The Adventure Begins!

May 28, 2011 -- Jacksonville, Florida
Well, the day is finally here. I am boarding the train to begin the trip out west to meet up with the other riders participating in the epic journey across our great nation.
Although the actual bicycle ride doesn't begin for a few more days, my adventure starts today!
I am taking the train from Jacksonville, FL to Dyer, IL to meet up with the Tour Leader and the support vehicle to assist with the driving out to Astoria, OR. The train trip will take 2 days as there is no direct route to Chicago, IL. The train (98 Silver Meteor) will travel north along the Eastern Seaboard to our nation's capital, Washington, DC where I will have to change trains (51 Cardinal) to head west to Chicago. The first leg is about 14 hours long and the second is about 22 hours. I arrive in Dyer, IN at 8:27 am on May 30, 2011.
I am looking forward to seeing the countryside as the train rolls along. Hopefully the weather will be clear so that I can see the sights!
I am going to attempt to take some pictures and post them to this blog along the way if I can ever figure out how to hook up the camera so I can download the pictures.
Beginning a chapter of my life is exciting and scary at the same time...but I think it is just what I need.
I will do my best to make this story interesting. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures.

Two Weeks 2Go!

I have arrived in Key West, FL for my much anticipated vacation prior to beginning my cross country adventure.

The weather was a little iffy as I drive down from Virginia all the way through Florida until I crossed the Seven Mile Bridge when the clouds parted and the sun made it's long awaited appearance.

Now that I am settled in, I am looking forward to the morning for my first of hopefully many rides in the Keys to loosen up the legs before the "Big" ride!