Billy Goats At My Door

Billy Goats At My Door

Friday, January 11, 2013

January 11, 2013. Ah, Sunshine Clouded by Trauma.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 11, 2013.  This is day ten of our first January trip seeking sunshine and warmth.  On day ten, we finally found it in Florida.  I suspect it has been here all the time.  After an overnight shower, we awoke to clouds in Gulf Shores. As we traveled east, the sun popped through the clouds and the temperature rose into the the 70s.  Tonight, we are in Panama City, Florida.  Tomorrow, we will turn south and stay somewhere north of Tampa.  Sunday, we are reserved at a state campground in Fort Myers.  From there, we will spend time on Sanibel Island before moving to the island on Tuesday. 
 
We arrived at Saint Andrews State Park early enough to unlimber the bikes and tour the campground.  We had been out about fifteen minutes when I heard an "Umphhh" behind me.  I turned around to see Annie under her bike trying to get up.  I asked if she was okay.  Before she answered, I saw blood flowing from her right calf. 
 
She had been riding close to the shoulder and somehow steered her front wheel onto the sand shoulder.  The soft sand turned her wheel sharply causing her to fall off the bike.  The pedals on our bikes have sharp edges to hold shoes in place.  Her foot had slipped off the pedal raking the sharp metal across her calf.  I was pretty impressed with the flow of blood, so I did what I do. I took pictures.  I even took pictures of the blood on the road and the triage preformed when we got back to Harvey. 
 
Annie was pretty stoic about the incident.  The closest she came to panic was when she said, "Let's get out of here before the alligators smell the blood."  I don't think alligators smell blood, do they? 
 
So, we cleansed the wound, applied antibiotics from one of Annie's three, that's right three, first-aid kits.  I applied a bandage and she is good to go again tomorrow. 
 
It has been a good day.  We actually have warmth and sunshine.  We also have a story.  It doesn't get any better.  

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