September 29 Crossing America

Wilmington, NC – Jacksonville, NC a distance of 61 miles.
6,099 miles traveled through today, 5,001 of them on a bike.

Hard to believe I’ve ridden over 5,000 miles and have been n the road for 121 days.  Saved myself 7 iles of riding today by continuing north on US Hwy 17 instead of backtracking t downtown Wilmington to start on 3^rd Street, figured I came up that way last night.  Wilmington a town of 80,000+ had a lot of traffic but still I was not stressed out as almost everyone is giving me a wide birth as they pass.  I did have one Fed-X driver pass me twice both times much too close but he was still a foot or so away which is much better than the inches some vehicles passed by me in  Oregon and California.  Flying the US flag from Spirit has got to be what is making the difference.

Today’s ride took me to Surf City and along the coastline for 12 miles to North Topsail Beach.  As I passed one store they had a humungous alligator statuette made up with its mouth open for the front entrance of the store, I had to take a picture of it for you.

Monster Gator for a store entrance I found to be quite unique

As this stretch of ocean front riding will be the last chance for seeing the Atlantic on my journey a song kept repeating itself in my head; “My toes in the water, my ass in the sand, a cold beer in my hand.  Life is good today, life is good today”.  I looked for but was unsuccessful in finding a bar on the ocean to stop and buy a beer and live the song for my good friend Tami back home but there weren’t any bars open.  Sorry about that Tami but I was thinking about you, hope that counts?  Another observation I made was a sad one as there were a great many of the homes along this 12 mile stretch for sale, at least 50% probably greater and that is not an exaggeration either.  Just as I turned back inland I crossed a bridge over the Intra-Coastal waterway and stopped in the middle of the bridge to take a couple pictures for you.

Intra Coastal waterway looking out to the ocean, in the distance you will see numerous homes over half of which were for sale.

Another view of the Intra Coastal Waterway taken from the bridge

At the intersection of State Route 210 and Old Folkstone Road there was another store with a huge statuette for an entrance but this time it was of a Giant White Shark.  This time there was a mom, her young daughter and dad were there and they offered to take my picture and I for them.  So you get to see me in this picture.

Help! Jaws is swallowing Spirit and me.

The dad asked how far I had come and when I told him he said to his daughter I told you this guy had to have traveled along way as he looks weathered and rides really fast.  They had passed me several miles up the road and were surprised I caught up to them.  As for the weathered look, I hope that doesn’t mean I look my age?  I also learned the gal’s husband is a Marine and deployed, I pray for his safe return to this young family.

After the picture with the monster shark I decided I needed some fuel as I’d already rode 38 miles.  Again today I’m setting a new average speed record of 14.1 miles.  How great it is to have a tailwind instead of headwind.  Just around the corner from the Jaws store was the Lo-Re-Lei’s Pub and Grill.  If I didn’t have 30 more miles to ride I’d had myself a beer for carbs.  But also thought better to not have a beer as I have to look for someplace to stay the night and don’t want whoever to think I’m of ill repute.   Upon entering the bar only the cook and bartender were there sitting at the bar so I joined them at the bar, that way I could at least smell the aroma of a beer.   It was just barely 10:30 AM which is why there wasn’t anyone there yet.  Lauren the bartender told me Thursdays were also their slowest day.  By the time I left they had about 6 or 8 customers come in for good reason the food is good and plentiful.  I ordered a fried flounder basket and the flounder hung over both ends of the basket, I love seafood of all sorts and this was mighty tasty fuel for my body.  After ordering the cook Keith, who is also the manager, went to prepare my lunch.  While he was in the kitchen Lauren asked me about my ride which I explained.  She said she had a friend with MS and would share my card with him.  When Keith returned she also told him about my ride.  Keith sat down next to me and was quite eager to hear about my journey.  Keith said he was inspired as he didn’t sleep well last night and awoke with all kinds of aches and didn’t want to get out of bed and here I’ve rode over 5,000 miles in 120 days, simply amazing.  Keith then said lunch was on him.  Thank you Keith that was mighty kind of you, you are my first Road Angel of this day.  For those of you who read my journal I want to make it perfectly clear that I do “NOT ask for a Free Lunch” or dinner anywhere.  It is the kindness shown to me by folks who
enjoy hearing about my journey who on their own provide me with a meal. OK, I feel better letting you know I’m not begging my way up the East Coast.  Even though I am running out of money I feel God wanted me on this journey and is making it possible for me to continue on.  Ms. Vickie on the other hand is not one of my biggest fans as I see she has evidently decided any charges I make on the credit card, she allowed me to bring, she is now paying from my personal checking account.  I’m not going to go there so have no further comment to make regards to my home support.  Back to Keith and the Lo-Re-Lei’s Pub and Grill has great atmosphere, live music in evenings, good food at reasonable prices (never mind I got mine gratis) just to the North of the store with JAWS the shark for an entrance way at the intersection of SR 210 and 1019 Old Folkstone Road, Sneads Ferry, NC would be a great place to stop to fuel and carb up with a couple cold beers.

