tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9102139723066596392024-03-05T01:54:15.907-08:00Life As UsualCurrent Life, pictures, words, and a lot of randomness.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-7924386801786228972011-05-27T06:21:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:32:25.173-07:00The house is really coming along these days... The garden is full of big beautiful plants, We're getting a new roommate soon, her name is Brit. Ryan put his AC in his room yesterday, it was 96 degrees! In fact yesterday and the day before were both really productive. <div><br /></div><div> So with the whole new roommate thing. Currently our house is Vanessa, Ryan, and myself. And between the 3 of us we have an overwhelming 10 bicycles. These are all kept inside, In our tiny walk way next to the stairwell. They often overflow into the other two rooms this hallway is attached to. Many times you'll open our front door to bring a bike in and find there is hardly enough room to get in the house, this happens if a few friends come by. Anyway, with a new roommate comes a new bicycle. So we decided it was time to get some of them up and off the floor and out of the way. </div><div>We Built this beauty on wednesday afternoon.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJISF822Hmc6bjPiZ3ctJ4Yvoi-m76yCJ49pt7VNeBx6bziQ_vY8LPJb5p3G4PVaY3GHkf0R1aE6AeHPhaLlHtVOtG79aBtv93lQUZYaOLNTlVObP9Hnxu84LjjczEIrUfN9kwNQKpIgc/s1600/DSCN0680.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJISF822Hmc6bjPiZ3ctJ4Yvoi-m76yCJ49pt7VNeBx6bziQ_vY8LPJb5p3G4PVaY3GHkf0R1aE6AeHPhaLlHtVOtG79aBtv93lQUZYaOLNTlVObP9Hnxu84LjjczEIrUfN9kwNQKpIgc/s400/DSCN0680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390444576334786" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69Hhl-_T6eEvshw3DsLK2wP1rzq1AvcKHbH1ZG4mdLI52W4cGprz6cGnUqZ0q7EUtBew_dG19I7gt0mzRQi8R_TJCnFBEIa_HBLO6d6PO8qwq7yvzz47J0ocvaVJlRLzCP9fTKVY84I0/s1600/DSCN0681.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69Hhl-_T6eEvshw3DsLK2wP1rzq1AvcKHbH1ZG4mdLI52W4cGprz6cGnUqZ0q7EUtBew_dG19I7gt0mzRQi8R_TJCnFBEIa_HBLO6d6PO8qwq7yvzz47J0ocvaVJlRLzCP9fTKVY84I0/s400/DSCN0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390439721161714" /></a></div><div>We decided to only hang the lightest bicycles on this rack since we are hanging so many on it. Vanessa went for a ride out to a farm with two friends to help work for a few hours this morning, thats why there is an open spot.</div><div> It's Transformed the entire room. We have bigger visions of hanging a few more bicycles and getting some chairs for that table so we can have real family dinners and such. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also on that same day, we rebuilt the Teepee structure. We had taken it down a week or so after putting it up the first time because our landlord needed to do some work to a tree in our backyard and it was in the way. But now its back up and much bigger and better.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5jNDkdGAo1m7-YRDZTkVA3GCLwbEEFAu-izb7PZUA9Y-Wdrbn9Bgy4B5A0mEndU0LO1NBzz6Eb2CxiciewDJ9PLX-zvw1AL4vy2vVG1nIeTVySO5fY57lyg5CuxvK-v4XFJLbUSSrOw/s400/DSCN0683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390047728981234" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQlrC4299LWLw0tscyR76kWikDgeL19qBO10PN3NJWvpBZqz1jAwJjIqOnJN7mRzTXOCx3iMmmXphZMfbxYxtDHuIiC1gGon9Wauny6Ex2hu6CWTZz4qco8lkAml2ILPMNSqsgaVEmIM/s400/DSCN0684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390053133977090" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgoiGPnTTm03LN6koFbxP_XNSP5nkqFMe7lCDU7xTfQTPvnohPRNe6cOU57cv7ufoVnEse58PC442W3xycxPqcPoFDcYXthXPWYlAOUvf9gyg1xC9B1nhR8glSHWKeABI5U8ajuYG0PI/s1600/DSCN0685.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgoiGPnTTm03LN6koFbxP_XNSP5nkqFMe7lCDU7xTfQTPvnohPRNe6cOU57cv7ufoVnEse58PC442W3xycxPqcPoFDcYXthXPWYlAOUvf9gyg1xC9B1nhR8glSHWKeABI5U8ajuYG0PI/s400/DSCN0685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389802588561122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRz5xgE2drU13V73BX-bfyjl-UFMxdns2a_OZmm0xfAhvNm5MrjGzNLCZMxXp8wtuSHXSw0wvgAuelmglsdDSjsLMCqqmrp5FPxiLMDhLnqqM4PpLaM_qCxWA-NK4lph2rRD0a5StQX0/s1600/DSCN0703.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRz5xgE2drU13V73BX-bfyjl-UFMxdns2a_OZmm0xfAhvNm5MrjGzNLCZMxXp8wtuSHXSw0wvgAuelmglsdDSjsLMCqqmrp5FPxiLMDhLnqqM4PpLaM_qCxWA-NK4lph2rRD0a5StQX0/s400/DSCN0703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389635620321330" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRz5xgE2drU13V73BX-bfyjl-UFMxdns2a_OZmm0xfAhvNm5MrjGzNLCZMxXp8wtuSHXSw0wvgAuelmglsdDSjsLMCqqmrp5FPxiLMDhLnqqM4PpLaM_qCxWA-NK4lph2rRD0a5StQX0/s1600/DSCN0703.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>The plan is to leave it as is for the summer months. Far to hot to think we could possibly hang out in a wrapped up teepee anytime between now and september. But over the summer months we hope to work on the tarp we have to wrap it with and have it ready to be put up by fall. Giving us an outdoor/indoor fire pit hang out area for the entire fall and winter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRYsRihQviE4bTEsWfFA733jD0cTJZy1pz00RiQvT-Ul9Hx-iY6Ntp95JyBBb2VxOSDz9kAueH-pCpeEO0aaB2B8OWiL8YXKYFt1zFihyphenhyphen1KrEBJw4dOND2kwlsVCq0nUxt2RlTYYQ-Lg/s1600/DSCN0702.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRYsRihQviE4bTEsWfFA733jD0cTJZy1pz00RiQvT-Ul9Hx-iY6Ntp95JyBBb2VxOSDz9kAueH-pCpeEO0aaB2B8OWiL8YXKYFt1zFihyphenhyphen1KrEBJw4dOND2kwlsVCq0nUxt2RlTYYQ-Lg/s400/DSCN0702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389172069269714" /></a><br />You can see it in the back there. The tallest bamboo poles are the height of our house. Before we get it wrapped up we want to make a flag or two to hang up there.</div><div> In other off time we've been gardening as usual and finally getting to eat some of the fruit/veggies of our labor. We have been filling our salad bowls regularly with fresh lettuce, spinach, Radishes and most recently swiss chard. The tomato plants are starting to bloom and we've got a plant full of jalapenos waiting to be picked. Other things were growing include potatoes, red onions, Serrano hot peppers, Sunflowers, carrots, butternut squash, a bunch of different herbs (basil,mint,oregano,summer savory, cilantro) and lots of other flowers to attrack all the good bugs to get rid of the bad ones.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCY4JRZ_FZaYafKCv4n4jKZ-Mmwj2kkKkjSxDpSMCg7807LfRlm9fjHfMkZLGYqnDzay1IJYYO6Ov6ySgyHsJ86DHbYdSTNNweOmw0MMJ66JJx_UsiBOi6Mgfth81yWdv6Ya0t_L6oTI/s1600/DSCN0688.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCY4JRZ_FZaYafKCv4n4jKZ-Mmwj2kkKkjSxDpSMCg7807LfRlm9fjHfMkZLGYqnDzay1IJYYO6Ov6ySgyHsJ86DHbYdSTNNweOmw0MMJ66JJx_UsiBOi6Mgfth81yWdv6Ya0t_L6oTI/s400/DSCN0688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611387508205245570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFd4lIo9768vqqhG5rWm1-MZGQ0RU62stZA0Xrr2jQkKRDNiD1WkTnNP1fP0om-EpnQOUc3BNuo5O6Y3_kp3bU69oCCFZH_cbDTRH9O-M_GjB8wgv7LetH9MLuL5pE8-bZh0JeXb6kFE/s1600/DSCN0691.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFd4lIo9768vqqhG5rWm1-MZGQ0RU62stZA0Xrr2jQkKRDNiD1WkTnNP1fP0om-EpnQOUc3BNuo5O6Y3_kp3bU69oCCFZH_cbDTRH9O-M_GjB8wgv7LetH9MLuL5pE8-bZh0JeXb6kFE/s400/DSCN0691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611387498643496034" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCEJVRVpyeqjWP460mKAj8a5ICxjMoJnvjKrRe9zbPdSdPa6wW80i7QUrJqxUVo4ujU9vAf580WTwphPNswWUFY-0ArfrjXLbNaU8nFXHTZeDFnhF6dQK2pgsyeM3S_nn3gmP1NfKFIo/s400/DSCN0700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611388194754118674" /><br />You can do a lot with a little bit of space. I've had a good time trying to figure out the best ways to utilize what we have. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsO92REiWMYI2nRvRXM-TYP48LRHSykJSORjDUXuDYN2iN3jnvK5A8JSK7pGqVonG0NT7kfEcjkbRXAS8aAmTCk6JRuRbuZ5LJYkpS9T2LibuHSGPQXhQJQupFicUpDeBStIqCnvYXP8/s1600/DSCN0710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsO92REiWMYI2nRvRXM-TYP48LRHSykJSORjDUXuDYN2iN3jnvK5A8JSK7pGqVonG0NT7kfEcjkbRXAS8aAmTCk6JRuRbuZ5LJYkpS9T2LibuHSGPQXhQJQupFicUpDeBStIqCnvYXP8/s400/DSCN0710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611387486488744482" /></a></div><div>But like I last wrote, as much as we love everything that we are doing right now, we also really want to do something new that we have wanted to do for a long time. So after searching for the right opportunity we have found a place in need of our help and it sounds perfect. From mid June till the beginning of August we will spend our time on the Calliope Farm in the eastern part of maryland. Its a small family farm just 6 miles outside of salisbury maryland, about 40 minutes to ocean city. They farm about 3 of their 50 acres for a variety of vegetables and berries. They run a small scale CSA and sell at two farmers markets each week. Our jobs will include harvesting, weeding, farmers markets, csa pickups, building projects, canning/preserving, transplanting and anything else we can learn about. They also have a flock of laying hens and two nubian dairy goats but thats just for their personal needs not for market. We'll essentially just be volunteering in exchange for room/board. and the experience and knowledge of the owners of this land. Its a newer farm, Owned by a couple who have a 2.5 year old son. They bought this land just 4 years ago. They sounds really nice, vanessa and I are really excited to go spend our summer with them. The internet has only provided me with these two pictures of where we'll be.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsO92REiWMYI2nRvRXM-TYP48LRHSykJSORjDUXuDYN2iN3jnvK5A8JSK7pGqVonG0NT7kfEcjkbRXAS8aAmTCk6JRuRbuZ5LJYkpS9T2LibuHSGPQXhQJQupFicUpDeBStIqCnvYXP8/s1600/DSCN0710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwbehTl5IW55ceCWx2m-xSEIJyMq8OtpFT7CzGEpM9nrtwi_vhK6qgNafxPg-LJtoqa4krUJSQ3laOhW8n5XOKQRlXRfULSsePoeHOpQaD9FFYwCqoCQNkCrynbmXxW65bTyBczIUS1k/s400/63083_148928948475480_148925171809191_209744_7014739_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611391786909250178" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIb96RNB0rVO0v_G57NOV06Bx4DSGUhKTx0mykZbJ-tgHJWpCuJ3IwwNcz113bWNL_yplm70LMA8oyUq_9KjpKtXsc0rtQUwFBYhQe6kveoBQrBmn6AMIlEduSCzuauvrHxASEFZIdNc/s400/image_39685.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611391787004688722" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully in about a month or so I'll have pictures of my own. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So we will leave Richmond behind for a short while. We'll be passing off watering responsibilities to Ryan and Britt if they wish to take care of our garden. We will harvest the late season stuff upon returning. </div><div> The next 5 months are going to be good. really really good. We'll go spend some time working in the sun of maryland, Come back to Richmond just in time for best friends day activities and August HEAT, start working, then fly to San Diego at the end of september for a week, and we have a weekend trip to NY planned for october for my cousins wedding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Im glad I over worked myself at a job I didn't love for a few months. For if I didn't, none of this would be happening.</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-24787455726908458782011-05-19T08:02:00.003-07:002011-05-19T08:32:56.509-07:00Another date to remember.<div> We have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flyer</span> hanging in our kitchen for a show that we went to while we visited Richmond on our bicycle trip last year. There are lots of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">flyers</span> and posters in our kitchen, mostly of things <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ryans</span> been to, or just cool posters we have found that we like, and this one particular show <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flyer</span> because it was a really great time, it was a show at the house a bunch of our friends live at, and our friends played <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">as well</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ANDDD</span> it was the 2 day of our 4 day stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">richmond</span>, VA.<div> Anyway, what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">im</span> getting at is this. Vanessa and I went over to our friends mark and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Courtneys</span> house two nights ago for dinner and hanging. We met some of their friends who live own and work on a farm west of here call " Root Force". Our bicycle journey of a year ago came up in conversation. I then thought out loud about how it was probably almost exactly a year ago that we rolled into Richmond for the first time ever and it was the very next day that we met both Mark and Courtney at that house show because mark was in one of the bands that played. And in that moment I looked above mark and saw the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">flyer</span> for that show, the same one we have on our wall, posted on the wall <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">behind</span> him. Which reads the date " May 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span>". It was an "ahha" moment. Because it wasn't almost exactly a year prior. It was exactly to the date, one year ago that day that we first came to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">richmond</span> Va. And there we were, having dinner with two people we met who were open and friendly and inviting since the day we met.