So last night we were driving around in the car randomly looking for sights. It's a light rain and in the radio there is an emergency warning stating tornado warnings for the exact county we were in! Oh crap Florida storms are no joke let's get outta here. So we head back to the hotel for a quiet night of tv and early bed.
We wake up and head to the Kennedy space center! I'm really excited. Admission costs 40$ but I hear it's worth it and it's just space shuttle stuff and that is just too cool. So we get there and hop in a tour bus that takes us through the building where they load the space shuttle on the rockets. Then they move it 3 miles to the launch site with the crawler that moves 1mile per hour. We get a look at the launch tower! There is a shuttle on there locked and loaded preparing for a November 1 launch!. There is launch towers everywhere for satellites and whatever else they are shooting up in space to spy on us..haha. How cool would it be to come back on November 1 to see the launch at 4pm!! They take us into the original untouched launch command room that was used for the first successful launch to the moon in 1969! That was amazing and they played a video from the original launch. It felt like being there!!! Some other cool stuff but I dint feel like mentioning.
We drive to Orlando where Sara drops me off with Pamela where I will stay for a couple days before riding on. Why not Pamela is awesome and she wants to show me more of Orlando. She has free dinner certificate for the both of us tonight at house of blues in downtown disney. She works the VIP table at various concerts, great perk. Then tomorrow we are going to typhoon lagoon on more free passes!! Really excited! I love water parks and Florida sure knows how to build parks.
Sara heads on to st Augustine and back to pa tomorrow. I however do not have to be back anytime soon. I find a travelocity deal for a 7 day cruise out of ft lauderdale! I debate booking it, it's 300$ st mertin and st Thomas and Bahamas!!! Leaving November 14. At this rate I'll never be coming home to Philly!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Just another amazing day
So I wake up yesterday so excited for Disney. Like it's amazing I'm about to walk into Disney studios. I was here when I was a little kid, under 10 years old. Pamela takes me out to a tremendous little breakfast where I make a superb order. I blueberry pancake, I cinnamon apple French toast, home fries and eggs! All of which were amazing!!!!
Then we drive off to epcot to meet Sara and Muriel. They arrive and Pamela gets us all in, she recommends we start at the magic kingdom and then go on. Being a local she has no desire to come in but so nice enough to wait for us all and escort us in.
Disney is an amazing place! So clean, so classy, so nice, immaculate, colorful, so well designed, extreme decor, way way way above any park I remember! All the workers at the park are really nice. I witnessed a cashiers patience with a special needs customer, I was next in line. When she rang me up I said are you this happy all day long, she looked at me and said awww...and her big arms came around me and she squeezed me for a bear hug before I knew what happened. She said thank you so much sweetheart it means so much to know how we are recognized here. And her answer was yes! Yes I am this happy to be at work all day because I work at the happiest place on earth. I told her her kindness goes along way and has affected my day for the better which in turn might effect somebody I run into today for the better! After saying that I look around and really don't see any unhappy people. All day out of the thousands of people I only say two parents loose their patience with their kids.
So we do magic kingdom and muriel leaves to get her flight. Sara and I go to epcot. After epcot I'm thouroughly impressed with Disney. They have lots of countries represented there and replicated a little city for each, complete with restaurants, shopping, gifts, unique foods and employees all from the specific countries. Morocco had amazing crafts, and the food was excellent. I have necver been to morocco but I would be convinced the recreation Disney did of their city would be authentic. I even asked a young guy employee, "are you really from morocco"? He said yes he was and he gets a year visa to work here. What an amazing opportunity Disney provides for these countries. It really takes a special kind of personality to work here, a personality that is super rare in Philly or new York.
We walk around all the countries and then stay for the fireworks show out on the water. Darn that ish was impressive!!!!! The music and the theme and the backdrop was just hard to take in. And don't forget I'm seeing all this for free! Those passes we got were 200$ a person!
We all leave the park in an orderly fashion, about (20,000) people, and there is no pushing or shoving or nonsense, again I'm impressed. Sara and I take a shuttle to our renta car and drive about an hour to cocoa beach. We get there about midnight and find a hotel for 50$ a night, split two ways not too bad at all. We take a night beach walk and see these baby sharks being washes up by the nights high tide! I touch one and then we leave. That was worth a short walk and a peek at the ocean.
No this morning I hit the grocery store for protein bars and some poptarts family packs...haha. We head to the beach and a small rain cloud passes over. A little drizzle with the sun out feels good. A sand crab does it's sideways walk right over to my towel I look at it, it looks at me then walks right back it's way. It terrifies a woman who sees it out of the corner if her eye. Her husband looks at me and we start laughing loudly....haha. I go for a dip in the ocean and my hand touches a large fish, I sprint towards my towel! Ok that's enough of the cocoa beach wildlife for a day. I just want to relax...haha
This morning I talk to jacqlyn who is an old old friend from college. She lives in Tampa and we talk a couple times a year. I definitely had plans to meet up with her here in Florida. We talk and she sounds awesome, telling me about a new church she found, she tells me I sound awesome and I'm super excited to see her. I'm going back to Orlando from here to get my bike and probably hang a few days with Pamela because there are some thunderstorms in the forecast. Jackie says it's only an hour drive from Tampa there and she has free sea world passes!!! Sweet she wants to come down this weekend and meetup in orlando! Awesome, I live how things come together!
I'm kinda ok with not riding for a couple days. I know I will be super exited to get back on that bike and do west palm, ft lauderdale, Miami, and the keys when the time comes. But for now the time has come to leave the bike be and ride the waves I'm on. I plan on being in Florida for at least a month from today so I have plenty of time to fill.
The plan came together yesterday, when I realized from the Florida keys I could take the key west express to ft myers, then ride to my parents house which will be the final destination of the ride. Then my friend pete from tampa will come to my parents house hang out with me and my folks then take me back to Tampa to catch my Philly flight. I'm just going to leave all my gear and bike at my parents house and when they drive to PA for Christmas they could bring it with. Wow it feels good to have some closure in place to this trip. I'm loving every minute of it but a loose outline is kinda nice from here
Then we drive off to epcot to meet Sara and Muriel. They arrive and Pamela gets us all in, she recommends we start at the magic kingdom and then go on. Being a local she has no desire to come in but so nice enough to wait for us all and escort us in.
Disney is an amazing place! So clean, so classy, so nice, immaculate, colorful, so well designed, extreme decor, way way way above any park I remember! All the workers at the park are really nice. I witnessed a cashiers patience with a special needs customer, I was next in line. When she rang me up I said are you this happy all day long, she looked at me and said awww...and her big arms came around me and she squeezed me for a bear hug before I knew what happened. She said thank you so much sweetheart it means so much to know how we are recognized here. And her answer was yes! Yes I am this happy to be at work all day because I work at the happiest place on earth. I told her her kindness goes along way and has affected my day for the better which in turn might effect somebody I run into today for the better! After saying that I look around and really don't see any unhappy people. All day out of the thousands of people I only say two parents loose their patience with their kids.
So we do magic kingdom and muriel leaves to get her flight. Sara and I go to epcot. After epcot I'm thouroughly impressed with Disney. They have lots of countries represented there and replicated a little city for each, complete with restaurants, shopping, gifts, unique foods and employees all from the specific countries. Morocco had amazing crafts, and the food was excellent. I have necver been to morocco but I would be convinced the recreation Disney did of their city would be authentic. I even asked a young guy employee, "are you really from morocco"? He said yes he was and he gets a year visa to work here. What an amazing opportunity Disney provides for these countries. It really takes a special kind of personality to work here, a personality that is super rare in Philly or new York.
We walk around all the countries and then stay for the fireworks show out on the water. Darn that ish was impressive!!!!! The music and the theme and the backdrop was just hard to take in. And don't forget I'm seeing all this for free! Those passes we got were 200$ a person!
We all leave the park in an orderly fashion, about (20,000) people, and there is no pushing or shoving or nonsense, again I'm impressed. Sara and I take a shuttle to our renta car and drive about an hour to cocoa beach. We get there about midnight and find a hotel for 50$ a night, split two ways not too bad at all. We take a night beach walk and see these baby sharks being washes up by the nights high tide! I touch one and then we leave. That was worth a short walk and a peek at the ocean.
No this morning I hit the grocery store for protein bars and some poptarts family packs...haha. We head to the beach and a small rain cloud passes over. A little drizzle with the sun out feels good. A sand crab does it's sideways walk right over to my towel I look at it, it looks at me then walks right back it's way. It terrifies a woman who sees it out of the corner if her eye. Her husband looks at me and we start laughing loudly....haha. I go for a dip in the ocean and my hand touches a large fish, I sprint towards my towel! Ok that's enough of the cocoa beach wildlife for a day. I just want to relax...haha
This morning I talk to jacqlyn who is an old old friend from college. She lives in Tampa and we talk a couple times a year. I definitely had plans to meet up with her here in Florida. We talk and she sounds awesome, telling me about a new church she found, she tells me I sound awesome and I'm super excited to see her. I'm going back to Orlando from here to get my bike and probably hang a few days with Pamela because there are some thunderstorms in the forecast. Jackie says it's only an hour drive from Tampa there and she has free sea world passes!!! Sweet she wants to come down this weekend and meetup in orlando! Awesome, I live how things come together!
I'm kinda ok with not riding for a couple days. I know I will be super exited to get back on that bike and do west palm, ft lauderdale, Miami, and the keys when the time comes. But for now the time has come to leave the bike be and ride the waves I'm on. I plan on being in Florida for at least a month from today so I have plenty of time to fill.
The plan came together yesterday, when I realized from the Florida keys I could take the key west express to ft myers, then ride to my parents house which will be the final destination of the ride. Then my friend pete from tampa will come to my parents house hang out with me and my folks then take me back to Tampa to catch my Philly flight. I'm just going to leave all my gear and bike at my parents house and when they drive to PA for Christmas they could bring it with. Wow it feels good to have some closure in place to this trip. I'm loving every minute of it but a loose outline is kinda nice from here
Monday, September 27, 2010
Disney world
So Sara agrees to most likely drive to st Augustine but doesn't seem thrilled. I hang up the phone and get a text message. It's from Pamela!, a nice girl I met at the savannah. She lives in Orlando but is originally from st Augustine beach. I was thinking of her this morning and I was gonna text her asking for a good brunch place in st Augustine. Her text asks what I'm doing and I say hanging out on the beach. She has the day off and decides to make the hour drive up to spend the day in town!!! I'm excited for company! She finds me laying on the beach with my bike nearby. I dry off and we head onto st George st to my favorite restaurant Columbia. We eat a fabolous lunchtime salad and then meet her friends at the Mexican pottery import store a cool store and grande people! Good time. We check out the local lighthouse and she gives me a great history tour of the town!
I suddenly get a great idea. Sara is in Orlando and I ask Pamela if I can ride with her back to Orlando in her car with my stuff so I can meet Sara. This way she will have company on the drive back home and Sara won't be obligated to st Augustine to pick me up. Pamela agrees it's not a problem and invites me to crash at her apartment. I think about the possiblility of this being cheating because I said I would only take a ride if I or my bike was broken. But Pamela explains don't be so guided by my expectations, live for different experiences and don't miss opportunity because of being close minded to anything. Sold! I disassemble the bike and throw it in the car. Not sure when and where my riding will continue but confident that it will and this ride in a car back to Orlando to a nice clean apartment where I can eat cereal and do laundry sounds heavenous.
We have some good god talks on the way back and share some past experiences, good talks. I'm just baffled once again about where my body is and just how it got here! Simply amazed everytime this thought comes to mind. We spend a nice relaxed night on the couch hanging out and she gets a great idea!
I can get 4 free passes to all the Disney parks you and your friends should go! I wasn't thinking I must go to Disney buy free admission sounds perfect. I text Sara and she is in! So I'm here now waiting to gonto Disney world. This definitely wasn't on the agenda of the trip but then again I didn't have an agenda for this very reason. Let the universe make and guide you! And look what happens.
Tonight me and Sara tour the coast in a rental car! Again awesome and not in the grand plan but that I didn't have either. So I leave my bike in Orlando for a couple days and pick up riding from back here in a couple days. I'm off on a vacation on my vacation!
