Mood: happy
If I can ride a bicycle across America, anyone can do it! Arrived 4/2 in Orlando at my old Air Force buddy Ron Reed's house. Jim Odom, another Air Force friend whom I haven't seen in 25 yrs. flew down from Missouri and we all quickly fell into our daily routine from so many years ago: drink all day and night, wake up, have a nice breakfast, drink all day and night... Ron's wife Danielle and son Jimmy were their to watch out for us so nobody got hurt. Ron arranged for a reporter from a local paper, The East Orlando Sun to meet us. They took pictures and asked all about the journey so far. Went out last friday and picked up a few bike and clothing items and rode on an airboat. I can only go so many days before I have to see one more alligator. Also boxed up and shipped the bicycle and gear off Fedex. As much as I'm glad to have made it across the country, I'm truly looking forward to hitting the airport tomorrow 4/7 and heading off to England. So many towns have gone by that were at one time just names on the map. Even the act of boxing up the bike and gear was momentous to me since only months ago it seemed like such a pivotal point of the trip and now it's behind me. Every place I've stayed with friends along the route has been a great experience. I've been welcomed like family and everyone seems to enjoy the energy and excitement of this very cool ride I'm on. Leaving the states and seeing all of Sheree's family in England is going to be a fun launch for the next stage. Thanks to all my old and new found friends for checking in. Cheerio!