</div><div> I remember <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">courtney</span> telling us to come over for apple dumplings the morning after the show, she lived in a house directly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">behind</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ryan</span> at that time. We got there to late, for it was the first time since we left <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">san</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">diego</span> that we had partied to that extent, we slept in later then usual. </div><div> But here we are, one year later. Sharing a home with an old friend of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">vanessas</span> but surrounded by new friends we had not yet knew we would have one year ago.</div><div> We are of course, once again getting the itch to do something new and exciting and productive and fun. A lot of ideas are being tossed around. We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">aren't</span> looking to run away from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">richmond</span>, but we are looking to take advantage of our super cheap rent and try and go do something for a month or so this summer. Ideally we want to work on a farm or stay at a homestead. Get some real <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">experience</span> in the areas we have been pushing our lifestyle towards. We just want to see some new places, do some new things, and learn as much as possible about the life we aretrying to work towards. AND then hopefully come back here for the fall and winter or the remainder of the summer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">as well</span> and work and save money and plan for next years plans. Oo and fly out to San Diego for a week at the end of september! bought our tickets a month ago!</div><div>While im not at work this is what my time has been put towards, our front stoop!<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5meWrTVtkPyatgOLGZfbTkbgmw4gik9_ioyu6q1l2RuwFY2VViOQxyZYd6sIC7Wiwm8tBGOdY5a2PR3xWiSnXWODksAi_vxTaZBEelPd_GrsLBkYj9QyW3QHFLcuags9rO0Fi5Jgl2pQ/s400/IMG_1254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608449415664509826" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsRV4HZNR9Y6-WoB3gVLEt52kSlh3j7AJZms5jWHY7Yg3anJySaGJVrkqrYwaYAZTnbISf-g7LCPxjx8ztbgqOeyejj7kjmpgqQlNdzxKhKcsWa-c9twJq-DbcobhyphenhyphenKo0BRTydojcFYw/s400/IMG_1258.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608449424513775938" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpas5Xb2bGLkUGrQ05I-kmX7FYsQkthQWG_YziGOW2tdrMxWC3Iwn8TjYzzaC0lVcXDeeY9XCgGJ8COytn0Jj82NndZY4BeGkKSaEdqL5WaG5UxfYKRDirqpOtvrwQ1CTiyMARvHFPRQ/s400/IMG_1264.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608449421185103778" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhTkvprdddIwsCgaM5OoDwgTeamnT1QR1qMY6NpHTePLbYEGnIFhz-zS6sajT6bmM1K3Z64Jhyc2IlOgutFXArm0jISlYCjrerdbPX2M8Is2G_1nJKx9xpPiqx-J-xZ_y1ccz3TdSC6Y/s400/IMG_1261.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608449422363149954" /></div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-24841729574419724422011-05-19T08:02:00.001-07:002011-05-19T08:02:53.986-07:00Another date to remember.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-63327827724204338142011-04-04T09:48:00.000-07:002011-04-04T09:54:45.604-07:00goodmorningI do not want to go to work in an hour, but I sure did have a great morning.<div><br /></div><div>Bike ride with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">vanessa</span> to Elwood <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Thompsons</span> for juice and breakfast burrito. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Stoped</span> by J <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sargent</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Reynolds</span> to see If they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">received</span> my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">suffolk</span> transcripts. Saw <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Courtney</span> and spoke to her while she walked to her friends house, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stoped</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Captain</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">buzzys</span> for an ice coffee, came home. went to the store with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">tim</span> and bought a plunger for our clogged toilet and then planted potatoes! O and it's 78 degrees outside. </div><div><br /></div><div>A truly great morning.</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-68234306965108274082011-03-26T09:02:00.001-07:002011-03-26T09:21:45.220-07:00summer.In addition to what I wrote below I would like to include two videos that I found today on this computer.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXPYhhsqIf9M-RrZy_k2VzYndfbyoxFYqun1Hs9161zR0JzOPAtU3nipB3PaQCEsxhG672YkgPy7siDsnZRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwf6p7pbbeiuj6y8zNj65Gxke_4isKc6w1ByUhtM5TfJ1pKDXl5YczMv3W9h22fd0z7F7WcjDvHSkS50USzKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-42112286544028712842011-03-26T07:14:00.001-07:002011-03-26T07:56:39.811-07:00One year ago today.It was March 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> of 2010, exactly one year ago. This is the day that Vanessa and I started our long journey by bicycle that took us from San Diego, Through the southern states of our country and up the east coast all the way to new york. I think about this trip daily, In weird ways. The other day while working I had a strange flashback to a day we were in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mississippi</span>. There was one campground in the area, and they were way over priced. We decided we were perfectly safe setting up camp <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">behind</span> this dentists office, And we were. And It was beautiful. The sunset was perfect. We cooked up a bunch of macaroni and cheese. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">I'm</span> not sure what else we ate, but probably a bread of some sort and a can of veggies. Those were two things we ate a lot of. <div> Or I'll say to myself, "I wonder how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tony is</span> doing" our friend we made in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Louisiana</span>. An Ex truck driver who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">injured</span> himself and befriended us inside his cousins <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">restaurant</span> because we were clearly not from around the area and we had some tattoos. Tony drove trucks because he loved traveling and seeing new places, he also Loved tattoos. So we hit it off pretty well. What he did for us, cooking dinner, putting us up in his place for the night. That goes beyond southern hospitality. </div><div> Sometimes I'll think back to the worst hardest days of the trip and laugh about it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Im</span> not sure how we made it through some of the things we had to, but it all worked out every time. </div><div> I could go on forever, I could talk about each and every one of those 72 days and tell you how amazing it all was. How unexpectedly wonderful the southwest was, How hot and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tiring</span> it was to get through the deep south, How Incredible to felt to go to Richmond and DC and be surrounded by friends under the roofs of their houses where we could really relax and be 100 percent carefree for the first time since leaving Richard and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bridgett's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">apartment</span> That <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Friday</span> morning on the 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span> of march 2010. </div><div> Then I think about our return to New York, and how I felt there was no place id rather be in that moment. We had our friends and family there to welcome us and It made for the perfect ending to an incredible 72 days.</div><div><br /></div><div> But I suppose <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">that's</span> it. It was the end of that trip but the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">beginning</span> of so much more. Those days of traveling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">allowed</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">vanessa</span> and I to meditate and think beyond anything we had thought before. For At least 5 hours a day were were sitting on our bicycles pedaling, This gave us more time to ourselves then we had ever experienced in our adult lives. </div><div> I believe I will be forever changed as a person due to our travels last year. I also believe that in my dying days I'll look back at that journey as one of the greatest things I had done. I hope to continue to do great things but I have at this point now set the standard high and it will be hard to compare anything to what we have done.</div><div> The road, the ever changing landscapes, eating and sleeping outdoors, Being in the best physical shape of my lifetime. These are also things I miss.</div><div> </div><div> It really is hard to look back on it all because It feels bitter sweet. To have done it and for it to be over. But I love where I am today and I wouldn't be here if we hadn't taken that trip. I'm sure I'll be able to say that more and more about things in my life as I grow older. And Really I suppose that trip was just a part of the big picture which I started a long time ago and will continue to work on for years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you everyone. Who supported us, Before during or after. For non of what happened could have if it wasn't for you.</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-90303117184895495212011-03-24T06:49:00.000-07:002011-03-24T07:11:53.113-07:00spring is springing.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm excited to start wearing shorts on the regular. <div>When I was a bit younger I would try my hardest to not wear shorts, even in the summer. I just wasn't into it. Now a days though, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> all about it, makes no sense to me that I ever wasn't. Just one of those to cool for school things I guess. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I woke up early today, I drove V<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">anessa</span> to work at 6:15am and then went on a coffee run for my store because we were out of Decaf espresso. I also bought a new coffee pot for our house because Tim Broke ours the other day while doing dishes, It was a good price and I brought home some super good coffee so I felt it needed to be replaced asap.</div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm off of work today, and tomorrow! Yesterday at my request, our landlord dropped off a 55gallon barrel at our house. These are used in the food industry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">to ship</span> bulk items. I plan to convert this barrel into a water tank witch I will hook up to our rain gutter in the front of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">the house</span> so that I can catch the rain. I will then use that caught water to feed our growing plants all summer long. So today I will begin working on that project.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I've started some seeds in our bedroom and bathroom(the two rooms which get the most light). This began a few weeks ago. The first round of seeds have sprouted and are looking great. Once I got that first set going well I started a second round and am currently awaiting for them to poke through and show themselves.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LQUHaOAHzIXXSkZYY_qaQqtGhg4uBTJrNdxSO2W04MuyGlxmt5-EK1Xfdl4UEWeTmywuZA4-G0HGCOr9VFF59jB2pG0xkYuNbCO8IzdPO7Jwk-NKW-6oDKu8-vy3nZ9q8kpRade3nG0/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-24+at+09.47.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587646170404450706" /></div><div>What you are looking at here is the starts of Onions, Carrots, Radishes, Swiss Chard, Spinach, And Oregano.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgbCCg6oaRhU4A_SbhvxoZkRh2BlDN9d3oqhVhVTQ7-EW9QRAJ-Uyr0JbZGjIlKY-al60O7jE8Fku_FxD2SCRoEIQq8gfpKkFh6BTB22B9lvAhHLalf4j7RqxYMO9w5q3wFI5GNEkxnM/s400/Photo+on+2011-03-24+at+09.49.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587646172628065746" /></div><div>Under the plastic are more planted seedlings of the same listed above but in addition there is also, Sunflowers, And multiple varieties of Lettuce.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the time is right I plan to transplant these little guys into the soil out in front of our house which I have been working over for the past week, getting it ready. At that time I'll also directly sow more seeds straight into the earth. By doing this I hope to have more plants growing at different stages throughout the season so that they will produce food over a longer period of time.</div><div><br /></div><div>(these pictures are taken with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">vanessa's</span> Mac. I have a nice camera which I got as a present from my parents for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Christmas</span> but the battery is dead. The next set of pictures will be nicer!)