Getting three people from different parts of the country in the one location with all their gear needed for a cross country bike trip and then fitting it all into a two-door 1991 Saturn naturally has it's challenges, but a week later we are in Maine and now on our journey.
Our road trip by car from Michigan took a layover in Ohio where we joined Kathryn for a landscaping extravaganza! In our time there, we managed to move a mountain of mulch, dig holes to China, plant a forest of holly trees, and recreate overgrown corners into beautifully balanced garden beds. That mission accomplished, we stayed with Kathryn's parents in Vermilion and rested up for our big journey ahead.
Our road trip by car from Michigan took a layover in Ohio where we joined Kathryn for a landscaping extravaganza! In our time there, we managed to move a mountain of mulch, dig holes to China, plant a forest of holly trees, and recreate overgrown corners into beautifully balanced garden beds. That mission accomplished, we stayed with Kathryn's parents in Vermilion and rested up for our big journey ahead.
After battling rainstorms on I-90 and a windshield wiper gone awry (cheers truck driver Dave for saving the day), we pressed onward to the beautiful home of Amy Webb, 
nestled in amongst the hemlocks in Western Massachusetts near the home of Norman Rockwell. The morning before we left Amy's, we discovered baby kittens under the house and learned that their mother had been picked up and relocated to a farm. Luckily, the animal rescue had left a number just in case there were kittens, and they arrived right away with our call.
...Recreate the Garden of Eden... CHECK.
Tim Mclain, a friend of Carmen's from Arcata, is joining the ride for the first few days and it has been fun to already have a guest along with us. Today we bike to North Conway where we will stay with the Battenfelders.
nestled in amongst the hemlocks in Western Massachusetts near the home of Norman Rockwell. The morning before we left Amy's, we discovered baby kittens under the house and learned that their mother had been picked up and relocated to a farm. Luckily, the animal rescue had left a number just in case there were kittens, and they arrived right away with our call.
...Recreate the Garden of Eden... CHECK.
...Save baby kittens... CHECK.
We spent our first two days preparing in Portland with dear friends, Amy and Chris, and their two humorous pets, Noah and Einstein. 
Having all three people and their bikes ready to begin biking day 1 also proved to be a struggle, but alas around 4pm..ish we finally found ourselves down by the East Promenade dipping our back tires into the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later and a stop at the region's finest ice cream store, the Dug Out, we arrived at the Friedman's on Sebago Lake, where we were greeted by the most wonderful shish kabobs (kebabs) on the grill thanks to the talented Taryn "T-Bird" Friedman.
...Start our journey on the first day from Portland, Maine, before 4 P.M. ...CHECK?
We spent our first two days preparing in Portland with dear friends, Amy and Chris, and their two humorous pets, Noah and Einstein. 
Having all three people and their bikes ready to begin biking day 1 also proved to be a struggle, but alas around 4pm..ish we finally found ourselves down by the East Promenade dipping our back tires into the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later and a stop at the region's finest ice cream store, the Dug Out, we arrived at the Friedman's on Sebago Lake, where we were greeted by the most wonderful shish kabobs (kebabs) on the grill thanks to the talented Taryn "T-Bird" Friedman.
Tim Mclain, a friend of Carmen's from Arcata, is joining the ride for the first few days and it has been fun to already have a guest along with us. Today we bike to North Conway where we will stay with the Battenfelders.
A huge shout out to the all the inspiring donations and support we have received thus far, including our impromptu photographer Johnny Ferris who gave us a send off photo shoot at the harbour, and Ed and Carol Freidman, who opened up their home to us for our first day on trail.
Currently our fundraising goal is nearing 20% and our campaign has already given over 37 people clean, safe drinking water! Thank you everyone for your encouragement and inspiration, it's certainly making the miles easier.
1 comment:
Go Skelley and Friends!!! Awesome blog, I'll be keeping up w/you from Asheville. Can't wait to hear the adventures that lie ahead.
Your loving derby girl,
Smac
Post a Comment