the bus I need to walk just a few blocks. This gives me the chance to stop by that store and pick up some flip flops. At a much lower price than Ron Jon's!
As I walk by the buildings downtown, two shirtless, squirrely looking guys, one white, one black, both thin and scruffy looking are sitting in the doorway of a cheap hotel eyeing my from across the street. I glance over and and worry a little. The streets in the area, even in Atlantic Blvd, (A1A) are pretty empty. So, I look ahead and walk as straight and evenly paced. You know, how they teach one to walk with confidence around the bad folks. I do look at the reflections in the windows to see if they are following. They are not. But this place, away from the beach, is unpleasant.
At the bus stop I meet Melinda. She works for the Hilton, full time. She lives at Daytona Shores. We talk about these places. She is young, around 30, I guess. A guy on a bike passes by, stops and asks me for a quarter. Nope! Ain't got it. He rides off. Melinda tells me they always ask for a quarter or some small change and when they get enough they go have a drink. A few others walk by. If they say hi it is a short, quick look and word. Nobody wants to make eye contact.
The bus comes and the lady driver is very nice. Whenever someone gets off, they always say "Thank you!" to her. I am going to the end of the bus line and we have a nice chat. She likes the route and likes her job. She is from the area and moved away to Georgia for a while. Now she is back to stay! She hopes to get the same route next year, but there is a seniority rule and the routes are chosen every January. The best to her.
I get off the bus and walk to the van. After refreshing myself I enjoy the park for a while. I grab a cola, some crackers and take of down the boardwalk. It goes all the way to the jetty. I find a spot on the walk and relax. A younger couple I said Hi to earlier stop by and we chat. They just moved to Florida from Asherville, NC. The are in the food business and work in the Villages. Or somewhere near there. They are very nice. They tell me a story. They moved to some town inland. Rednecks is how they describe the town. When they had just moved there, one person asked them if they were on the run. The beach or inland. Two different worlds.
I take off for a place to type and an evening snack. I want to jog more tomorrow. I find a Denny's and it is a nice one. I tell them what I am doing and order some food. They say "Sure. I can leave my van there tonight!" Great!
The police at Daytona Beach are too busy chasing murders she said. I don't know about that, but Wow! But where I am at is very pleasant. And the Lighthouse Inlet Park is just six miles down the road. I already have a pass for today and I get to the gate around 7 AM. I am excited. I can take a bus back to the park. No time-consuming staging of the bike and riding it back! I hope to jog far today, maybe 20 miles. That's as far north as the bus goes I find out.
While getting ready for the day I have two dill pickle sandwiches. Still yummy! I am on the beach and take off at 7:40. The morning breaks beautifully. Check out the pic. I take off and feel good. It does take a while to get into stride as my Achilles tendons are tight. But soon they are happy to be jogging too. There are several people on the beach jogging and walking. And most are very nice folks. And the houses! Very nice. Some of the architecture is just fun to look at. I am smiling most of the way. Because I can jog all day!
I see some fishing line with a few hooks in it on the beach. I pick it up and serendipitously a truck is slowly coming behind me. The two ladies are some sort of officials so I ask them to take the line as I can't very well jog with it. They say sure and open the door so I can put it on the floor. I ask what they are doing. They are turtle watching. We chat a bit about this and they agree with other turtle watchers that this is a very good year for turtle egg hatching. I say that that is very good. They agree. Then I say, "Because turtles taste good!!" They take in a fun way and laugh.
After an hour I stop and take a 10-minute break. I decide to do this every hour so as not to be too tired to jog effectively later. Otherwise I will be just slogging it out at the end of the day at about 2 miles an hour and I would rather do about 3 mph. In ten minutes I get up and jogging. There are cars on the beach and more people are arriving. It is going to be a beautiful day. Another hour goes by and I stop again. Each time I stop I get some water. But it is not that hot and there is a slight breeze. The tide begins to recede. Kind of like my hair line! When I wash my face, my hands go higher and higher.
The fourth break is coming up and I decide to get a bite to eat. I want some carbs. I first walk into a small beach shop and see some flip flops not for $100. Only $16. I hope to come back and buy them. I ask where a good, inexpensive restaurant is. She says there is one two doors down. She hasn't eater there so I say I will tell her how it is.
