Reidville

“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!

Before leaving Bob's today, I got to feed Alex, his sweet African Gray. She whistles Disney tunes, the theme to the Simpsons, and more!

Before leaving Bob's today, I got to feed Alex, his sweet African Gray. She whistles Disney tunes, the theme to the Simpsons, and more!

Thanks for hosting me for a trio of nights in your cozy home, Bob!

Thanks for hosting me for a trio of nights in your cozy home, Bob!

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I can only imagine what it must have been like for the thousands of years leading up to this (??)

I can only imagine what it must have been like for the thousands of years leading up to this (??)

Howell Road

Howell Road

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Only the human-powered traffic stops to chat. Speeding through the area, stops to say hello. Through answering his questions about the Walk, I noticed the "Paralympics" inscription on his bicycle jersey. I confess my ignorance to him, to which he very politely understands and explains to me that he has cerebral palsy. The Special Olympics are of course for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Paralympics include those with with physical disabilities as well. As fit and strong as he is, I never would have guessed he'd be anything short of a normal Olympic competitor ;). That said, I did notice the effects of the cerebral palsy when he went to mount his bike again. Aaron's a sharp, strong-hearted man, and I'm VERY inspired by him!

Only the human-powered traffic stops to chat. Speeding through the area, stops to say hello. Through answering his questions about the Walk, I noticed the "Paralympics" inscription on his bicycle jersey. I confess my ignorance to him, to which he very politely understands and explains to me that he has cerebral palsy. The Special Olympics are of course for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Paralympics include those with with physical disabilities as well. As fit and strong as he is, I never would have guessed he'd be anything short of a normal Olympic competitor ;) . That said, I did notice the effects of the cerebral palsy when he went to mount his bike again. Aaron's a sharp, strong-hearted man, and I'm VERY inspired by him!

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Reidville Road. Many of the roads I must travel have absolutely no shoulder space-- and roadside grass definitely is not always cut. If it were just my two feet, that would be one thing. The fact that I must push well over a hundred pounds of gear from A to B creates an entirely new challenge of such stretches...

Reidville Road. Many of the roads I must travel have absolutely no shoulder space-- and roadside grass definitely is not always cut. If it were just my two feet, that would be one thing. The fact that I must push well over a hundred pounds of gear from A to B creates an entirely new challenge of such stretches...

Nice to meet you, Matt & Julieta!!

Nice to meet you, Matt & Julieta!!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

Wofford, Angie & Family come over for a warm Halloween Hello!

Wofford, Angie & Family come over for a warm Halloween Hello!

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!

Tonight's group meditation was sweet food for the soul!

Tonight's group meditation was sweet food for the soul!

Greenville CSers Eleacia & Bob meet in person!

Greenville CSers Eleacia & Bob meet in person!

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!

The last covered bridge in South Carolina

The last covered bridge in South Carolina

Interesting, energetic locals strike up a conversation with us.

Interesting, energetic locals strike up a conversation with us.

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Upon arriving to the charming mountain town of Saluda, the first thing Bob wants to show me is their hydrants. Love it!

Upon arriving to the charming mountain town of Saluda, the first thing Bob wants to show me is their hydrants. Love it!

"It's like stepping into Mayberry," Bob says.   Welcome to Saluda.

"It's like stepping into Mayberry," Bob says. Welcome to Saluda.

Purple Onion Cafe-- Bob's favorite part of Saluda ;)

Purple Onion Cafe-- Bob's favorite part of Saluda ;)

On our way back, we're treated to a brilliant sky show!

On our way back, we're treated to a brilliant sky show!

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Goodbye, Greenville

Preparing for the day's departure, filmmaker Daniel McCord and assistant Shea team up for some final transcontinental walk-related questions before I return to the road.

Preparing for the day's departure, filmmaker Daniel McCord and assistant Shea team up for some final transcontinental walk-related questions before I return to the road.

Victor, Hy, Cris, Brett, Brian, Shea, Daniel & Eleacia begin today's walk out of Greenville with me.

Victor, Hy, Cris, Brett, Brian, Shea, Daniel & Eleacia begin today's walk out of Greenville with me.

See! Everyone has fun walking!

See! Everyone has fun walking!

