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"IN MEMORY OF MARY LOGSDON" - IN NOTE SECTION OF CHECK

JULY 3, 2006 - MICHIGAN SEEMS LIKE A DREAM TO ME NOW….. (PAUL SIMON AND ART GARFUNKEL - I GAVE YOU THAT ONE)

I awoke to … what is that stuff called again? Oh yeah, I awoke to R A I N. Rain, you know what that is, it's God's way of saying "I'm in charge here". Fortunately it stopped soon after so I got on my trusty steed and we broke like the wind …. OOOH ….. rather, we RODE like the wind, or more like a mild breeze to the Deli restaurant that has had such good food.

While there, it started to REALLY RAIN. The only one's who weren't bothered were the chickens, it seems. Speaking of chickens, they are protected by law on the island. To injure or kill one would mean a MINIMUM of a $500.00 fine. Yes, you read that right. Now, here is the rub. If you want to watch mayhem in the making, watch a (I can't believe I am able to say this AGAIN) chicken cross the road, and then see the automobiles come to screeching halts in feeble (it was one time) attempts to SSSSSTTTTTTOOOOOOPPPPPPPFORTHELOVEOFGODSSSTTTOOPPPP!!

Chain reaction multiple car pileups are not uncommon, I am absolutely sure. I did see a taxicab take out a small hen. Then it took out of there before anyone could get his license plate. The hen flopped a bit, but a resident rescued the carcass for dinner, I am sure. SOOO fortunately I made it to the restaurant for breakfast. Unfortunately I watched it rain like hell again while I was IN the restaurant having breakfast. I did manage to get back to the motel before it started raining again. More about THAT later.

I have to give you bit of a back story. This little place, while clean AND cheap, was REALLY cheap. They charged for use of the washer and dryer. It was a $1.00 to wash a load of clothes and an equal amount to dry a load of clothes (easy on the starch - this from the hotel clerk who thought that was the funniest line since "What do you call a monkey with a hand grenade     -     a BABOOM"). I didn't think that was too bad, but they also charged a quarter for ICE….

I found the ice machine at the Best Western next door. I also found their WiFi signal too. That is how I was able to journal for the two nights there. By the way, the problem with my web host has been cleared up, I hear. Everyone who subscribes should have gotten six to eight emails with updates and photos. That is good.

I got everything packed up, logged out of the motel and headed for the mainland. I left at 9:05 AM from Key West. It is 167 miles to Miami, and another 188 miles to Venice, Fla. Venice is where I finally ran out of steam tonight. The Florida State Troupers are out in force tonight…. Mmmmm hmmmmmm . I followed the speed laws very carefully. Fireworks from some municipalities could be seen as I made may way through southen Florida, which is the same thing as saying through the Everglades. Well over 100 miles of marshes, uninterrupted by anything. So much so that I had not run out of miles before I had run out of gas. I was glad that I brought the extra 1 ½ gallon canister along. I know it won't be the last time I will need it. I could see rain in the distance so I hemmed and hawed about whether or not to put on the rain suit.

NOTE TO SELF WHEN IN DOUBT - PUT ON THE DAMN RAIN SUIT.

I am soaked. I am soaked through to the bone marrow. I don't think I have ever really dried out on this trip. However, unless I am mistakend - and I have been in the past - Texas should offer some respite from the rain.

Having said that, I am sure that they will now have more rain than they have ever had in such a short time.

"Wayall, Suh, I donraghtlee know wut the hell isagoin on. We got purtneer 14 inches ahrain, sheeeyit, mustah been in only fer er fahv minutes."

The east coast is done. I am now running along the southern coast or border of the United States. Tomorrow, (for the first time) I head NORTH - ever NORTH.