Day 28 & 29 Things get more complicated

Today I am writing this blog from Lake Murray, SC instead of somewhere on the road of Missouri. This has been an eventful day or so.
Day 27, Zac had met two young men biking on the same highway, one from Pittsburgh and one from New York. They were compatible bikers in skill and they are ages 23 and 28. This has been a godsend for Zac who was having to bike difficult terrain alone for days alone. They both left their respective home towns and are going to be on the same trail as Zac until Pueblo, CO. They had also met a British couple that day who had biked thousands of miles around the world and were interesting to visit with. The two young men were also biking and camping and this makes such a difference to have other bikers to ride, draft and camp with. At night, one will set up camp while the others prep and cook dinner after the long day.
Day 28, I was all packed and had all his provisions ready to go. Zac called and suggested that if I came, he would not have time to spend with me or he would lose his travelling companions.. There were also limited motels/hotels to stay at and I think he worried that perhaps camping along the roadside is not high on my fun list.
I understood what he was saying and they determined that today, they would be passing through Marshfield, MO and I could send the package there.
So... I began to call the Fire Dept and the Sheriff's dept to see if I could overnight the package to them. They did not have weekend staff at their offices. So I called the Chamber of Commerce. They would be closed but they were next door to the UPS Store, run by a biking angel named Ruth. ....whose mother's name is Flo. Ruth was glad to accept the package and even stay late if Zac and friends were later getting into Marshfield. I am writing this while she is waiting for them and they are having a more difficult day of climbing hills than anticipated and are going to be much later. Ruth is going to make sure Zac gets the package and has arranged a drop off spot that should work. Ruth has no idea how much we appreciate her kindness and her unselfish efforts to help in this situation. Ruth's family has been directly affected by Leukemia.
Marshfield, MO sits at the top of the topigraphical map of the Ozarks. It is the Home of Edwin Hubble, the American astromoner, that invented the Hubble telescope. There is a replica of it that sits in the town square. It is the one that has been sent originally into earth's orbit in 1990 and continues to be a huge part of the NASA program.
I was able to cancel all the reservations easily except the Airlines. They would not refund my ticket unless of reasons of death or a serious illness like cancer.... they were not impressed with my congested nose and frequent coughing.....They are giving me a voucher to use the ticket at sometime in the next year so we are grateful for that.
So we leave Zac and friends peddling somewhere near Marshfield, MO.

Ms. Cagle reports that the Sunset Elementary students are working hard on their fundraiser. There are still 11 teachers who are going to bike into work on Friday, June 6th... We do have a new dirt bike as the big gift for a student of the fundraiser, donated by Cyclesport of Aiken. We are looking to the end of this week and meeting all the kids and everyone at Sunset Park. Zac should have his new phone and be able to call in while everyone is biking, dancing or doing their thing for the 69 minutes on Friday.

Thought for the day... be kind to someone you do not know.. you have no idea what a difference you make in their lives.......

*posted by Zac's mom, and dad and sister, who are so grateful to everyone who has been so kind and generous in Zac's endeavor for LLS*

Day 27 No word from Zac today

And I am not sure how I am going to find him when I get to st. Louis. I know where he will be from town to town so this might be interesting. I am flying to St. Louis with all sorts of supplies for Zac.... Body Glide for the body parts that can possibly chafe, protein/carbohydrate supplement that Isaiah sent from Memphis, convertible pants (that can go from long to short), a new phone, camera supplies and toiletries, etc. Everything I bought I felt the weight of it over and over and the store staff would just walk around me and smile. I will complete this blog when I hear from him and see where he has been. I leave Charlotte in the evening and will hit St. Louis for the night.. The next day, I will set out on a three hour tour to find the ZAC ATTACK. Will get alot of stories and write them to you.. I cannot wait. There are a few of you who know how I do in storms and we are heading towards tornado alley.. Hmmmmmm.

*written by Zac's mom*

Day 26 Heard from Zac.. He had been calling....