I suddenly get a great idea. Sara is in Orlando and I ask Pamela if I can ride with her back to Orlando in her car with my stuff so I can meet Sara. This way she will have company on the drive back home and Sara won't be obligated to st Augustine to pick me up. Pamela agrees it's not a problem and invites me to crash at her apartment. I think about the possiblility of this being cheating because I said I would only take a ride if I or my bike was broken. But Pamela explains don't be so guided by my expectations, live for different experiences and don't miss opportunity because of being close minded to anything. Sold! I disassemble the bike and throw it in the car. Not sure when and where my riding will continue but confident that it will and this ride in a car back to Orlando to a nice clean apartment where I can eat cereal and do laundry sounds heavenous.
We have some good god talks on the way back and share some past experiences, good talks. I'm just baffled once again about where my body is and just how it got here! Simply amazed everytime this thought comes to mind. We spend a nice relaxed night on the couch hanging out and she gets a great idea!
I can get 4 free passes to all the Disney parks you and your friends should go! I wasn't thinking I must go to Disney buy free admission sounds perfect. I text Sara and she is in! So I'm here now waiting to gonto Disney world. This definitely wasn't on the agenda of the trip but then again I didn't have an agenda for this very reason. Let the universe make and guide you! And look what happens.
Tonight me and Sara tour the coast in a rental car! Again awesome and not in the grand plan but that I didn't have either. So I leave my bike in Orlando for a couple days and pick up riding from back here in a couple days. I'm off on a vacation on my vacation!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Exhausted
So after the campfire which was blazing we all decided to go for a midnight swim in the full moon light lake! And because we were at a hippie farm clothing was optional, most did not wear clothes. I went with the no clothing option just so I could say I did it, purely for effect. Then I rinse off in the outside shower and head back in. Max a wonderful fun spirited school teacher who never leaves home found herself swimming naked in the lake as well! She was so funny and she made me a great late night snack, peanut butter and jelly, with raisins and banana chips yum!
I wake up about 8:30 and get to use the outhouse, it smells pretty bad! But then I knew I had some bike maintenance to do because my bike wasn't shifting properly the day before. I arrive to my bike to find a flat front. Oh well is my attitude and I get to work fixing it. I find out the same piece of glass that gave me 3, part of it is still in there! I remove it and I'm good. I shove off and all the yoga hippies are sad to see me go. They offer me to stay and food and a ride somewhere they are so sweet and as good quality of a person you will find
I start pedaling and am just amazed ad my stay at the hostel in the woods. And I was going to stay at a state park, the right decision was made once again!
I know it's about 110 to st Augustine but I'm prepared to ride into the dark. I leave about 10am and have a beautiful trip. Very scenic, still, not much traffic, nice shoulder! I stop a little here and there. Then about 2:00 the winds pick up and the clouds look dark over Jacksonville. I ride through Jacksonville and all I see is the bad parts of that city to the entire north and south. I mean really sorry for anybody that lives there but really the center 5 blocks of the entire city looked decent, what a craphole!
So I ride through some gusty winds for about two hours. Stopping after one for a subway hoagie and recharge the iPhone. I watch some football there and back on the road. Riding for another hour, then I realize I'm physically beat!!!!! I have not much left. I curse at the wind at the top of my lungs after I'm blasted by a gust! I want to give up, pack it in and call somebody to pick me up. I curse the whole trip the whole idea, god, everyone.... This was my breaking point the worst it could get I just experienced! I pause for a moment, get it back together and see a stupid sign 24 miles to st Augustine. I knew then to quit crying like a baby, shut up, suck it up and keep pedaling! I ask got to provide me with what I need to complete this ride, I'm thinking courage and patience. Well I'm happy to tell you I made it, without anymore outbursts either. That was some extreme physical endurance and I passed the test. Right into downtown Augustine George st to get my favorite gelati. They guy says hi how are you behind the gelato stand and i tell him the truth...haha. He feel my pain and hooks up the size of the cup! Nice!
I go outside and sit on a bench an old man just tried to steal from me. Not now old man I'm not in the mood I'm thinking, this ain't a game I'm sitting down and then you can sit on my lap if you have to but I'm sitting down! We both sit down on the tiny bench and our cheeks are touching. He is so old I dint think he can even see me and he seems startled like what is touching my leg. I say hello excuse me but I need this seat too!...haha. We end up talking and he is a good guy interested in hearing about my journey. I'm patient with him, I really really do like old people they all remind me of my grandparents who aren't in this world anymore.
I finish my ice cream, call my mom and bitch for a minute then head the 3 miles to the campsite. I'm so exhausted physically and mentally. On the way I see some cheapo looking motels and think hmm.. I look for the crappiest looking one and see it has the cheapest price listed. That's it sold to this guy in don't feel like hooking up my tent and crap for 40$ I'll take my own shower and bed! I check in and it smells like a thousand cigarettes but I don't care, the sink doesn't work so I brush my teeth with the shower, stains all over the carpet so I walk around in flip flops I even thought about putting my sleeping bag on top of the bed but I'm so lazy at this point I don't want to unroll it!...haha I watch some tv that only has one volume, super loud, then it's off to dream land. I don't sleep so good because my entire body was aching all night, I'm really sore. I was supposed to head to cocoa beach which is 130 miles from here but that ain't happening. I'm meeting up with Sara a friend from PA but in Orlando. I'm going to see if she can change our location to st Augustine!
I wake up about 8:30 and get to use the outhouse, it smells pretty bad! But then I knew I had some bike maintenance to do because my bike wasn't shifting properly the day before. I arrive to my bike to find a flat front. Oh well is my attitude and I get to work fixing it. I find out the same piece of glass that gave me 3, part of it is still in there! I remove it and I'm good. I shove off and all the yoga hippies are sad to see me go. They offer me to stay and food and a ride somewhere they are so sweet and as good quality of a person you will find
I start pedaling and am just amazed ad my stay at the hostel in the woods. And I was going to stay at a state park, the right decision was made once again!
I know it's about 110 to st Augustine but I'm prepared to ride into the dark. I leave about 10am and have a beautiful trip. Very scenic, still, not much traffic, nice shoulder! I stop a little here and there. Then about 2:00 the winds pick up and the clouds look dark over Jacksonville. I ride through Jacksonville and all I see is the bad parts of that city to the entire north and south. I mean really sorry for anybody that lives there but really the center 5 blocks of the entire city looked decent, what a craphole!
So I ride through some gusty winds for about two hours. Stopping after one for a subway hoagie and recharge the iPhone. I watch some football there and back on the road. Riding for another hour, then I realize I'm physically beat!!!!! I have not much left. I curse at the wind at the top of my lungs after I'm blasted by a gust! I want to give up, pack it in and call somebody to pick me up. I curse the whole trip the whole idea, god, everyone.... This was my breaking point the worst it could get I just experienced! I pause for a moment, get it back together and see a stupid sign 24 miles to st Augustine. I knew then to quit crying like a baby, shut up, suck it up and keep pedaling! I ask got to provide me with what I need to complete this ride, I'm thinking courage and patience. Well I'm happy to tell you I made it, without anymore outbursts either. That was some extreme physical endurance and I passed the test. Right into downtown Augustine George st to get my favorite gelati. They guy says hi how are you behind the gelato stand and i tell him the truth...haha. He feel my pain and hooks up the size of the cup! Nice!
I go outside and sit on a bench an old man just tried to steal from me. Not now old man I'm not in the mood I'm thinking, this ain't a game I'm sitting down and then you can sit on my lap if you have to but I'm sitting down! We both sit down on the tiny bench and our cheeks are touching. He is so old I dint think he can even see me and he seems startled like what is touching my leg. I say hello excuse me but I need this seat too!...haha. We end up talking and he is a good guy interested in hearing about my journey. I'm patient with him, I really really do like old people they all remind me of my grandparents who aren't in this world anymore.
I finish my ice cream, call my mom and bitch for a minute then head the 3 miles to the campsite. I'm so exhausted physically and mentally. On the way I see some cheapo looking motels and think hmm.. I look for the crappiest looking one and see it has the cheapest price listed. That's it sold to this guy in don't feel like hooking up my tent and crap for 40$ I'll take my own shower and bed! I check in and it smells like a thousand cigarettes but I don't care, the sink doesn't work so I brush my teeth with the shower, stains all over the carpet so I walk around in flip flops I even thought about putting my sleeping bag on top of the bed but I'm so lazy at this point I don't want to unroll it!...haha I watch some tv that only has one volume, super loud, then it's off to dream land. I don't sleep so good because my entire body was aching all night, I'm really sore. I was supposed to head to cocoa beach which is 130 miles from here but that ain't happening. I'm meeting up with Sara a friend from PA but in Orlando. I'm going to see if she can change our location to st Augustine!
Friday, September 24, 2010
What a nice piece...
...of highway 17 I had the privilege of riding on today! There were even parts with a bike lane. But then the bike lane just kind of ended in a field at times but it's better than no shoulder. So most of the day I had a nice shoulder.
I'm still wow'd by my last night in savannah! That city turned into a different city at night!, much better!
So I wake up at 7:50 from such a sound solid sleep it takes me a minute to recall where I am! I love those sleeps!! But I pack up rather fast and debate stopping for some famous grits that's about 5 miles out of my way and I got another long haul in for today almost 100. I decide to go cause it's now or never! Glad I went and I can now say I had savannahs best grits! I'm still not impressed with grits but those were the beat I've ever had!
So I shove outta Atlanta with my shirt off, haha about 9:00. The plan is to ride to jeckyll island GA and camp out. Only problem is it's an extra 20 miles round trip off my Florida path :-( boo I hate backtracking!!
The morning ride flies by I cover 60 miles in 3 hours!! But then the winds change and start to come across me. It takes me 5 hours to do the last 40 miles! It kinda posses me off when that happens but nothing you can do out there! Suck it up and take it like a man!
About 30 miles from jeckyll I have a change of idea. I try to call "the hostel in the forest" in Brunswick GA. I heard amazing things about this place from travelers. I called yesterday and they said mo room for me because of a yoga retreat weekend. Which sounds awesome to me but I can't give up three days there. But anyway I wasn't happy with the answer of no I couldn't stay so I call back hoping to talk to someone else. Well I get the right guy on the phone! I tell him my deal and he says there is no way he can turn me away. Get here asap I wanna talk to you he says! SWEEt! I'm on my way..
I'm extremely wiped out of energy when I arrive! Some guy gives me a tour of hippie crap, all I hear is blah blah blah. My mind is on jumping in the lake that I see two people coming from. Tour is over and I head tooth lake! I really can't describe to you in words how refreshing that lake was! There is a wooden pier out in the middle of it. I jump in and swim to it. The lake is crystal clear I can see all the way down about 15 ft! I sun myself on the floating pier deck, stretch out, do some yoga and backflips off of it. I climb back up and start laughing out of control. Just when I think this trip cannot be anymore amazing I find a crystal clear lake to jump in after a tough but scenic day of riding. I swim back to my flip flops and head back to the lodge.
This place is super Eco friendly all your poop is composted and you have to throw saw dust on it to cover it up. There is free ranging chickens and we eat fresh eggs for breakfast! The huts are seriously built in trees and the showers have no walls just out in the open forest! This place is quite magnificent. They prepare a vegan dinner for you that's included in the hostel price of 25$ a night. We hold hands and each introduce ourselves saying 5 things we are grateful for. Then it's campfire and mantra chanting. I'm gonna sleep like a rock my treefort has a beaded curtain for front door and the bugs aren't bad. Life is amazing.
Tomorrow it's another long haul into st Augustine. I'll be in Florida. And I was convinced to ride to the Florida keys, no more Miami it's 150 miles past Miami now!...haha
I'm still wow'd by my last night in savannah! That city turned into a different city at night!, much better!
So I wake up at 7:50 from such a sound solid sleep it takes me a minute to recall where I am! I love those sleeps!! But I pack up rather fast and debate stopping for some famous grits that's about 5 miles out of my way and I got another long haul in for today almost 100. I decide to go cause it's now or never! Glad I went and I can now say I had savannahs best grits! I'm still not impressed with grits but those were the beat I've ever had!
