This blog was written entirely via iPhone, most of it on the side of the road hiding out in air-conditioned fast food restaurants or pulled over in the ditch long enough to spit out a thought. My spelling has never been great and autocorrect has not been my friend. There are also many things left out I promised to add in once I arrived home safe and sound (didn't want my mom to read some of the hairy situations and make me come home).
So please excuse the grammatical mistakes and hopefully soon I'll find time to finish the stories and tell what REALLY happened..
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
July 19
Well I woke up in time, 5:05 in the morning, and let me tell you, yuck. I hopped in the shower then crawled up the bed next to me to pull the light switch on. I gathered my stuff as quietly as possible. Going from a bike trip to a backpacking on is difficult with four paniers a handlebar bag, tarps and a tent. I condensed them as much as possible but it's still a handful. I started by piling all the bags outside the hostel door and then carrying an armful out to where the French girls were standing at the road.
I lost my key and had to get another one o get back in the gate to grab my other bags. God thing I had fifteen minutes to spare.
At the curb trying to communicate with the French girls so early in the morning was killing my brain with the French, English, italian jarble we used.
Our bus just went by, that was something we didn't need words to understand. Danielle went into the road and just watches it go. I tried to call the number but the connection was bad. I'm to tired to care much so went back to organizing.
Danielle is in the road again falling her arms. A huge supertours bus is hailing to a stop. I struggle to grab all my bags and te tiny French girl scoops up my tent and tarps and runs across the road. I've decide I now like French people.
The heavy set bus driver gets out and lights his cigarettes. We give him the rest of out ticket money as he checks off our names and throws our stuff under the bus.
Now, I don't know what I was thinking when i anticipated the bus being virtually empty for the trek from Miami beach to Orlando, but it wasn't. I squeezed down the aisle through the sleeping masses of people behind the two French girls managing to find a double seat near the front.
Its not to bad I thought as I situated my stuff next to me and pulled out one of the blueberry breakfast the guy from Starbucks had given me the night before.
I love the way the city looks in the morning, The sun Coming over the ocean hitting the buildings with pink and orange streaks of light. Then there is the mix of people, rolling out of bed or just into it.
We are picking up more people, bummer.
And more people...
It's feels so weird riding out of the city on a bus knowing I rode my bike the whole way here from Maine. It makes the trip feel insignificant. Like spending hours cutting out letters with exacto knife before someone shows you the letter press.
We just made another stop, thee is NO way all these people are getting on this bus.
A bigger black woman just eyes up my seat. A little Spanish girl about seven was in the seat in front of her with the seat reclined. You should have seen the look on that girls face when this lady squeezed in behind her takin two hands and tryin to upright the girls seat in front of me.
Someone just tooted, it's real bad in here.
So I'm chillen at burgerking in Orlando. The airport is twelve miles away and I'm not quite sure how I'm getting there yet. I made my two front bags into a backpack so that should make things a little easier. I got raking with the lady siting next to me on the bus. She is pretty nice and her friend works at the airport here. I guess her friend is going to give me a ride but she hasn't asked yet and the lady just took her suitcase and went to the flea market. She said she would call me in a half hour, I just got done looking up walking directions...
I guess my gut that she was a nice lady was right on this one, she just called me back to say her friends flight was at the gate and she will Be here not to much longer and will give me a ride to the airport. Talk about luck.
I got the seat on the plane next to the baby that likes to throw things She's pretty stinking cute though, at that stage where she is just learning to talk, reminds me of when I was in Italy.
That was probably the longest taxi in history. Im impressed how good the little girl is next to me. There is a real classy looking lady sitting next to me, black cocktail dress, nice shoes and glasses,'well I thought she was classy till she ripped out of one of the GREAT DEAL pages of the on board style magazine then the name sticker.
It doesn't even feel like I did the bike trip. It all feels so normal, like what are you here for? Oh Disney world, you? Or, I rode my bike here from Maine. I thought i would feel a lot more gratification, I guess i felt all that when i first crossed the border. All I want is a cheeseburger and a nap, maybe a beer too.
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I lost my key and had to get another one o get back in the gate to grab my other bags. God thing I had fifteen minutes to spare.
At the curb trying to communicate with the French girls so early in the morning was killing my brain with the French, English, italian jarble we used.
Our bus just went by, that was something we didn't need words to understand. Danielle went into the road and just watches it go. I tried to call the number but the connection was bad. I'm to tired to care much so went back to organizing.
Danielle is in the road again falling her arms. A huge supertours bus is hailing to a stop. I struggle to grab all my bags and te tiny French girl scoops up my tent and tarps and runs across the road. I've decide I now like French people.
The heavy set bus driver gets out and lights his cigarettes. We give him the rest of out ticket money as he checks off our names and throws our stuff under the bus.
Now, I don't know what I was thinking when i anticipated the bus being virtually empty for the trek from Miami beach to Orlando, but it wasn't. I squeezed down the aisle through the sleeping masses of people behind the two French girls managing to find a double seat near the front.
Its not to bad I thought as I situated my stuff next to me and pulled out one of the blueberry breakfast the guy from Starbucks had given me the night before.
I love the way the city looks in the morning, The sun Coming over the ocean hitting the buildings with pink and orange streaks of light. Then there is the mix of people, rolling out of bed or just into it.
We are picking up more people, bummer.
And more people...
It's feels so weird riding out of the city on a bus knowing I rode my bike the whole way here from Maine. It makes the trip feel insignificant. Like spending hours cutting out letters with exacto knife before someone shows you the letter press.
We just made another stop, thee is NO way all these people are getting on this bus.
A bigger black woman just eyes up my seat. A little Spanish girl about seven was in the seat in front of her with the seat reclined. You should have seen the look on that girls face when this lady squeezed in behind her takin two hands and tryin to upright the girls seat in front of me.
Someone just tooted, it's real bad in here.
So I'm chillen at burgerking in Orlando. The airport is twelve miles away and I'm not quite sure how I'm getting there yet. I made my two front bags into a backpack so that should make things a little easier. I got raking with the lady siting next to me on the bus. She is pretty nice and her friend works at the airport here. I guess her friend is going to give me a ride but she hasn't asked yet and the lady just took her suitcase and went to the flea market. She said she would call me in a half hour, I just got done looking up walking directions...
I guess my gut that she was a nice lady was right on this one, she just called me back to say her friends flight was at the gate and she will Be here not to much longer and will give me a ride to the airport. Talk about luck.
I got the seat on the plane next to the baby that likes to throw things She's pretty stinking cute though, at that stage where she is just learning to talk, reminds me of when I was in Italy.
That was probably the longest taxi in history. Im impressed how good the little girl is next to me. There is a real classy looking lady sitting next to me, black cocktail dress, nice shoes and glasses,'well I thought she was classy till she ripped out of one of the GREAT DEAL pages of the on board style magazine then the name sticker.
It doesn't even feel like I did the bike trip. It all feels so normal, like what are you here for? Oh Disney world, you? Or, I rode my bike here from Maine. I thought i would feel a lot more gratification, I guess i felt all that when i first crossed the border. All I want is a cheeseburger and a nap, maybe a beer too.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:N 29th Ave,Hollywood,United States
Monday, July 18, 2011
July 18
It's crazy to think the bike riding is over. I woke up at seven thirty and my legs were ready to go. I feel like one of those horses that was bread for pulling carts.
I started goin through my pictures and it's almost like im in denial that I did all that. It's like a dream. I mean, I rode my BICYCLE from Maine to Florida? What the HELL was I thinking!?!? I could have died!
But I didn't :)
All I wanted for breakfast was a bagel and cream cheese from dunkin donuts. Now I don't know why i thought .6 miles was to far but I some how got sucked into the restaurant five feet from my hostel. So here I am, standing amist all these beautifully done up people with my hair in a messy ponytail on the side of my head, pj shorts with my oversized Georgetown fireman t shirt and sandals I didn't even bother to strap behind my heels.
They wernt busy so they BOMBARDED me, maybe they thought I was some strung out rock stars kid because they were like overly polite vaulchers. My breakfast was out in ninety seconds and gone in fifty. I guess I was hungry..
Honestly am so tired I don't want to do anything besides lay in this bed with the air conditioning blowing over me.
I packed up my stuff pretty good, got it all into three of my bike bags, one of the bags fit in the other, made some phone calls to bike shops and headed to one about a mile down the road. I really almost started crying in the shop when I was taking off here mirror. I can't believe we're parting ways, she's the only one who has been with me through the whole trip. I think I'm loosing it.
I just tried to check my mirror while walking down the sidewalk..
It's so hot walking down the road in street clothes. I don't know how people do it, I miss biking in my shell jacket and bikini, and at least then I had a breeze to keep me from dying.
About a half mile down the road, I was almost to Starbucks and air conditioning, I realized something was missing. My helmet, crap, I left it on the counter at the shop.
The last thing I wanted to do was walk another mile in this heat. Made me really appreciate my cell phone when I called the shop back and they said it was no problem, they would just throw it in the box with patty. Oh poor patty, that thing stinks.
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I started goin through my pictures and it's almost like im in denial that I did all that. It's like a dream. I mean, I rode my BICYCLE from Maine to Florida? What the HELL was I thinking!?!? I could have died!
But I didn't :)
All I wanted for breakfast was a bagel and cream cheese from dunkin donuts. Now I don't know why i thought .6 miles was to far but I some how got sucked into the restaurant five feet from my hostel. So here I am, standing amist all these beautifully done up people with my hair in a messy ponytail on the side of my head, pj shorts with my oversized Georgetown fireman t shirt and sandals I didn't even bother to strap behind my heels.
They wernt busy so they BOMBARDED me, maybe they thought I was some strung out rock stars kid because they were like overly polite vaulchers. My breakfast was out in ninety seconds and gone in fifty. I guess I was hungry..
Honestly am so tired I don't want to do anything besides lay in this bed with the air conditioning blowing over me.
I packed up my stuff pretty good, got it all into three of my bike bags, one of the bags fit in the other, made some phone calls to bike shops and headed to one about a mile down the road. I really almost started crying in the shop when I was taking off here mirror. I can't believe we're parting ways, she's the only one who has been with me through the whole trip. I think I'm loosing it.
I just tried to check my mirror while walking down the sidewalk..
It's so hot walking down the road in street clothes. I don't know how people do it, I miss biking in my shell jacket and bikini, and at least then I had a breeze to keep me from dying.
About a half mile down the road, I was almost to Starbucks and air conditioning, I realized something was missing. My helmet, crap, I left it on the counter at the shop.
The last thing I wanted to do was walk another mile in this heat. Made me really appreciate my cell phone when I called the shop back and they said it was no problem, they would just throw it in the box with patty. Oh poor patty, that thing stinks.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
July 17
I woke up and it was sunny outside. I was so pumped because for once I thought I slept in. I it was seven thirty, crap.
