Saturday, May 26, 2007

End of an Odyssey

Hello Friends and Family:

I'm a bit negligent in wrapping up my
communications from the field. Arrived home in Ramsey
Wednesday night and have been chillin ever since. Got
a little work done today but nothing of consequence.

Here's the end of a long tale: I believe I left
off in St. Augustine. There I met Julie and Matt at
the A1A BrewPub. Julie tried to talk me into
accompanying them on a ghost tour, but I opted for an
early night to bed (along with the tour record three
beers I consumed with them). Great kids from Florida's
west coast. Pics of the bartenders from our afternoon
together were an attempt to catch some ghostly orbs
for Julie. We know they were there, just didn't show
themselves.

Left St. Augustine on Saturday morning, the 19th.
I hope that's right, as many dates have tended to
blend. Stopped for lunch that day in Flagler Beach.
Great shore town if you want to avoid the typical
tacky boardwalk beach. Arrived in Daytona later that
day and made it an unintended stay.

In early afternoon, still plenty of time to
continue south, I pulled into the only shade I could
find to drink, check my disobedient tire and take a
brief rest. While sitting on a bench to the right of
the somewhat pretentious Hawaiian Resort entrance, my
counterpart on the left bench engaged me in a
conversation. Seems he (Lt. Alex Moody) had recently
returned from his second tour in Iraq with the 10th
Mountain Div Reserves. Ian had been in the 10th
Mountain, so Alex was surprised to find another human
being who knew where Watertown and Sackets Harbor are.

Alex is still a mystery to me in my "People Tour",
and this is why. He had fallen asleep on the beach.
He assumed his wallet had slipped from his pocket, for
when he woke it was gone. No cards, no military
papers, no money. Friends were supposedly on their
way north from Ft. Lauderdale to rescue. I "insisted"
on buying him a drink (no really, it was my idea)
which ended up to be several for him and several beers
and chips for me. I also met a couple from Tennessee
who had had too much sun and too much refreshment.
"In appreciation" for my generosity, Alex talked me
into going to dinner with him, them, and his friends,
later -- much later, like 9:30.

Well, by 10:00, starving, I walked outside to
unsuccessfully find food, prepared a peanut butter and
raisin sandwich, and went to bed. In the morning I
called the cell phone number he had given me. "Voice
Mailbox full". The front desk had no Moody or Mooly
or other Moor registered. Really weird because he
provided so many facts about things I knew to be so.
I even reversed checked his phone number, and that
matched. No, he didn't ask for money or talk me into
investing or providing my SS#. Still curious and plan
to "Track him down" in Albany (area).

I still had about 70 miles to Ian and Michelle's,
so I informed them that I'd break it into two short,
easy days and arrive Tuesday. Bikers: you know you
can't stop once you're on a roll, so at 40ish miles I
decided to go all the way. I did stop at a bar on
Merritt Island and called Ian. His military
personality doesn't handle surprises as well as my
scattered self does, but he rushed home.

I haven't seen the photos yet. Plan to go to
Snapfish right now, but he and Michelle were outside
the house with Henry and cameras and balloons and a
winners tape for me to break. Victory party pics
included a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bottle
of Champagne shook and sprayed at me. It was soooo
terrific. I also received a USA jersey and a
"Discovery Channel - Credit Lyonnaisse, Maillot Jaune
(Tour de France Yellow Jersey for you four wheelers).
It was so touching that my son rewarded my effort and
appreciated the accomplishment.

The last person on my "People Tour" is Chuck Web,
the politically sharpest waiter I've ever met. We
were between lunch and dinner at the Macaroni Grill in
the Orlando Airport, and he made the time to really
discuss the state of this absurd war and our absurd
administration. I guess Chuck was placed there to
take me back to reality.

Oh yes. And my delicious grandson Henry (13 mos)
is so beautiful and so amazing. Hope there's a photo
in blogspot or Snapfish for you to see him. Except
Michelle and Ian are convinced that his runny nose is
teething. Well, I'm not teething, but I've had a sore
throat and runny nose since Tuesday night. Henry's
first childhood passalong.

All in all, with a slight computer correction, I
judge 1330 miles over 24 riding days. That mileage
number is a bit false because on my four "days off" I
usually rode around to see the sites. A great
bus-man's holiday. Thanks for your interest. I loved
knowing that you were following me.