So I shove outta Atlanta with my shirt off, haha about 9:00. The plan is to ride to jeckyll island GA and camp out. Only problem is it's an extra 20 miles round trip off my Florida path :-( boo I hate backtracking!!
The morning ride flies by I cover 60 miles in 3 hours!! But then the winds change and start to come across me. It takes me 5 hours to do the last 40 miles! It kinda posses me off when that happens but nothing you can do out there! Suck it up and take it like a man!
About 30 miles from jeckyll I have a change of idea. I try to call "the hostel in the forest" in Brunswick GA. I heard amazing things about this place from travelers. I called yesterday and they said mo room for me because of a yoga retreat weekend. Which sounds awesome to me but I can't give up three days there. But anyway I wasn't happy with the answer of no I couldn't stay so I call back hoping to talk to someone else. Well I get the right guy on the phone! I tell him my deal and he says there is no way he can turn me away. Get here asap I wanna talk to you he says! SWEEt! I'm on my way..
I'm extremely wiped out of energy when I arrive! Some guy gives me a tour of hippie crap, all I hear is blah blah blah. My mind is on jumping in the lake that I see two people coming from. Tour is over and I head tooth lake! I really can't describe to you in words how refreshing that lake was! There is a wooden pier out in the middle of it. I jump in and swim to it. The lake is crystal clear I can see all the way down about 15 ft! I sun myself on the floating pier deck, stretch out, do some yoga and backflips off of it. I climb back up and start laughing out of control. Just when I think this trip cannot be anymore amazing I find a crystal clear lake to jump in after a tough but scenic day of riding. I swim back to my flip flops and head back to the lodge.
This place is super Eco friendly all your poop is composted and you have to throw saw dust on it to cover it up. There is free ranging chickens and we eat fresh eggs for breakfast! The huts are seriously built in trees and the showers have no walls just out in the open forest! This place is quite magnificent. They prepare a vegan dinner for you that's included in the hostel price of 25$ a night. We hold hands and each introduce ourselves saying 5 things we are grateful for. Then it's campfire and mantra chanting. I'm gonna sleep like a rock my treefort has a beaded curtain for front door and the bugs aren't bad. Life is amazing.
Tomorrow it's another long haul into st Augustine. I'll be in Florida. And I was convinced to ride to the Florida keys, no more Miami it's 150 miles past Miami now!...haha
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Savannah
This morning I wake up well rested in a bed, what a nice invention! Don gives me a lift about 20 blocks downtown towards the water front. He drops me at a well known coffee shop called the sentinel bean. I grab two cups the second kind was way better than the first and I buy a tiny muffin for 1.25$ not cheap what's up with that I thought things were cheaper here, well apparently not coffee shop stuff anyway. I notice people are pretty whole grain and earthy conscious around here, it's kinda cool. Forsyth park is bee-utiful!! Big flat open space right in the middle of the city. It's lined with mansions peeking into the beautiful parkscape!
The city is mostly dominated by scag kids. Savannah college if art and design. I walk all the way down to the riverfront snapping away on the iPhone. I take a free shuttle around to get the layout of the city. It drops me off in the central district. I run into jj bonerz for some famous wings but they are closed :'-( So I on to my next destination that's a must see, the famous ice cream spot so I get an amazing orange sherbet float. That holds me over until Paula deans buffet restaurant where I meet a guy from Philly. He is the bartender and we chat about good Philly stuff. Then I try to walk back home but can't because I'm way too stuffed. I call don and he picks me up at the coffee shop he dropped me off at.
I kinda realize I don't want to spend another day in savannah which means I want to see tybee island tonight. I run it by don and see if he wants to go. He can't because he already made plans for dinner, but he offers me his car! Wow what an amazing trusting man, here is a guy I've known for maybe 12 hours offering his home and now his vehicle to me? I drop him off where he needs to be and proceed to drive the 20 miles each way to tybee island. What a worthwhile trip! I snap some stunning photos and catch the laid back fishing vibe of the island. All within a hour. I head back to dons house.
We collaborate about the to do for tonight and decide to check out the jazz festival in Forsyth park. It turns out to be a nice time, the music is cool and there is people and pretty little ladies everywhere, ok savannah, you just went up 2 whole points in my rating book. I talk to 2 nice girls standing close by. They are from Orlando, guess who is going to Orlando? Ya me..and I'm pretty sure I secure a place to crash for a night in Orlando!
So savannah people are super fun, laid back, welcoming, hip, Eco, earthy, and just fun to be around! Good times!!
Tomorrow morning it's 95 miles onto jeckyll island GA. My last full ride before the monstrous state of Florida!
The city is mostly dominated by scag kids. Savannah college if art and design. I walk all the way down to the riverfront snapping away on the iPhone. I take a free shuttle around to get the layout of the city. It drops me off in the central district. I run into jj bonerz for some famous wings but they are closed :'-( So I on to my next destination that's a must see, the famous ice cream spot so I get an amazing orange sherbet float. That holds me over until Paula deans buffet restaurant where I meet a guy from Philly. He is the bartender and we chat about good Philly stuff. Then I try to walk back home but can't because I'm way too stuffed. I call don and he picks me up at the coffee shop he dropped me off at.
I kinda realize I don't want to spend another day in savannah which means I want to see tybee island tonight. I run it by don and see if he wants to go. He can't because he already made plans for dinner, but he offers me his car! Wow what an amazing trusting man, here is a guy I've known for maybe 12 hours offering his home and now his vehicle to me? I drop him off where he needs to be and proceed to drive the 20 miles each way to tybee island. What a worthwhile trip! I snap some stunning photos and catch the laid back fishing vibe of the island. All within a hour. I head back to dons house.
We collaborate about the to do for tonight and decide to check out the jazz festival in Forsyth park. It turns out to be a nice time, the music is cool and there is people and pretty little ladies everywhere, ok savannah, you just went up 2 whole points in my rating book. I talk to 2 nice girls standing close by. They are from Orlando, guess who is going to Orlando? Ya me..and I'm pretty sure I secure a place to crash for a night in Orlando!
So savannah people are super fun, laid back, welcoming, hip, Eco, earthy, and just fun to be around! Good times!!
Tomorrow morning it's 95 miles onto jeckyll island GA. My last full ride before the monstrous state of Florida!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Onto savannah
So yesterday my last day in the lovely town of charleston, we got to go to folly beach and enjoy a nice outside lunch at a beach cafe which was delicious! Me and Sean who is my housemates boyfriend went to a sports bar later and watched the phillies beat the braves. Sean is an interesting character, for only being 22 he is almost entirely covered with tats and he occupation is a body piercer, cool. He once rode from st Augustine Florida to San Diego over 3,000 miles in a 3 month trip through almost every mountain range in the US. We spend the evening talking about travel and I learn alot about hopping freight trains! Apparently there are underground maps made by jumpers called crew sheets that you can download and tells you how to get around and time and dates of cars going and coming. He tells me he lived that life for months off a bag of rice, hot sauce and a refillable jug of water!...now this is really cool. I have not yet started searching the Internet for crew maps but o I will!..just curious. After 4 hours in a bar watching the entire game I'm beat and ready for bed, they drop me off and continue in to the next bar.
So I start out to savannah early and my wheels are moving in the pavement by 8:00am. I get out of the charleston limits and then I see it. The large green and white sign that says "savannah 108 miles" it just hits me in a kind of intimidating way. I thought it to be about 103 and appears to be even a couple more. I've rode 130 in a day down the entire del-mar-va peninsula but I did it in parts I have never seen one sign with that distance on it. I kinda panic a bit and then pull it together. My mornings are my best time to ride from 8-11 I fly usually only taking one break I can easily cover 40 miles in this period. So that's what I do head down iPod on it's time to go to work. I look at it that way sometimes because the road I was on wasn't that scenic and had no shoulder! Kinda sucked but it sure does beat a day at any air conditioned office running around pretending to be busy. I got freedom out here, purpose, perspiration, inspiration and excursive.
So about 10:30 I pull up to a sunoco kind of in a not overly joyous mood I think because I almost got brushed by a couple motor homes! But anyway I want to shake my bad mood off! I go inside and 3 black guys just hanging out start pelting me with questions. Where you coming from boy, where you going? Why? I gladly answer them all and they seem to be interested in the journey. Vince, they guy working the register, asks me who I'm riding with. I give my standard same answer "nobody just me and God" his eyes light up and he cracks the biggest southern smile I've ever seen with his white teeth gleaming at me he exclaims "THAT is an AWESOME team!, he repeats himself and says it again! I can't deny it's not and have to agree. We talk for a couple mins and I'm thrilled to find out he has been many places and we have a good talk filled with excitement about gods big beautiful planet and how good it is. He gives me a pound and I take off. Walking out those doors I had my biggest Yankee smile on. Vince snapped me out of my mood!! Wonderful guy!
Back to work, as I continue to ride it continues to get hotter, I think most if my ride it stays about 90 outside and that just beats you down after a while. I couldn't drink enough beverages, I would just sweat them out instantly. I didn't go pee the entire day and I must have filled up both bottles about 6 times.
Highlights...roadside homemade peach cider, riding through a marine airport watching fighter jets land directly overhead, snakes on the shoulder of the road, armadillo roadkill (never seen one before too bad it was splat) swamp, river inlets, bridges, plantation fields, great random selection job by the iPod in the old school hip hop department, the conquest.
So into savannah I come across a big beautiful bridge seeing the town from an almost aerial view. Once into town I cruise around a bit, call my host and head to 311 east 52nd street in the Victorian district.
I meet don, compliment his house, settle in, shower and nap. I then walk out a couple blocks for some good Japanese food and hit the grocery store. Don is a nice guy and offers me a ride downtown tomorrow to sightsee! I plan to do touristy stuff tomorrow and then possibly head to the local beach Friday before heading out 100mulws south to jeckyll island my next destination. Nite
So I start out to savannah early and my wheels are moving in the pavement by 8:00am. I get out of the charleston limits and then I see it. The large green and white sign that says "savannah 108 miles" it just hits me in a kind of intimidating way. I thought it to be about 103 and appears to be even a couple more. I've rode 130 in a day down the entire del-mar-va peninsula but I did it in parts I have never seen one sign with that distance on it. I kinda panic a bit and then pull it together. My mornings are my best time to ride from 8-11 I fly usually only taking one break I can easily cover 40 miles in this period. So that's what I do head down iPod on it's time to go to work. I look at it that way sometimes because the road I was on wasn't that scenic and had no shoulder! Kinda sucked but it sure does beat a day at any air conditioned office running around pretending to be busy. I got freedom out here, purpose, perspiration, inspiration and excursive.
So about 10:30 I pull up to a sunoco kind of in a not overly joyous mood I think because I almost got brushed by a couple motor homes! But anyway I want to shake my bad mood off! I go inside and 3 black guys just hanging out start pelting me with questions. Where you coming from boy, where you going? Why? I gladly answer them all and they seem to be interested in the journey. Vince, they guy working the register, asks me who I'm riding with. I give my standard same answer "nobody just me and God" his eyes light up and he cracks the biggest southern smile I've ever seen with his white teeth gleaming at me he exclaims "THAT is an AWESOME team!, he repeats himself and says it again! I can't deny it's not and have to agree. We talk for a couple mins and I'm thrilled to find out he has been many places and we have a good talk filled with excitement about gods big beautiful planet and how good it is. He gives me a pound and I take off. Walking out those doors I had my biggest Yankee smile on. Vince snapped me out of my mood!! Wonderful guy!
Back to work, as I continue to ride it continues to get hotter, I think most if my ride it stays about 90 outside and that just beats you down after a while. I couldn't drink enough beverages, I would just sweat them out instantly. I didn't go pee the entire day and I must have filled up both bottles about 6 times.
Highlights...roadside homemade peach cider, riding through a marine airport watching fighter jets land directly overhead, snakes on the shoulder of the road, armadillo roadkill (never seen one before too bad it was splat) swamp, river inlets, bridges, plantation fields, great random selection job by the iPod in the old school hip hop department, the conquest.
