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So rather than a normal entry of our adventures, I decided while laundry was going to be more blog-ish in today's entry and just float from topic to topic. First, laundry. Wow. Never have I been happier about laundry than on this trip. My entire wardrobe can fit soundly in my ADIDAS soccer bag (about 18"x9"x9") with my towel and jacket. All of my and Caleb's clothes (sometimes including towels, jackets, and bedding) fit into one super-washer. Although we are traveling light (ok very heavy compared to die-hard cyclist who carry it all on a bike), we arent really lacking for anything. The ability to have clean clothes is truly a highlight of our days. But yes laundry day is a good day!
If you want to attempt a trip like this there are a few things one must accept. Other than the 30 seconds after you shower, you will not be clean...ever. And showers aren't rare but they certainly aren't frequent. A grin similar to laundry grin but a little smaller occurs when we reach a campsite that has showers (medium grin if they are free). The humidity / moisture of camping life becomes normal and you vacillate between sticky and chilly/cold.
We have become quite adept at setting up camp. Even in a life of continual change cycling down the coast, we have established routines. We wake up the same way (and thank goodness its no longer at 4:30am, now its 6ish), I cycle first, Caleb leapfrogs me every 7 to 10 miles, I finish my half, we eat lunch, I complain I am not obtaining my cycling physique fast enough, then its Caleb's turn. I go get the campsite as he finishes his route. We setup camp in the same way and it takes minimal time now. We debate dinner, we read our books, I complain again about physique/fitness, we fall asleep to the serene sound of children screaming, dogs parking, surfers laughing, and RV generators. Ok the night sounds have only been the last two nights surrounding July 4th weekend. The highlight of our days (other than the cycling accomplishment feeling and beautiful scenery) is of course FOOD! It is truly the only thing that varies in our new 'routine' and gives us a chance to see other people and get out of the tent. Many people base their trip on certain experiences such as seeing every lighthouse or eating ice cream in every town. Our trip seems to be one of the glorious food...PIZZA. Without really trying, we seem to eat pizza in most places and have found few complaints. It is fairly cheap, always populated, and leaves us filling satisfied. So bring on the pizza!
Doing this, you appreciate technology such as internet and phones, but you also begin to realize how replaceable it is. We keep our phones on while we cycle for safety and to check messages (which are surprisingly few...its odd how people don't message you when you are away) and emails (also summer low in email traffic is in full effect), but they are off most of the day and I do not miss trying to keep up with it (I don't carry a purse..so the fewer things to lose the better). I do feel a little disconnected and when I have internet I am a full addict and read everything I can to catch up, but then I am back to cycling/camping life and not missing it.
A note of seriousness about adventures of this kind, only traveling at the speed of a bike or slower would we have seen some of the things we have. I am finally beginning to realize how much I may (may is a good start) be missing in my continual search of speed and efficiency. It is not better or worse, just different spending time this way. I am sure most people will be spending the Fourth in celebration with friends, cookouts, beach, and fireworks, or perhaps parties, but we will probably stick to our routine.
Oh yeah! Life update time! Ok, so I do have a place to live in Boston (well, Cambridge). Go me (and to the future roomies reading this I am very excited about meeting you all)! Also, (insert silly drumroll and push crowd applause button) my meta-analysis article with me as first author (first scholarly article submitted) has been accepted for publication! That leaves the article that arose from my thesis (which is being reviewed) and the article on spinal injuries last summer (which is in final prep stages) out there. I am hoping to be 3 for 3 soon! To those who aren't really familiar, it is a good sign for me to submit my first article ever and have it accepted the first time.
So as I write this, it is July 3rd. Meaning my trip is about half over. For all of those on my route from HHI to Boston, plan on seeing me as I move north. That gives you about a month notice! Ok time to fold laundry! Sorry if these were disconnected and not well written, but that is kind of how I think most of the time. 😊 Miss everyone and hope you are all doing well.
Mini-shout outs: Yay Kirstin for buying a Volvo S40!; Don't Stop Belevin (to my Glee fans); Southern Boys - I could sure use a 4th pool party right about now and our CDs are awesome cycling music. someone send me (in Mp3) the new one!; Christina - I will mail the stuff this week; Boston roomies - I will probably be shipping some stuff that way soon to free up car space as we pick up our third amigo; Nan - Happy Birthday (coming up/passed depending on when I get internet); Rascoe - thanks for being only one of my friends to add themselves to the Blog, hope to see you as I drive northward, send boston advice my way; Barfield triplets - Im re-reading twilight as I traverse Washington!; Matt - hope you enjoyed your birthday. Whew, more next time (I will have Caleb write some too as not to neglect that half of our 'audience').
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Kellie Osborne
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Eric, congrats on getting your article accepted for publication! That's fantastic!! And thanks for keeping all of us updated on how you and Caleb are doing on the trip (I was a little worried about him, so it's always nice when you post a new entry).