Friday, July 17, 2009

Day One Hundred Thirty-five thru seven, 090713-15 - Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Day One Hundred Thirty-five thru seven, Date Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Time in Saddle: n/a
Distance for the Day: n/a
Accumulated Trip Distance: n/a
Altitudes: n/a
Speeds: n/a
Weather: mid 70s
Expenditures: $145

Spent three days with my sister Julie, her husband Michael, their dog, Dugan, and their parrot, whose name escapes me at the moment (squaaawk!). She took a few days off to spend time with me, and I dragged her off to see a somewhat interesting/somewhat boring exhibit on Galileo at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA, along with the Star Trek exhibit, there, too. I liked the Star Trek exhibit better, but of course, I would. We spent the rest of the few days I was there eating good food, taking Dugan to the doggy park, running around shopping for specialized stuff I needed for my trip, me installing new tires on, and adjusting my trike, and ending with a first-day-of-release viewing of the movie, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (we are both big Harry Potter fans). She and her husband have worked their way up into a lovely house in a beautiful neighborhood with a view of New York Bay, and, (in the winter, when the leaves fall off the trees) a view of New York City, as well. They've worked hard their whole lives to get there, raising two rambunctious boys who are now out in the world making their own way, and have a wonderful life. They've even got fireflies, which I never knew. Re-energized and fully outfitted for the second half of my "tour around America," I was ready to take to the roads, again. Thanks, Julie and Michael, for the love you always have in abundance for your family and friends, and the support you've given me on this venture. I am grateful to you both beyond the capacity of words. ;~Don














6 comments:

Liz said...

You may be the blog-monster, but I am the blog-reading monster!
I've just finished catching up (from the beginning) in one sitting and I look forward to reading more about your trip (in smaller chunks :p ). (found your blog via ICE's site - where I was drooling over the trikes)

Unknown said...

Hi Don! Great update! Was wondering if you got a pic of Dugan...forget about MG and I...he's much more important! :) want to hear the next segment on how you made it out of New Jersey...would think you are well on your way to Boston at ths point. Yay!!! xoxopoo

VinceC said...

Hi Don--

Hope you're having fun in the northeast. In case you're looking for new challenges, I thought you might like to check out this BBC story about a Chinese cyclist who has been on the road visting 114 countries over the last 12 years, only to get deported from Puntland.

obi_donkenobi said...

Hi Liz: Wow - one sitting?? You ARE a blog-reading-monster-person! Glad you enjoyed it, though I must apologize - some of my new entries are even LONGER! (Aiyeee!)

Hi Julie: I did make it out of NJ all in one piece (yay!) Read all about it in my newest installments, which I will post right after this!

Hi Vince: Yikes! I'll have to take your word for it, for now, and do a lot of catchup reading when I get back. No time to do much more than post my own blog entries, answer email, and respond to comments, more's the pity. Thanks for the reference, though!

Unknown said...

6400 miles on a set of tires? That is impressive. I usually look for new tires at 3000 to 3500 miles.

However, to be candid, you shouldn't let them get as worn as shown in your picture. Coming down a hill north of 35 mph on those tires is recipe to avoid collecting social security. As you head westward, you will hit some hills after you have put significant miles on your new tires so watch them carefully.

Keep riding and keep writing

obi_donkenobi said...

Hi Robert: Oh, gosh no - I'm on my third set of tires as of New Jersey. You're assessment of how long they lasts agrees with what I've experienced: about 3K miles per set. I'm using "self-healing" inner-tubes, now, along with Mr. Tuffy protective tire liners. We'll see if I ever get another flat, again. ;~Don