5/9/2013. - Day 44 - Sometimes you're the windshield; Sometimes you're the bug. Sometimes it's kind of like that but not really.

5/9/2013. - Day 44 -
Sometimes you're the windshield;
Sometimes you're the bug.
Sometimes it's kind of like that but not really.

I reach up to touch my cheek after I feel something brush lightly against it. I am 98% still asleep and reposition on the couch and drift off. Moments later, I feel something brush my face again and slap at it. Back to sleep. Suddenly, I feel something tickling my neck...

In 0.04 seconds I go from almost completely asleep to an elevated level of hysteria that can only come from realizing that stay hair / piece of dust / mosquito I thought I was slapping at is in fact, a cockroach, which was on my face and is now in my bed.

I am immediately on full alert/karate mode, but not full out crazy mode because the threat has not been neutralized. I leap off the couch while fumbling for my cell phone and the flash light feature that takes FOREVER to load. I want to vomit just thinking about the scenario but I try to keep control of myself. I frantically try to locate the wounded cockroach while simultaneously yelling for Jamie- who responds in a barely audible voice that tells me she doesn't sense the concern coming from mine. I yell again and use a high voice to explain that she needs to awaken and come into the living room RIGHT NOW. There is a pause and a short delay but she does appear.

I stand over the couch poised in battle position, wielding my phone as my weapon of choice. I have spotlighted the wriggling cockroach carcass with my iPhone and instruct her to bring something to finish him off. Jamie enters with a wad of paper towels and calmly removes the intruder. Cue insanity.

I rush to the bathroom to scrub the side of my face, now that I've realized that the half dead cockroach cuddling my neck resulted from the very live cockroach that I slapped and half squished into my face seconds before. Now I really want to puke. I realize the hand I am scrubbing the side of my face with is also the hand I touched the cockroach with. I switch from scrubbing my face to scrubbing my hand. But now I'm touching the hand that touched the cockroach and now I can't breathe and I want to gag and I need to sit down because there's a lot of emotion in this bathroom right now in the middle of the night.

I sit down on top of the stool with my face in my hands and try to breathe normally and think about anything but cockroaches on my face in the night. I exit the bathroom and dance around Jamie's bedroom for awhile and make a few mostly unintelligible  words about fear and feeling sick and how I am not being overly dramatic. I start to walk back to the living room and realize that's where this whole thing started. I return to Jamie's room, crawl into bed with her, make clear that despite the fact that I despise sharing beds there is absolutely no way I am going back to the living room. Jamie mutters something about how I better not bring any roaches into HER bed and I almost lose it, countering with something about how it's HER house that caused me to have a roach on my face. Jamie sees this as not even important enough to remain awake for and is already asleep while I huddle on my side of the bed, clutching the sheets and trying not to vomit.

In the morning, Jamie leaves for work and the day is normal for everyone but me. I'm holding Dodger partially accountable for not acting on the threat and destroying it before it got to me. He and I are on delicate terms for today, but we are stuck with each other. I still feel all those legs touching my cheek and thus feel slightly sick for the remainder of the morning. There's no way I can fathom trying to talk about the incident without freaking out again; and it's all I can do NOT to think about it.

Dodger and I make the short drive to the other side of the apartment complex where there is a hose and a vacuum. After securing Dodger to a post nearby I begin the task of trying to clean out 8,000 miles of debris from the inside of my truck. The second I turn on the vacuum Dodger about hangs himself with his lease trying to flee in fear. I relocate him to the box of the truck and pray he does not leap out in fright. He remains on guard but does not leave the box. We return to the apartment largely without further incident.

Dodger and I play a little ball before I head out for the day. It's another gorgeous and sunny Charleston day, with the heat rising every second. The alligators are also out and about the complex--but given the seal situation in CA, I'm curious enough to look, but not curious enough to approach.

Another day crossing the long bridge into Charleston on two wheels. I weave through the city out to Folly Beach for one last day in the sand. Most of my day I spend napping, reading, and picking up a few sand volleyball games with new friends. A guy in flip flops rides on the back of my motorcycle back to his car after our last game and I head back to the apartment.