I rode the remaining 27 miles to Jacksonville with little effort with a very full tummy.  It was about quarter after one when I arrived and I immediately began looking for a Fire Department to see if I could continue my lucky streak with that overnight venue.  Moncks Corner and Conway Fire Departments were gracious hosts and had outstanding guys to talk too which made my stay with those  departments extra special.  Thought I’d hit the jackpot as I spotted the Fire Department’s main office and immediately swung Spirit into the driveway.  I met Tracey the receptionist as I entered the office and asked if either the Chief or Capt. were available and reason why.  Tracy said my request would be the responsibility of the Assistant Chief but he was out of the office so she took my request to the Chief.  He promptly sent her back stating it was not possible for me to stay.  Tracy wanted to help me and said she’d make a call and did to the United Way who referred her to the Onslow Ministries, a soup kitchen for the homeless.  She  phoned the shelter and asked for Kara, the person who would make the call, but she was out of the office.  Tracy was told Kara would be back in the office within a half hour and was asked to provide them with my cell phone as they would call me.  I thanked Tracy for her help and left the office, went to a Mickey D’s and waited an hour for a return call but didn’t get one.  Thus I mounted Spirit and continued riding north on US 17 looking for a church or last choice a motel.  I didn’t see any churches to stop at but came to motel row and decided it was beginning to get late and I needed a place to stay.

The first motel I stopped at and spoke with the supervisor on duty said the best she could do was a $79.00 rate, way out of my price range.  Then I next stopped at the Comfort Suites at 130 Workshop Lane where I once again asked for the manager or owner and was introduced to Jane Hernadez the day manager.  I gave her my little  presentation and asked what would the best she could do for me.  Jane said she didn’t have the authority to comp a room but would call the General Manager Kristy Johnson to see if she would.  Within moments, Jane came back and said they would provide me a complimentary room.  I could have kissed and hugged Jane for this great news as I figured I get a substantial discount but not FREE.   Jane and Kristy you are now in a very small and elite group of motels I will frequent when traveling on a bigger budget.  My other person of such high standing and has become a good friend is Denise Dubois, GM for the Hilton Garden Inn in Joplin, MO.  Denise has helped me quietly and discreetly in obtaining rooms both in Joplin for the Tornado Alley 110 Bike Ride and around the Country at a “Family and Friend” rates with affliated chains to the Hilton Group of Inns.  Jane and  Kristy you are my 2^nd and 3^rd Road Angels of this day.  I’m grateful for your kindness and generosity making it possible for me to carry on with my Crossing America Journey.  Thank you girls, you made my day complete.

Final note regards to Kara at the Onslow Ministries, she phoned me at 4:30 and said they would have a place for me this night.  I thanked her and declined for the above reason.  It is good to know there are folks in Jacksonville with a good heart and a willingness to help folks on a mission with limited means.

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