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Day 112 - Sun. 5-5-02 - mileage 40.7 - climbed today 0
from Richmond Hill, Georgia to Hardee, So. Carolina
SAVANNAH

We cycled about 15 miles into the heart of Savannah. On the way there I noticed that there are more Churches in Savannah then Myron has pills. I saw a beautiful old lady, black as midnight clothed in a dress, white as snow. She was carrying her handbag in one hand and her bible in the other. She was walking a rutty dirt road on her way to Church. Nothing was going to stand in her way of Sunday services. There was something very moving and beautiful about her. I don’t know what it was. Maybe it was her midnight skin in such stark contrast to the white dress that looked so pretty. I think it was more than that. I think it was her journey, her mission. That short glimpse I saw might have been representative of her spiritual journey. I thought that was truly a beautiful sight. I keep seeing it in my mind over and over. We saw many of Savannah's residents gathering for worship services. Once in the heart of the city we stopped at a museum to get a better idea of the history of the area. We then cycled around the historic district. Savannah has 21 squares or parks. Each is surrounded by large colonial style homes. The streets are shaded by rows of old Live Oaks and Magnolia trees. Each square has park benches to look at the statues in a garden setting. Many of the streets are still made of brick, as there were in the days of year. Savannah is a must visit for anybody who likes historic garden cities. Mike, Savannah is now my new favorite city. At 4:30 we decided it was time to find a place to camp.  We were told that we could cycle the new bridge over the Savanna River. As we approached the on ramp there was a sign that said cyclists and pedestrians prohibited. John said he wont break the law. Myron said he is going to ride around the corner to see if the bridge is rideable. He never stopped or turned around. We watched him continue up and over the large bridge. I was now in a pickle. John had already stated he will not break the law and Myron took off leaving both of us behind. Myron had no maps or any idea where we were going. He doesn’t like being apart of the daily mapping. He just wants to follow. Now we are split up as a group. I decided to go catch Myron cause he has no maps. John and I decided on a route and meeting place for us later today. Myron stopped at the bottom of the bridge and waited for me. He had already called John so; he was filled in on the plan. Myron and I rode on. An hour later we got a phone call from John saying he had missed his turn off and that he is going to get a motel and meet us tomorrow. Myron and I did the same. We crossed into So. Carolina and we are at a motel in Hardee, So. Carolina waiting for John.

Day 113 - Monday 5-6-02 - mileage today 32.1 - climbed today 0
Hardeeville to exit #33 on hwy 95 at the Oaks RV Park.

John got up early and rode 22 miles to meet up with Myron and I. We rode 32 more miles on hwy 17. This brought Johns miles up to 54 and some change. We are at the Oaks RV Park. It is one of the nicer parks we have stayed at. We recently stayed at a KOA campground, it was a complete rip-off. In our experience KOA's are outrageously expensive. The one we stayed at two nights ago was $27. My Uncle Tom used to say, "At least I get kissed when I get SCREWED". The KOA screwed us, but we had no other place to go. As I was riding I realized that; there are more documented cases of someone summitting Mt. Everest, than there are of someone cycling the perimeter of the United States.

Day 114 - Tue. 5-7-02 - mileage today 96.8 - climbed today 0
from exit 33 on hwy 95 to 10 miles northeast of Moncks Corner

We started out today for Charleston on hwy 17. It quickly became too busy to ride safely. I was about a mile behind Myron and John. I felt it a death wish to continue. Hwy 17 was a two lane without a shoulder. We were in traffic on a main artery to Charleston. After trucks had to slow until there wasn't any oncoming traffic. If a car and truck were passing at the same time we were within inches of death or serious injury. We were constantly fighting traffic. I decided to take another quieter route. There was a police officer on the side of the road. I asked for directions to alternant 17. He directed me river road. River road is a quiet road that meanders past old plantation homes and horse farms. We are now getting into the rolling hill country. I asked the police officer to stop and tell Myron and John that I took another route. If they want to they can catch up to me. I’m glad I changed my route it was a quiet comfortable route. I enjoyed the route so much I rode almost 100 miles and camped out in the woods. I don't know how Myron and Johns day went. I did talk to them a few hours ago and they did get a campsite at an RV Park and that they are ok. Even though they didn’t like hwy 17 they made it thru without incident.

