This image was taken by www.photoboudreau.com

Monday, April 28, 2008

Ceazar's Head

on top


what better way to blast off after an extended break than to climb Cesar's head mountain. My rig has changed. Thanks to friends and hosts Brett and Suzanna. Brett was the mastermind behind the pannier guitar case combo, and the sole designer of the waterproof cover. My friend Andrew and I, helpers in the invention. What a change to have all the weight on the bike. Good timing considering I haven't hit any true mtns yet.




Sunday, April 27, 2008

climbing is cleansing



I had the opportunity to be a part of an outdoor adventure day as a volunteer for hundreds of boy scouts and a few girl scouts. My first time climbing a man made wall. They all hiked a mountain, then came back and participated in different activities. These kids were amazing, and each I got to witness before their climb, during, and after. This was the end of my extended south Carolina stay, and what better way to set off for flying high.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Lake Jo

Camp spot, up high on a bank


check out this pair


me and the dagger


Stunning views

Kayaking on Lake Jocassee. She was calm and clear, visibility was at least 30 ft that day. As the storm picked up she got rugged and moody. What a fun adventure. The camp spot was so sweet, tucked way back in the woods., left no trace. I went with a friend, so we could get the kayaks high up off the shores. Beach fire at night, gorgeous sun set.


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

regrouping in style

A night around a camp fire with a family

Kid's are Tuning a guitar
check out this sweet sign they are making for the front of the guitar case
Jody and Tennessee, the horses I stayed with






I like this ol building

Here visiting some friends and getting up follow up care from medical professionals, ugh. I am surely have a great time though! I am staying with calming people in a secluded log cabin style home. They even have horses! Also spending a lot of time playing with kids! (my friend's nieces and nephews)! These children sure now how to make me laugh!




Lawyers doctors lawyers. halt trip tour wait - I'm not gonna give up


Spent a while in this area with my friends, thinking, planning, believing...
look at this sincerity
How could you think anything but success
and happiness in motion
Thanks Kids!

Friday, April 18, 2008

the begining of the carolina's south port


Welcome to Southport, SC
At the River View Inn, where I met a very special Inn Keeper and artist, Lisal. Thank you for the sponership and time spent in Meezie's room. It was an unforgettable stay. The Inn was an enchanted wonderland. Along with being a fabulous Inn Keeper, Lisal is a writer/poet that has truly inspired me. It is great for strangers to connect on such an interesting level, we exchanged dreams, her book, Dark Matter and my CD. What an excellent concept. The show is tomorrow night, house party, can't wait!


My friends home / location of the house concert the night before.
The concert went well, thanks to Ken with Circle Entertainment for getting it together.

after party jam session with extreme talent-
the gentleman playing the lyn is interested in doing a bike tour.
















Monday, April 14, 2008

This history of Charleston


Hey, check out thees guys! charleston was a hoot, thanks to the gentleman all the way to left. and, well

the one all the way to the right won the raffle prize of the night, a jamis explorer hybrid city bicycle, and then donated it back to charleston moves! he also is a touring cyclist, and hosted me in his downtown home after the show. Thanks Don!

The middle friend is Brad. He and lovely wife hosted me my first evening of being in the city, we had a delisious vegan meel and I felt very peaceful in their home. Thanks!



the home team bbq stage


what a neat show - raised 370 somethin U.S> dollars for an organization called charleston moves


Don escorting me out of Charleston on the new bridge with a very luxurious bike path. Charleston Moves played a huge part in getting this path included.
the road with no shoulder, and so much to see

so i am sitting at a coffee shop heading out of Charleston this morning when a man approached me, "you need to update your blog" then graciously allowed me to use his mac to post my first entry of the journey. I'm 834 miles in. It 's been an unreal experience. If you ever had a doubt on humanity, you should consider taking a trip, by bicycle or ped to unknown places. I have met amazing people, that were kind and dear, generous and encouraging. thanks for that. the music shows are lots of fun, and I am spreading the word about getting involved, bringing together communities and bike awareness and safety. I am spreading the word about freedom and letting go of fear.



fighting for freedom
pushing over 1,000 pounds, these adventurers I met along rt 17
more on this later...









