Wind, Rain and a Memorial (Sep 20 – 21, 2021)

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We typically post a blog on Sunday, but we find ourselves again sheltering in a hotel dodging a swath of rain coming off the Atlantic Ocean covering an area from Wilmington, NC to Charleston, SC . . . our intended bike route. We are still making progress.  With Jay’s last ride, we have covered 1,413 miles and estimate we have another 1,200 to complete our trek to Key West.

Jay’s ride yesterday took him past Camp Lejeune, a large Marine Corps base where he was once stationed (about 50 years ago!) This was also the same base where the 13 marines recently killed in Afghanistan were stationed. A poignant memorial honoring the fallen appeared on the road leading to the base’s front gate. Photos of

Memorial for Fallen Marines

the fallen were also used as mileage markers on the bike path that snaked around the base. Needless to say, Marine Corps flags flew from every building in the towns around the base. We owe so much to so few. . .

Our campsite in Surf City was our first opportunity we had to camp literally right next to the ocean. Only the dunes separated our tent from the crashing waves on the beach. Ideal . . . until that night the winds started blowing, then gusting, and then howling. All through the night the weather made every effort to either blow down our tent or flood us out with heavy rains. Egad!

Campsite before the Winds

The weather the next morning was equally dreary with a prediction of more to come. We packed up as best we could in the swirling winds and headed for a hotel. When the weather clears, we’ll headed back to Surf City to resume the ride.

The video shows a flag standing straight out due to the winds.