Out of Athens!

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My plan for today was to leave Athens in the early afternoon, since yesterday’s storms were accurately predicted to last through this morning.
Danielsville is 16 miles from Athens, and from Antoine’s home, just a hair north of the perimeter loop highway, I was a bit closer than 16.
By the time I made my afternoon start, I already knew that despite walking most of my miles in the daylight, I would not arrive before dark.

After a productive A.M. indoors, and a rainy morning outdoors, I returned to the road in the early afternoon, bidding farewell to Antoine, a wonderfully blossoming leadership figure who hosted me for five nights... I love this guy! ;)

After a productive A.M. indoors, and a rainy morning outdoors, I returned to the road in the early afternoon, bidding farewell to Antoine, a wonderfully blossoming leadership figure who hosted me for five nights... I love this guy! ;)

On the northern edge of Athens, I unexpectedly walked past a fire station. I figured it would be worth taking the time to stop in and meet the crew, and solicit their good advice. They first told me to reroute my path through Ila instead of Danielsville, which would only make a mile's worth of difference by the time I reached the South Carolina border. They guaranteed me that Hwy 106, to Ila, is MUCH safer than Hwy 29, to Danielsville. They then gave a phone call to the volunteer fire station in Ila, and I was told that I'd probably have at least floor space in the volunteer fire station for the night. (!!)

On the northern edge of Athens, I unexpectedly walked past a fire station. I figured it would be worth taking the time to stop in and meet the crew, and solicit their good advice. They first told me to reroute my path through Ila instead of Danielsville, which would only make a mile's worth of difference by the time I reached the South Carolina border. They guaranteed me that Hwy 106, to Ila, is MUCH safer than Hwy 29, to Danielsville. They then gave a phone call to the volunteer fire station in Ila, and I was told that I'd probably have at least floor space in the volunteer fire station for the night. (!!)

At the split, I followed the firemen's great advice to Ila.

At the split, I followed the firemen's great advice to Ila.

Thank You, Ms. Beverly Barnett, for spontaneously stopping alongside the highway to say hello a few hours ago. Beverly asked me if there was anything she could do for me. GEORGE: "Do you know of any safe place in Ila where I can spend tonight?" BEVERLY: "You can stay with my husband & me, we live in Ila..." Road Angels!!

Thank You, Ms. Beverly Barnett, for spontaneously stopping alongside Ila highway 106 to say hello late this afternoon. Beverly asked me if there was anything she could do for me. GEORGE: "Do you know of any safe place in Ila where I can spend tonight?" BEVERLY: "You can stay with my husband & me, we live in Ila..." Road Angels!!

Walking the narrow roadside grew much easier once Beverly carried my stuff forward for me! Though I'm definitely devoted to walking 100% of the miles, I'm absolutely NOT devoted to always having to carry and/or push all my stuff!

Walking the narrow roadside grew much easier once Beverly carried my stuff forward for me! Though I'm definitely devoted to walking 100% of the miles, I'm absolutely NOT devoted to always having to carry and/or push all my stuff!

Barbara, Ben & Bob Fogg. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet many of Beverly and (her husband) Buck's friends. After they treated me to delicious Mexican Food, we stopped off to meet more of their friends: Barbara, Ben & Bob. What nice people!!

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet many of Beverly and (her husband) Buck's friends. After they treated me to delicious Mexican Food, we stopped off to meet more of their friends: Barbara, Ben & Bob. What nice people!!

After embarking on the day's miles, being ready and willing for tonight to be my first night outdoors, on a cement slab (if need be), this is the very comfortable bedroom I'm treated to tonight at Buck & Beverly's beautiful home. Road Angels!!

After embarking on the day's miles, being ready and willing for tonight to be my first night outdoors, on a cement slab (if need be), this is the very comfortable bedroom I'm treated to tonight at Buck & Beverly's beautiful home. ROAD ANGELS!!

I’m excited to see what surprises tomorrow has in store!  :)