Ok now I'm pumped for real, I fell back asleep and it's nine thirty. I walk out to the kitchen scot is the only one awake so I go pack up my stuff. Pam and Aleena get up not to much later I I have two GIANT bowls of cereal and a cup of coffee.
I putz around for a while until we are ready to head out a little before noon. scot is pretty big into biking so he offered to ride with me to ft Lauderdale.
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Ok now I'm pumped for real, I fell back asleep and it's nine thirty. I walk out to the kitchen scot is the only one awake so I go pack up my stuff. Pam and Aleena get up not to much later I I have two GIANT bowls of cereal and a cup of coffee.
I putz around for a while until we are ready to head out a little before noon. scot is pretty big into biking so he offered to ride with me to ft Lauderdale.
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Saturday, July 16, 2011
July 16
I dont even wanna blog about today. Bike trip has fizzled into to getting home safe trip. my body has had it with me, I'm gonna get home and need to sleep for a week. My skin is beyond recover and I'm not going into some of the other problems. Life as a wondering soul is the way to go when you have enough sense to take full care of yourself. But some things I have neglected and let go are about to come back and punch me in the face.
Ok, I guess I'll tell you about my day.
After the war last night ended with the raccoons and they successfully ate the last of my breakfast supplies and one of my meal replacement shakes, I slept ok.
I hade shade in the morning so I didn't wake up till nine. However my phone was dead and I still felt like I got hit by a bus.
Walking to the bathroom I decided today was the hottest day of the trip. The whole shower pack thing was a little difficult this morning because they were so far away so I made use of my 32 dollar plus campsite and used the water to continually fill up with water and dump over my body like I was a hot babe in beach movie. The campground was empty.
I seen my first naked Mexican baby, guess the campground isn't empty.
Lately I have been riding with my baking under my bike stuff. I didn't even care today leaving te campground, straight up bikini clad. Just for a few miles till this pavilion I pulled under to sunscreen up, not that it does anything but freak out my skin before sweating off. There were huge white birds walking around, then I heard something drop next to me, a huge bird poop splattered like six feet long, thank you pavilion for also being a bomb shelter.
Leaving the park I threw on my vest and ride through town. I got a few honks, probably because it looked like I wasn't wearing any pants, but at this point, I'm so over bike shorts or any sort of tight material. My body needs to breath.
I got a few miles in on a1a and about threw up looking at all the ridiculous mansions. Then my warm showers guy called and wanted to ride out and meet me. I love when people do that.
The beaches here are so beautiful, I wish my friends and family were here. Or that I was up in Virginia curled up on the couch watching movies with Tyler. You guys don't know about him yet, but you will :)
Why can't everyone just be in one general area, this is gonna be tough.
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Ok, I guess I'll tell you about my day.
After the war last night ended with the raccoons and they successfully ate the last of my breakfast supplies and one of my meal replacement shakes, I slept ok.
I hade shade in the morning so I didn't wake up till nine. However my phone was dead and I still felt like I got hit by a bus.
Walking to the bathroom I decided today was the hottest day of the trip. The whole shower pack thing was a little difficult this morning because they were so far away so I made use of my 32 dollar plus campsite and used the water to continually fill up with water and dump over my body like I was a hot babe in beach movie. The campground was empty.
I seen my first naked Mexican baby, guess the campground isn't empty.
Lately I have been riding with my baking under my bike stuff. I didn't even care today leaving te campground, straight up bikini clad. Just for a few miles till this pavilion I pulled under to sunscreen up, not that it does anything but freak out my skin before sweating off. There were huge white birds walking around, then I heard something drop next to me, a huge bird poop splattered like six feet long, thank you pavilion for also being a bomb shelter.
Leaving the park I threw on my vest and ride through town. I got a few honks, probably because it looked like I wasn't wearing any pants, but at this point, I'm so over bike shorts or any sort of tight material. My body needs to breath.
I got a few miles in on a1a and about threw up looking at all the ridiculous mansions. Then my warm showers guy called and wanted to ride out and meet me. I love when people do that.
The beaches here are so beautiful, I wish my friends and family were here. Or that I was up in Virginia curled up on the couch watching movies with Tyler. You guys don't know about him yet, but you will :)
Why can't everyone just be in one general area, this is gonna be tough.
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Friday, July 15, 2011
July 15
I'm so hott and tired I can hardly stand it. I don't know why I couldn't sleep, it's so frustrating because there is no way to sleep in in the mornings, it's like 90 degrees and full on sun by seven.
I pulled my tent over by the picnic table to try and get a little shade. My feet were dirty so I let them hang out the tent and try to get a breeze, now I have sand fleas and ants eatin me for breakfast, I could cry.
It's still so hott so I went and rinsed off in the shower, dragged my tent over to some other shrubs and tried to go back to sleep, useless.
I get up again as a ranger drives by, I can't believe he didn't say anything to me, I'm not supposed to be here. I could care less, it's better than psycho killers.
I gave up trying to sleep around nine. I put my suit on and went back to the shower then packed as much as I could before I started dripping sweat and went back to the showers, just like the last campground.
There are bugs everywhere, I feel like a buffet table.
I don't know where I'm staying tonight, tomorrow night, or any nights until i go home. I don't even know how I'm getting home. Well, i have a flight out of orlando the 20th, but thats like 200 miles north of me. I figure ill just jump a train or bus, bur I'm worried about patty. I don't want to leave her.
I'm so tempted to get a hotel with air conditioning and sleep until tomorrow morning.
Well I made it a few miles down the road to Wendy's, and chilled out there a bit trying to recoup.
I made it to Juno beach, it must be huge because the road is lined with parked cars and showers, beautiful.
I stopped at the pier so I could sit in the shade after swimming. The water is so clear I can't believe it.
Something just jumped near me and my red instantly darted down and i saw two HUGE fish. "HOLY S$&T" a guy and his kids laughed next to me. "what ARE those!?" "snook" he told me. "they won't bother you"
So I swam with te big fish and the little boy next to me snickered when one of them jumped and I screamed. After the quick dip I sat behind a Mexican family in the shade under the peer, I sure do love listening to other languages.
On the road again took me away from the water and back onto congested 1. I found a McDonalds though and used my last free salad coupon from Donna.
I rode into Jupiter. All I could think was, boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider.
I met this old guy on a bike, he seemed nice, but as we parted ways he said,"well grace, I hope we meet again" I mean it doesn't sound to weird, but it was.
Today is really hard. The heat, wind, traffic and sun is soaking up the little bit of grace I have left. If I had a million dollars I would be passed out on a comfy couch in air conditioning surrounded by fresh mangos, ice water and a kitty.
I really really don't like riding through the ghettos, all the shady spots are always taken.
There were a lot of big bridges today, they made me feel my legs for the first time since Virginia. It's amazing how not tired they get.
So I'm at the campground in lake Worth. One of the first things they teach in outdoor survival skills is NOT to camp by water. So I was pumped they were gonna put me by the bathrooms until I mentioned shade. Well, now I have to pee but a huge shadow of a rat looking critter just passed my tent. I told him to go away but I don't think he speaks English.
I heard something outside by my bike. I don't want to get out of my tent because of the bugs but something is DEFIANTLY getting into my stuff. I can't see anything with my light so unzip my tent a little, turn the flash on my iPhone, and snap a picture.
It comes back all grey with two glowing lights, eyeballs. Shit. I get out of my tent and leap onto the picnic table so I look nigh and nothing attacks me. I don't see anything so I crawl down to check out the damage. I CAN'T believe it. Whatever it was unzipped my back bag, dug out my breakfast bag from the bottom, and ANAHIALATED it.
There is oatmeal, granola an coffee beans EVERYWHERE. I do my best to clean it up and move what's left of my granola bag to another site to keep the critters away. There really isn't anything left they can get into, so I go back to bed.
It's two in the morning and I'm standing on the picnic table in
My underwear watching this raccoon ear handfuls o my food while he just looks up at me. I can't believe it, I try to shoo him away but he just watches me and eats like namnamnamnamnam. I'm so tired and have no idea what to do. I unclip what's left of my food bag, round two ate my raisins and meal replacement shake. I have this bag in my hand, in my underwear, at two in the morning in this campground in Florida with Bo idea what to do. For a second I debated just standing there like that for
The rest of the night, but I was SO tired. I couldn't tie it up and the campground didn't have any bins I could store it in, so I did the dumbest thing I could do, brought it into my tent.
I figured it would be ok if I put it in my smelly asics bag and covered it with dirty bike shorts. Must have done the trick,
Cause they didn't bother me after that.
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I pulled my tent over by the picnic table to try and get a little shade. My feet were dirty so I let them hang out the tent and try to get a breeze, now I have sand fleas and ants eatin me for breakfast, I could cry.
It's still so hott so I went and rinsed off in the shower, dragged my tent over to some other shrubs and tried to go back to sleep, useless.
I get up again as a ranger drives by, I can't believe he didn't say anything to me, I'm not supposed to be here. I could care less, it's better than psycho killers.
I gave up trying to sleep around nine. I put my suit on and went back to the shower then packed as much as I could before I started dripping sweat and went back to the showers, just like the last campground.
There are bugs everywhere, I feel like a buffet table.
I don't know where I'm staying tonight, tomorrow night, or any nights until i go home. I don't even know how I'm getting home. Well, i have a flight out of orlando the 20th, but thats like 200 miles north of me. I figure ill just jump a train or bus, bur I'm worried about patty. I don't want to leave her.
I'm so tempted to get a hotel with air conditioning and sleep until tomorrow morning.
Well I made it a few miles down the road to Wendy's, and chilled out there a bit trying to recoup.
I made it to Juno beach, it must be huge because the road is lined with parked cars and showers, beautiful.
I stopped at the pier so I could sit in the shade after swimming. The water is so clear I can't believe it.
Something just jumped near me and my red instantly darted down and i saw two HUGE fish. "HOLY S$&T" a guy and his kids laughed next to me. "what ARE those!?" "snook" he told me. "they won't bother you"
So I swam with te big fish and the little boy next to me snickered when one of them jumped and I screamed. After the quick dip I sat behind a Mexican family in the shade under the peer, I sure do love listening to other languages.
On the road again took me away from the water and back onto congested 1. I found a McDonalds though and used my last free salad coupon from Donna.
I rode into Jupiter. All I could think was, boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider.
I met this old guy on a bike, he seemed nice, but as we parted ways he said,"well grace, I hope we meet again" I mean it doesn't sound to weird, but it was.
Today is really hard. The heat, wind, traffic and sun is soaking up the little bit of grace I have left. If I had a million dollars I would be passed out on a comfy couch in air conditioning surrounded by fresh mangos, ice water and a kitty.
I really really don't like riding through the ghettos, all the shady spots are always taken.
There were a lot of big bridges today, they made me feel my legs for the first time since Virginia. It's amazing how not tired they get.
