These are some of my new friends. We had orientation and a fix-a-flat class today. Tonight we will have a send-off banquet. Matt and Bill will join me for the dinner. I am equally exhilarated and terrified about tomorrow. We will ride as a group to the beach, dip our tires in the Pacific Ocean and be on our way.
Bill and I left Metter about 6:00 AM this morning for the first leg of our journey, from Savannah to Atlanta. As we boarded the plane I ran into an old friend and former assistant principal in Metter, Raamy Brown. Raamy lives in McIntosh County near my friend Marijo. She was on her way to a yoga retreat in the Bahamas. After catching up on news during the flight, we parted ways in Atlanta. We left Atlanta around 11:00 AM for the flight to San Diego. After picking up our rental car and checking in to the Holiday Inn, our home for the next four days, we headed out to find wine and goodies for our room. Little did we know that Marshal Mize had sent us a bottle of Merlot, grapes and other snacks, which were in the room when we returned. Thanks Marshal.  Tomorrow we plan to see a bit of San Diego and enjoy the beautiful weather here.  Â
My experiences on “wheels” began at an early age, as did the encouragement to follow my dreams. Shortly after this photo was taken (around 1948), my mother wrote a letter to me in which she said that some might tell me that being a woman would handicap me in the business or professional world, but not to listen, “for this is not true”. Coming from a woman who had a career before she had a family, it is easy to see the origins of my drive to experience life.
In 1986, when my son, Matt, was 16, we decided to try the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). As Matt said after that ride, “Mom, we have stories to talk about for the rest of our lives.” Since that first BRAG, I have experienced it with several family members and friends, including my daughter Wendy and nephew, Howard. My sister Polly has joined us for the past 10+ years as a SAG driver. After completing the Cross Country Southern Tier, I will join the 2007 BRAG trip for the 22nd consecutive year. I have done rides in Florida, New York City, Costa Rica, Washington’s San Juan Islands and other regional rides. So cycling is a part of who I am.
I have been an educator for 34+ years, from teacher to assistant principal to assistant superintendent, before retiring in May 2002. From that time until February 28, 2007, I worked for the Georgia Department of Education, helping school systems manage their No Child Left Behind funds. Now it is time for some fun of a different sort.
Please drop me a note in my guest book. After a long day on the road, it helps to hear from “folks back home”.
If you would like to contribute to the Candler County Education Foundation, you may download an application(pdf), donate online, or you may send a check to the Candler County Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 21, Metter, GA 30439. Please include your name, address and a notation that the donation is for Nancy’s ride, so that I may thank you when I return.
I really do look forward to hearing from you,
Nancy
Nancy's Travel Journal 