So into savannah I come across a big beautiful bridge seeing the town from an almost aerial view. Once into town I cruise around a bit, call my host and head to 311 east 52nd street in the Victorian district.
I meet don, compliment his house, settle in, shower and nap. I then walk out a couple blocks for some good Japanese food and hit the grocery store. Don is a nice guy and offers me a ride downtown tomorrow to sightsee! I plan to do touristy stuff tomorrow and then possibly head to the local beach Friday before heading out 100mulws south to jeckyll island my next destination. Nite
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wow charleston
I'm not a picture taking kind of guy but I couldn't stop taking photos today of this incredibly beautiful city! Everywhere you turn there is a must see landmark. Something so beautiful and grand on the inside that demands you get a closer look and forces you to take out the camera instantly. Even just certain streets in general, they way architecture is composed on the block combined with cobble stone roadway, plants and iron gates make you stand back in awe. Then to imagine there are tons of occupants that reside here and see this everyday when coming to and from!..wow. I was happy to just see it I couldn't imagine living there. But the apartment I'm staying at is just blocks from the nicest biggest houses in charleston.
I went to the slave market museum, which blew me away to think I was standing in the biggest trading block in the south. And to hear and see detailed accounts of how the trading took place and how a trader would get top dollar for a slave. I got the best brownie in town, walked the open street market, poked in and out of old churches, learned some history of the town, sweated in the heat walking around and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!
Enough walking around I find myself back at the apartment watching the third disc of always sunny. I'm reading a to do book for tourists and decide tomorrow I'm going to try to get a plantation tour in. I doze off for an hour of beauty sleep.
Wake up hungry and have a snack. I get some mews from back in Philly that doesn't make me too happy. I find myself in a jam and head to a meeting. The meeting kind of sucks but I meet a good dude named chas and we head uptown for a burrito. Pretty decent standard burrito and I see pineapple jalepeno salsa on the menu again it must be a southern thing, it's good anyway. We chat about life and taking adventures and catch the phillies playing Atlanta on tv. I thank him not in a gay way for the company and say how I just kind of needed it.
Chas heads off back hoke and I stay to watch the rest of the phils. I slide one seat over to a young couple, guy wearing a braves hat, and say hello. I soon after decide that people in the south are nicer! They are sweet and they tell how well know ruthless phillies fans are. I tell him I won't cause much trouble like the rest of them as we watch a guy in a skin tight red suit jump on to the field at the phillies ballpark. The braves centerfielder slides the red spider man a knee and takes him out. "that's my city!!!" I exclaim.
Speaking of being nicer in the south, I walk into a 7-11 like store today to buy a water, I hear hello sir how are you? I think what? Who? Said that? It was the store clerk busy ringing up a customer and ya she was talking to me!!! This is a weird concept because back in Philly they look you right in the eye and don't even say hi! I like it here makes me feel special..haha
So I walk back home after the phils win and am amazed how safe and quiet the downtown streets of charleston are. I walk to the water front and catch boats running under the moon light sky!
I'm thrilled for my ride into savannah I've heard it's a beautiful scenic trip through many plantations. I landed a place to stay for a couple days right smack in the middle of the city through my new favorite site globalfreeloaders.com it's a guy named don and he tells me how he traveled to Peru for a month and landed freeloading spots to stay the entire trip! Amazing I love this big happy providing world.
Well off to watch always sunny and catch some sleep. We are going to the beach in the morning. So by far charleston is the coolest city on this trip but I have high expectations for savannah too. I just like how charleston is walkable with old world beauty all over it! And people here are above average nice. Girls here have big booties and that's kinda cool too.
I went to the slave market museum, which blew me away to think I was standing in the biggest trading block in the south. And to hear and see detailed accounts of how the trading took place and how a trader would get top dollar for a slave. I got the best brownie in town, walked the open street market, poked in and out of old churches, learned some history of the town, sweated in the heat walking around and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!
Enough walking around I find myself back at the apartment watching the third disc of always sunny. I'm reading a to do book for tourists and decide tomorrow I'm going to try to get a plantation tour in. I doze off for an hour of beauty sleep.
Wake up hungry and have a snack. I get some mews from back in Philly that doesn't make me too happy. I find myself in a jam and head to a meeting. The meeting kind of sucks but I meet a good dude named chas and we head uptown for a burrito. Pretty decent standard burrito and I see pineapple jalepeno salsa on the menu again it must be a southern thing, it's good anyway. We chat about life and taking adventures and catch the phillies playing Atlanta on tv. I thank him not in a gay way for the company and say how I just kind of needed it.
Chas heads off back hoke and I stay to watch the rest of the phils. I slide one seat over to a young couple, guy wearing a braves hat, and say hello. I soon after decide that people in the south are nicer! They are sweet and they tell how well know ruthless phillies fans are. I tell him I won't cause much trouble like the rest of them as we watch a guy in a skin tight red suit jump on to the field at the phillies ballpark. The braves centerfielder slides the red spider man a knee and takes him out. "that's my city!!!" I exclaim.
Speaking of being nicer in the south, I walk into a 7-11 like store today to buy a water, I hear hello sir how are you? I think what? Who? Said that? It was the store clerk busy ringing up a customer and ya she was talking to me!!! This is a weird concept because back in Philly they look you right in the eye and don't even say hi! I like it here makes me feel special..haha
So I walk back home after the phils win and am amazed how safe and quiet the downtown streets of charleston are. I walk to the water front and catch boats running under the moon light sky!
I'm thrilled for my ride into savannah I've heard it's a beautiful scenic trip through many plantations. I landed a place to stay for a couple days right smack in the middle of the city through my new favorite site globalfreeloaders.com it's a guy named don and he tells me how he traveled to Peru for a month and landed freeloading spots to stay the entire trip! Amazing I love this big happy providing world.
Well off to watch always sunny and catch some sleep. We are going to the beach in the morning. So by far charleston is the coolest city on this trip but I have high expectations for savannah too. I just like how charleston is walkable with old world beauty all over it! And people here are above average nice. Girls here have big booties and that's kinda cool too.
To charleston
So I had some great meditation on the moonlight myrtle beach last night. It was very peaceful out there and I was happy to be alone in communication with the universe.
I shoved out of camp very early today, I was riding by 7:30. I knew I had alot of miles to cover and I wanted to get most of them done before the blaring afternoon sun. Some if today's ride highlights were, tons of butterflies, real loggers coming from a paper mill, straw hat stands with the weavers at work, stillness, quietness, the sound of my bike humming, tailwinds.
I'm always asked when I chat with people why I'm riding, what's my cause? I was talking to a guy at krispy kreme while I ordered 2 donuts and a coffee. He asked me how far I've been riding. When I told him 700 miles and 12 days his eyes boggled around in his head. He told me that he was going to ride his bike to work tomorrow! If I inspired that guy then right then I decided my cause! To inspire people to be healthy, dream big, ride a bike and save money, try something new, reach new goals. And think about the possibility of the ripple effect, his cousin might be inspired by him and do the same thing. Or maybe he doesn't follow through and ride the bike but he is now aware that something like this is possible.
So charleston is a wonderful place. I took a wrong turn getting here and rode through the north, it reminded me of north philly and I remember Jimmy telling me stay out of the north as I'm already riding through it. But I'm staying in phalli's equivalent society hill, where there is seriously old houses with major old world charm, some are huge and some are petite and quaint but 2 never the same.
I walk to the waters edge and through battery park, ya they have one just like NYC. The houses I see are unbelievable! Then I walk uptown and get a double decker BBQ sandwich at Jim and nicks it was crazy good! Complete with collard greens and cheddar cheese muffins. Then I stroll through the university and wander to a famous pastry shop wildflower but it's closed. So I make my way back home and watch it's always sunny in Philadelphia DVDs. I call it an early night because I'm pretty exhausted from my early start and 100 mile ride.
My roomates Liz and Adrianna wake me up coming home about 1:30 from the bar a little tipsy but it's all good they whip together some food and I gladly participate in the festivities, they are funny. And couchsurfing.com really does work! This is proof, they are really friendly hosts and are taking me to the beach today and Adrianna is always so helpful!
I shoved out of camp very early today, I was riding by 7:30. I knew I had alot of miles to cover and I wanted to get most of them done before the blaring afternoon sun. Some if today's ride highlights were, tons of butterflies, real loggers coming from a paper mill, straw hat stands with the weavers at work, stillness, quietness, the sound of my bike humming, tailwinds.
I'm always asked when I chat with people why I'm riding, what's my cause? I was talking to a guy at krispy kreme while I ordered 2 donuts and a coffee. He asked me how far I've been riding. When I told him 700 miles and 12 days his eyes boggled around in his head. He told me that he was going to ride his bike to work tomorrow! If I inspired that guy then right then I decided my cause! To inspire people to be healthy, dream big, ride a bike and save money, try something new, reach new goals. And think about the possibility of the ripple effect, his cousin might be inspired by him and do the same thing. Or maybe he doesn't follow through and ride the bike but he is now aware that something like this is possible.
So charleston is a wonderful place. I took a wrong turn getting here and rode through the north, it reminded me of north philly and I remember Jimmy telling me stay out of the north as I'm already riding through it. But I'm staying in phalli's equivalent society hill, where there is seriously old houses with major old world charm, some are huge and some are petite and quaint but 2 never the same.
I walk to the waters edge and through battery park, ya they have one just like NYC. The houses I see are unbelievable! Then I walk uptown and get a double decker BBQ sandwich at Jim and nicks it was crazy good! Complete with collard greens and cheddar cheese muffins. Then I stroll through the university and wander to a famous pastry shop wildflower but it's closed. So I make my way back home and watch it's always sunny in Philadelphia DVDs. I call it an early night because I'm pretty exhausted from my early start and 100 mile ride.
My roomates Liz and Adrianna wake me up coming home about 1:30 from the bar a little tipsy but it's all good they whip together some food and I gladly participate in the festivities, they are funny. And couchsurfing.com really does work! This is proof, they are really friendly hosts and are taking me to the beach today and Adrianna is always so helpful!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
On to Myrtle beach
It was really hard leaving today my cozy little nook in Wilmington NC. I was really meeting some great people up there and fitting in to the lifestyle pretty darn well. Not to mention today was a huge grillout NC style with a pig they been roasting since 3am. Them dudes know how to party, no more ghetto burgers and hot dogs for me in Philly I'm coming NC style from now on. Again I really want to thank everyone I've met in Wilmington and along the way. Sara your such a sweet soul I wish you well in your travels. I'm really glad Gid bumped me into you in NYC.
So I shoved out early am on the road by 8:30 with little or no wind today I covered 40 miles in 2 hours, and I was in north Myrtle by 12:30. That's when I got a serious craving for pancakes, it musta been all those waffle houses I had passed on rt 17. So if I want pancakes I want the best, I pull over and google best pancakes in Myrtle and find out I passed it 3 miles ago. Well I do hate backtracking on this trip so I go with the second best one just a mule down the road. They are slamming and I nerd to slam some calories, job well dine
But I realized I gotta take it easy in the eating, my first hour today was rough I was out of shape and kept thinking why the bike felt so heavy? It was because my heavy self ate too many bacon cheese burgers and burritos..haha. All good I'm definitely cutting down fat in my body as I was flexing in front of the campsite bathroom mirror today..haha
Coming in through Myrtle I realize it is a nice place just north of the middle of Myrtle there is some monster mansions and I'm awed riding down ocean drive taking it all in with glimpses of the ocean. Then I get to the middle of Myrtle and see cheap hotels for 40$ a night but my plan is to head to the south and get in the state park. I realize Myrtle is way bigger than I remember and i just want to setup and dip into the ocean. Finally I get my chance I hit the bathroom at the state park and change out of my riding shorts and hit the beach. I realize I dint have a towel but I remember from brazil on a nice beach with nice sand you dint need one. I lay right into the sand after getting out of th water and fall asleep. A good nap was had right there just like that I get up and jump back in the water.