So I'm at the campground in lake Worth. One of the first things they teach in outdoor survival skills is NOT to camp by water. So I was pumped they were gonna put me by the bathrooms until I mentioned shade. Well, now I have to pee but a huge shadow of a rat looking critter just passed my tent. I told him to go away but I don't think he speaks English.
I heard something outside by my bike. I don't want to get out of my tent because of the bugs but something is DEFIANTLY getting into my stuff. I can't see anything with my light so unzip my tent a little, turn the flash on my iPhone, and snap a picture.
It comes back all grey with two glowing lights, eyeballs. Shit. I get out of my tent and leap onto the picnic table so I look nigh and nothing attacks me. I don't see anything so I crawl down to check out the damage. I CAN'T believe it. Whatever it was unzipped my back bag, dug out my breakfast bag from the bottom, and ANAHIALATED it.
There is oatmeal, granola an coffee beans EVERYWHERE. I do my best to clean it up and move what's left of my granola bag to another site to keep the critters away. There really isn't anything left they can get into, so I go back to bed.
It's two in the morning and I'm standing on the picnic table in
My underwear watching this raccoon ear handfuls o my food while he just looks up at me. I can't believe it, I try to shoo him away but he just watches me and eats like namnamnamnamnam. I'm so tired and have no idea what to do. I unclip what's left of my food bag, round two ate my raisins and meal replacement shake. I have this bag in my hand, in my underwear, at two in the morning in this campground in Florida with Bo idea what to do. For a second I debated just standing there like that for
The rest of the night, but I was SO tired. I couldn't tie it up and the campground didn't have any bins I could store it in, so I did the dumbest thing I could do, brought it into my tent.
I figured it would be ok if I put it in my smelly asics bag and covered it with dirty bike shorts. Must have done the trick,
Cause they didn't bother me after that.
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
July 14
So Tyler thought it would be a good idea to call me at 630 in the morning. I was dead asleep and he was on his way to pick up some seed for work. I like when he wakes me up and figured I'd pass right back out but I had to pee and one of the guys was in the shower. By the time he was done I was to awake to sleep. I hate when that happens.
Nick and I got up at the same time. I had cereal and he ate leftover duck. It's his birthday and his girlfriend got him an iPod touch, he was pretty geeked.
I dragged my feet fettuccine of there. They were going to west palm to go snorkeling. They offered me a ride, eighty miles south, it was tempting but I passed.
Finally got some ducktape and fixed my mirror, the velcero was on its last moments of life.
I hit a few dead ends before I got on track, took an old road non miles down the sound to pick my route back up in fort pierce. Once I got back on a1a I found a nice place on the beach to pull over, hop in the clear blue ocean, shower and make some lunch. I love these road side put stops. However I've been here for almost two hours and need to get back on the road. I really wish these clouds would make themselves useful and block the sun and rain or something, I'm FRYING.
So I think the cyclist shouted "great rack!" from the other side of the road. I hope he was talking to patty..
I hit a wall. I'm so tired and starving. It's only 15 miles to hobe sound, but it's so hott and the wind is so strong.
I'm in a not good part of town again, my water is almost gone and the little I do have tastes like old watered down vanilla Advocare meal replacement shakes, I might vomit.
I just pedaled my butt off to get out of there to this corner cause I coulda sworn there was a gas station to fill up bottles. There's not, I could cry.
A ball park drinking fountain just saved my life, not only did the water not taste like swamp, it was cold.
I plugged in the campground into my phone, another ten miles! So much for stopping for dinner or getting there before dark.
My gps took me the wrong way, the road just turned to dirt and it just doesn't feel right, it wasn't right, at least I caught it before I got another two miles down that nothin road.
I really jade backtracking, I debated fence hopping to save a few miles, but patty looked at me all like "he'll no girl, if you think my fat ass gonna climb that fence, you crazy!"
I figured it was only three miles out of my way, but the further I pedaled the more upset I became. I was so tired an so hungry, I feel like I might just break down. The hills wernt bad, it's just that wind. If it would tuen around I'd be at the equator by tomorrow dinnertime.
Brown sigh is good, only another forth of a mile! I'm so beat I don't even care how much it costs.
Instantly the ranger who greeted me made me feel better. For as nasty as the one was at the last state park, he was that much better and a little more.
He was so bike friendly, knew I didn't need all that extra paperwork and didn't push me to keep it. I asked how much it was to camp, 28, just like the last one. However this time when I asked about primitive, the two rangers looked at eachother then back at me and were like well... How much? I wanted to know. "5$ plus tax" no way! Where is it? "five miles" crap I thought" I'm so tired and it's almost dark and I already got really lost trying to get here and went way out of my way. "ok so what are my options?" "well.." he said, "we aren't supposed to do this, but any state park has to take in a biker if it's dark and put them up. There is a place to camp right up front here with all the utilities, but that will cost you. However, there is another place about two and a half miles down the road meant for youth groups. Youre not enough people to call a group but we can put you there. There are new bathrooms, water and electric. Now this is the thing, we are bending rules so you dont know anything, you were trying to get back to the primitive site but got lost and confused in the dark so set up camp there." I couldn't believe what this ranger was telling me, this was exactly the sort of thing I needed after today.
It was pretty far back there and pulled into the site just before sundown. I was expecting nice new air conditioned showers, not the two room building with broken locks and flickering lights. I walked party to the nearest site, there were only five and I was the only person around. The tent was up in record time, the mosquitoes were killing me. I'm starvin too, but the bugs are so bad, my sticky sweat is a magnet for them so all I could think about was a shower.
As soon as I got in there and realized the locks were broke my gut was giving me a not so good feeling. I tried to shake it off, I told myself it was just the hunger and exhaustion.
I took a long shower, really cause I kept hearing something outside and I was to scared to leave.
I tried looking out the vents to see if I could see anything, but it only let me see what was just outside the door, not around the corner where my killer was sure to be lurking. The full moon is not easing this sick feeling. I want to call Tyler or my dad, but I'm petrified to make a sound. I want to hear EVERYTHING.
I packed up all my stuff and put it in my bag so my hands would be free, other than for my phone. I considered dialing in 911 so all I would have to do is press send.
I opened the door so slow and tiptoed out into the dark and peered around the corner, I didn't see anything, but it was pitch black so I just hustled back to my camp, stopping first o listen and see if there was anything out of the ordinary. There is NO way I'm getting back out of my tent to make dinner so I shoved my face with the granola denise gave me back in Flagler.
I called Tyler back and was hardly talking above a whisper, "I'm so creeped out right now you have no idea" he told me not to worry, if anyone touched me he'd come down here and, well he didn't know, but he'd do something. Easy for him to say, he was safe up in Virginia. He tried to calm me down with this song that I probably would have loved if I wasn't too busy listing for approaching footsteps.
He had I go take his dad to the store so I called my dad to let him know what was going on. I knew he could tell how freaked out I was and was trying to change the subject, but when I told him how far away from people I was I could tell my sick feelin rubbed off on him a little.
That's it I told him after a few minutes o talking, I'm packin up. I really didn't think I would do it. The last thing I wanted to do was make a ruckus. I got all my stud ready in my tent then broke that thing down so fast I could have won survivor. The hole time I left my phone out with my dad on the line, just in case.
Relief! It felt soo good to be on the bike and moving. I didn't care if I left anything, I'd get it in the morning. I also didn't have a hard time seeing the road with that full moon.
Tyler called back as soon as te road split, he seems to have good timing with these things, did that in fort clench too. I put him in my handlebar bag and road around in the dark trying to read signs, then I saw lights, then I saw campers! Instantly the sick feelin in my gut was gone. I was safe :)
I set my tent back up assuring myself I was indeed the BIGGEST chicken in the world, but man, I did it with a smile.
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Nick and I got up at the same time. I had cereal and he ate leftover duck. It's his birthday and his girlfriend got him an iPod touch, he was pretty geeked.
I dragged my feet fettuccine of there. They were going to west palm to go snorkeling. They offered me a ride, eighty miles south, it was tempting but I passed.
Finally got some ducktape and fixed my mirror, the velcero was on its last moments of life.
I hit a few dead ends before I got on track, took an old road non miles down the sound to pick my route back up in fort pierce. Once I got back on a1a I found a nice place on the beach to pull over, hop in the clear blue ocean, shower and make some lunch. I love these road side put stops. However I've been here for almost two hours and need to get back on the road. I really wish these clouds would make themselves useful and block the sun and rain or something, I'm FRYING.
So I think the cyclist shouted "great rack!" from the other side of the road. I hope he was talking to patty..
I hit a wall. I'm so tired and starving. It's only 15 miles to hobe sound, but it's so hott and the wind is so strong.
I'm in a not good part of town again, my water is almost gone and the little I do have tastes like old watered down vanilla Advocare meal replacement shakes, I might vomit.
I just pedaled my butt off to get out of there to this corner cause I coulda sworn there was a gas station to fill up bottles. There's not, I could cry.
A ball park drinking fountain just saved my life, not only did the water not taste like swamp, it was cold.
I plugged in the campground into my phone, another ten miles! So much for stopping for dinner or getting there before dark.
My gps took me the wrong way, the road just turned to dirt and it just doesn't feel right, it wasn't right, at least I caught it before I got another two miles down that nothin road.
I really jade backtracking, I debated fence hopping to save a few miles, but patty looked at me all like "he'll no girl, if you think my fat ass gonna climb that fence, you crazy!"
I figured it was only three miles out of my way, but the further I pedaled the more upset I became. I was so tired an so hungry, I feel like I might just break down. The hills wernt bad, it's just that wind. If it would tuen around I'd be at the equator by tomorrow dinnertime.
Brown sigh is good, only another forth of a mile! I'm so beat I don't even care how much it costs.
Instantly the ranger who greeted me made me feel better. For as nasty as the one was at the last state park, he was that much better and a little more.
He was so bike friendly, knew I didn't need all that extra paperwork and didn't push me to keep it. I asked how much it was to camp, 28, just like the last one. However this time when I asked about primitive, the two rangers looked at eachother then back at me and were like well... How much? I wanted to know. "5$ plus tax" no way! Where is it? "five miles" crap I thought" I'm so tired and it's almost dark and I already got really lost trying to get here and went way out of my way. "ok so what are my options?" "well.." he said, "we aren't supposed to do this, but any state park has to take in a biker if it's dark and put them up. There is a place to camp right up front here with all the utilities, but that will cost you. However, there is another place about two and a half miles down the road meant for youth groups. Youre not enough people to call a group but we can put you there. There are new bathrooms, water and electric. Now this is the thing, we are bending rules so you dont know anything, you were trying to get back to the primitive site but got lost and confused in the dark so set up camp there." I couldn't believe what this ranger was telling me, this was exactly the sort of thing I needed after today.
