Day 12: October 15, 2009

I head out from Mt. Pleasant towards Sneads and pass the 100 mile mark—good news for my tired feet! As I move, I am plagued by rain and the reality of these long walks; painful blisters on my feet. After a while, the aching subsides and I'm able to speed up a bit. Eventually, I hit my stride then realize I'm still far from my goal. Around every corner I turn, the city limit sign I hope to see continues to elude me. I push on.

The rain eventually stops and it's steamy and hot, a nasty kind of humid. "Keep chugging the gatorade," I think. After crossing over tranquil Mosquito creek and see the Florida State Hospital complex on my right, the Chattahoochee city limit sign is in sight. "What a relief and what pretty little town," I think, "With plenty of rolling vistas that culminate in such a magnificent view of the mighty Appalachicola River." To see it truly takes your breath away—I know mine was.

As I transition into Jackson County, I hit the boundary for Central Time. From this point to Sneads the road is flat with lots of surrounding farmland. Continuing on, I pass the Apalachee Correctional Facility. To walk the entire length of the property takes me an astounding 40 minutes. "That's a lot of agricultural land to train future farmers,” I think. For a moment, I’m lost in thought until honks and waves from passersby bring my focus back to the road. I imagine the radio show with Jan Rogers on WGND informed locals around here as to what I am doing.

Anyhow, I feel happy to pass the 100 mile point and remain convinced that the personal sacrifice I’m making to walk and learn is well worth it. I’ve also been inspired by the good caring people throughout the communities I walk through who are helping their fellow neighbors. I believe that’s the example for Florida to follow, the one that will make this state great again.