December 14, 2016 – Rain, 65 degrees

Miles Today: 17

Miles to Date: 20,443

States to Date: 48

Sometimes the stars align even when clouds obscure them.

Before I started this journey I pinpointed Tallahassee in the hopes of meeting Kate & Andy Grosmaire and Julie & Michael McBride, four people whom I knew only through a January 2013 NY Times article about restorative justice.

In the past year I have not only become fearless in asking my question, I have also learned one can ask for anything, and if you ask with respect you just might get what you want. A few days ago I blind messaged Kate and Andy’s Facebook pages, explained my trip and that I would like to talk with them about tomorrow. This morning I woke to an invitation for dinner with both couples, so shifted my plans by a day.

As good fortune would allow, it proved a perfect day to layover in this state capital and college town. Tom got some last push repairs at University Cycles, a terrific bike shop and I enjoyed barbeque at Jim and Milts.

Though it rained most of the day, the skies were dry by late afternoon when I pedaled through Florida State University, where the football stadium of this National Championship ACC powerhouse dwarfs any other building on campus.

Miccosukee Road is one of the five ‘canopy greenways’ in the Tallahassee area. The road is preserved narrow to maintain the incredible overhead trees. Fortunately, vehicles were very accommodating to this bicyclist.