Greg: One, North America: Zero

New York City! Buildings, people, smog, hustle and bustle- this place has it all! That's right folks, I've made it to New York. The final goal accomplished, the destination met, the peak summited, the final term paper turned in, The curtain dropped, The prom date asked out, the final draft sent to the presses, the five o'clock whistle blown, the big contract won, the last railroad spike driven into its tie with pomp and circumstance thereby connecting the far ends of a continent leading to the splendor and success of a grateful nation. Yea baby, it’s done! Take that, nagging doubts and frowning skeptics! Greg one, North America zero.

NYC from the George Washington Bridge

As many of you may know, I've been here for a little while now. Sorry for the delay in updating that old blog.  Too much to do in the big apple. I suppose I should bring y'all up to speed.

First day onto the road I went through the Philadelphia metro area. I skirted around downtown, which basically made for a full day or riding through sub-urban sprawl. It wasn't too bad though- beautiful weather all day and I got to ride through Valley Forge. That night I made it to the outskirts of Trenton, NJ where I stayed with some couch surfers. The next and last day of riding was again beautiful. Mid 60's and sunny all day long. From Trenton I rode up through Princeton where I stopped for a lunch beer. I figured I had earned it. After a nice lunch break it was only about three hours or riding to the coast. Right outside Belford NJ is where I first saw the ocean. I rode straight up to the water and promptly dipped my tires and tasted the water to make sure it was salty. It was. It was also pretty dirty.

At Belford I hopped on a ferry that took me into Manhattan, right past the statue of liberty. An appropriately epic view to end an epic trip! From the heart of Manhattan I rode across the East River to Brooklyn where I stayed with my friends Mason and Rebecca. Mason had a cold beer (an oatmeal stout) waiting for me and we proceeded to make a feast, including salmon, sweet potatoes rice, spinach, and squash. Damn it was good!  I was quite exhausted and after that meal all I felt up to was kickin back and takin it easy.  A couple pulls on a bottle of Soco and I was ready for bed.  Good day.

So began two weeks of NYC livin'.  Staying up late, sleeping in to 11.  Most days I would just walk around a different neighborhood, see the sights, smell the smells (mostly hobo and falafel), eat good food and drink craft beers.  It was fun.  I rode the subways like a champ.  Lost tourists would ask me how to get somewhere and I would smugly point them in the right direction.  But there was a level of disconnect between myself and the true New Yorkers, I think because they all work 60-70 hours a week.  And I just walk around.

I spent a good deal of time at Occupy Wall St.  On the two month anniversary of the start of the movement, Mason and I went on a march with a relatively small group of occupiers.  The police outnumbered us and took it upon themselves to corral our little operation, but our numbers grew as we got closer to Foley Square and when we arrived we found thousands and thousands of people already gathered.  It was exciting to be part of such a large group of like minded people demanding change, despite the broad and sometimes unclear aims of the movement.  We met up with my good friend Mary and together with nearly 45,000 other people marched across the Brooklyn Bridge.  I must admit there was the fear of arrest, especially considering what happened last time the people occupied the bridge, but everything went smoothly.  And after Mary, Mason Rebecca and all of us in our little group had some pizza at Grimaldi's (best pizza in Brooklyn).  Questlove was sitting at the table across from us.  No big deal.

Z Park Before the Police Raid

Over the Brooklyn Bridge

 I saw a lot of friends, met so many cool people- it was truly excellent.  But ultimately, it didn't really feel like the end of a cross country bike trip.  It felt like hangin out in a cool city, just like I've done in so many other places along the way.  I think I got so used to the traveling way of life that a little bit of salty water in front of me wasn't enough to make it feel over.  And what did I learn?  What will I take away besides a pair of rock hard legs and some funny tan lines?

Memories, yes.  New friends, sure. Bragging rights, you better believe it.  That's all easy.  But am I a better man?  Do I have a new perspective on life?  It’s hard to say, and even harder to spell it out coherently but I do know this:  I want to that again!  Perhaps in a different direction (South,  maybe?)  Or something equally grand like hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  Unfortunately I don't have the money, so I will be going back to work, but hopefully not for long.  Work, adventure, work, adventure: that is how I want to live the rest of my 20s.  The next big test for myself? Can I successfully navigate the waters of working world without becoming a jaded, cynical adult sentenced to a 9 to 5 death.  I think I can do it.  I was recently  offered a job as a pilot for Piedmont Airlines, so that will be an adventure in itself!  Then who knows what will happen next.  I like to keep my options open...

See more photos here: http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/k503/Gregasus/#!cpZZ53QQtppZZ16

I made it!

Sorry for the delay, more to come, I promise!