Hi All,
I'm going to start this off with a somber moment. I'm actually feeling emotional right now as I watch the Memorial Day television program that is taking place in Washington D.C. As a military veteran and American, I sit here thinking about our men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and places unknown and it saddens me that they have to be there. But most of all, it saddens me to think of the ones that were severely injured or died. I think of the pain and the loss that the families have. I hope on this day and tomorrow you will all remember all of our past and present military personnel and the ones that either died or injured.
OK, now where do I start? I must apologize for being so late with this. Hopefully, I can catch up and get back on track with my journey. These last several days have been busy trying to make up as much time as possible. So I made it through South Carolina with a quick peek at the "South of the Border" tourist trap but it didn't get me. I did find Interstate 95 in South Carolina to be very bumpy and I was ready to get to North Carolina. 
Again, I will say that my conversations with the truckers as well as between themselves has helped my days go by much faster and it definitely keeps me awake. I do want to tell you about a gentleman that I met at a KFC in Georgia. I know, your thinking he hasn't said anything about Georgia but this stood out to me and deserves a mention. I was talking with a gentleman by the name of Dr. Alfred L. Howard Sr. (Ed.D) who thanked me for what I was doing and he handed me the only cash he left left in his wallet after getting his meal and this really stood out to me. He wanted to give more, as he told me but he gave what he had left. I'm always taken back by people that give without any thought behind it, just because they want to help in some sort of way. I want to thank Dr. Howard for this special gift of giving to help others. He didn't know me from Adam (as they say) but gave me cash to help towards the trip since I told him that my wife and I are funding this entirely. God bless you Dr. Howard!
My trip through North Carolina was beautiful and the roads were maintained quite well as far as the interstate was concerned. Don't get me wrong South Carolina was just as beautiful though and this had to do with a bright sunny day without rain. After all of the rain in Florida, well lets just say it made me appreciate the sunny states that much more.
Now, my next official stop was the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. I was greeted by Holly Rio (Program Assistant) and Mary Rice-Seagrooves (Special Events Coordinator), and Dr. Thomas C. Shea (Direc
tor, Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation). I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with them and what a warm reception. We did have a photo op on and around my Goldwing and even had Dr. Shea sit on it. I know he got the itch to ride. Don't let him tell you any different. :) I should have just given him the keys.So anyway, Dr. Shea toured me around a bit and showed me the new hospital that the state legislature approved.
My next stop was about 18-20 miles away at the University of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center but because of the weekend holiday, they let there staff go home early and there was one no to tour me around their facilities so I proceeded to briefly visit with a friend in Durham, NC. I was absolutely amazed by how close the two universities were which explains the rivalry.
Now yesterday was probably the most difficult day I had yet, as far as exhaustion (due to heat) and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Yes, I made it to the Virginia/Washington DC/Baltimore, MD area. My next stop was two visit with three friends of mine in Burke, VA and then Baltimore, MD. Well because an e-mail came into my cell phone late, I didn't get the message that no one was home at the first stop and so I was a little frustrated but this was not any one's fault. It just was, what it was.
So I headed to Baltimore to visit with buddy, Richard "Dennis" Kernan (aka...The Boy) and his wife, Michelle. Long story behind the aka name but I had to put it in here to try to embarrass him. Now I should tell you though, that my onboard Garmin GPS (built into the motorcycle) was pretty reliable until I got into this metro area. It kept saying stay right during a road split and when I did that, it would say, Off Course". So because of this happening so many times, it took me much longer to find Dennis and Michelle's home. I literally thought I was going to pass out when I got stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic situation. I felt very dehydrated from having to wait so long for it to clear up and the temperature was really hot on the road. This was the first time this has happened to me but I managed to get through it and pull off in time.
I finally pulled into an Exxon gas station which is something I would not normally do as I will not support Exxon by purchasing their fuel. Long story so I won't get into it and Lisa is probably saying thank God right about now, as she reads this. Not another conspiracy theory. So I topped off my gas tank and got a big bottle of a particular sports drink. Hey, if they aren't going to pay me to mention their name then why put it in there.