Day 115 - wed. 5-8-02 - mileage 49.1 - climbed 0
From Moncks Corner to Georgetown

I slept well and got up early start my day. I hope Myron and John had a good time. I will meet them today in Georgetown. I had a lot of extra time to meet a lot of people today. I was eating lunch when I met Donnie. Donnie and his wife were curious about me and what I was doing. I told them about the trip and they thought it was neat. As Donnie was leaving he handed me his business card and a 10-dollar bill. I don’t think I look or smell homeless or that I need money but Donnie must have thought so. I took the card but gave the money back with a hearty thank you. I explained that I didn’t need the money. He shook my hand and told me if I need anything to call him no matter where I was. It is great to experience the generosity of Americans first hand. I'm now in Georgetown anxiously awaiting Myron and John. There isn’t any camping anywhere close. I called John and asked how far they have to ride today and if they want to ride another 19 miles to camp or it they want a motel. They wanted a motel. I got a room and now waiting them.

Day 116 - thurs. 5-9-02 - mileage today 66.4 - climbed today 0
from Georgetown to Grissetown
YOU CAN DO IT

Today I had the good fortune to have met Carolyn. Carolyn is a one legged amputee. She is on a journey walking the perimeter of the United States. She wants to get the message out to focus on your abilities not your disabilities. I had heard about her and she us. I didn't think I would ever get the chance to meet her. Low and behold there she was walking the same direction as I was riding. We talked for about an hour. She is quite an inspiration. If you would like to know more, you can visit her website. www.faithwalk.net

All my life I had heard about Myrtle Beach as a popular golfers vacation spot. What I wasn't told was it was peewee golf. Cycling thru Myrtle Beach there was one miniature golf course after another. All of them had waterfalls with blue water flowing down to a pond with a pirate on the shore. I never did see a regular golf course. I stopped in at a Subway sandwich shop to wait for John and Myron. As I was talking to Elizabeth one of the other employees stopped and said listen. It was Elizabeth singing on the radio. She had been dared earlier to call into the radio station and sing, so she did, I was there to hear it on the air.

I had another flat today. It was a dozy. I hit something that went rite thru my tire, tuffy, and tube. It put a large slice in my tire, so large that I had to replace my tire. I now don’t have a spare tire until I get to a bike shop that has my tire size. It is a wide tire so most shops don’t carry it.

Day 117 - Fri. 5-10-02 - mileage today 55.5 - climbed today 0
from Grissetown to Scotts Hill

We had a hotter day than yesterday. The heat is getting to all of us. It makes it especially hard to sleep. Myron is the most affected; it is real hard on him. As a trooper he continues on. We do have to be careful not to push too hard though. We are cutting down on our planned miles and taking more and longer brakes. We hope to take a rest day around Monday at Cape Hatteris. We all need a day off and that will be a place where there is nothing for us to do except rest. We set up camp just before it started to rain. We heard about Thunderstorms coming. Well they are here.

Day 118 - sat. 5-11-02 - mileage today 65.1 - climbed today 0
From KOA in Scotts Hill, NC to Holiday Park in Emerald Isle, NC.

It was a lot cooler today. It rained on and off all night. When it rains everything gets wet and muddy. In our case it there was a lot of sand mixed with the mud. We had a good day of cycling. Myron did much better today. The heat has taken a lot out of all of us but especially Myron. John and I rode together today. We went a head of Myron to select a campsite. Boy, did we luck out and find a GREAT one. We found the Holiday Travel Park and Resort. First of all the park welcomes tent campers - they have a large grassy area in which to set your tent up in. There is a large store for food and another store for supplies they have a big racing area for go carts (Indy style) as well as a large pool. We happen to be here on the eve of Mothers Day. Tomorrow morning they will have a Mothers Day Church Service with a guest band for entertainment. There is far more to the park such as a miniature golf and arcade, but that is for you to find out. It is a MUST. Now for the bottom line - We paid less for staying here then we do at most KOA's Myron made the comment that the bathrooms are so clean that even he will take a shower, a small wonder in its self. We had a wonderful dinner within walking distance. I had the rib eye, John had the Prime Rib and Myron had a wonderful Spinach Salad. We all had a Guinness with dinner and coffee with desert. Now this is living.

