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Cross country
  • Josette Chamberlain

Cross country

A 47-day adventure by Josette Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 1, 2022
  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Jackson- Baldwin Rail Trail

    March 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We have another gorgeous day. We began with layers and took them off as the day went on. We started in Jacksonville with a not so easy climb to cross a bridge, but the rest of the day was more like the downhill coast. We enjoyed the Waffle house (food is better when you're hungry). We really like the rail trail and had a nice rest on tables at Camp Milton and met some real bikers. Dale shared some good poetry with us, and later, a guy from Indy helped us get onto a nicer route. We stopped a little early since the next town with lodging was a ways and I think our bodies are really happy with that decision.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    First 60 mile day

    March 3, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    We are finally over 100 miles from the coast! We started off great riding past Oseola national forest. Lots of logging trucks with sweet smelling pines. On the other side of the street, large correctional facilities "changing one life at a time." After lunch, I had the bright idea to go a route google had for hikers - 90 has a fair amount of traffic. Well, the dirt road was really sand - there is a reason you don't see bikes on the beach. We both tumbled a bit and walked, but we survived. We decided 90 wasn't that bad and took it from Wellburn to Live Oak. We are now officially on the ACA Southern tier maps across America.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Tim spoiling me tonight

    March 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Last night, we got to try Zaxby's chicken- yummy! We followed 90 today, and there was much less traffic. We had a nice break at Suwanee River State Park (and yes we sang the song while looking at the River). We met a biker who did the continental divide, Canada to Mexico, 2100 miles in mountains with few paved roads in 31 days!
    We enjoyed PB&J lunch in Madison and took another break in a park in Greenville. We arrived a bit weary in Monticello and then Tim decided to spoil us with a real B&B - DAFFADALE INN. We have the safari room. We will enjoy dinner and breakfast here:)    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    HILLS!

    March 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    Who knew Tallahassee had so many hills:(
    We had a later start, after Scott and Cathy made us breakfast, and we enjoyed coffee in fine china:). We were trying to get to a bike shop in the city so we didn't take any long breaks. We rode enjoying beautiful spring with azaleas, daffodils, tree blossoms, and other flowers. That was enjoyable. But as we got into the city we climbed more and more hills and we were so out of breath! We had to take a little break. We then arrived at the shop at 2:02 -closed:( but there was a shaded area with rocking chairs and an ice cream shop next to Lake Ella Park:). And we had a nice conversation with a friend of the bike shop owner - he is buying nights in an air BnB in Kyiv to support a Ukrainian.
    We found another bike shop only a mile away, but of course, there were the up and down hills! We got what we needed and took off to resume our trek. It was hot, and we were happy enough to just get a hotel (thank God they found a cancelation and did not make us go further). We happily took a shower, put lotion on out mild burns, and got Chinese- Delivered!    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    New Time Zone

    March 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We saw possible thunderstorms later this week, so we decided to bike today and rest another day. I did " on bike baptist" listening to Andy Stanley. A great encouragement about the power of Christ's resurrection - changing the world - let us love one another as He commands.
    We made tracks for 63 miles, crossing the Apalachicola River, into a new time zone. We went through Snead and there were no Thneeds or Truffala trees (I was thinking of Dr Suess) .
    I had to relocate my pepper spray. A few dogs came barking and growling at our heels- I got away peddling faster, but I am ready for the next one.
    We found a happy place to rest our bodies in Marianna, Florida.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Work day

    March 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 73 °F

    Today was work! We did 62 miles. We did go into a diner just in time, typical of Florida's brief drenching rains that last less than 10 minutes but hit roof with thunderous noise with buckets of rain all at once. Everything in our bags stayed dry, and after lunch, we started off to Ponce de Leon. I was hoping to be revived with a fountain of youth but instead left the town with plenty of hills to make me feel I aged several years by the time we got to Defuniak Springs. This is a cute town with a nice little night of rest revives us. e park, but we were too exhausted to explore too much. We checked in and did our nightly washing of our bodies and clothes . We hope a night of rest revives us.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Joy in the journey

    March 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F

    I must admit I was a bit discouraged yesterday and wondered how much I could do today, but it turned out to be a very good day! It was raining when we woke, but that was nice to have more time in God's word. We went and all day rode through intermittent misty showers and then kept riding and dried off. After the first 1.5 hours, we stopped and had some nice hot coffee and shared breakfast. The temperature wasn't as high as other days, and that was rather pleasant. We still had hills, but God was answering all those prayers, and we ended up going 67 miles, and I still feel human!
    A day doesn't have to be perfect for joy in the journey-I looked at a sign too long and ended up falling in the sand, but it was soft, so I jumped up, and all was well.
    I was really happy that the last part of the trek today was in the woods. THE BLACKWATER HERITAGE TRAIL was a nice treat to end the day in Milton.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Comfy rainy day

    March 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    We took off early from one the sketchiest no tell motels yet, and with a forecast for thunderstorms, we peddled a quick 20 miles to Pensacola. We were accepted for early access to an airbnb. A minute after we figured out the lock and opened the door, the thunder clapped! And the rain started! We were able to read, wash and dry clothes, do some computer work, bike maintenance on the covered porch, and drink lots of coffee :) We had excellent fish and shrimp dinners from Kingfisher Sandwiches! It was an amazing restful day. Blessings keep raining down on us.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Tim's Bike Stolen

    March 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 54 °F

    We went to leave the airbnb in pensacola and the table the bike was chained to and Tim's bike were gone. We filed a police report. Now praying for God's guidance.