Eventually, I arrived at Dennis and Michelle's home and we immediately went to Ruby Tuesday's because we were all starving. I stayed with them for just a couple of hours before heading to my hometown of Dover, Delaware. I should mention also that on all of the toll roads, (several states) they charged me twice the amount they charge a car because I have a one axle (two wheels) trailer, even though though I have the same amount of wheels that a car would have (4). What moron wrote that law? Let's see, a car weighs how much compared to a motorcycle and small trailer? I felt like they were treating me like a tractor trailer.
So as I got closer to Dover, DE I realized that I didn't recognize the area where the exit was in south Smyrna, DE. It took me a minute. I decided to go down my old street where we had our house (built in 1899) on Governors Ave. and I was in shock with the neighborhood. It had gone to hell and back compared to when I lived there. I proceeded to downtown Dover which looked virtually abandoned. OK, I being somewhat dramatic but not much. There were a lot of abandoned buidling that use to thrive on Loockerman Street. The part that really bothers me was that the Dover Downs Casino, Hotel, and Spa. I would think that it should be bringing in a lot of extra revenue for the city but apparently not or they are putting the money towards other things and letting the downtown area fall to the wayside. Some politicians screwed up here. And this is supposed to be the capital of the state. Huh?
So as I sit here in the Comfort Inn (Oops, I mentioned there name) in Dover, I think about my journey and how fast all these states past by me. So when many are thinking about all the stuff that I apparently get to see, I can tell you that I'm really seeing a lot of freeway and rest stops instead. And by the way, I didn't get to visit with my three daughters and grandson after all. This was rather disappointing but alas, tomorrow I move forward knowing that every dollar I raise during this trip will possibly help people in some small way, who are suffering from cancer which is what my own mother died from.
If you have not been able to donate (http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure) yet, I hope you will consider donating what you can to help me, help others. I cannot do this alone. I need your help.
OK, it is really late and I need some sleep so I can get an early start and beat potential rain. Tomorrow, I will be heading up to Wilmington, Delaware to visit with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter office, then Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles stadium), and New York City (Columbia University, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), and possibly straight to the corporate office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Great Plains, NY, given enough time.
Pete West
(210) 563-0509
pwestjr@gmail.com
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com/
I'm going to start this off with a somber moment. I'm actually feeling emotional right now as I watch the Memorial Day television program that is taking place in Washington D.C. As a military veteran and American, I sit here thinking about our men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and places unknown and it saddens me that they have to be there. But most of all, it saddens me to think of the ones that were severely injured or died. I think of the pain and the loss that the families have. I hope on this day and tomorrow you will all remember all of our past and present military personnel and the ones that either died or injured.
OK, now where do I start? I must apologize for being so late with this. Hopefully, I can catch up and get back on track with my journey. These last several days have been busy trying to make up as much time as possible. So I made it through South Carolina with a quick peek at the "South of the Border" tourist trap but it didn't get me. I did find Interstate 95 in South Carolina to be very bumpy and I was ready to get to North Carolina. 
Again, I will say that my conversations with the truckers as well as between themselves has helped my days go by much faster and it definitely keeps me awake. I do want to tell you about a gentleman that I met at a KFC in Georgia. I know, your thinking he hasn't said anything about Georgia but this stood out to me and deserves a mention. I was talking with a gentleman by the name of Dr. Alfred L. Howard Sr. (Ed.D) who thanked me for what I was doing and he handed me the only cash he left left in his wallet after getting his meal and this really stood out to me. He wanted to give more, as he told me but he gave what he had left. I'm always taken back by people that give without any thought behind it, just because they want to help in some sort of way. I want to thank Dr. Howard for this special gift of giving to help others. He didn't know me from Adam (as they say) but gave me cash to help towards the trip since I told him that my wife and I are funding this entirely. God bless you Dr. Howard!
My trip through North Carolina was beautiful and the roads were maintained quite well as far as the interstate was concerned. Don't get me wrong South Carolina was just as beautiful though and this had to do with a bright sunny day without rain. After all of the rain in Florida, well lets just say it made me appreciate the sunny states that much more.