It was pretty far back there and pulled into the site just before sundown. I was expecting nice new air conditioned showers, not the two room building with broken locks and flickering lights. I walked party to the nearest site, there were only five and I was the only person around. The tent was up in record time, the mosquitoes were killing me. I'm starvin too, but the bugs are so bad, my sticky sweat is a magnet for them so all I could think about was a shower.
As soon as I got in there and realized the locks were broke my gut was giving me a not so good feeling. I tried to shake it off, I told myself it was just the hunger and exhaustion.
I took a long shower, really cause I kept hearing something outside and I was to scared to leave.
I tried looking out the vents to see if I could see anything, but it only let me see what was just outside the door, not around the corner where my killer was sure to be lurking. The full moon is not easing this sick feeling. I want to call Tyler or my dad, but I'm petrified to make a sound. I want to hear EVERYTHING.
I packed up all my stuff and put it in my bag so my hands would be free, other than for my phone. I considered dialing in 911 so all I would have to do is press send.
I opened the door so slow and tiptoed out into the dark and peered around the corner, I didn't see anything, but it was pitch black so I just hustled back to my camp, stopping first o listen and see if there was anything out of the ordinary. There is NO way I'm getting back out of my tent to make dinner so I shoved my face with the granola denise gave me back in Flagler.
I called Tyler back and was hardly talking above a whisper, "I'm so creeped out right now you have no idea" he told me not to worry, if anyone touched me he'd come down here and, well he didn't know, but he'd do something. Easy for him to say, he was safe up in Virginia. He tried to calm me down with this song that I probably would have loved if I wasn't too busy listing for approaching footsteps.
He had I go take his dad to the store so I called my dad to let him know what was going on. I knew he could tell how freaked out I was and was trying to change the subject, but when I told him how far away from people I was I could tell my sick feelin rubbed off on him a little.
That's it I told him after a few minutes o talking, I'm packin up. I really didn't think I would do it. The last thing I wanted to do was make a ruckus. I got all my stud ready in my tent then broke that thing down so fast I could have won survivor. The hole time I left my phone out with my dad on the line, just in case.
Relief! It felt soo good to be on the bike and moving. I didn't care if I left anything, I'd get it in the morning. I also didn't have a hard time seeing the road with that full moon.
Tyler called back as soon as te road split, he seems to have good timing with these things, did that in fort clench too. I put him in my handlebar bag and road around in the dark trying to read signs, then I saw lights, then I saw campers! Instantly the sick feelin in my gut was gone. I was safe :)
I set my tent back up assuring myself I was indeed the BIGGEST chicken in the world, but man, I did it with a smile.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 13
Mother nature decided to start cooking breakfast at seven in the morning, and I was on the menu.
I started packing ip and was dripping sweat in three minutes. I went to hop in the shower but someone was there. They have three showers but the way they have it set up makes it just like one, so I walked back and finished packing.
This lady and her dog came over and started talking to me. She looked pretty haggard then started talking about a divorce and how she was homeless and had back problems for falling in a broken drain cover after leaving the bar. She was pretty nice though and has done some traveling. I just wasnt in the talking mood, trying not to die in the heat.
I escaped to the shower rinsed off, put on my swim suit on and moved patty to the shade to make breakfast. I was dry and sweating within five minutes so I went back and rinsed off. That's how the morning went, pack shower, cook shower, clean shower. If there were any day to be naked, this is the one.
I'm also pretty sure I just met a guy with crazier stories than me. I went to hide out in the laundry room for a bit in the AC to catch up on the blog and figure out my game plan for the day when this tan guy in his upper twenties walked in.
I was real hesitant to talk to him, I really just needed some grace time. But I am grace and we started small talk. "you getting out of the heat too?" "yeah." "what you doing here?" "riding my bike, you?" " oh I came out for a girl" "bummer man"
I kept trying to blog but was getting nowhere so I just gave up and we got into some serious talk. He was actually from California and after meeting a girl out here he sold all his stuff and moved. Well how stuff like that goes he ended up having money trouble so this fifteen year old girl who goes to their fight club they were friends with gave them some of here old broken gold, now befor you get ahead of yourselves this guy is legit. He didn't want to take it but the girl insisted. He sold it at a pawn shop and was living at the campground when one day he was walking up to the rangers station to pay for another week. An impala pulled up and a guy got out asking if he was this person. He responded yes sir. The guy went out to shake his hand and when Dallas went to grab it the guy spun him around. Dallas reversed it and the guy told him to stand down, that he was under arrest. For receiving stolen property and trafficking it. They arrested the girl he came here for too who is my age. Come to find out, the mom of the fifteen year old who gave them the gold, pressed charges.
They both went to jail, she made bail, he didn't. He got a bunch of orders against him and wasn't allowed to see the girl. So for three weeks he has been living in the campground knowing she is just a mile away. The parents won't let her see him. But just yesterday all his charges were dropped. Really this story is so huge and complex, I told him to write a book, I mean we talked for over an hour before hitting the road.
It's so hott I'm glad yesterday was my big day, eighty miles in that awful heat and headwind. I feel like if I had started here and went north I would be to the north pole.
A guy at Starbucks just asked if I was riding the scooter, I told him no, the bike, then before I left I saw him pull out on the scooter. So either he stole it or needs to work on his pickup lines.
I crossed the causeway over the sound back to a1a and the real beach. Today is only around 45 or fifty miles so I plan I just taking my sweet time till it cools down and I have to haul it to vero beach.
I made it to ocealantic beach, saw shade and a picnic table, locked patty up and made a break for the water. It was so hott jumping in the cool blue waves was all I could think about.
On the walkway to the beach there was a guy sitting on the railing all tatted up looking like a baller. I wanted to just be in the waves but when I scurried buy he commented on all the stuff on my bike. "riding from Maine" I told him "you gotta be shittin me!" ""swear to god" I hollered as I ran down the stairs to the ocean. I then hear him holler at a younger boy who was standing on his surfboard in the sand to keep his freer from burnin off.
I stripped down and dove head first in the waves. They felt great. The water had just turned so the ocean was cold, not like the outer banks. I could have swam all day. However, I as much as I LOVE water, I have this irrational fear of monsters and dead bodies. That dead bodies one is mainly freshwater, trumped by my fear of things that could turn me into a dead body in the salty laqua.
So as I'm scanning the area around me for dark shapes toward me I begin to see little blobs everywhere. It took a second to register, jellyfish, crap, I HATE jellyfish. My chin dropped to my chest in defeat as I waded out of the beautiful blue ocean, man I'm such a pansy.
I gathered my stuff from the beach, made the mistake of carrying my shoes instead of putting them on my feet. I got about three steps when the searing pain from hot sand reached my brain. I took a deep breath and told myself to tough it out. No use, it was worse than walking on fire and I started to run. It was so hott I couldn't breath. The guy sitting was still there, and shouted "hey you might wanna put on your shoes!" "no shit" I thought as I bounded to the stairs.
He continued talking to me as I ran into the shade, he seemed pretty cool, it's my feet that were hott.
A minute later he walked over wanting to check out all the gear, a lady in a nice black shade hat I'm nice clothes and a big hearty smile tailed him.
They ended up being pretty cool and we talked in the shade for well over an hour. Between the two of them there were four kids in the elementary school level who were out surfing. The girls only came in after being stung by a few jellyfish, man those welts were big.
We all headed out around the same time. The south winds had picked up and all the clouds were inland leaving me to cook in the sun. I try my best to keep my sunscreen on and the visor on my helmet pulled low, but the lotion sweats off faster than I can put it on and the smell from my helmet is like a dirty gym bag.
Im weaving between the bike lane and sidewalk. The traffic is bad and the walkway is bumpy, my butt is so soar, but I don't want to die.
I glance up to see another tourist heading toward me. We both wave and stop and he turns around to meet me. Not a bad looking kid. Nicholas from Montreal was my age and had a friend drop him off in Florida to watch the last shuttle launch.
As we were talking this older male cyclist, I don't know if he forgot he was on a road bike and not a full suspension mountain bike, but he came flying from the other side of the road, through the bike lane past us, then tried to cut over the grass to the sidewalk. Well, he made it to the sidewalk, probably not the way be intended, crashing his bike and laying face first on the ground. Guess he didn't see the lip of the cement. He didn't move for a few seconds as Nich and I watched. He didn't want our help, probably embarrassed. He got back up and on his bike. I hear nick mumble something about a chain, watch the man stumble again, before looking away.
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July 12
I slept so well, Brian gave me his room and he slept at his girlfriends next door, so that's the second time I've slept in his bed. Everyone got up around eight and Brian started making breakfast, TC came over then his Roomate greg woke up and Gracie came over after running. It was like a breakfast party.
Brian made eggs and hashbrowns with yogurt and coffee, soooo good. His Roomate though, I dont know how he does this, but I looked over at him as he was cracking his fifth egg into a waterbottle, before adding some chocolate powder, shanking it up, then gulping it down. I think I threw up in my mouth a little. What if you get like a little hard chunk? "then I just shake it up a
Little more." now that guys, is hardcore.
Te guys left and Gracie stuck around with her puppy as I played with brians kitten and packed up. It LOVES my bags, jumping in and out of them before intermittently attacking our feet. I want her.
Everyone here is so nice, but like every day, I gotta keep going.
It's ten and already super hot. I'm most likely staying at a campgroun tonight. It would be nice to get to the further one so I'm better rested for when I meet up with brians friends in vero beach, but we will see with this heat.
I really don't like red lights in the bad areas of town. Someone always has some life remark that makes me just wanna throw up a little and show them how attractive I can really be.
It's a battle between safety and comfort as well, wether it's riding in my sports bra or bikini top. I need to be seen so people dont hit me, but most times I just wanna be invisible so I don't have to deal with creepers comments.
My free sun glasses broke yesterday, good thing this headwind is keeping them plastered onto my face.
Next time I tour I'm bringing an air horn and a paintball gun...
It's so hott I'm fading. I have it in my head that I'm not supposed to stop in Titusville but I gotta take a break before I die, so here I am sittin in burger king drinking my Advocare meal replacement shake in my helmet.
I can either stay at a campground 10 miles from here, or thirty. I do need to get to the further one. I wish it would storm so I can ride in the rain.
So I just took a break in burger king. It was the most hood place I may have ever been, like it could have been a mad tv skit.
My dilemma is that is dang hott and I can either stay at a campground seven miles from here and have a huge day tomorrow, or one thirty four miles from here and not be to tired when I meet brians friends in vero beach tomorrow.
Well decision has been made, an awkward woman answered the phone for the close one chomping her gum and was all like "34.99" so I was all like ok bye. The next guy however was really nice and explained the primitive tent sites were only 16 dollars.
That rainstorm i have been banking all day never came. Looks like the battle against heat, wind and traffic begins.
Whatever, this road is terrible,
I'm going to McDonalds...
