Scott Davis Anderson

I have received and accepted my invitation to serve in the Peace Corps.  I am excited to be going to Ghana, where I will be teaching Visual Arts at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf.  I am beginning to feel the pressure as June 2nd is just around the corner.  My next adventure is going to be upon me as soon as i finish my bicycle ride, giving me about 2 weeks to pack, tie up any loose ends, and to say goodbye to my friends and family.  I expected this day to come, but without all the details it didn’t seem real.  Now with the assignment sitting in front of me with a departure date set in stone, I am wondering…

“what did I sign up for again?”

I am sitting at the New Orleans Airport, waiting on my flight back to Columbus! I want to thank Lori and Lisa for dropping me off and for the hospitality over the last two days. I will see them both again shortly upon my return trip to New Orleans on the 29th!

Day Forty-One

Today I enjoyed my ride with my cast of friends all the way into St. Francisville, LA.  We took a ferry ride across the Mississippi, and stopped to check out Angola Prison along the route.  After a large crawfish boil dinner, I parted ways with my bicycling partner Carl and the rest of the gang.  It was sad to part with Carl after all the time we talked and rode together, but was comforted when he said, “there will be one or two more chapters.”  I am going to give my dad his contact information, because I am hoping that the next time he visits Alaska, he will give him a call.  

I rode down route 61 for 20 miles before I was greeted by my friend Lori, an Americorps administrator in Baton Rouge.  She picked me and my bike up and drove us the rest of the way to her house.  I will be leaving my bike at her house and flying back to Columbus on the 17th and coming back to New Orleans on the 29th to continue riding to St. Augustine.  I will be attending some friends art exhibitions and completing my Peace Corps paperwork in Ohio in the meantime.  

Lori and I got Ice Cream and she took me out for a second dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant, where we were met by another friend and Americorp administrator Lisa.  After a great dinner, we headed back home.  I am resting soundly in Baton Rouge, and looking forward to another day off tomorrow.   

Starting point: Civil War Park in Simmesport, LA
Ending point: Staying with a friend in Baton Rouge, LA
Total miles on this day: 74.11
Total miles to date: 2239.57
Average MPH: 13.3
Max MPH: 28.4
Saddle time on this day: 5:34:14
Saddle time to date: 203:12:33

Day Forty

Today my allergies are at their worst.  It was a grind as I rode the first 60 miles, trying to enjoy my thoughts and the beautiful landscape around me.  My body was trying to reject the pollens and dusts that floated through the air, but was failing miserably  I pushed on, as I didn’t want my swollen eyes to spoil a great day.  

Carl and I arrived in the small town of Washington, LA for a water break, when we saw a group of bikers gathered in the shade.  As we got closer, I was able to make out Joel and Nate, the two Canadians riding for Athletes for Africa.  I met these two back in Hillsboro, NM, right after coming down from Emory Pass.  I also saw Mark had caught up with them as well.  I met Mark back in Sanderson, TX.  He is retired from the Marine Special Forces, and was also a prison warden, and is now competing in triathlons.  Mark is a great story teller and made be laugh constantly while I rode with him.  Also hanging out in the shade was a gentleman riding a recumbent, wrapped in the stars and stripes.  I recognized him immediatley from photographs I have seen on other peoples blogs about their trips.  He is known as Captain America along the route, but his real name is Dave.  The subculture of the trip has been very interesting.  We began sharing stories of the places where we crossed paths with a lot of the same people, places, and animals.  It turns out everyone had the similar love affair with Pebbles, the pit-bull from Sierra Blanca, TX.  We all rode together to a Civil War Park in Simmesport, LA, where we set up camp for the evening and laughed past dark.  Hanging out with the group gave me temporary relief from my allergies, but as I go to sleep, I wonder if my eyelids will open when I wake up in the morning.  We shall soon see, good night from Simmesport!  

Starting point: With a wonderful family in Mamou, LA
Ending point: Civil War Park in Simmesport, LA
Total miles on this day: 80.33
Total miles to date: 2165.46
Average MPH: 12.5
Max MPH: 19.9
Saddle time on this day: 6:24:54
Saddle time to date: 191:13:38

Day Thirty-Nine

I felt rested today as Carl and I rode for a little over 110 miles today out of Texas and into Louisiana.  We stopped and got some boudin at a gas station and began celebrating the fine foods this incredible state has to offer.  I am looking forward to some boiled craw fish, oysters, jambalaya, etouffee, and anything else I can get my hands of for that matter.  My spirits are high as I begin to reminisce about all the good food I ate during my year living in New Orleans.  Carl has not been to this part of the country, so I am excited to sharing his first experience with the foods and people of Louisiana.

