It was so nice to see WL coming down the road as I eagerly waited at the campsite entrance yesterday afternoon. The kids were equally as excited and told me all about the rest of their time at Disney World and about the rocket launch they witnessed from a mile away. They have been living it up for sure thanks to their mom’s ability to manage it all. Wow.

The campsite owner allowed Erin to park WL in the vacated tent area giving us a full pass to fully enjoy each other’s company. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were out looking for blood yesterday afternoon and early evening so we all sat in WL in the air conditioning chatting it up. Before too long, Erin was outside with a coat of bug spray on cooking us some pork tenderloin and corn on the cob on the grill. Dinner was amazing as usual and we soon found ourselves saying good night and preparing for bedtime.

Now that our trip is over a third of the way complete, Folker and I have realized we made a serious miscalculation. We violated a rule I learned from Susan, we left fun to find fun. Never a smart decision.

When Folker and I cycled the TransAmerica Trail, we did not “cycle” together. He would wake up and get on the road with me following an hour, or so, later. We would cross paths, maybe have a breakfast, and I would later on get to the destination and get things settled before his arrival. We would then share the day’s stories as we worked on our blogs with a happy hour, dinner and then a tea usually to follow.

This year I thought I would stay with him the entire day while cycling and we would laugh our way up the coast like we did during our celebratory ride into Washington DC two years ago. Cycling with someone every day for the amount of time we are on the road would be difficult for any two cyclists. Don’t get me wrong, Folker and I have had fun cycling together. However, both of us truly prefer to be solo on the road everyday.

So today, Folker was off and riding an hour before I started down the road. It was a perfect morning on perfect roads and my mind was not worrying about keeping up, slowing down, announcing turns, announcing cars passing, etc. I just rode with my thoughts and was back in my happy place. Folker was also up the road deeply into his happy place. Victory.

North Carolina feels right to me. My entire adult life has been spent outside of my home state. I have even been told that I have lost some of my accent believe it, or not. Anyway, North Carolina feels like home. I truly understand exactly what someone is telling me here through verbal and nonverbal communication, no guesswork required. From sweet tea, to “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, Sir,” to “Bless your heart,” it all is still a part of me no matter where life has pulled me to-and-fro.

Folker and I both thought we would catch the same ferry across to the Carolina Beach area and that is exactly what happened. I first saw him while he was talking to Joe Trump as I made my way through Southport. Joe Trump was definitely the most interesting man I met today.

Joe Trump is a vibrant mid-seventy year old man just full of energy. He had my attention as he was full of stories with perhaps some tall tales sprinkled in for extra flavoring. I am glad I met him as his energy was positive and he was pretty damn funny.

Ok, the only thing I found slightly ironic is his name. Whose side is he really on here? He does claim to be related to the 45th President of these United States.

As we made our way through Southport, we found ourselves on the parade route that was scheduled to start at 11:00 am. Did we see people already seated a little after 8:00 am? Yes. Did I parade wave to them like I was the pre-parade show? Yes. Did we see tons of empty chairs where eager parade viewers had claimed their spots perhaps yesterday? Yes. I will now chuckle even more every winter when down in Mexico and the Canadians are out in the early morning putting their towels on the poolside chairs claiming the prime pool area spots. Guess us Americans can be just as spunky sometimes.

Folker and I did indeed make the 8:30 am ferry. Once on the other side, we decided to hunt for a place for breakfast off route in Carolina Beach. After I hunted for a while, I found the one of only two open establishments where I was willing to wait outside to be seated. Truthfully, I was surprised anything was open on the morning of 4th of July.

Nothing says I want to experience America on this glorious holiday more than Folker enjoying the “Big Breakfast Combo” with me. And this particular menu item was obviously the granddaddy of all breakfast combos.

We were now at this time of our lives both full as ticks and it was time to head to our destination, Carolina Beach State Park Campground. We made our way to the Marina to check in and was told we needed to slow our roll and wait a couple hours for our site to become available. Luckily, we are in a nice lounge with a view, power outlets, and air conditioning. Laundry is being done just next door while I am sipping on a Sun Drop. Whatcha know about a Sun Drop?

Happy 4th Of July my fellow patriots! We are something special for sure people!