4/5/2015
There was no rush to leave the large lake and smiling people. Aches on various parts of my body communicated a desire for me to take a day off. I compromised by deciding to keep the mileage low. This allowed me to lounge around the mega park for many hours. My best effort to catch up on much needed rest was thwarted by the mundane chores which had been left neglected. It was funny how quickly things piled up from a day or two of neglect.
Warm air surrounded me as I ran. The sweat began to pour in no time and I removed my shirt to stay fresh. When my blood began to flow and I had gotten into my zone, an annoying pinch made its way into my knee. I stopped to walk and enjoy the trees and forest. People were scarce but anytime I passed someone they waved and shouted out words of encouragement. I met up with Crystal after a dozen miles and we sat around trying to figure out our game plan. We discovered a boy-scout park was located a few miles away. We agreed we should go and check out the park and see if there was a place to park. It turned out the park was run by a very friendly retired police officer. He told us we could park anywhere on the property and even suggested we camp out by the water.
The temperamental weather dropped through the night. It made me want to stay under the covers but we had a hotel to reach in Fayetteville and I wanted ample time to get there in case my knees were still on strike. Every few miles on this stretch I would pass a church or a rundown gas station. The knees were still aching and the weather was wishy washy. The sun shined brightly but my skin was cold. I would sweat under my sweatshirt then remove it to make sure it didn’t get soaked. The cool air would then chill my blood and I’d repeat the motions all over again.
I crossed into Fayetteville early. We were able to check into the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel and clean up before heading out for our dinner. Small appliances made the room homey and convenient. I expected a tub but was still satisfied with their huge shower with seats. I was able to shave my head and my face. When I stepped out I felt like I had shed a layer of dirt and sweat from my skin.
The Red Lobster was fully packed with a line out the door. Crystal and I were greeted by three hostesses, the GM Jason Jones, and a tank of lobsters. Jason looked very young but seemed to have been with the company for quite some time. I wasn’t sure what I was going to eat at first but the management and the staff assured me they could make most of the dishes without meat or seafood. That was very good news. The first order of business though was to quench my insatiable thirst. I was given a peach lemonade which was tangy and sweet. It refreshed my dry mouth and opened up my appetite. Our server was also named Crystal and she was very attentive to our needs. She made sure my pasta was topped with plenty of mushrooms, asparagus and onions. Butter gave the dish a sweet taste that danced in my mouth. The delicious dinner was ample in size. I even had a little extra for a snack before I went to sleep. North Carolina had definitely treated us good. 
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