Jamie is home when I arrive and we make a last minute decision to try to catch a River Dogs baseball game. Unfortunately, upon arriving we find the general admission lines backed up with a never before seen crowd of baseball fans. We opt to wait in line for a bit but ditch that idea and head downtown for a nice dinner once we realize we will never get in the stadium.  Somewhere in conversation this evening Jamie and I decide I should stay one more day and that way we can spend one more Friday night together. It's a gorgeous night outside and we sit on the back patio of Poogan's Porch and enjoy Southern food. I'm loving fish lately and trying to diversify my palette into one that slightly resembles an adult. Fish is my best attempt as of now. I think I should get points for that since mac and cheese was on the menu and I did not order it.

5/8/2013. - Day 43 - "Watch out for those oak trees -- you won't win." Words from the wise.

5/8/2013. - Day 43 - "Watch out for those oak trees -- you won't win." Words from the wise.

I have selected today to return to Kiawah Island, based on the weather showing today as the warmest sunniest day this week. After taking Dodger out for a quick walk as my surrogate dog mom duties demand, I'm geared up and set to go. It's hot, humid, sunny, and perfect for a bike trip. The ride to Kiawah is gorgeous, and soon I reach the stretch of roadway that is lined with the ancient oak trees. As Jamie left this morning, she warned me to watch out for the oaks today, given their solid stature. I have noted this and maintain a respectful distance.

I reach Kiawah early in the afternoon and start to unpack my saddle bags. My beach gear comes out and my leathers go in. A school bus and it's passengers are nearby. The children are having lunch in the park prior to their departure. As the kids finish their food and file past me on their way to board the bus, one little girl tells me my motorcycle is really cool. I thank her and tell her she's a very nice little girl. The kids all stare as they walk past. My little sisters still think I am cool, too; and they still think I am a really good dancer. Either of those statements are debatable.

For those of you who know me, arriving at a secluded park, seeking quiet and nature--and instead finding an entire bus of loud, sticky pre K students--I was initially terrified. Deep breath in, deep breath out. I love kids. But I'm still young and selfish and immature to sometimes choose to like them only when it's convenient and I don't want quiet or order. I love them in measured doses where there is a pre set time when they will return to their owners. On this trip I'm not feeling exceptionally kid friendly because I don't feel like anything more than a kid myself; just a kid roaming the country in her pickup, learning about the world. I don't really want any responsibility today, even the responsibility of their curiosity and questions. We each keep our distance and then they are loaded up in their bus and off.

A sneak attack by a well camouflaged critter

I make the haul to the mouth of the river, scanning the sands along the way for treasures while simultaneously keeping an eye out for dorsal fins. The tide has receded far back into the sea and has uncovered a wealth of treasures amid the sands. I set up camp a short distance from the water's edge where the river meets the Atlantic and wait. Right on schedule, dorsal fins begin appearing, moving steadily up the river. People again start to gather at the shore but I hang back, acknowledging the dolphins need for space as they feed. I see one dolphin skimming the edge of the beach as he strands the fish he is chasing. It's incredible.

I sit and soak up the sun for a few hours. Today is full of time to sit and think and reflect on the past few weeks. I've enjoyed this trip more than anything in my entire life, but I'm also cognizant of the reality that I need to start doing at least a little bit of planning for the future.

I begin to make my way back to the park entrance, always scanning the ground. There are a multitude of starfish and shells scattered about the beach, along with a few other creatures. I'm mindful to carefully inspect all shells for sea life within.



The sun is hot today and the wind whips around fed by the sea breeze. I stop at Folly Beach on the way home and enjoy the lively atmosphere there. Of course I do a little beach combing because I'm a major addict. Between beach combing and searching for dolphins it's a wonder I get anything else done while I'm in Charleston.




The way home finds me smack in the middle of rush hour traffic, and on the bike. There are two lanes, with an additional merging lane to my right. We are bumper to bumper, and I'm sandwiched in the middle. And then sirens sound somewhere behind us.



