Pedaling for Peace

On April 15, 2012 I started riding my bicycle cross-country from Jacksonville, Florida in voluntary support of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF) and the work of author and Peace Leadership Director for the NAPF, Paul K. Chappell. By July 4th, I had covered over 1300 miles to just west of Luling, Texas where a major mechanical failure brought this first stage of my cross-country journey to an end. After storing my bicycle and trailer with my aunt and uncle in Weatherford, Texas, I flew from Dallas to Santa Barbara, California to attend the NAPF First Annual Peace Leadership Summer Workshop. I then lived and worked in Santa Barbara for several more months before I returned to Jacksonville and sold off the rest of my possessions that I could to help fund a continuation of my journey. Starting June 8, 2013 and ending August 9, 2013, I rode from Weatherford, through 400 miles of the central Texas hill country, including Austin, Texas, back to Luling. It was at this point that a friend of mine invited me to work for a brief period in Pennsylvania before flying me back to Santa Barbara where I continued volunteering for the NAPF as well as for the Santa Barbara Bike Coalition. As of August 9th, 2014 I began"Stage III" of my cross-country adventure, this time heading south from Santa Barbara to San Diego and then east to El Paso, TX. It was there that illness, winter weather, and diminishing resources brought that leg of my journey to an end. After staying with another friend in Columbus, GA for several months, I moved "back home" to Kentucky to stay with my dad for a while and build a better "resource base" for future endeavors including review and further tracking and primitive survival skills training at Tom Brown, Jr's Tracker School , and a possible longer tour of the east coast, northern tier, and north west coast back down to Santa Barbara, CA.


Thank You's from the Road

This is a chronicle of where I have been during "Stage II" of my cross-country ride and who has been helping me out along the way:

June 5-8, 2013 - Thank You Uncle Jim and Aunt Joyce in Weatherford, Texas for storing my bicycle and trailer over the last year, for supporting me with your time, energy, and tools while I was fine tuning my equipment, and for your financial and emotional support.

June 8-11, 2013 - Thank You WarmShowers.org members Susan and Terry for opening up your Guest House/Home Office for me my first stop in Granbury, Texas and for helping with my food needs.

June 11-12, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org members Karissa and O.J. for hosting me at my second stop in Granbury, Texas and for taking me out to see the horses at High Hope Ranch and introducing me to Chandler.

June 12-13, 2013 - Thank You WarmShowers.org members Frank and Pat for hosting me at my first stop in Glen Rose, Texas and for feeding me well.

June 14, 2013 - Thank You Chandler for your cash donation and for your Peace Building efforts for humans and non-humans alike at High Hope Ranch in Glen Rose, Texas. Thank You again to Karissa and O.J. for taking me to visit the ranch.

June 13-18, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org members Amanda and Steve for hosting me in Glen Rose, Texas and for feeding me and helping me restock some of my essential food supplies. Thank You Ray for taking the time to talk with me and for the "Fruit and Grain" bars.

June 19, 2013 - Thank You Kay and the City of Walnut Springs, Texas for giving me a place to rest and recuperate at the City Hall, and for generously adding to my water supplies so I could finish the trek to Meridian.

June 19-21, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org member Jan for picking me up in the driving rain and hosting me in your beautiful Bed and Breakfast in Meridian, Texas, and Thank You Bill for your "cookie" support, for your "moral support" and picture taking while I was repairing my bicycle wheel on the front porch, and for cash donation.

June 22-23, 2013 - Thank You Brent and Christy for becoming New Members of the WarmShowers.org community and for hosting me in Clifton, Texas, and for introducing me to your neighbors, Carla, Michael, and Steven who later assisted with Roadside Support on my way to Woodway, Texas. (And, of course, Thank You, Carla, Michael, and Steven for that support!)

June 24-26, 2013 - Thank you WarmShower.org members Andy and Lisa for helping me get safely up that last hill, for hosting me in Woodway, Texas, for feeding me your awesome Potato Pizza, for letting me share in the birthday celebration for your oldest son, and, of course, for connecting me with Corey Thompson and seeing to the replacement of my iPad screen.

June 28-July 1, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org members Wayne and Ann for treating me to your refreshing pool and great food in Belton, Texas, and for hooking me up with your friends Susan and Michael so I could enjoy staying for another night in their home, and with all their lovely critters. (And Thank You Susan and Michael for letting me stay even while you were traveling.)

July 2-7, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org member Sherry for hosting me in Georgetown, Texas and for sharing your pets, your food, and your favorite movies with me.

July 8, 2013 - Thank You passerby and "Road Angel" Rene for taking the time to talk to me while I was "on break" near Pflugerville, Texas, and for your cash donation.

July 8-12, 2013- Thank You WarmShowers.org members John and Eve for hosting me in North Austin, Texas, for feeding me well, for assisting me in mapping my way through Austin, and for your generous cash donation.

July 12-15, 2013 - Thank You WarmShowers.org member Ingrid for hosting me in Austin, Texas, for feeding me well, and for introducing me to Pastor Karl Gronberg.

July 16-19, 2013 - Thank You CouchSurfing.org AND WarmShowers.org member Austin and housemates Mark, Kiva, and Maggie for hosting me in Austin, Texas and for taking me biking and hiking (even in the rain!) and sharing your love of the area.

July 19-20, 2013 - Thank You WarmShowers.org member Chad for accompanying me at "Bed Post Confessions" and hosting me in Austin, Texas.

July 21-22, 2013 - Thank You WarmShowers.org member Anika for hosting me on short notice and letting me see the beginnings of your beautiful tree mosaic created for you by artist Stefanie Distefano. Also...glad I was able to help with the leaky toilette problem!

July 23-24, 2013 - Thank You Pastor Karl and the Gethesemane Lutheran Church for letting me stay at your "Hospitality House" and giving me access to your library.

July 25-26, 2013 - Thank You Daniel, Anne, and Luke for sharing good food and good company and accompanying me to "Music Under the Star" in downtown Austin.

July 27-30, 2013 - Thank You Kesten and Vanessa for hosting me in Austin, letting me help you move, and sharing the experience of visiting the Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple near Kesten's new apartment, where I received a much needed deep tissue massage from Dr. Luo.

Thank You Steve for lunch, great conversation, and your ongoing commitment to not only commuting by bicycle, but working from your bicycle, day-in and day-out in the hills, heat, and humidity of Austin, TX!

July 31 - August 1, 2013 - Thank You Mark at Barton Springs Bike Rental for your donation and maintenance support. Thank You Peggy for hosting me for my last stop in Austin, sharing good food and good conversation.

August 2-4, 2013 - Thank You Paul and Jennifer, Mina, and Lucy for introducing me to the cool beauty of the San Marco river as well as letting me take part in your feast with friends and neighbors.

August 5-18, 2013 - Thanks Again to Kathy and Steve in New Braunfels, TX for your second time hosting me, for allowing me to leave my trailer with you and for shipping my bicycle back to Santa Barbara when I was ready for it.

August 9, 2013 - Thanks Again to the Luling Fire Department my reconnecting point from "Stage I" and always a good place to take a shower and hang-out for a little while!

No comments:

Post a Comment