3/9/2015
The problem with our trailer wasn’t the bearings and it wasn’t the leaf springs. We were just carrying too much weight. I had my reservations about bringing so many books in our trailer but to be fair, we had already unloaded many boxes. With that knowledge, we celebrated in the Edgewater Sports Pub and Grill with Twinkie and some of the regulars. Crystal and I shot a game of pool while we quenched our thirst. She even danced with a ninety two year old World War II vet. For a moment we worried that the activity might have been too much for him. The minutes ticked down and we returned to the trailer to finish up a movie. The running time of the film was a lot longer than we anticipated. Both our eyelids sagged as we tried our best to finish the film.
The next morning the thunderous roar of hogs startled me from my bed. Oh yeah, it was still biker week. It was also the reason all the hotels were completely booked. The trailer smelled like veggie pizza. Crystal’s brother had treated us to dinner and made sure we took all the leftovers. That morning I ate the last of the pizza pie. Crystal reheated it with a fried egg. It tasted even better than the first day we had it.
With food in my stomach I was ready to run. I was able to say goodbye to Twinkie and thank him for all his hospitality since he had arrived to the restaurant early. He made sure to say, “You guys are welcome back any time. Keep doing what you’re doing!”
My legs had carried me six miles when I ran into Crystal and my mom. We rested there for a moment before realizing the Chuck E Cheese where we were to meet Crystal’s brother’s family was in the vicinity. It didn’t make sense for me to run forward and get driven back. Our plan was to get to the restaurant and I would pick up the running later in the afternoon. We ended up playing games for a couple hours. You wouldn’t believe it but running around a restaurant with loud machines with flashing lights took more out of me than running a marathon.
Despite feeling worn out, I hit the road again around five. Crystal and my mom hung out at a park with Tim, his expectant wife Heather, and their kids Sean and Rylie. As the light in the sky dimmed, the neighborhood followed. I found myself in an area with all kinds of riffraff. Of course that is where we stopped and parked for the night.
It was surprisingly quiet behind the pizza joint. With a good night’s rest I was able to start my run bright and early. With each step I took, I was carried farther away from the rough area. Bikes continued to roar past me in large packs. Every few blocks girls in bikinis tried their best to lure bikers in for a bike wash. Smoke puffed from barbeque grills and the smell of pulled pork was everywhere. My legs carried me past this scene several times. I ended up sixteen miles down the coast highway, in an empty lot, across from yet another restaurant hosting bikers for bike week. The town was named Korona but I didn’t see much population. As I stood there, a hippie with a guitar on his back pushed his bicycle in my direction. I was sure he didn’t have much money yet he called out to me and offered me a soda. He took the cold beverage from a plastic cylinder. I was very touched by this act of kindness but I didn’t take the soda. My reason was that Crystal and my mom were on their way to the dirt lot with a croissant and egg sandwich and a grape slush. He continued on his journey and the trailer pulled up.
While we ate brunch, we watched a movie about the sacrifices for excellence. It hit a chord with me and, when it was over, I was itching to run. My steps were cushioned by soft grass which doubled as my sidewalk. The time disappeared in between Korona and Bunnel. I saw my mom by the City Hall enjoying the little pond and some sunlight. I hydrated there for a quick moment then made my way to Palm Coast. It was another evening without accommodations. I couldn’t remember the last time I bathed properly. My scent bothered my nostrils so I stripped down and took a water bottle shower. I felt good enough to search for a spot to rest. The town seemed nice, new, quiet and clean. 
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