Quote of the Day: "The most important thing you can do as an individual is to not act as an individual."
The Charlotte media didn't seem to be interested in picking up the SBF/Bike tour story. So after waiting around an extra day to be available for interviews finally on Saturday I blasted off for Columbia. It rained most of the way making it the most dismal day of my entire trip and as a result it was almost a no-photo day.
I didn't plan very well for the fact that it was a home college football game for the USC Gamecocks .....
Hotel-less man in Columbia:
I finally found a hotel at 2am. What compounded the issue of finding a hotel was that my iPhone was dead so I couldn't use it to look for hotels or use the GPS functions. During the 129 mile ride to Charlotte the phone had been in very high humidity and the screen got water in it. I felt that the phone should stand up to humidity and by the way Apple agreed and subsequently gave me a new phone.
So I finally landed at a new Super 8. The battery had discharged on the phone also, as a piece of rice had gotten into the charging port as I had been using rice in a bag to try to suck out the humidity. Sean the night auditor at Super 8 jumped to the rescue and found a way to get it out so at least the phone could be charged. Sean and a great lobby sign:
Regarding the Quote of the Day - "The most important thing you can do as an individual is to not act as an individual."
As I think of how people can fret and concern themselves about conditions and circumstances in the world, I think of how much better it is to just jump in and take action and stop worrying ourselves. And no, not many people will find themselves in a situation where they can climb on a bike and ride across the country taking up a cause but we can do something. Helen Keller said "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do."
Relative to the plight of Veterans with PTSD, I urge you not only take action but to take the rational action of joining with others to help by donating to Soldier's Best Friend
A few important updates:
1) THE TRADITIONAL WHEEL DIP IS ON AT FOLLY BEACH AND PARTY TO FOLLOW AT LOGGERHEADS BEACH GRILL. This will be on Saturday the 27th. Justin Cross my son-in-law will be riding the last leg with me and we are aiming to wheel dip near The Tides Hotel at noon.
Loggerheads has a nice plan for a mix of party and fund raising which they are going to blast out to their 1400 customers on their mailing list on Friday the 26th. If you wish to know the details use this link to get the info Loggerheads Mailing Info Sign-Up
Stopped by Loggerheads tonight (Friday the 26th) and people are already buying raffle tickets for the beach cruiser bike and we have already reached $100 even before the raffle has officially begun. Bike to be raffled off at 4pm
Hope to see you there!!
2) Update on Lauren's Student Warriors:
Lauren with Vets that she met with to learn more about their experience and PTSD:
Look at the great T-shirt that they have designed:
The multiplier effect is real.... Lauren Thomas a teacher at Central High School in Chattanooga TN saw one of my TV interviews in Chattanooga. It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that Lauren got enthused regarding helping Vets with PTSD. She has her students ON FIRE raising money for Soldier's Best Friend and is now getting interviewed with her students also. Facebook friend Lauren if you want a blast of "positive".
Lauren and I have decided to take a run at getting on Ellen Degeneres to further high-light SBF. HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP - If you have been following the blog and think there is enough funny and heart warming stuff that has happened to me on my trip then please take 5 minutes to tell Ellen's staff that at the following link
http://www.ellentv.com/be-on-the-show/10/ It is really easy to fill this out and we have been told that a barrage from different people helps - so please help. Just mention my ride for Soldier's Best Friend with my name (Neil Grehlinger) and add a liittle blurb of why you think it would make an interesting show. Also mention Lauren Thomas and her students as well.
Donations update: Currently at $1600
About Soldiers Best Friend ..... If you have been following along you already know that I am trying to collect donations for the charity called Soldiers Best Friend. This is a charity that provides service dogs to Vets that are suffering from PTSD. These dogs can literally be life savers for these men and women.
My blog averages approximately 175 hits per day. I think that suggests folks are interested in the trip and hopefully are being informed and entertained. I am at the half-way point of the trip at 2151 miles. I consider this my job for the summer of 2014. I am putting in the the "blood, sweat, and gears" to steal a phrase - so would you consider a donation to this very worthy cause?
I've done the math for you .... My entire trip is going to be approximately 4200 miles long. Do you think you could donate $.006 per mile (like about slightly more than 1/2 cent per mile)?? If so then that would be a $25 dollar donation to SBF. Or better yet could you afford to donate at $.012 per mile (1.2 cents per mile) then that would be about a $50 donation. And so on .... give what you can - I know this sounds like a Nation Public Radio fund drive but come on - what a worthy cause!!
Please follow the link below to donate and include my name - just "Neil" will do or "Neal" if you like that spelling better:):)
It's time folks please.......
As you donate please enter my name in the "In Honor of Spot" so the folks at SBF can tally the results to encourage me and let me know WE are getting something done TOGETHER. I recognize we are really trying to honor the Vets but this is the only way SBF can tally the results of this drive.
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