And they're off..

The Wanderlust riders officially started their ride yesterday morning, May 26th. Over the weekend they toured more of New Orleans, including the desolated Lower 9th ward and clocked over 25 miles.

During the bike tour of the city they went into the neighborhood where Becky lived while in seminary and gave birth to 2 of her 3 children. She said the neighborhoods was very hit or miss, some houses were fine, other were totally destroyed. Much of NOLA was like that.. huge areas where there are no longer any houses, and you can see old foundations but little else.

She said that the Lower 9^th ward is just desolate. They were covered in 18 feet of water, and it is now just a valley of sand, and old foundations. The gov’t came in and declared the houses uninhabitable and has begun to tear down what is left of the houses,now allowing anyone to rebuild. There is a really wonderful grassroots organization called Common Ground and they are making sure that whole blocks are not being decimated. They want to make sure that homes are being saved and that people who want to return to the area have a place to live and re-build.

As of Monday evening, Becky reports that:

We are in Bay St Louis, Mississippi staying at the Bay Episcopal Mission. We biked 60 miles today and I'm feeling great so far. The mission has provided us with a warm meal, Quanset huts with air conditioning (!), and bunk beds. It's nice to not have to camp out after our first day of biking!

On the ride today one person had a flat tire, and we are all a little sunburned despite our best efforts. Overall though, everyone is doing well and the ride went really smoothly. We started out in New Orleans and were able to see some of the Katrina devastation both in the lower 9th ward and along the route to Bay St. Louis. We also rode through a swampy area that had beautiful wildlife!

Along the way some firefighters provided us with ice and water, which was greatly appreciated considering the heat and humidity. Tomorrow we will be biking 50 miles, and I am excited to spend another day on the road with the phenomenal women on this trip!

-Becky

Hear Becky talk about the trip so far & the firefighters!Gabcast! 2000 Miles for Justice! #2 - outside of new orleans, some great firefighters!

Almost ready to leave NOLA!

This weekend Becky and the other Wanderlust participants have been busy getting to know one another and undergoing a bike ride orientation. Becky was in charge of a leadership seminar, and we know that she used a model that uses animal examples to explain strengths and weaknesses. Over the weekend they rode 25 miles and toured various parts of New Orleans.

Here is Becky and some of the Wanderlust riders on their tour of the city!

LISTEN TO BECKY SPEAK ABOUT GETTING READY HERE:
Gabcast! 2000 Miles for Justice! #0

Train Facts

Becky is on the train to New Orleans! She sent this information our way about the train...and a picture from the window!




Subject: City of New Orleans Song
Songfacts:


Steve Goodman wrote this in 1970. He wrote the lyrics on a sketch pad after his wife fell asleep on the Illinois Central train, where they were going to visit his wife's grandmother. Goodman wrote about what he saw looking out the windows of the train and playing cards in the club car. Everything in the song actually happened on the ride. After he returned home he heard the train was scheduled to be decommissioned do to lack of passengers. He was encouraged to use this song to save the train. He retouched the lyrics and released it on his first album in 1971.

Guthrie's cover in 1972 popularized the song and brought attention to rail lines that were vanishing across middle America. Many people who lived in rural areas relied on them to travel.
Goodman died September 20, 1984 at the age of 36 after a long battle with leukemia. Shortly after his death this won a Grammy in the category of best Country song, which Nelson had recorded and made a #1 Country smash the previous year. (thanks, Mike - Mountlake Terrace, WA, for above 3)

Guthrie and Goodman's versions have slightly different lyrics:

Goodman: "Passing towns that have no name."
Guthrie: "Passing trains..."
Goodman: "Sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steam."
Guthrie: "... made of steel."
Goodman: "...the rhythm of the rails is all they dream"
Guthrie: "...all they feel"

Here's more info on the City
of New Orleans train <http://www.songfacts.com/songimage.php?id=2878> .

Note about the blog

While Becky is riding from New Orleans to New York, she will be sending back text, pictures, and audio from the road. The MORCRC staff will be compiling all of the data and publishing the blog for you to read! Don't be confused if the text is in first person, but the introduction is not.

The time has arrived

I leave for New Orleans tomorrow. I have packed tents, sleeping bag and pad, lantern, bike shorts and jerseys, 3 dozen boxes of gluten-free foods, cooking utensils, extra tubes and tires...the list has seemed endless. It all fit into 2 large duffels.

How do I feel? Tired already. There were so many last-minute details at the office, which I now leave in the capable hands of Adele, Saskia, Sarah, Autumn, and Kelli. I'm excited about the riding, but that doesn't begin for several days yet. Everyone has to get to New Orleans from the east, the west, the midwest. Then we'll have a couple of days of orientation to get acquainted.

Today a friend said "This isn't just a ride, it's an epic journey-an Odessy-a Beowulf..." Okay, Greg, enough with the metaphors. But, yes, it is. I expect to be changed somehow. But I have no idea how. Sure I expect to lose a few pounds and come back lean and tanned. But what will be different on the inside after five weeks away from home and work? After five weeks seeking 12 states of this amazing country? After talking to so many activists? After facing exhaustion day after day? These changes can't be planned.

One of the more ironic parts of planning for an extended time outdoors is how to get use out of technology. My cell phone is going with me. Luckily, it includes a camera, an MP3 for music, GPS if we get lost, all of my emails, and of course the phone number of every person I know. I'll be able to call in to record a blog or send you a photo. I bought a solar charger so that my phone can continue to bring me all of these wonderful services even when I'm sleeping outdoors. How did Lewis and Clark do it without a Blackberry?

I am so grateful to every person who has wished me well and to those who have given a gift to MORCRC to be a part of this great journey. I am so grateful for a board that allows me the chance to get away and renew myself in this way. I am so grateful to my wonderful staff for the competent way they handle all matters in my absence. I am touched by all those who have asked how they can help while I'm gone. When I'm exhausted, I'll think of each of you and smile for all of my luck at knowing such incredible people.

The next time I check in, I'll be in New Orleans and ready to ride.

The road is calling...