But I had not been answering.... Zac had been biking in some torrential rain and did not realize that his phone had become wet two days ago. So he has been calling from periodic pay phones. Unfortunately, they show up on the Privacy Directory as this unknown number and you know who that is always calling especially around the dinner hour. Well they were not telemarketers, but my precious son out in the hills of Missouri.. Fortunately, today, it showed up as a "pay phone" and if you are a mother of any teenage child ever, you always pick up "Pay Phone" calls.... And he was wondering why I was not answering his calls... Yes, I grovelled and felt so badly.. He is around Centerville, MO tonight, a town of 175 people, with five policemen and a volunteer fire dept. I am hoping he will call later tonight. We are trying to find out where he will be on Friday night when I fly into St. Louis. I feel like I am taking a pioneer his supplies for the trail. He needs his supplements, a new phone, his convertible pants, and many hugs from his mom. There seem to be no hotels in the small towns of MO but quite a few bed and breakfasts. So there is hope for us to find somewhere to lay our heads.. I completely enjoy bed and breakfasts and all the wonderful people you meet.
Biking is difficult on the road that he is travelling. Zac says that they are nice people but nothing like our Southern folk who move over for you on the roads of life and are very courteous when you stop.. We appreciate your prayers and phone calls inquiring about him.
Today, I received a copy of the nicest article that was done when Zac stayed with the Youngs at the Antebellum Inn, Winchester, TN. Thank you, Connie, for sending that and he will get to see it this weekend, after I stop hugging.
Thank you Isaiah and friends in Memphis for getting the supplies together and getting them to me in time to load them up for St. Louis.. Paying $15 for my first piece of luggage according to the new airline rules..
I hope the teacher of Sunset Park Elementary are training for their bike ride into school on June the 6th for the fundraiser. If Zac calls in from some mysterious phone from the foothills of the Ozarks, I will be back on the keys.

*posted by Zac's blogging Mama*

Day 25 Unable to reach Zac, but have a surprise!

We tried to reach Zac by phone all day and he is out of reach, either not able to charge his phone or no service available. He is biking somewhere in MO and we hope to hear from him tomorrow.
On a whim, today, I went on Expedia, just to see how much the tickets were from Charlotte to St. Louis.. and some cycling angel was looking out for us..... there was an incredible rate from Friday to next Tuesday... all the other days were outrageous and I quickly booked it. I have been unable to tell Zac that I am coming. There are several supplies that he needs, like a replacement camera, his long pants that are amongst the missing, more food supplements, and a new front fender for his bike.. Thankfully I was able to reach Isaiah, his cycling good buddy in Memphis who is sending me the supplies. I would not even begin to know what he truly needs... Zac has a great group of friends and a support group in Memphis that have biked with him for those few days through Tennessee and also call him frequently. Really good friends and we are all so very grateful to you all!
We got our gift to the students of Sunset Park Elementary ordered today with a delivery date of June 3rd. We are looking forward to their fundraiser extravaganza on June 6th. Zac wishes he was in a place that he can call everyone there more often.

*posted by Zac's mom who will get to hug on Zac soon...*

Day 22, 23 and 24 Catching up with Zac

Zac has kept peddlin' and I am behind in reporting. Day 21 was resting at Reelfoot park and "the Fatman" sent these pictures...Will have to send those later because I forgot how to move them to the blog. Big fish and interesting new friends! Day 22 brought Zac to Wickliffe, KY, town of 800 people.
The modern day city of Wickliffe is home to a Mississippian culture village now known only as Wickliffe mounds. Wickliffe mounds was occupied from around 1100-1300 CE. Today, Wickliffe mounds is the 11th state historic site of Kentucky, and home to a research center and museum. Who knew what "CE" stands for? It is Common Era, the politically correct version of A.D. Please tell me that was new to everyone else.

In 1780 during the Revolutionary War, General George Rogers Clark established Fort Jefferson on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River one mile south of present-day Wickliffe. The fort was intended to protect what was then the western boundary of the infant United States from raids by the British Army and Native Americans. It was abandoned in 1781 after a siege by the Chickasaw.


