Today was a classic example of the need to be flexible while touring.  Barb and I started the day with the intent of making it to Mariana Fl and camping at Florida Caverns state park.  Instead we're at the Lake Seminole Inn in Sneads.  How did that happen?  Well,  first there were the Western Highlands.   We left Midway this morning at 7:30 and we're almost immediately met with rolling hills that had us constantly shifting into our granny gears.   11 miles later when we reached the outskirts of Quincy,  it was clear we weren't making the progress we'd hoped to.  Locals at the Hardee's where we stopped to regroup  indicated that we were heading towards the highest point in Florida.   The hills lessened a few miles outside Quincy and it seemed like we might actually be on track to make Mariana.   But coming into Chattahoochee the hills returned.  Trust us when we say that while 300 ft elevation doesn't seem impressive,  when you climb hills repeatedly it takes a toll.

Light rain started falling as we approached downtown Chattahoochee and at the advice of a local at a gas station we pulled into the combination florist/sandwich shop, 'Around the Corner'. Rain started in earnest as we entered a store decorated in Coca-Cola memorabilia and sat down for lunch.  That's when the thunder and lightning commenced.  We spent the next three hours conversing with the owner, her daughter, and several customers as they came by to order floral arrangements or lunch and learning something about the history of the area.  When it was clear we weren't going to make it much further, they provided us with recommendations for lodging and a place to eat supper.

Finally we made our way into the continuing rain fall and to Sneads.   After checking in to the hotel,  we headed on bikes to the restaurant that had been recommended to find that it had closed at 2 pm.   So we changed course to a Pizza Hut, expecting to sit and eat, to find it was carryout.   So we ordered our pizza, strapped it onto our bike racks, and headed back to our room to shower and eat.  We're now full, clean, and relaxed as we get ready for sleep to overtake us.

And that's how today has gone, hardly as planned but rich in experience.  It's one of the joys of touring to take things as they come and enjoy what presents itself.

We expect to be back on the road in the morning, but who knows?