Manhattans

October 20th - Cheifland FL
Chiefland Campground
Mileage: 115 km
Total mileage: 5,896 km

Camped tonight in an RV Park in Chiefland. Arrived here by cycling a 20 mile bike path from Cross City. The bike path information was given to us by Greg back in Panama City Beach.

The bike path was a wonderful deviation. Quiet and peaceful. It followed an old rail bed and lead back into the trees giving us a genuine forest tour. At one point we crossed a trestle over a beautiful river. Lots of high volume rivers in Florida. The fresh water has a brown tint, but is clear. The odd snake crossed the path. Man, they can move when they have too. Deby wasn't so impressed with anything about the snakes.

On the path we met fellow cyclist, David Newman. David directed us to the RV Park where he and his wife Emily were staying. We went on our way to the Park.

In the evening we visited with David and Emily. David introduced us to Manhattans which we found very favorable. I think I'll retire the Hurricanes and Margaritas for a while.

We talked of cycling and motorcycling as David is very interested in both. David told us to look up the website crazyguyonabike.com as we would find many kindred spirits there. Apparently, the site is a collection of extensive cycling expeditions. The evening passed and all of us enjoyed each others company.

Deby and I started cycling this morning from Hampton Springs east into Perry. We then continued south on Hwy 98 through Tennille and then into Cross City. The Hwy here is 4 lane divided, but lightly travelled.

(Coming into Cross City around lunch time, Kim spied a 'Buffet' sign. He can spot them miles off. This restaurant also had a sign saying it had been established in 1928 so he figured if it had lasted that long the food had to be great. It was, and we had a nice visit with our waitress. Our waitress had told the owner about our trip and when I went to pay she just handed me a post card of the Cypress Inn Restaurant that she had written, "Have a Wonderful trip" on and said the meal was on her. Wonderful and generous people have made this trip a great experience!!)

Most of the day we travelled through trees. Some ranching has begun to appear. There also appears to be a substantial forest industry here. Many forested areas have been replanted and numerous logging trucks pass by.