Love to all,
J

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Album complete

As I type this, I am uploading to the Snapfish album an additional 135+ photos Jim left on our hard drive. I also took quite a few of him crossing the finish line at our house, which I am also in the process of uploading.

So check back later today or tonight, for the final & complete album. Unfortunately, they are no longer in chronological order. There are just too many for me to sort through now and try to get them in order. Perhaps Jim might want to conquer that beast ~ or just leave them as is.

I hope you enjoy the photos!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Album updated

I uploaded a ton more photos to the Snapfish album, so be sure to check them out!

The Eagle has Landed

Around 4 o'clock this afternoon, Ian called from work to say that he had just gotten off the phone with his father...and, much to our surprise, Jim was just down the street!!!!

Ian flew home from work with a couple of bottles of champagne (one to drink and one to pour over Jim's head!), along with a big bunch of flowers...and, after setting up the finish line, he got out the special order jerseys and the camera. We stood outside and waited until we saw Grandpa Jim come around the corner and then we rolled the camera. We were able to catch Jim's finish on video, along with lots of still photos. I'll have to do some uploading so all can enjoy.

Jim looks amazing. Full of sunshine and great stories. Some really great stories!!!!! Will post more later...but he is here and is safe and is very excited. We are very proud of him!!!!!!!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Photo Album Updated

I uploaded over twenty new photos, from Jim's journey, to the Snapfish album ~ be sure to check it out.

I have about ten more e-mails from Jim, mostly of photos that he's sent. Tomorrow I will work on uploading those and adding any additional e-mail updates he may have sent me. Check back tomorrow / tomorrow night.

May 19 Update

Update from Jim, sent on May 19:

Decided to stay one more day.  Sun, sand, nice
historical town and sand. Using my day off to ride my
bike. Duhh.

Went to the beach this morning and eventually had
to dig out my beach towel. Wind is really kicking up
the surf and blowing the beach into every pore of my
skin. Guess I picked the wrong day to go to the
beach. Showered and found a grocery store to catch up
on my fruits and veggies.

Tomorrow am I'll head south again, hoping to reach Ian &
Michelle's by Tuesday evening.

At the St Augustine Library on Rt 1, but forgot my
wire, so no pics. Yesterday I was able to do Ian's
trick and insert my camera chip into the hostel
computer. NG here

Congratulations Nico. Now the hard work begins for
real.

Love,

J

May 18 Update

Update from Jim, sent on May 18:

Writing from the Pirate Haus Hostel in St Augustine.
Arrived 3ish after 59 miles from Amelia Island.
I had a great ale from a micro brewery after a hot
shower. St Augustine is interesting to walk around.
Great buildings large and small and all old.

Amazing tail wind today, 18, 19 mph. It's so easy
to fly, I'm constantly tempted to continue to raise my
gearing and fly faster, but that does require a
little extra effort, and I have to keep reminding
myself that this is supposed to be fun. Still having
tire trouble. Got another new tube in Jacksonville.
I'll change it tonight, but there's a problem in the
rear that I can't diagnose. Fortunately it's a slow
leak, so a repump every eight miles or so got me here.

Nice bike shop in Jacksonville gave me a tube. I'll
supply his name next email for incorporation into the
blog. He said it was pay forward for all the help he
got on tour.

Unable to send photos here. I'll try the library.

Love to all,

J

May 17 Update #2

Update from Jim, sent the evening of May 17:

I so screwed up. I followed my maps, but I did them
wrong. Instead of staying on US 17 all the way to
Jacksonville, I turned on A1A and ended up too far
north, on Amelia Island. I added so many miles
uselessly and ended up too far north. I'm at the Best
Western just off the ocean. Tomorrow I'll have to
retrace my route in order to head south. I will have
added an entire day to the tour. Oh well, guess I'll
have a relaxing dinner. Can't be more than 200 miles.

I'll check mapquest. The only thing
that bothers the old body is numb hands, but that will
be better soon.

J

May 17 Update

Update from Jim, sent on May 17:

I'm writing from the Woodbine, Ga Research Library,
but I should start with yesterday, when I left Savannah
traveling south on US 17. It seems to be the main
road from everywhere to everywhere along the coast.

My amazing host, Eric Woodell, strongly suggested I
stay at the Forest Hostel just south of Brunswick. I
did. Didn't want to leave. Peace and quiet after so
many days on the road with trucks and SUVs. My second
best meal of the tour last night. An indescribable
goulash of beans and papaya and who-knows-what. A
delicious, nondescript tomato soup full of lots of
stuff and home-made bread.

