We’re missing out on another trash day at home. Next Monday morning we’ll be back in the heat of Venice. Running will no longer be along shaded pathways but rather along hot, asphalt roads. Today was consecutive run #4,978, as the magic 5,000 mark looms within sight. As yesterday’s post proclaimed, “You don’t stop running when you get old…you get old when you stop running.” Once again, it was hard to get going this morning and I’m glad that it’s over with for the day. Soon, we’ll be having lunch at the pool, after my wife gets back from her beach walk. 

I finished the book, “The Great Alone,” about a families’ homesteading struggles in rugged Alaska. I would never make it through the harsh winter months when food and sunshine is scarce. Just being on a luxury cruise ship will be more than enough hardship for me, as I get to #49 of my 50-state goal next month. Next year, Maine will also get crossed off the list once we plan our route up the Atlantic Coast. 

We’ve certainly now scoured the Mid West/South, having already covered 11-states on our current adventure. We’ll pass through Georgia, the 12th, on our way back home. We’ve taken three – 3,000 mile plus drives the last two years and have seen a lot of the countryside. In that timeframe, we also took a 1,500 mile drive up into Montana from Portland once Covid changed our travel plans from cruises and airplanes to automobiles. 

We’re enjoying our Vacation Club Condo on Hilton Head Island. More importantly, we haven’t had to pack or unpack in three days now and have two more nights of relaxation. Hopefully, the summer crowds will be gone from the beaches during the remainder of our stay. A shark spotting yesterday cleared everyone out of the water. Today, however, is a pool day.