It's called Zoni's. I walk in and there is no one there. I shout hello, but nothing. I am about to walk out and this short, stocky, long-haired guy comes in. He is the chief cook and bottle washer. His nickname is Bambam. A very interesting character whom I will talk about tomorrow because now I need my sleep.
Bambam played semi-pro hockey. He has had broken ribs, and other broken stuff. He is a chef who makes excellent Italian food. He is also a bouncer at a well-known night spot on Daytona Beach. He often works the door. He is short, stocky, tough and enjoys life. He sells ice cold bottled water for a buck, not the thee bucks most places sell it for. He warms people about Daytona Beach at night. He has seen a guy laying on the sidewalk with a knife in his gut and several other acts of violence. He always watches what is happening around him. Basically, he is a nice guy who enjoys life and is aware of what's going on.
After a hearty meal full of carbs the jog continues. I have a few more hours before the day is done. I see the last building in the distance. It is narrow and the windows make it look like the letter "i". My goal is to make it there before three. That is my cut-off time so I can catch the buses back. I have to switch buses and am not sure how to do it in this county. As long as I focus on the building I am not tired. But when I look around, I soon feel the tiny blister on my toe, or my left hip twinge or my hot feet (for some reason, my feet get hot in these new shoes). But when I focus on the building at the end, it all goes away. Or when a kicking song plays on my IPOD. Minds are funny, aren't they?
I realize I can't reach the building in the time I allotted myself. And I will use the bus tomorrow so if I keep running, the bus will almost not be worth taking tomorrow. I stop around 2:30 and head for the access I just passed. It is Neptune St. on Ormund Beach.
Now to find the bus sop. Shoot. On the other side of the street is a golf course. Buses don't stop at golf courses. I have a long walk ahead of me. At least a half mile. I jog most of it. In the grass beside the sidewalk. Feels better. I ask a gardener about the bus stop and he says it is past the next light. I get to the light and see the Starbucks I was at last night! Cool!
There are three people, two with bikes, waiting for the bus. I say "Hi!" and ask about the bus time and how to transfer. Two are helpful. One, the guy with the bike, long hair and a campaign hat, tells me how to do it. The lady with the other bike helps out as well. We chat and talk about living here and the fellow says he is very lucky. He doesn't elaborate, but I take it he doesn't have to work.
The bus comes and there is already one bike which means there is only room for one more. The lady says they might as well flip a coin and he offers the bus to here. Nice gesture.
I hop on the bus, pay my $1;.25 (exact change only) and ask the bus driver about transfers. He grunts. That's it, that's all he says. I take a seat and chat with the lady with the bike. She helps out. I get off when the lady with the bike gets off. I can catch the bus I need to walk just a few blocks. This gives me the chance to stop by that store and pick up some flip flops. At a much lower price than Ron Jon's!
As I walk by the buildings downtown, two shirtless, squirrely looking guys, one white, one black, both thin and scruffy looking are sitting in the doorway of a cheap hotel eyeing my from across the street. I glance over and and worry a little. The streets in the area, even in Atlantic Blvd, (A1A) are pretty empty. So, I look ahead and walk as straight and evenly paced. You know, how they teach one to walk with confidence around the bad folks. I do look at the reflections in the windows to see if they are following. They are not. But this place, away from the beach, is unpleasant.
At the bus stop I meet Melinda. She works for the Hilton, full time. She lives at Daytona Shores. We talk about these places. She is young, around 30, I guess. A guy on a bike passes by, stops and asks me for a quarter. Nope! Ain't got it. He rides off. Melinda tells me they always ask for a quarter or some small change and when they get enough they go have a drink. A few others walk by. If they say hi it is a short, quick look and word. Nobody wants to make eye contact.
The bus comes and the lady driver is very nice. Whenever someone gets off, they always say "Thank you!" to her. I am going to the end of the bus line and we have a nice chat. She likes the route and likes her job. She is from the area and moved away to Georgia for a while. Now she is back to stay! She hopes to get the same route next year, but there is a seniority rule and the routes are chosen every January. The best to her.
I get off the bus and walk to the van. After refreshing myself I enjoy the park for a while. I grab a cola, some crackers and take of down the boardwalk. It goes all the way to the jetty. I find a spot on the walk and relax. A younger couple I said Hi to earlier stop by and we chat. They just moved to Florida from Asherville, NC. The are in the food business and work in the Villages. Or somewhere near there. They are very nice. They tell me a story. They moved to some town inland. Rednecks is how they describe the town. When they had just moved there, one person asked them if they were on the run. The beach or inland. Two different worlds.
