Coast to Coast

So after many obstacles and second guessing of whether this trip was monetarily and physically possible, we have completed our first leg. We rode across (actually zig zag) across the US from San Francisco to Washington D.C.

It took us two weeks to get the bikes from San Fran to Baltimore.  For some reason, in our heads, we saw ourselves putting in 14-hour riding days and crossing the States in a week.  In reality...that two week crossing left us both beat down.  I forgot about that uptight feeling in my shoulders that never goes away during long rides. We first rode through Reno and then spent a night on the border of Utah/Nevada in some really crappy version of Vegas called Wiederhoven or something. Some lights like Vegas, but no food or party to be found. We tested out our gear in these first days with 32F / 0C weather. It was cold and a rough way to start, but everything held up well and I think we could make it through some harsh conditions. This is good as we are going to Sweden next.

We continued on and stayed a few days with my dear grandmother and she cooked up some delicious food for my birthday. We headed south east through the Rockies, dipping our feet in Colorado, then New mexico.

We started to finally get a bit warmer and eventually got to Houston to meet up with Nate's dad,  but not before making a small purchase at the drive through liquor store. Don't worry not while on the bike.

Heading out of Houston Nate noticed a slight feeling in the eye. No big deal.....right. As we pull in to New Orleans Nate's eye is getting worse, almost to the point he can't ride anymore. We think its pink eye. Eventually, after waking up to some serious pain, he is convinced to go to the hospital. After getting turned away at a few places, he finally finds an urgent care. 7 hours later and he gets to see the doctor. He doesn't even look at the eye and says it pink eye, here is some cream. The next day is persisting pain. I merely glance at Nate's eye and notice a black spot. We proceed to take masking tape and try to sweep it out with the sticky side in the middle of a restaurant.

We were definitely the main form of entertainment. I convince Nate to find a walk-in ophthalmologist. Within moments the doctor exclaims that is the biggest rock I ever seen in somebodies eye...how long has this been in your eye?

Some relaxation and fun did us some good in the big easy and we head on our way to Baltimore to ship the bikes.

 So we just put the bikes on a ship sailing for Sweden and now we've got 2 weeks to relax before we fly over to meet them.  The ride from northern Alabama to Virginia was stunning.  I didn't realize it was so nice out there.  Might just end up a redneck after all (Nate)...

To do a little sight seeing before flying off to Europe we bussed up to Boston to hang out with some friends, and then headed down to he Big Apple to see the Occupy Wall Street movement in lower Manhattan.  Zuccotti Park...or as I liked to call it Zuccotti Zoo... was where the protesters where camped out.  It was like some third-world summer camp.  Tents crowding all over the place.  People sprawled out everywhere.  Everyone lined up at the local McDonald's bathroom because that was the only one in sight.  We'd wake up every morning to the sweet sound of police and protesters clashing.  Funny thing was they were offering REALLY good free food at the camp.  Compliments of donators I guess.  We camped out there a few days and then caught our flight out to Stockholm, Sweden to meet up with the bikes.