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Monday, July 11, 2011
July 11
So I'm pretty tired and no wanting to get up but not able to fall back asleep. Denise and Toby are on the couch in the living room playing games. That's what's cool about this family, they seem more like buddies than mom and son, not to mention Denise looks like she's 18.
Mike got up and made blueberry granola pancakes, they were great.
I'm so tired and comfortable sittin on this amazing couch in the air conditioning watching the food channel. I really am in no hurry to get on the road and the kid I'm stayin with tonight is in daytona, so just like 25 miles down the road.
We dragged out feet till noon. Denise made me a ton of granola and we hopped in the truck to take me back to A1A. It was really nice talking with her on the ride back and when we got there she had a few little parting gifts. The first was a McDonalds gift card, can't really go wrong there. Then a bracelet from overseas that she tied on my wrist next to the one I made with my hitchbiking friends on the Ocracoke ferry.
It's so go but it's raining, riding in the rain is ALMOST as good as dancing in it.
Well it's done raining and back to sweltering. I think I found where all the money in the world is, houses on a1a..
I'm staying with the brother of a friend slash son of the family from ponte vedra in Daytona tonight. I don't know where he lives yet and I know he has to work at the lab at school so I have some time to kill.
I found a bike shop in Ormomd. I just needed to pump up my tires and clean my chain, but the AC felt so nice I just took my time and chilled.
So this bike shop is kinda like the north pole. A guy who said he was in the DEA just offered to buy me new tires and the guys from the shop pulled out a bunch of expired good and powerbars and said I could take what I wanted.
It's only eleven miles to Brian's place, but it's so muggy humid hott I'm just dripping. It just rained too so I'm dodging lizards and swimming in gnats. They are in my eyes, my hair, covering my chest an arms, looked like a semi flew through a mud puddle next to me but the mud specks are strugglin against their sweat bead prisions. Really uncomfortable.
I got to brians apartment complex and he met me outside. Super nice kid right from the bat. He was a little flustered from havin a rough day at school so he like me, just wants to chill.
He helps me get patty into the garage and bring in all my bags. His apartment is PERFECT. I can't believe TWO boys live here, I wish my roommates were that clean.
We go next store to see his girlfriend, her name is Gracie too and is super sweet. They figure out plans, I shower and we all hop in the car to go grocery shopping, man I love the grocery store.
I think we all just stars at icecream for 22 minutes.
Gracie made garlic bread and some awesome mac n cheese with crumbs on it and Brian cooked up some stiffed talipia. We sat at the table like a family, so cute :)
He shows me around and gets me situated while he hops in the shower and I play with his new baby kitten him and his girlfriend saved off the side of the road. She is in attack mode and keeps trying to hide in my handlebar bag, I knew I should have picked up a kitten for the ride. I would train it to be my ferocious guard cat.
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Mike got up and made blueberry granola pancakes, they were great.
I'm so tired and comfortable sittin on this amazing couch in the air conditioning watching the food channel. I really am in no hurry to get on the road and the kid I'm stayin with tonight is in daytona, so just like 25 miles down the road.
We dragged out feet till noon. Denise made me a ton of granola and we hopped in the truck to take me back to A1A. It was really nice talking with her on the ride back and when we got there she had a few little parting gifts. The first was a McDonalds gift card, can't really go wrong there. Then a bracelet from overseas that she tied on my wrist next to the one I made with my hitchbiking friends on the Ocracoke ferry.
It's so go but it's raining, riding in the rain is ALMOST as good as dancing in it.
Well it's done raining and back to sweltering. I think I found where all the money in the world is, houses on a1a..
I'm staying with the brother of a friend slash son of the family from ponte vedra in Daytona tonight. I don't know where he lives yet and I know he has to work at the lab at school so I have some time to kill.
I found a bike shop in Ormomd. I just needed to pump up my tires and clean my chain, but the AC felt so nice I just took my time and chilled.
So this bike shop is kinda like the north pole. A guy who said he was in the DEA just offered to buy me new tires and the guys from the shop pulled out a bunch of expired good and powerbars and said I could take what I wanted.
It's only eleven miles to Brian's place, but it's so muggy humid hott I'm just dripping. It just rained too so I'm dodging lizards and swimming in gnats. They are in my eyes, my hair, covering my chest an arms, looked like a semi flew through a mud puddle next to me but the mud specks are strugglin against their sweat bead prisions. Really uncomfortable.
I got to brians apartment complex and he met me outside. Super nice kid right from the bat. He was a little flustered from havin a rough day at school so he like me, just wants to chill.
He helps me get patty into the garage and bring in all my bags. His apartment is PERFECT. I can't believe TWO boys live here, I wish my roommates were that clean.
We go next store to see his girlfriend, her name is Gracie too and is super sweet. They figure out plans, I shower and we all hop in the car to go grocery shopping, man I love the grocery store.
I think we all just stars at icecream for 22 minutes.
Gracie made garlic bread and some awesome mac n cheese with crumbs on it and Brian cooked up some stiffed talipia. We sat at the table like a family, so cute :)
He shows me around and gets me situated while he hops in the shower and I play with his new baby kitten him and his girlfriend saved off the side of the road. She is in attack mode and keeps trying to hide in my handlebar bag, I knew I should have picked up a kitten for the ride. I would train it to be my ferocious guard cat.
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Sunday, July 10, 2011
July 10
I'm so mad at myself, I cant believe I didn't think if this earlier. A lot of people bike across the country to raise money for a charity. I didn't realize that until I was on the road and didn't want to be asking people for money. But I've met some people that have it set up all online and that seems the way to do it. Then it was the matter of what charity, something that meant something to me. Well yesterday it hit me. I know it's to late, maybe even for
The program too, but there is A united states Olympic education center at my school and some of it's programs could use some help. Some of my best friends were in the program, world class athletes from all over coming to little ol Marquette Michigan to peruse their Olympic dreams and get an education. However every year is a constant battle for funds and one by one I have had to say goodbye to my friends and they have to give up an opportunity of a lifetime. Now I'm no expert in the area, I don't know details. I just see how hard these kids work every day, so far from home. Many of them don't even get the chance to see family on holidays. I hate watching them have to leave everything they have worked so hard for because of money.
Woah ok, had to get that off my chest.
I'm all smiles this morning. Chris's family (also a member of the usoec weightlifting program) are just down right cool. I slept like a rock in this HUGE comfy bed and woke up to hugs, smiling faces and breakfast. Conversation comes so easy with this family.
After breakfast was Christmas. They are Advocare distributers and had so many products my jaw was on the floor. I couldn't imagine starting off with stuff like this. I would have been so much healthier and felt so much better. Live n learn.
Well try pretty much loaded me up, rehydrated powder, meal replacements, energy gels, breakfast bars, even oatmeal and raisins! I felt like I was on a commercial.
We also weighed Patty for the first time with all her gear. She was heavier than I thought, but not as heavy as I know she has been.
They also called Brian, their son in daytona, to set me up with a place to stay. He is already figuring out food and friends and more people down the way to stay with. I can't describe how good that makes me feel, to have support and be safe.
So we took our pictures and said our goodbyes,
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The program too, but there is A united states Olympic education center at my school and some of it's programs could use some help. Some of my best friends were in the program, world class athletes from all over coming to little ol Marquette Michigan to peruse their Olympic dreams and get an education. However every year is a constant battle for funds and one by one I have had to say goodbye to my friends and they have to give up an opportunity of a lifetime. Now I'm no expert in the area, I don't know details. I just see how hard these kids work every day, so far from home. Many of them don't even get the chance to see family on holidays. I hate watching them have to leave everything they have worked so hard for because of money.
Woah ok, had to get that off my chest.
I'm all smiles this morning. Chris's family (also a member of the usoec weightlifting program) are just down right cool. I slept like a rock in this HUGE comfy bed and woke up to hugs, smiling faces and breakfast. Conversation comes so easy with this family.
After breakfast was Christmas. They are Advocare distributers and had so many products my jaw was on the floor. I couldn't imagine starting off with stuff like this. I would have been so much healthier and felt so much better. Live n learn.
Well try pretty much loaded me up, rehydrated powder, meal replacements, energy gels, breakfast bars, even oatmeal and raisins! I felt like I was on a commercial.
We also weighed Patty for the first time with all her gear. She was heavier than I thought, but not as heavy as I know she has been.
They also called Brian, their son in daytona, to set me up with a place to stay. He is already figuring out food and friends and more people down the way to stay with. I can't describe how good that makes me feel, to have support and be safe.
So we took our pictures and said our goodbyes,
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Palmera Dr E,,United States
Saturday, July 9, 2011
July 9
I haven't been sleeping well, it's so hot and humid and my mind is just everywhere and thinking about everything.
However. I had one of the best morning wake up surprises a girl riding her bike alone down the east coast could have. I guess I have a lot of explaining to do before we get to this point.
I'm so tired my head hurts. I didn't get in the road till twelve so it's pretty warm. I don't feel like riding. All I want to do is pass out in a cheap motel with air conditioning. I dont have to ride far, I only have ten days of
The trip left and I have no reason or need to get anywhere. I mean, I'm in Florida, I met an amazing boy, and there was something else but I forgot.
Man, it's so hot and the headwind is making the ride slow, I just for passed by a runner.
I keep lookin for a Starbucks or McDonalds, terrible I know, but I really like how I can hide in them for hours and not get anything, and i do have another free salad coupon.
Well there is nothing out here but beautiful trees, huge houses and resorts. What a life some people live.
I just saved a snapper off the side of the road. I hate seeing all the dead turtles :(
I made it to the ferry, it was only a half mile river ferry and the guy kept telling me I was only 15 or sixteen. I don't know how to take that right now. But it's ok, I got to ride the dollar ferry for free :)
I may have found a place to stay. One of the weightlifters I got to school with lives in palm valley. He isn't here but offered to call his parents for me. Man I hope it works out, I could really use some good family company and a comatose sleeping period.
I wonder what they would say if I "just happened" to fall asleep in Arby's?
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However. I had one of the best morning wake up surprises a girl riding her bike alone down the east coast could have. I guess I have a lot of explaining to do before we get to this point.
I'm so tired my head hurts. I didn't get in the road till twelve so it's pretty warm. I don't feel like riding. All I want to do is pass out in a cheap motel with air conditioning. I dont have to ride far, I only have ten days of
The trip left and I have no reason or need to get anywhere. I mean, I'm in Florida, I met an amazing boy, and there was something else but I forgot.
Man, it's so hot and the headwind is making the ride slow, I just for passed by a runner.
I keep lookin for a Starbucks or McDonalds, terrible I know, but I really like how I can hide in them for hours and not get anything, and i do have another free salad coupon.
Well there is nothing out here but beautiful trees, huge houses and resorts. What a life some people live.
