Headed towards the Crescent City

I've entered the deep South, where an abundance of BBQ joints and churches dot the landscape; kudzu lurks everywhere. Right now I'm writing from Jackson, MS, and I can say they need better roads. I feel like I'm riding motocross with all the cracks and pot holes. It's good preparation for New Orleans, where the roads were in bad shape long before Katrina. I did see the coolest thing today though-motorcycle/scooter parking. I want to see more of this-everywhere!

Cities should help encourage alternative transportation by creating more designated parking spots. I've been fielding a ton of questions and comments about the scooter, more than last year it seems. Soon there will be enough of us out here to justify such accommodations. Seattle is one city that has taken this request to their City Council.

I'm here in Jackson to visit my father, on Mother's Day. He took me to a local recovery program/shelter that provides three free meals a day. I helped serve food and clean up after lunch. There is so much poverty here that my heart breaks. It is hard to believe this is America. Before I leave in the afternoon, I will visit again to help serve, just hoping to offer a little help. I was put on the spot today and asked to say the Grace. I took a deep breath and made it up on the spot; emphasizing the importance of community and nourishment. The exchange between people at these shelters has been amazing.

Just two days ago I was in Birmingham, AL volunteering at Birmingham Community Kitchens. There is a video interview up, not the fanciest, but it's with the two gentlemen who help run the kitchen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-mk0J1CbY
That kitchen actually had some tasty vittles and has been serving free meals since 1980.

After volunteering I went down to Magic City Scooters. Matthew and his shopman Will greeted me warmly and took care of an oil change for me. The spark plug was also changed-just regular maintenance stuff. It's hard to believe Matthew's shop has only been open 5 months. It’s perfect. The logo, storefront, stock, memorabilia, knowledge, attitude, and its customers make Magic City Scooters a fun place to visit. It's easy to tell that Matthew knows a lot about his trade and he's ready for BHAM's revival. I was impressed that he wears so many hats, and is both an excellent host and mechanic. What more can you expect from a man with a banjo tattooed on his knee?

I met a lot of local scooterists that night, and also in Atlanta, thanks for coming out y'all. We had a hoot of a time because Magic City was hosting Game Show Night, based on old school game shows, and where everyone is a contestant. I collected quite a lot of beads, or points. Mainly, I just enjoyed the company of everyone. The scooter community never ceases to amaze me.

I just realized on Saturday that I have no place to stay in NOLA, so I posted on some scooter forums. Fortunately, a kind chap named Rich put out the word when he saw my post, helping me secure lodging by sending out emails to 300 people. I'm grateful because the more costs I can save on this trip means the more that will be left for donation to non profits! Oh, and apparently, two people on his email list actually met me last year at a bar and have agreed to host me. I will stay in NOLA until Friday; so far the pace is steady.

I've been cautious about the horrendous storms ravaging the South East. Riding a scooter means paying attention to the elements at large. I know that the storms usually build up and hit in the afternoon, so I've gotten some early starts to avoid them. Twice now I've pulled into my destination just in time, with nary a drop fallen on me-only to hear the tornado warnings go off in town. It's an eerie feeling.

I've been on the road nine days now, traveling almost 1,500 miles. Gas has consistently been $4.22 a fill up. I've now crossed almost 5 state lines, raised more than $2,000 of the $20,000 goal, met a bunch of great scooterists as well as total strangers. I've picked up a favorite new sticker, it says, "Buddhism-Don't Even think About It." Oh, and I've now seen everyone in my small family. None of us can figure out where exactly my sense of adventure comes from. The high point of my visit in BHAM was when my Aunt complimented my packing skills and my scooter-saying it sure was a nice looking machine-this from a lady who admitted she's never been to the website.

I'm getting even more excited as the days pass and definitely look forward to some okra and jazz down in the Bayou!

Thanks for reading!
Peace

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I would rather us make history by creating Peace, than become history in its absence.
www.peacescooter.com