The site later served as a Union Army post during the American Civil War. General Ulysses S. Grant directed a demonstration against the Confederate-held position at Columbus, Kentucky, in January 1862. Troops from the post joined in capturing Fort Henry in February 1862. It served as a Union supply post for operations in the western theater of the war.
Day 23 took Zac through three states: Kentucky, Illinois, and and Kansas. Leaving, Wickcliffe, Zac had to get a police escort over a very narrow bridge. Zac had a difficult day but bedded down at a Frat house in Cape Girardeau, Kansas. He is having difficulties with his allergies and hesitates to take any medication that may cause additional fatigue.
Cape Girardeau is the home of Rush Limbaugh. His brother continues to live here and practice law. However,I am not sure that Zac would consider this a highlight of Cape Girardeau. Zac is now on the Mississippi River Trail biking route and plans to connect to the TransAmerica route soon.Today is Day 24 and we will let you know where the "Zac ATTACK" is...
Today, we remember our troops who presently serve worldwide in our armed forces. Sean Willis, Zac's high school friend in Korea, we are thinking of you! And to all the troops who have fought for us through all the wars and all the years.. A very big Thank You and God Bless!

Day 21 Zac reports in!

We heard from Zac....He had left his phone in Memphis, accounting for the silence for the past few days.. However, we knew that he was safe and cycling with friends from Memphis so we remained calm. Zac has had good days since leaving Memphis. He was fortunate to have 6 friends ride with him for a few days. They had to return, leaving 3 to ride for a couple more days. They had some great days, cycling up to 100 miles in one day. The fellow riders were picked up by friends from Memphis and Zac's phone was also brought to him. Unfortunately, Zac called in when we were in the middle of a chaotic wedding set up. Therefore, we have limited knowledge of specifics. Zac had crossed the Tennessee border into Kentucky. He was somewhat deterred by the closing of a ferry due to the rising fuel costs. A route change had to be determined and delayed him. Day 21 was a rest day in Kentucky where he had met several locals.....
Zac missed the wedding of one of his high school friends. It was a great gathering of his friends who all asked about him.. Thank you.
*posted by Zac's mom...*

Day 20 Where in world is Zac Holford?

Has anyone seen Zac..... He has been cycling with friends from Memphis for the past few days and we are hoping that he is safe. We are unable to get any phone contact with him and we are not sure that he has received his new GPS system. Fortunately, one of Zac's classmates and his Cotillion partner, Jennie is getting married this weekend. I am in charge of the wedding reception and this has been a saving grace in keeping me busy and not being worried. We are sure he is fine and as soon as I can get in touch with him, we will keep you posted...
The fundraising from Sunset Park Elementary appears to on the fast track.. Ms. Cagle emailed today saying"
Things are moving along nicely here at Sunset Park....the fundrasier is really coming together and all of the children are getting really excited! I have shared the story with all of the faculty members in the district (almost 2,200) and checks are starting to pour in! We have also contacted the local media and they are going to get back with us....To date - I have 11 faculty members planning to ride to school with me on the morning of the 6th! YEAH!"
How great is that.. We cannot wait to come up for this big event. We are planning on getting our Aiken media involved as well..
As for Zac.. we will keep looking and waiting....
*posted by Zac's mom who needs to hear from her Zac!

Day 19,,, Somehow posted after Day 18

Nt sure how I did that but I did... another oops.. Hang in there with me..Iosh Rains, one of Zac's high school classmates, surprised us last night and brought over a check. His employer, Southern Bank and Trust, Augusta, GA matched his donation. Thank you, Josh! And he looks so good in his business suit....

*Zac's Mom blogs again with some confusion*

Day 18 Leaving Memphis

Zac has spent a few days resting, seeing his friends, and getting resupplied and ready to roll this morning. He is very fortunate to be accompanied by a few of his good riding friends from his days in Memphis.. It is my understanding that they are going to ride with him out of Memphis for a couple of days. Then another friend is driving to pick up the riders and bring them back to Memphis. What a treat for Zac to have company for a few days. Zac has drafted a blog and I am afraid that I might have deleted some of it... I am going to try and retrieve it.... hmmmmmm..... need cyber prayers for this one....
The projected destination is Ripley, TN , 93 miles. Ripley is a small rural community with a huge Tomato Festival July 8-9th and the median age of the population is 34.5 years of age.
*posted by his non-computer savvy MOM...*

A brief review from the Zac Attack Day 19

Below, you will find part of Zac's blog that I did not delete.... Please remember that I am new at this and am trying... I will submit this and he can continue on when he gets to another computer. Zac has been riding with a few friends from Memphis and I have not heard from him last night. You can be sure that with this seasoned group of cyclists, they are having a ball and challenging each other in speed and hills, and distances. It is comforting to have them on the trail with him for a couple of days. Zac is having a difficult time getting his phone calls in during his cycling sessions for the day, especially to the kids at Sunset Park.

