Day 3 June 7 2009 Lula, Mississipi to Helena, AR

Today was rough. I only covered about 13 miles. I was exhausted from yesterday. US-49 to Mississpi consisted of concrete slabs that were all laid out flat. Hit one, not paying attention, and you fly forward. It happened once, luckily the road was empty. I crossed over the bridge which was too tight, too steep and too crowded to skate so I ended up walking. By the time I got to the Welcome center 4 miles outside of Helena I was beat for the day. I chilled there for an hour talking to Pam. She was an older lady whose husband died a few years ago and she spoke to me about her struggles afterwards and then her personal battle wih cancer. She told me about a man who survived 7 surgeries.

"How do you do it?"

"The will to survive and keep going," she said "For me it was wanting to see my grandchildren, you have faith in the Lord, and thank Him for making it through everyday and pray you make one more"

I took inspiration in these words. If it weren't for all the wisdom I have been getting, I really don't know how I could keep going. I have faith in God and ask his help everyday, to give me the strength and I have made it this far.

I left the welcome center, skated 4 miles north and got to Helena where I treated myself with a nice hot shower, a foot long turkey sub, spicy Mcchicken, small fries and 5 chicken strips. Fuck yeah, I was hungry. And I took a shit in a toilet too, that was nice. The awesome thing about Arkansas, is every gas stations I have stopped in has fried chicken and its really good. Tomorrow I plan on covering at least 30 miles to US-79. May God give me strenbgth, physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.

the day before

Tomorrow I leave. I have been planning this trip for a month, now.It came to me when I was sitting smoking and I just google directions from Memphis to San Diego. And then I saw a link that said driving or walking, so I chose walking and then I thought, Im going to skate to San Diego. So here I am, about a month later and about to leave tomorrow. I have come a long way from Rhode Island to Memphis. I worked here and saved some money but it is time to continue the journey out west

This is what I am taking with me

• Black Diamond Sphynx Backpack 37L
  
• Eureka Solitaire Tent
  
• ALPS Sleeping Mat Thick
  
• Mexican Blanket
• 2 Yard Ghanaian cloth for towel
  
• 1 pair of pants
  
• 1 tunic top
  
• 2 pairs of boardshorts
• 2 Hanes cloth Tshirts
  
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• 2 sets of bearings, skate tool, extra bushings and nuts
  
• Swiss army knife
• Leatherman multitool
• Pepsi can Stove and fuel
  
• Food for 8 days which is alot, but only going to decrease and some other items in the picture.
  

Of course Im not going to forget my awesome skateboard. A Sector 9 Sidewinder Series skateboard with Gullwing Double Trucks, recently upgraded with Sector 9 Race Formula 77mm wheels. This is my piece of magic.

Im carrying about 25 lbs on my back not including my Canon Rebel XT, and a bottle of water. I have more than 1800 miles to skate but I have all the time in the world to do it.

What brought me here?
Well that is a long story, but basically I got kicked out of the Peace Corps after 3 months and I couldn't settle at home. I traveled around and ended up in Memphis living there for 5 months. I wasn't living an exciting life and I couldn't do it and I had to get out. I need an ocean and I need to surf. SoCal should do for a while.

Im scared of course, Im going solo, but Im excited and so anxious. Tomorrow is the day and Im ready, I hope you can join me on my journey.