Wednesday,  July 23, 2003

Tallahassee Visitation

Go to calendar

Home           Previous Page    Next Page   Photo Album

Today we made the last visitation of this year's journey -- this time to HealthSouth of Tallahassee, where the reception was wonderful. We began our journey with official escort provided by Deputy Joseph Humphries and Deputy Shannon Black, both of the Sheriff's Department.

Three guest riders also escorted us in: Dan Walsh, of HealthSouth, Sam Winton, a local amputee who's had some success in both road and off-road bicycle racing, and Chris Lacher, the president of the local bicycle club.

 It's always great to have local guests, but especially when they represent the local amputee or cycling communities. Thanks, guys!

Mark gabs on here with our guest riders -- he really liked that red S-Works frame on Sam's ride.

We all started toward HealthSouth, and most of it was up hill! So much for the myth that Florida is flat! Joe says tomorrow will be flat -- yeah, right, Joe.

Photographic proof that "flat" does not mean the same to us as it does to Joe.

Quite a reception at HealthSouth! Thanks, Paige and Lynn, for all your hard work!

Paige Mitchell, who masterminded our reception at HealthSouth gets her come uppance --the boys "talked" her into holding the alligator at left. She was not happy about it, but she's a trooper! We were treated great at the Tallahassee Museum, where the photo was taken.

Mike Jones, of the Tallahassee Museum, explains about the myths and misconceptions regarding alligators. We learned a ton during our brief visit.

Oh, my, such a sad day. Old Blue, Bruce's ride for over 4,000 miles self-destructed today at the thought of one more day riding with Jim and Mark. It seem she just couldn't hold it together. Bruce crated up the remains and shipped them back to Missouri for a rest. We suspect that the Smithsonian will soon be calling Bruce because he actually rode that dinosaur from coast-to-coast. Ok, if not the Smithsonian, perhaps Jerry Springer.

Only one more day's ride left in our journey and one more skydive, weather permitting -- it seems to rain a LOT in Florida.

We are all deeply conflicted --  no one wants the adventure to end, but they all do, and clearly it is time for us to begin making more adventures for ourselves, our families, and our local amputee communities.

One thing is clear -- this "adventure" will never truly end.

Return to Top of Page