</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-26934911826108562342011-03-05T08:18:00.000-08:002011-03-05T08:37:13.266-08:00RichmondddLast night I tried my best to sleep through the partying going on down stairs. Ryan had friends over because nothing else was going on. I on the other hand was tired and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">vanessa</span> was as well due to working till 11 and having to be back at work this morning at 7am. I on the other hand did not have to be back at work. I am off today. I downloaded some music from the band I recently stumbled into called "summer people" I like them a lot I think. What I did after that was walk up the block to Chimborazo park to stand in on a public meeting discussing the future of the Chimborazo Play Ground. Its a very diverse playground as of now and they plan to do some remolding and renovations. As of now there are two basketball courts, one of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">which</span> is used by Skateboarders and free style bikers and the other is left open to play ball. there is also a play ground area for little children, a few rectangle courts where mostly older people get together to play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bocce</span> ball. A bunch of open green grass a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tennis</span> court, and a large community garden. Perfect in words not so perfect when seen visually. <div> The ramps that skateboards have built continue to get worn out, This causes an eye sore for the elders, and a hazard for the young ones. The park itself is worn out, it needs a face lift, There is a building for restrooms that is locked up in fear that leaving it open will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">attract</span> homelessness, drugs and sex as said by the leader of the meeting this morning... I agree to an extent. They have big plans to help the whole community by helping this park but somehow when the budget was passed and things were priced, the first thing to make the cut off of the list was the idea to build a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">permanent</span> skateboarding area. </div><div> Which is why I, along with other younger people made sure to have a presence in this meeting today. I may not have been living in this neighborhood long, Or who knows even how long <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">I'll</span> be here, But it's clear that this is bigger then just my existence here. In the end things seem to be moving in the right direction. No one seems opposed to the idea of building a skateboarding area in the plan for the park. The problem is when and how at this point. A 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nd</span> meeting will be held on my birthday, the 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> to hopefully make an outline of what will be put into place and then a plan to fund the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">operation</span>. As I and many others expressed this morning, People will come out of the wood works to volunteer time, money, and skills if it is set in stone that the parks department will do their part in helping on their end.</div><div> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">I'm</span> excited to see something so good being put into place for the future of the neighborhood I'm currently living in, and its nice to be a part of the process. In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">today's</span> meeting alone I met a bunch of new younger people I have never met before that live only blocks from me, and was able to introduce myself to the older generations that have spent the past 5-45 years in this neighborhood. If we didn't create a presence in the room the whole park would be picnic tables and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">bocce</span> ball courts. No fun, no thanks.</div><div><div> </div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-50379772846452732412011-02-27T07:31:00.000-08:002011-02-27T07:36:34.191-08:00NBD<div>Every one of the paintings i've seen by Robert Ryan has made me psyched on life. I'd like to get Tattooed by him one day.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnq9TS5OLi5rUhxiy_dwkpEw0DonhCWQ-mtBmoH7PhtAFGy53I-C3lvbbZl_itu8YetPSLEOKo20RWpUXzFSDsmNDS-hNNtudIRx6ssx8qHfueQ2COxlmiiFa0z9ghO6jEWC4CbT9E4I/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnq9TS5OLi5rUhxiy_dwkpEw0DonhCWQ-mtBmoH7PhtAFGy53I-C3lvbbZl_itu8YetPSLEOKo20RWpUXzFSDsmNDS-hNNtudIRx6ssx8qHfueQ2COxlmiiFa0z9ghO6jEWC4CbT9E4I/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578393309757304322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAknUhuxOv3TUJV52it3ALQlqYvNlcsWvYZR_Ck3zaLwfmTXJjR3pP-6KWZaOpTDK_mFaVdZgaFzaNWPemKUVawR0VdHElLlovPxvebi2njWpt1V-PabNVuDPp0EWzdj4fnQ5LlZ-GF_Q/s1600/32.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAknUhuxOv3TUJV52it3ALQlqYvNlcsWvYZR_Ck3zaLwfmTXJjR3pP-6KWZaOpTDK_mFaVdZgaFzaNWPemKUVawR0VdHElLlovPxvebi2njWpt1V-PabNVuDPp0EWzdj4fnQ5LlZ-GF_Q/s400/32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578393309170757458" /></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAknUhuxOv3TUJV52it3ALQlqYvNlcsWvYZR_Ck3zaLwfmTXJjR3pP-6KWZaOpTDK_mFaVdZgaFzaNWPemKUVawR0VdHElLlovPxvebi2njWpt1V-PabNVuDPp0EWzdj4fnQ5LlZ-GF_Q/s1600/32.jpg"></a>And in other news i've been making poorly drawn stickers and stickin em places.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHPWVkg4sX_C8tcw3BtDQz4712rxF2dJCe7aqRw-Qtwt2Hkak1EK0EzBB519VMyCFPvXyot8hSnGPf3zMvNmI2t-mAyZMzHze4hWoaKO33zlrbB3agfgdrc-VajpdOIMYsFyFluOLn5I/s1600/Photo+on+2011-01-28+at+12.34.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHPWVkg4sX_C8tcw3BtDQz4712rxF2dJCe7aqRw-Qtwt2Hkak1EK0EzBB519VMyCFPvXyot8hSnGPf3zMvNmI2t-mAyZMzHze4hWoaKO33zlrbB3agfgdrc-VajpdOIMYsFyFluOLn5I/s400/Photo+on+2011-01-28+at+12.34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578392799594398898" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-29442799045245492002011-02-26T07:11:00.000-08:002011-02-26T07:39:23.425-08:00It's never enough, you give it your all and it never adds up.I cant help but look back at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BlackHistory</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">myspace</span> page. We had a lot of fun, we were a bit destructive but it was all for good times. Then Joe passed and you were heart broken and hurt and sick and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tried</span> my best to be a good friend and be there for you. Little did I know. Little did any of us know, that the words you used to put to our music that showed so clearly how you felt. Would so clearly state how I feel every time your face comes to my mind. I wonder if others look back at your music. You're forever there, like all music or books, there will never be a past or future for those songs. They will be right there with you singing e<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">very time</span> I push play.<div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 18px; "> From where I'm standing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">everythings</span> faded and now I'm hanging on by heart strings. From where I'm standing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">everythings</span> wasted and I'm holding on to nothing. It never gets better, it only gets worse. I hope these words will reach you, I'm giving up on giving in. What have I got to do to get the life back in to you? What have I got to do to kill the death inside of you? It's never enough, you give it your all and it never adds up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div>Life can seem <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">fuct</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div> Since relocating to Richmond, Vanessa and I have taken more steps in making sure were living a life we can be proud of. Or what I should say is, were taking steps to make sure our future life will be the life we want. Currently its just whatever, we both work opposite hours often so we only have the nights before we fall asleep to be together. We've become anti socialites, The few friends we have hardly see us because we hardly feel up to going out when the day is ending. And to be honest, I just don't want to go out and party. It just not what I want right now. One thing we def have been doing is getting good about food. we've always been healthier people but we have been taking our food more and more serious and I'm feeling very good because of it. I eat great healthy food daily and hardly pay a dollar to do so... Makes sense to me.</div><div> In the coming months we will begin to grow our own garden and hopefully that will be a rewarding project. All extra time I do have lately, I try to put into making out house a great living space, I believe food is an important part of this. And in other news, I'm considering taking some classes in the coming year. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">That's</span> a big step, it's been quite a while. But I feel as if I'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">m</span> finally finding things I feel I want to be a part of my life in the long term. And things in the long term are what really makes me happy lately. </div><div><br /></div><div>I told mikevarga the other day "I just want to own a house with a nice yard so I can have a dog, A mini ramp, and a really great garden." </div><div><br /></div><div> And I will, Just not now. For now, I'll live in this great old house with Tim, Ryan, Vanessa, and Riot girl. And we'll pay super cheap rent, we'll be a little cold in the winter and a bit hot in the summer. we'll keep working funny jobs, and we'll ride our bikes everyday, and we'll drink coffee and beers on the porch. Maybe on the roof. And we'll liberate our food from others waste, and grow some here and there and cook it all up in great delicious new ways. Maybe we'll make some music, we'll keep making art, and life will be just fine.</div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;color:#262626;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-76018532283087533982011-02-01T09:41:00.000-08:002011-02-01T09:43:29.403-08:00a good cup of coffee. really good music. and ideas of the spring is what got my psyched today.<div><br /></div><div>Typical really. </div><div><br /></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-25521585956532828312011-01-19T07:32:00.000-08:002011-01-19T07:49:22.799-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3idGs65Yx1RT0XuE4a2-K5K6nquMUhpBQ0d_g0uewKqJ9UuDITyTGvh11LZS1tR4oS4kCCF1_I0ZcLPZdU-Y8F0dlIkVayGWUhFyNaHSH44fnaA3YETS4w0WMLNNwqY2r_RwQulZ-_Y/s1600/tumblr_lf6dyvY0sf1qzrblzo1_500.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3idGs65Yx1RT0XuE4a2-K5K6nquMUhpBQ0d_g0uewKqJ9UuDITyTGvh11LZS1tR4oS4kCCF1_I0ZcLPZdU-Y8F0dlIkVayGWUhFyNaHSH44fnaA3YETS4w0WMLNNwqY2r_RwQulZ-_Y/s400/tumblr_lf6dyvY0sf1qzrblzo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563923827848476578" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3idGs65Yx1RT0XuE4a2-K5K6nquMUhpBQ0d_g0uewKqJ9UuDITyTGvh11LZS1tR4oS4kCCF1_I0ZcLPZdU-Y8F0dlIkVayGWUhFyNaHSH44fnaA3YETS4w0WMLNNwqY2r_RwQulZ-_Y/s1600/tumblr_lf6dyvY0sf1qzrblzo1_500.jpg"></a>looks like fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuI1ZRKlz1s2uoQPRuFG9NB5YDAokwUX_FfgiaN6B8WnmWOeFPdtNf1y8FCD87gInBlFh4iiGDy-6-7zyW0B59cTw9BQOXKV98TB7MnlfADxnfFhuupO9KLE6mVYK-8cLmKW3FsifTmo/s1600/tumblr_lek760h8UX1qz6f9yo1_500.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuI1ZRKlz1s2uoQPRuFG9NB5YDAokwUX_FfgiaN6B8WnmWOeFPdtNf1y8FCD87gInBlFh4iiGDy-6-7zyW0B59cTw9BQOXKV98TB7MnlfADxnfFhuupO9KLE6mVYK-8cLmKW3FsifTmo/s400/tumblr_lek760h8UX1qz6f9yo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563923827149099698" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuI1ZRKlz1s2uoQPRuFG9NB5YDAokwUX_FfgiaN6B8WnmWOeFPdtNf1y8FCD87gInBlFh4iiGDy-6-7zyW0B59cTw9BQOXKV98TB7MnlfADxnfFhuupO9KLE6mVYK-8cLmKW3FsifTmo/s1600/tumblr_lek760h8UX1qz6f9yo1_500.jpg"></a>I wouldn't mind snow if I had a room like that.<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZXXquJ0yeotryyyg-xrcqVUPYREPncNfZWcu7TSLxqTiyd2FBlPVzk_26fR_ME8e-oO0oa7KOtusMPXm7wBuYY62tZIcww0GzggZPmOCqWwBnWtX3fbvAAFpmFtNF9Ho07iAMNtsx68/s400/tumblr_lf8zltknef1qzrblzo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563924399288664834" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Norm does killer letters.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My morning thoughts.</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-48815237412805248072010-11-27T14:43:00.000-08:002010-11-27T15:27:26.674-08:00Giving Thanks.I hurt my knee a week ago as I got off of my bicycle, its totally still injured. I am not thankful for this.<br /><br />I had a fun time at the cut throats formal at strange matter that night prior to hurting my knee! very thankful for that, and for Ryan because he knew I had very low funds that night and made sure to help me out.<br /><br />This years Thanksgiving feast was the third of my life in which Vanessa and I were in charge of cooking. The first time was 3 years ago in our tiny studio apartment kitchen with a faulty stove and Mikevarga as a guest! Vanessa and I had only been living in San Diego for just over three months when mike made his way out to visit for a week. That year we all agreed it was the best Thanksgiving meal we have ever had. But I think It's gotten better each year since. That's also when Mikevarga and I drank coors light, alot of it, Saved each and every can and then on thanksgiving night we gave all the cans to the man that had been sleeping in the doorway of the building next to mine. The theme of that week was *Coors for Poors* and I have something forever marked on my leg that will reminde me of that time, as does mikevarga. I am thankful for Friends, and for traveling. Its hard at times having friends that are so far away. But I really like being a part of their reason for getting off of Long Island and having fun somewhere new.<br /><br />Last year Vanessa and I cooked and ate our feast on our own in our little spot on 30th st. Then our friend gabe came over and we filled his belly with our left overs and we sat around on the floor drinking wine. <br />This year We decided to cook a real whole turkey. In the past we never thought it was worth it to cook a whole turkey for just the two or three of us, we'd cook a Turkey breast. We went all out this year. We have a Big house, a big kitchen and lots of friends who live in the neighborhood. So we wanted to do it right. And we did.