I just saved a snapper off the side of the road. I hate seeing all the dead turtles :(
I made it to the ferry, it was only a half mile river ferry and the guy kept telling me I was only 15 or sixteen. I don't know how to take that right now. But it's ok, I got to ride the dollar ferry for free :)
I may have found a place to stay. One of the weightlifters I got to school with lives in palm valley. He isn't here but offered to call his parents for me. Man I hope it works out, I could really use some good family company and a comatose sleeping period.
I wonder what they would say if I "just happened" to fall asleep in Arby's?
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Friday, July 8, 2011
July 8
I NEVER sleep in when I'm camping. I even had a friend try to wake up call me, comatose. Its good that I slept though, gotta kick this cold and this heat takes a lot outta me. It's almost nine and I haven't even started packing up yet, at least is cooler today, sky full of clouds. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
I have a weird feeling about today. I am only about 35 miles out of Florida. I feel like I'm so close, something is bound to happen to keep me from getting there. I really don't feel much like riding.
Well I got back in the groove of things. Stopped at a firehouse to fill up bottles. Didn't see anyone and didn't want to wake them if they were sleeping, so I helped myself to their sink and ice machine. So thanks guys :)
I also finally stopped at a post office and sent my post cards from north carolina, man I'm bad at that.
I met another really sweet Indian girl. I walked into the gas station and asked if I could fill my water bottles up with ice and water, she smiled and told me to go ahead. "but go grab yourself a 69 cent watter. We don't drink the watter here. I don't charge you, just go take it." swamp water, right.
I sat outside a gas station in kingsland to make some lunch just befor the downpour. I picked a bad place to sit, there are ants EVERYWHERE and I realized it to late. They are even in my pants and they are biting!
So I stopped at this building to get out of the rain. It looked abandon but ended up being a church. Not wo minutes after I stopped did this pretty southern white girl pull up with her arms full of poptarts. Yeah. I know where this is going. I think we talked for five seconds befor she leans back and looks at me, "are you Christian?" I KNOW I should have said yes, it would have saved me an hour of how I should love god, but of coarse I didn't. She wasn't too bad though, really sweet girl who just feels like it's her mission to spread the word of god. I'm not saying she, or people who so that are bad, I just think that actions speak louder than words. Like If she would have just walked up here, sat the groceries down and had a non god conversation, I would have gotten the message in a so much more efficient non judgmental way.
It's raining, the wind is in my face as I can see the bridge to florida. I cant believe how much pride I feel. I can't stop smiling and my brain is going crazy with all the images of everyone who has helped me along the way. Its like everyone is with me now crossing this scary slick bridge.
I may cry, but I don't quit. It's official, I have made it to Florida :)
This road is terrible. My bad feelin is back. My gut is telling me to pull off somewhere safe.
There is a shoulder but cars are flying by like I'm not even here.
It's so humid my glasses keep fogging up and every close call
My skin does something weird and I get this horrible stinging feeling.
I pull off at a truck weight station. I wonder if I could weigh patty. Maybe in better spirits I would ask.
I wasn't paying attention when the attendant drove up to me saying there was water and a bathroom in the building. Dumping out that swamp water was a pretty good feeling.
I needed to get something to eat in yulee. But there was nothin so I sat outside a gas station and ate some dried cranberries and peanut butter.
This is so frustrating. I caught back up with the adventure cycling route in yulee. It told me to take a1a to Fernandina beach. It's four lanes of horrible traffic and the shoulder is torn to shreds. The road itself is new and perfect though,nso drivers have no problem flying past me. I'm trying my best to keep balance, there are a lot of ripples, loose gravel and potholes. If I go down I'm done for.
I made it to a campground and this souther guy with a long ponytail and this little boy walk up to me looking at me kind of sideways. I asked them how much it was to camp, 28 dollars. Shit I thought. Well how about this traffic, is It always this bad or is it just rush hour? "oh it's just rush hour. It should die down around six thirty." he told me I could wait here. " the bathrooms are over there" as he pointed to a worn looking building down the way, "you are more than welcome to wait there. Theres air conditioning." that's all he needed to say. I did a loop around the campground, not a lot goin on except two guys sittin on the end of their pickup, before locking myself in the bathroom.
So I left my good scrubby washcloth back in north Carolina. I keep telling myself I'll get a new one, I'll see a store and be like eh, I'll get it at the next one. Now I'm in Florida and I am still using my bandanna.
Despite my lack of toiletries, I was a GREAT shower, until I had to put my dirty bike clothes back on.
I went outside and the traffic was still disgusting. I was really hoping I had a rice sides packed away, the pasta side are pretty disgusting when you only use water.
I did have one and just before I started to put my stove together this lady and her wiener dog walked over and struck up conversation. She was really nice but I was REALLY hungry, and when I get hungry I get cranky.
Long story short she took me back to her site and fed me this AMAZING pot roast stew stuff, so much better than rice sides. Her and her friend were really nice and even offered me their couch as we ate freeze pops. The offer was tempting but I still needed to get further so I would make it to the family that's taking me in tomorrow. I also wanted to be done with this terrible road and never ever see it again.
I had thirteen or so more miles of awfulness before the campground and back on that road. Miles do fly when your mind is focused on not dying. I dodged truck mirrors, gravel and turn lanes for about forty five minutes before finding a side walk. Now all I have to worry about is people flying out of fast food restaurant parking lots and blasting me from the side.
I got to fort clinch a lot sooner than I expected and was pumped it was still open. However, all excitement must be crushed. The guy at the window was obviously having a bad day and desensitized to people. "28.80" he said. I looked at him, then down at patty. "even for a tent site?" "28.80" "I don't even have a car" I pleaded. This time he just looked at me emotionless. I could have cried.
I left the park and went to the beach. It really was beautiful. I looked for potential families but it was pretty late and things didn't look promising. After talking to my dad and a lady I'll be staying with in a few days I sucked up my pride and headed back to the park as the sun was settin.
Man, I HATE payin so much to set up in the dark only to leave at dawn. But like I learned in lorton, safety is more important than money.
The guy hadn't changed. "you gonna tent for the night? Go park over there and come in the back door" park I thought as I wheeled patty to a fence, can this guy not see?
There was a lady in front of me and the guy was so frustrated. I tried to make small talk but he was having none of it. Turns out he is just really upset because the computer runs off the cell phone tower and is really slow. Wow.
Then two heavier ladies strutted in with HUGE boobs. Must have been mom and daughter. They walked in boobs first like there poop didn't stink. They tried to be cute with the man with the slow computer to get fort tour tickets. He wasn't havin it, charged them, and sent them on their way. They obviously didn't think that was an appropriate dismissal so again tried to be cute, "well where is ya'alls fort thing at anyway?" they didnt like his answer when he told them three miles back the way they came from. "you mean I gotta DRIVE all the way back there, we just drove all the way up here to get tickets" "yes mam" he said. I caught him roll his eyes as they strutted out.
The conversation almost sent me in tears. Here I am, this grubby little girl, standing in the office in my bike gear and helmet. All i want is a safe place to stay i have to listen to this.
I waited another fifteen minutes for the lady's transaction to go through as i watched the last of the daylight absorb into the forrest. When hers went through i stepped up to the counter and handed over my id and card. The guy just threw his hands on the counter and looked at menlike i was an annoyance "the computer is at a stand still"
I just did some of my laundry in the shower, I'm feeling pretty efficient.
.
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Thursday, July 7, 2011
July 7
The Indian family who own this hotel I decided are the nicest people. I didn't expect continental with such a low price but as I walked in one of the gentleman was putting on a pot of coffee. It wasn't much, just that and a few muffins, but it's the little things like that that make me smile. I don't think he spoke English though, cause when I tried to thank him he just babbled and smiled.
I slept pretty well and I think a huge thunderstorm went through last night so I'm pretty glad I went with the hotel.
As for my body and the crash yesterday, it's not to bad, actually a little unbelievable. My elbow is a little stiff and will be pretty colors soon, but better than when I went to bed. Still can't breath out my nose, but that's just from all the snot.
The boys got ahold of me last night. I had for sure thought they would be in Florida by now, but they are only in Reidsville and that's inland a little behind me. They took a rest day on the fourth and got hit with hills and rain.
Something is wrong with Patty's back wheel. The pressure is really low which is frustrating because I just had her tires taken apart and fixed a few days ago in charleston, new tubes and all. I should have known in savannah when I pumped them up, it was at 45 psi.
I lost my valve converter to be able to pump them up at gas stations, I guess that's ok, I'd probably blow them up.
I have 57 miles to the next bike shop.
I'll hand pump her up at the next gas station.
Ok the next gas station without bars on the windows..
I Think I've been drinking swamp water, guess we'll find out in a few hours eh?
Well I didn't get sick, but it sure is hott and so humid I need gills to breath.
Whoever designed the shoulder getting into Brunswick needs to know the wake up bumps go on the side by the white line, they are gonna get me killed.
I made it to the bike shop. I was a little nervous at first, it was a bike and mower shop. I walked in and there was a huge long hair calico cat lounging on the counter and two really friendly guys. We took the back tire apart. It all comes back to that flat I had in Colombia Pennsylvania. The glass pushed through the tire and that little hole has been creatin pinch flats ever since.
We taped a chunk of bar tape over the hole, hopefully that will keep me goin till the end of the trip.
I found subway and plan on chillen here until I find a place to sleep or the heat dies a little more.
I was sittin in subway and this real pretty black girl walked in. She ate for a bit and when I grabbed my trash on the way to the bathroom she said something like bye now have a nice day. I wasn't sure if she was talkin to me so I was extra polite when I walked back out. Then she goes, "so did you ride the whole way here?" the whole way from where I thought. "I rode from Maine." her expression didn't change as she munched on her sandwich and after a slight pause, "is that far?"
I sent out a few couch surfing requests and ended up calling an rv park. I wasn't expecting much after being shot down yesterday, but the lady on the phone assured me they had tent sites, even primitive ones! That meant I was most likely gonna be able to afford a safe place to stay. I was right, 15 bucks :)
The city was so gorgeous, but it looked like a storm was coming so i didn't go exploring.
I went over another one of those big white suspension bridges. There were a few people walking and running and biking. One of the bikers caught up to me and we had a quick convo on the decent.
On the other side it was back to the sleep bumps on the shoulder. I rode on the white line or an inch or so right of it, whenever I hit the bumps patty shook so bad and I couldn't see a thing out my mirror. I'm pretty sure I still got flicked off..
I got to the park and the little ok lady who checked me in was a sweetheart and told me about when she was younger and took a van all over the country. Then she asked if I had a tv. I laughed and looked out the window at Patty.
I set up my tent under a tarp without the rain fly. I want to try and not drown in my sweat tonight. Took a shower in swamp water and just chilled on a bench in front of a tree that was smilin at me.
It's dark now and I can hear sticks breaking a few feet from my tent, sweet.
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Location:U.S. 17,Richmond Hill,United States
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July 6
So I'm defiantly sick, not bad, but congested and soar throat. Not fun to ride with a head full of snot.
