New Orleans

We've been in new Orleans now for 5 days. Before getting here we went through 4 states in 4 days, which was crazy. So now we're here and we've had 4 build days so far. We've been building at a house in New Orleans that was still damaged from hurricane Katrina and we've done a lot of work so far. When we started about a third of the house had sheet rock up and we finished all the sheet rock and are on the second coat of mudding. So it looks so different from when we started.

The houses here in New Orleans are typically shotgun style houses, which means that the houses are very narrow in the front and extend straight back. There's no hallways. You just walk from the front door into a room, then keep walking straight into the next room, and the next. The one that we're working on is a double shotgun house, which means that it's two houses connected in this style.

Staying in New Orleans has been quite an experience. It's been great staying in one place for change. We've been learning a lot about hurricane Katrina and have been able to see the state of the city since. It's been really shocking actually. There's a lot about the hurricane that I didn't know. When the Levies broke after the hurricane they flooded the city which caused most of the damage. The Lower Ninth ward was hit the worst and is still not rebuilt. There are still so many people that don't have a place to live and are still living in FEMA trailers- which were not supposed to be a long term solution. Many who lost homes were given money from the government to rebuild their houses, but they often don't know what to do with a check that big and hire a bad contractor who takes advantage of them. It's a big problem right now, and it seems so ridiculous that people still don't have a place to live - 3 years later. It's a big problem and I think it has really inspired everyone on this trip to really take advantage of what we're doing this summer.

We had a day off today, which was our first day off this whole trip. About half of us decided to take advantage of our day off to ride around the French Quarter of New Orleans- which is more of a touristy area of the city- to spread the word about what we're doing and try to get donations. We're not often in such populated areas. We stay in a lot of small towns usually. So we decided to make some noise and atract some attention for our cause. We rode around in our jerseys, starting at Cafe Du Monde- which has AMAZING beignets! The owner came out and gave us coupons for free beignets (thank you!), and we rode around spreading the word. A news station came out too and interviewed us and got footage of a huge line of us riding in the city talking up Bike and Build. So many people had really supportive reactions and overall it was a great day.

We have one more build day tomorrow and after that we'll be getting back on our bikes and heading to Baton Rouge, LA. The building has been great, but a part of me is definitely missing the riding. I kind of never want to drive again. (although that can get difficult in southern california) Anne (a fellow rider) told me today that she wants to make it a point to put more miles on her bike next year than her car. I think that's a great goal. we should all try it. :)

take care everyone!

A day of rest.

Ok, so today we were supposed to spend the day on a Habitat build site in Pensacola, FL. We arrived at the site in the morning, and were doing a lot of hammering in working towards getting the frames of the house done. After being there about an hour, however, the clouds broke and waterfalls fell from the sky. There was some lightning so we were forced to stop what we were doing and find some shelter in one of the houses that already had a roof. We tried to wait it out, but the rain was not stopping so were had to leave the build site.

Honestly this was a big disappointment for me. We bike so hard and far to get to build days- which are only about once a week if that. So it was a bit of a bummer that we couldn't be of more use here in Pensacola for the Habitat people. But in about 5 days we'll be in New Orleans for 5 days so hopefully we will be of great use there.

Since we didn't build today we really only spent the day hanging out in the church we're staying at. Allow me to try to paint you all a picture of this church. We're staying in the youth/children's education building and they've pretty much got everything you could ever hope to entertain yourself with. We're talking ping pong tables, pool table, foosbal (spelling? I don't think I've ever spelled that word before), Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero, speakers that blast and allow for amazing dance parties, and really comfy couches pointed towards a screen that allow for movie watcing.

So we've been entertained. Honestly I don't think we know what to do with it all. We're so used to entertaining ourselves with playing cards and and empty gym floor and having to come up with games such as who can to the longest handstand or something.

So I'd really like to extend a huge thank you to the Gulf Breeze United Methodist church for sharing their facilities with us. They've provided us with two dinners and allowed us to take over a part of their church for two nights, and let me just say that we've been so happy here.

We've got a long day of biking tomorrow. Originally we were going to bike 70ish miles, but we changed our route for safety reasons and better roads. So now we're doing our first century! 100 miles baby!

I'm a bit terrified.

Should be fun. :)

I'm excited to get to New Orleans and get some productive building in. Let's all pray for clear skies for the next week! (for biking and building's sake)

Southern Hospitality

Ok, so we had our 6th day in a row of biking today and we have a build day tomorrow that will give us some sort of day off. (kinda) At least our butts will get a break from the bike seats and we'll be using different muscles, although it still will be hard work.

The past few days have been really great. A few days ago we were in Monticello, FL. (pronounced Monti-sello) And I was absolutely blown away by the people we met in this town. When we arrived in Montecello some of us went to a buffet place that was right down the street from the church we were staying at. The buffet place was called Country Kitchen and the people who worked in it treated us so nicely and were really great. There were about 5 of us that walked in in our sweaty jerseys and spandex, smelling horribly, and absolutely starving. And man did we eat. The food was great and a little boy named Jaylin who belonged to one of the owners I think came up to us and sang "Hakuna Matata". We satyed there a while, and as we were leaving we walked outside and there was a couple sitting outside. We stand out in our bicycle jerseys so they asked us where we were riding to, so we told them about Bike and Build and what we were doing. They were so amazing that this couple that we JUST MET invited us to their house to go swimming that evening. We told them that there are 30 of us and they went on to say that we were ALL welcome, and they even offered to have a bbq for us. We had to turn down the bbq since dinner was already being provided by the church, but some of us DEFINITELY took the up on their swimming offer.

We biked to their house later and it turned out that Dennis and Terry had 8 kids at their house that we got to play with in the pool. They also had mini horses and one of them had just given birth- so there was a mini mini horse, which was really cool to pet.

