One last thing for today - I put the pictures I have so far up on webshots, which for some reason has this funny address below: hopefully it will work.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559263641wShpBZ
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Chapel Hill really is a Chapel on the top of a HUGE HILL
allright! So I am here now in Davis Library at UNC Chapel Hill. We are staying in THE chapel of Chapel Hill, at the top of the hill. I was really nervous about The Hill, as I'd been hearing how long and steep it was for like the whole trip. I pushed it like crazy today, which was really hilly the entire way, because I felt so good! (at first) but then by the end, going up The Hill, I was tired. I passed a sign saying Cafe Dreide or something like that, Druide? and I was like, COLD DRINK NOW TOO TIRED TO GO ON
So, this place was so cute! It was a little coffee shop set back from the street in a glen, with beautiful flowers and landscaping and patio all the way back in the woods. They gave me a big glass of lemonade for free, which I drank in about three seconds, and then a custom creation of sparkling water and raspberry syrup and lemonade. And then, I ran into this girl Angie that I knew from UVA! It was such a coincidence. So I sat and talked to her for about an hour, before going up the last bit of The Hill, and making my merry way to the church.
There is a lot to write about, and I'll have to come back later to add more details, because our team meeting is in about 30 minutes. But, to just sum things up a bit, I think that I am getting a lot stronger. Riding bikes for this long is a lot like it was running cross country. You test yourself, and feel REALLY great when you can do it, and also really great when you pass people, or at least I do. Just because it means that you are feeling strong. It's amazing how quickly my perception of distance has become completely skewed. I'm actually happy when we have a day that is 50 miles. That seems short now. HA! Biking from my house to Richmond now seems SHORT. I'm also going to put this link to Anita's pictures here:
http://chiquita.smugmug.com/Bike%20and%20Build
She has some really great ones, and I'm in enough of them to make it worth your while!
More Soon!
So, this place was so cute! It was a little coffee shop set back from the street in a glen, with beautiful flowers and landscaping and patio all the way back in the woods. They gave me a big glass of lemonade for free, which I drank in about three seconds, and then a custom creation of sparkling water and raspberry syrup and lemonade. And then, I ran into this girl Angie that I knew from UVA! It was such a coincidence. So I sat and talked to her for about an hour, before going up the last bit of The Hill, and making my merry way to the church.
There is a lot to write about, and I'll have to come back later to add more details, because our team meeting is in about 30 minutes. But, to just sum things up a bit, I think that I am getting a lot stronger. Riding bikes for this long is a lot like it was running cross country. You test yourself, and feel REALLY great when you can do it, and also really great when you pass people, or at least I do. Just because it means that you are feeling strong. It's amazing how quickly my perception of distance has become completely skewed. I'm actually happy when we have a day that is 50 miles. That seems short now. HA! Biking from my house to Richmond now seems SHORT. I'm also going to put this link to Anita's pictures here:
http://chiquita.smugmug.com/Bike%20and%20Build
She has some really great ones, and I'm in enough of them to make it worth your while!
More Soon!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Still pedaling
I just wanted to let you all know I am still alive and well! I only have a few minutes to write and will write more in detail ASAP. So far our computer access has been extremely limited. The churches where we have been staying have been pretty nice about letting us use their computers (I should say, computer, singular), but it's 30 people all fighting to check their email. I'm hoping to go to a computer lab in Wake Forest tomorrow, or at the least while I am in Chapel Hill through this weekend. Basically, things are ok. My crotch is killing me, but my legs are ok. Biking 65 miles is not as hard as you would think actually, especially when it's flat like it has been so far. Everyone is really nice, and the hospitality we have encountered has just been amazing. I really do need to let someone else use this now, but hasta la vista!
You also might want to look at Meredith's blog:
http://meredithbikes.blogspot.com/
She brought her own laptop and has had a bit more luck and time getting pictures uploaded. I think there is at least one I am in.
Love, Emily
You also might want to look at Meredith's blog:
http://meredithbikes.blogspot.com/
She brought her own laptop and has had a bit more luck and time getting pictures uploaded. I think there is at least one I am in.