My plan is to wait till dusk, like always, then slide into the campsite. So I walk along the boardwalk, check out the park, find some food, take a shower and then sneak into the camp. As I'm setting up a ranger slows up and gives me a look, I give a friendly hello like I'm supposed to be here and he moves on. Ya that's what I thought Mofo, I say under my breath. I set up camp then check out the wifi cafe where I am now writing this blog. Life is good I must say again.
I'm really excited for tomorrow, I ride 95 miles then setup at a house in downtown Charlestown I found on couch surfing .com. It turns out to be two girls and one of them is from Philly. So I'm looking forward tobmerting them and seeing that City I've heard so much about.
So I shoved out early am on the road by 8:30 with little or no wind today I covered 40 miles in 2 hours, and I was in north Myrtle by 12:30. That's when I got a serious craving for pancakes, it musta been all those waffle houses I had passed on rt 17. So if I want pancakes I want the best, I pull over and google best pancakes in Myrtle and find out I passed it 3 miles ago. Well I do hate backtracking on this trip so I go with the second best one just a mule down the road. They are slamming and I nerd to slam some calories, job well dine
But I realized I gotta take it easy in the eating, my first hour today was rough I was out of shape and kept thinking why the bike felt so heavy? It was because my heavy self ate too many bacon cheese burgers and burritos..haha. All good I'm definitely cutting down fat in my body as I was flexing in front of the campsite bathroom mirror today..haha
Coming in through Myrtle I realize it is a nice place just north of the middle of Myrtle there is some monster mansions and I'm awed riding down ocean drive taking it all in with glimpses of the ocean. Then I get to the middle of Myrtle and see cheap hotels for 40$ a night but my plan is to head to the south and get in the state park. I realize Myrtle is way bigger than I remember and i just want to setup and dip into the ocean. Finally I get my chance I hit the bathroom at the state park and change out of my riding shorts and hit the beach. I realize I dint have a towel but I remember from brazil on a nice beach with nice sand you dint need one. I lay right into the sand after getting out of th water and fall asleep. A good nap was had right there just like that I get up and jump back in the water.
My plan is to wait till dusk, like always, then slide into the campsite. So I walk along the boardwalk, check out the park, find some food, take a shower and then sneak into the camp. As I'm setting up a ranger slows up and gives me a look, I give a friendly hello like I'm supposed to be here and he moves on. Ya that's what I thought Mofo, I say under my breath. I set up camp then check out the wifi cafe where I am now writing this blog. Life is good I must say again.
I'm really excited for tomorrow, I ride 95 miles then setup at a house in downtown Charlestown I found on couch surfing .com. It turns out to be two girls and one of them is from Philly. So I'm looking forward tobmerting them and seeing that City I've heard so much about.
Wilmington
Well my stay in Wilmington is over and it's almost hard to leave this place. Yesterday I spent most of the day with my wonderful house mate host Julie. She took me to the bike shop where this awesome tech Brendan hooked me up once again. I had broke a spoke and he replaced it, trued my wheel, tuned up my bike and cleaned the chain for free. And did this all right on the spot I almost felt like VIP for a minute. I think people respect the journey and the person to take on that journey, admire it and are excited to help out and be a part of it in anyway.
So then Julie took me to wilmingtons best burrito joint called flaming Amy's where I had a burrito with shrimp and tuna, banging. Then on to the voted #2 best donught in the nation, britts in Carolina beach, also banging. Then back to the apt fir some tv and naptime.
We went to a young peoples meeting at 7:00 close by and Sara was chairing, the girl I met at icypaa. It was good the topic was humility. People here at the meetings are dead serious about their program not as hardcore as NYC but more intense then Philly.
I met tons of great people and we went out to another classic Wilmington restaurant after the meeting. By then some people heard about me and were aproaching me about the trip. I still cant believe that im the person other people are talking about in a good way. Its really cool! Rachid was a cool dude who ride to the meeting on his mophed! We talked for a bit and then he and his fiancé invited me and Sara to go to his storage yard to hang out in their 1990 school bus converted to a mobil party wagon. It was so cool and I learned school buses only cost 2500$!!! I want one and we also took it out for a spin, it had hardwood floors, couches, beds, tv it was so cool! They drove it cross country to the international cinvention I San Antonio loaded up with people.
So I came home slept good and now I'm packing up ready to ride the 75 to Myrtle beach.
I found a place to stay in charleston and savanah using couch surfing so I'm excited for that but today it's Myrtle beach
So then Julie took me to wilmingtons best burrito joint called flaming Amy's where I had a burrito with shrimp and tuna, banging. Then on to the voted #2 best donught in the nation, britts in Carolina beach, also banging. Then back to the apt fir some tv and naptime.
We went to a young peoples meeting at 7:00 close by and Sara was chairing, the girl I met at icypaa. It was good the topic was humility. People here at the meetings are dead serious about their program not as hardcore as NYC but more intense then Philly.
I met tons of great people and we went out to another classic Wilmington restaurant after the meeting. By then some people heard about me and were aproaching me about the trip. I still cant believe that im the person other people are talking about in a good way. Its really cool! Rachid was a cool dude who ride to the meeting on his mophed! We talked for a bit and then he and his fiancé invited me and Sara to go to his storage yard to hang out in their 1990 school bus converted to a mobil party wagon. It was so cool and I learned school buses only cost 2500$!!! I want one and we also took it out for a spin, it had hardwood floors, couches, beds, tv it was so cool! They drove it cross country to the international cinvention I San Antonio loaded up with people.
So I came home slept good and now I'm packing up ready to ride the 75 to Myrtle beach.
I found a place to stay in charleston and savanah using couch surfing so I'm excited for that but today it's Myrtle beach
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I hate the wind
Here is how you know it's windy outside.
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
I hate the wind
Here is how you know it's windy outside.
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
I hate the wind
Here is how you know it's windy outside.
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
1. Your riding along at 29mph and all of a sudden you just stop
2. Your cruising downhill and aren't going anywhere
3. Your earphones are ripped right out of your ears over and over again.
4. You spit and it's taken directly over your head or hits you in the face
5. You have to ride tuck the entire f-ing day
6. You can't stand up or else your instantly stopped in your tracks
7. You want to curse often, cry or flip the f out
8. You are yelling out loud to nobody
9. You cannot ride sitting back with your hands by your side
10. Every flag you see is stood up pointed directly at you.
Ok you get my point! I'm still fired up as i write this! But seriously I was questioning God today and his purpose if this wind!
I woke up after a great night of sleep in a farmers field and knew I had just 75 straight away miles until my friends house in Wilmington NC. Again I thought it to be an easy ride! Well honestly I'm broken down a little, I just don't have it physically today to deal with 20 mph gusts. But think about it I've been riding for 4 straight days camping out and doing about a hundred a day all not easy days. So by now I need a day of rest. And to make it worse most of the ride today didn't have a shoulder and drivers were not respecting my space. I really became furious today and for small stretches of time was hoping someone hit me or just scraped me so I could let them have it!...haha I'm sick I know but luckily it didn't happen. I really shouted at God today telling him I need some strength, patience and whatever else you wanna throw in there to help me complete the stretch.
Well we got it done. The highlight was riding by a military base and seeing tanks, jeeps and trucks filled with men training. I said a thank you to them prayer and recognized I was glad to not be them for a moment.
I knew I was getting close to Wilmington but I needed another break so I pull into a gas station. I'm seeing now people dint really take notice of me they kinda just treat my like a fly and shove me away...haha. But this one guy asks me what I'm up to. I tell him I've had enough of riding for the day and he tells me Wilmington is 15 miles away! Ffffff...I thought I was just a couple. He offers me a ride but I decline politely without even thought. Then I second guess it because I'm really physically shot, no power bar, powerade or whatever is gonna help me at this point! But I couldn't take a ride unless I'm broken or that bike is broken and we are going to remain in perfect health the whole way there!
So here I am waiting for my friend to come home outside their apt excited for a shower, couch, house, ride around in a car, laundry all the luxury items I've been without for a week. I'm going to eat like a king tonight. I've noticed my riding shorts are becoming loose on me and they were a snug fit when I left 5 days ago!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Out of the cape and back to civilization
The cape continues. I wake up today on the southern most part of the cape accessible by car. My morning pack up routine requires fixing a flat front tire that went during the night. I get it all together rather quickly and head off at 9:30. Say by to the neighbors and try to catch the 10:00 ferry to cedar island. I get there and make it on no problem. I was worried cause I saw somewhere to call ahead for a reservation. But I talked to a local the night before and they said no it won't be a problem. So for one the guy on a bike gets a reduced rate 3$ for the 23 mile 2.5 hour trip inland. And it's 12$ for a car and 1$ to walk on. I bonded with 2 Harley guys about seeing the world and what a gift and how beautiful it is. I liked them dudes they were rough on the outside but soft on the inside.
I'm excited to get off the cape and back to the mainland. Ocracoke was the highlight of the cape trip for me! But I already knew this, I need people, civilization, options, city life. Not that I didn't enjoy the outer banks cause I sure did!
Off the ferry I have 40 miles to the closest town and the first 20 were through a wildlife preserve which so far was the best ride!!! Just extremely serene landscapes not a person, car, gas station in sight for 20 miles. What beauty, what peace and the wind was at my back, I wad cruising at 22mph!
I get to a redneck gas station where people talk real funny and the water tastes strange too. I spit it out and refill at the next station. Before this day is over I managed to get 5 flat tires in the front. 3 of them were kinda my fault but after the first one I checked the inside and outside of the wheel and didn't find anything. Well after the third I looked a little harder and found the mofo. A tiny piece of glass wedged in there. I managed to work it out and god managed to give me the patience to not freak the f out in the process.
At 5:30 I find a nice little coffee shop to charge up the iPhone for the night, eat up and get water. As I knew tonight I was roughing it somewhere along the road. I come out to another flat tire! But I'm fed, washed up a bit and pretty calm to fix it. I borrow some guys ear sitting outside and say 6 flat tires in one day do you believe that? We talk about the trip and he is pretty wow'd by it all. He wishes me well, i do the same and we part ways.
So I know about 6:45 to start looking for a spot to live for the night. And I stress a little bit about this process. I don't like the woods I prefer an open secluded space. I see an electric tower back off the road, and a clear oath to it and behind it. I take a look back there and dint like it anymore so I abandon the location. 2 miles down the road I find what I'm looking for. Behind the tree line is a big open space. I get back there and there is some random farm equipment, old cars, trailor, and some hill Billy shit. I think hmmm...Billy Jo bob might be pissed If he thinks I'm back here messing with his treasure. So I steak out a little spot next to the back tree line and as Sion as it gets dark I'm pretty confident Billy jojo ain't coming in here tonight I setup shop. I watch the sunset bring in my power bar and water, which is your equivalent milk and cookies snack and settle in my tent. The stars are tremendous out here and I almost contemplated dropping 80$ for a comfort in up the road. Again the right decision was made I like camping out like this and saving $ is another one of my likes...haha
Tomorrow it's a mere 75 miles to Wilmington NC where I will stay for two days with a friend of a friend. I talked to the guy I'm staying with tonight on the phone and I'm excited to meet up with him and my other friend from Wilmington. Plan is to chill and see the city and Friday hit a meeting!
This trip rocks every stinking part of it!
I'm excited to get off the cape and back to the mainland. Ocracoke was the highlight of the cape trip for me! But I already knew this, I need people, civilization, options, city life. Not that I didn't enjoy the outer banks cause I sure did!
Off the ferry I have 40 miles to the closest town and the first 20 were through a wildlife preserve which so far was the best ride!!! Just extremely serene landscapes not a person, car, gas station in sight for 20 miles. What beauty, what peace and the wind was at my back, I wad cruising at 22mph!
I get to a redneck gas station where people talk real funny and the water tastes strange too. I spit it out and refill at the next station. Before this day is over I managed to get 5 flat tires in the front. 3 of them were kinda my fault but after the first one I checked the inside and outside of the wheel and didn't find anything. Well after the third I looked a little harder and found the mofo. A tiny piece of glass wedged in there. I managed to work it out and god managed to give me the patience to not freak the f out in the process.
