After much deliberation, consideration, and other words ending in 'ation' i have decided to change my route. It is roughly the same distance as the previous one but should be much more enjoyable. Recent tragic events have reminded me that this is my one opportunity, and i must make the most of it. So to those towns i will no longer be visiting - apologies. And to the newcomers - bring it on.
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I have just found out that Beata, a person who was loved by everyone she met, has lost her battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to everyone and will be deeply missed. She was taken away from us at far too young an age and the world will be a lesser place without her. I regret not making more time to see her. I regret not getting to know her better.
It's times like this that puts your life into perspective, and I'm now more determined than ever to do this walk to help those who have lost loved ones, and help those whos lives have been ruined by the evil of war.
May you rest in peace xx
Today i recieved my lightweight kit from Coleman Exponent, and when i say lightweight i mean lightweight. Think of size zero girls on a diet, Mick Hucknall's hair, the feeling after you've gone for a pee that you've been holding in for ages. I'm slightly worried that i can fit my home for the next 6 months into a shopping bag & still have room left for biscuits, but i suppose that's half the fun of it. I'll be doing reviews of the kit whilst on my travels so keep an eye out.
For probably the first time in my life i was glad i got up early on Sunday. at 7.30am in the middle of the night the cat sat on my face wanting to be fed, and after getting up to strangle the little feline i noticed that it had snowed. So i whacked out my camera & 24 hours later my photo's were in the local paper! Mine are the first 7 photo's, David Bailey eat your heart out. Also available for weddings and pajama parties.
10 weeks until showtime, I can't quite believe it. I fly out from the UK on the 11th June, so my bags should hopefully arrive around August time. I'm quite looking forward to seeing the bemused faces of American Customs again, they never could work out the whole dual citizenship thing. Last time the poor customs lady was so frustrated that I, a mere Englishman, was able to miss the long queues of foreign nationals and wander through the US Citizen entry gate, that she searched my whole bag in defiance presumably hoping to find a contraband roast dinner or the Queen hiding in my side pocket. I hope she has found happiness.
The clocks have now gone forward so it now is safe to cycle the 22 mile round trip to work. Cycling in a city i have come to realise that car drivers detest anything on the road that isn't a car. "watch the cyclist! What cyclist? the one under the wheel. Cool, bonus points!" I've also realised how much I love my car, and nickdrivesamerica is starting to sound much sweeter.
Thanks to the lovely Gayle Roberts from Seattle who introduced me to roadsideamerica.com which lists 'attractions and oddities' worth a visit during my walk. To stop boredom I'm also compiling a list of '100 things to do & see in the USA', if you have any ideas of things I can add to the list drop me an email. Top of my list so far is to see an American Football game & a big fork in Springfield, Missouri.