It was not long before the kindness of the people of Louisiana revealed itself.  Carl and I were looking for a place to camp in Mamou, LA when a woman that looked a lot like Sara Palin approached us.  She asked us if we were interested in coming back to her house and eating some eggs and bacon.  Carl and I looked at each other and with a smile said “suuuuuure!”  She introduced herself as Jonell and signaled for us to follow her two blocks down the road to where her and her family live.  We were greeted by her husband, Luke, and their two daughters Valli and Tina.  We also met Haley, their cousin who was visiting for the evening as the girls prepared for a fishing trip they were taking with the 4-H in the morning.  We were treated to eggs, bacon, honey, bread, orange juice, and melon.  The girls asked us questions about our trip and told us about raising the animals that they care for on the property.  They had cows, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and more.  As busy as this family was, they were willing to take in two strangers for the evening and share their home and food with us.  They ended up offering us the use of a guest house for the evening, where we were able to shower and do our laundry.  Carl and I even stayed up to play a game of foosball before bed.  Jonell and her family again recharged my faith in people as I fall asleep feeling so happy that I took this adventure.  I will be sending a post card from Africa, as I plan on keeping in touch with these nice folks. 

Starting point: Motel in Kirbyville, TX
Ending point: with a wonderful family in Mamou, LA
Total miles on this day: 110.19
Total miles to date: 2085.13
Average MPH: 14.2
Max MPH: 25.1
Saddle time on this day: 7:43:54
Saddle time to date: 191:13:38

Day Thirty-Eight

The storms did in fact alter our plans for the day, as we only rode for about 2 hours before the “storm” closed in.  The weather turned out to be a weak one, but Carl and I holed up in a hotel for the day and enjoyed some rest and relaxation.  It was nice get some relief from my allergies, as the rain has put a temporary halt to all the ragweed floating around the air.

Also holing up to get out of the weather was a group of 10 (9 riders and a driver) that are also traveling across country on their bikes.  Carl and I went out to lunch with a few of them and shared stories.  They were real nice folks and are also blogging about their trip. 

I am looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow and hope everyone enjoyed their easter holiday!

Starting point: RV Park in Silsbee, TX
Ending point: Motel in Kirbyville, TX
Total miles on this day: 29.76
Total miles to date: 1974.94
Average MPH: 15.2
Max MPH: 22.1
Saddle time on this day: 1:57:17
Saddle time to date: 183:29:44

Day Thirty-Seven

Carl and I pushed on from a Marina Campgrounds at Lake Livingston Reservoir, and made our way into Silsbee, TX where we found a nice RV for the night.  We have been warned a number of times that the weather is going to be bad tomorrow, severe thunderstorms with gusting winds.  We are keeping an eye on the weather as well as our odometers, to see how we are going to work around any delays that my take place in the trip.  I am trying to make it to New Orleans for a flight to Columbus on the 17th.  We are ahead of schedule right now, so it looks like there won’t be any problems even if the storm delays us tomorrow.  I have been pretty drained, as the high from knowing I will be headed out for Peace Corps SOON is messing with my mind while I ride.  I need to constantly remind myself to take it one pedal at a time and not become overwhelmed by things that are coming up in the pipeline.  My allergies to ragweed are starting to kick in pretty heavily now that the country side has turned from a burnt brown color to lush green.  It will be nice to take a few days to clean out my system and take care of the Peace Corps paperwork.  I am hoping we hit Louisiana tomorrow, which will put me in high spirits as I approach New Orleans.  Good night from East Texas!