A mile into the day, it's Eleacia's turn to try on Daniel's "shoes"!

A mile into the day, it's Eleacia's turn to try on Daniel's "shoes"!

Brian, Daniel & Eleacia stayed with me for miles today-- walking me to the edge of Greenville. They're all such GREAT people-- it's been a tremendous privilege to get to know them all!!

Brian, Daniel & Eleacia stayed with me for miles today-- walking me to the edge of Greenville. They're all such GREAT people-- it's been a tremendous privilege to get to know them all!!

Steve, Eleacia's fiance, checks my tires and fills them before taking everyone (except me) back home. Steve gave me his handy bicycle pump. Such nice people... Interestingly, I learned that Steve & I share the same birthday.

Steve, Eleacia's fiance, checks my tires and fills them before taking everyone (except me) back home. Steve gave me his handy bicycle pump. Such nice people... Interestingly, I learned that Steve & I share the same birthday.

Though today's 14k walk out of Greenville began sunny and warm--tank top & shorts weather--eventually the outer bands of Hurricane Sandy caught up, bringing cold wind and rain, just before I reached the halfway point. Though winds are predicted to reach 25mph here, and we may receive rain and/or snow through Tuesday, South Carolina will largely be spared by Sandy, and my prayers are with those states north of me who are about to feel the full force of the superstorm...

Though today's 14k walk out of Greenville began sunny and warm--tank top & shorts weather--eventually the outer bands of Hurricane Sandy caught up, bringing cold wind and rain, just before I reached the halfway point. Though winds are predicted to reach 25mph here, and we may receive rain and/or snow through Tuesday, South Carolina will largely be spared by Sandy, and my prayers are with those states north of me who are about to feel the full force of the superstorm...

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Arriving to Deverence Place, today's "host neighborhood."

Arriving to Deverence Place, today's "host neighborhood."

After a week on the floor, a brief bed stay will feel nice. I know better than to get too used to such comforts though, as the road is always unpredictable, and I always have to be ready at anytime to be relegated to some outdoor concrete slab. I always appreciate whatever I'm offered, which is the healthiest attitude someone in my position can have. Occasional added comforts are to be enjoyed while they last...

After a week on the floor, a brief bed stay will feel nice. I know better than to get too used to such comforts though, as the road is always unpredictable, and I always have to be ready at anytime to be relegated to some outdoor concrete slab. I always appreciate whatever I'm kindly offered, which is the healthiest attitude someone in my position can have. That said, occasional added comforts are to be enjoyed while they last...

Upon welcoming me in, I hear the bossa nova of Bob, my host, playing beautifully in the background. I fell in love with Bossa Nova in 1994, upon landing in Brazil as a foreign exchange student. Paulo, my Brazilian host father, also used to always play his bossa nova from tape reels-- and this is the first time since living with Paulo that I've seen music played on reels-- and I'm thrilled that it's bossa nova!  Already, Bob & I are hitting it off well and have plenty to talk about ;).

Upon welcoming me in, I hear the bossa nova jazz of Bob, my host, playing beautifully in the background. I fell in love with Bossa Nova in 1994, upon landing in Brazil as a foreign exchange student. Paulo, my Brazilian host father, also used to always play his bossa nova from tape reels-. Tonight is the first time since living with Paulo that I've seen music played on reels--and I'm thrilled that it's bossa nova! Already, Bob & I are hitting it off well and have plenty to talk about ;) .

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 ;) .

Happy Halloween from Brett!

Happy Halloween from Brett!

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

Dr. Cagle, Greenville chiropractor with decades of experience, spends a good hour treating and chatting with me at his local clinic this afternoon. My back and neck have been in debilitating pain this past week, and I was really craving some quality chiro time. I'm very thankful to Dr. Cagle for donating far more of his time than I could have inquired about...

Dr. Cagle, Greenville chiropractor with decades of experience, spends a good hour treating and chatting with me at his local clinic this afternoon. My back and neck have been in debilitating pain this past week, and I was really craving some quality chiro time. I'm very thankful to Dr. Cagle for donating far more of his time than I ever could have inquired about...

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.

