We've biked a total of 663 miles, give or take a few. Today we arrived in our second state--Tennessee!! After climbing about 8000 feet, I was expecting an enormous, colorful "Welcome to Tennessee" sign to triumph in front of. Unfortunately the sign was small and not very colorful...
Over the past few days we have climbed some serious mountains. I've decided spending the majority of my life near sea level has wreaked havoc on the fitness of my heart, lungs, and legs... But for every intense climb (one was 10 miles long...) I'm usually rewarded by a crazy awesome downhill (top speed is currently 40.7 mph!) and some amazing views. We were on the Blue Ridge Parkway the last few days, and pictures cannot do the mountains justice.
Yesterday we had our third Build Day in Asheville, NC. I got to build with Mountain Housing, a local affordable housing organization that serves the county. It was great to learn about an organization other than Habitat since that's the only experience with affordable housing I've had. We built this awesome ramp to make the house more accessible. I got to use a really big drill. 
:-)
:-)Other than that, I continue to be amazed by the generosity of our hosts and the interest people have in what we're doing. And it's so hard to believe that the 30 of us have only known each other for 2 weeks. I'll leave you with a glimpse of what we do in our spare time...
An intense game of Around the World Ping Pong.
Ballet practice.
Go-Karts in Wake Forest, opened especially for us.
Go-Karts in Wake Forest, opened especially for us.
Emily and Ana (and Ben) helping me test out the underwater features of my awesome new camera.
7 comments:
Your posts make me so excited to go. I've really been stressed and not so excited recently (although I hit my fundraising goal today!)...does that sound familiar? I can't wait to actually get out there and do it. I hope I make it through the mountains. You are amazing, woman. Keep it up! You look freaking fantastic holding the drill, also. :)
Lisa! Your trip so far sounds amazing! It sounds like everyone is super awesome. Sorry I didn't get your call the other day, I was at the beach, and then driving back. I promise I'll be there to answer next time! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!
Camilla
I'll never be able to keep up with you now. Go To Cracker Barrel and eat some biscuits and gravy.
Bike and Build Anthem
Oh Beautiful! My aching thighs, and constant waves of pain.
I’d sell my soul for lower gears, upon this steep terrain.
My back, my neck, my hands, my butt, all numb from riding free
With other freaks and cycling geeks, from Sea to shining Sea!
Oh Beautiful! That next rest stop, with indigenous cuisine,
It always sounds like tasty fare after peddling mile one-fifteen.
But tomorrow we will go again, masochists are we,
So we’ll carbo-load then hit the road, from Sea to shining Sea!
Oh Beautiful! The house we built, with hammer, saw, and drill.
When we come back next summer, we hope it’s standing, still.
We’re all proud of that little home we built in Tennessee.
We’ll go far, without a car, from Sea to shining Sea!
Oh Beautiful! New friendships made with fun and good intent.
What enterprising souls we are, our work is heaven sent.
So when we’re done let’s keep in touch, you mean so much to me.
When we return to our hometowns, from Sea to shining Sea!
written by a proud dad
those sound like some freakkin awesome 663 miles! (with some freakkin awesome drilling right there)
great that you got the blue ridge :P
I'm in awe of you, Lisa. Prayers and love.
DMB
Wow, you rock, Lisa. I love the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville. You've seen the best of NC in my opinion. Barcelona was great--we'll show you pix once you get back. I see you have Memphis coming up. Eat some BBQ for me!
-David
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