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    God is always good

    March 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Starting the day filing a police report is obviously not good, but we trust in God who directs our pathes. Our air bnb host helped us find another place to stay and a nice Uber driver. We went to Bikes Plus, and Karen was very helpful. We called back home and Micheal at Trek (formerly summit bike shop) surprised us: as God attends to the details of our lives, it turns out they had just put together the very same bike Tim had stolen. In a time when it commonly takes 6 months to a year to get touring bikes, this is a miracle. They will ship it, and the local bike shop will assemble it for us.
    We know we are just stewards of God's things (we did learn how to take more precautions), and we have prayed for the person who took the bike. We will never know all the ways God protects us. We gave our plans to the Lord, and if there is somewhere else He prompts us to go, we will., but for now, it seems He has made a way for us to continue across country.
    Until we have the bike, we enjoy the delicious cuisine here! We went to coast and watched the Pelicans go fishing. Jesus tells us not to worry: He takes care of the birds, and HE TAKES CARE OF US!    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Waiting in Pensacola

    March 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    We repacked and sent our first package of things we aren't using back. Not a super exciting day but enjoyed some Mexican food and did dome grocery shopping since tomorrow looks pretty cold and windy.
    We enjoyed a walk on the SW Greenway, inadvertantly scaring all the sunbathing turtles back into the water. We were serenaded by the song birds!
    A day for my life verses: Be joyful always. Pray continually, and give thanks in all things, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Sweet home Alabama

    March 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    We had the BEST DAY! Tim's new bike works great. We love the Gulf Coast! The trails through the park were beautiful and relaxing!! Flat coastland brings smiles. The wetlands and dunes are pretty, and with so much water around the peninsula- I was definitely in a happy place! We stopped at Hazel's Nook for a good filling breakfast after nearly 30 miles. We did peddle against a fairly strong wind- but we didn't get too hot. Then, another highlight- the FERRY from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island. And who knew about all the natural gas along the coast?
    We are staying at a truly delightful motel, Gulf Breeze. This island is the epitomy of an old fashioned family vacation with the natural outdoors to explore and enjoy. I am really hoping this is not our last visit to Alabama.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Bridges beteen.

    March 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    It started with a beautiful moon setting and sun rising, watching the birds and the fish jumping on Dauphin Island. We then stopped at the lighthouse bakery for AMAZING cinnamon rolls!
    We made it over the long and tall bridges off the island, thinking that was the end of the climbing - there were several more bridges over the gulf to go. We traveled nearly 70 miles. We left Alabama and are now in Mississippi. At first, I wasn't sure about Biloxi, but its white sandy beaches and being able to see the full moon and sunset over the water - I could like this :)!!Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Wind!!!!!

    March 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Today was tough! We had a later start due to thunderstorms. We road on the boardwalk along the Gulf Coast most of the day. Beautiful white sandy beaches, but the wind was directly against us. We had our first flat tire, but Tim was prepared, and the bike shop in Warsaw IN had us taught well, and the fix went well! We had a nice picnic at the pier.
    Along the Mississippi Coast, there are the grandest mansions/homes, really beautiful. The architecture is amazing, and seeing so many built on posts to avoid flooding is genius.
    We ended the day with another long bridge with plenty of wind against us. We didn't have the most miles today, but it certainly was a day we worked for all of them.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Loving rails to trails

    March 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    We got started early and without coffee. We planned to stop early, but believe it or not, there are not many coffee houses in the swamps of Mississippi. We crossed over to Louisiana and promptly got another flat tire in the back. We changed that and found several little punctures in the actual tire. We had lunch in Slidell, and since we decided to avoid New Orleans, going off the ACA southern teir route, we called a bike shop in Mandeville. We set off and had the most delightful ride for 15 miles on the Tammany Trace bike trail. My dad had always loved trains and the beautiful scenery along the train route. I think of him and really appreciate the rails to trails! The spring flowers are so pretty. We were well taken care of at The Bike Path, and I have new thicker tires, back and front. We stopped at Lama's seafood and had some good fried catfish and a shrimp po boy. Since it is the weekend everything was booked, we are camping tonight, on the Tchefuncte River.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Cold and Hot

