Monthly Archives: September 2011

Day 9: “On the road again…” or a “Ride for my Dad and Grandpa”

Tuesday September 27, 2011, 1 mile (2 km) – Total so far: 436 miles (701 km)

First of all thank you for all the condolences. The sentiments really mean a lot to me, Jocelyn and our family. My family came out and stayed at my dad’s house with my sister Tish and brother-in-law Jim. We spent the last few days in California visiting my mother-in-law, brothers’-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. My cousin and niece live in a beautiful home south of Marina Del Ray where we enjoyed walks and runs on the beach. We left Los Angeles and flew to Atlanta, Georgia at 12:45 AM today. We arrived at Panama City Airport at 10:30 eastern time and were picked up by our new friend Charles and his wife from Port St. Joe. Charles also drove us to the airport two weeks ago. He works at the rental place where we kept our bikes. I have always read that these journeys are all about the people you meet. That is so true.

Jocelyn’s rear tire was flat – our first flat! So I changed out the tube and filled all our tires at the shop there. Since it was 2pm and we were up all night and day it was an easy decision to return to the Port Inn for the night (plus the wind was blowing hard out of the west). We also had everything scattered in the panniers and needed to repack once again. It seems like we are starting all over. We got the same great room we had two weeks ago and repacked and did laundry. We walked through the old little town of Port St. Joe and found a great place for dinner. After a nice gulf sunset walk we retired to our room to rest up for tomorrow’s first return ride. It is time to get back on the saddle and we are two weeks down. We have a new outlook on the ride and we are very eager to start again.

My son sketching art during a California sunset.
My son sketching art during a California sunset.

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Nice timing with the sailboat.
Nice timing with the sailboat.
Our first flat.
Our first flat.
What a mess outside the storage shed.
What a mess outside the storage shed.
The Port Inn at Port St. Joe. The oldest hotel in town.
The Port Inn at Port St. Joe. The oldest hotel in town.

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what a great pizza!
what a great pizza!

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A gulf sunset.
A gulf sunset.

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Jocelyn contemplating.
Jocelyn contemplating.
Birds contemplating.
Birds contemplating.