"How the hell did we get here?"

The title of this blog post, the first by yours truly, Petey-Mo, is what Eva asked me 2 nights ago while we sat on a boulder in the middle of a river, which ran through the Green Mountains of Central Vermont.  The leaves are beginning to change and the air is crisp. Hoodies and winter hats are mandatory. So, how the hell did we get up here? The last time you heard from us we were in VA, and I was probably sleeping off that night of Wild Turkey with Eva's step-dad.  This morning, we are in a small town near the Canadian border called...I don't actually know what it's called.  But what does it matter, anyhow. We pulled into a small cafe for some coffee, eggs, toast, toilet and sink. The essentials after 2 nights of camping in Virginia's Green Mountains.

After Eva's last post, we decided to stay in Fredericksburg an extra night to spend some time with Eva's sister, Maggie, and brother-in-law, Marty.  Aside from the good convo and Maggie's story about the hog who ate a farmer, the most blog-appropriate, notable thing from this night was happy hour at the Otter House. If ever you find yourself in this antique-filled town, be sure to stop in for some FREE buffalo wings (unlimited!) and $1.50 drafts.  I don't think we'll find a better deal in all of the Union.

Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Heading out of the Burg, we decided to go west into the the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shanendoah National Park rather than heading up the interstate (duh!) to D.C.  Skyline drive, whoa you guys, that sh** is increible (that's Spanish for incredible for all you monolingual folk).  A single lane highway winding through thick coniferous forests, then opening up to an overlook at elevations reaching over 3,250 ft. 

Out of the mountains and into D.C.  My first time in our nation's capitol. D.C. is one of the many times on this trip that Eva and I have been super thankful for our bikes. While driving in this city was hell, biking was money. We rode around the Mall, stopping at the famous monuments and memorials; Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, lunch under the shade of the Washington Monument and B-sesh in front of the Capitol grounds. The highlight was when Barack called up my celly and invited us for a beer. We had to decline though because we were too busy.

Philadelphia. I regret to inform you that we took the interstate from D.C. to Philly. GASP! I know. I'm sorry. F the interstate.

Eva, Yendi, Winston - chillin' at the dog park

We stayed with my friends Winston and Yendi in an old factory-turned-sick-ass-studio-apartment in Philly. They were in a really nice neighborhood between Downtown and North Philly so we spent our two nights there just hanging in their hood and lounging in their comfy apt.  Our time in Philly was filled with great conversation, lots of laughs, some local brews, live hip-hop (both from the apartment (Wi.Sh(ful) Music and a concert), and lots of good food.

Look at this place!

Eva, Yendi, Winston and Rose picking some PA microbrews

Damn, this post is getting long!!! Sorry y'all. I'll hurry up and wrap this up with a few last words and some photos.

"How the hell did we get here?"

Vermont's, Green Mountains were a complete surprise to me.  Some of the best stops so far have been totally off my radar: Outer Banks, Charleston, Vermont...  Our second night we did some "Stealth camping" on the banks of Lake Chaplain, a glacial lake dividing NY and VT. Adirondacks on the NY side and rolling hills in VT. Hank the Marine from the Outer banks would be proud! We found our best spot yet by simply trespassing! Who woulda thunk it.

Our stealth campsite. VT shoreline and NY Adirondacks across the lake

That's it for now. I'll leave you with some advice. Get in your car and leave whatever city you're living in. Get an atlas (thanks, SoulJAH Ghana) and go explore. This country will blow your mind!

Much love everyone. Now we're headed north to Canada. Did you hear how that country picked its name? The old president was pulling letters out of a hat and is wife was recording...he said, "C, eh. N, eh. D, eh."