Early in the day, I spoke to "fundreds"--a very fun group of hundreds of kids at Fowler Elementary School in Athens. Athens was already some 20 miles behind me, so I readily accepted a ride to return me to Athens, and ultimately back to Shiloh, where I'd left off yesterday. I remembered the good camera for today's meeting with the kids, but didn't find out till the last second that I'd forgotten it's memory card. Oh well, the cell phone snapped this pic (fifth in a series of pics) of a single class which had attended the assembly. Fun people! Fun Stuff!
Returning to the exact spot in which I'd left off yesterday, in the driveway of Tony & Audrey, I'm greeted again today by Audrey, and her daughter Amber as well. I say goodbye to Buck, a wonderful man whom I'd only begun to get to know. He and his wife have been SO helpful to me!! They're slated to meet me this weekend in Hartwell and at the nearby lake and dam, which I very much look forward to!
Walking up and down the hills to Royston today, I'm SO thankful that Buck transported my belongings forward for me! It's challenging enough just walking for miles along an unpredictable dirt and grass roadside shoulders-- doing so with the Chariot makes things much slower and more difficult. Thank You Again, Road Angel Buck!
Over the occasional bridge, it becomes necessary to stop, gaze and breathe ~
Walking through rural America typically means that one needs to always be sure to bring enough water. It also means that one must become flexible and creative when seeking spontaneous bathroom opportunities. Golden Arches ahead amid long, rural miles often spell relief. (Though I haven't kept up on them lately,) Unless I'm convinced that at least one of their menu offerings might actually be more healthy than not, I'll continue to neither buy nor eat anything from them. I will, however, always help myself to their McBathrooms and McWater. (I've paid my dues!)
Reaching today's final miles, the sidewalks emerged!
There seem to be never-ending surprises wherever one may roam ~
Despite appearing to be a restaurant of the lowest grade of food, I LOVE their sign!
By the end of the day, I reached Mike & Tim's, in central Royston.
Mike insists I take his bed while he sleeps on the sofa. He would not allow me to swap with him. Wow-- I feel like I'm in a classy Bed & Breakfast!!
Tim and Mike. Mike prepared a FANTASTIC vegetarian bean stew, with delicious home-made cornbread. We all enjoyed hours of good conversations! Awesome Guys!