Date: December 28 2000
Trail Day: 211
Miles Today: 25
Location: Motel 8, Alexander City
Section Mile: FAR 45
ECT Mile: 3188
I was expecting the temperature to drop sharly overnight but it did not. The
clouds stayed on and held the heat. I got into my wet clothes. It wasn't that
bad. Walked to Goodwater. They told me there were no motels in Goodwater. The
nearest ones were in Alexander City or Syllacauge. Syllacauge is in the
opposite directoin so I decided to go to Alexander City which is only slightly
out of the way. It was a good thing that I did not hike to Alexander city last
night as there were no motels.
Decided to walk along the CSX rail road to Rte 280 and then into Alexander
City. Saw 1 train go by. I like walking on railway lines for some reason.
By the time I got to Alexander City, I was cold and miserable. I could not
even fill out my Registration card. My hands were so stiff and swollen. I am
now glad to be in a heated room.
Date: December 29 2000
Trail Day: 212
Miles Today: 0
Location: Motel 8, Alexander City
Section Mile: FAR 45
ECT Mile: 3188
A 0 day. Slept most of the time.
Date: December 30 2000
Trail Day: 213
Miles Today: 23
Location: SR 63, CR 80 junction
Section Mile: FAR 68
ECT Mile: 3211
It was a bright clear day. My route was mostly SR 63. It went through Lake
Masteri. Its a huge beautiful lake. The water is bluish green - almost like the
sea in Florida. Saw numerous hunters in trucks driving by. Many of the drivers
wave at me as they drive by.
Also saw an armadillo 4 ft from me. They are funny looking creatures. There
are tons of them in Florida.
Slept about 200 ft from the road in a patch of trees.
Date: December 31 2000
Trail Day: 214
Miles Today: 35
Location: Days Inn, Montgomery
Section Mile: FAR 103
ECT Mile: 3246
A personal record today - 35 miles. Was quite worn out when I got to Montgomery. Also saw
the first Cypress trees in the hike. I thought they grow only in South
Florida. I have now seen Armadillos, Cypress trees and flat terrain, all
things I have seen in Florida. The only thing missing is the warm weather.
Got up to partially frozen water bottles. I was woken up by some people
shouting. There was a fire in one of the homes.
Had lunch in Wetumpka. People are very friendly and wave to me from cars. A
police officer stopped me to talk and make sure things were OK.
Most of the shops are closed because of Sunday and New Years eve. Got a very
good room at the Days Inn.
Date: January 1 2001
Trail Day: 215
Miles Today: 16
Location: Knights Inn, Montgomery
Section Mile: FAR 119
ECT Mile: 3262
Decided to do a short day and just walk across town to the southern side. It
was very interesting. The downtown was nice. It was deserted because it was a
holiday. Then the neighborhood became quite rough and run down. I look scruffy
enough to fit right in. One guy tried to buy drugs from me, another tried to
sell me gold chains, one asked me if I was homeless. A lady police officer
looked at me dramatically while driving by. The look said - Be careful mister,
I 'm keeping my eyes on you.
Got near I-65. There are atleast 10 motels here.
Date: January 2 2001
Trail Day: 216
Miles Today: 0
Location: Knights Inn, Montgomery
Section Mile: FAR 119
ECT Mile: 3262
A 0 day
Date: January 3 2001
Trail Day: 217
Miles Today: 25
Location: Near Davenport
Section Mile: FAR 144
ECT Mile: 3287
Because I have no watch I had failed to realize that I was no longer in
Eastern Time Zone. I have been in a different time zone since I entered
Alabama.
Had breakfast at Shoney's and started off. A rather uneventful day. 2 Police
cars slowed down to look at me but then moved on. Its somewhat difficult to
find a tenting spot here because US 31 is a somewhat busy road and most of the
adjoining land is private and fenced off. In general I try to stay out of
fenced areas. I found a good unfenced spot near Davenport and decided to stop
although I still had another hour of daylight left. My knees are also hurting,
so its a good idea any way. I think its the hard road that causing the pain.
Heard some snorts as I was setting up my tarp, so I could be in some deer's
territory. I haven't experienced this in a long time.
The FAR is now well underway and I should be in Florida in another 4 days and
should be starting the Florida Trail in about a week. The forecast is calling
for warm temperatures although it will still go below freezing at night. They
say we will have 60 F this Sunday. I haven't seen that in several months now.