Ms. Cagle has been telling us such inspirational and great stories... Julian, who works at a Barber Show and with his poster of their efforts for LLS, raised over $30 in his tips and donations. Incredible. We are anxious to meet everyone.

This weekend is the wedding of one of Zac's good friends, Jennie Collins who was his Cotillion Partner . In our area, if you chose to take Social Dance, a selected group continued on in 10th grade and they did and had a ball. Zac will be missing all his classmates as well at this great wedding.. I am very involved in the wedding design and work but will continue to try to keep you informed of his whereabouts.

I am sorry to have lost part of his blog draft.. but give you what I have saved:



Hey Yall!
Well, I finally made it to my former adopted home of Memphis, TN. I no longer live here ; all of my stuff is at my parent's house is South Carolina. After I complete this trip I will move it to Chattanooga in order finish school. It's great to return to this "safe" place for me. Even though it is a tough city I feel at home now. I've been resting, eating, acquiring gear, eating, and hanging out. My friends Jacob and Isaiah threw a party for my friend Megan and me. She's going away to Oregon and Costa Rica this summer. The party was called "Zac Attacks, Megan Retreats." We had a good time. We party hopped to a huge multi-birthday party down the street. I also saw a lot of old friends there. The parties were jumping and the company was great. All was good in the cosmos.
So far the trip has gone down smooth with a hint of hindrance. The riding in South Carolina was harder than I expected. Even though there were no hills in the Lowlands from Beaufort to Aiken, the amount of extra weight I had on my bike slowed me down. In Clemson, I decided to shed the weight of my front rack and bags. It helped a lot with my climb up into NC from Clemson. NC was beautiful and the most interesting route I have done so far. From Clemson I climbed for 3 and a half hours of uphill to Highlands, NC followed by an hour of going downhill to Franklin, NC. The climb into NC put me behind schedule. I had no idea that I would be going up hill all morning. I finally made it to Chattanooga where I basically slept for 2 days straight . TN's route choice was a blunder. I rode the same state hwy, (64) all the way across TN to Memphis. It took about 5 days of riding on the same monotonous hwy. It was 4 lanes with pretty much an interstate appearance the whole way. The scenery was pretty but the road itself was brutally boring.
I am so glad that my mom has been bloggin while I have been traveling through the rural South. I have not had the camera cord, nor the internet availability in order to blog. When I have seen a library open, I have not had the time to blog. That is one thing I want to improve upon. Here are some ...............(o00ps)...
*posted by his mom who apologizes for losing part of this blog*

Day 17 Still resting Memphis

Zac has been in Memphis with old friends and co workers. Today is a day of publicity, checking in the Mid South Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society... That address, since many of you have asked, is 4445 Malone Road, Memphis, TN 38118. Attn: Andrea. Please note on your correspondence that it is for Zac Holford...
Zac is to be calling Sunset Park Elementary today and talking to the students who have been working so very hard.
Ms. Cassie Cagle has a few great student inspirational stores. However, I did not realize that all this has to be cleared with the school before we can brag about them. I had forgotten how rules and procedures have changed in the school system in the past few years . Cassie will be sending us a copy of the posters the students have done. Truly amazing...
Thank you to all for being out there, asking for him, sending prayers of safety and success, and donating to the worthy cause. Zac continues to be humbled by the caring out there by friends, family, strangers, and especially the students of Sunset Park.....
*posted by Zac's Mom... he is still letting me blog... *