At 5:30 I find a nice little coffee shop to charge up the iPhone for the night, eat up and get water. As I knew tonight I was roughing it somewhere along the road. I come out to another flat tire! But I'm fed, washed up a bit and pretty calm to fix it. I borrow some guys ear sitting outside and say 6 flat tires in one day do you believe that? We talk about the trip and he is pretty wow'd by it all. He wishes me well, i do the same and we part ways.
So I know about 6:45 to start looking for a spot to live for the night. And I stress a little bit about this process. I don't like the woods I prefer an open secluded space. I see an electric tower back off the road, and a clear oath to it and behind it. I take a look back there and dint like it anymore so I abandon the location. 2 miles down the road I find what I'm looking for. Behind the tree line is a big open space. I get back there and there is some random farm equipment, old cars, trailor, and some hill Billy shit. I think hmmm...Billy Jo bob might be pissed If he thinks I'm back here messing with his treasure. So I steak out a little spot next to the back tree line and as Sion as it gets dark I'm pretty confident Billy jojo ain't coming in here tonight I setup shop. I watch the sunset bring in my power bar and water, which is your equivalent milk and cookies snack and settle in my tent. The stars are tremendous out here and I almost contemplated dropping 80$ for a comfort in up the road. Again the right decision was made I like camping out like this and saving $ is another one of my likes...haha
Tomorrow it's a mere 75 miles to Wilmington NC where I will stay for two days with a friend of a friend. I talked to the guy I'm staying with tonight on the phone and I'm excited to meet up with him and my other friend from Wilmington. Plan is to chill and see the city and Friday hit a meeting!
This trip rocks every stinking part of it!
Just a 60 mile trip..
So a little 60 mile joint this morning will get me to my next destination at ocrakoke island. I'm pretty sure that's where and after meeting and talking to my camper neighbor it's confirmed. I saw this guy roll in late last night and then get a chance to chat with him this morning. My man is high as a kite and his eyes are hardly opened, he has the biggest reddest fluffiest beard I've ever seen, and more mosquito bites than I've ever seen on one human being. He tells me that ocrakoke is real chill and there is spirits on the beach that you can feel, partly because Blackbeard was killed there. That all kinda sounds believable even coming from this stoned dude so I'm in!
Before I leave the campsite I get stopped by another camper who is curious of my rig and asks where I've been coming from. I love talking to people who understand the power of a journey. He is awed by the length of my trip and we talk bike stuff for a bit. He tells me the 3 mile bridge I have to cross today has no shoulder and on the other side there is a couple inches of standing water from the rains a couple days ago. Oh crap I say and head off not thrilled for this encounter. He asks me if there is anything I need, like a ride somewhere or food just let him know. I will always remember how people stretch themselves out to help somebody in a trip like this. That will forever be with me and in turn I will forever offer that to others I may encounter in the future. Great lesson learned.
Well I find the 3 mile bridge is beautiful and has a 3 foot shoulder and the roadway ahead is merely wet, no standing water. Moral of the story is don't believe it till you see it.
What I do believe is I've encountered the fierce cape winds I've only heard about today. That 60 mile trip took twice as long and was a grueling ride at some points with much cursing involved, a little reliance on God and lots of water we got it done. As I pull into ocracoke a local says, "wow not a good day to be biking those winds are strong today" no kidding buddy but at least it doesn't make me feel like such a wuss if even he said they are strong.
It's nice riding without a shirt because it's so hot down here I haven't rode with one in a couple days. And if it's up to me I'll never put one on. Most of you know where I stand on the shirt policy. It's my god given right as an option in public to have to wear one so there fore when it's wicked hot outside why wear one?
So halfway through my ride today I'm super hungry and stop for lunch. I pull into a gas station and there is a restaurant next to it. I look at the menu and don't see much but contemplate a 15$ crab cake sandwich?? I choose option B a box of poptarts from the gas station for 3$. Clearly the better pick and saving 15$ made me smile for an hour!
Along the way I peak my head in at some beaches along the cape, very far from civilization and only a few beach goers. These beaches were incredible, man I wanted to spend the day there so much uninterrupted all natural beauty in there.
I finally arrive at the free ferry to ocracoke it's a nice scenic 40 minute ride. I settle into the air condition cushy lounge plug my phone in and sit back and chill. I've earned it!
So the first place I stop in ocracoke sells, beer, wine, food, campsites, basically whatever you need. I take a turkey wrap, carrot cake, Gatorade, waterproofing spray for my tent and a campsite outback. Onestop shopping!
The guys staying right next to me are from a town I ride through called kill devils hill. One guy is a chef and they invite me to join for dinner. I can't say no. We eate corn on the cob, baked potatoes, spareribs with chipolte, brown sugar, blueberry wine glaze....outstanding Good guys we talked by the fire until late in the morning, laughing and making fun of each other.
I go to bed with earphones in and sleep like a rock, the best sleep I've ever had in the tent. Until I wake up cooking in that thing with the sun beaming in me.
I haven't had cellphone service in a day or so. I'm heading off the island and pass through the main town of ocracoke. It's beautiful this is certainly a place I would come back to and spend a week. I almost dint want to leave but it's onward! I board a ferry to cedar island and have no idea what I'm doing tonight. Without cellphone service I wasn't able to plan ahead so I'm hoping to just figure it out as I get my signal back.
Before I leave the campsite I get stopped by another camper who is curious of my rig and asks where I've been coming from. I love talking to people who understand the power of a journey. He is awed by the length of my trip and we talk bike stuff for a bit. He tells me the 3 mile bridge I have to cross today has no shoulder and on the other side there is a couple inches of standing water from the rains a couple days ago. Oh crap I say and head off not thrilled for this encounter. He asks me if there is anything I need, like a ride somewhere or food just let him know. I will always remember how people stretch themselves out to help somebody in a trip like this. That will forever be with me and in turn I will forever offer that to others I may encounter in the future. Great lesson learned.
Well I find the 3 mile bridge is beautiful and has a 3 foot shoulder and the roadway ahead is merely wet, no standing water. Moral of the story is don't believe it till you see it.
What I do believe is I've encountered the fierce cape winds I've only heard about today. That 60 mile trip took twice as long and was a grueling ride at some points with much cursing involved, a little reliance on God and lots of water we got it done. As I pull into ocracoke a local says, "wow not a good day to be biking those winds are strong today" no kidding buddy but at least it doesn't make me feel like such a wuss if even he said they are strong.
It's nice riding without a shirt because it's so hot down here I haven't rode with one in a couple days. And if it's up to me I'll never put one on. Most of you know where I stand on the shirt policy. It's my god given right as an option in public to have to wear one so there fore when it's wicked hot outside why wear one?
So halfway through my ride today I'm super hungry and stop for lunch. I pull into a gas station and there is a restaurant next to it. I look at the menu and don't see much but contemplate a 15$ crab cake sandwich?? I choose option B a box of poptarts from the gas station for 3$. Clearly the better pick and saving 15$ made me smile for an hour!
Along the way I peak my head in at some beaches along the cape, very far from civilization and only a few beach goers. These beaches were incredible, man I wanted to spend the day there so much uninterrupted all natural beauty in there.
I finally arrive at the free ferry to ocracoke it's a nice scenic 40 minute ride. I settle into the air condition cushy lounge plug my phone in and sit back and chill. I've earned it!
So the first place I stop in ocracoke sells, beer, wine, food, campsites, basically whatever you need. I take a turkey wrap, carrot cake, Gatorade, waterproofing spray for my tent and a campsite outback. Onestop shopping!
The guys staying right next to me are from a town I ride through called kill devils hill. One guy is a chef and they invite me to join for dinner. I can't say no. We eate corn on the cob, baked potatoes, spareribs with chipolte, brown sugar, blueberry wine glaze....outstanding Good guys we talked by the fire until late in the morning, laughing and making fun of each other.
I go to bed with earphones in and sleep like a rock, the best sleep I've ever had in the tent. Until I wake up cooking in that thing with the sun beaming in me.
I haven't had cellphone service in a day or so. I'm heading off the island and pass through the main town of ocracoke. It's beautiful this is certainly a place I would come back to and spend a week. I almost dint want to leave but it's onward! I board a ferry to cedar island and have no idea what I'm doing tonight. Without cellphone service I wasn't able to plan ahead so I'm hoping to just figure it out as I get my signal back.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Made it, outer banks
So I had some minor hesitation starting out this morning, that it wasn't going to be easy to cross the north Carolina border. My first road fails me because it cuts through a military base where hay are launching fighter jets into the air that almost explode your ear drums. So my iPhone renavigates the roads for me because I couldn't get into the military base. But the iPhone comes through.
I ride through a small town with windswept sand all over the road. It's one road with houses on both sides. Sandpiper road and everybody names their house like people name boats. I though it was cute, it inspired to name my bike, Zelda, because the kid who rides it is a legend...haha.
I ride into back bay wildlife refuge, it costs me 2$ and there are tons of neat looking exotic birds but I don't know crap about birds so I just say oh that's nice and ride right on through.
Then it's onto false cape state park, this is where I knew it would get tricky. The ranger assures me I could cross into the NC cape. He says it's about 6 miles and I may encounter 2 sand dunes I might not be able to ride through. Well 2 didn't seem so bad I think. But the problem is once I cross the state line it will be about 1pm and high tide is at 1pm. He says my best bet will be getting to the beach and riding it during low tide. I think well one obstacle at a time and start on my way through the false cape trail. 5 miles in I have to admit it was a remarkable ride not a person in site and just beautiful. I encounter my first sand dune with about 1.5 miles to go. It's bad real deep and walking the bike that has about 80 lbs of gear on it is a monster task. The bugs start buzzing and sticking to my sweat covered head. I rip my helmet off and start cursing....hahaha. This is funny now! I knew I only had to put up with it a mile or two and I asked god why he was making me suffer, he said if it was easy everybody would do it. I said oh ya right good point.
I fight on through and make it out into NC after hoisting my bike over a 6' horse fence. I drop into NC and think now WTF? I see horses and deer and sand roads??? Which way? I pull out my little paper map from the ranger and see the way to the beach.
Pushing my bike on the beach for a bit in midday is tough work! I remove my shoes and jump into the ocean much better now. Back to pushing on the compact sand close to the water waiting for my redneck saint to carry me to highway 12. It's about 10 miles from where I am. I'm wAlking barefoot with my shoes wedged somewhere on my bike. Probably about 20 mins later I see there is a shoe missing. F$&@! I look back and see it !, leaving the bike behind and run up to it. When a guy in a white pickup pulls up heading my direction. I tell him my situation and he says ya no problem! He was just on his way to the local hardware store and driving on corova beach is the only way to get there from his house! Awesome!
I get my lift to the pavement and I'm glad to be back on the bike doing my thing. I ride through kitty hawk, naggs head, and I'm not that impressed. It's nice and all but I think I was expecting more. So 50 more miles till my destination, Oregon inlet camping ground. I make it! Get there late there was nobody at the desk to register so I get another free night sleep.
While setting up the bike tent an older man approached me in amazement of the tent, we start talking. He just completed an 800 mile ride across NC. Nice guy he is he hands me about 20 power bars! He said he never wants to eat another one again, having just lived off them for 3 weeks. I gladly accept. I take a cold shower because there is no warm water and settle in to an evening inside my tent because the mosquitoes are pretty bad outside.
I ride through a small town with windswept sand all over the road. It's one road with houses on both sides. Sandpiper road and everybody names their house like people name boats. I though it was cute, it inspired to name my bike, Zelda, because the kid who rides it is a legend...haha.
I ride into back bay wildlife refuge, it costs me 2$ and there are tons of neat looking exotic birds but I don't know crap about birds so I just say oh that's nice and ride right on through.
Then it's onto false cape state park, this is where I knew it would get tricky. The ranger assures me I could cross into the NC cape. He says it's about 6 miles and I may encounter 2 sand dunes I might not be able to ride through. Well 2 didn't seem so bad I think. But the problem is once I cross the state line it will be about 1pm and high tide is at 1pm. He says my best bet will be getting to the beach and riding it during low tide. I think well one obstacle at a time and start on my way through the false cape trail. 5 miles in I have to admit it was a remarkable ride not a person in site and just beautiful. I encounter my first sand dune with about 1.5 miles to go. It's bad real deep and walking the bike that has about 80 lbs of gear on it is a monster task. The bugs start buzzing and sticking to my sweat covered head. I rip my helmet off and start cursing....hahaha. This is funny now! I knew I only had to put up with it a mile or two and I asked god why he was making me suffer, he said if it was easy everybody would do it. I said oh ya right good point.