What a fantastic experience sharing the first meal of the day with Matthew & Courtney, newlywed Oregonians who are spending their five-month honeymoon driving around the United States, enjoying "Breakfast With Strangers."

What a fantastic experience sharing the first meal of the day with Matthew & Courtney, newlywed Oregonians who are spending their five-month honeymoon driving around the United States, enjoying "Breakfast With Strangers."

Rob Pearce, another local Couchsurfing host who wanted to meet us all, joined us for the meal this morning. A fascinating and energetic guy, Rob is a twentysomething "starving entrepreneur," as he puts it. Whether or not he's starving now, I already detect an energy within him that could propel him to the stars ~

Rob Pearce, another local Couchsurfing host who wanted to meet us all, joined us for the meal this morning. A fascinating and energetic guy, Rob is a twentysomething "starving entrepreneur," as he puts it. Whether or not he's starving now, I already detect an energy within him that could propel him to the stars ~

As we step deeper into the documentary project, Daniel led me on a walk of several miles through Greenville's well-kept, central parks.

As we step deeper into the documentary project, Daniel led me on a walk of several miles through Greenville's well-kept, central parks.

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Under Main Street...

Under Main Street...

The Reedy River runs directly through the middle of downtown Greenville

The Reedy River runs directly through the middle of downtown Greenville

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Bostjan, Brian, Sandrine, Puja, Daniel & I all team up for dinner at Swad-- a local vegetarian Indian Restaurant.

Bostjan, Brian, Sandrine, Puja, Daniel & I all team up for dinner at Swad-- a local vegetarian Indian Restaurant.

As we attend a Gujarati-themed, vegetarian Indian restaurant, Puja, a Gujarati herself, shows us all "how it's done!"

As we attend a Gujarati-themed, vegetarian Indian restaurant, Puja, a Gujarati herself, shows us all "how it's done!"

As much as I love ethnic foods, including Indian food, I obviously have a lot to learn not only about what I'm eating-- but HOW I'm eating it. My I-have-no-idea-but-I'll-try-anyway approach had Puja laughing out loud as I ended up building my food more Mexican style-- far from Indian style-- but the only way I knew how!

As much as I love ethnic foods, including Indian food, I obviously have a lot to learn not only about what I'm eating-- but HOW I'm eating it. My I-have-no-idea-but-I'll-try-anyway approach had Puja laughing out loud as I ended up building my food more Mexican style-- far from Indian style-- but the only way I knew how!

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!

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Fresh from the front yard, ready for the pizza!!

Fresh from the front yard, ready for the pizza!!

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Everything made from scratch, this pizza was SOOO delicious!!!  Daniel followed with a baked acorn squash for dessert!

Everything made from scratch, this pizza was SOOO delicious!!! Daniel followed with a baked acorn squash for dessert!

Foxy Monday

By now, I typically get a specific vibe from reporters who end up doing a great job on the Walk story. Such reporters enjoy their work, and do their jobs very well. P.J. Javaheri put together a great story, as have Ashley Winchester, Allie Cat, Karen E Wink and many others. Local TV reporter Dana Wachter enjoys her work, asks a variety of well-planned questions, shoots from a variety of angles, and doesn't plan to publish the story for days, as she generates a well-created piece--which I'm told typifies her work. I'll post when the story airs, later this week ~

By now, I typically get a specific vibe from reporters who end up doing a great job on the Walk story. Such reporters enjoy their work, and do their jobs very well. P.J. Javaheri put together a great story, as have Ashley Winchester, Allie Cat, Karen E Wink and many others. Local TV reporter Dana Wachter enjoys her work, asks a variety of well-planned questions, shoots from a variety of angles, and doesn't plan to publish the story for days, as she generates a well-created piece--which I'm told typifies her work.

As my host Daniel McCord is currently working on a short documentary project about the Walk, Dana makes Daniel's willingness and generosity to host me in addition to his project part of the story.

As my host Daniel McCord is currently working on a short documentary project about the Walk, Dana makes Daniel's willingness and generosity to host me in addition to his project part of the story.

"What are some of the toughest things you come up against while walking across America?"

"What are some of the toughest things you come up against while walking across America?"

Dana produces quality work, and the interview may not air till this weekend. I’ll post here on EnjoyTheWalk when it does…