Love, Emily
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Almost there!
In a few different senses - I am only about $150 away from $4,000 - THIS IS SO AMAZING THAT I CAN'T EVEN REALLY EXPRESS IT.
This morning was probably my second-to-last bike ride before it stops being a choice to go out la la la on my bike. I get nervous now because I feel like I only go a little way and then I am kind of tired, and how am I going to go far enough when I start this thing! But I am sure it will be ok - I will make sure to be in the leisurely group, and I will keep going because I have to, and then I will keep going the next day and the next. Gosh I am so nervous.
This morning I changed my first bike tire! I was pumping up my tires when the tip of the valve just broke off! It certainly is lucky that I am so HANDY now, and could figure it out all by myself.
I have all the equipment on my list now! All I need is some sunscreen and a new camera battery. Alan and I went to REI yesterday and I am so glad he talked me into buying the Sugar knickers! That sounds so funny. Sugar knickers. They are like bike capri pants, make by Pearl Izumi. It's really nice to have the option to feel a little more covered up and cozy. It was kind of chilly this morning. Yesterday morning I outfitted my bike with all of the water bottle cages, strapped on the pump (disaster, cut my thigh actually kind of badly on the plastic edge of the cable tie). And then I am positive I put the cycling computer on right so I can track my mileage and average speed. Annnnd it's not working. Next step is buying a new battery to replace the apparently dead one that was included. And if that doesn't fix it!! We'll see. I am second guessing the necessity of the travel pillow, as it is really not very fluffy, but I will never go back to REI again!
This morning I also had my last dentist appointment with Dr. Swisher, my lifetime dentist. It was an even 20 years we spent together, from 1987 to 2007. Luckily, I had no cavities as I am about to leave, and my insurance is up....sometime? I should check on that today.
Then, in a little bit, I will get my farewell facial at the Spa! Courtesy of Terry and Papa via last Christmas. It will be good to get my skin all ready before the sun and sweat and grime.
SO FAREWELL! ADIEU!! The next time I post will be from somewhere in North Carolina!
Love, Emily
This morning was probably my second-to-last bike ride before it stops being a choice to go out la la la on my bike. I get nervous now because I feel like I only go a little way and then I am kind of tired, and how am I going to go far enough when I start this thing! But I am sure it will be ok - I will make sure to be in the leisurely group, and I will keep going because I have to, and then I will keep going the next day and the next. Gosh I am so nervous.
This morning I changed my first bike tire! I was pumping up my tires when the tip of the valve just broke off! It certainly is lucky that I am so HANDY now, and could figure it out all by myself.
I have all the equipment on my list now! All I need is some sunscreen and a new camera battery. Alan and I went to REI yesterday and I am so glad he talked me into buying the Sugar knickers! That sounds so funny. Sugar knickers. They are like bike capri pants, make by Pearl Izumi. It's really nice to have the option to feel a little more covered up and cozy. It was kind of chilly this morning. Yesterday morning I outfitted my bike with all of the water bottle cages, strapped on the pump (disaster, cut my thigh actually kind of badly on the plastic edge of the cable tie). And then I am positive I put the cycling computer on right so I can track my mileage and average speed. Annnnd it's not working. Next step is buying a new battery to replace the apparently dead one that was included. And if that doesn't fix it!! We'll see. I am second guessing the necessity of the travel pillow, as it is really not very fluffy, but I will never go back to REI again!
This morning I also had my last dentist appointment with Dr. Swisher, my lifetime dentist. It was an even 20 years we spent together, from 1987 to 2007. Luckily, I had no cavities as I am about to leave, and my insurance is up....sometime? I should check on that today.
Then, in a little bit, I will get my farewell facial at the Spa! Courtesy of Terry and Papa via last Christmas. It will be good to get my skin all ready before the sun and sweat and grime.
SO FAREWELL! ADIEU!! The next time I post will be from somewhere in North Carolina!
Love, Emily
Monday, May 21, 2007
Some Vital Statistics
From Nags Head to San Diego...
