Today kicked off with a surprise I definitely didn’t order. As I reached into my bag while getting ready to roll out of Midway, my back suddenly staged a full‑scale protest. The strange part: it feels totally fine on the bike… and absolutely terrible doing anything other than riding the bike. So yes, walking, bending, existing — all painful. Pedaling across the country? Weirdly fine. Bodies are mysteries.

Between the back flare‑up and the switch to Eastern Daylight Time, I was in a bit of a mental fog. Little things felt big, and big things felt… also big. So John and I decided to reset the day with some time in Tallahassee searching for some early‑morning joy.

We wandered the bike trail taking pictures of the public art installations — murals, sculptures, anything colorful enough to catch our eye.

Then we rolled into a skate park and attempted the most cautious, parent‑approved maneuvers imaginable. Riding the bank? Yes. A tiny climb out of the bowl? Also yes. Anything that might land us in the ER? Absolutely not. We’re adventurous, not reckless. We want to finish this big adventure.

Lucky Goat Coffee Company became our next stop, and honestly, it was the right call. Cold brew in hand, we let the team know we were swapping the first water stop for caffeine. Priorities.

Then came our first stretch of Old St. Augustine Road — and wow.

A tunnel of trees arched overhead, sunlight streamed through in golden beams, and the birds were singing so loudly they drowned out our music. When nature decides to DJ, you just let it. We didn’t care that we were at the back of the pack. We were having the time of our lives. And yes, we absolutely shouted, “We are riding our bikes across the country!” because sometimes you have to remind yourself how incredible this all is.

Lunch was in Greenville, FL, childhood home of Ray Charles. The town is proud of that legacy, and rightfully so — there’s a statue of him in the park. In his honor, John queued up a Ray Charles–inspired playlist as we rolled in, and we let it play all through lunch, giving the moment a little extra soul.

But the day wasn’t done surprising us. Just after lunch, we spotted a mama wild pig and her tiny piglets about to cross the road. She saw us, panicked, and hustled her adorable crew back into the woods. It was like watching a very cute, very chaotic retreat. Too quick for photos, but unforgettable.

We spent the whole day at the back, and it didn’t bother us one bit. We’re not here to set speed records. We’re here to see things, hear things, feel things — and occasionally get startled by woodland families.

Back pain and all, today was a good day. A real day. A day that reminded us why we’re out here.