Larry, our awesome weekend host in Oconee County, draws us a map of the safest route between his home and our next destination, in Athens, just a wink shy of a ten-mile day.

I must have gotten the "safer route" advice wrong, for Rocio & I ended up on a dead end road. The family in the house at the end of the road spotted us and asked how they may be able to help us. A friendly conversation ensued, and lasted for probably a half hour. John (pictured), an Air Force retiree and current Athens bicycle cop, loved the Walk project, and had great advice for us regarding our trip into Athens. David, his son, supplied us with some refreshing vitamin drinks for the road. This was by no means a "wrong turn" --it made going a mile out of our way quite worth it!

Rocio volunteered many times to push the Chariot-- what an awesome travel companion!!

Rocio & I arrive to the outer edge of Athens

Shortly after arriving, host Mark LaMountain & Rocio quickly strike up a conversation ~

Happily & safely at "home" in the fun & active brick house of CS host Mark LaMountain!

"OK, no more cam in my face today!" LOL! As I had no more than a low-tech cell phone cam for the first 2,250 miles, I took very few pics along the way. This was totally by design. That said, especially through recent miles, I've been snapping dozens of pics per walking day, carving out my favorite few for any blog

LANDMARK: THE TREE THAT OWNS ITSELF! "FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE GREAT LOVE I BEAR THIS TREE, AND THE GREAT DESIRE I HAVE FOR ITS PROTECTION FOR ALL TIME, I CONVEY ENTIRE POSSESSION OF ITSELF AND ALL LAND WITHIN EIGHT FEET OF THE TREE ON ALL SIDES" --WILLIAM H. JACKON, 1832 Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_That_Owns_Itself