Starting point: Marina Campgrounds at Lake Livingston Reservoir
Ending point:  RV Park in Silsbee, TX
Total miles on this day: 75.32
Total miles to date: 1945.18
Average MPH: 13.4
Max MPH: 25.6
Saddle time on this day: 5:35:04
Saddle time to date: 181:32:27

Day Thirty-Six

Yesterday evening I received email communication from the Peace Corps requesting some follow-up information.  This morning I spent some time faxing my First Aid/CPR Certifications and obtaining my undergraduate transcripts from Ohio University Registrars office.  Being on the road with limited coverage at times, I wanted to get everything taken care of quickly. I do not want to slow down the process any further.  Carl and I had just begun riding east when my telephone began ringing.  I tried to grab it from my handle bar bag to answer it, but was too late.  The area code read British Columbia, so I suspected it was from the Peace Corps office.  After listening to voicemail, it was confirmed and the woman on the other end of the line requested that I contact her as soon as possible.  I tried to call back, but was transfered into her voicemail.  I rode on with my phone at the ready, just in case she called back.  We rode on for another 20 or so miles when my phone rang again.  This time I was able to get to it in time to hear the voice of the placement officer on the other end.  She asked me a few questions and seemed to be preparing me for conditions associated with serving in in a remote location.  I assured her that I would be willing to adapt to my assignment.  She also asked me if I was willing to work in a specialized area within the Peace Corps involving Art Education.  I immediately broke into a giant smile.  I told her, how happy that question made me.  She went on to tell me that the assignment is set to depart for West Africa on June 2nd and that my invitation would be processed by the end of the day!  This means that my invitation should arrive at my permanent residence by the middle of next week!  This is perfect timing, because I am flying back to Columbus, Ohio on April 17th to attend some art exhibitions and will be able to fill out the paper work at that time.  Excellent!  

After hearing this good news, I rode with powerful legs as I felt the wind blow past.  The smile on my face could not be deterred as the 75 miles ticked by effortlessly.  I stopped when I found a turtle trying to cross the highway and helped him on his way.  Carl and I ended our ride when we arrived at a  marina campgrounds at the Lake Livingston Reservoir.  Since I am still unsure of which country I will be invited too, I can’t wait to get an internet connection so I can narrow down the possible countries I will be sent too.  Tonight I will go to bed with yet another smile as I dream of teaching art in West Africa.

Starting point: Hotel in Navasota, TX
Ending point: Marina Campgrounds at Lake Livingston Reservoir
Total miles on this day: 74.81
Total miles to date: 1869.86
Average MPH: 13.1
Max MPH: 33.3
Saddle time on this day: 5:40:10
Saddle time to date: 175:57:23

Day Thirty-Five

This morning we rode about 10 miles from the park to a little cafe for breakfast, before we said our goodbyes to Jana.  She headed west to Austin along the highway to cut off some miles and to spend a couple of days with her friends Jules and Kelsey before going back to Oakland.  She planned to hitchhike back if necessary, but should be able to get to Austin before dark if the winds don’t act up for her.  Jana rocks, and I don’t expect this will be the last time I hang out with her.  I am hoping she got back to Austin safely and had a great time hanging out with her friends.

Carl and I rode on. There were endless fields of Blue Bonnets and seas of yellows, pinks, reds, and oranges as we rode along the back country roads. We stopped at a grocery store in a small town along the way that was keeping a journal of all the bicycle riders that passed through.  The first entry was dated in 2002.  As I thumbed through the journal, I saw Alan had passed through a few days earlier and he had put a hello to Carl and I in his note.  It was just the pick me up I needed, as we pedaled into Navasota, TX.  The wild flowers are beautiful in this part of East Texas. We checked into the hotel, and were told that the Woman’s Tour stayed here last night and left early this morning.  Do you think I can catch them?   

Starting point: RV Park in Carmine, TX
Ending point: Hotel in Navasota, TX
Total miles on this day: 48.17
Total miles to date: 1795.05
Average MPH: 12.4
Max MPH: 35.8
Saddle time on this day: 3:52:06
Saddle time to date: 170:17:13

Day Thirty-Four

Today we had another great day of riding.  The miles ticked by smoothly as we are no longer bombarded by large climbs.  We rode to Carmine, TX where we set up camp at an RV Park.  We walked to a Steakhouse down the street where Jana treated us to good feed and spirits.  We picked up some playing cards on our way back to the park, where we stayed up a little later than normal playing cards and listening to music on my laptop.  Jana has some good taste in music, and introduced me to a bunch of artists that I hadn’t heard of.  We also spoke of a plan that has been floating around my circle of friends, to ride bikes to Machu Picchu.  Jana is down.  Any other takers?  Good night from Machu Piccu land.  

Starting point: Buescher State Park in Smithville, TX
Ending point: RV Park in Carmine, TX
Total miles on this day: 50.33
Total miles to date: 1746.88
Average MPH: 12.6
Max MPH: 30.9
Saddle time on this day: 3:58:06
Saddle time to date: 166:25:07