After yesterday's short-day, I should be preparing myself for a regular, fifty plus mile day today. Instead, I'm only riding fifteen miles. Not that I'm complaining.
I'm having a bit of a minor "homecoming." Today's terminus is with my former-youth leader: Kevin. Kevin was one of the people instrumental in making this trip possible. He helped form the youth Church group that my brother would join. In my brother's first year in this group, he was invited to bike across the Canadian Rockies. He returned with a new vigor to exploring the great outdoors. He shared photos that had stunning vistas and stories of danger and doom. A trip he was over-the-moon about, and eagerly invited me along for more. So I joined the group and had the pleasure of riding across Michigan with them on three separate occasions and one trip to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. And all of these experiences had laid the experience for this six month long nightmare I was now on.
So I had to pay my respects to Kevin.
And after a lazy short-ride, I met Kevin at his apartment before he took me around Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. After some dinner, a drink, and some wandering around while chatting we made our way back to Kevin's apartment. As we approached his car, we were treated with the spectacle of a married couple arguing. Directly in front of Kevin's car. So we awkwardly shambled up to Kevin's car and slunk in as the wife screamed at the man, causing him to scream back. We pulled away just as they began yelling about the possibility that their relationship might be in a bit of trouble.
And once we returned to Kevin's, him and I spoke before parting ways for bed. I regret not planning my trip so I could take an extra day to enjoy some more time with Kevin. He has been nothing but a gracious host and an exuberant partner in conversations about everything under the sun. Unfortunately, I have to get from where I am now on the East Coast out to the West Coast in the next few months; there isn't too much time for stopping.
Regardless, I'm thankful for Kevin and his hospitality. I hope I can pay it back in-kind eventually.