- Waking up in the early morning to be one of the first people in the united states to see the sunrise on top of Cadillac mt. in Arcadia National park
- Bonnaroo - Worth a trip by itself
- Seeing Ron Jeremy at a Mumford and Sons Concert
- Arriving in Birmingham AL to get hives for the second time when I have been there
- Drinking a beer at the oldest bar in America in New Orleans LA
- Seeing Wee Man at the beaches of Florida
- Sweet Tooth trip - visiting the Ben & Jerry's Factory, The Saltwater Taffy Company, and the Hershey Chocolate factory
Highlights of part one of my trip!
Trip Stats page
Added a Trip Statistics page ... check it out on the side bar & here.
If you think of any stats I should add just let me know.
If you think of any stats I should add just let me know.
#401 - Go to disney
DISNEY
So apparently Gator wrestling is extremely dangerous.... Who knew?
But I did have a Chance to visit the World famous Disney World while being stuck here in Florida.
I also got a history lesson on Disney from one of my hosts. (Hats off to Matt Rossi for reminding me to do my SLI work)
Disney is like it's own little country down here. Kind of Scary!
So apparently Gator wrestling is extremely dangerous.... Who knew?
But I did have a Chance to visit the World famous Disney World while being stuck here in Florida.
I also got a history lesson on Disney from one of my hosts. (Hats off to Matt Rossi for reminding me to do my SLI work)
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| A giant Golf Ball....? |
Disney is like it's own little country down here. Kind of Scary!
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| Rockin Roller Coaster! |
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| I made it to west coast! .... oh |
#113 - Learn to Surf
While being stuck in Florida what else am I gonna do than head to the beaches?
So we picked up a Surfboard and start trying to conquer those waters.
The waves weren't huge but it was a good place to start.
The hardest part for me was getting the timing down. After being push around a bit, I looked the Atlantic in it's of the hurricane and told it what I though.
After that it was easy
So we picked up a Surfboard and start trying to conquer those waters.
The waves weren't huge but it was a good place to start.
The hardest part for me was getting the timing down. After being push around a bit, I looked the Atlantic in it's of the hurricane and told it what I though.
After that it was easy
June 21 - ?, 2011
Stuck in Florida
After staying at another hostel for the night, and lugging my bike bags around town, I hop on a greyhound to Winter Garden Fl.
I'm staying with a friend that I met at Bonnaroo, Whose family has been extremely kind and agreed to put me up until my bike gets fixed.
I had to fight with Suzuki to get them to cover my bike under its warranty. They claimed that it was not a manufactures defect (despite what the actual shop was clearly saying). But after listening to a lecture or two about keeping my receipts, they eventually agreed to cover it.
Now just waiting for parts
Time to bunker down and wait. Updates to come.
After staying at another hostel for the night, and lugging my bike bags around town, I hop on a greyhound to Winter Garden Fl.
I'm staying with a friend that I met at Bonnaroo, Whose family has been extremely kind and agreed to put me up until my bike gets fixed.
I had to fight with Suzuki to get them to cover my bike under its warranty. They claimed that it was not a manufactures defect (despite what the actual shop was clearly saying). But after listening to a lecture or two about keeping my receipts, they eventually agreed to cover it.
Now just waiting for parts
Time to bunker down and wait. Updates to come.
June 20, 2011 & #6 Hitchhike
Breakdown
I get an early start and head down I-10 from Tallahassee to Jacksonville.
After about two hours on the road, I notice a small clicking sound coming from the engine of my bike.
This clicking quickly turns into a clanking sound, and i notice a drop in RPMs.
Not looking to damage my bike I pull over on the Florida highway and grab what little shade I can in the 103 degree heat. After doing a bit of searching on my droid and making a few phone calls. I get in touch with the closest Suzuki dealer (my bike being under warenty). However It was about an hour away in Gainesville.
With not many options I call for a tow truck.
Not wanting to wait an hour in the blazing sunlight of Florida, I thumb a ride back to the last exit, which I seem to remember being not that far away.
This turned out to quite a bad idea.
I caught a ride back to the truck stop quite easily. Actually the very first car to pass pulled over and a middle aged man, told me to hop in, and then explained he stopped because he saw my bike and he used to ride; (Yet another example of the community of bikers out there in the world).
I get the gas station, grab some oil and a few other things, and then with the confidence that I would soon be picked up, started hiking it back to my bike.
There have been many times on this trip that I wish I were driving a car just for the very fact I could pick up hitchhikers and help them out.
The way I figured It, I had 45 minutes to get picked up to make it down the few miles back to my bike before the tow truck turned up.
Not one single person would stop for me. hundreds of cars went flying by without a second thought.
I also tried to get a ride from a couple work release prison crews and one van with no brakes stuck in the same situation I was in.
Anyway, I ended up running along the side of the highway for miles.
