Beyond the Blog Day 23 (May 20) - Exit Monty, Enter Michael

This last day with Monty was relaxed and completely enjoyable, despite some heavier beach traffic and higher temps as we drew ever closer to the coast.

Monty on his game!

Starting the day just a little down the road from where we left off at Moore’s Creek, and still on 210 heading west, I rucked through Long Creek.  Here, the land transitioned from coastal plain farmland to more residential, although not yet insanely crowded as it is on the coast.  Many large estates, protected behind high brick walls and iron gates, had me wondering who they were trying to keep out.   It was pretty country but ruined by hostile signs: Private Property! No Trespassing! Keep Out!  If you were really trying to get on the property, would you suddenly look at the sign and turn around?  Silly rich people.  I’m going to save the best "sign" for tomorrow, however, near the place where Waldorf and Statler tried to run me over in their golf cart.

 

We tried a few dirt roads but they ultimately led to just more dirt roads, going deep into tree farms and connecting to nothing.  So back on the main road we went, heading to Rocky Point, a small but busy town close to I-40.   Crossing over the interstate brought me back to earlier days and busier roads, although I had become a little fearless of oncoming traffic.  Looking at the videos now makes me cringe at my somewhat reckless approach.   Or maybe I just had hyper senses at that point and was a better judge of traffic than I am now.    We jumped off the main road after Rocky Point and found a little neighborhood at mile 21.  Monty expertly directed me on getting the most mileage out of these side streets.

Getting the run down on the run down.

 

It was getting hot but I was feeling pretty good, intent on getting 26 miles well before our 4 pm cutoff time.   Both Matt and Monty were just on their game, Matt catching some great random footage and Monty having all of my eating and drinking options ready to go.  We were totally in our groove…. I love these guys, I’ll just say it.

 

But the nature of the tribe is that it is ever-changing, bringing new dynamics and new opportunities for personal connections.  There was always something that made each iteration of our tribe the most special ever.  Cheryl, Matt, Mike and Sheley, Joe, Jason, Keith, Monty, Michael, Becky and Stephanie….the wonderful, intense, challenging experiences we had together have forever changed me and I hope they have affected you as well.  

 

Finishing the day at the boatyard

 

I was picking off the miles pretty consistently this day, and by 2 pm had finished 26 miles ending at a boatyard in Hampstead.    Matt, Monty and I just relaxed under a shady tree and I enjoyed a cold one for the day’s efforts.  The day had gone smoothly, we made good time, finished early, and were savoring the last moments before heading back to the hotel.      

 

Michael was either at the hotel or very close, and Monty had to hand off all of my gear and transfer the CAN decals and “OFFICIAL EVENT VEHICLE”, our bogus credentials that got us out of a few situations.   Really, you can put “official” on anything and nobody will call you on it.  Why would they?

 

In any case, I was resting or cleaning up or something and those guys were transitioning stuff from the vehicles.   Monty would drive my Buick home and Cheryl would meet me in 2 days with the other car.   The car decals all got an upgrade because Michael has a fancy SUV and to be honest, I’m not sure they would have “stuck around” on my old Enclave for that much longer.   By the time I got downstairs, Monty had left.   I was a little sad that we didn’t say goodbye in person, but I get it.  It was an epic time we shared and how do you say goodbye to that?  I also knew I’d see him back home sometime soon.

 

Michael, another Carriage Downs neighbor, brought a healthy collection of IPA’s and other goodies...we share a love of chewy, hoppy beers from hometown brewers, and he will always make time to visit the local craft brewery.  Sometimes he enjoys these live on his podcast when skewering (deserving) subjects with his sharp wit.   He’s great for rolling commentary and it was fun introducing him to the world of ultra-running, because it doesn’t make much sense as an activity.

 

I don't know what Michael was drinking here but I'm sure it was good

 

The really nice hotel was his doing, as I wrote earlier, and it was a great call.  We needed a place to relax and gather ourselves for the busiest day ever, two days away.   In the meantime, two friends enjoyed their IPA’s by the pool and that was enough for this particular day.

Ending the day with a smile!  Yeah, I look terrible, but I’m smiling.