Slept in the "Mushroom Room". Surrounded by
chickens. Clean, compostable latrines, outdoor
showers, skinny dipped in the lake and woke to a
strange rooster who hadn't received the
cock-a-doodle-doo memo. Breakfast was my own peanut
butter, wheat thins and golden raisins. I
inadvertently shared it with a small squirrel by
leaving it on the deck unattended. So wonderful.
Ian and Michelle Have to spend a weekend here. I
have soooo many photos, but I think I'm on dial-up, so
they may have to wait.

On the road, quite a difference between yesterday
and today. Yesterday, Rt 17 was (is) so fllaaat and
so straaaight that I felt I could see the horizon.
That wasn't necessarily good, as that was my
destination. Today, south of Brunswick I began
realizing that I was riding into smoke. I have a photo
at the Waverly Minit Mart where I thought you could
see the smoke. Well, here in Woodbine it has
continued to deteriorate. I timed the cars (pickups)
passing me and disappearing into the haze. 15 seconds.
If they're doing 60mph, the visibility now is down to
1/4 mile. I took a second photo of the Santilli River
from the Edwin M (Fat) Heally Memorial Bridge where
you can recognize the severity of the haze. The folks
here say their cars are covered with fire dust every
morning. A lady at the Minit Mart said, "He don't
even pay no attention to me and his younguns when he
sees me". Oh shit, that's a different conversation.

Florida is only 14 miles away. You can warn Oprah
and the high school band that I should be there around
2:00 pm.

May 15 Update











































Update from Jim, sent on May 15:

Savannah is a very hip town. Spent last night (and
again tonight) with Eric Woodall, a Global Freeloaders
host. Great! He invited friends over and we all
shared rice and beans and bear. This morning Jonathan
and Sarah came for me and another roomie (Anthony),
took us shopping and to their house for breakfast.

21st Century hippies rock.

The wall hanging is a BMW front hood. The back of
the car is in the livingroom. I forgot to photograph
it.

That's us (them) at Publix, stocking up. When was
the last time you were in the back seat of a Beetle
convert?

Spent all afternoon yesterday cycling around
historic Savannah. Ten miles on top of the short 36
from Beaufort to Savannah. Eric Woodall is an amazing
guy. Bright and interesting, quiet and gentle. He
has three roommates. Anthony moved out today and is
on his way to NJ's Atlantic Highlands. Melissa and
Justin, not roomies glommed onto these interesting
people when their band bus broke down in Savannah.
Cool younguns. Albania Mania plays Clesmer. Have to
look for them.

More later

May 14 Update

Update from Jim which was sent on May 14:

Savannah at 12:30 Monday. I feel like I cheated
because I had to ride only 42 miles. My computer
reads 36, but the road signs read 42 after I had
ridden 2+.

Cheated too because I was prohibited from crossing
the bridge into Savannah. I'm glad, because it was
long and dangerous.

Why such a beautiful bridge should sit ignobly at
the end of a perfectly crappy highway (US 170)? One
lane in each direction with an even crappier shoulder,
high speed vehicles and BIG trucks. On a two lane
road like that, my practice (Thanks Nate) is to take
the lane and force the vehicles to move left to pass
me. Works a lot better than hugging the right white
line and having the vehicles force me over. But not
on this road. Glad it's over.

Back to the bridge: When I read the "No Bicycles"
sign and examined the bridge, I fell in line. No GSP
here. I retraced my path to allow good Samaritans
room to brake and pull over, stuck out my thumb, and
the second vehicle, a gleaming white van stopped.
Thanks to Cesar Angeles. A delightful and generous
Mexican Immigrant who runs his own business, CAF
Construction. I'll ride around until I can contact my
Savannah host.

Last night I hosted Ryan Powell. I sent you his
photo yesterday. He's been walking about three weeks.
Check out his website: Aimlessmovie.com

I met him earlier Sunday on Rt 17 and gave him my
phone #. He took me up on my offer, after accepting a
ride from a Parris Island couple who dropped him at my
hotel (Comfort Inn). I provided a clean room and a
shower, so I feel as though Cesar paid back my
generosity.