Day 16 Still resting in Memphis

Day 15 Resting in Memphis

Zac arrived in Memphis last evening, limping with a flat tire and no spare inner tube. Another kind stranger aided him the few miles into the city. He is now with friends in Memphis, showering, eating, sleeping and resting. He has a great support group there of friends and cyclists..And that is all I know. Zac has some media work to do while he is resting there.
Ms. Cagle said that the students from the Sunset Park Elementary Park students have made their flyers and had a media day regarding the June 6th event. They have formed the S.P.T.A.C. ( Sunset Park Trojans Attack Cancer.) They had interviews with the newspapers and local TV. We will be contacting our CSRA media and giving them the update. Miss Cagle and a few of her fellow teachers are committed to bicycle six miles to school. Is it "bicycling" when you are going limited distances and "cycling" when you wear spandex and bike long distances effortlessly?
Hello to the Red Hat Society ladies from Winchester, TN who lunch at the Antebellum Inn. Thank you for your interest in Zac's ride for LLS!

*submitted by Zac's Mom who is blogging till Zac makes her stop! *

Day 14 Heading towards Memphis

We heard from Zac. He had spent the night in Savannah, TN and we are not sure where, but it was safe. There was not to much information regarding Savannah, TN except that for every 100 females, there are 85.3 males.... Zac is heading towards Memphis, with 120 miles to go. He has no spare inner tubes left and he is hoping to make it. If not, friends from Memphis may have to do a search and rescue.
I have sent an envelope with checks in today to the Mid South Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They have $7,000 registered with online donations. With the checks that we have sent from friends in Aiken, Zac has jumped over the half way point of his goal. However, he is determined to reach his goal and raise much more for the LLS!
We have had calls regarding donations.. There is a link on this site. However, the donation page is teamintraining.org. Checks can be sent directly to the Mid South Office, LLS, 4445 Malone Road, Memphis, TN 38118. They can also be sent to our home address in Aiken and we will hurry them on.
Zac will have a few days of rest in Memphis. He will also spend some time purchasing more inner tubes, ointment and food. He has some promotional and fundraising work to do as well.
P.S. Zac's gracious hosts at the Antebellum Inn have emailed and said the newspapers there have done a great article on Zac coming through...Will post it when we get it....Thank you!

*posted by his Mom. Zac should get to his blogsite this weekend.. Hopefully,he will allow me back when he gets back on the road..... I am still amazed that I found out how to blog and am having too much fun...*

Day 13 ???????

I have not heard from Zac as to where he ended up tonight... It is somewhere near or at Selmer, Tn. The recent presidential candidate, Fred Thompson is from this area. Other than that......
This morning we received a phone call from the police chief and fire chief from Lawrenceburg, TN to invite Zac to share dinner with them and sleep at the fire station. However, Lawrenceburg was early in his cycling schedule today and we were sorry he was not able to enjoy their hospitality.
I received my copy of Tales of the Trail today and am looking forward to reading the book that the wonderful students are studying at Sunset Park Elementary, Rock Hill, SC. The book arrived from the author, Ben Bache with a note of encouragement.
The students of Sunset Park are very actively planning their huge fundraising event at the school on June 6th from 12:30-1:45 p.m. The students from Kindergarten through 5th grade have the choice of biking or dancing for 69 minutes. I believe that this is a second for each mile that Zac is riding for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Prior to the event, the students are going to get family and friends to sponsor them for the non-stop event. In order to participate in the event, the students have to pay a $10 entry fee or raise $10 in sponsorship.
The most incredible part of this fundraiser is that the 4th grade students are responsible for this inspiration. They have divided themselves into groups to plan and execute the event. They are doing all the flyers and publicity including contacting the media.
The students have also created the "Honor Team" which is responsible in surveying the school community to honor anyone who is a survivor or has been affected by cancer.
Is this not the most amazing concept and effort by the students! We have an Aiken group already wanting to come up to be there for the event. We are working on a possible surprise for the students as well. It is unbelievable that Ms. Cagle and the Sunset Park Elementary school could have planned this in less than a week....
It has been amazing to observe this effort and see and hear all the wonderful things that have originated. There is so much good in this world and we fortunately do to not hear enough good news. Thank you to everyone. Sunset Park Elementary -- you are inspirational!

