I Can See Clearly Now: Mt. Dora, FL to Aiken, SC

The rain is gone.  I slept 12 hours last night and awoke to rain and a forecast of thunder storms.  I drove 2 hours in the rain (varying intensity).  I ended up loving it - was cooler riding.  Once I got to Georgia the rain stopped.  I took off my rain gear and I was wet from perspiration.  I might as well have not used the gear at all.

Highway Scenic Drive Route 19 was amazing through the Ocala National Forest.  I then scooted around Jacksonville, FL.  US 321 and 278 brought me to Aiken, SC where I will be spending the night.  Nothing but blue sky.  Back roads in South Carolina are nice for scenery and a few small towns.  I wondered what people do there so I stopped at a small convenience store/gas station and talked with Vick (a man of Indian descent).  He was bored in the small town which was an hour from any real city.  I got attacked by millions of no-see-ems gathering around to look at my bike.

My gas station and lunch stops have been interesting.  Without fail people come up to me and start talking about motorcycles.  At one stop, a man told me that Harley-Davidson gives free motorcycle riding classes for Vets - he was starting his lessons tomorrow.  People have been very nice and encouraging.

I am so glad to be out of Florida (and Georgia).  It is well known that South Florida motorcyclists dread the long ride out of that state.  Georgia is mostly flat and hot.  I could really feel the change of topography since entering South Carolina.  Was great riding along the southern border of the state.

Just had dinner with a family from Aiken.  Brendon is attending The Citadel in Charleston, SC.  He asked me to watch The Lords of Discipline from iTunes.  So that is what I am going to do right now.  The family was great and cordial.  It was nice to meet a family on the trip and talk over the dinner table.  Home away from home.

Tomorrow will be awesome getting into North Carolina's mountain country.  Cooler, lots of curvy roads, and thinner air.


*****



My BMW R 1200 RT waiting patiently until the restaurant opened for lunch so that I could retrieve my credit card - I had left it there last night.  My forgetfulness cost me about 2 hours of riding time toward Asheville.  I will never forget my card again.

Comments

  1. CoolestmomcindyJune 6, 2018 at 7:52 PM

    I love that we get to share in your adventure. Can't wait to read what's next. Drive carefully and defensively.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steve1001June 7, 2018 at 5:43 AM

    Great blog post and I look forward to following your adventure. Hope you avoided no-see-um bites as those would be very annoying while riding. Glad you're meeting friendly and interesting people along the way. Enjoy the ride and be safe!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dining Diva of BocaJune 7, 2018 at 8:28 AM

    Lords of Discipline is a great book by Pat Conroy - based on experiences at the Citadel in Charleston, SC. BtW a continuing theme in his books are the prominence of an abusive authority figures based on his own father. His father was quoted as saying that had he known his kid was going to be such a good writer, he would have beat him more.

    Enjoy the ride!

    ReplyDelete

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