More about Savannah when I discover it. Really
enjoyed Charleston, but it's pretty touristy.
Beaufort is far smaller (but touristy). Very
enjoyable. Beaufort, NC is pronounced bowefert.
Beaufort, SC is pronounced biufert.

Love,
J

May 13 Update

Jim's update, sent on May 13:

Made it to Beaufort, SC this evening at 5:00. I found
the day difficult. Stopped many times for nutrition
and water. Even had a can of Nutrement. Foolishly
bought a one pound box of raisins in Charleston and
weighed myself down with it without ever opening it.

As I entered Beaufort (US Rt 21 near Parris Island
and just past Naval Air field) a black sky and wind
buffeted me. Debris and sand pelted me across the
highway. I turned around and went to the last hotel I
had passed, Comfort Inn-Beaufort, 2227 Boundary St,
Beaufort, SC 29902. 843-525-9366.

I showered and quickly put on a bathing suit and
headed for the whirlpool. While I was showering it
had rained and stopped, so my timing was helpful.

I guess I'll see Beaufort tomorrow before I leave
for Savannah. Savannah should be nearer since I made
all those miles today. One of my internet hosts has
come through for Savannah, so I'll save some money
there.

I'm dripping all over the lobby, so I'll come back
later with camera and usb wire and hope to send some
pics.

Love you all,

J

May 12th Update

Update from Jim, sent on May 12th:

Hi. Slept till 8:30. Passed up the ibuprophen in
favor of using my muscles and joints for other
purposes. Breakfast was at the door. Took a photo,
but the library system blocks them. I'll try later at
the College of Charleston.

Dinner last night at a joint I mistook for a local.
Turned out to be Jennine's Kitchen, a Charleston
landmark. I was early, but by the time I left, the
tourists were lined up for my table. As you might have
guessed in these reports, I don't consider myself a
tourist (read pompous ass) so I search out locals and
local places. Discovered "Rice Paddy's" in
Georgetown. I know I'm throwing Ian's chronology off.

Met a local at the bar. Intended to have my first
beer since Atlantic City and ended up having two and a
half and a very good, very expensive dinner.

Well, last night's dinner at Jennine's Kitchen beat
it by yards. Seared catfish with a chopped tomato
sauce (Tomatoes, basil, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and
horseradish). They threw in several tomato slices at
the last minute to wilt and served all with collards
and lumpy mashed potatoes. The best restaurant dinner
I've had in a year. Oh, yes, also the best pecan pie
with icecream.

Route 17 through SC was uneventful. Stopped for
nutrition every 10 to 15 miles. Pretty warm. It's
hot this morning in Charleston. Virtually nothing to
see between Georgetown and Mount leasant, but
strangely there are AME churches scattered every
several miles. South Carolina has no helmet laws and
virtually no shoulders. As I entered Mount Pleasant
just before the Charleston bridge, traffic got nasty
and I found myself buzzed several times. I decided to
"take" the right lane and force the traffic into the
left. Got only one nasty horn and shout and a lot
more feeling of safety. Wait till you see pics of
this bridge. The longest I pedaled this tour.

Charleston is a tourist Mecca. Mule-drawn tour
carts, walking tours, and lots of visitor help. When
you see the two houses I photographed you'll smile at
this story. Someone (Jimmy, I think) told me that in
the 17th and 18th centuries, the town fathers set up the
tax structure to rate people's homes based on their
street frontage length. Sooo, they built all their
houses sideways to minimize taxes.

More later. Going to be hot today.

Love,
J

Hiatus

I've been on hiatus, not Jim. We were in Houston for this past week and we never got online. But we are back now and, as soon as I can get through the 116 new e-mails, I'll post what Jim has sent.

But I do know that he is in Daytona, Beach...a mere 2 - 3 hour car drive from our home, so he will be at our place on Wednesday night.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Day 17: Charleston, SC.

Just a quick update from Jim thus far today:

CHARLESTON ABOUT 2:45
I'm at the library. Have to check in to my hotel. It
may have a computer, but I thought I'd say hello from
here first. About 65 miles.

J

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Day 16: Georgetown, SC.

The latest update from Jim:

Hello all:

In Georgetown after only a 32 mile leg. Actually
rode closer to 35 or 36 because I took a side trip
into Huntington State Park (off Rt 17) and a ride
through Georgetown to check out the town and the
hotels before checking into the one Jimmy reserved for
me. His is the best, and they gave him a great
discount.

