9/11 in Hindsight

9/11 in Hindsight

Today is August 19^th, 2008; seven years after the World Trade Center was attacked.

I remember waking up that morning; I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I walked past my parents’ room and saw that the news was on in the bedroom and everyone was watching. I came in and heard something about “unconfirmed reports…” Then they got the video. A huge jet, the kind, I have flown in countless times, making a graceful turn right into the middle of a massive office building. An office building I had seen almost every night in the opening to the TV show “Friends.” But it wasn’t a jet anymore; It was a ball of burning jet fuel.

At first most people thought It was some kind of accident, I guess I did too. But a few minutes later when the second plane hit we knew it wasn’t. I remember walking to the bus stop and talking to Eric DeAlba and the others about what happened. All we had were guesses; we were all tense because of Davis Monathan. Tucson is centered on one of the biggest Air Force bases in the US. One of my most vivid memories from that day is sitting down in class, and hearing a jet roar by. Normally this would be nothing, but today all planes were grounded. Every single non military plane was sitting on the ground.

They must have showed that clip of the planes flying into the WTC thousands of times that day. Full speed, slow motion, frame by frame; it must have torn the heart out of the people who had family there. They decided a year or two later that it wasn’t the crash that knocked the buildings down, it was the jet fuel melting the metal frame. The pictures and video of the ash overtaking the people running from the building was some of the most powerful. But the worst was the ball of flame, the building falling...and the people jumping. Some of the people couldn’t get out; instead of burning they jumped out the windows, knowing they would die.

For the next weeks and months the world was on our side, people around the world protested against the terrorists. Even in the most anti-American countries people were protesting in support of the US. There were protests in Tehran, Iran; little did I know seven years later we would be on the brink of war with them. After 9/11 everyone knew we were going to war, there was no question. I even supported it, and I still do. We went to Afghanistan with the worlds support, and then it started to all come apart.

We started hearing more and more about Iraq. We were told that a member of Al Qaeda had gone to Iraq and meet with Saddam. We were told it was our duty to ensure democracy; Saddam was part of the “axis of evil.” We were told they had weapons of mass destructions. We were told they harbored terrorists, Bush said they were involved with 9/11. So in 2003 we invaded Iraq, I didn’t know what to make of this. We saw this war live on our TVs with embedded reporters, who were experts of making exciting TV without actually showing anything or telling us anything. We saw tanks fly across the deserts and pull down statues of Saddam.

Here we are seven years after 9/11. The world hates us, some idiots re-elected Bush, and America is in shambles. The United States is 9.6 trillion dollars in debt to countries like China. We have over four thousand dead American soldiers and counting. We are illegally holding untold numbers of “enemy combatants” in Guantanamo base without charges. We caught and killed Saddam but Osama Bin Laden is still free. Bush refuses to leave Iraq and now Afghanistan is falling apart. The world hates and fears the United States of America.

We had everything, the world was on our side, and we blew it.

So what now? The only thing I can do is vote, McCain will keep doing the same shit Bush has been doing. I will vote for Obama, I think he is our only hope to get out of this death spiral. Do I really think America will vote for a black guy? I really don’t know, sometimes I think it’s hopeless, who knows. I just hope Bush doesn’t start anymore wars before he leaves office.

A quote from CNN "He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens' faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been.

I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him."

Catching Up

I started this blog on July 24, 2008; I have had many amazing experiences before this point. Here are a few in no particular order.

I spent a week on a Boy Scout tall ship named the Argus.



I spent a week or two in Australia with my family.






I spent some time on Copacabana beach and looked up at the Corcavado in Brazil




I've been to China and walked the Great Wall






I spent two wonderful summers at CIMI




I graduated Sabino High School



I got my Eagle Scout Badge


I found the perfect place



I walked the streets of London






I have seen a Shakespeare play at the Globe theater


I've seen the beauty of Paris






I've seen the waters of Venice


And I've marveled at the Louvre

Day 24 June 14 – Time Fears the Pyramids

Day 24 June 14 – Time Fears the Pyramids
Today is the big day, I’m going to see the pyramids.








Day 24 June 14 – Time Fears the Pyramids
Today is the big day, I’m going to see the pyramids.