<br />A turkey, Green bean casserole, sweet potatos, Macaroni and cheese, stuffing, biscuits, cranberry relish. (Everything other then the cranberry, was made from scratch) Paired with yummy beers and fancy hard cider. <br />We had some friends hangin around while we cooked the day away, then just as we were getting ready to eat they left to get to their own celebrations. Vanessa, Ryan, and myself sat around on the kitchen floor and filled up on the delishisness. Then We gave our plates to Riot to lick our plates clean, Because Dogs are thankful for good food also, not just us humans. Our friend Nicole came over later on and we all had some drinks while we watched Pete and Pete, It was the only DVD we could get to work at the time. I am Very Thankful for our house, our friends and everything that has been going on here in Richmond since we relocated here. <br /><br />I got a 2nd job working here http://theurbanfarmhouse.net I'm now working there one or two days a week and the convenience 3 or 4 days. This along with the possibility of maybe having an additional house mate in the comming months, will make it much easier for vanessa and I to start saving money again. Its to stressfull living check to check, and whats the point of working if you cant ever take time off and go do fun things. Its not possible to do so if you dont ever have any money saved. So good things are to come I believe.<br /><br />I also found this Video today. I like these guys, Grew up playing shows with two of the members of this sweet long Island based band.<br /><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3yn0PISCGpg&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3yn0PISCGpg&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-85532003378108062872010-11-15T08:54:00.000-08:002010-11-15T09:01:09.151-08:00more music in the future of this...lets get started with what my morning consisted of.<div><br /></div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15494286" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/15494286">Cloud Nothings - Hey Cool Kid</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/allencordell">Allen Cordell</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/8322868?portrait=0&color=b400f0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8322868">Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/yourstruly">Yours Truly</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>these along with</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l490ib56rHjEsbNw0NDoAEQGxJ_wEquAn6k9_Gdg8BKGKty4NK7xYbgV7pLUyGRyno6vbwWTD_NwPJofQ0MRYDEGSY1mzxCAiC7yCOzymguiCQVnjZmE0rX324lsV25oJmHcTxYYWao/s400/steaming-mug-coffee.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539822169604694802" /> made for a fine start.</div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-59094178176788665532010-11-11T07:25:00.001-08:002010-11-11T07:31:28.380-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbVuPP7edj-cS7ueLace8EBTSzBGGoJc95M8xo9xETbn08jddj6-ywvVDugHNp4yjDzmUHgC8ysRKnTpWJ_yxSWnH1xhh4AA9-t-sUY9YTM815A5KIgkSOEO4r5DEeT-B3kqV6aZGvcc/s1600/36160_448333772043_510647043_5224457_5462028_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbVuPP7edj-cS7ueLace8EBTSzBGGoJc95M8xo9xETbn08jddj6-ywvVDugHNp4yjDzmUHgC8ysRKnTpWJ_yxSWnH1xhh4AA9-t-sUY9YTM815A5KIgkSOEO4r5DEeT-B3kqV6aZGvcc/s400/36160_448333772043_510647043_5224457_5462028_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538314008048726434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xM4hhXoP39W-j_ELDaAcK_rMg8CpYrwRRt9772FlaWMmUS7RtKHw4zUWqiupgk1jdHdM0QgLCdmaIM0_bSictHAQ5h9RcZ6bjHk9VQCNyh2neWWIeoRYXKHNJdhIZGvNs51OiWlEpQI/s1600/39551_584862913712_84102348_33271661_1267704_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xM4hhXoP39W-j_ELDaAcK_rMg8CpYrwRRt9772FlaWMmUS7RtKHw4zUWqiupgk1jdHdM0QgLCdmaIM0_bSictHAQ5h9RcZ6bjHk9VQCNyh2neWWIeoRYXKHNJdhIZGvNs51OiWlEpQI/s400/39551_584862913712_84102348_33271661_1267704_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538313720364709666" border="0" /></a><br />My Big brother/cousin/lover/friend forever.<br />Whatever we told you, its all true.<br />Stephen Valsechi. I Miss you beyond words.<br />I wish you could come hang out with me, you'd like it. I'd like it more.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-19224914235530727362010-11-08T08:18:00.000-08:002010-11-08T09:06:52.287-08:00Since we last spoke.Life changes so fast at times. The more you keep yourself open to new things the faster it all happens. I've yet to find a place or job that has made me feel as if I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> need to keep searching, keep exploring. And even when one of those things falls into place I'm sure I'll find a way to keep wondering and exploring, even if it is just a little at a time.<br /> As I last wrote, we had a really great time hanging out in Virginia, so much so that we decided it was where we wanted to go next. We set a date and decided to head down with whatever money we could save up by then. The past two years have been so full of amazing things and yet so full of sadness in my life. I continue to do and see great amazing things, but friends and family continue to get sick or pass away unexpectedly... A week before our planned date to leave for Richmond, my truly amazing friend Stephen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valsechi</span> was robbed of his time here on earth, there was so much more for him to see and do and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span>. And I along with many others are now left feeling robbed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">as well</span>. I will never again feel the joy I did while spending days with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">steve</span>. He lived life on his own terms and never let others stand in his way of having fun. I will take that mentality and remember it forever, try to embody it and let him live a little bit through me i suppose.<br /> So we stayed on Long Island a bit longer then planned and it was a hard long week. On <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Friday</span> the 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> we got in our car and drove south. we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arrived</span> at our good friend and now housemate, Ryan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">O'neill's</span> house. He through a big party that night where we mixed up Long Island Ice Teas. Ryan is also a native Long Islander... Vanessa and him went to high school together. <br /> We spent the remainder of the month of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">October</span> sleeping on an air mattress in the spare bedroom of that house, It was a hard month. That house is on its way out. It's been a punk house forever and it shows, holes in the walls and floors, a mouse is seen every now and then. The Gas had gotten turned off right when we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arrived</span> which made it impossible for us to cook or have a hot shower... We got <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">focused</span> and set a goal to get out of that house and into a new one by the 1st of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">november</span>, to do this we had to get ourselves some jobs asap. Vanessa started right away working with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Ryan</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Perlys</span>, a great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">thats</span> open for breakfast and Lunch. I had a harder time finding work. I was able to start recently working at a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">convenience</span> store called the broad st. market. Its a pretty crazy place to work. The pay <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">isn't</span> very good. But i needed to start something. I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">continuing</span> to search for a different source of employment. And I will work at the market <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">until</span> something good comes along.<br /> Outside of responsibility, life has been good to us here. We found ourselves a great house to rent. Its a large 3 bedroom house on 36<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> st. in Church Hill. A block in one direction from a house full of friends and 3 blocks in another direction of another house full of friends. Its so far beyond anything Vanessa and I have ever lived in. The house as a whole, coast $25.<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">oo</span> more dollars then the small studio we rented in San Diego. This is one of the main reasons we came here. Life is just a little easier. The weather <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">isnt</span>, but the rent is at least. We have a 3 mile commute everyday to work, which is a fun bicycle ride away.<br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Im</span> just so happy to be back in an area where we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> need to rely on cars as necessity. And where there is a population of like minded young people all in one community. Its already getting colder, which <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">isnt</span> so nice to ride bicycles in. We expect the winter to be rough, more so because Vanessa and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">haven't</span> lived through an east coast winter in three years now. I know we'll survive but its still scary. <br /> So <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> my rant about what life has been over the past two months. In the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">coming</span> months I plan to become a winter bicycle ninja, Cook lots of soups, hang out at home with Vanessa, Ryan and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ryans</span> great dog, Riot, See lots of good bands play, And hopefully find a sweet job that will make me happy to ride through the cold weather/rain/and snow to get to. We have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">plenty</span> of room for visitors so come on out and sleep on our couch.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-7599260561918845992010-08-27T07:27:00.000-07:002010-08-27T07:50:09.461-07:00BFDlast thursday vanessa, leanne, john, and myself got into vanessa's car and drove on down to Richmond, VA. we were invited to come down and party for Best Friends Day 9( www.bestfriendsday.net ) During our stay there in may while riding through Virginia. I sure am glad we lived up to our word and took the trip down. This summer has been fun, but that trip really made it great.<br /> so we arrived thursday the 19th and stayed until monday the 23rd. Our stay in richmond was full of fun, beer, river hangin, the biggest pool party of my life, lots of bands, and some good bicycle crusin. Our first time through richmond was such a good time, and I hyped it up so much that i was worried of maybe being let down on our second time through, Not the case...<br /> Infact vanessa and myself may just MOVE there. And this is real, we have talked about it a few times over the summer. We figured before we got the idea in our head to seriously we should take this trip down and see how we feel after. And well, we are totally into that idea. Its a city that is full of young people who are into the same kinda lifestlye and fun times as us, not only this but it is so affordable to live there. What i'd pay to live in a small studio apartment here in NY can get me a whole house with a yard in Virginia. Obviously with the coast of living going down the rate of pay goes down, but it dosen't seem to really go down all that much.<br /> We have talked alot lately of wanting to take an extended trip to Europe, perhaps in a year. Being in NY, the only way we could possibly save the money for this would be to continue to live in our parents homes, and live a life we are not very happy living. I honestly feel we can have a good time and still save the money we need while in VA. This would most likely not be the case if we tried to move somewhere else. So I think we're going to go for it. My Job at the Bicycle store ends in a month anyway, So I have to find new work one way or another, might as well try to find it there.<br /> <br /> In other news,<br />-Incredible people that have been in my life continue to pass away, and its tragic and upsetting but we try to deal and continue on.<br />-The weather has been great the past few days.<br />-we meet up with about 20 other people every Wednesday night for a group ride and hang sess, and this has led me to new friendships with people I never knew before returning back home.<br />-I cleaned my bedroom pretty good yesterday and i have the windows wide open and it makes waking up pretty nice.<br />-I just ate a bowl of curry chicken soup that vanessa made and it is so good, you can find the recipe here... www.weareallsosmall.blogspot.com<br />-I won $4 on a scratch off yesterday, im still trying to hit it big.<br />-I miss a lot of really good people who live in san diego. I owe richard like 3 postcards.<br />-im getting tattooed today by civ, it will be my 3rd session on my arm since our return to Long Island, Making up for lost time.<br />- there are a few people i wish i could hang with alot more and it sucks because they live so close compared to when i was 3000 miles away, now its just like 60 miles and i still never seem them.<br />Andddd thats it for now.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-31319254736754189202010-07-26T09:10:00.000-07:002010-07-26T09:13:27.348-07:00heyI miss sleeping in our tent.<br />and eating an average of 2 meals a day outside.