January 14th, 2008 | categorizilation: all categories,USA (Alabama),USA (FLorida)
Today’s distance / ???????: 51.6 miles / 83.0km
Average speed / ????: 8.7mph / 14.0km/h
Time on skateboard / ????: 5h 56m
Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 1672mi (plus 266mi) / 2692km (plus 430km)
Ascent / ??: n/a
Descent / ??: n/a
End-of-day GPS coordinates: n/a
An early morning toodle-loo to Verna, Donna, and Tom, and I was away, on the road and keen to get some serious miles in today. That was cut short soon after I got on the road, with a random phone call from “Ric and Laura In the Morning“, a radio show from Albany, New York. The random phone call actually woke me up to a great degree, and I was riding the high of being noticed all the way up in New York, when I got the real shocker – a call from Colin McArdle from West FM in Scotland. We arranged for an interview for that evening.
By now I had become rather suspicious; how the hang were stations from the other side of the world hearing about me?! It appears that information about my journey has been posted on a news story website that picks up interestings stories from around the world. The interview with Colin was a great one. We managed to cover all aspects of my journey, and it was great speaking to a Scot; I wish I had made the trek up to Scotland when I was in the UK. Perhaps another day.
By late morning, I had entered Alabama, arriving in Gulf Shores about 11:30am. By then, the staff at the Tourist Information center that I had visited earlier, had contacted a local reporter, Barry, who, knowing I was a New Zealander, arranged to meet me at the Wheel House, a local restaurant run by a New Zealander. Lo and behold, the restaurant was a real fish and chip shop! My first real fish and chips for over two years, and it was in Alabama.
(Photo by Barry)
John Goodall is the owner and operator of the fish ‘n chip shop, and a real genuine New Zealander. He is from Nelson, up north in the South Island of New Zealand. He’s never run a fish ‘n chip shop before, but figured that it couldn’t be all that hard, and now has an extremely successful place. I really should not have had the fish and chips for lunch. Now I am craving them!
After leaving Gulf Shores, I made a mad dash for the Fort Morgan ferry that would take me to Daufin Island. I made it just in time, arriving just 10 minutes before the ferry arrived at 5:45pm.
It was dark by the time the ferry arrived at Daufin Island, so I set up my tent in the trees surrounding a parking lot at the Daufin Island bird sanctuary.
Rob- we were still talking about you before and after Wednesday evening services at the Innerarity Point Church of Christ. You are the biggest thing to hit our area since Hurricane Ivan- you being, of course, alot more of a pleasant experience!!!
Hey the names Keegan
im from the school of ferry pass middle
you came one day with Mr. jones(Jamie Jones) and made a presentation and powerpoint of your trip…
just wanted to wish you the best of luck on your journey…
i look forward to seeing your name in the next world record book 
Hi Rob. My mother (Lisa) and I (Meghan) met you today on the road between Livonia and Morganza, Louisiana. I hope you liked the food at Not Your Mama's. Sorry we did not get a picture with you but we will keep up on your route around the United States. Keep safe and have fun. It was nice meeting you today! Keep in touch also.
Hi Rob,
I have thought of you alot and wonder where you are and how you are doing. I am so happy to have met you and had a chance to spend the day with you. I pray that you are well and that your journey is going along as planned. Take care and if you get a chance I would love an email, but I know that you have so many who are trying to keep up with you so I will just try to stay in touch through the website.
Take care and May God Bless and keep you.
Love In Christ,
Sheila Kitchens
I can't believe you made it to the U.S.! I thought you got another job in BVI until March or so. I gave you my phone number on your e-mail and I have your and will be calling you to see if I can help you or get something to you like shoes or anything. Be careful Rob. Jim Augie and I were just talking about you 2 days ago. I am glad I checked your site. Who knows, maybe I'll see you in the U.S.! Don't be surprised. I need to know where you are at the current time so I can try to get you media coverage. Talk to you soon. Regina & Jim, your Las Vegas friends via BVI
If you ever do go to Scotland, a good time to go would be during "The Fringe Festival" in Edinburgh.
Basically hundereds and hundereds of tiny shows – comedians, plays, etc – all over the city, within walking distance. Small crowds for each one too – most lasting about an hour. Supposedly it is £8 or so to get into each one, but it's pretty much pick and go, with each show having a 2 or 3 line blurb describing what you're in for.
(P.S. I'm slowly getting through your blog..)
