Too Days, Two Much Fun - North Carolina's OBX

Hey...I'm back and sorry for the delay...for all the perfect weather we've had we have had problems with the wi-fi..ugh!

So two days on North Carolina's Outer Banks starting at Kitty Hawk where two bike mechanics change our lives and in many ways connected the world for ever.  This famous photo catches the moment of the  flight that had to be cut short when the craft hit an orange flamingo.

The image was captured by a pair of local shutter bugs

From there we headed down the Outer Banks which the locals call OBX

Nags Head

Rodanthe Light House

Waves

Salvo

before spending the night at Avon...700 miles travelled

Mike crashed at 10pm and John went across the street to listen to soon really terrible local music.  Mike was the hero of the day to locate a room in Avon as the Memorial Day weekend had begun and we had not planned both the campgrounds and hotels to be packed full.  Mike's find gave us time to walk the beach before dinner

California Snob visits East Coast look alike

No, seriously, you gotta come see this shoreline fo its soft white sands and sheer length.

We got an early start, heading for Hatteras and stopped by The Orange Blossom bakery, a favorite with the locals.  The line was out the door.  Idaho Mike says...I'm outta here, Idahoians don't wait in line.  I convinced him that by Californian standards the coast was clear and we should stay and order an "Ugly"...well an apple ugly

In the category, Never eat a pastry bigger than your head, I present the "Ugly"

holding a large pastry...really an apple pie in disguise.  

We made it to the Hatteras light house which was really quite impressive and alot larger than I had imagined

We then had to hussel to catch two ferries which brought us back to the mainland coast...from Pea Island to Ocracoke Island to Cedar Island

From there to Otway, where Mike had located a camp ground.

Needless to the distance traveled in two days of 140 miles over flat smooth road, with perfect weather and supporting tail winds was everything anybody could wish for as our luck on the trip continues to hold.

We move on now away from the OBX as our thoughts turn  to Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, and Savannah

The apprehension builds.

What's the average air speed of a swallow?

The morning came too early for the margarita lovers, but Mike grabbled a "Get Up" without remoooooving the toothbrush from his mouth.

He had mapped out the route, made the hotel reservations for the night and even had a breakfast spot picked out!  This guy would make a great
wife!

We headed for and made North Carolina's Outer Banks....the trip odometer clicked off past 800 miles.  The forshadow of an approaching storm put an edge on the days ride as we pushed into a 20 mph headwind, all along anxious to make the day's destination without missing the sights.  We trook rest stops...

This place claims "best BURGERS in town...not any more

Richard Lee, 73, born in Richmond, let us on to the ferry across the sound off of Knotts Island and on to Currituck.

Aggie's owner died, but he locals stop bye and feed her

Stopped and bought a North Carolina watermelon and a bag of local badly treated peanuts.  One was a salted.

Soon after our arrival, like 10 minites, at the Sea Oaks hotel ($60/night) the heavens opened up with an Outer Banks downpour!

Tomorrow, maybe a carnival, 25 mile/hr wind at our backs, low flat lands, and a pre Holiday weekend on Cape Hatterus.

Mike was describing an interaction he had with a sallow that swoopd down and flew nexted to him for 300 yards.

He asked: "what's the average airspeed of a swallow?"

I said: Well, that depends, was  it an African or European swallow?

Mike said, "Are you kidding?  I don't know, what's the difference?"

I replied, "about 2 miles per hour

Life's a beach

We arrived in Virginia Beach greeted by sister Kath and the Delmonte clan of sister Marie....Mary @ U of Virginia...Maddie of broken leg  volleyball fame, and "if looks could kill" Will.  We went for a Mexican fiesta at the family favorite, Gringos

The next day,  Mike worked on all six of Kathleen's bikes which she owns and provides for VB visitors.  We listened to tunes and woked to help organize the garage... pretty cheap rent, and we were most grateful for warm and gracious welcome that is synonomous with Kath Burger.  That girl can make me laugh!

Mike, Marie, Kath, and I shared dinner at Rudee's...the coolest place in VB, notice the boat we ate in...

Can't believe my luck!

Storming to Virginia Beach

I don't always drink beer, my friends

But when I do

I drink Dos XX

Stay thirsty

We headed out of DC for  a 70 mile ride to Fredericksburg and while the ride was pretty uneventful it was somewhat level, we had fresh legs, my bike was fixed with the right gearing, so the riding was fast.

Mike and I discussed the trip planning and it became obvious that we had more miles to ride than the days allowed.  To finish in Savanah we would have to average 70 miles per day which was only possible with perfect weather and no miscues

The temperatue hit 102 degs, it began to rain, and we overshot our turn.

We ignored it....the rain felt good, the temperature dropped, and we reached Fredericksburg with enough time to tour the battlefield...this added another 15 miles and the rain came down in buckets.

Check out this photo Mike took:

We got an early start the next day with the intent of having a big ride and by 1pm we had ridden 60 miles.  Mike had suggested previously that something had to give and the temperature and humidity finally convinced me, so at 2 pm we rented a car and drove the last 100 miles to Virginia Beach.

Not only did we save 100 miles and two days on the schedule....we got in early to see the Delmonte kids and Kath.  I hope to see Marie tomorrow and have a nice dinner, we'll spend the day resting before tackling North Carolina's Outer Banks

Two wild and crazy guys...

Pics from Mike's iPhone...enjoy

Washington DC on a bike

Well it's early Monday morning and I'm going to make two brief posts in an attempt to getl caught up.  This blog will be the write up and a second mostly pics.

The day started and finished with a train to the city and back from our southern position.

Actually having been to DC servral times, but never on a bike, I found the experiencel to be quite different as the monuments and sights came quickly in our 20 miles of riding.

I was most insipred by a temporary "pacifist" display which I find increasing represent my views of politics and war.

The Capital is full of monuments to our war heros rightly reminding us of the sacrice they've made during our nation's hisory.  At the  sametime, and without minimizing our memory, I find almost  no monuments to our peace heros, to memorialize those who found a way to solve problems without war.  The closest I found was the Museum of Tolorance for the innocent lives taken in war and the MLK memorial dedicated to a leader for justice through non-violent protest...

We happened upon the 150 year reenactment of the review of the victorious Army of the Potomac at the end of the Civil War.  We shouted long live the Union, and Remember Lincolln as the troops passed.  I marched with the ladies who contributed their lives and sons to the cause.

Most of the pictures are self explainitory..I hope you enjoy them...you can see more by following the link to Mike's Facebook album.  He is quite extrodinary with a camera!

Looking forward we are on to Fredericksburg, Richmond, Jamestown, Newport News, and Virginia Beach in that order.

We are on schedule and on budget, but have also learned to only take what is presented to you...planning is everything and plans are nothing - Eisenhower.

Oh yea, I got my bike fixed