Day 005 - Jesup to Statesboro - Two Far 2023 - Oranges to Apples

April 20, 2023

Day 005 - Jesup to Statesboro

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Two days ago I was disappointed at not seeing a train at the Folkston Funnel. Today I was disappointed at seeing a train in Jesup. Just a couple of miles into today's ride, I came upon a barricade in the road. Just behind the barricade were railroad tracks. Beyond the tracks, the road continued on. As there were some freight cars on the track, I thought this was just a siding. I left my bike on the road and walked up to the tracks to make sure that the ditches on either side were dry and I could get across. I then went back and got the bike. I was struggling to get the bike up the embankment and across the tracks (you can't just sling a LWB recumbent up on your shoulder) when I looked up and saw a train coming. Luckily, it was moving slowly, and I had time to clear the track and continue on. However, I must admit that when I first saw the train, I momentarily had an "Ah shit" moment :-)

I had just got my front wheel over the first track when I saw this. A curve in the tracks and the cars on the siding had hidden the train from view.

The highlight of the ride today was our visit to the Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm. The first thing we learned on our visit had nothing to do olives but with the farm's name.

Unbeknownst to us, we have been riding the Woodpecker Trail since leaving home. Before the advent of numbered routes, The Woodpecker Route was created in 1922 (making it older than the famed Route 66) to take travelers from Greenville, SC to Lake City, FL. In the 1950's, the Woodpecker Route was revived as the Woodpecker Trail. It is comprised of the present day SC121, GA121 and FL121 and now ends in St. Pete, FL.

In the 1950's, Woody Woodpecker was used in the logo for the Woodpecker Trail. Permission to use it was granted by Woody's creator, Walter Lantz.

Now about the farm. Curtis and Tracy Poling began raising olive trees in 2014 on Tracy's family farm. This land has been farmed by Tracy's famlly for five generations reaching back to 1855.

Curtis and Tracy are now producing international award winning olive oil. We got some education about EVOO.

We also got a tour of the olive tree groves and the rest of the farm. Most of the 300 acre farm is now undeveloped or planted in pine trees. I think Curtis said he has 30 acres in olive trees.

The olives were just budding when we visited. If you look closely, you can see the flowers that will eventually bud into olives.

Curtis has great ideas for use of the land, including facilities for visitors.

Back at the visitor center, we got to taste the oil. It was similar to a wine tasting. Curtis and Tracy told us all the flavors to try to recognize and evaluate. Their oil was very aromatic and flavorful.

We learned that only blue or red glasses are used in olive tasting competitions. This is so the judges cannot see the color of the olive oil prior to assessing it for taste and aroma.

I still had 40 miles to ride after our visit to the farm. Only this little family made me reach for the camera.

Canada Geese and goslings in an industrial park just outside Statesboro.

Today's ride: 79 miles (127 km)
Total: 312 miles (502 km)

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