My trip to Hardee County

June 23 2015

If you like living and working in a small rural city than you will find "Wauchula" which is the county seat of Hardee County the place to be an educator. Hardee County has five elementary schools, one junior high school (finally a type school I grew up in) and only one high school.

I tested my ability to do 27 miles in the 93 degree heat yesterday by doing my entire miles on the bike which turned out to be a wise decision. I got to cover Wauchula and the Zolfo Springs which provided me with a lot of hills (upgrade) that I never find in the flat land of Naples which means a great work out and also a nice break going down hill.

My day started off with a blast because the local radio station (105.3 LA ZETA) announced my start of the 27 miles in Hardee County and even did it in Spanish for me which was important because the diverse population within the county. Many thanks to Sherry Good and her staff for making that possible. It felt like being handed the key to the city of Wauchula.

I was in for another great treat before starting my 27 mile journey. I arrived at the Hardee County School District and was greeted by some very nice people. Since David Durastanti, Superintendent of Hardee County School District, was in Tampa on at a meeting, I got the opportunity to have an outstanding chat with Bob Shayman, Deputy Superintendent.

Mr. Shayman actually met my favorite Governor of Florida (Governor Lawton Chiles); and when we started talking about education and strong values, I was seated right behind a picture of the Deputy Superintendent and Governor Chiles. Finally, I met someone who understood why I read the book Walkin' Lawton so many times and why I decided to base my 27 miles journey across Florida on the way Lawton Chiles walked across Florida.

Mr. Shayman is great supporter of the teaching the Constitution and when I left his office I knew this was an administrator who knew the importance of making sure our students knew the social science and especially the Constitution. I felt sure that Hardee County would work to get the Constitution booklets in the hands of their students because he stated, "I believe not only the 5th grade students but the junior high students as well." I could sense when I return to Hardee County Public Schools District those Constitution booklets will be in the hands of the students.

I had such a great time cycling around Hardee County that I just kept riding and riding because the wind was cooling me off so it did not feel so warm and I had plenty to drink along the way. You will see a few of my pictures when I post them this weekend as I show some of the views from my journey across Florida. I passed the Cracker Museum and not expecting to stop.

However, I found out quickly this was one of my best stops so far in my journey. My water bottle almost empty and the little water in it was very warm so I decided to make the loop in the nice park and ride along the mile trail by the Lions Club of Wauchula it was a great change of pace and flat land again.

I was glad to have my bike because I got to cover the entire park and needed a break so I stopped by the Cracker Trail Museum at Pioneer Park. This is worth the trip to Hardee County alone and it must be one of your stops in Florida. Tracy Duncan must have saw the look of a person needing a cold drink because she rushed to her ice box (yes they have those in the museum) and grabbed me her last Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple drink (my first time drinking this sparkling mountain spring water) and it hit the spot. My story goes beyond the water.

Tracy gave me a mini tour of the museum so I now got the experience of touring the outside with my bike and enjoying the air condition with a great tour. What amazing things in the museum! Tracy earned two of my 27 - 67 tee shirts as I have these to give out to very special citizens of Florida when I meet along the way. She listened to my story about attempting to get the Constitution booklets in the hands of all the 5th grade students across Florida and she even posted my story on the webpage of the museum. I learned that Mrs. Duncan son was in the Air Force and stationed in Germany where I spent a great part of my early adult life. Mr. Shayman father served in WWII so you can understand the rich history and pride of the honors in the middle of the town.

You will find these kind hearted people all across Hardee County and it was such a joy to meet such wonderful people. I have been in Naples for so long that I almost forgot this type of life style. As a young kid, I grew up in this type of area so I had a great flashback from my childhood.

The great journey across Hardee County allowed me to chat about the Constitution with people who cared so much about our nation and allowed me return to the my roots as a child which I almost forgot how much fun it was to enjoy the farm life.

Just think if it was not for my 27 - 67 Journey Across Florida talking about our Constitution and trying to get those booklets in the hands of our youth I would have not met a great part of the rural life of Florida. I look forward to my return one day with my wife to Hardee County which I will now stop saying in the middle of nowhere.

Speaking of my wife she always prepared with my healthy food and last night I needed it when I returned from my journey. The food, shower, and hot tub never felt so good.

Please continue to follow my journey as I next travel to Glades and Hendry Counties.

Joseph