Thursday, April 10, 2008

oh the trees of Savannah




me and Patrick having coffee





a home full of home


Savannah was an interesting town. I felt unsure about it. I went in and went down town. I felt a lot that day and looked forward to getting safe and being alone. I searched for sleeping options and stumbled across a music store. I really needed a new guitar case, as mine had got wet, and the guitar was also wet in turn starting to warp. It had been a few days in rain on and off, I felt most of my gear was damp. I went into the shop in a tiz, and a man saw this and asked me what he could help with. I explained, he helped. I bought a new case and finally took the guitar away from the wet cardboard and into the dry case. he tightened my fret board. Check... one more thing i really needed to do. Then he walked outside with me to see my rig. The CEO of the store came out and spoke with me for a breif minute then was on his phone, "ok, ok yeah, all right see you later" , "where are you staying?" "well i'm not quite sure yet acutually, i was just getting into town" , "stay with us, my wife is home and we have an extra room and bath, go print her the directions from mapquest" and he was off. wow, i find myself in a new and lucky situation. I got a map to his home. The way there was so wild, and houses become further apart and flowers were bountiful. Then a sign, the isle of hope. Couldn't have been more fitting.

He and his wife were Canadian, and free thinkers. I really enjoyed my stay with them. Her home is one I dreamed would someday be mine. Everything was full of life, I love it. On the counter sat a sugar dish, the exact same one my grandmother had. Inside was brown sugar, the only thing she ever kept in it.




The next day while shopping in publix, I met Farmer D. He approached me and asked "is that your rig out there?" I told him about my trip and my mission, and my show that night at the Guitar Bar. He asked, "where are you staying?" at the time i was going to head into down town again and scope out the location. "i'm not sure, somewhere down town" "well if you need a place i've got a spare room and bath downtown" this was perfect. so he gave me directions, and I met up with him later. He is an organic farmer, sucessful in his youth. That night he brought friends to the gig, and was very helpful and supportive. the show... lot's of smoke billowed into the bar room setting, and as for equiptment? Mic seemed blown at best and I couldn't even plug the guitar in. well, I guess it's not about that. After the show, a man walked up to me and slipped me this note. Before I could really understand what just happened I tucked away safely, then remembered meeting this friend at the park earlier that day. But it didn't matter that I was putting these things together in my mind, because he had all ready left. Soon after I had to read it, and it read:

Rachel, If you reach one person than you've changed the world. Your voice is amazing. Good luck on your journey.
-######
(guy who played for you in the park)

Sunday, April 6, 2008

the show - Gainesville

the kickstand! the afterparty
very talented group!


After all this time in Gainesville, I'm now heading out. The show was great @ The kickstand.org. The night before I checked out the location a red brick establishment that was all the way to one side of main street. I got to the show early and met Gabe. My friend the Chiropractor, Dave, also showed up and they took me to lunch. Dave I met a few days before outside a music store where I desperately needed to replace my wet cardboard case for a plastic one, but didn't.He offered me a free session and helped stretch some of my problem areas. I also scored a shower at the gym he worked at, what an excellent resource. Gabe and Dave were both cyclists, and knew each other from working together at a local bike shop.

Now Gabe worked for Mr. Goodbike. Later before the show, he generously brought back lots of gear for me. I had literally had over a dozen flats so far, just on the few miles I have road. He suggested I get thicker tires and proceeded to go out and get them for me, along with tubes, and patch kits! wow! I wasn't sure what to say. Then he even put them on the bike. I felt it was a huge gesture of kindness and generosity on his part, and I really really needed the stuff. Thanks Gabe!

The show was great, I was a little nervous, and I felt I was overfull. There are even more stories of Gainesville, but I'll have to go on another time. Lets say, it was a great stop. After the show some of the other musicians invited me to an after party, what a neat group of individuals. I feel lucky to have met them, and encouraged by their jam session!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Gaining knowledge in Gainesville




What a trip. I had extra time in Gainesville. I skipped the west coast when I realized some health issues and planned on getting care in Gainesville. So here I was. I really liked the town, but the cyclists were mad. Lots of college kids speeding through the streets and mainly sidewalks. Mostly all were going the wrong way with no helmets. Funny thing about this town was the beautiful bike lanes all over the city, except for the downtown area. I hardly ever saw a biker in them. Mostly they crowded side walks. Pedestrians seemed intimidated. It was a light hearted city. I enjoyed it. I tried getting seen by a doctor, but as I have found with almost every place I've called, no one wants to see you based on a letter from your lawyer and an insurrance claim number. I felt so frustrated, again. There is a war going on in healthcare. I still don't want to think about how it enrages me. I feel interupted, in my travels. How could I be following all the laws and be struck by a drunk driver with insurance and not be able to get health care. I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be walking, to be alive, to be on this trip. And all the people I have met, how they have helped me, healed me. Today my back is ok, and I am ok, well better than sitting in a cafe drinking coffee.
Where I stayed:Sleep Inn HotelChurchWarm showers.org friendfriend's brother's house

Wanna know where I'm performing next?


Rachel%20VanSlyke
Quantcast


Rachel%20VanSlyke
Quantcast