Coast2Coast Episode #21 - First Hell... Then High Water

I'm trying not to hurt myself before the trip. So rather than skateboarding at the skatepark, I decided to just hit up a quick 5 minute session across the street in the parking lot. Just a couple of grinds on the parking block. Of course, my feet slipped out from underneath me and ended up falling backwards landing with the parking block directly across my lower back. I'm lucky I'm not in a wheel chair. I managed to scrape my arm up pretty good too. I'm such a dumb ass...

I'm done skateboarding until I return from the trip.

Speaking of the trip. The first day is going to be hell. Literally. It's predicted to be 103 to 107 degrees across the desert to Phoenix.

A small news update on the Karting. Looks like Pierce is going in for shoulder surgery Thursday, so I might be the fastest man on track simply by default... as I'll be the only guy on track! Hopefully he'll be able to race. I'm dying to have a go.

I've been calling Pierce and shit talking about how I'm going to beat him at his home track. He returned the favor with a subtle "Since it's your first time here it wouldn't be a fair race... maybe you should do the course then we'll race at a later date."

He's calling me out guys! He's claiming I'm going to get smoked because he's got the local knowledge. Dude.

Duuuuuuuude.

I'm starting to feel like this is becoming The Highlander. "There can be only one."

OK, on to the rest of the trip.

I have 4 days of riding planned in and around the vicinity of Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, those states are currently underwater. They've been having floods of biblical proportions. Tack onto that some scheduling issues and it looks like I may not get a chance to see Timur on the way out. Maybe on the way back.

Timur is a great guy. He was one of my best friends from 5th through 8th grade. I saw him occasionally during high school, be we've really lost touch for the better part of 20 years now. I had planned on stopping into Madison where he lives because that was right on my route. But now with the flooding I think it might be wiser choice to head far far north into Canada and make an effort to see him on the return trip.

Keep your fingers crossed.

I'm heading downstairs to wash and fuel the bike. I'll pack the panniers tonight. Then I'm pretty much ready to go.

...but the waiting is the hardest part.