I take off for a place to type and an evening snack. I want to jog more tomorrow. I find a Denny's and it is a nice one. I tell them what I am doing and order some food. They say "Sure. I can leave my van there tonight!" Great!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
Up early, I am off to the beach. Neptune and Atlantic Blvd. The sun isn't up yet as I get myself ready. A few cars are already there. When I hit the beach the sun is coming up and it is beautiful. A girl, Kayle, is taking a picture of the sunrise. I ask her to use my camera and take my picture. She does and it is a very nice picture. I give her my card so she can get on the website.
I start out at 7:45. Feels good. The day starts nice. I reach the building with the "i" on the side and keep jogging. I stop after a half hour and then stop an hour and a half later. Boy, I am tired! I take a longer break than usual. But I am only going about 14 miles today, so I can take my time. I start jogging by the state park and see a big building down the beach. That is my new goal. I stop halfway there. Water is getting short, but I still have some. The water is nice, the shore is very narrow. The waves are gently rolling in as usual. This is a lovely area. I jog by this fellow who I think is one of the stars of the poker world. He smiles and I nod. His hair looks thinner, but he still looks like a really nice guy. On the way to the big, white building I find this huge, round, rusted metal object in the water on the shoreline. This girl is walking by and I ask what that is. She says most people think it is part of a shipwreck, but it is actually a buoy. He name is Lisa. I ask and she takes my pic by it and I say thanks.
I jog to the big, white building. It lies past a row of houses or apartments. The building is a gated, condo complex. I walk to the front door and the guy and the lady in the office buzz me in. They are nice. I get some ice-cold water, say thanks and head out. I see the Flagler Beach Pier and also see the water is reaching the rocks along the shore. Guess I will get my feet wet again! I avoid the water for a while, but then I can't. Get my feel wet. I keep jogging and begin to see more and more people. No more the lone girl or guy reading on the beach. Now couples, families and groups. The closer I get, the fast I jog. It is fun to kick it in at the end. I reach just past the pier and stop! Yeah! Over 50 miles for the week. And if I can, I hope to jog tomorrow as well.
Flagler Beach is an interesting place. Fliagler Beach has a distinct New York flavor. But a nice New York flavor. Loud, but nice. This is a rarity, but so true. the beach is wonderful, just like Daytona and the surrounding beaches but without all the people. It is a relaxing place. Near the pier there are picnic tables where people can enjoy the summer breeze and sit and chat. After washing off at the shower there, I took a seat at one of the tables. At table closest to the pier there were two or three old men talking in loud voices. They were identifying and correcting the problems of Flagler Beach, the US and the world. I was sitting too close to them so I moved the next table where my ears weren't assaulted so badly.
There was a gent a little older than me sitting in a lawn chair on top of the picnic table. He was definitely from the New York area and was very friendly to all. He even offered to help a passerby in a wheel chair up to the picnic table to get a better view. The offer was declined, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless. I take a walk because earlier I saw a used bookstore and want to check it out. I walk north but don't see it. I go back the other way and find the chamber of commerce. The lady there is very kind and walks out with me to show me a store just down the block. I thank her and head out.
Just a few books and nothing I am interested in. I stop by one of the many New York eateries there and ask about the buffet. $10.99 for lunch? No, thanks. Maybe next time. Instead I cross the street to Dollar General and got a Ion drink, a can of chili and some garlic crackers for about $3.50. It was a very nice meal.
I was waiting for my ride. I had gave my card to a person on the beach who like my Chicago T-shirt yesterday and they said they would pick mu up today around 4 PM. I finished the jog at 1 PM so had time to explore.
There are some very nice places to dine and enjoy the view of the pier, the beach and your surroundings. I went to Finn's, a two-story bar/grill with a large balcony on the second floor. The view was wonderful. I even saw some dolphins out in the water, something you don't see as much on the Atlantic side as you do the Gulf side. But I did see a whale sign on the Atlantic side!
My ride showed up and we had a beer on the balcony and a nice conversation as well. This person was going back to Michigan. Five years in Florida was enough. Family is the key here. When one misses the kids, it is time to go back. I did hear some stories about the inland part o Florida. This made me want to check it out.