    March 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Camping was cold down to 42 last night. We wore layers and put on winter coats, with the light of a full moon, in the middle of the night. We had great equipment, easily set up and packed, thanks to Micheal and Mark! So camping again is possible, but hopefully, it will be warmer.
    We had a nice breakfast at a cafe on the river. I had a delicious blue crab omelet, and Tim went off of his usual, adding blueberries to his pancakes.
    We took off, and it got hotter and hotter. Shedding layers along the way, we traveled 52 miles. We had some really nice prayer time, agreeing in prayer through our intercoms. No trails, one rural road, and lots of the time with minimal shoulder on the road - a little scary at times - God is a good protector. We found a hotel in Walker, LA, and were glad to have some relaxation. It said the temp was 76, but when I put the tent out to dry, it took only minutes with the hot sun.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Crossing the Mississippi

    March 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We started the day on roads with very narrow shoulders. We were going around a corner, and Tim fell to the side doing a full rollover, bike over body, down a little embankment. Thankfully, the grass was soft, and he was not hurt. The brake handle shifted a bit, but everything on him and the bike still works! As the day went on, the roads were better, but sadly, there were no trails.
    We did cross the Mississippi River - real progress! We had gone 53 miles, and it was early, so we were considering doing another big chunk since it looks like bad weather tomorrow. We could not find any place to stay after this town and knew it would not be good camping. We headed into New Roads, and the wind picked up directly against us, which made the decision. We found a place on False River, a nice view, but the clouds are rolling in, so the day ended with 58 miles completed.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Louisiana cuisine

    March 23, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Louisiana has some great food; creole cuisine is a great mixture of ethnicities. We we had never even heard of boudin- sausage. We had various boudin balls ( Boudin balls are made from Cajun boudin sausage, which is a mixture of ground pork and rice, along with seasonings. The sausage is removed from its casing, formed into balls, then coated and fried until golden brown), and crayfish pie. It was all delicious.
    We were able to ride west today, and as usual, the wind was out of the west, wanting to push us backward. We rode 46 miles, and after we checked into the motel, we collapsed on the bed for an hour without moving. We are thanking God for His goodness, allowing our bodies to rest and recover.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Crawfish farms

    March 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Today was much better. Not all roads are created equal- with and without shoulders, asphalt and dirt, smooth and damaged- yet all that is a mystery until you are in person. While resting in the storm, we had the bright idea to go off the southern tier map a little since it did not seem like some of the roads we were on were great. Yesterday, we had tried an app for bike friendly routes - we went on an old broken up sidewalk that ended in bushes, and then we had to walk our bikes up an embankment to get back on the road. We learned our lesson. Today, we worked ourselves back to the official route.
    We noticed all these farms, but they were covered in water, and there were red and white things in the water. Beautiful white cranes like to stand next to them. When we had lunch at the Crazy Cajun Cafe, a favorite stop for bikers on the route, we saw one of these things up close. They are crawfish (or depending where your from you can call them crayfish or crawdad) traps. Like lobster traps, they crawl in and can't crawl out. Evidently, they harvest these twice a day on these farms.
    We rested on the lawn of a church , listened to the birds, and looked to the sky for a while. We arrived at our hotel and still felt human with 53 miles under our belt.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Cows

    March 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Today's ride was relaxing through the countryside. The traffic bearing down on you can be fairly stressful and tense. As we go west towns get further and further away from each other. So what's between those towns you might ask- cows. We saw black ones, brown ones, spotted ones, spring ones, and quiet ones. Most pick up their head and just watch and chew but others run away and still others don't even flinch. We had a nice break and listened to some moo as we laid on the grass and rested. Then when we got to town you know what we did- ate cow- double D steakhouse treated us right with a nice meal and rolls. Though we peddled 48 miles I don't think I lost any weight today.
    We arrived early at our hotel, since the next lodging is about 40 miles away, and we had time to stop and smell the roses.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Texas

    March 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We got started after breakfast and had great country roads. I could hardly believe it - smooth roads, minimal traffic, and no substantial wind. It was a great morning to listen to praise music and sing along. We crossed over into the great state of Texas. We had a nice little picnic outside a church that had a bench on the porch and made plans to visit friends and family as we travel through Texas- so excited!!! We finally saw a cyclist doing the cross country trip as well. He started in San Diego 3 weeks ago. This is his 3rd time doing this and he says we are going the wrong direction for the the wind- confirming what we have figured out. We took more breaks today, that was nice. Fortuitously we stopped at DQ for ice cream before the last 15 miles of hills. We have heard about snow back home but for us it was as you would expect Texas to be- warm and sunny.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    God's playground

    March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    We didn't take any pictures today, sometimes we just need to enjoy what God has for us and its between you and Him. One of the reasons we are taking this trip is that God created all the beauty in the world and He invites us to enjoy it. If you built a playset in your yard for your kids wouldn't you enjoy watching them play and if they never went out on it, wouldn't that be sad. Jesus told us about a man who prepared a banquet and invited people, they said they were too busy working and didn't come, that is sad.
    We rode through Angelina National Forest today. The smells and the sounds were nice. The pines are so straight and tall. I thought about one of my favorite children's stories THE THREE TREES.
    "The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.” "
    Spoiler alert that is not what happened; but what that tree did get to to was so much better. I encourage you to google it.    Read more

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