Gainesville

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While we were living in San Francisco we hosted people on couchsurfing. One of the people we hosted was a great guy named Louis who was travelling from Florida to see the Pogues (a fantastic irish band) in California. Every day he was at our house he said he'd leave the next day to go explore more of California, and every time he decided to stay, and we were happy to have him.

Jump ahead five months, now Brandi and I are the one's on the road, and being hosted by couchsurfers. We were in Florida already, so we decided to contact Louis and see his world. It was the first time we were able to both host and surf with the same person.

Louis actually lives in Hawthorne, a suburb of Gainesville, out in the woods with his family. That sounded a little scary at first, being in the south and all, but we realized immediatly how great of a set up they had out there. They had something like 16 acres, with three houses spread around a lake. One for the mother, one for the sister and her fiance, and one for Louis (who was kind enough to let his 93 year old grandmother move in). The property was beautiful, they had 6 dogs, all rescued from abusive homes, or strays taken in. They had boats to take out on the lake, and they whole family was really open and friendly.

Louis took us to Gainesville for food, music, drinks, and friends. We met some really great people, one of which is the bass player for the Templars, a long time famous Oi! band. We attempted to find Alligators, but there were none to be found. After a couple days visit, it was time to move on. Hopefully we'll catch up with Louis again, either on the trip or another.

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Photos

Louis, Brandi, and I
it was first thing in the morning so don't judge too harshly

the property we stayed at
one day brandi and I paddled around the lake.

louis and Jet
Jet was one of the pack elders, a really sweet old dog.