Evan had to go to a brief at 730 this morning so we both got up early. It's a bummer always sayin goodbye to such good people. Riding off base though was pretty cool because everyone was goin in for work. It was like a gated highschol and I was skipping class.
I dont know where I'm stayin at. I already have in 14 miles before 830 and Savannah is only another 28 away. I'll probably just check out the city for a bit then head south when it cools down.
I made it into savannah before noon, I'm pretty sure I took the expressway for a bit, but at least there was a nice shoulder.
I still have no idea where I'm going to stay but I found SCAD am about to take a tour with a bunch of freshman. The lady just said free coffee and shuttle tour. Sweet.
So this tour is pretty awesome. They put us on a shuttle and are driving us all around the city going into the different buildings and studios. Our tour guide is a 22 year old from Mexico and she is HILARIOUS and very informative. Best of all, it's free :)
I've had a bad feeling all day, even real bad dreams last night. I'm sick and tired and couldn't find a place to stay in savannah so I tried to make a break for it and beat the storm and get to a campground 20 miles south. Well to get out of the city I had to go through the bad part, there is glass everywhere and my gut is tellin me to get the heck out of here. I'm almost out and all of a sudden I hear a POP and my bike starts wobbling out of control. I look down and I'm about to run over my pannier. I try to slow down and get it under controll but I was goin down hill with a tailwind and there was no shoulder in two lane traffic. I hit sand, Patty skidded out and I went flying. It was like falling of a tube behind a speedboat, I bounced and rolled and skidded about ten feet before I came to a stop. I looked up to see my bike and water bottles scattered on the road and everyone just kept driving. I waited for it to be clear and dragged patty off the road trying to access the damage. My rack was not hanging the right way, upside down still dragging my front bag. I tried to put the bolt back in but something is blocking it. The bolt had snapped in half out of no where.
I still can't believe no one stopped. I stop take some deep breaths and assess myself. My left knee is a little banged up and I can't really feel my elbow. It's already sticking out an inch, but I think it's just fluid. I can still kind ofove it. I
Not in a good part of town and still don't know what to do.
I didn't break down, I did get pretty choked up when I called the bike shop, they went any help, neuter was te rv campground a few miles away.
I just looked a my rack, the bolt was busted and the other on was loose. I still can't find my multiple tool and o tried to get te chunk of bolt out of party's fork, but it was useless. I ceases in front of family dollar and was thinking about ducktap, but then my bags wouldn't fit on. I remembered my zip ties and zip tied the crap out of my rack, took all the heavy stuff out of that bag and tested it out. It worked!
I can't really bent my elbo, but the way I hold my arms when I ride doesn't bother it. I took party for a spin in the parking lot and she seemed ok, so I hit the road.
Traffic was still kinda busy and there wasn't much shoulder, but hen in two miles a shoulder started, then a bike lane! I couldn't believe it, a shoulder, a bike lane, AND a tail wind. Its amazing how fast things change.
It was still fifteen miles to the campground, I got there on no time, well almost there.. There were tons of hotels and one had a sigh that said "weekly special $27.99" no way I thought, then say the resteraunt, must be a dinner special. I rode by then thought better of it and turned around to check it out. A little Indian girl walked out, I asked her about the special and she said I was only if you stayed the whole week. My heart sunk a little as I went to leave. "well," I said as I looked back at her, "how much is it for just one night?" "tirty dollars". I thought I heard her wrong, holy crap I thought, that's cheaper than the campground.
So now I'm laying here in air conditioning all showered up and two beds to myself. Sweet.
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Evan had to go to a brief at 730 this morning so we both got up early. It's a bummer always sayin goodbye to such good people. Riding off base though was pretty cool because everyone was goin in for work. It was like a gated highschol and I was skipping class.
I dont know where I'm stayin at. I already have in 14 miles before 830 and Savannah is only another 28 away. I'll probably just check out the city for a bit then head south when it cools down.
I made it into savannah before noon, I'm pretty sure I took the expressway for a bit, but at least there was a nice shoulder.
I still have no idea where I'm going to stay but I found SCAD am about to take a tour with a bunch of freshman. The lady just said free coffee and shuttle tour. Sweet.
So this tour is pretty awesome. They put us on a shuttle and are driving us all around the city going into the different buildings and studios. Our tour guide is a 22 year old from Mexico and she is HILARIOUS and very informative. Best of all, it's free :)
I've had a bad feeling all day, even real bad dreams last night. I'm sick and tired and couldn't find a place to stay in savannah so I tried to make a break for it and beat the storm and get to a campground 20 miles south. Well to get out of the city I had to go through the bad part, there is glass everywhere and my gut is tellin me to get the heck out of here. I'm almost out and all of a sudden I hear a POP and my bike starts wobbling out of control. I look down and I'm about to run over my pannier. I try to slow down and get it under controll but I was goin down hill with a tailwind and there was no shoulder in two lane traffic. I hit sand, Patty skidded out and I went flying. It was like falling of a tube behind a speedboat, I bounced and rolled and skidded about ten feet before I came to a stop. I looked up to see my bike and water bottles scattered on the road and everyone just kept driving. I waited for it to be clear and dragged patty off the road trying to access the damage. My rack was not hanging the right way, upside down still dragging my front bag. I tried to put the bolt back in but something is blocking it. The bolt had snapped in half out of no where.
I still can't believe no one stopped. I stop take some deep breaths and assess myself. My left knee is a little banged up and I can't really feel my elbow. It's already sticking out an inch, but I think it's just fluid. I can still kind ofove it. I
Not in a good part of town and still don't know what to do.
I didn't break down, I did get pretty choked up when I called the bike shop, they went any help, neuter was te rv campground a few miles away.
I just looked a my rack, the bolt was busted and the other on was loose. I still can't find my multiple tool and o tried to get te chunk of bolt out of party's fork, but it was useless. I ceases in front of family dollar and was thinking about ducktap, but then my bags wouldn't fit on. I remembered my zip ties and zip tied the crap out of my rack, took all the heavy stuff out of that bag and tested it out. It worked!
I can't really bent my elbo, but the way I hold my arms when I ride doesn't bother it. I took party for a spin in the parking lot and she seemed ok, so I hit the road.
Traffic was still kinda busy and there wasn't much shoulder, but hen in two miles a shoulder started, then a bike lane! I couldn't believe it, a shoulder, a bike lane, AND a tail wind. Its amazing how fast things change.
It was still fifteen miles to the campground, I got there on no time, well almost there.. There were tons of hotels and one had a sigh that said "weekly special $27.99" no way I thought, then say the resteraunt, must be a dinner special. I rode by then thought better of it and turned around to check it out. A little Indian girl walked out, I asked her about the special and she said I was only if you stayed the whole week. My heart sunk a little as I went to leave. "well," I said as I looked back at her, "how much is it for just one night?" "tirty dollars". I thought I heard her wrong, holy crap I thought, that's cheaper than the campground.
So now I'm laying here in air conditioning all showered up and two beds to myself. Sweet.
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Location:Callawassie Dr,Okatie,United States
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 5
So I'm still at the bar and it's AWESOME! I could really see myself moving to the carolinas. One of their friends just showed up with a bag of jello shots, how has my good luck not ran out?
I woke up around seven, the little soar throat I had yesterday is defiantly getting worse and I feel like I got hit by a bus. I think evan is in the same boat, stumbling around the room mumbling good hearted frustrations. He had to go get his car, and hopefully I didn't dream this but when he got back he said he got us dunkin donuts.
It's almost eleven now and I'm still in bed. Savannah isn't very far and I like where I am. so I'm not to worried about it. But I still need to find a place to stay there.
We went running around the fit strip on base. It's so hott and humid I think I sweated 4 pounds. I sent my running shoes home back in dc so i ran in socks and sandals.
I think I'm staying here and leaving early in the morning. That will give me time to check out Savannah. I feel like I'm weaning myself of the bike trip and learning how to live in society again.
We walked into the restaurant and a little naked girl in light up shoes was running out. I complimented her on them.
The three marines here just split a small salad and it totally kicked their butts. Its good to see who is protection our country.
I finished the five pound salad and was nervous about the jumbo crab cake I ordered. Then she put it in front of me and I was kinda disappointed, it was so small for so much.
Well that little crab cake kicked my butt, I take back what I said about the pansy marines.
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I woke up around seven, the little soar throat I had yesterday is defiantly getting worse and I feel like I got hit by a bus. I think evan is in the same boat, stumbling around the room mumbling good hearted frustrations. He had to go get his car, and hopefully I didn't dream this but when he got back he said he got us dunkin donuts.
It's almost eleven now and I'm still in bed. Savannah isn't very far and I like where I am. so I'm not to worried about it. But I still need to find a place to stay there.
We went running around the fit strip on base. It's so hott and humid I think I sweated 4 pounds. I sent my running shoes home back in dc so i ran in socks and sandals.
I think I'm staying here and leaving early in the morning. That will give me time to check out Savannah. I feel like I'm weaning myself of the bike trip and learning how to live in society again.
We walked into the restaurant and a little naked girl in light up shoes was running out. I complimented her on them.
The three marines here just split a small salad and it totally kicked their butts. Its good to see who is protection our country.
I finished the five pound salad and was nervous about the jumbo crab cake I ordered. Then she put it in front of me and I was kinda disappointed, it was so small for so much.
Well that little crab cake kicked my butt, I take back what I said about the pansy marines.
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Location:Charles St,Beaufort,United States
July 4th
It's seven in the morning, patty is in the back seat of the car and Jeff is driving me down 17 until we find a safe place to drop me off.
I'm not meeting up with the guys, I'll be in savannah in two days and I pray 17 is good between savannah and Jacksonville.
My throat is a little soar, that's a first for the trip, hope it goes away and doesn't come back.
I hope I can find a safe place to stay in Beaufort tonight.
We found a gas station about fifteen or so miles out of charleston. Jeff put patty back together and I shooed him off before I cried. I HATE saying goodbye.
17 isn't to bad, there isn't really a shoulder but the roads are wide and the traffic is light.
So I found a place to stay in beaufort. I pulled off to the side of the road to fill up bottles and take a break. It's so hott and there is no shade. This part of 17 has just been paved so all I can smell is the tar and the heat comin off the new black pavement.
Anyways Evan from
Couch surfing called me back and said he was in town for the weekend and I could stay with him. He is on base though so I would have to meet him somewhere.
I'm a little nervous. I have heard bad things about marines.
Well I got into beaufort a lot faster than I thought. Couldn't really find the place where he was supposed to pick me up, but after a dew tries I got it. I was just about to send my postcards from north Carolina when he pulled up in a silver pickup. I guys there is room in his car for Patty.
I got a really good vibe when I met him, just a good chill guy, helped me with patty and the bags and got me on base.
I can't believe how clean his room is, everything is so organized, impressive for a guy. I got a good cold shower. We hung out for a bit then headed to food lion to get beer brots and ten other things for his friends cookout. Man I love the grocery store.
