I thought a lot this summer about what made this trip so special, all the people and places I will remember and took photos of. I wondered why the random person I spoke with became such a great part of my day, worth sharing with all my friends. But how many times, on a day-to-day basis (in my 'normal life'), do I see people in that way? How many 'mundane' moments of my days do I find special and worth remembering? I should. I should see the people that I come in contact with as that incredible, even if only because they shaped my day, they are part of my journey for that moment. And although I probably won't be posting photos incessantly of all of them like I did this summer, I want to take this with me, this viewing of people around me as special and worthwhile.

And now, this new adventure.

Working and living on the grounds of Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. Working as an Outdoor Educator for Driftwood Education Center.

For those of you who tuned in to see the ride of a lifetime, thank you f0r coming along. The times I got comments from people I had never met, just to say that they were rooting for me - that meant the world to me. It made me feel like I was part of something so much bigger than just my decision to ride to Georgia. I don't know if you'll be back to check the blog, but do stop in every once in a while to say hello. If you have adventures or blogs of your own, please share!

To those of you who let me stay in your homes, especially those of you who had never even met me...your kindness and generosity, floored me. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you shared your lives with me and trusted me to return that kindness. Thank you for giving me food, water, a clean bed, a warm shower, and great conversation. You are the reason this trip could happen.

And to you, my friends and family, you are what kept me going with your calls and e-mails through this last few months. Thank you for always encouraging me, and for sharing my story with others in a way that I could never have done. You make me feel loved and special and I truly, truly am incredibly blessed by God to have you.

This next adventure is just beginning, so stay tuned for a tour of my new home (it's incredible, just warning you...), and of course all the photos from the staff training that starts on Tuesday and will last for two weeks. I'm going to be jumping up and down with excitement, about as mature as a 5th grader. I saw the nature center this morning and was almost giddy. WE HAVE ALLIGATORS!

love, love, love to you all. thanks for making this summer possible.


betsy

So, In Review

1 Vespa.
17 States.
5800 miles.
23 days.

Stayed with 19 different families.
Camped 4 times.
Took over 700 photos.
Drove through rain 6 times.
Ran out of gas once.
Rode at night once.
Nervous breakdown: once.
Weird looks: 4 million. And counting.

0 blown tires.
0 mechanical failures.
0 moments of fear caused by another person.
0 nights when I couldn't find a place to sleep.
0 days when I didn't learn something crucial about myself and God.
0 moments of regret.

From June 10 when my Surf girls arrived, to September 2 when I arrived in St. Simons....

BEST. SUMMER. EVER.

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Final thoughts and summary tomorrow! Now, I'm off to find my home.

Day 23

I finally made it to the Atlantic ocean.

I was so sweaty and tired and so overwhelmed. I just sat on the beach and looked at the ocean and marveled at how many people it took to get me here.

Truly, you and I. We did it.

Oh. My.

We did it!

South Carolina peaches.

In Georgia.

Where we sat and chatted.

Fruit Stand

On a whim I turned around to stop at a fruit stand I passed, to FINALLY eat a Georgia peach. Turns out, ironically enough, all the fruit was from South Carolina. But I met this wonderful couple who had me come sit on the bed of the truck, fed me all the free fruit I could handle, and hugged me when I left, telling me to come back soon to see them.

They also said, we have a son, too. "he's also single. And good looking". They were practically nudging me.

Then the husband got up to sell fruit and a lull in the conversation with his wife brought to my ears the sound of him (I kid you not) asking three different guys if they wanted a girlfriend! And pointing to me!

I left pretty quickly after that :)

But it really was such a nice stop.

In savannah, everything is built around these beautiful and historic squares. I didn't know this and when someone gave me directions to "go through the 3rd square", I looked at them like they were speaking Swahili.

Really cool rain spout in historic Savannah.

But poor Savannah didn't really have a fair chance. I meant to explore more but there were lots of people and it was SO HOT and I didn't want to leave all my stuff on my Vespa so I was dragging things around with me. Needless to say, I didn't walk too much.

And I got a $15 ticket for parking too long. Lame.

Last campsite!

