Sorry for the delay, time flies

Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Demo is dirty.

On this fabulous "build day" we were actually doing demo, which is a great way to get out any frustration! I got to weild a hammer and crowbar (even a sledgehammer at one point until I got to weak to swing it) and put a beating on walls, trim and the ceiling until it came crashing down. It was really fun, and everyone got really, REALLY dirty so showers that night felt especially good. I have also learned that hose showers are not that bad and I have actually opted out of a regular one in favor of a hose a few times. When you are as hot as we get there is nothing better than ice cold water to cool you off. Anyway, the demo got a little intersting as we progressed, because we uncovered rat nests in the walls, a dead rat, and many roaches came out to greet us as well. A number of them decided to fall on my friend Jessica's head as she took down a window which was none too pleasing, but she was a trooper and laughed it off. Its really sad that someone was living in those conditions with kids, so it felt great to get rid of all the gross stuff and get it ready to build a wonderful new home for Anette and her kids- their picture is on my last post. She is a really bubbly woman who was so grateful and excited about having us help her out, so we were all really happy that we had a chance to meet her. Here are some pics:

Taking the ceiling with lead paint down

Ripping down a wall!!

Friday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Tire dipping is easier said than done.

Turns out that most of Charleson is on a harbor, meaning there are many beautiful lookout areas to see the water, but not so many to actually dip your tire into...we did find a place that we could climb down too, but it was really messy and muddy and one girl popped a tire on a sharp shell. So we literally dipped our tires, washed off in a fountain, and then had a scenic pic of us all lined up with the water behind us. Enjoy these lovely photos...

The actual dipping after much climbing

Cleaning off...

And the good photo op! Santa Cruz or bust.

I'm ready.

Saturday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Laundry and hospital visits take a ton of time.
I have no pictures to exemplify this fact, but doing laundry for 32 people takes a ton of time, and although I don't actually have to do it I did have the drive the van with the "chore group" on this night. On top of that, a rider of ours had a mysterious ailment so off to the hospital we go! Mark one up for the first hospital visit...turns out he has staph infection, which can really spread to the whole group so we're a little nervous, and really trying to be careful and extra sanitary. Keep your fingers crossed that is doesn't spread to all of us!!

Sunday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Driving the van is bbboooorrriiinnnggg....
The highlight is me getting to honk and wake when I pass riders, but when that is done its just back to boring. I did have to go on a rescue mission to pick up a rider that was becoming physically ill on the side of the rode (FYI she is feeling much better and it seems to be a combo of a small bug and some getting use to the physical nature of our trip). I would much rather be out exploring with the riders but I'll live. The good new is that I seem to be okay at driving the 15 passenger van with the trailer! I even had to do a three point turn and it only took me three tries :)

Have to run, everyone keep my sister and her husband in their thoughts and prayers, the little one is due TOMORROW!!! Ahhh, I can't wait, and I think she is getting a little antsy too :)

Miss everyone!

It has begun!

Leader orientation is over, and rider orientation is in progress! It has been a very interesting few days, and already I feel like I know my leaders so well and I'm getting to know all the riders slowly but surely...the group of leaders is awesome and I think we make a pretty good team. Jake is from Portland, Kelsey is from Iowa and Ben is from Colorado. We pretty much have everything worked out for the trip, obviously with a couple kinks but nothing has gone horribly wrong so far! We have painted the trailer, gone on a 25 mile "Shake Down" ride where we double check that everyone knows now to ride safely and done a ton of policy and procedure talking...which can get a little boring. I'm sure the riders are sick of listening to the leaders yap on and on but its necessary stuff to make sure we all make it safe and sound to Santa Cruz. Time is tight today, so here are a few pics!! I'm off to enjoy some southern BBQ courtesy of a bike lawyer we befriended in Charleston! People here are great, and its a really cool city. A great starting off point.

p.s. Thanks to my mom and dad who drove me all the way to South Carolina! They are the best.
p.p.s. No baby for my sister and her husband yet, I'm getting antsy as I'm sure they are.

Oh, also I have decided that since I'm going to be learning a ton this summer about biking, my riders, affordable housing, and the areas we pass through that I am going to start posting a "Lesson of the Day". So here goes:

LESSON OF THE DAY: The sound of 32 people all clipping into their pedals at the same time is awesome.


This is a really cool bridge we rode over on the Shakedown Ride

We have officially taken over the church's nursery we bikes.

Trailer painting!

The family we're building for on Thursday

Me and my fellow leader Kelsey before the Shakedown Ride

SC2SC 2009!!!

Miss you all :)

Go Time

Well, it seems to have snuck up on me, but its here! I am waiting right now at Mike and Maria's for my mom and dad to arrive, and so begins the road trip to Charleston. My fellow leaders are on their way right now too, and tomorrow night we'll be in South Carolina ready to have a busy couple days of leader orientation before the riders get there. We'll be doing all the cue sheets (turn by turn directions of every day of riding) and learn how to drive that lovely 15-passenger van with the trailer...yikes. For someone who's daily transportation is a train, that portion is bound to be a little interesting!

Somehow, before the trip even started, I have injured myself. Shoot. I'm stuck wearing this lovely accessory:




Apparently my training has resulted in me injuring a tunnel for ligaments in my hand (like the carpel tunnel, but a smaller one on the outside of my hand, I can't remember the name). So hopefully with the annoying splint, aggressive icing, and some anti-inflammatories I should be like new in a few weeks. Unfortunately the best treatment is rest, i.e. no biking, but that is clearly and option I'm not willing to explore.

Here are some other pics:

My ride!

My apartment :)

So after some goodbye dinners with everyone I'm going to miss so much in Chicago, I think I'm finally ready to get this show on the road!

p.s Some people have been asking about mail drops so I added a section on the left explaining how they work and where/when they are. Thanks for your support everyone!