<br />and sweating a lot but never smelling because the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">constant</span> breeze created by riding our my bike kept me fresh!<br />Its been extremely disgusting lately, really humid. Today it is NOT, so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> gonna go ride around <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">until</span> the sun goes down.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-6456159441951192462010-06-28T12:05:00.000-07:002010-06-28T12:37:24.127-07:00Life On Long IslandSo its been a couple of weeks now since <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">vanessa</span> and I have finished riding our bicycles an average of 50-55 miles a day. The transition of traveling into a normal day to day life is a strange, Exciting, fun, not so fun, boring, new, cool, up and down roller coaster kind of thing.<br /> We made it a point to not jump straight back into the rat race of jobs and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">responsibilities</span>, but sooner or later you gotta make some money if plan to keep doing fun things. I was offered a position working at a bicycle shop in the town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">riverhead</span>. I have never worked on other bikes besides <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">vanessas</span> and mine, so to be able to score a job doing that with no experience, i jumped on it. two out of the four days that i work each week are with my friend Devin, so we car pool together and its fun, we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">usually</span> get breakfast and eat outside before heading in. My boss is a workaholic cool dude. Its nice working with only two other people when the two people you work with are fun and nice and easy to get along with. So <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">I'm</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thankful</span> to be doing what <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">I'm</span> doing. But the whole idea of having to travel by car and not bicycle ever day kinda gets me down. <br /> Vanessa has landed a Gig cleaning houses. This is also something that came up through a friend. She seems to like it, its good cash money, she hangs out with her friend <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Lianne</span> all day and scrubs the toilets of rich Hampton summer houses. Sounds not so awesome to some, but its really a pretty cool job. They are a different place everyday, meet new people, snoop around huge houses, and just do their thing. Its long hours but that means just a few days of work a week and you are set.<br /> We kinds just flopped around the first few weeks, but still made it a point to ride our bicycles whenever possible. We've made some new friends since being home who are also into riding bikes, so them combined with the friends we've always had makes for a pretty good crew, we've got this thing going where we meet up for a big group ride on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wednesday</span> nights. but we hang out on bikes almost daily in smaller groups.<br /> Honestly, as good as things have been, I still feel as if I have fallen into a slight state of depression over the past week or so. For over two months we woke up daily with a big mission, and worked all day and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">completed</span> it giving us <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">excitement</span> for the next day. now on my days off i find myself sitting around trying to find things to keep myself busy. For two months we met new people every day, and they changed our perspective on life and I like to think that them meeting us changed them in small ways as well. I truly miss those interactions. <br /> Our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">planet</span> is full of so much bad stuff right now, i feel this way now more then ever. All over the world bad stuff is going on. But for a short period of time we were doing something different. something that made us feel good, something that left little to no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">negative</span> impact on the world around us. And we were able to explore and see more beauty then I ever knew <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">existed</span> within our very own country. <br /> I expected to feel this way eventually so I try not to let myself stay down. This is a transition period and it's just effecting me a little more then i believed it would.<br /><br /> besides the down feelings <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">I've</span> been dealing with. There has absolutely been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">a lot</span> of good going on.<br />I have some really awesome friends who I see often and enjoy doing fun stuff anytime of day.<br />I have been to an amazing rope swing over a lake, Two times already.<br />I have started growing food in my back yard with my mother.<br />I get paid to work on bicycles<br />I have an amazing girlfriend who shares the passions that I have, with out her I would have a lot less to talk about for our bicycle journey would have never happened and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">wouldn't</span> be who I am today!<br />It Is SUMMER.<br />I've been listening to new great music <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">a lot</span>, and I recently scored some really good older albums from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">selden</span> thrift.<br />I am aware of the fact that our future is unwritten and I am here today but anything is still possible. This is an exciting Idea.<br /><br />I picked a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">jalapeno</span> pepper straight from my back yard and used it to spice up my egg/potato breakfast. LIFE IS GOOD.<br /><br />as far as pictures go, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">vanessa</span> and I have recently developed 4 of the 7 rolls of film i have from our trip. and i am very happy with what we have seen. We plan to get a flicker or some other photo hosting site to post everything on. far to troublesome to post pictures on this blog.<br /><br />Although our journey across the country by bicycle is over, our journey through life isn't and I plan to continue my Life As Usual, trying my hardest to have No Bad Days. So keep reading and I'll try my best to keep writing.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-92227231981841101642010-06-04T22:30:00.000-07:002010-06-04T22:47:42.601-07:00a not so finished closerWe have set our feet into the soil of Long Island. Between DC and here a whole lot happened, We went to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Philly</span>, ate cheesecakes. hung out and spent the night in the house of two amazing people who we met in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Maryland</span>, Swam in a river in south west New jersey, hung out in the dirty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jerz</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mikevarga</span> for a few days and then <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ended</span> our journey in an epic way with a bicycle ride from Jamaica queens to west S<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ayville</span> with a crew of 7 (+<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">vanessa</span> and myself). the Last revolutions of our 3194 mile journey brought us right to the Door of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Brocks</span>, our favorite Long Island Watering  Hole. This is where we held our post ride festivities.  We drank beers and ate tons of food along side of some of the best friends we could ever ask for and our loving families. Very few things could have made this day any better then it was. <div>   I plan to get on here sometime in the near future to talk more in depth about those last days on the road. Because they were just so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">soo</span> sweet. and post pictures too of course. I just needed to put it  out there that we have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">completed</span> what we set out to do when we left San Diego 2 months 1 week and 1 day prior to yesterday.  Its a strange feeling knowing we are now where we have been working so hard every day to get to.  I believe it will take some time for everything to really set in and at that point i will be able to speak about the experience with a bit more clarity.  And also a lot more pictures. Through out the entire trip i have been shooting film pictures so i now have 7 rolls that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">aren't</span> even developed yet. Its going to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">alot</span> of fun to get those back and see it all from that point of view from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">beginning</span> to the very end.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">That's</span> all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">I've</span> got for now. Thank you, every single one of you.</div><div>Our family of friends who inspired us from the beautiful city of San Diego.</div><div>Every stranger that we met along the way that were our friends by the time we rode away.</div><div>Our Friends that put us up for a night or 3, fed us, and gave us the rest or the party that we needed at those points in the trip.</div><div>And lastly every person here in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">NY</span> that welcomed us back with open arms and reminded us why it is we wanted to finish our journey right here. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-62517725502554425672010-05-25T08:46:00.000-07:002010-05-25T09:40:29.963-07:00alabama to The district of columbia!I have some time now to post some pictures from the past 2 weeks<br />prior to getting on our train in Tuscaloosa Alabama we camped here. It was nice because we were only 20 miles from town. We woke up that morning with just that short ride, we were able to stop and eat breakfast before catching the train. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">That's</span> the first time we ate at waffle house. "good food fast" it was really good we've been there a second time since that first time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OF8R6TRWBSR4YtXUj6zy0c4MtIA7kdxwgnMak8lOiH9HVVWZjB8WRQoVtwmQno6r1IO3qwys7FpONwTAKUWB_X13FN9AhPTJar-llr-54P9xdwQca3s5j1LEQTX_xaZTDh-2wCW3Ga0/s1600/419.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475238178227426578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OF8R6TRWBSR4YtXUj6zy0c4MtIA7kdxwgnMak8lOiH9HVVWZjB8WRQoVtwmQno6r1IO3qwys7FpONwTAKUWB_X13FN9AhPTJar-llr-54P9xdwQca3s5j1LEQTX_xaZTDh-2wCW3Ga0/s400/419.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGMgtOpbxJcdQZ4sZT8RelpfEJRg_hnS3z9cgWWKcFrbX6Mns493sPNAGDGJjLAIS0cdQZpwATNByoowAu4Qnmognw3ihVYlDJ12HnjJTpfCu7rdUhv6_z9crE5BzsuzXA58CbyDkj9A/s1600/423.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475238161115971682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGMgtOpbxJcdQZ4sZT8RelpfEJRg_hnS3z9cgWWKcFrbX6Mns493sPNAGDGJjLAIS0cdQZpwATNByoowAu4Qnmognw3ihVYlDJ12HnjJTpfCu7rdUhv6_z9crE5BzsuzXA58CbyDkj9A/s400/423.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>so we got our train and transported to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Virginia</span>.</div><div>we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">try ed</span> really hard to find some "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">virgina</span> is for lovers" apparel, like stickers or a beer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">coozie</span> or something. But the best we could do was find this wall in an ally of Richmond.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2pCvCfBioVvA46-gOjVEjbglOrLHAtapyIN8_FUUg4kqQzC8JVvVwsjJiLbdbENidfC1yGvBJdO9vnD_rrKXeneVnbcUmTrnj5m68Tp-UWtl7uAEDUrfe1tSlsWE62LARR4hMrftcA0/s1600/462.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475238152667110850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2pCvCfBioVvA46-gOjVEjbglOrLHAtapyIN8_FUUg4kqQzC8JVvVwsjJiLbdbENidfC1yGvBJdO9vnD_rrKXeneVnbcUmTrnj5m68Tp-UWtl7uAEDUrfe1tSlsWE62LARR4hMrftcA0/s400/462.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is a picture Nicole shot of us from up in the Church Hill neighborhood over looking downtown Richmond.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMTnNonTwOQhpA9lQbs5hTwE84T6Ax9DFTRDQMcwn9e6h_UnxcgPaueOe_pBQrWyLUcGOY56bmdWGmsYZI2AbpaFl3cBGoals2baOxgpyMIqK_IzqxQVyCYl49ofqmRAAYW7Q4DCMWqc/s1600/432.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475238150134395474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMTnNonTwOQhpA9lQbs5hTwE84T6Ax9DFTRDQMcwn9e6h_UnxcgPaueOe_pBQrWyLUcGOY56bmdWGmsYZI2AbpaFl3cBGoals2baOxgpyMIqK_IzqxQVyCYl49ofqmRAAYW7Q4DCMWqc/s400/432.JPG" /></a><br />we spent the first night in town going to a few bars in part of a Micro brew pub crawl with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vanessas</span> friend Nicole and her boyfriend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Aaron</span>. After that we Met Ryan at a place called "Empire" where some bands were playing. </div><div> Richmond was the first place in a long time where we were surrounded by like minded young people. Three of which Vanessa has known since long ago. It was really great. </div><div> </div><div> We spent our 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> night in town at a house show/party. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">After</span> that night we felt like we could just end the trip here and start over in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">richmond</span>. everyone was so fun and friendly. and into good music, and riding bicycles. It was hard for us to get ourselves to eventually move on to the next town.