I got a ride back to Neptune Ave. and said goodbye. My van was waiting for me nicely. I did a few things and took off. I ended up on Deland, FL, the home of Stetson University. (I thought that was in Texas!) The town, actually a city, looks beautiful with many trees, nice homes, an active downtown, etc. It seems to be a nice town.
I start out at 7:45. Feels good. The day starts nice. I reach the building with the "i" on the side and keep jogging. I stop after a half hour and then stop an hour and a half later. Boy, I am tired! I take a longer break than usual. But I am only going about 14 miles today, so I can take my time. I start jogging by the state park and see a big building down the beach. That is my new goal. I stop halfway there. Water is getting short, but I still have some. The water is nice, the shore is very narrow. The waves are gently rolling in as usual. This is a lovely area. I jog by this fellow who I think is one of the stars of the poker world. He smiles and I nod. His hair looks thinner, but he still looks like a really nice guy. On the way to the big, white building I find this huge, round, rusted metal object in the water on the shoreline. This girl is walking by and I ask what that is. She says most people think it is part of a shipwreck, but it is actually a buoy. He name is Lisa. I ask and she takes my pic by it and I say thanks.
I jog to the big, white building. It lies past a row of houses or apartments. The building is a gated, condo complex. I walk to the front door and the guy and the lady in the office buzz me in. They are nice. I get some ice-cold water, say thanks and head out. I see the Flagler Beach Pier and also see the water is reaching the rocks along the shore. Guess I will get my feet wet again! I avoid the water for a while, but then I can't. Get my feel wet. I keep jogging and begin to see more and more people. No more the lone girl or guy reading on the beach. Now couples, families and groups. The closer I get, the fast I jog. It is fun to kick it in at the end. I reach just past the pier and stop! Yeah! Over 50 miles for the week. And if I can, I hope to jog tomorrow as well.
Flagler Beach is an interesting place. Fliagler Beach has a distinct New York flavor. But a nice New York flavor. Loud, but nice. This is a rarity, but so true. the beach is wonderful, just like Daytona and the surrounding beaches but without all the people. It is a relaxing place. Near the pier there are picnic tables where people can enjoy the summer breeze and sit and chat. After washing off at the shower there, I took a seat at one of the tables. At table closest to the pier there were two or three old men talking in loud voices. They were identifying and correcting the problems of Flagler Beach, the US and the world. I was sitting too close to them so I moved the next table where my ears weren't assaulted so badly.
There was a gent a little older than me sitting in a lawn chair on top of the picnic table. He was definitely from the New York area and was very friendly to all. He even offered to help a passerby in a wheel chair up to the picnic table to get a better view. The offer was declined, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless. I take a walk because earlier I saw a used bookstore and want to check it out. I walk north but don't see it. I go back the other way and find the chamber of commerce. The lady there is very kind and walks out with me to show me a store just down the block. I thank her and head out.
Just a few books and nothing I am interested in. I stop by one of the many New York eateries there and ask about the buffet. $10.99 for lunch? No, thanks. Maybe next time. Instead I cross the street to Dollar General and got a Ion drink, a can of chili and some garlic crackers for about $3.50. It was a very nice meal.
I was waiting for my ride. I had gave my card to a person on the beach who like my Chicago T-shirt yesterday and they said they would pick mu up today around 4 PM. I finished the jog at 1 PM so had time to explore.
There are some very nice places to dine and enjoy the view of the pier, the beach and your surroundings. I went to Finn's, a two-story bar/grill with a large balcony on the second floor. The view was wonderful. I even saw some dolphins out in the water, something you don't see as much on the Atlantic side as you do the Gulf side. But I did see a whale sign on the Atlantic side!
My ride showed up and we had a beer on the balcony and a nice conversation as well. This person was going back to Michigan. Five years in Florida was enough. Family is the key here. When one misses the kids, it is time to go back. I did hear some stories about the inland part o Florida. This made me want to check it out.
I got a ride back to Neptune Ave. and said goodbye. My van was waiting for me nicely. I did a few things and took off. I ended up on Deland, FL, the home of Stetson University. (I thought that was in Texas!) The town, actually a city, looks beautiful with many trees, nice homes, an active downtown, etc. It seems to be a nice town.