CENTURY! - or close enough :)

April 17th, Walterboro, SC, about 40 miles west of Charleston:  Ed's in a motel with no internet, so I (Mary) am posting for him.  He had a choice from last night's stop of either a short day or a long day... 99.6 miles is on his odometer tonight!  He feels great, and I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to keep up with him. The tandem is looking better and better!  All the comments on his blog form a terrific tailwind, so thanks to everyone who's been so encouraging.  By the way, VT temp today = 65, SC = 45.  Ed will be back in touch as he gets back closer to the coast over the next day or so.  

The Carolinas

First photo is on the River Walk in Conway, SC. Next one is the old CG station, now NC teacher facility next to Ocracoke Ferry terminal. Last photo taken on a walk along beach in Ocracoke of a flight of pelicans.

Spent the night with Darren's family in NE Wilmington then got a lift to his job site in Carolina Beach from where it was a quick windy ride down to the Fort Fisher-to-Southport ferry across the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Just a quick aside-----The Cape Fear was the northern boundary of my operations area 30 years ago when I was the commanding officer of the 180' ice breaking buoy tender PAPAW homeported in Charleston. The coast from here down, Georgetown, Charleston, Port Royal Sound (behind Hilton Head), Beaufort, Savannah, and on to the St. Marys River at the GA/FL border---knew it well. But not so much the land side.

Long day (57 miles)but made it all the way to Little River, SC.

Tax day---shorter--34 miles in off and on rain to Conway, SC. Just inland from Myrtle and North Mrytle Beach. Noticed lots of businesses closed and homes partially started but no workers around. Hard hit area I think. First palm tree and Spanish moss. Really in the south now. Used to be an alligator in the marina at Georgetown. I will have to keep alert!

SE North Carolina

Made it to Wilmington, NC tonight, the 13th, just ahead of a storm. Tomorrow, after crossing the mouth of the Cape Fear River and a little more, will be in SC.
Don from northern VA that I met yesterday morning in Ocracoke as we boarded the ferry, is headed for Tampa and needs to do 85 to 105 miles per day. I hung with him yesterday but we agreed to go our seperate ways and routes. I wish you well Don.

Tonight I am enjoying the hospitality of Diane and Darren, Young Life friends, and close friends of our Vermont Area Director Jeff S.

Spring is clearly here---leaves and blossoms and grass mowing. Can hay fever be far behind?

By the way, it isn't my butt or my hands that hurt as I thought would be the case, it is my toes! Cramps in the toes. Who's a thought.
ED

April 12 - Easter Sunday:  No internet access for Ed tonight, so I'm (Mary) filling in on the post.  Ed's in Jacksonville, NC, tonight, after 86 miles (WhooHoo!) with a mostly favorable wind.  He met a riding buddy on the ferry from Ocracoke who's on his way to Tampa, and they're going to ride together for a while.  Ed says that the other guy (also a young one - 66yrs old!) is a stronger rider than he - lots of fun and encouraging, so they're having a good time.  Thanks for checking in!  

OBX----Outer Banks, NC

It has been awhile so this is catch up time. My photo theme---Lighthouses and USCG stations!

Wed, 8 April: Greg took me by Dylan's school (really near), then drove me to Exmore down the Delmarva. Set out on a tiny road parallel to 13 into the wind of course. Called ahead and a van was waiting to carry me across the Ches. Bay-Bridge-Tunnel. Quickly found sister of our Vermont neighbor who took me in, fed me and shared sea stories. Many thanks to Leslie, Greg and Rick!

Thurs, 9 Apr: Brother Rick took me to the 'Brass Bell' bar and grill for a sumptuous breakfast then drove me to Currituck ferry (Virginia Beach traffic is awful and NO shoulders). Another big thank you. Sunny day, wind NW at 8 to 10, flew down to Kitty Hawk at top of Outer Banks (locally called OBX), found wonderful bike path which ended at the First-in-Flight memorial (see photo of huge granite monument on top of hill). Ended the day in beach motel in Nags Head next to fishing pier.

Friday, 10 April: WIND, south 18 to 25 with gusts to 30. Oh well! Goal was Ocracoke. Made it with big lift from Jason, his wife and sister who picked me up half way down Pea Island and carried me to Hatteras ferry landing. They had been in Young Life as high schoolers. Thank you.

On my way past, stopped at Oregon Inlet CG Station (see photo) for water and sea stories. Except all the 'kids' on watch were born AFTER I had retired. None of the cutters I had served in (Storis, Ironwood, Taney, and Papaw) are in service. Taney is now a museum ship in the Baltimore inner harbor, W-37, last ship afloat to have been at Pearl Harbor. 45 minute ride across Hatteras inlet. Long chat with a couple from Leesburg, VA who ride. Then 13 miles into unbelievable wind (see photo of milepost 77 which meant I was 66 miles from Nags Head and only 9 miles to end of OBX)to village of Ocracoke. Lovely!!!! So much so I put a down payment on a little waterfront cottage! (just kidding Mary, but it really is nice here. Greg and Ellen like Avon which is also nice).

Staying at Ocracoke Harbor Inn--very comfortable. Let me use w/d to clean my smelly stuff and use this computer to blog. Staying through to Easter morning then on the Ocracoke to Cedar Is. 2.5 hour ferry. Cold front came through last night. Clearing tomorrow with maybe a north wind. I can pray can't I. Going to add minutes to track phone, and go to book store, and plan next part of trip. There is a chance I can stay at the BOQ (bachelor officers quarters) at Camp Leguene near Jacksonville, NC.

Happy Easter one and all.

The Wind!!
So---I am well started. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers and training and patience.
Abbie drove me from Matthew's in Malvern to Stone Harbor on Palm Sunday to spend the night with Tyler's Godparents, Glen and Kathy. Monday morning after a big pancake breakfast, Abbie returned home in PA, Glenn took me to Hale Bicycle Shop in Cape May Court House. Within an hour I was suited up for the rain and low 50's and headed for the 1300 Cape May to Lewes, DE ferry. Still raining but little wind---down DE 1 all the way to Ocean City, MD. Sun came out around Bethany Beach, stopped to look in on my old Coast Guard charge, Fenwick Island lighthouse on the DE/MD border. 39 miles.

Comfort Inn, hot shower, crab sandwich, a little of the NC blowout of MSU, then bed.

Tuesday the 7th. 49 miles almost all of which into 20 kt westerly working my way from OC to Salisbury. Got here right at 1600---played with two of my wonderful grandchildren, Sage (10mos) and Dylan almost 3.

Wednesday Greg's going to take me down 13 aways below the cities then across the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-tunnel to Virginia Beach on the way to the Outer Banks.

THE BIKE!

Last Wednesday I gave the bike to the guys at Earl's Cyclery who promptly sent it to my old bike shop, Hale's, in Cape May Court House.  It arrived yesterday and is ready to go.  In two hours I will board Amtrak at Port Henry and begin the adventure----arrive 30th St. Station, Philly around midnight, spend the night with oldest son Matthew and family.  Tomorrow Abbie will collect me and we will go down to Stone Harbor, NJ to spend the night with Tyler's Godparents.  Monday morning to Hale's.  Abbie will go back to Philly and I will head for the Cape May-Lewes ferry and points south!  

By the way, Bud, Doug, Coach Al and I had a terrific 30 miler on Thursday---clear, warm, beautiful Vermont day.  Total training miles 245.  Thanks Al.