Scott Davis Anderson

I arrived safely in Ghana via a direct flight from New York City to Accra International Airport early  morning on June, 4th.  I was greeted by fellow Peace Corps workers serving in Ghana, as well as the training staff and administrators who direct the Peace Corps efforts in Ghana.

In the short time that I have been here, I have visited the Accra University School of Performing Arts and played basketball with locals.  The Ghanaian people are very friendly and eager to teach.  I have already faced my fear of dancing and actually enjoyed performing a traditional African dance in front of 66+ volunteers and a number of Ghanaians.  Laughter was had by all.  The basketball is a slightly different brand.  I look forward to playing on courts all across Ghana, to see if the rules are the same from region to region.

I am currently residing with a Peace Corps Volunteer at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf.  I am enjoying my time here in Cape Coast, learning sign from some of the children by using a scratch sheet of paper for interpretation.  The Peace Corps Volunteer at the school has some mighty large shoes.  He is a modest guy who has impressed me with his patience and realistic approach to service.  Whomever replaces him will have a solid foundation with which to work from, and  I suspect will most likely meet many people within the community that have been touched by his presence.

I have been taking many photos since I arrived.  I will post them as soon as I become more technologically organized.  Technology is everywhere in Ghana, but like the language, I require some time to be able to use it to its potential.  I will be updating my blog intermittently over the next 2 and a half months while I go through training in Kukurantumi.  I am excited to meet my host family, and to meet up with the other 66 Peace Corps Trainees to share our experiences of the past week.

So long for now from Cape Coast!

My mother just dropped me off at the airport. I said goodbye to my dad, my dog Luke, but forgot to say bye to my moms dog Nellie. I am sure I forgot a lot of those. For all those I forgot, or did not have time to say goodbye to, I will see you later! I should arrive in Philly for staging in a couple hours and will be joined by 66 other Peace Corps trainees for a round of shots and a pep talk. We will be bused tomorrow to NYC for our flight to Ghana.

I would like to give a super special shout-out to my sister Carey, her man Joe, and my niece Willow.  I will miss you guys and plan to send out more super special shout-outs in the future.

I am writing to thank you for your generous donation in support of my
bicycle trip across the country.

I began my trip on March 6th in San Diego at Ocean Beach, arriving in
Saint Augustine on May 13th.  Along the way, I met some of the most
unbelievable people and experienced joys that will last for the rest
of my life.  I watched as the donations came in and was inspired to
keep on pedaling each time my efforts were validated by the gratitude
of my family and friends.

Because of your donation, I was able to raise $1280!  Last week I
mailed a check for $250 to Project Homecoming - Katrina Disaster
Recovery.  The money will go to help a woman named Carol Jupiter get
back into her home.  This morning, my mother and I joyously submitted
donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ($250), and to the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ($500) in my brother Kyle’s
name.  I gave her a giant hug as NOW, I feel like the fruits of our
hard work are finally going to make a difference.  Because of you and
your generosity, there is more good in the world and I thank you for
that.

Tomorrow morning, June 2nd, I leave for Philadelphia.  I will begin
the staging process, consisting of some shots and pep talks before
leaving for Ghana on June 3rd.  I will be serving in the Peace Corps
for 27 months, but hope to remain in contact during that time.  I will
be using Skype (scootermcpooter) <—- my wonderful sisters nickname
for me, email, and will continue blogging at
www.scottdavisanderson.com/blog.  I also hope to get a phone upon my
arrival, and will update my number via my blog.

Thanks again for your support not only from me, but from my family,
and from all those whom your donation will help.  A little good really
does go a long, long way.

Respectfully,

Scott Davis Anderson

Starting point: Hawthorne, FL
Ending point: Saint Augustine, FL
Total miles on this day: 70.79
Total miles to date: 2762.51
Average MPH: 11.3
Max MPH: 29.1
Saddle time on this day: 6:15:34
Saddle time to date: 243:51:59

Starting point: Mayo, FL
Ending point: Hawthorne, FL
Total miles on this day: 85.87
Total miles to date: 2691.72
Average MPH: 12.5
Max MPH: 20.5
Saddle time on this day: 6:54:39
Saddle time to date: 237:36:25

Starting point: Medart, FL
Ending point: Mayo, FL
Total miles on this day: 90.39
Total miles to date: 2605.85
Average MPH: 13.7
Max MPH: 20.4
Saddle time on this day: 6:35:57
Saddle time to date: 230:41:46

Starting point: Seaside, FL
Ending point: Apalachicola, FL
Total miles on this day: 101.96
Total miles to date: 2515.46
Average MPH: 14.0
Max MPH: 30.8
Saddle time on this day: 7:16:54
Saddle time to date: 224:05:49

Starting point: Navarre Beach, FL
Ending point: Seaside, FL
Total miles on this day: 49.9
Total miles to date: 2413.5
Average MPH: 12.4
Max MPH: 26.1
Saddle time on this day: 3:54:51
Saddle time to date: 216:48:55

Starting point: Dauphin Island, AL
Ending point: Navarre Beach, FL
Total miles on this day: 84.16
Total miles to date: 2363.6
Average MPH: 13.8
Max MPH: 32.5
Saddle time on this day: 6:05:09
Saddle time to date: 212:54:04

The rain held off through the night and I awoke rested and ready to begin my ride.  I am determined to reach St. Augustine by May 15th, and would love to exceed 112 miles at least one day before this adventure is complete.

The morning was overcast, but the miles flew by quickly.  I found myself at Dauphine Island before 11:00 AM and approached the ferry to cross over to the Gulf Shores.  I was greeted by the ships captain, who informed me that an incoming storm prevented him from running the ferry for the rest of the day!  He suggested I seek shelter at the campgrounds conveniently located across the street from the docks.  I reluctantly checked into the campgrounds and spent the rest of the day exploring the island and staring 4.2 miles across Mobile Bay to my intended destination.  There is a beautiful bird sanctuary here, as well as Fort Gaines Historic Site.  There is a small beach here, but I am getting more excited by the mile as I begin to approach the beaches I grew up on further east.  I will go to bed early tonight with dreams of white sands and will rise early with hopes that the ferry will be running.

Starting point: Grand Bay, AL
Ending point: Dauphin Island, AL
Total miles on this day: 39.87
Total miles to date: 2279.44
Average MPH: 11.0
Max MPH: 21.5
Saddle time on this day: 5:34:14
Saddle time to date: 206:48:55