I don't think I have ever sweated so much. Eventually off in the distance I see my oasis; There was the tow truck. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, I arrive to be greated by mechanic with an, "You were lucky man, I was about to leave ya."
He kindly offers me some A/C and his left over Iced tea, and we head back to deal with the bike.
We drop it off at the shop, and a few hours later I find I am gonna be stuck in Florida, for quite some time.
Time to get used to the heat...
I get an early start and head down I-10 from Tallahassee to Jacksonville.
After about two hours on the road, I notice a small clicking sound coming from the engine of my bike.
This clicking quickly turns into a clanking sound, and i notice a drop in RPMs.
Not looking to damage my bike I pull over on the Florida highway and grab what little shade I can in the 103 degree heat. After doing a bit of searching on my droid and making a few phone calls. I get in touch with the closest Suzuki dealer (my bike being under warenty). However It was about an hour away in Gainesville.
With not many options I call for a tow truck.
Not wanting to wait an hour in the blazing sunlight of Florida, I thumb a ride back to the last exit, which I seem to remember being not that far away.
This turned out to quite a bad idea.
I caught a ride back to the truck stop quite easily. Actually the very first car to pass pulled over and a middle aged man, told me to hop in, and then explained he stopped because he saw my bike and he used to ride; (Yet another example of the community of bikers out there in the world).
I get the gas station, grab some oil and a few other things, and then with the confidence that I would soon be picked up, started hiking it back to my bike.
There have been many times on this trip that I wish I were driving a car just for the very fact I could pick up hitchhikers and help them out.
The way I figured It, I had 45 minutes to get picked up to make it down the few miles back to my bike before the tow truck turned up.
Not one single person would stop for me. hundreds of cars went flying by without a second thought.
I also tried to get a ride from a couple work release prison crews and one van with no brakes stuck in the same situation I was in.
Anyway, I ended up running along the side of the highway for miles.
I don't think I have ever sweated so much. Eventually off in the distance I see my oasis; There was the tow truck. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, I arrive to be greated by mechanic with an, "You were lucky man, I was about to leave ya."
He kindly offers me some A/C and his left over Iced tea, and we head back to deal with the bike.
We drop it off at the shop, and a few hours later I find I am gonna be stuck in Florida, for quite some time.
Time to get used to the heat...
June 19, 2011
Florida
I have to stop multiple times to take breaks.
When I finally get to Tallahassee, my place to stay for the night falls through.
I head to the Apalachicola National Forest, Hitch up my trusty camping hammock and fall asleep to sounds of the forest.
June 15 - 18, 2011 & #7 Stay in a Hostel
New Orleans
I woke up feeling much better.
After the Events of the day before, I was quick to get out of the city of Birmingham, AL.
and get to NOLA!
I check into my first Hostel: India House (Thus crossing off another item of my bucket list!)
An excellent place to stay if your ever in the city: clean, cheap, thriving & all around awesome. (a 10 out of 10!)
I instantly fall in love with this city. New Orleans is a mixing pot of people & culture. Everywhere I go I can feel the heartbeat of the city. The music, the food, & the history all combine together to make something special and unique. I haven't yet seen a city anything like NOLA.
I meet up with a friend working in the city and we head out on a tour of the town!
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| Oldest Bar in America! |
June 14, 2011
Birmingham AL
I set out today in high hopes. It felt good to be back on my bike after my weekend festival hiatus.
I got in contact with an old teamleader from AmeriCorps and was hoping to get a little volunteer work in with Nechema before the end of the day.
I get into Birmingham around 3PM, a little to late to volunteer, so I go check out the local library.
I notice a little itch.
The Itch gets bigger.
Then I notice the Hives.
Popping some Benydryll, I head to the local urgent care wich promptly denies my insurance.
Not feeling so hot I head over the Emergency Room.
I remeber feeling so cold and tired.
After what feels like forever, my name is called. They say I have a temperature of 101. I decide to check into the hospital for the night.
The really weird thing is, I have been into Birmingham AL once before in my life when I was a kid, and while there I had a unexplained outbreak of Hives as well.
I'm Allergic to the Freaking City!
Also This was on the TV in the hospital room:
yeah.... I'm not moving there anytime soon...
I set out today in high hopes. It felt good to be back on my bike after my weekend festival hiatus.
I got in contact with an old teamleader from AmeriCorps and was hoping to get a little volunteer work in with Nechema before the end of the day.
I get into Birmingham around 3PM, a little to late to volunteer, so I go check out the local library.
I notice a little itch.
The Itch gets bigger.
Then I notice the Hives.
Popping some Benydryll, I head to the local urgent care wich promptly denies my insurance.
Not feeling so hot I head over the Emergency Room.
I remeber feeling so cold and tired.
