Today is the end of February. Another perfect day on Hilton Head Island SC, clear sky, moderate temperatures, that magic feeling “Nowhere to go, Nothing to do”. The paving of the roadway in the immediate vicinity of Lands End (where our cottage is located on the southern toe of the island) nears completion; the sidewalk pathways are now finished, no more having to battle construction zones for cycling. The workers, in spite of their rough appearance and noisy machines, perform with artistic precision.

This morning after breakfast I first pedalled my tricycle to nearby South Beach Bike Rentals. The right rear tyre was flat.  I waited at the maintenance desk until the attendant finished with another customer.  When at last he arrived, curious of my purpose, I explained the tyre was flat. He touched the tyre and instantly saw the problem. His immediate reaction was to put air into the tyre. It inflated accordingly. However, I expressed my concern that the tyre had been punctured and that the air would soon deflate.  He then asked in his broken English (he had the appearance of being Mexican) whether I wanted a new tube? To which I replied, “Yes”. He then turned the tricycle on its side and prepared to remove the tyre.  Meanwhile I had dragged myself to a nearby bench where I sat, waiting and watching. His mechanical skill was not immediately evident but he managed, by a process of using different tools, to succeed in his mission. The new tube replaced the old one; the tyre was reinstalled and then inflated.  All seemed to be in order. I thanked him and pushed off. Although there is a sign at the customer desk that gratuities are appreciated for assistance, I hadn’t any cash on me. I reasoned that we were already paying for a 2-month rental which approached the cost of a new tricycle. So I wasn’t especially inclined to ask for his email address so that I might message a deposit to him.  He was a quiet man; and I had the feeling that he was satisfied to do his duty without further accommodation or recompense. Perhaps if I see him again when we return the trike at the end of March I will feel differently disposed. I recognize these staff employees don’t make a lot of money.  But for the time being, I merely thanked him.

I continued my morning tricycle exercise along the path, past the paving machines (which were completing the last side of the road). Rather than push myself a long distance directly northward, I diverted westerly along Gull Point Road which runs parallel Braddock Cove immediately opposite our cottage at Lands End. I could see our cottage opposite the yachts moored on an inlet.

By the time I had cycled to the end of Gull Point Road I had accomplished 3.4Kms. But before returning home I again diverted my north-south pole by venturing southeasterly along a Beach Access just past Painted Bunting Road. The Beach Access (like all the others totalling upwards of 119 I believe along the beach 12 mile ribbon) is a narrow path of cement blocks each of which is almost exactly the identical width of my tricycle. Attempting to travel precisely within this narrow boundary is not always successful. On occasion – whether I mistakenly overcame the boundary or for safety I relented by getting off the blocks – I cycled with difficulty across the sandy loam sporadically covered with pine needles. Finally I made it to the boardwalk leading over the dunes onto the beach.

From the peak of the boardwalk I carefully preserved my venue.  I knew from experience that while it was simple to get onto the beach, it was another matter to push the tricycle to where the sand was passable; and, yet again a gruelling exercise to push the trike back up the boardwalk when leaving.  So I stayed where I was, at the top of the boardwalk, looking at the sea and the beach and the sky.

After returning to the cottage we drove to Sprout Mamma for lunch. We sat on the deck outside. The daughter of the owner recognized us from last year and commented accordingly. When we had finished our sandwiches and sides we drove to Publix to collect a bag of Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies (“Double Stuf“) and Almond milk. It won’t surprise you to know that the primary ingredient is sugar. And when we got home we together ate the whole bag with a glass of milk each. It is difficult to fathom a more inexpressible day!