Day 5: Tallahassee, FL to Chattahoochee, FL

A day of mixed feelings today. After staying just a few metres off Highway 90 - this will be my path to Pensacola and maybe beyond - it was a quick getaway in the morning. 6 miles out of Tallahassee before I remember to turn my phone off and I rustle amongst the importants in my handlebar bag to realise it isn't there. There's not much more frustrating than having to go back on yourself... or maybe going back on yourself to realise you left it on the table and can't get in is. Plans for the day definitely have to change as I realise I'll have to wait a few hours for Mia to get back. To pass the time I hit up the football stadium and a cool non-profit bike shop called the Bicycle House to give the bike a good oil. Obligatory burger today comes in the form of Wendy's - a particularly fine effort.

Mid-afternoon and I get going again with an adjusted distance of 50 or so miles to just outside of Chattahoochee where I see a few campgrounds signed on my map. A sign on the roadside said 84 and the roads finally providing a gradient make it a little harder going, but I need to make good time to make sure of getting a spot to sleep. I think I prefer the undulations as they give that extra interest and motivation. As the end of the day draws closer it turns into a beautiful ride with the evening sun shining low through the pines.

Things take a further good turn as I approach the campsite to find Teddy, also cycling westward, registering at the office and he suggests we split a pitch. The campgrounds around here are frustrating as they typically charge around $22 for just a tent site, something which I'd really not pay if I could help it, with no special rate for cyclists who just want a basic site. Two other girls turn up on their bikes as I go for a beer run back up to town and all ends good on the shores of Lake Seminole as we cook, drink and talk around the picnic bench until the sun has gone down.

The campsite is actually just over the county border into Georgia. Second state: progress.