After what feels like forever, my name is called. They say I have a temperature of 101. I decide to check into the hospital for the night.
The really weird thing is, I have been into Birmingham AL once before in my life when I was a kid, and while there I had a unexplained outbreak of Hives as well.
I'm Allergic to the Freaking City!
Also This was on the TV in the hospital room:
yeah.... I'm not moving there anytime soon...
June 13, 2011
After a very hot, dusty and rough weekend, we drive the five hours back to Ashville late at night.
I crash for the night and use the day to recover.
June 9 - 12, 2011 #43 - visit Bonnaroo, #62 Mosh
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Waking up early, Jade and I jump in her car and drive the five hours out to the farm in Manchester TN.
We knew coming in that there might be some traffic and a long line, coming into the festival, so we grabbed some tunes and bunkered down for the wait.
After the not so bad wait, we park our cars like sardines and fight for a little breathing room in the packed campgrounds of Bonnaroo. Being first time festival goers and with the limited supplies that I had on my bike it was a little obvious from the beginning that we were slightly unprepared Amidst the sea of canopies, flags, card tables and lawn chairs, our little two person tent seemed sadly minuscule.
After Setting up camp we begin our long trek into Centeroo and to meet up with some friends along the way.
Waking up early, Jade and I jump in her car and drive the five hours out to the farm in Manchester TN.
We knew coming in that there might be some traffic and a long line, coming into the festival, so we grabbed some tunes and bunkered down for the wait.
After the not so bad wait, we park our cars like sardines and fight for a little breathing room in the packed campgrounds of Bonnaroo. Being first time festival goers and with the limited supplies that I had on my bike it was a little obvious from the beginning that we were slightly unprepared Amidst the sea of canopies, flags, card tables and lawn chairs, our little two person tent seemed sadly minuscule. After Setting up camp we begin our long trek into Centeroo and to meet up with some friends along the way.
June 9: Thursday
-Futurbirds
-Wavves
-The Walkman
-Beats Antique
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| Grace Potter Rocked that Stage! |
June 10: Friday
-Bela Fleck
-Grace potter (in the pit!)
-The Decemberists (in the pit!)
-NOFX
-Arcade Fire
-Bassnector
-Lil Wayne (almost got our asses kicked there)
-Ratatat
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| Oprah approves! |
June 11: Saturday
-Deer tick
-Alison Kraus
-Mumford and Sons (sooo good!)
 |
| Mumford & More! |
June 12: Sunday
-Iron and Wine
-Gregg Allman
-The Strokes
June 8, 2011
Blue Ridge Parkway
Tired of Interstates, I head down the Blue Ridge Parkway down to Asheville, NC.
A beautiful twisty road through the mountains, with many breathtaking outlooks. I have to stop a least a few times to enjoy nature's majesty.
Stopping at one of the outlooks on top of a ridge, I realize that I'm hungry. Pulling out the trusty camping stove, I start Making the every delicious and nutritious Ramen Noodles.
Out of seemingly nowhere. I hear a huge crack of thunder, and downpour starts. Burning myself on those last bites of noodles, I jump on my bike and slowly head down the twisty curves of the parkway. Within five minutes of riding the sun is out again and the clouds just disappear.
Despite the Odd weather, I make it out of the parkway and in to:
Asheville NC
Asheville Is a beautiful college town nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. Someplace I wouldn't mind Living at some point in time.
After playing some phone tag, I meet up with a few more Americorps Alums and Jade, one of my partners-in-crime for the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
Tired of Interstates, I head down the Blue Ridge Parkway down to Asheville, NC.
A beautiful twisty road through the mountains, with many breathtaking outlooks. I have to stop a least a few times to enjoy nature's majesty.
Stopping at one of the outlooks on top of a ridge, I realize that I'm hungry. Pulling out the trusty camping stove, I start Making the every delicious and nutritious Ramen Noodles.
Out of seemingly nowhere. I hear a huge crack of thunder, and downpour starts. Burning myself on those last bites of noodles, I jump on my bike and slowly head down the twisty curves of the parkway. Within five minutes of riding the sun is out again and the clouds just disappear.
Despite the Odd weather, I make it out of the parkway and in to:
Asheville NC
Asheville Is a beautiful college town nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. Someplace I wouldn't mind Living at some point in time.
After playing some phone tag, I meet up with a few more Americorps Alums and Jade, one of my partners-in-crime for the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
June 7, 2011
Sights of DC
Waking up early I head out to take another quick tour of the National Mall In DC.
Virginia
Long ride today, I eventually arrive in Galax, Va. Just beating out a storm.
Being Incredibly Tired I pass out for the Night.
Waking up early I head out to take another quick tour of the National Mall In DC.
Virginia
Long ride today, I eventually arrive in Galax, Va. Just beating out a storm.
Being Incredibly Tired I pass out for the Night.
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