*posted by Zac's mom and to be edited by Zac if we find him*

Day 12 Ends in Pulaski, TN

Zac has ended his day in Pulaski, TN, about 20 miles short of his goal for the day. He is on Hwy 64 which "is like the Aiken -Augusta Hwy with wide shoulders. So don't worry, Mom, it's safe" He also said the countryside is rolling and not particularly challenging. He had to stop and make some phone calls and some business and that took part of his day, delaying him.

There is not much to say about Pulaski. Pulaski was named after a Polish born American Revolutionary War hero. It is a city about 8,000 people and known as the birthplace of the KKK in 1865, although the city condemns the Klan. It began in a law office of a local judge and a plaque signifies this sad bit of history on the original building. It was also the area of several Civil war skirmishes.

Zac has been trying to load up on carbs and protein. He is hoping to make up the additional miles tomorrow despite the forecast of rain. Zac has been given a bed somewhere in the city of Pulaski which is a great gift if the weather reports are true.

I contacted Ben Bache, the author of Tales of the Trail , the book the students of Sunset Park Elementary have been reading. Mr. Bache lives in Greenville, SC. He is sending me a copy of the book and has kindly made a donation to the cause. He is excited to know that his book has been used by Ms. Cagle and her teachers to encourage the education progress. I read Ms. Cagle's comments to Zac tonight and he is excited to be in direct communication with the students very soon.

*posted by Mom and to be edited as needed by Zac when he can*

Day 11 Winchester, TN to Lawrenceburg, TN

The Antebellum Inn at Winchester, Tn

Proprietors, Conny and Steve Young donated their hospitality for Zac's cause!

Zac's arrival at the Antebellum Inn and was so pleasantly surprised at his evening's generous accomodations

Zac cycled 80 miles and said that he had a good after taking a day of rest in Chattanooga .
He should have another good day after his stay here!

How about the feast that was prepared for him! Dinner looks divine but not sure about the facial hair........

Today, Zac is scheduled to go from Winchester, TN to Lawrenceburg, TN. He was absolutely spoiled, staying at this very nice historic Bed and Breakfast called the Antebellum Inn. The Young's treated him royally. This was a result of a website search for Winchester and our cycling angels found us proprietors, Connie and Steve Young. They immediately invited Zac to stay with them. They sounded as nice as apparently they were accommodating. And Connie sent pictures before the evening was done. As you can see from the attached pictures, Zac was forced to sleep in very cushy comfort and served a fabulous meal. Mrs. Young was concerned that today's weather might be rainy and wanted Zac to have a great night's sleep.. There are truly wonderful people everywhere. We will have to have them come to Aiken for our celebration activities when Zac is done with his cross country journey and he has reached his goal for the LLS. A huge thank you for your generosity and your hospitality.

Today, Zac has a journey of 79 miles to Lawrenceburg where Davy Crockett, the pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist lived from 1817 to 1821. Crockett was born in Limestone, northeast Tennessee but moved to Lawrence County where he served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia and as a state representative. Along the bank of Shoal Creek, he established a diversified industry consisting of a gristmill, a powder mill, and a distillery. However, all three operations were washed away in a flood in 1821. Crockett moved to West Tennessee where he was elected to Congress. While he was in Washington, he fought for his people's right to keep the land that they had settled on the new frontier of West Tennessee. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March, 1836 while aiding the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico.. There is a state park on Shoal Creek where the businesses stood.. That is the history lesson for the day..


*posted by Zac's mom and will be subject to his editing at his earliest convenience. I hope I am not totally embarassing him*


The thought for the day is please do something completely wonderful and generous for someone you do not know.... There is some mother that you would make very happy!

Update Day 10

Thank you for all you interest and phone calls regarding the Zac Attack! Today finds him cycling from Chattanooga, TN to Winchester, TN. Zac made it through the mountains of North Carolina , through Franklin and Highlands, and down into North Carolina. A very generous person, Pam Forshee of Smoky Mountain Bicycles, 179 Highlands Road, Franklin insisting on donating lodging for Zac on Day 8 so he could rest comfortably after tackling the strong elevations. Zac continues to be impressed by the kindess and generosity of people along the route. He was, however, about 20 miles behind schedule on Day 8 and had to make them up the next day. Day 9 found him in Chattnooga resting and visiting with friends. We will let him fill us in with the details when he can. Today he is cycling to Winchester, TN., a distance of 73.5 miles. The proprietors of the Historic Bed and Breakfast, the Antebellum Inn graciously have invited Zac to stay with them for the evening. They are concerned that he sleep well and dry since rainfall is expected. Another generous couple who are helping the Zac Attack.!! Thank you to everyone for your calls, your thoughts.. and prayers......