Jameson Inn, 120 Church Street, Georgetown, SC.
Really took my time today. Stopped for coffee and a
handful of oatmeal cookies I just happened to be
carrying. Realized I haven't had icecream since
Maryland. Time.

Today was also a fast trip because the wind was
behind me. Those several days when I fought to hold 9
mph were replaced by delightful 18, 19 and 20 mph
stretches.

I can't dawdle tomorrow, because it's a 60 mile
leg. There are no hotels or services, so I'm going to
stock up at the Food Lion before leaving town. The
wind should continue to be at my back, but it's a
pretty straight road with only trees on both sides.

I contacted my Charleston connection the other day
but haven't heard from him. If he doesn't come
through I'll have to hotel shop. I'd like to stay a
few days, and the hotels are said to be expensive.

Having trouble getting past this computer's
security, so I'll try to send pics later.

J

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Day 15: Myrtle Beach

Another post from Jim tonight, on his adventures in Myrtle Beach:

I feel like I'm in a time warp and can't get away from
Myrtle beach. Even though it will be only two days, I
will actually have gone to bed three times, once in
the dump and twice here.

Another mechanical. As wonderfully as I reported
my gearing was working after NC, this evening after a
short ride this afternoon to the Myrtle beach State
park east of Business Rt 17, I discovered that I was
unable to shift down into my two lowest gears. Arghh!

I had made no adjustments at all, so I don't
understand it. I located Rick Hussey's "Bike Shop" at
711 Broadway in MB. He seems quite professional but
it was then 5:45, and he would close at 6:00. He
opens at 8:00 am, which is unusual for bike shops, and
promised to work on it first. He's almost 30 blocks
away, and I've seen no buses, so i guess I walk
again.

I ate dinner at Captain D's on
King's Highway on the way home and stopped at Krispy
Kreme (who couldn't) both also on King's Highway (Rt.
17 business). I'm thankful that I'm in a nice hotel
and that, you know.

Love you all (or y'all)

J

Day 15: Strange Days Indeed

Heard from Jim. He writes:

The past 24 hours have been strange.  Checked into
what appeared to be a decent motel but turned out to
be far from. So nasty that I felt creepy all night.
Separated myself from the tissue thin sheet with the
saved-your-ass, Valerie, Yellow Rain Jacket. Awoke at
2:30 and could no way sleep again. A peek out the
window showed that sub-tropical storm Andrea had wet
Myrtle beach and probably the next leg to Georgetown.
Rose at 4:00 and decided I had had it with the
park-Whatever Motel. I intentionally left out the
details. Packed up and rode to the nearest pancake
house which didn't open til 6:30, so I had coffee at a
service station, snapped on my flashing taillight and
headed south, sans Jimmy. Have you noticed "Service
Stations" no longer offer service? And, if a lawyer
is an "Attorney At Law", what else could he be an
attorney at? Certainly no one here to ask!

I checked a few hotels along the way and decided to
ride as long as there were hotels and no rain. Then
the rain came. I checked into the Ocean Park Resort,
which is terrific. I'll sit out the rain.

Took a nap and woke at 11:00. Guess I needed
sleep. And the sun is shining through thin clouds.
Jimmy made it to Georgetown by noon. I'll go early
tomorrow and hope for the same weather pattern.
Meanwhile. . . .relax. Can't get to the locked
computer to send you pics.

J

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Day 14: South Carolina














I have received several e-mails from Jim today...looks like a good portion of them contain photos, so I'll drop those into the album, for all to enjoy.

Here's his update from today:

Hi all:
Crossed into South Carolina this morning. I was only
about 15 miles away last night at the Microtel hotel
on Rt 17 south of Shallotte, NC (pronounced shalote).
I had earlier crossed the Cape Fear River at Fort
Fisher to Southport, NC. In Southport, Jimmy Griffin
and I ate at the Thai Pepper restaurant. Some good
Pad Thai shrimp, tofu and noodles.

Stopped in North Myrtle Beach this morning at the
Windy Hill Dunes high rise along the ocean just o enjoy
the view. I'll send a photo. The surf has calmed a
bit.

I decided to stay over in Myrtle Beach mainly
because of geography. Rode only about 35 miles today.
Feel like a woosey waste, but Georgetown, SC is only
about 40 miles away and after that there's a long 60+
mile leg to Charleston with no services and no hotels.
I need an early start from Georgetown to make it work
out.

