Zachary Backes - TP 11

6/25/12

Ahh, the first real day of summer. And by summer I mean that wonderful time when you actually don't have to attend, be present, observe, record, or do much of anything besides figure out ways to get cool. I slept in until 1:00pm...it was beautiful... But I knew I couldn't be an invalid all day so I rousted myself and sent out a text to all my TPs and CPs and BBs (best buds) and TBs (tolerated buddies). Only Talal responded. We had a blast riding around town last time so I asked if he wanted another go at exploring Tally. By 2:30 we were under the unconquered statue at the stadium.

This time I took him up Psych ave until it turns into Call St again, then up the &#$% of a hill that is High Rd. We hit the latter so that I could show him the amazing bomb you get as a reward for climbing the whole way. There also happens to be one of the nicest parks in Tallahassee at the bottom of the hill, there we stopped and broke open the backpacks. We traded off our music transcripts as has become the norm, and went over the last couple songs we sent each other.

Both of us decided this was a good way to keep our second language skills up over the summer so I'm hoping we keep at it. After we had rested and refilled the water bottles we headed off again, I showed him the Winn-Dixie and told him that it was a very cheap place to shop and how you can get a free card that gives you better deals on food. This concept amazed him so much we were hardly on the bikes for 5min before we were off again and I was walking Talal into the store to sing up for the card. We got the application and I help him fill it out, he figured most of it out on his own though. Then I showed him around the store and explained how the different prices on the tag were for those with and those without a card.

I also explained how if he ever goes to a Shell station he can swipe the card and get a certain amount of money (normally a couple cents) knocked off the price of gas. He was delighted even though, as I stupidly realized 3 seconds after telling him, that he doesn't have a car. He loved the idea of having a card that made things cheaper, and that he didn't have to pay anything for it.

Satisfied with his newest addition to his wallet, we made preparations to climb High's second horrible hill form Hell. Crossing Tharpe we chugged up the hill and made it to Old Bainbridge, I  explained to Talal that this road lead all the way back to campus but that it was not very safe to ride on except for the small bit we were about to. We ducked onto the long stretch of sidewalk that runs from its intersection with High to Tharpe. Once there we followed Tharpe to Monroe, Monroe to the Tallahasse Mall, and then turned around and took Duval all the way back to town.

It was a solid ride and both me and Talal were ready for a shower and a nap by its completion.