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkmHodwOcrdzpOJhh9kGwcIcIKfsB7LcrWT1dlalbidImajSLIplaVxuefyi4OLBM2Vc85kx_yOgC3UmNtQn1TXbIMt8-1LsB-WqkG2zSTROT-467KSDvMoejEc8VT3s7OG4HZILyVew/s1600/443.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475236927357131186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkmHodwOcrdzpOJhh9kGwcIcIKfsB7LcrWT1dlalbidImajSLIplaVxuefyi4OLBM2Vc85kx_yOgC3UmNtQn1TXbIMt8-1LsB-WqkG2zSTROT-467KSDvMoejEc8VT3s7OG4HZILyVew/s400/443.JPG" /></a><br />A few different people told Ryan and I that we looked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> alike, I cant argue with that.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSNiZwsm_3Pq70460Z4fTVl8zVAHd_RAnK3F8hVGZIBz6Om2kxxLVeNwX5f8rPI3z3_FjT1yLi92g23BrHgJJT-NPWekF9ghCQAsKCV3E3qqmNTQz1qryidbwnUJmT6e3TMImzMOA6UI/s1600/455.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475236915579565362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSNiZwsm_3Pq70460Z4fTVl8zVAHd_RAnK3F8hVGZIBz6Om2kxxLVeNwX5f8rPI3z3_FjT1yLi92g23BrHgJJT-NPWekF9ghCQAsKCV3E3qqmNTQz1qryidbwnUJmT6e3TMImzMOA6UI/s400/455.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w5NlKGI-Y2wowcgk6WGc55u0j5l0aPZu6-RERsYk00FjdZPkOIp2utFKUEAbqmXVEq5diTsTte7MLNLyG86vfjuS7G61vAtOh4hamXXR5zmcr_WlD36v-k4RaDJKibkZ8_GcB4g0WTI/s1600/456.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475236903648854402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_w5NlKGI-Y2wowcgk6WGc55u0j5l0aPZu6-RERsYk00FjdZPkOIp2utFKUEAbqmXVEq5diTsTte7MLNLyG86vfjuS7G61vAtOh4hamXXR5zmcr_WlD36v-k4RaDJKibkZ8_GcB4g0WTI/s400/456.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.twoholesarebetterthanone.com/">www.twoholesarebetterthanone.com</a> Check out the may 18th video.</div><div><br />The very next day <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">nicole</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ryan</span> took us out for a day of exploring, Mostly by the River. It was really neat. its like a whole different world when you go down there.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmPQ8akeHvQEkeJ2xnqZUPUXU-_p0hYEA8264voEFdFGnAXdkeaXsDUgv2OX5LUj41Jro87eIKz5ZOaTzoBo8W4egxguUYexADyQDeOu52c-TgZjC78u9hLvGIkWqpStgCj3HuytQxmE/s1600/470.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475236896449150690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmPQ8akeHvQEkeJ2xnqZUPUXU-_p0hYEA8264voEFdFGnAXdkeaXsDUgv2OX5LUj41Jro87eIKz5ZOaTzoBo8W4egxguUYexADyQDeOu52c-TgZjC78u9hLvGIkWqpStgCj3HuytQxmE/s400/470.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsROyB4lku97u5J189a-Mwedrdou0zYk7ZKeVGG4BhDB5fXNI01sDgz1kbWE4yv9vO1o-sOu3smPJWrgZ189MAX98OCEZIKEZlbxINtZMdSAUtz6TMWVASOaeu_gWWH_K2WLMR-0dj3VE/s1600/472.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475236877106995010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsROyB4lku97u5J189a-Mwedrdou0zYk7ZKeVGG4BhDB5fXNI01sDgz1kbWE4yv9vO1o-sOu3smPJWrgZ189MAX98OCEZIKEZlbxINtZMdSAUtz6TMWVASOaeu_gWWH_K2WLMR-0dj3VE/s400/472.JPG" /></a> </div><div>We ate lunch everyday we were in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">richmond</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Perlys</span>. Its the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurant</span> that Ryan works at. And every day we'd get a different kind of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sandwich</span> with fries or coleslaw or potato salad, and it was always so good. And we drank <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> of good coffee while in town also, Between Aaron being way into brewing good coffee at home and Ryan being way into going to good coffee shops, we had the coffee situation covered.</div><div> </div><div> It was strange getting moving again when it came time to leave the Richmond area. We feel right into the pattern of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">hangin</span> out with everyone we were meeting, we took just as many days off in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">richmond</span> as we had the entire trip prior to getting there.<br /> But we did <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in fact</span> have to move on, and to a great place at that. took a two day ride and got to DC. It started to rain when we were about 10 miles to where we were trying to get. But it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wasn't</span> end of the world downpour rain like the day we rode into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">richmond</span>, it was like... A summer rain. So we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">tryed</span> our best to not let it get to us, And the fact that we were on a bike path, not a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">busy</span> road, and we could see our nations capitol forming in the skyline, these things helped. It was really pretty surreal riding into DC, to have traveled so far over the past two months and to now be here in the capitol of our country. It was an epic feeling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">thats</span> hard to describe. We went straight to the Hostel on 11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">K st</span>. Its not where we are staying but it is where Sarah works. My long <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> good friend, were staying with her while we are here in town. We met her there at her work so she could pass us her keys to her house which was just up the road from the hostel. That day of riding was just .3 miles short of being the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> longest day of the trip. 79.4 miles.</div><div> We've spent the past few days wondering the city and people watching, And last night <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">sarah</span> had a party for her birthday/the going away of one of her friends. It was really nice to be able to meet all of her friends from collage. We made pizzas and home made ice cream and someone supplied the party with a ton of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">maryland</span> crabs, so it was pretty amazing. It has been really nice to see some more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">familiar</span> faces and to spend time with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">sarah</span> and her friends. These things are extra special to us. We really love that we've been able to reconnect with friends in their environments as opposed to it being on Long Island in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">familiar</span> territory. To see what their life away from where we all grew up is like.</div><div> We are spending our last full day here today. Our bodies are really getting tired. Its hard for us to want to even go out and explore. But we'll do just that today because this is all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">coming</span> to an end soon. I think maybe were going out to dinner with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">sarah</span> and her friends tonight to have a more mellow birthday celebration, then leaving in the morning. Its a straight line from here to NY we'll stop off in A few big spots along the way, Baltimore, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Philadelphia</span>. then straight to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">mikevargas</span> house. </div><div> </div><div> If all goes as planned our last day of riding will be June the 3rd. That will be our ride from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Hoboken</span> NJ to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">sayville</span> NY. And it sounds like we'll be joined by a group of friends that will most likely meet us In queens and ride our last 45 miles together. This will be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> of fun, we're both just crossing our fingers that the weather will be on our side from here on out...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-89854612226097590792010-05-20T09:05:00.000-07:002010-05-20T09:19:02.696-07:00quickWe've been hanging out in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">richmond</span>, VA for a few days now.<br />The day we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">arrived</span> was the first really rainy day we have had throughout this entire voyage, and it sucked...<br /> We got really poured on, it started sometime in the middle of the night when we were still about 30 miles from the city area. So come morning we had to pack and ride away from where we were. We rode 21 miles that day before we had to throw in the towel. We were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stopping</span> almost every 5-7 miles. I got a flat and had to change it in the down pour, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">vanessas</span> feet were both numb, and she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">couldn't</span> ride with her glasses on so once we got within 10 miles of downtown the traffic was way to intense. We were able to find out info on the local bus system, take out panniers off the back of our bikes and get the bikes on the bus bike rack. The bus took us to a stop just blocks away from where <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">vanessas</span> friend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">nicole</span> lives.<br /> We have now taken just as many days off here in this area as we had the entire trip prior to getting here. Vanessa has a few people in the city here that she knows from back in high school days and we have spent the past three nights crashing their couches. <br /> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> have the time to get into all the fun stuff we've been up too. But it has been that, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">A lot</span> of fun. Everyone here is way into bicycles and good times and we've been very happy to take a few days to hang with them.<br /> We'll sleep at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">nicoles</span> again tonight and leave in the morning to start heading further north. In DC we'll hang with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">sarah</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">ruth</span> and were excited for that. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Im</span> going to try and get online and post some pictures and some more words about everything <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">thats</span> been happening when we get there. That will be 2-3 days from today.<br />Things are getting really very close to the end and it is a bitter sweet kinda thing. <br />for now, were still partying our days away in Virginia.RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-16100748132842100202010-05-13T20:48:00.001-07:002010-05-13T20:48:51.787-07:00I forgot to mention we bought a small size of "slap ya mother, cajun Seasoning" made in ville Platte the town we met tony in!RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-36200021463216795942010-05-13T19:15:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:52:04.388-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU0fImd0i2CBk-Q20ZfNZrmR3dtFsQtElqz1a2G7tIIfFhxBz3w6D6QJhH4MJorlKTpfSu3zuER1RGosF6riUkC9JsjsSi8wGhcNZj2hW_h3Txwb9tghkyrT7ZzsfZCuVgzh1nDmChVI/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470950273965650802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU0fImd0i2CBk-Q20ZfNZrmR3dtFsQtElqz1a2G7tIIfFhxBz3w6D6QJhH4MJorlKTpfSu3zuER1RGosF6riUkC9JsjsSi8wGhcNZj2hW_h3Txwb9tghkyrT7ZzsfZCuVgzh1nDmChVI/s400/006.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Above is a picture of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">vanessa</span> and myself with our new friend, Tony.</div><div>We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stop ed</span> in a town called Ville <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">platte</span>, Louisiana to get some lunch. We almost went to the first place we saw as we entered town, but instead we took a lap around the town and decided to go to this other cafe on the fact that their were way more cars outside of this place, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> a pretty easy way to judge <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">who's</span> serving the good stuff.</div><div>Tony was sitting at the table next to us, he started talking to us because he wanted to know about our tattoos, and about our trip because he saw our bicycles out front on his way in. He told us about his trip to New York when he was working as a truck driver. We finished our meals, which were amazing, and said our goodbyes. We left from that cafe and rode just about 4 miles down the road to the local <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Wal</span>-mart to get some food to eat later that night for dinner. In the towns that have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Wal</span>-mart, it is your only option for anything, so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">thats</span> where we ended up.</div><div>We wasted some time there, even sat down and ate a small ice cream each right in the doorway. As we were getting ready to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finally</span> leave, out walks Tony. So we started talking again. He then confessed to us that he had wished earlier that he would have asked us if we need a place to stay or anything he could do to help. We let him know that we were doing just fine. But he told us he'd really love to have us stay at his place and that he would drive us back down the road the next morning to start where we would have anyway. We gave it a minute before we answered, continued talking, just last minute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">make sure</span> measures to prove to ourselves Tony was not a serial killer. And he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wasn't</span>, not at all.