Welcome! Students of Sunset Park Elementary...

A big hello to the students of Sunset Park Elementary, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Miss Cagle has informed us of your interest in Zac's ride across America for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Miss Cagle also told us that you have read the historical fiction journal, Tales of the Trail, of the boy that left Georgia and followed the Oregon Trail. What a wonderful coincidence that this is so similar to what Zac is doing at the present time. He has left South Carolina and has been travelling through the mountains of North Carolina, and now the hills of Tennessee. Unfortunately, at the present, he is travelling in areas with limited cell phone service and is not easily reached. I have had a chance to tell him that you were on interested in his travels and wanted to hear about his journey and also participate. How very, very exciting! I hope you all know what a wonderful boost this was for Zac to hear about it briefly. He is going to need a great deal of encouragement for many days to find his way to the Oregon coast. You all can give it to him. We hope you all know how much this will mean to him and for what a great cause! We will be in touch so that you know where Zac is cycling and what he gets to see and do. Thank you again for your great wonderful interest.! We know that Zac will write and be in touch as soon as he can! Very sincerely, Zac's Parents

Day 6 Departure from hometown of Aiken, SC

Time to leave Aiken on the long Journey. Everyone met at Pat's Restaurant to have a hearty Southern breakfast, express their well wishes, say a few prayers for safety and success, and give Zac one more gentle reminder to always call his Mother.....

And.................. Royal Robbins is still telling the same story..

And Zac sent off for Day 6 to Calhoun Falls , SC. - a distance of 84.52 miles. He was so fortunate to be welcomed into the home of Pastor Aaron Meadows and his Wife, Christy and their family. They were so very kind to include Zac in their wonderful family dinner.

*this is posted by Zac's Mother and will really be edited by Zac when he gets a chance!

Day 5 Interviews for TV and newspapers

Zac was to leave from Aiken today but had to do some local PR work with some wonderful TV stations and our Aiken Standard... And one more day to be well fed and sleep under his downy comforter.....

* posted by his Mother and subject for editing when Zac finds a computer......

Day 3 & 4, Rest Days, Aiken, SC

Two days of visiting with friends, packing up all his belongings, and repacking his bicycle. Had to lighten the weight of his backpacks, eat, and rest. His Mother was anxious about the upcoming trip,trying to remain calm and trying to slip hidden food items in Zac's backpacks, (unsuccessfully!)... His Father was trying to keep his Mother calm..

*posted by his Mother and suject to be edited as soon as Zac gets to computer....

Day Two Completed - Back in Aiken, SC

Back in Aiken, the end of Day 2

May 2nd

Arriving Back in time for the Lobster Races

Television Interview for Evening News

WAGT Interview, Augusta, GA

Two days of rest in Aiken. This included a good deal of PR work with local newspapers and two TV stations, coordinated by a good friend, Kim Sinclair...... PS. She used to babysit Zac and now is proud to send him on this memorable bike ride. Thank you, Kim for all you have done to get the word out!

Above pictures and text added by Zac's Mom , to be edited by Zac at a later date!!!

Leaving Hunting Island State Park, SC, - Day One

The Adventure Begins!

Organized, Packed and Ready to Dip our Wheels in the Atlantic...

Hunting Island Beach Access

Zac Begins the Attack

The Wheels have been Dipped and Ready to Roll!

The above pictures posted and titled by Mom...