We've been going through a lot of places and it's been great seeing places by bike. But it definitely adds a new dimension when you are invited into someone's home and allowed to experience a place in that way. I'd like to extend a HUGE thank you to Dennis and Terry and their family for having us and being so supportive. It's been the people like them on this trip that have really made this meaningful.

I love buffets now. All types.

PB and J is absolutely amazing. Every day.

I miss my pillow.

I've gone through 1.5 bottles of sunscreen so far.

I think I'll bike some more. :)

2 Days of biking down...

So I'm now in Live Oak, FL and have now finished my second day of biking! We started yesterday early in the morning (we woke up at 5AM), we biked to the beach and all lined up on the beach to dip our tires in the Atlantic before we left on our journey. It was really great.

We then biked about 60 miles yesterday and ended in Glen St. Mary, FL aroune 2pm. Then rest of the day was filled with eating, resting, playing card games, basketball, eating some more, and then some more eating. We definitely eat A LOT. LOTS of bagels, and LOTS of pb and j.

Florida has treated us well so far. The rides have been really beautiful for the most part. I hadn't been expecting Florida to be so green. It is humid, though which I'm still not used to.

All the people on our trip are great. It's really cool to see how 30 people have gotten to know each other pretty well in such a short period of time. I'll try to write on here soon!

And HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I'm sad I can't be there with you in TURKEY, but I'm sure you and mom are having a blast! Enjoy your vacation!

Jacksonville!

This is going to be really short. I'm at a library in Jacksonville, FL. We've been here for 3 days now and we're starting our ride tomorrow!

So far we've had orientation, we've learned 30 peoples' names, we've worked on a build site, and worked on our bikes!

The build day was yesterday and we were split up in two groups, and my group worked with Beaches Habitat here in Jacksonville. It was really amazing! We got there and the house had no yard- just dirt. And we left and we had laid all the sod, planted flowers, and it looked beautiful! The people were so great to us, and we've definitely been taken care of since we've been here.

We've gone to the beach pretty much every day, and it's been the first time I've set foot in the Atlantic. It's SOO warm! I'm definitely in love with it and will be sad to say goodbye, but I guess I'll have to come back soon.

I'm trying to think of what else I can tell you. I have such a short time. I'll try to get back on here in the next few days to explain more, but that will have to wait I think.

I hope everyone is doing well!! SF or Bust!

ps. there was a crab crawling around in the church we're staying at. I thought it was really funny.

One day.

Ok, so I leave for Florida in about 24 hours. (give or take a couple hours) And I really can't believe that it's finally here! I found out I was doing this back in December and ever since then I've had this trip on my mind. When people would ask me what my plans for the summer were I would tell them..."well, I'm biking across the country..." And I'd go into telling them about Bike and Build and what I'm doing and why. And even though it's a really big thing, saying it over and over almost made it feel less real. Up until this point, it's just been the answer to that question. This isn't meant to downplay the great support I've gotten from talking with people and telling them about it. But I have to say that I'm glad the talking about it is over. I'm really ready to actually do it now.

Preparing for this trip has been different than any other trip I've gone on before. It's kind of like this: Imagine that you were offered a dream vacation and in which all you had to do for this vacation is tell everyone you know about this amazing trip that you're going on...oh yeah, and ask them for money. Kind of weird right? Would feel kind of selfish right? That's kind of how this feels! I know that people have been so generous donating to Bike and Build because it really is an awesome organization that makes a difference in bringing attention to the need for affordable housing. But honestly I can't help but feel like I'm gaining a whole lot out of this too. And for that I am forever grateful.

I guess a summer of strenuous activity and a sore butt may not sound like a dream vacation to everyone so they see me as really brave and sacrificing...but honestly I don't think I'm that brave. This strangely enough sounds really fun! (although I'm sure I'll have my moments where I don't think so)

And I have to say that up until this point I can't help but feel like I haven't really done anything. The $4000 didn't come from me, but from countless generous people who have helped me and donated. So I feel like I really can't take credit for this yet. And I'm so blown away by everyone who's been so wonderful and supportive. Honestly EVERYONE. Thank you!

So now it's my turn. The talking about it is now over (thank goodness!). I'm ready to actually do this thing. So let's bring on the waking up at 6AM, the butt cream, the sore muscles, the sleeping on floors, the millions of calories I'll need to eat to stay alive, the new people, the new places, and the memories! It's going to be the most intenst 9 weeks I've ever had, and all I can say is...

I really hope I'm ready.

8 oz bottles.

I decided on 8 oz. bottles.

Hope that helps.

(see below if you're confused)

Guess guess guess!

Ok.

I've gotten a couple submissions for the sunscreen competition. We're guessing how many bottles of sunscreen I will go through in my 68 days of my trip (thanks for counting kara). I'm going to have to set a deadline for when the guesses will be allowed to be submitted, and I've decided that the deadline will be....June 12th. The first day of my trip. It's only fair, right? That way no one has any advantages.

Some have asked me to specify what size bottles I'll be using (some are taking this seriously). And as much as I'd like to give you a size that I will always buy, I'm afraid that I can't promise anything. Some may be larger than average, some may be smaller. Other people have asked if I'm going to use the spray or the regular rub-in cream (again...questions showing that you guys are really thinking about this, I'm impressed). I'm afraid I can't promise on that one either.

I wish I could, but I'm not sure the sunscreen options I'm going to encounter where I'm going, and the decision may depend on what is on sale or cheaper. I'm on a bit of a budget.

So, my answers probably aren't any help. Honestly, I have no idea how many bottles I will use so I have no hints to give.

But I can promise an amazing prize!!!

So please guess! You can make your guess my clicking on the "comments" link after this entry and writing in with your guess. Just leave your name!


There's only 7 more days to guess!!