· Total mileage: 3,411.6
· Average Miles/Day: 69.6
· Projected Number of Ounces of H2O Intake/Day: 80-100? (Kind of hard to say)
· Projected number of times will urinate per day!: 5-7
· Calories Burned/Day: 4,000-5,000 (says Melanie the UVA nutritionist)
· Projected number of saddle sores: 6
· Projected weight upon completion: 136lbs of LEAN MUSCLE, won't that be fun!
· Total mileage: 3,411.6
· Average Miles/Day: 69.6
· Projected Number of Ounces of H2O Intake/Day: 80-100? (Kind of hard to say)
· Projected number of times will urinate per day!: 5-7
· Calories Burned/Day: 4,000-5,000 (says Melanie the UVA nutritionist)
· Projected number of saddle sores: 6
· Projected weight upon completion: 136lbs of LEAN MUSCLE, won't that be fun!
Some photos to get us started
Above, we have a picture from my second Valentine's Day dinner with Alan. We went to Ten, this trendy new sushi place in Cville. $50 later, we were still hungry. So we went to Himlayan Fusion too and were waited on by Jason Sonneshine. It was fun.In the upper right, it was hard to get Mom and Elissa to take a break from dancing to take a picture at Chris & Chelsea's wedding, but I managed to snag one.
Then, we have Joseph, still trying to play dress up like Emily, even 15 years later! (far right) Look at that bicep!
Friday, May 18, 2007
I like mail.
Bike & Build
Attn: EMILY HODGE
General Delivery
CITY, ST ZIP
Please mark the envelope or package with "Please hold for pick-up on DATE."
North Carolina to San Diego Mail Drops
May 31 -
Wake Forest, NC 27587
June 7 -
Gatlinburg, TN - 37738
June 14 -
Maryville, TN 37801
June 21 -
Memphis, TN 38128
June 28 -
Bartlesville, OK 74003
July 5 -
Lamar, CO 81052
July 12 -
Durango, CO - 81301
July 19 -
Williams, AZ 86046
Attn: EMILY HODGE
General Delivery
CITY, ST ZIP
Please mark the envelope or package with "Please hold for pick-up on DATE."
North Carolina to San Diego Mail Drops
May 31 -
Wake Forest, NC 27587
June 7 -
Gatlinburg, TN - 37738
June 14 -
Maryville, TN 37801
June 21 -
Memphis, TN 38128
June 28 -
Bartlesville, OK 74003
July 5 -
Lamar, CO 81052
July 12 -
Durango, CO - 81301
July 19 -
Williams, AZ 86046
The beginning is a very good place to start
This summer began with a laconic and mysterious voice mail from Heather Hightower in January: “I’m having a vision,” she said, “you and me, biking across America.” Though I am normally a creature of intellectual percolation, this idea immediately took hold of my imagination. About three weeks later, after a run-in with Bike & Build alum Caroline Eberly while getting frozen yogurt, my summer’s course was set. Biking across America for the affordable housing cause was the union of so many things that are important to me: helping others, challenging myself, seeing the county, and transitioning into post-school life (finally).
My TREK 1000 Discovery Channel bike was delivered while I was in Hawaii at Chris and Chelsea’s wedding, only half assembled. This year I have become quite a bit more handy in all things mechanical from my job as house mom of the Delta Gammas, so assembling the handlebars and attaching the front wheel were no big deal. My major revelation has been that all things manmade are held together by means surprisingly easy to understand – basically, either screws, nails, or glue. Plumbing is a cinch. All the parts just screw together! (This seems to be a metaphor for human relationships of all kinds. Do the two parts interlock easily, twisting together, or do we have to bang in a connector? Or, do things just stick?
On the day I turned in my thesis, I reached the halfway point of my fundraising, $2,000. Today, only eight days before I have to leave, I am still about $1,000 below my required $4,000, but I am hoping for some last minute generosity. Yesterday, I spent the day with a bunch of friendly retired men, putting the sub-floor on a Habitat house in Charlottesville. Today, I am very sore, but my hammering skills have greatly improved. I am nervous about this summer and what lies beyond it.
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