Day 119 - Sunday 5-12-02 - mileage today 53.0 - climbed today
From emerald isle to cedar creek in Sea Leavel, N.C.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

We cycled off old Emerald Isle today. Emerald Isle is a resort Island off of the North Carolina coast. We are headed for Cedar Island. Today’s ride took us past several small communities that have been around for a hundred years or more. It is nice to see the older houses grouped together in small quiet communities. Most of the houses are often two-story farm like houses, similar to the Walton’s house in the TV series (the Walton’s). The houses are almost always white. A Lot of the houses have small cemeteries on their property. Everything from the house and yard are well clean and well kept. I stopped to have breakfast in a small park overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. While I was sitting there I talked with a man about my age that lives in Virginia and works in Michigan. He was out enjoying the sun and surf with his metal detector. I explained about our trip. He was of the same mind that is to enjoy life it is short. As he was leaving he offered me 20 dollars. I thanked him for his thoughtfulness but I did not need the money. I mention this because I have been offered money on several other occasions. I really don’t understand why. I never mention money when talking about the trip. Myron says it is because I look homeless. I'm clean, I shave, and shower often, but something about me makes me look needy. I don’t get offended I just think how wonderful people are in our country. They see me and offer help. I always refuse but thank them for their kindness. I called home and talked with my family today. I miss them very much. I was listening to the radio last night. It was a program where people phoned in special stories and request for their mothers. I was thinking about my own mom and how much I miss and love her.

Day 120 - Monday 5-13-02 - mileage 37.6 - climbed 0
From Sea Level to Frisco

We rode ferries most of the day. We ended up in Frisco on Hatteras Island. This is where Black Beard used to hang out and do his pirating. He was killed in 1715 by the British government. The coast along the outer banks is known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. The seas are torturous. Over 600 wrecks have been recorded off the outer banks. We are camped at the National Park in Frisco. This is where we met John. John is the park ranger. He went out of his way to help us and make our stay comfortable. Thank you, John.

Day 121 - Tue. 5-14-02 - mileage today 26.3 - climbed 0
Layover Day

We decided to stay put and rest today. We all decided it was time for a rest day. It never works out though that you stay put and rest. Myron rode back into Hatteras to spend the day. John and I spent the day at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It was built in the 1870's It is the largest brick lighthouse in the United States. There have been many shipwrecks along the coast of the outer banks. Lately we have cycled past many towns and communities with such names as Nags Head, Pea Island, Cape Hateras, Cape Lookout and Cape fear. We have also cycled past street names such as Possum trot, Dog Lick and Morehead. We have also noted the name of grocery store chains like; Winn Dixie, Hoggs, and Piggly Wiggly. It is interesting to note the different names that people name things.

Day 122 - wed. 5-15-02 - mileage today 73.1 - climbed today 0
From Frisco to Kitty Hawk

