As Tom Cochrane sang in 1991:
Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long
Actually, for us, it’s more like a thruway or a turnpike, but that’s beside the point!
We did a lot of traveling yesterday and today and we JUST got out of Florida. It’s a BIG state! We are now in Alabama, but we had a great day in Tallahassee, FL. Eric found out last night that there was a big mountain bike race in a nearby park (TOM BROWN PARK). We were going to go, watch the races and then Eric would ride the MAGNOLIA TRAIL afterwards.
When we got there, we saw that this was a HUGE race with hundreds of riders. I’ve never seen so many mountain bikers in one place before! The difference with these riders is that they train constantly (in the Florida heat!) for speed, stamina and endurance. They are all about speed and distance. Eric is a free-style rider. He used to go for 30 mile rides, but now is more interested in jumps, tricks, and drops.
He talked to a few riders and they said that there were all different categories and that Eric should race, just for the hell of it, so he could see the park’s trail. He signed up and was put into the Grand Master category (for expert riders in the 50-99 age range). Ouch! That was the oldest range there was. I asked if any 99-year-olds ever rode, and they laughed and said that people in their sixties have raced, but not much older.
Eric was first given number 557, and then -- right before the race -- they told him he had the wrong number for his race group and he had to RUN and get another number while they held the race.
The last time Eric raced was about 10 years ago. He isn’t much into it, but it really was the only way to ride in Tom Brown Park today!
They had children’s categories, women’s expert, Clydesdales (riders over 200 lbs.), and all age groups from 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-99. Eric’s category had the least amount of riders, and if he had been riding regularly, and was used to riding in 95 degree heat, he would have kicked a__! But he is definitely out of shape, because he went from riding 7 days a week to riding 4 times in 5 weeks! Also, he’s not used to riding in extreme heat, because if it was ever that hot in NY he’d ride very early in the morning, before it got too bad. He prefers riding in 40 or 50 degrees, since the body warms up as soon as you get going. His race started at noon, so they were riding during the hottest part of the day! I don’t know how all these riders do it in the summer in Florida, but they’re used to it, I guess! Anyway, Eric had fun, and I got to experience a mountain bike race for the first time.
Eric starts the race!
Eric finishing the first lap!
After the race we had lunch and then got on the road to Alabama. You’d think I’d drive and let Eric take a nap, because – after all – he’s the one that raced, but – no – he drove and I napped!
We stopped at a gas station/Stuckeys Shop/Dairy Queen to gas up, clean off the bugs off the windshield (more on that later) and get some ice cream. DQ is our new favorite place! I love their Mocha Moolatte (which is why I am getting so FAT). The Stuckeys had more Betty Boop than I’ve seen in a LONG time. I couldn’t believe their collection. It was very impressive. Good thing I don’t collect any more!
Note to Gina and Susan: There’s a TANGER outlet in Foley, Alabama, and I thought of you girls right away. You should think about a trip down here. It’s really beautiful!!
We got to our campground at 7:30pm, but we’re back in Central time, so it was only 6:30pm. Nothing like gaining an hour! Eric has been outside ever since we arrived, washing the love bugs off the RV. They are DISGUSTING. They’re little black bugs and this is their mating season, so they are attached and fly around together, while they mate. They are ALL over and when you drive over 100 miles and get out of the vehicle, they’re all over the windshield, the front grill, the side view mirrors, etc. You clean them all off, drive another 100 miles, and they’re all back and disgusting as ever. Eric said they smell like dirty socks. Nice!
We are staying at WALES WEST TRAIN & GARDEN LOVERS RV RESORT . This place is SO adorable. It was opened by a couple who love trains. Their retirement dream was to have their own Welsh Victorian railway surrounded by beautiful gardens. This is the world’s only RV Park dedicated to train and garden lovers. On weekends, and at many special events during the year, the general public can experience the feeling of joy that trains evoke. They also have formal, themed and free-form gardens throughout the park to enjoy. They host private parties and group events. It’s a tourist attraction and RV park in one place!
This is the office where you register. Isn't it the cutest?
A miniature train track surrounds the registration office.
This is the view from our site. This is the closest we have EVER stayed next to a railroad track, but THESE trains won't be running all night and blowing horns! We are hoping to get a train ride tomorrow, but they told us that the trains usually run only on the weekends this time of year. The woman who registered us said she’d ask the engineer if we could have a ride. I hope so!