A Slow Reading Month

Posted on March 29, 2012 by TheJessicaness

I had planned to be on the road and reading park brochures, but somehow I still seem to have fallen off the reading path. I finished February reading two more mystery killer lawyer books – Killing Time and King of Lies. I started March with Retribution and the story made me sick – to think these things actually happen. To get on a more positive side of reading I chose to reread Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey. He’s a guy that sees trees for branches and leaves; rocks for sediments that have flowed and settled over time; and the desert as a place to call home.

This isn’t his only novel. He has written plenty of fiction and non. I will get around to reading them all one day. I enjoy experiencing the desert he so lovingly describes – if only through his great details. I will one day hunt for the same beauty and sounds he roamed for in his long hot treks through the ever-amazing canyons and creeks. There is something profound to be learned about oneself when living in a harsh environment. Whether drought or flood, hot or cold, the author chooses this place for its simplistic difficulty – rocks, sun, and poisonous critters.

I’ve read some 7,000 pages this year. I like that parts of the stories stick with me and become a part of my story. With that in mind I want to make sure only books that urge me to think and smile become a part of my reading repertoire to keep me happy and learning. My Dad was kind enough to ensure that I had reading material for April. His selections include cook books – important, and books of nature – my favorite, and others of codes, objects, and science.  And in an emergency my new library is only 0.6 miles away.

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Newly Updated Unknown Current Noobness

Posted on March 24, 2012 by TheJessicaness

Front

Wow! A whole month has gone by since I have written a post. My keyboard is working, but I have yet to hook up my speakers – coincidence, maybe. I have plenty of back-dating to do, but will, for those begging to see, post about the new place with perhaps a photo or two. The house we are renting is located in Imperial Beach, California – the most southwesterly city in the U.S. that was built prior to 1978. It’s a two bedroom with wood and tile floors. Our backyard has a messy pine tree growing into the power line and a palm tree with spears that bloody our fingers. We are slowly removing all the spiky weeds as well.

I am very happy to have a walkscore.com of 74 in a friendly community. We live about 0.8 miles from the Pacific Ocean and about 8 miles (less if you walk through the state park – off-road) from the Mexico border which makes a difference in the local language. The temperature is a chilly 62 – a ten degree difference from the sunshine state. This is our first time renting a house that runs on gas heat and that has recycling. There is a lot of art in the area – on buildings and electrical boxes. It is easy to get lost, but enjoyable.

Back

We have been busy remembering to pay our last electric bill in Florida, unpacking boxes and packing the fridge, cleaning the lawn and dirtying the house. We can let the dogs out more often – any visit to the garage, eating outside, adding to the compost. We are still hanging pictures and making curtains. We are updating our address so we can pay our new bills. Changing our phone number again to have a local area code. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of activities to do here – everyday! There are so many local programs to help you with home, school, volunteering, recycling, greening, sharing, outdoor adventure, shopping, eating, and living the southern California dream.

I’m looking forward to home-ground coffee, home-pressed juice, home-cooked meals, home-grown fruits and veggies, and some home-schooling. I’m looking forward to more sand in my toes, more sun on my face, more wind in my hair, more friends at my door, more family during the holidays, and the opportunity to photograph and blog about it all here. I’m looking forward to not having to move every year, for a while, due to bad neighbors or landlord fee disagreements. I’m looking forward to riding my bike around a city with more bike lanes. I look forward to swimming in the ocean, walking in the sand, hiking in the mountains, camping in the forests, and staying hydrated in the deserts.

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Day 5: Tallahassee Finish Line

Posted on March 4, 2012 by TheJessicaness
Lake Miccosukee

Lake Miccosukee

I woke up through the night with the disturbance of the hotel light coming in the window. I got up at 7:30 am and Caleb called letting me know he would meet me in Tallahassee. My odometer is at 140.7 miles and it’s 26 or more miles into the capital city where I’m looking forward to warm pancakes, eggs, beans, pizza, and donuts – carbs and protein. I had applesauce for breakfast while I microwaved my clothes. My shoes were still dripping water when I put them on.

My clothes and my bags stink. This makes me wish I had known about warmshowers.org sooner. It’s a good idea for so many reasons – shower, laundry, internet, dinner, sleep, and possible new friends. I backtracked some for a gas station breakfast. Dressed in my cycling gear drew attention and I talked to the man behind the counter while another customer and an officer listened. They were watching River Monsters and the guy suggested I fly to San Diego – yet another reason I’m proud of my accomplishment.

I got to see 16.6 miles of rolling hills, lush green grass, spanish moss in the trees with a light breeze and a temperature of 77 degrees. I feel a bit of disappointment in myself, but realize I learned lots in these last few days – proper gear being an important one. Cycling is not for the weak of heart. Doing long miles daily and meeting challenges along the way is demanding and takes determination.

Got home, unpacked my bags, and packed my stomach full of food from Mellow Mushroom – half a sandwich, half a calzone, and a pretzel – cycling burns calories. Then I set up the tent to let it air out. Called my parents to let them know how my day/trip had gone. My mom had faith and my dad was proud. Hearing them helped cheer me up. I like how great it feels to ride my bike and look forward to doing it again soon.

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Day 4: Seven Miles in the Rain

Posted on March 3, 2012 by TheJessicaness
rain lily

rain lily

Up at 6:20 am, protein bar in hand, with feet on the trail. I take a right at the boat ramp to walk through the hardwood hammock along the Suwannee River. An hour later I am rejoining the group. Their tents are already packed, but they are going the opposite direction. I would enjoy riding in a small group. Bob mentions that I might cross paths with another lone female cyclist – we are few.

