by Mark

TRIP TOTALS

Showers:                          3 (each)

Tent Nights:                     13

Hotel Nights:                    0

“Rustic” Cabin Nights:    2

Meals Purchased:           0

Miles Traveled:               391.9

Best Quote:  “You don’t get a chance in life to go back to GO and start over again, like you did with Monopoly.”  – Richard M., a youngster we met at Carolina Beach.  True words, Richard, true words.

TRIP UPDATE

Tomorrow we enter state #2…South Carolina!  This is going to require pictures.

Currently, the bicycle maps have us traveling through an area where campgrounds and dog-friendly hotels are outlawed.  Actually, that isn’t a joke.  Most of the towns have ordinances against tent camping and pets in hotels within the city limits, and there just isn’t much between towns.  This just gives us an opportunity to use our networking skills!  Expect a story or two out of this!

Speaking of stories, two nights ago we landed in Southport, SC to run errands and ended up parked outside of a Mexican restaurant at dinner time.  In short order, we met some of the friendliest folks we have met on the trip!  We left with a few dollars in our pocket, an offer for a place to stay, queso dip (if you recall, queso dip was our main craving two blog posts ago, and we never got it…it was fantastic), and super-high spirits from all of fun we had talking with people about the trip.  If any of you are reading this, we will be talking about your impact on us for many miles down the road.  Thank you.

From here we plan to press on with some bigger mile days.  Wish us strength, power, cloudy skies, downhills and tailwinds.

My sister submitted a few questions that seem perfect for this part of the trip.  Here we go!

What do you miss the most?

Georgia:             Barefoot showers. Right now I’m just sorta hoping the soapy water runs down my leg into those mesh shower shoe holes and calling it good. Then using my yoga skills to balance on one leg while I try to get my wet shoes into a pant leg. Bubble wrap anyone?

Mark:                  Sleeping in a cool room with a real pillow.

Junebug:            Hiding Mark’s socks.  It’s harder to do out here on the road.

Biscuit:                I’ll tell you something I don’t miss, scary indoor flooring surfaces.

Did you forget anything critical?

Georgia:             I forgot what day it is.

Mark:                  It’s not critical, but I wish I had brought some SeamGrip.

Junebug:            I am a little worried about a treat supply.  It appears we only have one entire large pannier for dogs.

Biscuit:                I haven’t seen any of my antlers.  I think we forgot my antlers.

What is the best part so far?

Georgia:             The simplicity of life when focused on the hierarchy of needs – food, shelter, and water are not things I thought much about before this trip. Included in that is meeting people and hearing their stories – the kindness and generosity of strangers has been overwhelming to me.

Mark:                  That we all get to be together.

Junebug:            I have tracked lots of new critters.  I’m a good critter tracker!  I could show you.

Biscuit:                I like doing the navigation for the family.  They would get lost without me.

Thanks for following along!

Mark, Georgia, Junebug and Biscuit

#justride