May 4-5 – Gatorland

Post date: May 8, 2012 4:51:33 PM

The meeting place for Ground Control to pickup "Five Pair" and "Austin" was established and Ground Control was at the appointed location well ahead of the estimated time of arrival and during the wait had the opportunity to meet and chat with "Bucket," "Kindle Ninja," "Beacon," "Gypsy Soul," "Haus" and Haus’s mother (trail name: "Cricket").

At around 1:45p, "Austin" and "Five Pair" hiked around a slight bend and up toward US Highway 11 at Atkins, Virginia, and Ground Control was there to welcome "Five Pair" and meet "Austin." After less than a few minutes, the hikers were in the car and requesting a food stop at a Sonic where a corn dog, chili cheese tater tots, and an ice cream sundae were featured items. After the annihilation of the food at the Sonic stop, the travel to Gainesville began in earnest.

On the way south, "Austin" was introduced to the traditional stop by "Five Pair" and her family any time traveling on I-95 in South Georgia, the "Six Pence Pub" in Savannah, Georgia. More eating occurred.

After a highway hotel respite and breakfast, the drive to Gainesville was completed and after a stop off at the soon to be Graduate’s place, introductions and raiding the Graduate's closet for some non-hiker apparel for "Austin", the hikers where off to, what else? Lunch, and a big lunch it was at a Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. After lunch, "Austin" found time to take a swim at "Five Pair's" older son's apartment complex and "Five Pair" undertook to get some wash done. Then everyone hurriedly get dressed for dinner. The day ended after dessert was consummed.

542.2 miles complete/1,642.2 miles to go