8/6 ----- 9 Days!

DC is looming and I can't be happier. The trip has been everything I expected and so much more. I have become great friends with many of the people on this trip and I can't wait to visit each others chapters in the years following this journey. But for now, I'm ready to get out of this exhausting routine and for once not have my entire day so planned out.



On that note, here are a few more journal entries...



Livingston to Tuscaloosa


The ride today was short and felt very good. We arrived at the Arc of Tuscaloosa where we had a great lunch/dance party. From there we departed to the Pi Kapps house at the University of Alabama which was absolutely enormous. It is a very longstanding chapter that is already up to initiation numbers in the 1500’s. Currently, they have about 130 actives and in the house almost all of the rooms are singles. The guys were southern fratty for sure: All of them were wearing polos, short khaki shorts, and loafers. We then departed for lodging, a freshman dorm. Later we headed to dinner at the University Club, which by far was the highest-class meal we have had so far (Tilapia, Sautéed Steak and Mushrooms, and an interesting type of Pineapple Cake were the highlights). To celebrate my birthday, I and a few teammates headed to one of their step-brothers who lived in the city and hung-out. The night ended late, but it was a good break from the same-old, same-old routine.



Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, AL


Today I decided to take it rather easy. Spencer Smith and I swept at a relaxed pace for the 45 mile ride. We managed to get the group red-flagged 2 times (one was our fault and one wasn’t). The arrival was at the Exceptional Foundation whose specific mission is to provide its clients with a place to have fun, something that is often lacking in their lives. After heading to lodging at the University of Alabama in Birmingham for a break we headed to a Softball game. Every batter hit a home run and we managed to get everyone involved in the game. Alabama has been great to us so far, but we can’t wait to get to Georgia and start making some northern progress.



Birmingham to Jacksons Gap


The trip from Birmingham to Jacksons Gap is a designated “team rack” day. It is the only off day of the trip that we actually make progress (remember it has been since Dallas that we had a day off). We arrived at Camp Ascca around noon. This camp services a different disability every week throughout the year from Diabetes to Hemophilia to mental disorders. Their facility takes up 240 acres and has frontage on a lake, an extensive ropes course, a fully functional farm and stables, and numerous other activities. Unfortunately, there were no campers there on the weekend so we just got a tour of the empty facility. That night, we watched Armageddon which had been a long time coming. The past month or so, quotes from the movie had been rampant in the pace lines and efforts to acquire the movie had been unsuccessful. After the movie, it was sleep time getting ready for the longest ride left on the trip.



Jacksons Gap to Carrollton


The ride from Jacksons Gap to Carrollton was one of the longest remaining days on the trip if not the longest. It was hilly, hot and lengthy. We arrived after the ride at the Pi Kapps house (West Georgia) and they had about 35 people waiting there for us which was fantastic. This has been the greatest turnout at a chapter that we have experienced so far. Dinner was at the Arc of Carrollton where we only met a few persons with disabilities but still had a great time and enjoyed the Italian meal for a change (it’s been since Nevada!). Finally crossing into Georgia was the highlight of the day and we can’t wait to make it to Atlanta tomorrow!