I'm in Savannah this morning, waking up at Starbuck's, getting ready to do some exploring. (listening to Shakira because she makes me want to dance...don't judge me.)

And I'm actually really sad. I don't want to make this trip last any longer; it is time to be done. But I am still really sad.

Anyway, last drive today to St Simons, and finally, to see the beach!

Sigh.

You can't even see my tent, it is so camouflaged.

This is an inside shot of the hammock tent for mumsie. See? So roomy!

Take 2...or 22!

Day 22

Still haven't seen the beach!

Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA. Camping on Skidaway Island State Park.

Easy and short day of riding. Right around 100 miles.

I was going to stay 2 nights, but they don't have availability tomorrow night, and since it is going to be a MADHOUSE everywhere on this coast, what with Labor Day weekend, I'd just as soon be out of here and heading home.

Home. Can you believe it. I'll see my home tomorrow for the first time. I'll unpack my bags and park the ol Vesperini and my parents will breathe a sigh of relief so loud I'll probably hear it in Georgia. And I'll be so nervous to meet everyone, like the first day of school. And I'll be sad, like I already am, that this particular adventure of mine has come to a close.

But I see in my mind every one of the people I stayed with, the friends I made, all the people who helped me get un-lost. I think about the Mojave desert and the Ozark mountains and the beautiful hollows of Virginia and it is all a part of me, all of it. I take it with me into this next adventure of mine.

See you tomorrow for one. last. ride. (that sounds kind of morbid...)

Ps Um, that is definitely the wrong number! The right photo is coming up momentarily. Bonus points for anyone who can guess what I drew it on with. Hm, what if I tattoo the final number of days on my arm to commemorate this experience? Mom would love that.

Now I am, ahem, sorry about the language.

I'm not sure I like this business.

I did it. Let it be known, I attempted the boiled peanuts (original recipe, or so they say), Georgia's specialty. As per Aunt Joelle's advice.

I threw them all away. Except the first one I choked down.

Warm, salty (and with some other flavor, not sure what) and mushy. Sounds as revolting as I thought it was.

I am ashamed to say it, but I have been glued to this book. I actually went out into charleston yesterday to buy the 2nd of the trilogy. I did do a fair amount of sight seeing but also a fair amount of reading in the park. Sigh.

Anyone know anyone in Savannah??? I'll be there tonight but haven't quite figured out my lodging situation.

Sent from my iPod

Not the greatest photo...but Heidi told me that Charleston is considered a 'holy city' which means no building can be taller than the tallest church. This explains the absence of any skyscrapers. I fell in love a little more.

I know I have reached the ocean but it doesn't seem like I have because I haven't seen it yet. So I'm hoping to find a beach today to make it official.

Eating at a French restaurant. Heidi sort of dressed the part...I told her all she needed was a beret.

Sunset

That balcony to the left, is where the general of the confederate army gave the signal across the water to Fort Sumter to begin the Civil War. Heidi told me when we were riding by at night and it gave me goosebumps.

Day 21

Atlanta to Charleston, SC.

I am in love.

The park where I read away the afternoon, looking out onto the bay. Haven't actually seen a beach yet.

I am in shock here in Charleston. There's too much to take photos of, so I'm not taking photos. It is just so beautiful. Maybe I'll just stay here.

Forever.

All the lamps are gas lamps. This is the most romantic city in the universe.

Cobblestone streets. Washington probably WALKED on these streets.

If there was ever a prime southern home to be a candidate for a haunting, this would be it.

About 70 miles from Charleston I started seeing Spanish moss. And creepy graveyards.

True confessions time, folks: I LOVE Spanish moss and creepy graveyards.

Perfect for Liz. The smallest island EVER.

Yeahhhh.

This is that store again, from the street outside. It's like the secret garden!

Greensboro, GA

A store in the middle of the block - a roof caved in so they made it into a garden instead. Beautiful.

Madison, GA

I definitely want to come back here.

Interesting.

She was resting while I took a look around.

Sure was a lot of cotton in these here parts.

Someone stapled a bunch of old Coke bottle tops to the wall.

On the inside. It was beautiful.