Gainesville to the Suwannee River – A Day of Rain, Wind, and Kindness

I started the day quietly, making sure not to wake up Nelson and Linda as I got ready. By a little after 7 AM, I was out the door, retracing my steps before turning right onto the road ahead. The sky was heavy, signaling rain, but the cool morning air made for a pleasant start as I ran out of Gainesville, weaving past traffic jams of cars stuck crawling into the city.

By mile 9, the drizzle turned into a full downpour—short but intense. Soaked, but not cold, I let the wind dry me off between bursts of rain. At one point, a woman sitting in her car outside her house suddenly yelled at me. Confused, I turned back to see what was going on. “How can it be that you’re here? I saw you on the highway, and now you’re here?!” she asked, amazed. I smiled and explained my run. She was so excited that she called for her daughter, and we took a picture together. These unexpected moments of connection always fill me with joy.

Throughout the day, I stopped at several stores to grab food, unsure of what options I’d have further down the road. At the SunStop Market, I met Lou—a true ray of sunshine. She was curious about my journey and lit up with enthusiasm when I told her about my world run. It’s always heartwarming to see how people react, inspired by what I’m doing.

By mile 31, I was still on the same road when a strong headwind hit, whipping up dust and leaves around me. My legs felt heavy, my mind drained, and running into the wind seemed pointless. So, I let go of the pressure and walked for a while, reminding myself to be patient.

When I finally reached the RV park where I had planned to camp, I was met with a firm “No ma’am, no tent camping on my property.” I asked if they could make an exception for a world runner, but the answer remained the same. Just when I started thinking about my next move, a kind woman working there gave me a tip—head across the river to a restaurant where I might find a place to stay.

On the way, I spotted a young man cleaning a waterfront house and asked if he knew of any camping spots or cheap rooms. He suggested speaking to his stepfather, the restaurant owner, or Miss Jacki, the manager. What a lucky coincidence! When I arrived, Miss Jacki wasn’t there, but once she showed up, she immediately brainstormed options. Eventually, she offered me a campervan on her property for the night. Later, when Dane, the owner, arrived, he gave me another option—camping beside the house his son had been cleaning, putting me right back on the road in the morning. Perfect.

After setting up my tent, I headed down to the restaurant to charge my devices. That’s when I met Nancy and Terri, two women from Wisconsin who were laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I joined them, and soon we were all singing, talking, and sharing stories. It was the perfect way to end a long day.

Exhausted but grateful, I finally crawled into my tent, ready for another day on the road. Let’s go!