Tuesday, 19 May 2009

  • May 18h Day 22...Current city Orangeburg, NY

    Hello DestinyMaker's,

    Plans are made. They are not always following the description one hopes for. As in life it's not the change because thats the only constant in life. It's how we react to the repositioning of one's manifest destiny. Well I believe in the energies provided by the universe. I do believe in God. This trip more then any has taught me to be prepared with a plan and be ready for anything to occur.

    I was up at 3am I wanted to get a good spot by the Today Show with all the other people out there. I knew to get a good spot I would have to be there early. I made in room coffee. i haven't blogged to much about coffee this trip but don't let that fool you for a moment. 3 am coffee a life saver. I did the things I normally do. There was no rush to leave being up that early. After my normal routine I went to take a shower. There was no hot water. Ok it's 40 degrees outside and I can't take a hot shower. I wasn't happy but plans get changed without consent.  I called down to the front desk and the person didn't seem to interested in my situation. I wasn't to happy at that moment. He wasn't to blame for no hot water but he could have been a bit nicer toward a guest in his hotel.

    I left for Manhattan at 5am. It was so cold. I am not prepared for winter weather. Ok not exactly winter but unseasonably cold. I rode toward the Brooklyn Bridge. I was freezing. I do not have the clothes needed for this weather. I actually have been using a plastic covering or rain protector to keep me warm. problem is you sweat under the plastic which makes the clothes wet underneath. This keeps you warm at first. Then the t-shirts I am wearing absorb the sweat. Doubling you feeling of freezing. I have to do something but can't at this time of morning.

    I made the 17 miles to Manhattan. I was really cold. I parked my bike asking an officer if it was ok. Here in NY nothing can be taken for granite. He replied there are camera's everywhere nothing too worry about. I got a good corner spot in the crowd. Next to me was a mother of triplets. She was cold as well. We as others did moved in closer to one another to keep warm. She had no gloves so I gave her the destinymaker t-shirt to keep her hands warm. The camera guy came over and gave me 8 seconds. While there I saw going into the studio a friend of many years ago. She was actually on the show. Rhonda and I had fun one summer many years ago. She was whisked in before I could even call out here name. I let her know thru facebook I saw her.

    Afterward I went to see Dr. Orrin Devinsky. A leader in the field of Epilepsy. He was kind enough to reimburse my hotel room last night. We spoke a few minutes. We took a photo together. I told the staff the story of destinymaker. They all seemed very impressed.

    It was time to find my way out of the city. I wanted to ride around first. Picture taking is not allowed everywhere. Plus the crowd of people swarming at every corner made me a target of pickpockets. I needed to put my camera in a area unable to be gotten to. That though took any chance of spur of the moment pics.

    I rode as much as I could. It was hectic and all the cars made things dangerous. The taxi's alone could cause great danger. I finally felt I should try to get out of the city. I needed a route and was told get to the west of the city. There a bike path would take me to the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey. This was not the route I had planned but one that could take me across by bike. The bike path was next to the water separating New York and New Jersey. A nice ride where there were many running/walking/biking. A very nice spot to be. I stopped at a fruit stand near the bridge. I had blueberries and bananas. Then it was off to the bridge.

    To get there I had to follow roads in a winding way back toward the bridge after I had biked underneath. Once there you had to climb many steps with bike. Not easy to carry the bike when it's weighed down let alone climb steps. Plus the back pack also weighs. Steps not good. Well after the steps I did in fact ride into New Jersey. That was fun. Then there were more steps. Lots more. I had to walk up them as well. Finally on the other side I realized if I don't change my t-shirts I will get hypothermia. Not kidding. I am serious. As I made my way on 9W I came right into a bike shop called SB. I explained my situation. They hooked me up with 2 garments. No they didn't just give it to me butt they did give me a good price. This stuff is expensive. Cost me $70. Another dollar hit unexpected. Plans are made, they change quickly. I didn't plan for this kind of cold. Folks I was freezing. The temps were only getting going to get colder before tomorrow's expected warming trend.

    I went back out on the road. I was getting hungry but there was nothing to be found. I did ask some construction workers if they new of a local place I could get lunch. they told me up ahead there is a place. I went there. It was called Mountain HOuse. They were very nice to me. It was now getting late. I needed to call Paula about my room in Port Jervis. She is a travel agent who has reached out to help me with room nights. She got the room in Port Jervis. This was good to hear. Except I wasn't making it there today. I asked if she could find something local. I would go the Port Jervis Tomorrow. She did. Except the room wouldn't be comp. She took care of it herself. Wow. Thank you so much Paula.

    I stayed at the Mountain House for awhile. It was warm in there and they took care of my lunch. After hearing my room was ready I biked the few miles over to the hotel. I checked in and tried to nap but couldn't. I later went down for dinner. I ate and went back to room. Nyle called to see how things were. It was great to hear his voice.

    Their are no words to discribe how proud I am.
    Thank you all so much for donating and supporting me and my dad for the past four years.     sincerely,
    Nyle Fenster <IMG 

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