I can't believe how nice all his friends are. Its crazy most of them are married so young. I met the girls first, they were so friendly and the food was AWESOME.
Outside they were playing corn hole and the couple from Byron Michigan has the cutest twin boys.
We tried tried to go to the fireworks but Evans night driving skills are about as good as mine so we missed ten and just met up with friends at the bar.
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I'm not meeting up with the guys, I'll be in savannah in two days and I pray 17 is good between savannah and Jacksonville.
My throat is a little soar, that's a first for the trip, hope it goes away and doesn't come back.
I hope I can find a safe place to stay in Beaufort tonight.
We found a gas station about fifteen or so miles out of charleston. Jeff put patty back together and I shooed him off before I cried. I HATE saying goodbye.
17 isn't to bad, there isn't really a shoulder but the roads are wide and the traffic is light.
So I found a place to stay in beaufort. I pulled off to the side of the road to fill up bottles and take a break. It's so hott and there is no shade. This part of 17 has just been paved so all I can smell is the tar and the heat comin off the new black pavement.
Anyways Evan from
Couch surfing called me back and said he was in town for the weekend and I could stay with him. He is on base though so I would have to meet him somewhere.
I'm a little nervous. I have heard bad things about marines.
Well I got into beaufort a lot faster than I thought. Couldn't really find the place where he was supposed to pick me up, but after a dew tries I got it. I was just about to send my postcards from north Carolina when he pulled up in a silver pickup. I guys there is room in his car for Patty.
I got a really good vibe when I met him, just a good chill guy, helped me with patty and the bags and got me on base.
I can't believe how clean his room is, everything is so organized, impressive for a guy. I got a good cold shower. We hung out for a bit then headed to food lion to get beer brots and ten other things for his friends cookout. Man I love the grocery store.
I can't believe how nice all his friends are. Its crazy most of them are married so young. I met the girls first, they were so friendly and the food was AWESOME.
Outside they were playing corn hole and the couple from Byron Michigan has the cutest twin boys.
We tried tried to go to the fireworks but Evans night driving skills are about as good as mine so we missed ten and just met up with friends at the bar.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Sumter St,Charleston,United States
Sunday, July 3, 2011
July 3
Charleston, South Carolina is my new favorite city. Also if you are a single guy, I recommend you move here, I have never seen so many beautiful girls in my whole life.
Jeff is free dive spear fishing in the ocean so I took Patty out to explore the town. I only made it to king street and urban outfitters. They are having an awesome sale and got two shirts for seven dollars, poor patty is getting fatter.
I don't know when I'm leavin charleston. Joey said I am welcome to stay longer and both Lindsey and the girl from the bar said I could probably stay with them as well. The guys I guess got a ride out of the city yesterday and have been dragging there feet. They said I would have no problem catching up, but they are following the maps and I may just take 17 into savannah.
I really don't want to overstay my welcome, but tomorrow is the fourth and I don't do well on holidays on my own and the traffic is going to be horrible. It's also hard for me to get close to anyone on this trip. Im super good at getting to know people fast, but after a day my wall starts to go back up because I know I'll have to leave and it's so draining to say goodbye all the time. I don't think traveling like this is going to help me in the relationship department in the future.
The boys kinda feel like my brothers, Joey took me grocery shopping and made me my first vegan meal and it was AWESOME! Now that jeff is home from spear fishing we are trying to figure out where to drop me off. Alex and chris are already a day ahead of me. They are following the maps and plan on being in statesboro tomorrow. The thing is that the maps go
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Jeff is free dive spear fishing in the ocean so I took Patty out to explore the town. I only made it to king street and urban outfitters. They are having an awesome sale and got two shirts for seven dollars, poor patty is getting fatter.
I don't know when I'm leavin charleston. Joey said I am welcome to stay longer and both Lindsey and the girl from the bar said I could probably stay with them as well. The guys I guess got a ride out of the city yesterday and have been dragging there feet. They said I would have no problem catching up, but they are following the maps and I may just take 17 into savannah.
I really don't want to overstay my welcome, but tomorrow is the fourth and I don't do well on holidays on my own and the traffic is going to be horrible. It's also hard for me to get close to anyone on this trip. Im super good at getting to know people fast, but after a day my wall starts to go back up because I know I'll have to leave and it's so draining to say goodbye all the time. I don't think traveling like this is going to help me in the relationship department in the future.
The boys kinda feel like my brothers, Joey took me grocery shopping and made me my first vegan meal and it was AWESOME! Now that jeff is home from spear fishing we are trying to figure out where to drop me off. Alex and chris are already a day ahead of me. They are following the maps and plan on being in statesboro tomorrow. The thing is that the maps go
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Location:King St,Charleston,United States
Saturday, July 2, 2011
July 2
So I'm a little hung over. I don't know what the plan for today is. Jeff and his friends are gonna spend the day at the beach and want me to come but I haven't heard back from the boys.
Last night was one of the coolest nights of the trip. We went bar hopping and met so many people, I think jeff is friends with the whole city. He is one of those people who has the ability to make everyone he talks to feel good.
I still can't believe I ran into Lindsey at Taco Boy, I had no idea she even lived here.
I think I lost my charger at the bar.
Jeff got Joey up, he was pretty hung over too, yesterday was his last night at tacoboy. Neither his car nor bike were home and there was a veggie burger sittin in the oven.
We pulled ourselves and beach gear together and headed to folly beach. The traffic was pretty nuts but the bridges across the marshes connecting the peninsulas were so pretty.
When we crossed over to James island the trees covered the road and Spanish moss swayed from the branches.
The boys are pretty big into paddle ball, last time Joey broke the paddle so we stopped in to get some new ones and a few beers.
Sarah and Eric were already at the beach with their cooler soaking up the sun. We chatted and swam, walked down the beach a little to meet some of their other friends. They gave me a cup, if you get caught with bottles or cans down here on the beach its a thousand dollar ticket.
Then their other friend Perry got there so we went back to the road to help her haul the 48 beers she bought back to the beach.
It was nice to have Perry and Sarah around, it's good to get in some girl time every once in a while.
It's so nice here.
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Last night was one of the coolest nights of the trip. We went bar hopping and met so many people, I think jeff is friends with the whole city. He is one of those people who has the ability to make everyone he talks to feel good.
I still can't believe I ran into Lindsey at Taco Boy, I had no idea she even lived here.
I think I lost my charger at the bar.
Jeff got Joey up, he was pretty hung over too, yesterday was his last night at tacoboy. Neither his car nor bike were home and there was a veggie burger sittin in the oven.
We pulled ourselves and beach gear together and headed to folly beach. The traffic was pretty nuts but the bridges across the marshes connecting the peninsulas were so pretty.
When we crossed over to James island the trees covered the road and Spanish moss swayed from the branches.
The boys are pretty big into paddle ball, last time Joey broke the paddle so we stopped in to get some new ones and a few beers.
Sarah and Eric were already at the beach with their cooler soaking up the sun. We chatted and swam, walked down the beach a little to meet some of their other friends. They gave me a cup, if you get caught with bottles or cans down here on the beach its a thousand dollar ticket.
Then their other friend Perry got there so we went back to the road to help her haul the 48 beers she bought back to the beach.
It was nice to have Perry and Sarah around, it's good to get in some girl time every once in a while.
It's so nice here.
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Location:Sumter St,Charleston,United States
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 1
I didn't sleep to well at the fire house, despite it was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on, just to much on my mind and sleeping with one eye open kind of thing.
I woke up at 545 and one of the guys, said he was gonna wake me up. I packed up and when I opened the door to leave they both got up and hugged me goodbye.
This might be the earliest I have been on the road. The town is still sketchy at six in the morning, a few people pushing shopping carts.
I met up with the guys at McDonalds and paid like 328 for the worst breakfast sandwich.
We all almost just died. The road we are taking into charlston is a huge trucking road with no shoulder. There was a big truck coming toward us and one behind. Usually they slow
Down and wait to pass, but this jerk sped up and passed us at the same time as the other guy. I thought we were dead and just screamed and it knocked chris off his bike. They are taking a smoke break...
The fire ants are killer out here..
I'm pretty super bummed. We got to the gas station in Jamestown and were about to leave and my tire was low. We tried to pump it up and there was something messed up with the valve. Both the guys tried but we all failed. I pulled the tube out and it was ripped at the valve. I put another one in but must have pinched it because it wouldn't hold air either.
The guys were all about calling a cab after the truck incident. Chris was already calling companies, alex lookin for the patch kit, and I was calling warm showers.
Chris got a minivan cab, alex didn't find a patch kit, then a guy from warm showers called me back and was bummed we already called a cab because he could have gotten us a ride. We are bummed too. I HATE spending money on stuff like this when I don't have to.
The cab guy wouldn't even pick us up, said chris's card was bad and Leo sayin we were shistin him. But as that convo was goin on to older south Carolina guys asked us if we needed a ride. They ha a pickup and were goin to Charleston.
We waited for the trooper to leave before loading up the truck. The bikes fit in perfect with enough room for the guys to sit in back and I sat between the Ralf and uncle Jesse in the cab.
Patty is so sick, there was a leak in the back tire too. The front wheel is crooked, the tape protecting the tube from the spokes was all crooked and he said I need a new chain and cassette, something about a 1% whatever. I just can't afford that right now.
I'm so tired I can feel myself chokin up a bit.
The damage wasn't as bad as I expected, I didn't go with the cassette and chain. I just hope she has another thousand miles in her.
I defiantly just ate two mcchickens and I'm so ready for a beer and a nap, just gotta figure out where I'm goin to stay.
We got through the construction mess going into Charleston, and over the bridge. Uncle Jesse called cause they drove over and saw us, wanted to make sure we were ok, what good people.
I'm so exhausted I can hardly stand it, I'm grumpy and stressed and feel like I could break down at any second.
We lost chris at the light, I found the park parked patty, pulled out some clothes to lay on and just chilled out. But of coarse I can't sleep because there are bugs crawling all over me and biting and I still don't know where I'm gonna stay.
So I found a place to stay. I decided to check out warm showers and there was a 22 year old less than a kilometer away.
So jeff is pretty much one of the coolest guys I have ever met. He picked me up after work in the park right before it started storming. We got patty into his little toyota and I got a shower and we went out to taco boy for drinks and food.
We were sittin at the bar, his Roomate is a bar tender here. We got frozen screwdrivers with a shot of grande marnier. Then we needed to move outside and I seethis girl who looks a lot like the girl I went to highschool with. I kinda just stared at her until the guy she was talking to told her to turn around. I was like, is your last na, GRACE!!!!! Oh my goodness it was Lindsey Maloney!! How does that happen? We have known eachother since middleschool!
Heads shots tails appeetivo, I love charleston!!!!
Holy cow this is awesome
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Location:N Olive St,Andrews,United States
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