“So, what brings you to Reidville?” Wofford asks, as he escorts his kids up and down the neighborhood street for Halloween treats.
“Is that where I am?” Though I knew I was ten miles from the center of the City of Greer, the Tanager Court address of Matt & Julieta, tonight’s hosts, is labeled as Greer. Most of today’s 20k have been rural miles, and I know that small, unincorporated communities often label themselves in one way or another–and it’s not uncommon for me to actually arrive to community XYZ before learning it even exists.
Wofford, his wife Angie, and their two young sons live just a couple houses down from Matt & Julieta– and though neither is brand new to this street, tomorrow is the first time they’ll be teaming up for dinner. They’re all very positive people, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know them all better!
Monthly Archives: October 2012
Day Delayed
I was originally set to walk this 20k route today, but in light of current weather, at my current host Bob’s suggestion, I’ve held off for an additional day. We’re still affected here by Hurricane Sandy’s enormous outer bands–serious winds with the chance for showers and snow were predicted. The winds are definitely here, and should remain tomorrow–ready to blow me and my gear from one side of the road to the other.
In light of the delay, a shining opportunity arose: Eleacia invited me to a local meditation group she attends, at Greenville’s Universalist Unitarian Church. I really enjoyed meditating with the group, as meditation is the most divine food for the soul.
Bob & Eleacia also met this evening, and as both have little experience with Couchsurfing, I’m hoping to hear of greater involvement within the CS community from both of them.
I spent other daylight hours catching up on communications, filling in nearly a dozen Alabama blogs from time spent there, keeping track of the hurricane, and talking jazz with Bob, as he played a variety of his favorites throughout the afternoon and evening.
I’m ready to travel into tomorrow’s fierce winds!
- Greenville CSers Eleacia & Bob meet!
Bob’s Best
Bob is relatively new to Couchsurfing. He’s hosted two surfers before me, and has for years been of the mindset that he’d like to meet locals on his travels, as opposed to Motel 6. As I was scheduled to spend a second night with him, he wanted to open up some free time to show me some of his local favorites, including the nearby mountain town of Saluda, and South Carolina’s only remaining covered bridge. What a fun day!
Goodbye, Greenville
Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery
On my last night in Greenville, I meet Brett, who’s decided he’ll occupy my “professional pedestrian” role for the evening. Hilarious!
The rest of his delegation had to put a lot of time into their Halloween costumes. Not Brett. He just had to make a sign.
That said, I’m actually told that Brett really did “play the role” throughout the evening. (I didn’t meet them till they were all through and back at Daniel’s.)
Funny, my first sign, leaving Portland, was rather similar to the one Brett made here .
I finally depart from Greenville on foot Sunday at 1pm.
Onward!
TV Story from Greenville, NC
Check out this weekend’s TV story on the Walk, from Greenville, South Carolina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33s3BSuEjkc&feature=share&list=UUvo-Tl7jgRMg43qpadycEdQ
I plan to depart from Greenville on Sunday, Oct. 28th, at 1:00 PM from McPherson Park. If you’d like to join me for minutes or for miles on my way to Greer Sunday, please meet me at the corner of E Park & Rowley Street by 1:00 PM. I’d love to walk with any & everyone!
Much Light,
George
Walking, Meeting & Eating!
Creative forces collided today, as my host Daniel McCord introduced me to two people he’d recently been in contact with regarding their “Breakfast With Strangers: 50 Meals Across America” honeymoon tour throughout the United States: Matt Webber & Courtney Dillard. As they realized that sharing meals with strangers was a perfect way to bridge social gaps that so many of us experience, they decided to embark on a mission of sharing and caring across America from their cozy minivan. What a wonderful way to spend a honeymoon!! They’re even going to write a book about it!
Funny, as Daniel and Matt had previously been communicating with one another, they discovered that Matt, who lives in Portland, had been aware of my walk almost since the day I began. Julie Magers, a wonderful mutual friend, was on the receiving end of the telephone when, many days before my first mile, I called to see about getting Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber’s support– in the form of taking twenty minutes through Portland with me. Julie loved the idea; she put me in touch with the right people, and Kitzhaber ultimately did walk with me. Julie and I have been friends ever since. Julie linked me with a handful of her closest Facebook friends, and Matt was one of them.
It was a true pleasure sharing the first meal of the day with Matt & Courtney– both of them very fascinating people. They’re over three months into their five-month breakfast-sharing mission, and they too are now well aware of what nearly everyone who embarks on such an outward transcontinental social mission learns: originally-planned dates and deadlines do not allow nearly enough time to begin to get to know the people and places well. I myself learned this lesson before emerging from Oregon, but I didn’t actually expand my timeline until walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Three years later, that original, self-imposed nine-month deadline lays flattened and nearly forgotten below the countless incredible experiences I’ve since soaked up across all the additional days & stays.
Tightshot Tuesday
After staying up till nearly 5 AM catching up on communications, blogs and more, I awoke after nearly seven hours of sleep to yet another beautiful day in Greenville. Daniel had reserved the afternoon for obtaining some premier footage for the short film he’ll be making about the Walk.
Today’s film footage ranged from street shots, moving shots, scene preparation for an extended interview, and even an hour’s worth of recorded frisbee tossing! Funny– one these distance tosses smacked me in the lip with enough force to slightly bloody and fatten my upper lip. So, no interviewing for today– but hopefully tomorrow will work well .
After the day was complete, Daniel, a very skilled cook, treated us all to homemade pizza, complete fresh produce from his front-yard garden!
Foxy Monday
Dana produces quality work, and the interview may not air till this weekend. I’ll post here on EnjoyTheWalk when it does…