Lola and I successfully picked up 55 tents from fellow tent collector, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dave. We left Asheville at 7:30 pm Sunday night and drove until about 1:00 am. After a few hours sleep at a lovely Virginia rest stop, we continued our trip North. The first few hours drive at dawn through Virginia were spectacular with Redbud trees in full bloom and bright green spring grass covering rolling hills. With the sun low in the east and early morning fog slowly lifting , Lola and I were really excited about the road trip.
We arrived at Dave’s house in Jersey about 3pm, and quickly loaded all 55 tents with the help of his 3-year old daughter, Sam. We made a quick turn around and were ready to leave by 3:45pm, hoping to dodge DC traffic. Getting in the car, I found Sam, squished up between the tents and center console, wanting “to go on the road trip with Lola too”!
After an evening in Annapolis, MD eating Sushi and catching up with an old raft guiding friend from Boone, NC, Lola and I were on the road again at 6am heading for Fayetteville, WV. What a spectacular drive we enjoyed on small winding roads, through the back woods and coal mining towns on WV. We rolled into Fayeteville at good friend Doug Proctor’s – and immediately put on the New River.
Doug and I spent a few hours paddling and telling stories. Doug, of the history of the New and Gauley Rivers. Me, of the tent collecting journey and how it all began.
Lola and I camped out on Doug’s front lawn, testing out one of the new tents from D. Dave. I am SO excited to deliver them to Haiti. The tent we borrowed is going to be someone’s new home.
Wednesday morning we hit the road again, on the way back to Asheville. We arrived at noon, 65 hours after we left, with shelter for over 200 people.