We had a headwind today. We are near Kitty Hawk, NC where the Wright Bros. first flew a their airplane Dec.17th 1903. We cycled along a lot of sand dunes today. They was beautiful tan sand with grasses and small green bushes growing in them. Set that against a blue sky and the sound of the ocean, it simply made for a beautiful ride. We are camped at the youth hostel in Kitty Hawk. Earlier today we passed the memorial where the Wright Bros. first flew. We will ride back tomorrow and see the very sight where flight began. At the hostel we met the Twitty's. A mother (Sheryl) and two daughters, the older (Mary Ann) and the youngest (Edith Joy). Sheryl home schools the girls.  They are on a vacation of sorts. They are now at Kitty Hawk and they have just returned from New York and Washington D.C.  I was very impressed with their knowledge and their enthusiasm for learning. I asked the girls if they enjoy being home schooled. Without hesitation they both said; they wouldn’t want it any other way. They said it with a real sparkle in their eyes and with honesty. I talked with the girls for about twenty minutes. I was very impressed with their social skills. They had no problem caring on a conversation with an adult.  My hats off to you Sheryl.  You have given the girls a wonderful gift of education and social skills. Not to mention your time. I also noticed how much you truly enjoy being with each other.

Day 123 - Thurs. 5-16-02 - mileage today 56.1 - climbed tiday 0
From kitty hawk,NC to Knotts Island, NC
" MAN WILL NEVER FLY, NOT IN A THOUSAND YEARS"

That was a quote by Wilbur Wright in 1902. On Dec. 17, 1903 he proved himself wrong. Wilbur; the older of the two brothers, was the first man to sustain flight by a motor powered airplane. That was the first of four successful flights that day in Kitty Hawk, N.C. The longest flight that day was 59 seconds and a distance of 852 feet, unfortunately in a quirky turn of events, the airplane was destroyed that very same day.  A gust of wind sent it tumbling toward Kill Devil Hill while Orville and Wilbur ate their lunch. Unable to generate much interest in their success the Wrights Brothers stopped flying for several years. By 1908 nobody was able to duplicate the Wright Brothers achievements. The brothers began to fly once again. This time in France. They quickly became famous and recognized for their contribution to aviation. Wilbur succumbed to tuberculosis in 1912 at the age of 45. Orville lived to see the age of jet-powered aircraft. He died at the age of 75 in 1947. Myron and I had a great time at the monument. As we were leaving two jet fighters flew overhead. I can’t help but to recognize the contrast of old and new at this historic spot.  John had already been to the monument several times so he rode ahead to the Currituck Sound ferry. Myron and I were pleased to find a little gift waiting for us in our helmets at the monument. The Twitty's left Myron and I a bottle of water for our ride. That was very thoughtful of them. Myron and I left the monument at noon and caught up with John at 4:00. While waiting for the ferry we met Nick Kiousis. Nick saw us waiting for the ferry and stopped to say hi. Nick had rode thru New Zealand last summer. He arranged a place for us to shower and sleep if we need it when we are in Virginia. Nick owns the Stack-em High pancake house in Kill Devil Hills. We rode the ferry to Knott’s Island and camped at what thing is a Baptist campground. The manager wasn’t there, so we set up camp and will settle up tomorrow.

Day 124 - Friday 5-17-02 - mileage today 69.1 - climbed today 0 - MILES TO DATE 4831.88
From Knott’s Island, NC to Birdsnest, VA
THE VIRGINIA I KNOW AND LOVE

We crossed the state line this morning into my beloved Virginia. I love all the history here. The sea and the rolling hills the Appalachians. Old towns like Williamsburg. Winding roads that thread themselves thru green grassy fields. We road along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. It is one of the nicest boardwalks I've ever seen. There is a lot of history in this neck of the woods. There is First landing and Jamestown. We had to cross the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel today. We have heard conflicting reports as to weather the bridge district will shuttle you across. We called and they did shuttle our gear and us. The bridge is 19 miles long with two tunnels for aircraft carriers to go over. John rode with the bikes and gear in a pickup truck. Myron and I rode in a police car. It was my first time in the back of a police car. I was very self-conscious about riding in back and what people thought. I rode with my arm propped up along the window so people could tell that I wasn’t handcuffed. We got to the other side and put our equipment together and cycled off along hwy 600. Hwy 600 is a quiet road so small and lightly traveled that it doesn’t even have stripping. We could ride three bikes across for miles. Myron and I are camping wild in the woods just outside of a town called Birdsnest. John took a motel tonight cause there are severe thunderstorms predicted tonight. We will meet up with him in the morning.