</div><div>We headed to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tony's</span> apartment and hung out all afternoon. He had just gone fishing the day before and had already planned to cook a bunch of them up that night with his neighbor and their friend Jan. So we ended up meeting all of them. Not only that but before all of that we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stop ed</span> by the local store so he could buy some "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">boudin</span>" a local food, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> like sausage but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">smokey er</span> and has rice in it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">as well</span>. He insisted we get it once he found out we had never tried it before. We were happy we listened once we ate. They informed us that we were in the real heart of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cajun</span> Culture. His neighbor Tim talked in such a thick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cajun</span> accent, which is a mix of a thick southern <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">speech</span> mixed with a french twist. All of the food was amazing, but what really made it all so great was to realize how lucky we were to be able to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Louisiana</span> this way. We slept on the couch and got up early to hit the road. </div><div>We got this picture when Tony <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dropped</span> us off at the gas station the next morning in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Washington</span>, LA. We always forget to do this, NOT THIS TIME! </div><div>So many people are to afraid of the world to let things like this ever happen. Sure you have to be careful about who you trust, and I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">plenty</span> aware that there are bad people out there in the world. But for the most part you can trust your gut, and if you can start doing that you'll find life <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> more interesting.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GXM3aqo4MOK0uJhyphenhyphenfq8KEe27FolOj8uW9GSnjkR3V8kHd7j0YsQuVTxSZtUNkf2a_8KvL9IZ5tBIrMnCYlFVjIqWe393Hql-Dx9k-O8_GrMG0osi7G6owasiurzj-LdPZGbHACCbMN4/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470949651927828162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GXM3aqo4MOK0uJhyphenhyphenfq8KEe27FolOj8uW9GSnjkR3V8kHd7j0YsQuVTxSZtUNkf2a_8KvL9IZ5tBIrMnCYlFVjIqWe393Hql-Dx9k-O8_GrMG0osi7G6owasiurzj-LdPZGbHACCbMN4/s400/007.JPG" /></a><br />Its been hot out lately.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD1QcKb0wNSQ_EuvMZNYsb1NbsTfhCQXOfIN_ozroqW8ejkpS_CESVzfJeJ0fsXzlHw2Qgd9M0ZxcfOMBTanTgGeGs7O7Y97ugfSUcze3B2AXjl1Pl-5jURXKxh2YZm7ppYx4ya8V9-w/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470949641382184578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD1QcKb0wNSQ_EuvMZNYsb1NbsTfhCQXOfIN_ozroqW8ejkpS_CESVzfJeJ0fsXzlHw2Qgd9M0ZxcfOMBTanTgGeGs7O7Y97ugfSUcze3B2AXjl1Pl-5jURXKxh2YZm7ppYx4ya8V9-w/s400/018.JPG" /></a><br />We took a Ferry ride across the Mississippi River!</div><div>And once we landed on the east side of it, everything changed. really, through my life I think I always <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">considered</span> the old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mississippi</span> the divider of the east to the rest of the country, When we drove across a few years ago up in st. Louis, not much changed from one side to the other. But down here in LA. It was really like two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">separate</span> worlds from the west side the east side. The lay of the land just changed, Hilly, greener, the towns just felt more east coast as opposed to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cajun</span> land <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Louisiana</span>.</div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqD_fiVhA9lLiAxkorWHevKho5jMpHscViLkpLb8R_W1RnzIJnFMAe0Wmx6t5-vlTPG7wmPhXeN7ftmIqOh-zqFGa81H41CmKkza-X33Nw9aOUqO9oc72XJtCvI2FeDW1zigY2USYltk/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470948525006621298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqD_fiVhA9lLiAxkorWHevKho5jMpHscViLkpLb8R_W1RnzIJnFMAe0Wmx6t5-vlTPG7wmPhXeN7ftmIqOh-zqFGa81H41CmKkza-X33Nw9aOUqO9oc72XJtCvI2FeDW1zigY2USYltk/s400/023.JPG" /></a><br />swampy though, no matter where you go down here. This picture is of a creek in Mississippi. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">didnt</span> get a welcome sign into the state of Mississippi either, like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">texas</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Louisiana</span>. This creek was picture worthy more then the other because it ate my water bottle. It slipped from my hand and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dropped</span> all the way to the water and quickly floated down the stream.</div><div>We were only in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mississippi</span> for about 3 days, nothing that interesting happened in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mississippi</span>. I have to thank it though, It provided us with great weather, excellent days of bicycling. Just not all that much to see or do.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_MZVqOCaalgeKjPu5_gAZlyeoNia-NAQpI9TMuuGgw0mybtM2ebXf-Pvs0tnwLSLQt-uySkwg5EmG1PsDw6XfIKx9dz-L34NhpzZo9WKkaNci9jgVTjdfItN2MPUfIQAmvueIOiG3AY/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470947898714610098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_MZVqOCaalgeKjPu5_gAZlyeoNia-NAQpI9TMuuGgw0mybtM2ebXf-Pvs0tnwLSLQt-uySkwg5EmG1PsDw6XfIKx9dz-L34NhpzZo9WKkaNci9jgVTjdfItN2MPUfIQAmvueIOiG3AY/s400/026.JPG" /></a> </div><div>(we made flags so all of the reckless driving logging trucks can see us from further away)<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahh</span> Yes finally, a new sign for us to take our picture under. Alabama! The miles seem to double in size here. We ride 30 and we feel like we rode 60. Its the Hotness, Humidity, and Hills, that cause this feeling. </div><div>We are trucking along just fine though. As I mentioned in my last entry, we have been considering the idea of getting on a train from Tuscaloosa, AL ( home of the university of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">alabama</span>) and taking it up to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charlettesville</span>, VA. and that is exactly what we are going to do. We already had a route that planned to ride in the direction of this town anyway. We hit mobile ,Alabama which was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pretty</span> neat town with loads of civil war history and from there we go north. We are officially off of the southern Tier of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">America</span>, Heading north.</div><div></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Undesirables</span> are listed in order</div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">undesirable</span> #1=Bugs that bite</div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">undesirable</span> #2=Dogs that chase ( this happens way to often)</div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">undesirable</span> #3=Logging trucks/ Other really loud large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vehicles</span></div><div></div><div>Vanessa cut my hair shorter the other night, it was much needed. 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity!</div><div>We are about 2 days from Tuscaloosa, we hope to get there before the rain hits us. It's headed this way apparently and should come down for a few days. From <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Charlettesville</span> time will fly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> sure(good or bad <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> not sure). We still have lots of land to cover but after being to such foreign feeling areas just being on the eastern coast will make me feel like we have made it.</div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-910213972306659639.post-31010006856506821802010-05-02T05:57:00.000-07:002010-05-02T07:55:36.681-07:0020 days of texasTexas Texas Texas.<br />The state that at any point in time has the right and ability to split into Four separate states.<br />The state that has an average speed limit of 80 mph, except at night when they have to lower to 70 mph... They have "hills" here that are more like Mini Mountains. Steaks that are bigger then my head. The list goes on, the point is this... Everything really is bigger in Texas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJvMuhKvyf6yCmWCenkCFy9CaC0_E5achXt7yCby-K1cIr_nhihRQ5xM-KLsUBM97teQ0ANjdFsjSbCgWz1GKXh7ILaYZs6rT1bZDQSZKJBT9tHhQxevd-MMNgyVL1f2M5LVK_PfquFs/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466662705337186930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJvMuhKvyf6yCmWCenkCFy9CaC0_E5achXt7yCby-K1cIr_nhihRQ5xM-KLsUBM97teQ0ANjdFsjSbCgWz1GKXh7ILaYZs6rT1bZDQSZKJBT9tHhQxevd-MMNgyVL1f2M5LVK_PfquFs/s400/047.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />we crossed into the central time zone shortly after crossing into texas. This was strange for a week or so. we were still so much closer to The west coast and yet we were closer in time to the east coast. It threw us off a bit with the sun setting so much later. When it did set though, the stars were incredible. So many camp spots blew my mind once night fell.<br /> There was this one day where I got two Flats. This was unusual, In total, from start till today Vanessa and I have gotten 5 flats combined. NOT BAD!.... A guy I became friends with through work, his name is mike. He and his two friends rode from san diego to the east coast in 2005, they only took 2 days off and did the whole ride in just 44 days. but in those 44 days they got something like 78 flats between the three of them. Im sorry to tell you mike, but you guys were doing Something wrong! He was a good guy, gave me a bunch of helpful hints before leaving. but yeah, those two flats used our last two spare tubes, causing us to make sure we stoped at the next bicycle shop on route. <br /> This next shop was in the town of Alpine, Tx. The name of it was "Bike Man". Here we met the owner and wrench worker, John. He was the bike man. There was a painting on the outside of a superman but it was with his face and it had a B on his chest!<br /> Anyways, he helped us out. We bought four new tubes, Puncture protection tubes at his suggestion. Some real heavy duty stuff. He also gave us the heads up on the local natural foods store, and about a Hostel/art compound 30 miles down the road that let any cyclist spend the night free of charge. He reminded Vanessa and I of an Older Seamus. Seamus is our buddy and local bicycle mechanic shop owner in downtown San Diego. He helped us out a lot prior to this trip( <a href="http://www.thisisabikeshop.com/">www.thisisabikeshop.com</a> )<br /><br />so yeah, we went to that hostel. It was in the town of Marathon, Tx. A population of somewhere between 400-600 people in the entire town, And this amazing place is a part of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUt7n_oPbyF-HoGDQ0WS9l65P0A2wPY9k_7G-nJzrmvaYtf9mZFOLvkIFWZi_9rKIpG8i1DwUxJaQCtkY4S5DagtRUpVi51e1rHNToBCrl59L-op0ytqhhqZTRaHPgJy0WOWVuXtSKaM/s1600/069.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466661902210922786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUt7n_oPbyF-HoGDQ0WS9l65P0A2wPY9k_7G-nJzrmvaYtf9mZFOLvkIFWZi_9rKIpG8i1DwUxJaQCtkY4S5DagtRUpVi51e1rHNToBCrl59L-op0ytqhhqZTRaHPgJy0WOWVuXtSKaM/s400/069.JPG" /></a><br />The outdoor Kitchen. attached to the Hostel House.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA-fsSe71StQ3VHBXhTsqBh8dsgzY1zqmvwlp9d-USeI0grMmDFoNujbWllQEvmCx5kRfcoYxf6cAs1_nBd8r4G2UoBP6KjkVEM7psflqx7LdyfyizVkIKOHF7og_FQ7nB7eOnK9xN4I/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466661889104726866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA-fsSe71StQ3VHBXhTsqBh8dsgzY1zqmvwlp9d-USeI0grMmDFoNujbWllQEvmCx5kRfcoYxf6cAs1_nBd8r4G2UoBP6KjkVEM7psflqx7LdyfyizVkIKOHF7og_FQ7nB7eOnK9xN4I/s400/077.JPG" /></a><br />The Entrance<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t8Al6ygA1wD6w5zlCtXc1-eZ-TDxiaDxskGVvLon3Z_9yQkgn5jkrRY7Hq5LvwlXGtUCKbzPWgRVkMOIRn77vNDe1so7VNhpW2MnSyrt2gFbRZhq-t3iJYE_aDnb91nBVLzaSB0EZDs/s1600/079.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466661880677686338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t8Al6ygA1wD6w5zlCtXc1-eZ-TDxiaDxskGVvLon3Z_9yQkgn5jkrRY7Hq5LvwlXGtUCKbzPWgRVkMOIRn77vNDe1so7VNhpW2MnSyrt2gFbRZhq-t3iJYE_aDnb91nBVLzaSB0EZDs/s400/079.JPG" /></a></div><div>The wash room. Laundry/Toilets/showers.<br /><a href="http://www.lalomadelchivo.com/">www.lalomadelchivo.com</a> </div><div>A really inspiring place, And a free bed and roof to sleep under. On a night that rained no less!</div><div>The 5 or 6 people living and working there are "wwoof'ing" (world wide opportunities on organic farms) They are working for Room and board. There is an organic garden here but the main objective is to build this place that is sustainable and practice and experiment with different ways to do this. All the buildings are made from various recycled components. And everything is beautifully done really. Nothing is just what is needs to be, everything is turned into a piece of art.