Now, my next official stop was the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. I was greeted by Holly Rio (Program Assistant) and Mary Rice-Seagrooves (Special Events Coordinator), and Dr. Thomas C. Shea (Direc
tor, Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation). I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with them and what a warm reception. We did have a photo op on and around my Goldwing and even had Dr. Shea sit on it. I know he got the itch to ride. Don't let him tell you any different. :) I should have just given him the keys.So anyway, Dr. Shea toured me around a bit and showed me the new hospital that the state legislature approved.My next stop was about 18-20 miles away at the University of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center but because of the weekend holiday, they let there staff go home early and there was one no to tour me around their facilities so I proceeded to briefly visit with a friend in Durham, NC. I was absolutely amazed by how close the two universities were which explains the rivalry.
Now yesterday was probably the most difficult day I had yet, as far as exhaustion (due to heat) and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Yes, I made it to the Virginia/Washington DC/Baltimore, MD area. My next stop was two visit with three friends of mine in Burke, VA and then Baltimore, MD. Well because an e-mail came into my cell phone late, I didn't get the message that no one was home at the first stop and so I was a little frustrated but this was not any one's fault. It just was, what it was.
So I headed to Baltimore to visit with buddy, Richard "Dennis" Kernan (aka...The Boy) and his wife, Michelle. Long story behind the aka name but I had to put it in here to try to embarrass him. Now I should tell you though, that my onboard Garmin GPS (built into the motorcycle) was pretty reliable until I got into this metro area. It kept saying stay right during a road split and when I did that, it would say, Off Course". So because of this happening so many times, it took me much longer to find Dennis and Michelle's home. I literally thought I was going to pass out when I got stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic situation. I felt very dehydrated from having to wait so long for it to clear up and the temperature was really hot on the road. This was the first time this has happened to me but I managed to get through it and pull off in time.
I finally pulled into an Exxon gas station which is something I would not normally do as I will not support Exxon by purchasing their fuel. Long story so I won't get into it and Lisa is probably saying thank God right about now, as she reads this. Not another conspiracy theory. So I topped off my gas tank and got a big bottle of a particular sports drink. Hey, if they aren't going to pay me to mention their name then why put it in there.
Eventually, I arrived at Dennis and Michelle's home and we immediately went to Ruby Tuesday's because we were all starving. I stayed with them for just a couple of hours before heading to my hometown of Dover, Delaware. I should mention also that on all of the toll roads, (several states) they charged me twice the amount they charge a car because I have a one axle (two wheels) trailer, even though though I have the same amount of wheels that a car would have (4). What moron wrote that law? Let's see, a car weighs how much compared to a motorcycle and small trailer? I felt like they were treating me like a tractor trailer.
So as I got closer to Dover, DE I realized that I didn't recognize the area where the exit was in south Smyrna, DE. It took me a minute. I decided to go down my old street where we had our house (built in 1899) on Governors Ave. and I was in shock with the neighborhood. It had gone to hell and back compared to when I lived there. I proceeded to downtown Dover which looked virtually abandoned. OK, I being somewhat dramatic but not much. There were a lot of abandoned buidling that use to thrive on Loockerman Street. The part that really bothers me was that the Dover Downs Casino, Hotel, and Spa. I would think that it should be bringing in a lot of extra revenue for the city but apparently not or they are putting the money towards other things and letting the downtown area fall to the wayside. Some politicians screwed up here. And this is supposed to be the capital of the state. Huh?
So as I sit here in the Comfort Inn (Oops, I mentioned there name) in Dover, I think about my journey and how fast all these states past by me. So when many are thinking about all the stuff that I apparently get to see, I can tell you that I'm really seeing a lot of freeway and rest stops instead. And by the way, I didn't get to visit with my three daughters and grandson after all. This was rather disappointing but alas, tomorrow I move forward knowing that every dollar I raise during this trip will possibly help people in some small way, who are suffering from cancer which is what my own mother died from.
If you have not been able to donate (http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure) yet, I hope you will consider donating what you can to help me, help others. I cannot do this alone. I need your help.
OK, it is really late and I need some sleep so I can get an early start and beat potential rain. Tomorrow, I will be heading up to Wilmington, Delaware to visit with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter office, then Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles stadium), and New York City (Columbia University, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), and possibly straight to the corporate office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Great Plains, NY, given enough time.
Pete West
(210) 563-0509
pwestjr@gmail.com
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com/
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