note the hammock I'm taking the photo from
Route Map
Our route: Nags Head, NC to San Diego, CA
Monday, May 30, 2011
On the way to Gatlinburg, TN
We had a 7 mile climb on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We reached over 6000 ft.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
Asheville, NC
We stopped in Asheville for two days. While some built with Habitat for Humanity, I built with Black Mountain Housing. Working with 5 others from our group, we finished the subflooring for a house and helped with some projects on another home. We met the soon to be owners of the homes. Both were single mom's working another job. To earn their home, they and their family are obligated to put in 25 hours of sweat equity per week. Once their homes were complete, it is theirs to do what they want with. The homes are very green and the homeowners have a lot of say on the aesthetics of their homes. We were fortunate enough to work with Corinne, a woman originally from Iowa who was one of the first to go through the program, and now helps with PR efforts. Additionally, a knowledgable construction worker and program supervisor, Joe, gave great insight into the program, and basic construction too.
Asheville was a great city to explore. Many were out and active, and there were some fantastic eaterys and bars. Steve and I went out to Tupelo Honey Cafe, a local venue dedicated to fresh southern cooking, as featured in Rachel Ray's "$40 a day." we also checked out a concert at the Lexington Brewing Company. The next night, there was a drum circle in the city park. As the center of a young, educated, innovative culture in an otherwise rural, conservative state, I'd liken Asheville to Austin, Texas.
Asheville was a great city to explore. Many were out and active, and there were some fantastic eaterys and bars. Steve and I went out to Tupelo Honey Cafe, a local venue dedicated to fresh southern cooking, as featured in Rachel Ray's "$40 a day." we also checked out a concert at the Lexington Brewing Company. The next night, there was a drum circle in the city park. As the center of a young, educated, innovative culture in an otherwise rural, conservative state, I'd liken Asheville to Austin, Texas.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Me with Steve, Rachel, and Ben
We biked most of the way from Taylorsville to Newland together. We took frequent stops to enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Rachel and Steve
Note the mountain in the background. We climbed up to 5700 feet on our ride from Newland to Asheville.
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Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
In Winston-Salem
Ann and Tom are members of the Ardmore Baptist Church and they will be tracking my trip progress and keeping me in their prayers - thanks Tom and Ann!
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Hot air balloon and owner Roger on the way to Winston-Salem
Too bad we didn't arrive a little earlier - he said he would have taken us for a ride!
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Saturday, May 21, 2011
Me and Zan
We built with Zan Friday, a refugee from Burma who is working toward getting his own Habitat for Humanity home. He was a pleasure to work with. Note all the homes in the background - known as "build a block," this area is all affordable housing built by Habitat. The homes appraise for $215,000 yet homeowners only pay $80,000. Homes are also energy efficient and well insulated, and utility bills tend to be fairly cheap. I've been very impressed with this group.
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Building with Orange County Habitat
One great part about our route is that we get to do double build days. We stopped in Chapel Hill Thursday and spent Friday and Saturday building. In the first day, we were able to prime a whole house, put up most siding on another, and prep a third house for priming. My neck is sore from all the ceiling painting yesterday, but I'm ready to go again today!
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
On the way to Chapel Hill
We stopped in Durham and went into Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke. The doors were open and the building was fairly vacant. Check out all the banners in the background!
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
In Wake Forest, NC
Today was our longest ride yet - 85 miles! Luckily, tomorrow is an easy day and we get to sleep in until 7. I'm off to bed. More later.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 3
We found a tower to climb to on the way to Greenville. Steve and I near the top.
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Monday, May 16, 2011
In Bell Haven, NC
Yesterday kicked off the first day of our NC2SD B&B2011 trip. We began the day with a wheel dip ceremony on the beach, and had many parents and local community members, including the club cycling team, come out to see us off. Due to a forest fire in Nags Head and tons of smoke in the surrounding area as a result, we had to shuttle in vans from a visitors center in Nags Head. We biked about 5 miles to the visitors center, were driven about 35 miles, then biked another 35 miles to Swan Quarter, NC. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner from the host church, and attended a ceremony celebrating our trip and the local high school graduates.
Today, we biked another easy 35 miles to Bell Haven, NC. Our hosts have been very accomodating and took us to community homes across the town for showers, and some even for a hot tub soak. I'm off to explore the town now. Stay tuned for photos.
Today, we biked another easy 35 miles to Bell Haven, NC. Our hosts have been very accomodating and took us to community homes across the town for showers, and some even for a hot tub soak. I'm off to explore the town now. Stay tuned for photos.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
First Group Ride
We did our first group ride today through Nags Head. We were lead by a local community bicyclist. We did a 15 mile loop to the Wright Brothers Monument and the beach. Afterward, we were fortunate enough to take showers at Outerbanks Sports Club (much better than the hose). We are going to have a big church potluck tonight as a send off. Tomorrow begins our journey. Getting excited!
Friday, May 13, 2011
En Route to Nags Head
We finally finished packing and moved out of our home in Philadelphia yesterday at noon. Three hours later, we took a pit stop in Millsboro, DE to see my Grandma! Thanks for the visit Grandma! It was great to see cousin Sarah and her boyfriend Joey, and Aunt Diane too! By 9, we arrived in Duck, NC where we had a wonderful Seafood dinner with Steve's parents. After a nice breakfast, and an afternoon of last minute errands and packing, we're off to Nags Head, NC for orientation today, Friday the 13th, for B&B orientation. Can't wait!
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