We rolled well over 2,000 miles during our arduous two weeks, both on the bike and in Nola, and the road became our home away from home. We each settled into our own territory on the bus, and before long, the confusion of clothes, gear, and endless cables and wires that connected us with the world taught us tolerance and patience, and became a comfort in its own right as well. The roads we traveled took us to people who loved to see us, and some who shared their stories. We moved on with confidence and excitement, and looked ahead to where tomorrow’s road would take us.

The entire route had been planned in advance. We needed no map for the road home. Biloxi, Mobile, Tallahassee, Tampa. Home. Perhaps someone who lived in New Orleans on August 29, 2005, and has not returned home, is still looking for the map with the return route clearly marked. Four years, two months, and nineteen days later. Does anyone have that map?

See you there!

As I type this, my left leg is giving me a reminder that I’ve done 149 miles on the bike in 2 days, and that I didn’t work out enough before I hit the road for Louisiana. This is a fleeting, temporary message, and we can choose to take heed, and address the cause, or tough it out, hoping  it will pass soon. We try to move on, and forget it.

Heartbreak. Books have been written about how best to face this demon that can bury us alive in anguish, depression, sorrow, and self pity. Suffering of a magnitude unmeasured tears at so many of us who hurt so deeply within our ravaged hearts that some never find their way to love again. Crushing, terrible hurt.

Some feel all three types of pain I’ve listed, and at once. It lingers, and circles around. It dives deep, and grabs hold. It annoys and reminds us when we don’t expect it. It lives at different levels in our lives, and never really moves on. This is the pain felt by those who have lost their homes,  and feel they’ll never find that comfortable  place again. Many from New Orleans carry this array of pain, wherever they may now live. Every day, they carry on, quietly and carefully, so as not to stir the embers. It’s time to listen. They will help us learn how not to let this happen again.

To watch the video click on the video on demand box on the right hand side.

http://www.cenlamedia.com/alb/index.php/site/article/florida-crew-traveling-cross-country-to-help-hurricane-victims/

During our short stay here, we learned that many Katrina refugees decided to stay here, preferring the comfort and stability of this prosperous, accommodating city to the questionable future of their beloved home they were forced to leave for so long. Do I wonder why they don’t return to New Orleans? No. They were just looking for a place they could call their own. A storm took that from them, and we were too slow in helping them find their way back. It’s a shame someone should have to make that choice.

Jon is in pain again this evening, and I watch him closely as we choose to press on.

We are overnighting in the quaint, friendly college town, Natchitoches. I dare you to pronounce this name correctly. I have heard it, but I can’t repeat it. Great dinner at The Landing. We had a very hard time choosing something from the great menu. We’re here because my bike didn’t make it. Does this surprise you? 32 miles out on Day 1, The bike freed itself of all of the God-given air in the rear tire. So, we went for a walk. 7 miles later, smoking Nola picked me up, and in a rare show of temper, burst into flames for a quick moment, just long enough to hold the attention of nearby Ian. If I had been thinking quickly, I could have solved two problems at once by beating down the flames with my bike. But, the dinner and dessert was very good, excellent in fact, and once again, we laugh hysterically at our misfortunes. And, as they say, there is a reason for everything. We met a professor from nearby Northwestern State University who wants us to speak with the student body about what we are trying to accomplish with To Bring Us Home. How cool is that? More publicity! Spreading the word! I’ll see you all in the morning. We need to watch a movie now, and try to forget about this wacky reality that insists on closing in around us to hold us down. Full moon crazy tonight! Beautiful, magical white fire night. Goodnight!