April 12, 2002 - Friday- day 167

7:15am- We are on the outskirts of Panama City Beach and headed west, young man!I like this place, but I blew my chance to live here back in '86. I took Skil's out on the beach last night and I don't think he cared much for the squeaky sound it makes. We went back to my campsite and had to sleep in a puddle all night. Gonna have to get some plastic or a tarp. Haven't seen any skeeters in 5 months. Welcome to Florida! I can't seem to find my map, must still be in Blue Ridge. It sounds like the weather guy is calling for rain for the next 5 days, should have stayed up north and went on down 64 like I had planned to do.

2:00pm- We are somewhere between Inlet Bch. and Laguna bch. and it is raining pretty steady, which is a problem considering water weighs 7 1/2lbs. a gallon. I hope we run across a store soon, ain't too much along this stretch at all. Happy Birthday Robin-R.I.P.

Gulf of Mexico

Thursday- April 11, 2002 - Day 167
2:30pm- Wow!, We are in Panama City Beach and west-bound or bust. Hank brought me all the way from Blue Ridge Ga. . He went a long way off his course to Miami, that's brotherly love! He wanted me to go on into Miami a help him with a few jobs, but I haven't any desire to see Miami again.Well, here we go Skil's! 43 states to go and then I'll try to get to Alaska and Hawaii.
We may have a problem crossing the Lillian Bridge in Pensacola, may have to catch a cab to get across. We'll cross that bridge when we get there (cute). Next week I would like to be back in Alabama and clear of this nightmare state I use to call home. I have lots of woods to call home for awhile, shouldn't have a problem finding a camp-site. I would like to camp on the beach, though. That would be pretty cool. A real Robinson Carusoe.

April 10, 2002 - Wednesday - Day 166
6:00pm- Well I am finished up all the damage I can muster here in Blue Ridge, tomorrow about this time I should be somewhere outside of Dothan. Hank and Cynthia are going to Miami in the morning and he said he would give me a ride to Debbie's. I told him not a chance, that would be 500 miles out of his way. He is a really good friend! He had to make a detour through Phenix City, Al. so I just told him I would get out in Dothan. Hell, maybe I'll run into the ghosts of Lynnard Skinnerd.

April 8, 2002 - Monday - Day 164
It rained all day and I just stayed and worked on Hank's house.

April 9, 2002 - Tuesday - Day 165
Today I finished up Hank's and swirled the living room ceiling for him. Definately not one of my better swirl jobs. Oh well, I told him I would show him how to do it and he could screw it up all by himself. But him and Cynthia thought it was great, so I didn't say much more about it.

Me and Hank

April 7, 2002 - Sunday - Day 163
8:00pm- I worked on Hank's house again today, I guess all that Bible Thumping doesn't count when there's work to be done. Me and Hank went to Blue Ridge Lake to pick up my jacket and clean up my camp. Can't leave a mess! Rule-of-thumb in the woods is "Leave no trace" and I try to live by those words of wisdom. We passed by a Food Lion and I related my story about how I fed Skillet along the way, Hank being Hank, had to go behind there to see for himself. His eyes lit up like neon when he seen the stuff in the dumpster. He was like a kid in a candy store. Hank don like to buy food, he never has. Grow it, kill it, or steal it, just doesn't matter as long as he doesn't pay for it.
I am in my tree-house now writing by candle-light and I find it quite humorous that Hank is worried about a bear getting me. I have had 3 encounters with bears and I have been the victor everytime. Nice to be worried about, though. I've known Hank since 4th grade and I don't think he'll ever change. Every day that I have run into him since 1970, he has asked about my sister, I am wondering now, did I miss something? Great to be alive!

April 6, 2002 - Saturday - Day 162
I worked for Hank today and I was felling good about it. I don't think there is anything I wouldn't do for him. So, if I can help him out, that's GREAT! I have to walk from my tree-house, about a half mile from his house to eat dinner. I have always thought Cynthia's cooking was top of the line, so the walk was well worth it. I don't think I'll ever get use to praying before I eat, though. The Riding's clan is a firm believer in this ritual. I don't md bowing my head for a good meal, though! Its worth it.

The Tree House

April 5, 2002- Saturday- Day 162
Hank came early and picked me up and said he wanted me to hard-coat his house for him.That is not a problem for me, as I would do just about anything for him. So, we headed to Blairsville to pick up material and headed back to get to work. It was a little rough on my poor old legs getting back on stilts after my little 2,000 walk. Tough old birds like me are a glutton for punishment. It makes me feel alive. I'll have to get back to the lake and pick up my tent and stuff after work. There is a lot of woods on Hank's mountain, with a ice cold stream to jump in, any time I feel frisky.
After I retrieved my belongings , Hank took me in the back way of his property and I didn't believe what I seen. He built a 3 story tree-house up on the side of the mountain. He told me to stay here and to keep an eye out for bears. Really cool tree-house. No water and no electric, but when was the last time I had any of those luxuries?