From Tom:
Things that make me smile: As we were cycling on US 1 today between Daytona and New Smyrna, I got to thinking about our family vacations as a kid. Our family always went to Daytona Beach for vacation in August for ten days or so. Mom and Dad piled us into the Ford Station Wagon, Mom and Dad in front, my two sisters in the middle and my brother and I in the flip-up seats in back. We stayed in the same motel every year; La Hacienda. My Dad who had just picked up golf decided to play on a course in New Smyrna Beach and asked us to play. I am guessing I was maybe 9 years old.
We got up early in the dark and drove on US 1 to New Smyrna, the same road I was riding on today. Who would have thought some 50 years later I would be cycling here today? I am sure Dad was up in heaven smiling down on us today. And yes that was the beginning of my love to play golf.
Things that make me chuckle: Deb and I were coming off a trail near Gainesville a couple days ago and rolling into a gas station to grab a snack. We saw a man with his bike in the back of his pickup and he had an air hose in hand. He reached over the edge to pump up the tire and kaboom goes the tire!
I’m sure he was looking forward to riding his bike on the trail. I watched him throw the hose down, jump in his truck and immediately drive to the liquor store down the street. Nothing better than having a well deserved ice cold beer after a good ride, but sometimes that ice cold one will help with the frustration of not being able to have that ride. Lesson learned, do not use an air hose to pump up your bike tires that is designed for your car tires.
Things that make me grateful: With rain coming in this evening we were looking for a motel 50 or more miles down the road. I found what looked like a great place just south of Titusville and called to check on availability for one night. The young lady laughed at me since it’s spring break and there was a launch tonight. She said they were booked solid. She said everything is booked in this area.
I found another motel in the area with subpar google reviews but gave them a call anyway. A grumpy man answered with a gravelly voice “what?”. He said he has plenty of room. “There’s no one here since it is only March. Who would come here. It’ll cost ya $139 a night. No reservation needed.” Yes, we have stayed in some places during our trip that you just need a shower and bed. But tonight we were in need of a good bed, shower, and laundry. So our daughter set us up with a Marriott property near the Kennedy Space Center and it was perfect, but we kinda wish we were here last night to see the launch.
Click on the image below to view more pics and vids:
Keep Calm and Pedal On 
Perfect song for the vid. Great memories Tom‼️Nothing like a ride in a Ford station wagon 🍀😎
Another well done video. Documentary in the works.🌺😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved hearing about Tom’s memories on the road to New Smyrna. Really cool!
LikeLike
Yes, perfect song. Love it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! And thank you for the follow! 😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always dream of going across Canada on my bike.
LikeLike
I always enjoy Toms reflections. Too bad you didn’t catch the launch. It’s truly something to behold. Especially the night ones. Happy peddling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We would love to go back someday. I’m pretty sure a former shuttle astronaut ate dinner at a table next to us but I didn’t want to pester him. He was wearing a golf shirt with his mission number on it. He might also have been an engineer on the launch.
LikeLike
Very cool when life circles back to where you once were! In 1980 I was a pitcher on the University of Minnesota baseball team. 20 years later the team I coached at Butler University qualified for the NCAA Tournament and we were selected to play in the regional tournament… in Minneapolis, MN to be played at the same University of Minnesota ballpark! How cool to be throwing batting practice to my Bulldog players from the same pitching mound I stood on as a collegian. I’m wondering- with all the days you’ve spent on this trip, how many times have you been shut down by bad weather?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Steve! The circling back is special indeed when we take the time to think about it. What a route your life has taken. You’ve had quite a baseball history (playing and coaching) and I don’t know the half of it. You just never know where life will lead us.
About the weather, we have only taken one day off in 3,300 miles and that was because of a strong headwind on a high mileage day. We have been very lucky. 🍀
LikeLike
Gorgeous trails! From 🇺🇸 stars and stripes on the trail, to stars on your ceiling!! You guys are the 🌟 stars! Ride on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mike! I didn’t even think about the star theme. 🌟
LikeLike
Love the Marriott. It works every time. Rookie mistake with the gas station air hose on a bike. Yikes. You guys are having the ride of a lifetime. Keep on doin it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your consistent encouragement John! 🥰
LikeLike
Another award you might bestow at the end of the trip could be “sleaziest accommodations”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol that might be too tough to evaluate. There have been a few from which to choose. I try to forget them sometimes and I def don’t think about them when I’m sleeping or showering in them. I bet Sue does the same. 🤣 Our daughter has hooked us up with some nice Marriott properties though using her friends and fam discount. 🤙🏻 Now those are hard to forget!
LikeLike