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We shipped our bikes to Newport News, where Bike Beat assembled and had a friendly sendoff for us. at the starting line in Yorktown, VA Norfolk-Yorktown-Williamsburg-Jamestown-Richmond The Lost Boys guiding spirits have joined us in Virginia. Exiting baggage claim at Norfolk Airport with 3 large boxes, we knew we'd need a van to transport us to our bike shop where are bikes were to be assembled and waiting. A taxi van was at the head of the line. A tall African man greeted us. Abraham. I asked where he was from. Sudan. Yes, he was a Lost Boy. The only Lost Boy cab driver in Norfolk. He is from Thuch's region of southern Sudan. Coincidence? Sharon doesn't think so.
The Bike Beat guys sent us off from Newport News the back route to our official start line at Yorktown, on the edge of the Atlantic. I visited here 1 1/2 years ago to visit son, Colin, training to skipper boats in the US Coast Guard. Rod dipped his rear wheel in the Atlantic, marking the official start of our 4,000 mile journey (give or take a coupla hundred miles).
First stop, Colonial Williamsburg, where the bands were playing and George Washington was recruiting townfolk to join his continental army. Sharon joined the parade of new recruits with fife and drummers.
Day 2 was a long one with stops in Jamestown, the oldest English settlement in N. America. "English" Course the Spanish were in America quite a bit sooner ... and of course the original stakeholders had been here for 20,000 years. Queen E and GW Bush had just been here as our advance crew. Last weekend with the 400th anniversary celebration.
Enroute to Richmond we met another cross country rider, Dave, on a 3 wheel recumbant bike. Riding real low and hard to see. We donated our flourescent triangle to him since riding in the shadows he was nearly impossible to see. We weren't the slowest travelers on the trail to Richmond Our night in Richmond was another Lost Boys experience. We met Thuch's cousin, Awer, and best friend from refugee camp, Mawut. They very much appreciated our efforts. These were articulate, young men, on strong career paths. Awer wants to create documentaries. Mawut is a biology major, directed to pre-med. They were delighted that we were considering building a well in their village (the same village Thuch is from). Awer is an accomplished artist, who lives off income from selling his art. www.awerbul.net Portrays scenes of his village, including his recollections of the days militia came to his village with ground troops and helicopters, slaughtering everyone in sight. It's raining this am (day 3), we're not in a big hurry to leave our last hotel for many nights! |