This morning, while still in NC (I think) a bike
shop owner waved at us so I decided to stop and ask
about my gearing. It's been somewhat iffy all tour
and my constant adjustment didn't help. Steve Bruce
and his wife Stephanie were the best. Steve (Island
Hoppers Mobile Bicycle Repair & Pro-assembly 579-1766)
is a really good mechanic. I'm going to write him up
for Adventure Cycling. Steve brought a portable stand
out in front of his store and set me up. It seems that
my local shop had my barrel (at the rear derailleur)
out as far as it could go, so adjustment possibilities
were minimal. There was also a small rubber bushing
missing from that point, and the derailleur was
slightly off from the pulley. Just some technical
stuff to explain why I'm more than a little ticked at
my bike mechanic. Steve set me up and tuned and had
me test ride three times. He wouldn't accept any
payment. I'm shifting well now.

Staying at a mom and pop motel, Sea Park Motel at
1501 N. Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach. It's only $40 plus
tax, but I'm getting just what I'm paying for. Across
the street from the expensive beach-front hotels. If
the wind doesn't sand blast me, I might lie out a
while after lunch.

Here at the Chapin Memorial Library in Myrtle
Beach. Lot's of stores, restaurants and services.

Oh yes! North Carolina smells like Honey Suckle

More soon,
J

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Day 13: Update

Received the following update from Jim this afternoon:

Been following a route marked for Charles Couralt.
Remember him?

I guess I'm a bit cycle tetched. On my day off, I
rode 16 miles to and around Wilmington. Too bad they
don't count toward Florida.
Wilmington is a "progressive" (read hippy) town.
Enjoyed a long hour at a local (non-tourist) coffee
shop. Cute waitress/PE Teacher/Schoolbus driver
Belle.

Going to try to have the rest of a day off now.
Tomorrow should have winds to our backs. 20 miles to
the ferry then 40 minute ride to Southport. The next
motel could be a little iffy. Possibility to make it
a really short day, stay near Southport, then a long
day to South Carolina on Tuesday???

Day 13: Day of Rest in Wilmington, NC.















It's Sunday and I'm on my day of rest.
Rode into downtown historic district.

Probably do about 12 miles.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Day 12: Wilmington, NC















Today's update from Jim:

I think it's day ll on tour and day 10 in the saddle.
Forgot to admit back in Kitty Hawk that I bought a
jell saddle cover in K-Mart. I always thought they
were for gym gals, but it's been a real buttsaver.

71ish yesterday and again today. Jimmy Griffin and
I rode around Camp LeJeune, through Jackson (ville?)
and to Wilmington, NC. Wilmington claims lots of
history and a great ocean beach, so I'm strongly
considering a rest day here after cycling 62, 62, 71, and 71
miles, respectively.

Still having trouble finding computers that allow
camera hookups, so nothing attached here. If I get
this one or another to work, I'll send a bunch to
Michelle for Snapfish. Today was very unphotogenic.

Yesterday it rained a lot here, but I usually rode
into town after the rain. The bike got sooo gritty I
had to wash it in the tub. Today pretty much the
same, but I did get wet about five miles from the
hotel. Took the bike across the highway and used a
hose at a gas station.

Flat tire today. Punctured as I hit something on
an overpass. Overpasses seem to collect crap that
otherwise would eventually end up in the storm
ditches.

That's all for now. More to come.

J

Friday, May 4, 2007

Day 11: Somewhere in North Carolina















Jim's e-mail updates are beginning to sound
more & more like excerpts from Kerouac's On the Road. :)

Don't forget to check the Snapfish album for all of the
latest photos.

Here's the latest e-mail update from Jim:

I just lost my entire email and three attachments in
the slowest library system so far on tour, so I'll
just talk here and send Michelle the photos
separately.

Haven't been able to do much communications lately.
No internet and no cell service for two days. Left
Avon, NC yesterday and crossed a 40 minute ferry from
Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. Ocracoke is
mostly barren with a few towns scattered. That was
the day we made only about 35 miles due to outrageous
winds. We decided to take the 3:00 ferry from
Ocracoke to the mainland when we learned that there is
a motel at the ferry dock. The trip is 2-1/2 hours
and we (me and Jimmy Griffin) met more interesting
people. Oyster researchers from UNC and a retired 50
something guy who does "seasonal work" to take him
everywhere in the world. Not counting the ferries, we
road only about 35 miles.

