Picture Collection

Hey All
another little change to the site.....the link i had posted a few days ago I added to the sidebar to the left under "picture collections"....check it out....more to come

Created another site for a collection of our pictures. Check it out by clicking this link www.movingjourneypics.blogspot.com

Cajun Hospitality

A great deal has happneed since the last time that I posted although it was merely three short nights ago. Since camping and driving is not the most condusive for finding "good" internet hubs the posts may be covering numerous experiences.

Picking up and leaving May 25th from meridian was the start of a journey which has already been a learning experience. Everything I am exposed to from when I wake up till I go to sleep is new. My brain almost forgets to take everything in because there is so much out there to see. From the new experience with fire ants in Meridian to eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans the trip has been a real journey.

Since the spontaneous meeting with Chrissy (whom i had heard about from Brenda in PA), Meghan, Lindsay, and Rafa in Jackson we have headed south. Heading towards the Natchez Trace (a scenic road south) we were anticipating riding a good portion of it by bike, but our plans changed when the road turned out to have no shoulder and therefore didn't lend itself to biking. Instead we found a bike trail winding around a resevoir and went for a 28 mile ride. Although we weren't able to bike the "Trace" finding another place to bike didn't prove difficult which bodes well for finding more places to ride later in the trip hopefully.

Continuing south we broke in the new tent at Lake Lincoln State Park. Was really hot which isn't super condusive for camping but the scenery was nice and we got a good deal of sleep.

Yesterday we then made our way to the wonderfully colorful city of New Orleans. New Orleans is really a city of contrasts. You have the quiet shops, the huge casino, the giant houses, and the small houses abandoned after the storm. It seems that for every amazing site there is an equally sobering one. But, in the sobering parts of the city there lies hope. After eating beignets, walking the city, and listening to some amazing jazz we ran into a small new orleans music festival. the people who were at the festival were the "real" people of the city, locals who stuck through the tradgedy. With the backdrop of abandoned houses they sang and danced with a goal of raising money to one day bring the city back to what it can be. This hope was a lift for me especially after hearing of the earthquake in Indonesia. Destruction and rebuilding is a cycle which for many people in the world is reality. As a traveler it is hard to see this but i believe hope can prevail.

Leaving New Orleans I had the distinct honor of meeting Nate's friend Bubba who lives South of the city. I was treated to some real Cajun hospitality as well as some authentic Louisiana Shrimp Gumbo....which was incredible.

Today......moving on into Texas......

Mississippi Blues Pixs

Mississippi Blues

A short post tonight since it is 2:15 here in Mississippi. First stop on the tour across the country was in Jackson Mississippi. Leaving Nate's home in Meridian we headed west to meet a friend of a friend Chrissy (Brenda's friend). She led us to an amazing Blues club where we listened to some incredible southern blues.

A great day of training biked from Harleysville PA to Elizabethtown PA. Plenty more long rides to come.

Itinerary

Today is the last full day before embarking on a journey which will probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have felt an amazing response from the community leading up to this trip and I am very excited about what the next few months bring. Again won't have as much time as I would like to post a journal today because I have so many things to accomplish before leaving tomorrow. I did want to post the itinerary for the first portion of the trip which me and Nate will be taking. These dates are all tentative right now and a new update may come at any time but these are the places we will be staying for date given. If anyone will be in the areas listed near the times listed get in contact with myself or nate maust and we would love to connect. To contact me email at fjgody@gmail.com

Tuesday 5/23 - Wed. 5/24: Travel to Meridian Mississippi to meet Nate
Wed 5/24 - Thur. 5/25: Tour Meridian
Fri 5/26 - Sat. 5/27: Visit a friend of Nate's in New Orleans
Sun 5/28: Houston, Texas
Mon 5/29 - Wed 5/31: Austin, Texas
Thur. 6/1: El Paso, Texas
Friday 6/2 - Sat 6/17: Arizona, Nevada, Los Angeles
Sun 6/18 - Sun 7/9: Oregon
Mon 7/10 - Fri 8/25: Biking back across the country (for info and schedule check bikemovement)

changes

just added a new link to the site here.....bikemovement.org can be accessed on the sidebar. this site details the trip which me and nate will be taking the second half of the summer. riding bike across the country will be a blast so you should all get involved. the details are on the website, but you can ride with us, keep in touch with us on the interactive discussion boards, or help donate money or supplies. well back to work....

beggining the journey

well if there was a countdown it would be nearing the end. in less than five days i will be boarding a train bound for the great state of mississippi to meet up with nathan maust. from there we will begin what will be a seven or eight week road trip out west. i will soon post an updated itinerary for the entire trip. to be updated.... ciao