<br /></div><div><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466661868368962210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-zJjjQwz1f_uOsuEezxYCSzxY5cWBW-f4sluLYMBkMsBkEOQmT3JUrW5icbYPRrTyZP-uMvYKRAKZHyO_PHsMGmN4RFwssjd83qkmrfSA1SKhuwnUdkZhyphenhyphen8Zhh5f6Af4DfFhAvC1PkY/s400/087.JPG" /><br />The trains were a really big part of our trip through the south west. Everyday some times for days on end our Route followed along the same route of the train tracks. Sometimes we'd see amtrak trains but for the most part its freight trains. I really enjoyed this. Sure sometimes it was frustrating when we were camping (what felt like) only feet from the tracks and we'd be woken up multiple times in the night. But for the most part it was really nice. Everyday i'd see these huge trains fly by. I always try ed to read all the graffiti writing as it zipped by. And there was a lot of that. We'd also try and see if we could spot anyone that was getting a free ride. Never did. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmQv4anVHYU_PZxmpLzOiFgaWoC4xd1azAVSXYMu9diTVZL5hZcMSwS8R7ZGjSSTaMRf36EPEv5txwBWl3GPbA5svXMir4bdQakFvVfahLHy258a3Qwf9qwbnSVLkVpnqcupR5pcGFBs/s1600/100.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466661859559369314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmQv4anVHYU_PZxmpLzOiFgaWoC4xd1azAVSXYMu9diTVZL5hZcMSwS8R7ZGjSSTaMRf36EPEv5txwBWl3GPbA5svXMir4bdQakFvVfahLHy258a3Qwf9qwbnSVLkVpnqcupR5pcGFBs/s400/100.JPG" /></a><br />Most of the rivers are marked on our map. When we ride we hardly ever go further the 20 miles without stopping for at least a few minutes. So when we see that a river will be up ahead we usually wait to take our break there. Eat an apple, Banana, Peanut butter snack, and watch the water go by. This here is one of the larger rivers we have crossed. Most of them are much smaller and we can walk right down to them from the road with our bikes, we've even been lucky enough to camp right by a few of them. That might not be ideal now a days with being on the east coast comes Humidity, humidity+More water= BUGS. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLgcw3oCVBMfrulx5gG5_cYQxonT1jqptjD4Vb0OQN1kHOa3er2nKljcBdm16tMTsdk-5Agnx_SHQPE-o_Cs-CbL3Pzwb9xodjJazDXfvhkKz8RJXrc2oJs1KuLv1Y9Gur8dM4ovcyGw/s1600/103.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466659509974137170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLgcw3oCVBMfrulx5gG5_cYQxonT1jqptjD4Vb0OQN1kHOa3er2nKljcBdm16tMTsdk-5Agnx_SHQPE-o_Cs-CbL3Pzwb9xodjJazDXfvhkKz8RJXrc2oJs1KuLv1Y9Gur8dM4ovcyGw/s400/103.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Somewhere along the line before hitting austin we camped at this campground that had a great tent area. we were tucked away from all the RV's deep into the woods. We met two guys there who were also traveling by bicycle. The one kid Kinda Dressed like a mix between a punk Rocker and a cowboy, I liked it... </div><div>We made a pretty great fire that night.</div><div> </div><div>We have no digital pictures of our trip to austin at all. This trip happened a pretty funny way really.</div><div>We ended up heading into San Antonio Prior to Austin but then got stuck because of rain and had no way of getting to austin but did not want to be in san antonio. I went onto the rideshare section of Craigs list and found a listing from a women name Sarah who drives to work 5 days a week from san antonio to Austin and is always looking for someone to split the gas for the trip. After talking to her and deciding she wasn't a crazy psycho killer. We met the next morning and got a ride with our bikes and all in her ford explorer to austin, Tx!</div><div>we took two days off there, they city was cool, Its population is about half of san diegos but yet felt very crowded... I enjoyed the Bike Lanes. and the massive amount of other people who were riding bicycles. It was really nice to see a city that worked this way. where so many people were aware of the connivance and benefits to cycling instead of driving. And how the city helped make this happen.</div><div> Being in Austin wasnt everything we hoped for though really. Its just hard. When we enter a city of this sort, not knowing anyone or anything. We end up being viewed as tourist. and we aren't your average tourist who wants to hang out on 6th street and go to the shot bars. We want to experience each city and town the way the locals experience it. But how does one do that when you know no one. you don't! ahh whatever. we still had a really good time. We met some really really great people at the hostel. 3 other people, YOUNG PEOPLE traveling by bicycle! everyone we meet on the road is at least 20 years older then us. so this was great. we didn't just meet them in passing, we were able to sit all night, over drinks, and share our stories. We'll probably stay in touch with Will, He is also riding from CA-NY but going all the way south to New Orleans before heading north, so we'll be a bit ahead of him.</div><div> What I did like about Austin was the amount of grass and trees that were right there in the city itself. And that when we left town, we stooped about 10 miles away from the hostel and realized we were once again surrounded by country farms. no sign of city life. Its nice that people can live just 10 miles away and feel like they are in a different world.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnUVp2Q2nrrUBe13aCMnapuB4mpVTHx8lP3ytTuvAa_QhGzd6k0cL4epsZImBoBcmjAKpOos3zrnJYnsoEhGuKnwQFeCPNDb7jX1TUsq9MhTWWFkcpJjdj5WruaJixNowm1B115XcDDE/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466659497713059442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnUVp2Q2nrrUBe13aCMnapuB4mpVTHx8lP3ytTuvAa_QhGzd6k0cL4epsZImBoBcmjAKpOos3zrnJYnsoEhGuKnwQFeCPNDb7jX1TUsq9MhTWWFkcpJjdj5WruaJixNowm1B115XcDDE/s400/IMG_2747.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Cows. They were everywhere, we saw some other farm animals also. Donkeys, horses, Sheep, Goats. Mostly cows though. We always say hi to the animals as we pass them. I often try and Moo at the cows in hopes that i'll make some sort of sense to them. sometimes i think i do. They often stand up and stare at us. Maybe my moo translates to ( stand up and stare at me.)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01rARINNv7cX2PgNJjCWLHdYOs4QiOAvnihBc2klNYwuybAjVEf26-MWAluViXXb1xcmTQAiZhZ-_vNAFzvx1HwrYakW3M7Sg7_jDonrQTY4937Q6NKBmYF9Z0EUXQQI_YeCGKTjzTDQ/s1600/IMG_2750.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466659487839657922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01rARINNv7cX2PgNJjCWLHdYOs4QiOAvnihBc2klNYwuybAjVEf26-MWAluViXXb1xcmTQAiZhZ-_vNAFzvx1HwrYakW3M7Sg7_jDonrQTY4937Q6NKBmYF9Z0EUXQQI_YeCGKTjzTDQ/s400/IMG_2750.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Many night time thunder storms! </div><div>we've been really lucky though. To this date we have only had that one day from san antonio where we felt we didn't want to ride because of the weather. It has rained, A LOT. but mostly at night and alot of those nights we've been able to find an over hang of sorts to set our tent up under. we have had a few motels though, like right now, im in one. The 6th one of the trip. we hate em, but they let us update with the Internet world and do laundry and shower and all of that. </div><div> Not often but at times we have gotten stuck. Not sure where we are going to sleep. Tired and thirsty with no water. destroyed tire with 60 miles to the nearest bicycle shop, the sun about to set and in the middle of no where... These things happen and have happened. But somehow it never lasts due to the goodness of the people we have met along the way. I have started to call them "Road Angels". Our first morning on the road set the pace and it has continued along the way. That first morning waking up away from san diego we met two really great people who invited us in for coffee and breakfast, which included mimosas. our visit to the hostel in Phoenix hardly dented our pockets because of the women working who only wanted to charge us half price. The TWO separate store owners we met in Texas who took it upon themselves to invite us to camp in a safe spot behind their store under an overhang rather then a not so great place down the road. And most Recently and older man named Dave and his Neighbors Mark, Willow, and Kyle.</div><div> In austin Vanessa and I both got brand New back Tires and new chains. (we were also given the travelers discount at that shop as well) and here we are not even a week later. We found this great spot to camp down by the river, we rested our bikes up against a pole and sat down to eat an orange. Only minutes later a loud "POW" vanessa's back tire exploded... Her bike was apparently sitting in a not so old fire pit. There was no sign of heat or anything when we put the bikes there, but there was apparently still some hot embers. completely melted through the tire and tube destroying them both. We were in the sticks. really nothing around, nearest bike shop was off route by 60 miles. With plans to hitch hike because we saw no other options, we headed down the road towards the nearest gas station. Along the way an older man waved us into his yard and offered us some cold water. This led to us talking, which led to him offering his front yard as a camp spot and a ride the next morning to the bicycle shop 60 miles away.</div><div>Dave is a retired navy worker. He mentioned many times of his Seven tours in Vietnam, And that he sleeps with a gun in his hand so we better not come inside at night because he'd kill us without thinking...</div><div> Meeting dave and having that offer to stay also led us to meet His neighbors, they came over after talking to dave and hearing our story. Mark told us they had a big tent set up in his backyard from when his son wanted to camp out the week before and that we should sleep in it. It really was a big tent. we thanked him and moved our sleeping bags into it. They had a big Bon fire going in their backyard and they then invited us into their house to eat dinner with them "sausage and potatoes". These people were so kind, So sooo different from us. a world away. In any other setting we would have never even talked. But we had dinner and talked about what they all did for work, how they just moved into this house and were fixing it up. they offered us some canned food for the road and mark gave me a whole roll of toilet paper haha. Things got really southern when after dinner the guys went out back to shoot some guns off into the fire.... true story. </div><div> Anyway, we got our ride the next day and were on our way, still got just as far as we planned to prior to the tire thing. Point is. We had a tire explode and sound like a gun shot and later that night there really were guns being shot... with some really amazing people. and im glad we had that happen to Vanessa's bike.</div><div> </div><div> And then it happened, WE MADE IT OUT OF TEXAS. Were officially in Louisiana. The home of Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Po' Boys. which we ate within the first 48 hours in the state!</div><div><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466659478079783170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dvdoRhkjuWSFHFQNeynpOiuZGg7DliZuYENGUjF2GzOxYEd-xepAy6CgaT4lH-q6HchfFQZU4UDwOoufTJeIXzos2ZlP6aX4s-fvSLi1eJL8PMLY_vHVMvpCFqHFWU908IG1_VJA0us/s400/IMG_2772.JPG" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_iZ8SDr_JSBvp7RWtu7u3J5WHuvdogEmGBpPsvRErmOT9ANXizhMsNA1tslM4ZCcHBcVcBtpXnojccNXjiDtdZKWSg39CelCqYOC5YH0Gd4nWbjAoFNk0q9OBT06yPXipl-BaEtH18A/s1600/IMG_2770.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466659466616063058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_iZ8SDr_JSBvp7RWtu7u3J5WHuvdogEmGBpPsvRErmOT9ANXizhMsNA1tslM4ZCcHBcVcBtpXnojccNXjiDtdZKWSg39CelCqYOC5YH0Gd4nWbjAoFNk0q9OBT06yPXipl-BaEtH18A/s400/IMG_2770.JPG" /></a><br />Brian Lynch asked me if the hype is real, and it is. So Sooo good. were going through a section of Louisiana that has a good mix of southern style home cooking and Cajun kitchen style cooking. MMMmmm. so yeah. those pictures are of the lunch Vanessa and I ate yesterday. </div><div> We spoke about headed north off our original route to take the Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez Mississippi - Nashville, Tn. </div><div> Pretty sure we aren't going to do this. There is some really Terrible weather going on right now north of us in northern Alabama,Mississippi and Tennessee. So we really aren't in a rush to get up there. </div><div> With the Oil spills in the gulf right now that is completely out of control. and Tornado's with flooding and other terrible stuff going on to the north of us. We're in wild spot. A safe spot but wild. </div><div> Right now it is 94% humidity outside. with a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. but supposed to clear up tomorrow. </div><div> </div><div> From here we continue east and a bit further south to Mobil, Alabama then north up through Alabama, following the "underground railroad Route" thanks to Adventure cycling Association. If the weather stays this way, or maybe just for the heck of it we may take a train ride from a spot in mid Alabama to a spot in Virginia, Taking a chunk of riding out but overall saving us $ time and possibly our lives. The foot of rain Tenn. has gotten over the past 24 hours dosen't sound very exciting.</div><div> </div><div> So for now here we are. Im sure our next week or so of riding will provide us with wet weather, hot humid weather, and probably a lot of roadside frogs. The stereotypes are real. They are everywhere down here.</div><div> This trip continues to surprise and inspire us. We miss our san diego friends very much, NY family and friends as well, but really SD because we both know we wont be seeing those people anytime soon. Hope you are all well. Love and miss you. Thank you for everything. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>With best regards to everyone from coast to coast</div><div>NobadDays from Louisiana!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>RossMunroehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769501901118159320noreply@blogger.com0