I'll try to be quick, and will follow up what I'm saying with pictures. Do not skip ahead to the pictures; they are to reward you for reading. (jay kay, my friends, jay kay).
We beelined from Raleigh to Virginia Beach on Wednesday, making it just in time to set up camp after the ranger station had closed. We finally had the oppurtunity to use all of the camping supplies we had been carting around! We set up camp, gathered a heap of wood to warm our hearts, then set out to see the ocean before sundown.
We had a dinner of roasted smart dogs, peppers, and onions on cabbage. it was the best!
The next morning, we woke up and took our tent down before the ranger station was manned again. This left us a large amount of time to explore the beach.
Through an act of the wills that be, it was eighty degrees AND there was free coffee at starbucks. We drank up, bought some gifts for our families, and spent the rest of the day walking the shore. The Atlantic Ocean is a cold place to die, but a nice place to dip your feet into and then run away from in search of hot sand. I know the latter from experience.
We were unsure of where to stay for the night and decided to splurge on a hotel. It turned out to be a really good idea! The snow storms that took out part of the northeast edged over Virginia Beach while we slept, and we awoke to temperatures (that i estimate) were below thirty.
It was cold, so we drove to Richmond, Va a night early and were welcomed into the home of one very gracious woman named Allison, who offered us her fold-out chouch for the night. Needless to say, we gladly accepted. We even got to meet some of Allison's friends, all of whom wailed serious ass.
The next morning (this is Saturday), we boarded a seven thirty a.m. bus to Washington D.C. for the peace march. An estimated 10,000 people showed, but many left after the march due to the blistering cold. (For more information about the march, look here.
We were hoping to get a little of our tourist on before the march began, but found every monument to be surrounded by proponents for the war. Not surprisingly, the people that will support killing people they can't see will also (passionately) harrass people they don't agree with. Marshall and i took many insults with a smile and a peace sign (hey, i don't care). We also took a few - among the classics being, "where's your rainbow flag, faggot?" and "i fought in a war so that you could be an asshole" - with a good amount of privately shared sarcasm. Wooooooooo, protest!
We returned to Richmond without a definite place to stay for the night, and spent a few hours in the car debating sleep or travel before Allison again opened her home to us. Richmond is a little scary, but Allison is its beacon of hope. At least, as far as i'm concerned.
We drove from Richmond to NYC yesterday. (A word of caution to those who wish to do the same - There are tolls! Many tolls!) We found Meggie's place and brought up all of our stuff, and slept a good night's sleep.
Seeing Malcolm is a relief. I've been wishing that I could somehow stop by Oklahoma for a moment, and this is the next best thing, for sure! Malcolm parked the car for us until Thursday, but we would like to stay here long enough to see Ed - which means at least until the weekend.
I left my camera in the car, so there may not be that many pictures of the 'big apple'. Just believe that it is totally awesome and only for people who are ready to walk. Be ready!
Here is your payment -
this is the ledge we slept on in Raleigh. Neither of us is a sleepwalker.
Campsite!
Fire pit!
Ocean!
Statue in VB.
Sandcastle we built : )
There are photos of the march, but they are with the camera .... sigh.
We just turned the TV to democracy now and the march was being broadcast!!!! That is so cool. Boooo bush!
p.s. all travellers will benefit by bringing their bikes with them. bikes are the best!
Safe travels,
Jeanie
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