Day 1 and Day 2 Recap

Day 1:

My mom dropped me off at Hunting Island, SC which is located 15 or 16 miles from Beaufort, SC. I planned to ride approx 70 miles to a campsite located about 10 miles from Hampton and about 15 miles from Olar. The ride started out ok. I left Hunting Island at 10:30 am. I had to drink a bunch of coffee bc I couldn't sleep the night before. I was way too excited so I went to bed at 2 am and woke up at 6. This was my first setback. Anyways, I got on the road and stopped in Beaufort for lunch. I bought lunch at MO's Burritos bc I did not have time to make lunch. I love their burritos! I can't afford to buy lunch like this everyday. It costs to0 much for too little food. The cost of eating out over time is more expensive than getting simple lunch ingredients from the store. I want to spend the least amount of money I can on this trip so I cannot splurge all the time. Hopefully I will work out sponsorships with chain restaurants who will give me a free meal in each town I stop.
Highway 21 out of Beaufort had no shoulder and it was a little scary. What negated this danger was the niceness of the Low Country folk in SC. They gave me sooo much room in passing and I really appreciated it. Everyone is so nice in SC; it's truly amazing. I guess I took it for granted when I lived here and now I really am grateful for how generally cheerful SC folk are.
I found Sheldon Church on my way out of Beaufort. This church was built by the son of an English colonial immigrant. It was burned by the British and later by Sherman. I'll post pics of it soon. Its a creepy shell of what stood there but it is juxtaposed by the beauty of the Low Country Spanish moss-covered oaks. Graves are placed sporatically around the grounds. There are people from the mid-1700's to 1974 burried there. It's got a lot of history. Check it out when I post pics.
After my church break, I kept on riding the rest of 40 miles to my campsite on the other side of Hampton. I love the Low Country. It is soo flat and everyone is sooo nice. The roads were great on my second half of the day's ride. At approx. 6 pm, I set up my tent in an RV park, made dinner, and tried to get my fatigued heart to quit beating so hard as the night went on. I was really nervous about that, but I attribute it to my lack of sleep from the night before. I wanted to write in my journal but I forgot a pen. Darn. I didnt really have the energy to write anyways. Day 1 over. 70 miles conquered. Booyow.



Day 2:
I planned to ride from the RV park to my home town of Aiken, SC. This distance was 76.3 mi. This was the first full day I have had of bike touring on this trip. What I mean is it is the first day where I woke up in a tent, made breakfast, and rolled out from there. I had a late start which stinks bc I take so long to get ready anyways. It was all good. I packed up my tent and cut my hand on a stubborn tent peg. That sucked for a second but then the blood made me feel hardcore. It was 9 am and I had already bled for the cause. Hardcoredness ensued. I got rolling and man, I felt like poo. I was still tired from the not getting proper rest before Day 1. The flatness of the Low Country was much appreciated as I got going. In this area it was more like sand and pine trees then the sand and oak tree's from the night before. There was no one on the road so I put in the Ipod and jammed out to some Pantera to get me pumped. The corny thing is it actually worked. Metal for all. So as the power chords gave my calves power, I made my way to Barnwell, SC. On my lunch break, people kept asking me what I was doing. I told them without asking them for money. They reached for their wallets as soon as I finished 3 sentences about my cause. On an hour and a half long lunch break I was given $40 by random people. One of them was a guy I used to go to parties with in high school. He's changed his life around and become a Christian. I hadn't seen this guy in 6 years. His story was amazing and I was really glad to see him start a new life and a new family with a new job. We talked for a bit about life and what not and as he left he gave me a huge cash donation. I cannot appreciate more the generosity of the people from the Cackalack aka SC.
I reached my house in time to make the Lobster Races in Aiken, a 24 year ol' festival in which adults drink beer, bands rock out, kids play, and everyone has a good time. I was soo gald to attend this event as did when I was younger. It was a great opportunity to see all my old friends, make new ones, and promote my cause. I did a news spot which was cool and then I got to go on stage a race a lobster. My lobster won! I am not a champion of crustacean racin'! My dreams came true in that I was finally a Lobster Race champion. I was so proud, I gave my lobster a smooch. That picture is in the Augusta Chronicle. Ill post all my pics soon. I have to get the correct camera chord.
These are my experiences thus far. We have raised almost $6000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I have met some of the nicest people in the Union, whether they have wanted to be in it throughout history of not. I love SC, the people there, and how safe I feel on its roads. Please check out my fundraising site and tell your friends about the cause.

Love,
Zac