Now there is NO place for any sort of emergency vehicles to go that I can see being physically possible given the current traffic situation. However, the merging lane starts to squeeze in towards my lane, and at the same time the outside lane also squeezes in. And I'm directly in the middle as the drivers force cars towards the center in all directions in efforts to clear a path. Sort of unnerving when you have little exterior protection.


I make it out unscathed and arrive back at my home for just a few more days days. Jamie and I make a meal from leftovers in the fridge and settle into our respective areas on the couch for the evening.

Life is good.

5/7/2013. - Day 42 - Not All Who Wander Are Lost...

5/7/2013. - Day 42 - Not All Who Wander Are Lost...

Neverland on King St.

Some Charleston Character and Charm!

Today Charleston is having trouble making up its mind about the weather. About the time I get dressed and head downtown, it decides to cloud up and downpour. Then ten minutes later it is blasting hot and the streets and cobblestone are steaming with mist. Charleston has been very moody on this particular trip.



I have no direction today, I just want to wander downtown and see the sights I never get sick of seeing. I head down King St. and stop in the Magniflous Toy Emporium. It looks just like the toy shops you see in the movies.

There is a piano in the corner playing on its own, a big ferris wheel made of K'Nex, a gumball machine the size of a gorilla, stuffed animals, plastic dinosaurs, and other toys galore. The owner is characteristically wrapped up in showing a young boy the latest and greatest. It reminds me of Neverland and being a kid forever, which is my lifelong goal. I would like to live in here, but instead I buy a few things for my sisters and continue on.

I walk down King St., and venture into the older part of town to explore some of my favorite parts of historical Charleston. I love strolling up and down the old streets and alleys and gazing up at the old buildings with their iron detailing, overflowing window boxes, and colorful complexions. I have no destination and I weave up and down the lanes, sometimes parallel to the carriage tours and bike taxis who share the streets. The old churches and Cathedrals are striking, and some feature graveyards with headstones dating well over a hundred years back.

I head home in time to meet Jamie as she arrives from work. We head to Sesame Burgers with some of Jamie's friends who I've met on past trips. We enjoy the food and company, and of course the sun is shining gloriously so that doesn't hurt either. The night is dampened only by my realization that I should be departing in a few short days...

5/6/2013. - Day 41 - Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me

5/6/2013. - Day 41 -
Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me

Got no money in my pocket... I got a hole in my jeans...
Had a job and I lost quit it, but it won't get to me....

(Setting) Running low on cash, running high on life. No plans, no commitments. Just sunshine and time.

As a general rule, when I visit Charleston, or anywhere for that matter, I always have a detailed agenda and structure my time accordingly. Since this trip has no beginning and no end, each day I do whatever the heck I wanna do [GOSH].

So that's what I did today. It was finally sunny. I roamed around, took the bike for a spin, cased out the local beaches, and settled on Isle of Palms. If you skip any day of this blog, skip today. It was a day of relaxation and nothingness. Unless of course you really want to read about someone who's life is absolutely carefree because you need inspiration--then by all means, read on.

I reached Isle of Palms around low tide and immediately began my beach combing. About me: I LOVE beach combing. And it is the only thing in the entire world that I have utmost and unending patience for. I could walk the beach for hours, literally. I absolutely love it.

Today's spoils are particularly fun. I have collected about a dozen sand dollars which I found in a small ridge of sand and shallow water near the beach. I have also found a few interesting shells to take home. I'm elated at the sand dollar find though; a dozen perfect specimens. It's like winning the beach lottery. I'm looking forward to giving them as gifts to my friends at home and hoping they treasure them like I do!

I spend a large part of the day sitting in the sun and thinking about how cold and snowy it is in ND. And laughing a little. I just love Charleston and all it has to offer and today is simply perfect. I return home to socialize with Dodger and greet Jamie. We do a little evening shopping and settle easily into our evening routine on the couch. It's the kind of comfort and familiarity I've been dreaming of and it couldn't be better.