I fight on through and make it out into NC after hoisting my bike over a 6' horse fence. I drop into NC and think now WTF? I see horses and deer and sand roads??? Which way? I pull out my little paper map from the ranger and see the way to the beach.
Pushing my bike on the beach for a bit in midday is tough work! I remove my shoes and jump into the ocean much better now. Back to pushing on the compact sand close to the water waiting for my redneck saint to carry me to highway 12. It's about 10 miles from where I am. I'm wAlking barefoot with my shoes wedged somewhere on my bike. Probably about 20 mins later I see there is a shoe missing. F$&@! I look back and see it !, leaving the bike behind and run up to it. When a guy in a white pickup pulls up heading my direction. I tell him my situation and he says ya no problem! He was just on his way to the local hardware store and driving on corova beach is the only way to get there from his house! Awesome!
I get my lift to the pavement and I'm glad to be back on the bike doing my thing. I ride through kitty hawk, naggs head, and I'm not that impressed. It's nice and all but I think I was expecting more. So 50 more miles till my destination, Oregon inlet camping ground. I make it! Get there late there was nobody at the desk to register so I get another free night sleep.
While setting up the bike tent an older man approached me in amazement of the tent, we start talking. He just completed an 800 mile ride across NC. Nice guy he is he hands me about 20 power bars! He said he never wants to eat another one again, having just lived off them for 3 weeks. I gladly accept. I take a cold shower because there is no warm water and settle in to an evening inside my tent because the mosquitoes are pretty bad outside.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Along walk in the rain....
Well it was more like a drizzle. But something happened to me while walking on the deserted boardwalk. I had a moment where I came to realize where exactly I am and just how I got there. I'm 350 miles from home by myself, with only my next destination ahead on my mind. I arrived here by my bicycle the same bike i ride around my neighborhood for the last 6 years and here it sits in virginia beach. Plus it cost me nothing to arrive here, no gas, no plane no train just pedal power. This isn't your ordinary way of travel but I swear to you I have not a worry in the world! Today on that boardwalk I've reached a place filled with maximum grattitude, peacefulness, contentedness, joy, excitement, amazement!
It started this morning when a friend from new York city texted me an AA meeting schedule in va beach. I went to a 10am meeting. There was this guy Jim celebrating a year of the good life! He was with his wife kierston and I asked them for a list back to my hotel 12 blocks away. Before I left the car we had a good talk about life he asked me for my info and I gave him the blog link and he also demanded I give him an autograph...haha. Stepping out of that car it hit me how mofo blessed I am. To be me with everything I've got. And I'm not just talking about this trip just in general. I challenge you right now to find 10 things your greateful for and if you do how easy it will be to find 10 more.
I then walked into a sports bar for lunch and some NFL action. I met David who was sitting right next to me and use to play ball for the redskins. We chatted a bit and he was playing text game with a "hot chic" from last night who he met wasted at the club. Listening to it brings me back to my old life of insanity and reminds me how better off I am without it all.
So today I spend chilling around the hostel resting up. I meet my roomate Robbie a cool kid from England. Tonights his last night here on the U.S. And he is spending it with a girl he met here in Virginia beach. Isn't it way more interesting meeting people and seeing what they are up to then worrying about my own life.
Tomorrow my ride starts with a call to cape hatteras national seashore to see how often the ferries are running. I was thinking about asking them how to go about my ride. But most conservists say you can't do it it's too hard and the roads don't connect. But the info I got from ray at the bike shop is what I'm relying on. Ride straight down into the cape, past a small town, follow the pine needle path into the wilderness for 10 miles. When it ends you will come out into a redneck town that doesn't have roads only sand roads with 4x4 vehicles. There you will look for somebody and tell them your story. Here is the risky part. I need to ask them for a lift 10 miles down the sand to connect me to route 12. If this part happens I'm home free! I'm not even gonna mention plan B because I'm thinking positive that plan A will happen.
Once I connect back to 12 I'm in for the ride of a lifetime 100 miles of outerbank beaches relying on two ferries to connect me back to the mainland. I'm thinking about making this a 2 day trip with camping out one night in the state park. I'm freaking thrilled right now for tomorrow morning! What's beautiful about this is there is now way you could have planned this from Philly. No map would have showed you the pine needle trail. And no where on the Internet did it say go to the town of sand roads and ask a redneck in a pickup for a lift through town. People are incredible, more importantly or even bigger is God who will strategically place the elements of information and the right people to deliver them to you when you step out and live by that reliance on faith!
After that it's on to Wilmington NC to see a friend I met at icypaa in NYC. Then Myrtle beach. Right now Florida isn't even in the planning stages I'm just gonna take it like 1 or 2 rides at a time.
It started this morning when a friend from new York city texted me an AA meeting schedule in va beach. I went to a 10am meeting. There was this guy Jim celebrating a year of the good life! He was with his wife kierston and I asked them for a list back to my hotel 12 blocks away. Before I left the car we had a good talk about life he asked me for my info and I gave him the blog link and he also demanded I give him an autograph...haha. Stepping out of that car it hit me how mofo blessed I am. To be me with everything I've got. And I'm not just talking about this trip just in general. I challenge you right now to find 10 things your greateful for and if you do how easy it will be to find 10 more.
I then walked into a sports bar for lunch and some NFL action. I met David who was sitting right next to me and use to play ball for the redskins. We chatted a bit and he was playing text game with a "hot chic" from last night who he met wasted at the club. Listening to it brings me back to my old life of insanity and reminds me how better off I am without it all.
So today I spend chilling around the hostel resting up. I meet my roomate Robbie a cool kid from England. Tonights his last night here on the U.S. And he is spending it with a girl he met here in Virginia beach. Isn't it way more interesting meeting people and seeing what they are up to then worrying about my own life.
Tomorrow my ride starts with a call to cape hatteras national seashore to see how often the ferries are running. I was thinking about asking them how to go about my ride. But most conservists say you can't do it it's too hard and the roads don't connect. But the info I got from ray at the bike shop is what I'm relying on. Ride straight down into the cape, past a small town, follow the pine needle path into the wilderness for 10 miles. When it ends you will come out into a redneck town that doesn't have roads only sand roads with 4x4 vehicles. There you will look for somebody and tell them your story. Here is the risky part. I need to ask them for a lift 10 miles down the sand to connect me to route 12. If this part happens I'm home free! I'm not even gonna mention plan B because I'm thinking positive that plan A will happen.
Once I connect back to 12 I'm in for the ride of a lifetime 100 miles of outerbank beaches relying on two ferries to connect me back to the mainland. I'm thinking about making this a 2 day trip with camping out one night in the state park. I'm freaking thrilled right now for tomorrow morning! What's beautiful about this is there is now way you could have planned this from Philly. No map would have showed you the pine needle trail. And no where on the Internet did it say go to the town of sand roads and ask a redneck in a pickup for a lift through town. People are incredible, more importantly or even bigger is God who will strategically place the elements of information and the right people to deliver them to you when you step out and live by that reliance on faith!
After that it's on to Wilmington NC to see a friend I met at icypaa in NYC. Then Myrtle beach. Right now Florida isn't even in the planning stages I'm just gonna take it like 1 or 2 rides at a time.
It all worked out beautifully
Wow, is really the one word to sum up my day yesterday. Well I still don't really believe it but I rode the entire del-mar-va peninsula yesterday. 130 miles into 10mph winds, this is incredible for me. Ya know I really believed in myself about 10 miles into the ride and it happened.
Riding route 13 the entire way I saw way backwoods things. And it's amazing how much stuff you find on the shoulder of a road, mostly various tools that I would pick up but I don't want to be hauling the weight. So my ride is pretty decent, mostly countryside, then temperature is good, gas stations to fill up drinks are no too rare, body is feeling good, then about 80 miles in.....
Flat tire in the back, which is more difficult then a flat in the front but anyway. I take off all my gear attached to the bike, remove the wheel and then notice I have a broken spoke! Not cool because I forgot spokes. Having a broken spoke makes the wheel wobble like it's bent. So I replace the flat, put the wheel back on and then see it wobbles so much it doesn't clear my brake pad! Now I'm not real happy I'm in the middle of nowhere and know it's not even asking if there is a bike shop around because I can guarantee there isn't! I end up just completely disconnecting the back brake because trying to true the wheel with the neighboring spokes was taking too long. So I over inflate the wheel and get back on the road moving pretty good again but feeling a little uneasy about my ghetto fix.
I finally see a sign I like 30 miles to the bay bridge and tunnel. I call ahead and tell the toll authority I'm about 2 hours out and need a lift across. I did some research on this before I left and knew what I had to do. They say not a problem see you soon and were very nice. I get there and wait out back for my ride. Charles shows up in a pickup truck we load the bike in and pull around so I can pay the toll, ok I'm not complaining about 12$. At this point I melt into the pickup seat because for the last 3 hours this moment was front and center on my mind! It's a nice ride across and I just kinda zone out for a minute before the stressing starts.
I get across and the plan was to stay with a friend but that connection failed me so now I need to find a place. I call a hostel on the side of the road and book a hotel room with them for 60$ a night right in the middle of the action! Great! But priority #1 is fixing this freaking bike!
I iPhone bike shops and find one on my way to the hotel but now it's 5:30 Saturday and my fear is there closing soon and probably not open tomorrow. And in the meantime I get a slow leak in the back tire that requires pimping up every 20 minutes. Ok people right now I've had enough riding for today, enough of it all, but I know how vital it is to get to a bike shop and get this fixed asap. Oh and by the way I don't know how I'm still riding because my legs are at about 10%. so first bike shop closed, but they recommend another open till 8 but 5 miles away. I ride there in about 10 minutes somehow. I meet a guy named ray, tell him my situation and we get started on my bike right away. He even goes over the whole bike and finds another minor problem with my handlebars. He and the other tech Rhett are real cool dudes and they give me info on my next portion of the ride. So it's now dark I'm all fixed up for 20$ and I leave to find my hotel.
Another 5 freaking miles to it, and I have a pretty dangerous encounter with a speeding Ferrari. But anyway I get there safely and check in. Wow I have arrived my very own hard earned hotel room, amazing. I shower up and walk out to the beach and boardwalk 1 block away kinda feeling like a zombie. Eat some pizza take a look around and head back to the room for the highly anticipated bed time. I decide to stay in Virginia beach for another day because there us rain on the way and my legs are screaming at me. Tomorrow I move to the hostel bed for 20$
Riding route 13 the entire way I saw way backwoods things. And it's amazing how much stuff you find on the shoulder of a road, mostly various tools that I would pick up but I don't want to be hauling the weight. So my ride is pretty decent, mostly countryside, then temperature is good, gas stations to fill up drinks are no too rare, body is feeling good, then about 80 miles in.....
Flat tire in the back, which is more difficult then a flat in the front but anyway. I take off all my gear attached to the bike, remove the wheel and then notice I have a broken spoke! Not cool because I forgot spokes. Having a broken spoke makes the wheel wobble like it's bent. So I replace the flat, put the wheel back on and then see it wobbles so much it doesn't clear my brake pad! Now I'm not real happy I'm in the middle of nowhere and know it's not even asking if there is a bike shop around because I can guarantee there isn't! I end up just completely disconnecting the back brake because trying to true the wheel with the neighboring spokes was taking too long. So I over inflate the wheel and get back on the road moving pretty good again but feeling a little uneasy about my ghetto fix.
I finally see a sign I like 30 miles to the bay bridge and tunnel. I call ahead and tell the toll authority I'm about 2 hours out and need a lift across. I did some research on this before I left and knew what I had to do. They say not a problem see you soon and were very nice. I get there and wait out back for my ride. Charles shows up in a pickup truck we load the bike in and pull around so I can pay the toll, ok I'm not complaining about 12$. At this point I melt into the pickup seat because for the last 3 hours this moment was front and center on my mind! It's a nice ride across and I just kinda zone out for a minute before the stressing starts.
