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

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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Location:Callawassie Dr,Okatie,United States

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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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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Location:Sumter St,Charleston,United States

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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Location:King St,Charleston,United States

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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Location:Sumter St,Charleston,United States

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