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
May
5
May
4
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
May
3
During my time off from my bicycle trip, I enjoyed the company of many of my friends and family. I was able to attend the gallery exhibitions at Ohio University, attend the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and receive and accept my invitation to join the Peace Corps. It has now become official. I have sent in my passport and visa information to the travel company that works with the Peace Corps and am on course to leave June 2nd as planned.
I did not get to see everyone that I would have liked to, but enjoyed living off the bike for a little while. It was a joy to see as my friends put the finishing touches on their graduate thesis work. All the shows I was able to see were exceptional. I am proud of the artists that come from Ohio University and love having such a talented group of friends. I have links to many of their artist websites on my links page if you wish to see some of their work.
I am lucky to have friends in Baton Rouge that helped me orchestrate my trip back to Ohio, and than take me to Jazz Fest in New Orleans when I got back into town. Lori, Lisa, and Jenny were excellent hosts, making it hard to get back on the bike to continue my journey. Jenny is Lori’s next-door neighbor, who works with animals at a vet hospital and houses and cares for numerous pets. Jenny’s cat named Mouse entertained me throughout my visit and opened my eyes to how cool a cat can be. I am a dog guy, but if there are more cats in the world like Mouse, I could be swayed to rethink my position.
A tremendous highlight of my break, was a visit I took to go see Ms. Juanita Hamilton. Juanita lost her home during Hurricane Katrina and I was lucky enough t0o work with her to help her return back home. Through the efforts of Project Homecoming and hundreds of volunteers, Juanita was able to get back into her home this past Thanksgiving. It was so wonderful to get the chance to see her before I leave for the Peace Corps. I will miss her while I am gone. For all of the volunteers who helped to get Ms. Juanita back into her home, I want to thank you for your help. The house looks amazing! Juanita and I walked through the house smiling and telling the stories of how and who worked on each facet of the now completed home. What a world.
After a long break from the road, Lori and I finally headed off in search of the bike route. The weather was not cooperating and it was really nice having Lori along to see the route, so we continued to drive along the country roads. We soon entered Mississippi and Alabama shortly thereafter. We stopped for lunch in Grand Bay, AL at a hamburger restaurant and watched as the rain poured down. We located campgrounds north of town and I set up my camp for the evening. This is where Lori and I parted ways and I began preparing myself to get back on the bike. I hope the rain does not continue through the night and I have a dry day of riding in front of me tomorrow morning. Good night from Grand Bay!
Apr
23
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?”
Apr
17
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!
Apr
15
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
Apr
14
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
Apr
13
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
Apr
12
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
Apr
11
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