I get across and the plan was to stay with a friend but that connection failed me so now I need to find a place. I call a hostel on the side of the road and book a hotel room with them for 60$ a night right in the middle of the action! Great! But priority #1 is fixing this freaking bike!
I iPhone bike shops and find one on my way to the hotel but now it's 5:30 Saturday and my fear is there closing soon and probably not open tomorrow. And in the meantime I get a slow leak in the back tire that requires pimping up every 20 minutes. Ok people right now I've had enough riding for today, enough of it all, but I know how vital it is to get to a bike shop and get this fixed asap. Oh and by the way I don't know how I'm still riding because my legs are at about 10%. so first bike shop closed, but they recommend another open till 8 but 5 miles away. I ride there in about 10 minutes somehow. I meet a guy named ray, tell him my situation and we get started on my bike right away. He even goes over the whole bike and finds another minor problem with my handlebars. He and the other tech Rhett are real cool dudes and they give me info on my next portion of the ride. So it's now dark I'm all fixed up for 20$ and I leave to find my hotel.
Another 5 freaking miles to it, and I have a pretty dangerous encounter with a speeding Ferrari. But anyway I get there safely and check in. Wow I have arrived my very own hard earned hotel room, amazing. I shower up and walk out to the beach and boardwalk 1 block away kinda feeling like a zombie. Eat some pizza take a look around and head back to the room for the highly anticipated bed time. I decide to stay in Virginia beach for another day because there us rain on the way and my legs are screaming at me. Tomorrow I move to the hostel bed for 20$
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Spaghetti and meatballs
So glad about the decision to stay in assateague last night. While chilling in the stuffy smelly mens restrooms waiting for my iPod to charge my neighbor camper introduced himself. He said hey are you the kid that snuck in with that bike tent thing?, you alone? Yes and yes was my answers. He invited me over to join his camp. Well they are all from Chester county, and his Italian wife Monica insisted I eat some hot food. Spaghetti and meatballs it was, ya know I dint turn down food. So we all enjoyed a great night around the campfire, beautiful. Thanks Monica, bob and they're wise cracking friend Alexis.
I grab a morning coffee and a muffin from my great new camping family. Then some high-power electronic music powered me through 30 miles quickly. I ride through a small town called sno hill with about 3 houses a city hall and a supermarket. And somebody was cooking bacon cause I'm on a bike and hungry the scent stayed with me for about a mile sown the road. So today I'm borrowing the shoulder on Maryland route 611, 376, 113 and Virginia 13.
It seems everybody I meet and talk with is truly inspired. From ages 60 to 10 they all say pretty much the same thing...they are envious and wish they could do this. That tells me I'm where I'm supposed to be. Now if my mom could just see it this way...haha. Thanks again to my friends who have inspired me to write more! I'm liking it
So my rest stop at Arbys is about through, just had a good pecan salad sandwich I would def recommend it! Fill up my bottles and hit the road. I don't know how much farther to Virginia beach but right now I don't want to know!
Oh ya one more thing, so I already know impatience and carelessness will take me out of this trip. So this morning as I'm being impatient going through my disasemble of my tent that takes only 20 mins. I gingerly jam (force) my tent back through the break cables onto the handlebars and sever the computer wire. Idiot!... So I attempt to ghetto rig it back, because that's how I fix stuff, doing it the right way just takes too long..haha. So I connect it back and can't get it to work, which sucks cause it gives me something to look at and play with on the bike. Without it I don't know my milage or speed. So I gotta go I can't mess with it all day. I accept it ain't gonna work all day, ten miles into the ride I look down and it's working. Magical, but so is the universe and the planet when your nice to it. Love this place!
It seems everybody
I grab a morning coffee and a muffin from my great new camping family. Then some high-power electronic music powered me through 30 miles quickly. I ride through a small town called sno hill with about 3 houses a city hall and a supermarket. And somebody was cooking bacon cause I'm on a bike and hungry the scent stayed with me for about a mile sown the road. So today I'm borrowing the shoulder on Maryland route 611, 376, 113 and Virginia 13.
It seems everybody I meet and talk with is truly inspired. From ages 60 to 10 they all say pretty much the same thing...they are envious and wish they could do this. That tells me I'm where I'm supposed to be. Now if my mom could just see it this way...haha. Thanks again to my friends who have inspired me to write more! I'm liking it
So my rest stop at Arbys is about through, just had a good pecan salad sandwich I would def recommend it! Fill up my bottles and hit the road. I don't know how much farther to Virginia beach but right now I don't want to know!
Oh ya one more thing, so I already know impatience and carelessness will take me out of this trip. So this morning as I'm being impatient going through my disasemble of my tent that takes only 20 mins. I gingerly jam (force) my tent back through the break cables onto the handlebars and sever the computer wire. Idiot!... So I attempt to ghetto rig it back, because that's how I fix stuff, doing it the right way just takes too long..haha. So I connect it back and can't get it to work, which sucks cause it gives me something to look at and play with on the bike. Without it I don't know my milage or speed. So I gotta go I can't mess with it all day. I accept it ain't gonna work all day, ten miles into the ride I look down and it's working. Magical, but so is the universe and the planet when your nice to it. Love this place!
It seems everybody
Friday, September 10, 2010
Day 2
This just keeps getting better really! And it was already awesome. I woke up kinda wet from condensation in my tent and then kinda had to sneak out of the shed factory behind which I was staying because there was a pickup moving equipment close by but this is an adventure and it's mine so why not. I woke up super startled because I thought a plane was crashing into me. Well it wasn't crashing but it was a farmer dusting his crops, and was actually really cool. I rode 20 miles and pulled over at a produce stand to buy me some oeaches for breakfast. Good call. Then onto lewes Delaware for a little coffee shop action. Found
The place I was looking for accidentally and what a find it was. I got a puffin muffin which is a croissant crust with a blueberry muffin inside it. The owner was such a nice lady she was busy roasting beans and hustling around but stopped to help me. Some lady came in and gave the owner flowers. She explained "you probably don't remember me but one day I came in for coffee and didn't have enough money, you said just take it but I say these flowers are now for you." that blew me away.
I then talked to a couple people and they convinced me to go to cape hatteras!! So I'm going.
Back on the road 30 more miles to ocean city, I pass through rehobeth, Dewey, Bethany, then ocean city. I really took my time today for some reason probably cause I started out early. Then I hit a Starbucks charge the iPods, relax on a sofa (what a luxury) wash my face, talk to two old guys. They tell me it's 55 miles to chincoteague and it doesn't connect to assateague. That's bad news because I was hoping to be to chincoteague tonight. I have 3 hours to ride 55 miles, it's kinda windy already...forget it!, I would have been pissed off the whole way!
So because I'm easy breezy I decide to go to assateague which is only 10 away. It turns out to be the right call! Amazing views as I'm crossing a bike only bridge. I see the ponies already. Check in to a camp site and hit the beach! Oh and get to shower with hot water (another luxury)
So tonight I take it easy, fortunately my campsite is right on the beach, waves crashing with a breeze blowing through my tent, again this life is not bad.
But tomorrow my goal is to ride 130 miles into Virginia beach! That's big for me but I hear the winds are out of the east and it is doable as long as I get out there at the crack, but we'll see.
The place I was looking for accidentally and what a find it was. I got a puffin muffin which is a croissant crust with a blueberry muffin inside it. The owner was such a nice lady she was busy roasting beans and hustling around but stopped to help me. Some lady came in and gave the owner flowers. She explained "you probably don't remember me but one day I came in for coffee and didn't have enough money, you said just take it but I say these flowers are now for you." that blew me away.
I then talked to a couple people and they convinced me to go to cape hatteras!! So I'm going.
Back on the road 30 more miles to ocean city, I pass through rehobeth, Dewey, Bethany, then ocean city. I really took my time today for some reason probably cause I started out early. Then I hit a Starbucks charge the iPods, relax on a sofa (what a luxury) wash my face, talk to two old guys. They tell me it's 55 miles to chincoteague and it doesn't connect to assateague. That's bad news because I was hoping to be to chincoteague tonight. I have 3 hours to ride 55 miles, it's kinda windy already...forget it!, I would have been pissed off the whole way!
So because I'm easy breezy I decide to go to assateague which is only 10 away. It turns out to be the right call! Amazing views as I'm crossing a bike only bridge. I see the ponies already. Check in to a camp site and hit the beach! Oh and get to shower with hot water (another luxury)
So tonight I take it easy, fortunately my campsite is right on the beach, waves crashing with a breeze blowing through my tent, again this life is not bad.
But tomorrow my goal is to ride 130 miles into Virginia beach! That's big for me but I hear the winds are out of the east and it is doable as long as I get out there at the crack, but we'll see.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Alone in the woods
Well not really I'm camped out behind a shed factory outside of Milford deleware. I rode 100 miles today 40 with some serious wind and I feel great. Once I got out of Philly I was seriously inspired. Plus it was trash day in west Philly and that stank. I rode route 9 from outside Wilmington. That rode was awesome huge bridge with a bike lane, nice views of the fields and glimpses at the ocean. I basically didn't eat much today but spent about 10$ on powerade. I'm camped out facing my fear of the dark but I got a sweet spot. Tomorrow I hit the beaches and prob set up on assateague somewhere. Today really could have not gone better, except the 1 hour intense stomachache...don't know where that came from. I have total confidence in that bike that me and it will arrive safely in Miami. I def packed too much food the bike is tons heavy, but it and the hills were no match for me cause I'm a beast!...haha
here we go
Well its game time, i think i might have packed a bit too much food, but this kid likes to eat. Once i get started i should be good to go. Day one Im leaving my house at about 11am and hope to ride 80 miles and setup outside dover delaware somewhere dark and safe. No turning back now. I do have some healthy fear going on right now, maybe a little stronger than I'd like but I'm about to face that right now. Cant wait to see what kind of breakthroughs are just ahead.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
packed
Ipod stacked...backup ipod stacked...dry goods packed...clothes packed. I havent rode in over a week on purpose. i wanted to let myself recover well, I guzzled massive amounts of powerade and water today in hopes that I wont have to drink as much tomorrow. I just hope i didnt eat too much junk food in the last week, I've kind of been packing it in. Within 3 hours I will be in tip top shape ready for this challange. I plan to ride 50% of the time standing up the first day, i gotta take it easy on the cheeks, I'm expecting alot out of them and dont want to piss them off the first day.
The last bit of fear about the unknown and camping in the dark in the middle of nowhere is diminishing and turning itself into little kid at christmas excitement. That process is amazing how its happening. I have always been scared of the freaking dark..haha I'm really grateful for my faith, i think that is the glue that keeps me together sometimes and helps me resist the urge to freak the f out.
Well thats it Im planned out and counting on the iphone to get the rest of the job done. First day i want to ride 80 and setup camp somewhere past dover delaware in the middle of nowhere, i might even make it to a tiny little beach and post up. Sleeping in a tent with a breeze blowing through on the sand listening to waves crashing is what I'm after.
The last bit of fear about the unknown and camping in the dark in the middle of nowhere is diminishing and turning itself into little kid at christmas excitement. That process is amazing how its happening. I have always been scared of the freaking dark..haha I'm really grateful for my faith, i think that is the glue that keeps me together sometimes and helps me resist the urge to freak the f out.
Well thats it Im planned out and counting on the iphone to get the rest of the job done. First day i want to ride 80 and setup camp somewhere past dover delaware in the middle of nowhere, i might even make it to a tiny little beach and post up. Sleeping in a tent with a breeze blowing through on the sand listening to waves crashing is what I'm after.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
before it even starts
I have been preparing for this trip for about two months. Mostly mentally but also compiling the gear and doing some 2 day training rides. But i sit here with one last full day of rest ahead of me. I'm kinda bored out of my mind right now. I want to begin but feel like thursday is the right day to do so. So the question is what do I do with my last 2 days? I know there is going to be something I will forget but at this point f-it! I just want to start! I am eager to begin this chapter of my life already certain it will shape my future in some way, but doesnt everything?
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