Bit of a late start, but I was in no hurry for a sore ass and I can feel my leg muscles getting stronger. The first 12 miles went by easy. I stopped for a sandwich at Subway at 11:30 am in Madison, then in Greenville to refill my Camelbak. The wind was strong enough at one point to blow me off the road. Ride a bike long enough and you will encounter wind and hills – take them at your own pace.

Last night’s experience and luxury (hot shower) gave me more motivation for today’s ride. Seven miles from Monticello and the rain began to come down hard. I got storm kisses all morning. I put the rain poncho on just in time, held it for a while to make sure my phone stayed dry and then tied it close. So many trucks with empty beds drove by and only a few slowed down to turn.

one tree - two trunks

one tree – two trunks

Seven miles later when I reached town I found three nice people to point me west to the other side of town (1.5 miles) to the Brahman Inn. My bike didn’t fit in their tiny office and after giving my driver’s license number and credit card number I paid $40 in cash for room 107 that I had to shoulder the door to get in. I took off all my wet clothes – everything but my bra and hair tie and then called Caleb to let him know I made it.

Tried a vitamin packet in my water and instead of watermelon must have accidentally bought crap flavor – trash that idea. Junk food for dinner and, though I think how nice a warm pizza would be, I’m glad to be dry. I totalled 46.5 miles in six hours and burned 1,200 calories. I was sweating in 74 degree weather, but that obviously wasn’t an issue with the cold rain.

Lots of odd-shaped trees, small red flowers, and dead animals on the road today. I’m grateful for the introduction to riding up hills in wind and rain; it’s the best way to learn. On the road I smelled laundry and farts. The big room smells like wet and sweaty clothes. My feet are cold, my shoulders hurt, and my ass is chapped. The tile floor is covered in dead bugs. There is used toilet paper in the bathroom and a cigarette butt in one of the drawers. The walls are a mix of brick and trailer house wood.

There is a difference in riding long distances on the weekends, no matter how difficult, and riding your bike everyday, no matter the elements. I watched some random TV for 30 minutes. I’m going to call Caleb and then go to sleep. It has been a long, adventurous day.

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Day 3: Sandy Streets, Shady Skies, Sociable Strangers

Posted on March 2, 2012 by TheJessicaness

I like the white fabric of my tent; it lights up with the rising sun. The birds sing their morning song. I woke up to rollover because I stick to my sleeping bag in this humidity and was too hot to zip myself into an oven. Note: good tent for Badlands winter weather. Everything has moisture on it. Time to break down camp, stretch my legs, clean my mouth, and get on the road. I wonder what challenges today will bring as I set off at 7am.

I followed the map from the park exit and then drove on dirt and sand roads for 14 miles. I saw squirrels, poop with berries in it, and a large construction truck. I had to work harder to keep my balance in rough and muddy terrain. I stayed mostly in gear 2-4. On County Road 246 there were “This is Wetland” signs in the ditch beyond the trees, perhaps for the animals to read. I was on my third protein bar by 10am. I went through a small town, White Springs, and missed the turn to Camp St by 0.4 miles.

I found my way to County Rd 25A and stayed on that road for 10 miles. Between there and Stagecoach Rd/Co Rd 132, I got chased by my first dog. I would’ve gotten chased by another, but he had a limp. The first dog ran the 100 yards to his barely-there broken fence and stopped in the road at the end of his property line. Another dog went so far as to protect his neighbor’s yard as well. Luckily, for me, these attacks were planned when I was able to go faster downhill. Note: buy doggy sonar repellant.

I didn’t know how much more my heart could take and was able to rest under the shade of a tree on the corner of Co Rd 25A and Co Rd 132. I called Caleb and he offered alternative routes or to come get me. I told him I would think about it at camp – if I made it there. I stopped at a gas station at 1:30pm to get some juice; turns out the water flavor packets I brought were disgusting and made my water smell worse than hot dog poop in a plastic bag on a Florida summer day. And all was going good until I hit 24th street.

I rode through five miles of sand and had to walk my bike at points to keep from falling over. I had put my camera away so that it wouldn’t get crushed if I fell or broken if I got attacked by a vicious dog. I pulled out my only defense – a knife, and held it close to cut their biting jaws off my ankle if need be. The directions or the signs were confusing and I again found myself at Co Rd 132 with the option of left or right. I heard cars to the right and soon found the park on my right with Hwy 90 in front of the park entrance across the railroad tracks.

Here, I met Valeska and Philipp cycling from Los Angeles to Miami. They are from Austria and have been travel-cycling on and off for eight years. The ranger at Suwannee River State Park will put us in the same camp – saving me $16. As we ride in, a branch falls off a tree and I stop just in time to watch it land before me. Note: wearing a helmet is a good thing. We are at Site 18 and meet our neighbor, fellow cyclist, Bob from Fairbanks, Alaska. He started in San Diego and will be flying back home from Orlando.

My camp buddies were all twice my age, but had ten times that amount of experience. Tea and cookies were had as stories were shared. Note: bring cup so you can accept offered drinks. There is a lot of adventure in the world just waiting to be had and they agree that New Zealand is the best place to cycle in the world – yet. I’m able to get a hot shower before sunset and notice burnt arms and some mosquito bites. We stay up until the full moon over powers the stars and then it’s time to sleep.

I covered 54 miles and got up to 22 mph outrunning dogs. At one point, I stopped by a farm where 20 calves came to the fence and we just stared at each other for a bit, then I talked some, and kept going. The ground is hard tonight; not that it hasn’t been hard every other night I’ve ever slept on it – except for sand. I cleared the big sticks and rocks, but the ground is still uneven. Two trains have passed. I know I’m tired enough I will sleep through it. My neighbors are quiet; my zippers the only thing making noise.

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