Wednesday, June 15, 2011

"To Begin at the Beginning"

If there's anything I've learned from having a loving family and friends who would do anything for you, it's that they're very difficult to leave. Of course I've learned other things from them like treating others with kindness and how to tie my shoes. Watching my family and best friend as I rode from my driveway was pretty painful, but there was no way around it. The first day was ahead of me. They know as well as I that we love each other, and that I'll visit as often as I can. As for now, there's just the road beneath my wheels.



The first day I rode one of the steepest hills I've ever experienced. It was about a mile long, and before I even turned the corner I knew it wasn't going to be friendly. Eventually, huffing and puffing, I made it to the top. Not exactly how I imagined spending my first day, but I guess I should have figured. A few miles down the road I was supposed to turn onto a road which ended up being blocked due to construction, so I found a way around. Unfortunately, that was the first of many detours I'd be seeing on day one. Back on the road I made it to a path into Peace Valley, which had some bike trails running around a small body of water. That's where I met Penny! A very nice lady who was watching frogs and snakes from the bridge. I didn't catch the name of the other lady who actually started the conversation. I adjusted her saddle and we rode a bit together along the trail. Penny you can definitely bike 20 miles! I believe in you! After that I rode until I found another "road closed" sign. The bridge was out. Seeing as my haphazard directions only have certain roads (and I'm finding that many of them don't exist) I didn't have an alternate route. I turned around and rode for a few miles until I found something that resembled what I thought I should be riding, so I took it. Luckily, it was the right move. A few more roads had different signs, if any at all. A bit after lunchtime I found myself 15 miles out of the way in a town I wasn't expecting to pass through. I found a park ranger station near the entrance to a trailhead, and spoke to Ranger Jess. She was really nice and pointed me in the direction of the trail so I could ride south. On the trail I met a couple who stopped me and asked about my trip. They were very excited when I told them I was going to California. I saw many more roads without signs but eventually I made it to the top of this hill where I could see the nuclear power plant in Pottstown, PA, which was my destination. So after riding several miles out of the way, I was at least now heading in the right direction. The last 15 miles were brutal, as I saw several uphill climbs which seemed to hold hands with several more. My friend Emily's house was pretty much on top of a mountain, or so it seemed after riding almost 70 miles. The driveway was unbelievably steep and hardly rideable. It was basically like scaling a wall. Dismounting, I discovered that the bike is much harder to push than I thought. Maybe that, too, was because it was the end of a long day. Her mom was so sweet and offered me plenty of fruit to recharge. Emily's place felt nostalgic in a way like the house of an old friend you haven't visited in a long time. It's true, I haven't seen her in a long time but I've never been to her house. We cooked dinner, chatted, relaxed with Gracie and Spookems, and failed putting a playlist she made me on my mp3 player.



Leaving the next morning was tough, once again, due to the love I have for my friends. She's an adventurer. I'll see her again soon. I rode to the middle of the town of Pottstown to meet up with Jamie, my almost CouchSurfing host. He offered to cook me vegan breakfast! So awesome. I told him I had breakfast covered, but he said he'd ride with me part of the way towards Hershey. Jamie has been vegan for 11 years, and is originally from Scotland. We had some great conversation during the ride, which was all on the Schuylkill River Trail. He rode with me from Pottstown to Reading, where we promptly took a photo op and parted ways. Hope our paths cross again soon, my friend. I found my own way through Reading, eventually making it to 422 West. This road, although somewhat busy, is actually a decent cycling road. There is a shoulder on most of it and a Sheetz! Of course I stopped for a "bucket of fryz" and ate outside in the shade. 422 is also fairly flat, so no big hills to worry about. Then I turned onto a road which was only a hill. I think it was actually called Hill Rd. On top of Hill Rd I saw the vast farmland Pennsylvania hides between its mountains. It's pretty amazing out here, especially on a bicycle. The hills weren't too hefty today, but the headwind was all over me. I raced a tractor for a little while, but he thought it best he tend to his crops. I made it to my friend Hannah's place to find that her family cooked a vegan dinner! Her mom, Melody, and dad, Dan, are some of the sweetest and conversational people I've met. They're excited about travel and life the way I am, so it was easy to get along with them. It's obvious they have a loving family, which of course makes me think of mine. We ate, had great conversation, and vegan chocolate cake for dessert! Seriously, great people. Hannah and I are about to go to Hershey Park for the last half hour during free entry! Hope we get on a roller coaster!

15 comments:

  1. Just found you finally posted. Sounds like you are really going to enjoy yourself with some great people too!!
    Miss you! Be safe always.
    Love you Babe!!

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  2. Hope you got that roller coaster ride!!

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  3. Hi Sean this is a test posting

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  4. that first paragraph made me tear up. so many things reminded me of you today. xo

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  5. Oh I can tell this is going to be a fun journey for you and for all of us following you! Glad you met new friends and hooked up with old friends. thank you for my early morning fun read! Sean you are awesome and this is an adventure I will enjoy through you!!
    Love, HUGS and easy hills for you from Aunt Veronica

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  6. Hey Sean- It's Jodi (I can't figure out how to take Grants name out and we have this account from when we did our roadtrip!) Anyway, great to hear that your trip is running *somewhat* smoothly. :) Can't wait to hear more! Miss you buddy!

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  7. OMG I am so jealous this sounds better than I could imagine!! You are meeting such great people and sounds like everyone is so gracious. Keep up the posts they really are enjoyable! You might even think about changing your occupation from acting to writing! You write really captivating. I don't know if you ever saw Marley and me but if you didn't you should because the owner of Marley is a writer for a newspaper and he wrote just like you!
    PS you might want to get that vegan chocolate cake recipe for your MOM!! LOL... until your next post..................

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  8. Hey Sean, you do not know me but I went to Perkiomen with your Dad. I wanted to let you know I think this is an AWESOME adventure. I anm looking forward to future posts and hope that you enjoy the ride (safely).

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  9. Hi Sean - I also am testing this post. I have tried 4 times so far and nothing. Hopefully this time it'll work.

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  10. SUCCESS!!! It worked.

    I just wanted to get in touch to say that it will be fun to follow your trip across the country. It'll be like we're with you except without the exhaustion. Anyway, I wish you all the best, lots of fun, and success in your future endeavours. You have grown into such a fine young man, and I am so proud to know you. I admire you for living life to its fullest and undertaking this adventure.

    Stay safe, and REMEMBER TO CALL YOUR MOTHER AT LEAST 3X per day!!!!!

    Love you- "Aunt Emmy"

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  11. miss ya buddy!!! be safe and have fun :-) can't wait to follow your journey on this blog thing...follow your heart!

    <3 mickeyyyyyyy

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  12. Hi Sean!! Im glad you finally made a post! Sounds like your having a great time (aside from the rainy day)! Hopefully you remembered your depends LOL :)

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  13. Hi Babe! Glad you got a dry place to stay. Think about you all the time. Miss you but soooo happy you are following your dream!
    Love ya!!

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  14. Hi son, Every time you call me or text me, I am so happy to be able to help you out of a jam or at least help you work through an "issue". If you need anything, please dont hesitate to call me or mom. You and Ryan mean the world to us and we are so gifted to having enjoyed watching you two grow to responsible adults. All you have to do is call. Love you, Sean.

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