The picture is fuzzy at best, but you may be able to make out the Arc De Triumphe backdrop on the stage in background. As I made my way into Hollywood Florida there happened to be a free concert on the boardwalk with Jimmy Buffet (he was there to promote his Margaritiville Hotel). With Paris on everyone’s mind Jimmy changed his set list to include his 1973 song “He Went To Paris” and the thousands in attendance were thoughtfully moved. Although I was exhausted, I stayed to grab dinner on the boardwalk Joe and enjoy the concert. My accommodations for the night turned out to be perfect!

Isabela, pictured above, was a fabulous host, and her Surf Inn Hotel is perfectly situated right off the boardwalk! So after dinner and the concert I checked in and got a quick shower before passing out for the night.

After entering Miami Dade County the next morning I quickly realized just how big the Miami metropolitan area truly is. There are a bunch of little beach communities that line the coast leading to Miami Beach and then there is the city itself. On Sunday I was set to arrive in South Beach and another Hostel

Even on a Sunday night, and with high winds and rain threatening, South Beach does not sleep…and my Hostel was right in the thick of it. Arturo, the late night director of chaos at the hostel, was particularly impressed with my journey and introduced me to a bunch of other travelers. A number of us talked deep into the night about commitment to causes, social justice, and of course the situation in Paris.
After a few hours of sleep it was back to the roads and a significant test of my own commitment, and discipline. As it turns out my route for Monday ran directly below the elevated metro line that runs from downtown Miami all the way to (and through) South Miami. With rain threatening again all day it would have been easy to simply hop onto a train at any one of the many stations I past throughout the day, but that’s the point….people with MS can’t take the easy way out, and neither can I. It took a tremendous amount of discipline to take the high road (or actually the low road in this case), but I have come too far to start changing the rules now. So, even after it got dark, and started raining, I persevered knowing that it was the right thing to do, and knowing that I had a place to stay when I finally stopped for the night.

The fine staff of the Quality Inn were equally impressed with my intestinal fortitude and rewarded me with a great rate and a fitting end to my Miami experience.
Next up is my last stop before the keys. I will end the day today at Florida City “gateway to the keys” and then hit Key Largo on Wednesday as I start the last leg of my journey…104 miles of Florida Keys 🙂
TTFN
Stephen “Forrest” Moyer

The daunting task of getting up each day and logging another pile of miles on my journey would be impossible were it not for three things
1-remembering the mission – FINISH MS
2-The incredible scenery
3-The amazing people I meet at every turn

I had the pleasure of being welcomed to Palm Beach by Bob and Peg Brandt as surrogate hosts at Matt Fine’s digs in the beautiful shore community. Despite having never met me the Brandts rolled out the red carpet for me and helped me recover from a tough 27 mile day.
THANKS GUYS 🙂
After a great nights sleep I ventured out again on Thursday for a “tour” of beautiful beachfront homes in the communties between Palm Beach and points south



I ended the day Thursday in Delray Beach and found a gypsy campsite on the beach…which resulted in this on Friday morning

With that inspiring wake up call I headed south again…to see more beautiful beach towns and more wonderful people.

I made it to Fort Lauderdale and stayed in the most beautiful hostel you could imagine….and more great folks!


HOLLYWOOD Florida is next up today as I close in on Miami Sunday night.
TTFN
Stephen “Forrest” Moyer 🙂

Still getting used to the new phone, so I apologize in advance for any (more than the usual) typos.
Made it Stuart last night and hit the motherload. A Planet Fitness, movie theater, and a Five Guys…all in the same block!!!
After doing an extensive stretching routine and showering at the gym, I made my way over to Five Guys….where I was instantly recognized by the staff

It’s becoming more common that people recognize me, but it still surprises me every time. Regardless, the Five Guys organization has been stellar from Maine to Florida, and this staff was on point as well.
After a delicious dinner, I got my tent set up at a gypsy site nearby and then capped off a wonderful day with Bond….James Bond.
I got up and out early on Tuesday and knocked out a 19 day with less foot pain than I have had in weeks. So tonight I am just north of Jupiter Florida (outdoors again), and will attempt a marathon tomorrow to get to West Palm Beach…and a hosted indoor location.
Wish me luck 🙂
TTFN
15 DAYS TILL KEY WEST!!!!!

Two posts in a row? Yep, I wanted to get this post up because sometimes things just have a way of falling into place just when you need them to. When I hit the road Sunday I knew I had to cover some ground….and I did


But it was also still at record temperature throughout the area and the humidty was still “unpleasant”. Right in the heat of the day I got a text from Sue (who works with Laurie) offering to cover the cost of a motel….if I could find something that would work along my route. After a quick internet search and a couple phone calls I had a place to stay right on Rt.1 and at just about the right mileage. While I would not be making up for the lost miles from Saturday, it was still a solid day, and it sets me up well to make my assalt on Palm Beach over the few days. FABULOUS!
Interestingly, just prior to the text from Sue I came accross a woman trying to help a wayward turtle cross the highway. We started to talk, and it turns out she is a breast cancer surviver (and runner) who also knows people with MS. After a great conversation on the side of the road She remarked that things happen for a reason, and that turtle was in that road at that time, on this hot day because she was meant to meet me and it was devine intervention that brought us together.
Indeed, angels are everywhere….truer words could never be spoken 🙂
TTFN

Everybody would be doing it!
Tough few days as I continue to claw my south. Turns out There is a Disney resort in Vero Beach, and I stayed there….kind of, on Friday night. After a day of heat and and humidity I found a gypsy campsite on the edge of the Disney property, which is good since it would have cost $300+ to stay in the resort on a Friday. Unfortunately the humidty was relentless throughout the night and my phone got soaked from condensation as I slowly baked in my tent.
Although it still worked the next morning it was clear that my phone was fading fast. So the race was on to get inland to Vero Beach and find an AT&T dealer.
After I covered the roughly 10 miles into town I hit the motherload…a Jersey Mike’s sub shop, a laundromat, and an AT&T store all in the same shopping area.
I met some great people everywhere I went, and got food and laundry done while the AT&T folks triend to save my phone….or at least all the info on it.

Four hours later I had a new phone and most of my files (lost all pics from the last couple days). Since I had my laundry done and it was already late afternoon, I decided to cut my losses and stay in a motel in town rather than continuing into the night and staying outside for a third night. That would let me dry my tent and mattress out (they needed it badly), and let me rest my aching heel. Now will have to make up those lost miles somewhere over the next few days.