June 14th~Day 9~Southern Style Swimming

Stats:

Mileage: 61.7

Average: 11.5

Time: 5 hours and 20 minutes

Weather: high 80s - yet another headwind, not so strong this time - good weather for biking - not too humid! 

Everyone left Santee Lake Campground at 6:25 AM. 

Grandma Rose drove the RV, while everyone else rode their bikes on the old bridge going over Lake Marion, which is closed to cars. 

After riding 5 miles, we arrived in Santee, where we ate at a Cracker Barrel. It was a great restaurant, and a great choice for breakfast!

We really only had the three normal meals again today because the Fab Four rode the rest of the way to lunch around 12:45. Emily had a headache they had to work through, so they took frequent breaks during the ride between breakfast and lunch. After lunch her headache cleared up. Really, this day at this time was one of the most "convenient" times to get a headache. 

Being silly

David's kind of peanut butter and marshmallow cracker. 

29 road kill today. 

We planned to meet up with family; Jonnie and Louella Miller, Sokhan and Susan Kem, and their big families at a swimming hole. South Carolina backcountry roads are beautiful! And more hilly than we are used to. 

It's getting downright mountainous around these parts! 

Quote of the Day: "You're going to get to see swimming southern style!" ~ Louella, on the phone with Papa Dave. 

Uncle Doug, Aunt Rochelle, Aunt Janie, Lil, and Josiah had driven down here starting early this morning. Aunt and Uncle will jump on the biking bandwagon, while Aunt Janie and Lil will continue down to Sarasota. Those 5 in the van met up with the bikers when they were almost to the swimming hole. 

Everyone had a grand old time at the river, and the picnic dinner was delicious! Lasagna, salad, and iced tea were hits! Dessert was ice cream and Darrell's favorite, homemade and hand picked blackberry pie! 

Arriving 

Trying to balance 

Not working!

Beautiful, shady, cool, spot!

Spanish moss

Our own lazy river

The best thing. 

Replacing Darrell's chain before our last portion of riding. 

The Fab Four plus Doug, Rochelle, and Ladina rode back from our fun afternoon to the Millers' house for the night. That evening ride was very enjoyable. 

Jenna got to milk a cow tonight! 

Thanks to the Millers for letting us sleep in your house, use your electric, showers, and living space! Thanks also to the women who prepared the picnic dinner! 

Jonnie and Louella 

Tomorrow we will make it into Georgia! Emily jest caint wait for dem peaches!