I left about 11 am, after waking up before my alarm, which I had set for 7. I didn't want to get out my sleeping bag because it was cold in the cabin this time, due to the bathroom window being open without my realizing it. I kinda knew a window was open, because of how fast the tempurature dropped last night, and I had gone and checked all the bedroom windows, but I didn't think about the bathroom.
There was a group coming in to camp later in the afternoon, so I couldn't really stick around. I headed to the fire tower that I missed when I came through the first time, being extra careful not to pass it this time. It was set back a little bit from the road, and turned out to be a great place to eat lunch. I was able to get into the crows nest in this one, and I took my time and checked Facebook at the top and actually changed clothes up there too because it had gotten rather warm.
Around noon I decided it was time to move on. Soon I got to the road that would take me to the ferry. I startled a great blue heron in the swamp on the side of the road before I made it all the way to the river! I definitely wished I had my camera out as it swooped silently away through the trees. I stopped and ate some more food at the picnic tables by the ferry, and one of the workers came and chatted with me a little. They also told me about the huge ride that had come through last week, and he told me he was one of the people that helped plan and prepare the route by mowing the grass and things. He also gave me a pear, which was rather kind of him. I brought a notebook with me so I could attempt to keep a journal of everything, and I went to pull it out and work on it while I snacked. I couldn't find it, however, and I couldn't remember packing it! I really did check the cabin before I left, and I didn't see anything, but these two things had me doubting myself. I sent Stevie a message, and he told me to wait while he looked for it. It wasn't there. I checked my bags again, and came to the conclusion that I really would just loose my head if it wasn't attached: it was in fact in my bags. So I continued on, feeling a bit bad that I had led Steve on a wild goose chase.
After a while I came upon a little gas station with a post office next to it. I went in and got a little junk food happy. I just about picked up one of everything, but had to remind myself that I have limited space in my bags. I also really had to pee, but the guy was on the phone speaking a language I didn't recognize and told me they didn't have one. So I headed over to the post office. I could see the toilet right through the door, but the lady informed me that it was against policy for customers to use it. The gas station has one, she said. So I headed back over to the gas station. There was a different man behind the counter this time, and he pointed me to the back. On my way out, feeling refreshed, I smiled and said my thanks, and he looked a little offended that I wasn't going to buy anything after I used their bathroom. Look buddy, I already bought about 7 bucks work of chocolate and honey buns from you guys just a second ago.
The next miles all the way into Lake Waccamaw seemed to fly by. It was very pleasant, and mostly downhill. I did have to ride on a few miles of unpaved road, but it was so hard packed that I barely seemed to notice, and I continued on going about 11 mph just like I had on the pavement. I was thrilled that this stretch wasn't sand, as I didn't want my bike to think I didn't love it, and I didn't want to have to back track and figure out a way around.
I passed by the local high school around the time they were being let out, and a truckfull of teenage boys shouted unintelligible but encouraging things at me. The only thing I caught was "be safe," which I've come to take as a general good luck and have fun sentiment.
Waccamaw is just downright beautiful and pleasant, if you come prepared for the mosquitoes: it is a swampland area after all. I was stopping probably every 30 feet or so to take a picture of this tree or that dock, and there were several people out for leisurely cruises around the lake on their own bikes. The park were I intended to camp was on the south side, and I saw probably a dozen alligators on my way in. The visitors center was supposed to close at 5, but already had their sign up at 4:30. Slightly annoyed, I debated waiting till 4:45 when they said they would be back, or riding down to the campsite to see it I could find someone there. I decided to ride on down. A ranger saw me and followed me in: it's pretty obvious what I'm up to with my loaded bike with a sleeping bag on top rolling down the road.
He gave me a ride back to the visitors center and got me all signed in, and drove me back to camp, where I was immediately attacked my mosquitoes. And these were the kind whose bites made me swell up like an egg sized knot! Fortunately, I only got two before I was able to whip out my bug spray. Unfortunately, on was on my forehead... I pulled out my permethrin treated clothes and hygiene kit, and went to do some exploring.
The sunset was nice, but I had a lot to do before dark, so I only went out to enjoy it for a few minutes. The bathroom had a no changing clothes or bathing sign, but I reasoned that was for practical purposes in the busy season. It was only me and one other group tonight... So I took a sponge bath in one of the stalls. No hair washing again tonight... I make some Spanish style rice with the taco seasoning and dried mixed veggies I brought, and put it in a tortilla with a cheese stick, but it was a bit too spicy for me, as I used too much seasoning. It was still the best meal I had cooked for myself on this trip so far though.
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