2 Cheraw State Park, SC to Jefferson, SC approx. 37 miles

...I woke up around 4am to a slight drizzle over Lake Juniper. I decided it was too early to get up. My WarmShowers host was going to meet me at 9 to bike back to his house and a few more hours of sleep wouldn't hurt. At 6:30 I couldn't sleep any longer because the Park Ranger pulled up on his golf cart, asked if I had slept there last night, and asked for my identification. He seemed to understand my situation and decided to charge me for a boat rental instead of calling the sheriff because I had broken South Carolina's "Innkeeper's Law" that states a person cannot sleep anywhere that isn't a designated sleeping area. A $1000 fine and six months in jail sounds cruel and unusual, but maybe that is just me. I was close to arguing with the guy because, in fact, I didn't rent a boat and shouldn't have to pay the $8.50 but I decided it was a battle I needn't choose and a water moccassin sliding through the water at the edge of my peripherals caught my attention.

A few hours later I was popping a squat when a pounding on the bathroom door nearly knocked me off the seat. "This is the Chesterfield County Sheriff. Please come out." Fuck! He said he wouldn't call the sheriff. I was in my bathing suit and scared I'd be hauled off to jail in a bikini and my bike would be left to its own devices. My heart was pounding but I managed to step out with a smile. My fears were quickly settled when I was blinded by the white teeth of the Chesterfield County Sheriff. He had his hands in his pockets, assured me I didn't break any laws, and that he was there to make sure I was safe and not a "drifter, or would you say, traveller." Although I'm a little bit of both of those things I contented him when I declared I was leaving in an hour and had a bed to sleep in tonight. He offered me some money that I didn't take (taxpayer money??) and he went on his way and I on mine...

A beautiful sunrise at Lake Juniper.

I managed to find a wonderful host out of Lancaster, SC. He doesn't get the chance to ride with people very often so took this opportunity to ride with me. Here is a look at the gadgets that he had on his bike to record our experience. Unfortunately, his front derailleur malfunctioned during the trip so his wife came to pick us up. I wanted to finish the rest of the ride but like an amateur was relying on my phone for maps and it was nearly dead and they insisted I take the ride. I took the ride. It was 37 miles from Cheraw to Jefferson where we ended our day but before dinner we took a 12 mile ride around the block.

United States Air Mail!

My new riding partner  in the Carolina Sand Hills State Forest. Check him out! http://douglassmithblog.blogspot.com/

Please forgive the freakish nature of the boat but enjoy this panaroma of America!! Family Dollar and Dollar General.

I forgot to take pictures of dinner but Doug's wife prepared a replenishing roast partnered with roasted vegetables, biscuits, and tomatoes (UMAMI!!!) and followed by two fat pieces of key lime pie (TANGY!!!). After filling myself to the brim and watching some of Doug's biking videos I slept like a petrified log.