I'll send a photo of the flags waving
(wind starched) at the Cedar Island end of the ferry
trip. Brutal. We left Cedar Island this morning and
have reached about 50 miles to Newport, NC. We also
learned that we have to change our route as the road
through Camp LeJuene has been closed to civilians by
Homeland Security. 50 miles so far today.

Look for photos of a beautiful Belgian girl and her
Basque boyfriend. Three years on the road. They'll
be in NYC in ten days, but I won't be there to host
them.

Hoping to get another 10 to 15 miles in today, but
hotels are scarce in this area, so that's the
determining factor.

Love from NC,
J

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Days 9 & 10: Ocracoke, NC.

I'm a bit late posting the e-mail Jim sent this morning, but here it is:

Good Morning:
It's Thursday morning and I'm about 15 miles from the
40 minute ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. Today will
probably be about 30 miles, but that seems to be the
only way to hit the ferry and still find
accommodations on Ocracoke.
Yesterday was a real challenge. 53 miles into the
wind. Most of the long day was spent in my lowest
gear (39/21). For you non-riders, that's rare to have
to do that just to make headway. Speed was 9 to 10
mph all day, mostly 9.
Tuesday evening when I entered Kitty Hawk, I met Jim
Griffin, a 46 yo retired landscape farmer from Ocalla,
FL. He started in D.C. and is headed for Ocalla. We
rode together and stayed at the same motels Tues and
Wed.
Back to today: The wind has shifted around to my
right shoulder, and this morning was a complete breeze
at 16 mph. What a treat. Internet access is tough
(as is T-mobile phone service), so I'm at the Hatteras
Community Library. Unfortunately, many libraries
"Filter" their internet access. and this is one. So,
I can't send photos from here. I'll try again along
the route.

I always forget my email address book when I come in
here, so would one of you let Chris, Terese, Patty and
Julie know about the blog and snapfish.
Love to all,
J

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Day 8: End of the day update

Jim did 67 miles today! He said he really didn't have much of a choice, that there wasn't any place to stop along the way ~ except for the ocassional fruit stand or auto repair shop.

He's in Kitty Hawk, NC. for the evening and he sounds great!

Day 8: Currituck, North Carolina


Received the following update from Jim this afternoon:

(There are also more photos that he's sent. I'll get them loaded into the Snapfish album so all can enjoy)

Hello all:  Left Virginia Beach about 8:15 after
searching out bug repellent. The bike is behaving well,
but I still am losing about 5 mph from the head wind.
In the Virginia Back Bay, the road occasionally
zigged west around a farm, which helped, but
inevitably zagged back SE. I followed the suggestion
of the VA Beach bike shop and took an interesting road
closer to the shore (Princess Ann Road). It was quite
direct. Great farm country. Winter wheat really
green here too. Corn is showing through the ground.
Irises in full bloom and strawberries for sale
everywhere. Now I know where our sand comes from.
Princess Ann has one huge drawback. . . 80,000 gvw
sand trucks going in both directions, averaging more
than one truck per minute. Only two lanes and no
shoulder.

The sand pits were at the far southern end of
Virginia's Back Bay, so I had the trucks all morning.
As I passed into North Carolina, no more trucks.
It's clear that the VA Founding Fathers pulled a
fast one on NC. "Let's draw our border here. You can
have everything south of this line". Saawamp! Not a
farm or house. Lots of sea birds and wildlife. I'll
bet the VA guys knew NC would have to spend big bucks
creating wildlife parks.
I took the free ferry from Knotts Island, NC to
Currituck, NC (45 min.)and now have another 30 miles
before I can cross over onto the Outer Banks at Kitty
Hawk. I've done about 44 already today, not counting
the ferry miles.We had a lady in our bike club (had to
be 112 yo)who every year posted the most miles of any
member. We just figured she counted bike rack miles
too.
Had a barbeque wrap when I came off the ferry, so I
hope that doesn't work against me. I know. A wrap?
But it sounded smaller than a dinner. Not impressed.
I'll try again.
Not sure if I'll cross over today with the miles and
the wind ahead of me. Hope there are motels before
the crossover if that becomes necessary.
I'm at the Currituck Library, and again am having
trouble finding my camera on this computer. I'll try
again after I send this. Great day. Warm. Blue
sky.

Love to all,
J