I left at 1:30 to take the bus ride to the pyramids. Now unlike buses in the US you don’t have to be at a bus stop to be picked up or let off. Now because of this little fact the trip took ten times as long as it should have. Lazy people would make the bus driver stop 50 feet after the previous person so they wouldn’t have to walk so far. I guess you get what you pay for, the hour bus trip cost 50 cents in USD. Before long I could see the pyramids rising above the buildings…

The pyramids were amazing, I was not disappointed. After the 5$ entry fee, I had access to the 6 pyramids and the sphinx. There are the three major pyramids and three tiny ones. The stones are amazingly large and it boggles the mind to imagine people moving them under people and animal power only. It was an amazing sight to see and I will never forget it, a high point in my life.

But this amazing place was also marred by people looking for a quick, unearned buck. The first was quickly after the front gate, “ticket” said a poorly dressed man, I ignored him until he said “hey I’m with the government.” Of course I didn’t believe him but I also didn’t want to press my luck. So I showed him my ticket but refused to relinquish it when he tried to take it from me. I walked past him to look at some of the tombs when he followed me and started guiding me. Now this guy is already on my bad side for claiming to be with the government, so I attempted to wave him off and said no thanks. When he ignores these, really getting on my nerves at this point, I stopped looked him right in the eyes and say “STOP, Go Away, Leave me alone.” That did the trick.

As I passed between the first and second pyramid a police officer waves me over. He tells me to go part way up the pyramid and he will take my picture. Now I know he is going to ask for money and I can live with it if he takes a picture. But when his friend comes over and also asks for Baksheesh, I unhappily say “you didn’t do anything.” Well that didn’t make him very happy, and he starts angrily taking in Arabic, but he had a big gun and I didn’t so I gave him a pound to leave me alone. After waving off many camel rides I decide to head out into the desert to take some pictures. I also craved a moment with out people bugging me.

This is where I really enjoyed myself, nobody bothering me; just me and the pyramids. It was just like in the movies, sand dunes as far as the eye can see, nobody in front of me. I made a big circle all the way around the pyramids, about three miles, taking lots of great pictures. The best part was on the top of a hill, I could see all six pyramids, the Sphnix, and the city of Cairo. I put the camera down on a big rock and did a bunch of timer shots, put the camera down then jump in front of it and smile. I sat and looked around for almost two hours on top of that hill.

On the way out I feared, for the first time, I was going to either be robbed or get in a fight. Ironically, by the police. I am starting to get the typical rapper’s outlook on the local police. As I’m leaving the pyramid area, at or near closing time, an officer orders me over. He points at his friend and demands that I give him Baksheesh. First I pretend like I don’t know what he is talking about. Then claim not to have any money, growing more and more angry all the time. When ever I would try to walk away he would yell and tell me to stop. I have no intention of being forced to give anybody money. First, I’m not getting robbed; Second, all I have is a 50 pound note and hundreds, neither of which he is getting. Well eventually the officer starts saying “Give him money,” well I just flat out said No. He was furious and started yelling at me, I thought that would be a good time to leave. So after flatly refusing him I just walked away, I ignored his order to stop. He followed me for a while but didn’t speak to me again. That was the only time I’ve really been worried about my safety here in Egypt.

Next I pulled the classic tourist trick, take your money out of your wallet and put it in another pocket. Then when someone asks for money you can show them your empty wallet. Knowing that I would have to pass many other police checkpoints I thought this was wise. But the rest of the day was free of armed men demanding money, but plenty of unarmed people did. I planned on going to the Sound and Light Show so I made my way toward the Sphinx.

The Sound and Light Show started at 8:30 so I had two hours to kill, so I took the long way to the Sphinx. I went down a small market street in the right direction. This time it was kids on bikes that wanted my money. They would ride next to me ask where I’m from, my name, then say “you give me money.” I think if I gave everyone money that asked for it today I wouldn’t have the two pounds for the bus ride home. Well eventually the streets got narrower and I became less sure of where I was going. Well as I was looking at a funny camel with designs cut into its hair a man asked me if I wanted a ride. Since I thought I was lost I thought this would be a great way to get unlost (probably not a word). Two birds with one stone, get to ride a camel and figure out how to get to the sphinx. Foolishly, I expected this man to own the camel; instead he says “follow me I take you better place” which I’m sure means his friend. Well he takes me down a few houses to a different camel. After asking the man about 5 times to actually tell me the price for a ride to the sphinx we settled on 20 pounds.(5$) I expected the camel guy, a kid my age, to walk in front of the camel and guide it while I sat on the saddle, like everyone else I saw. No… he told me to move back then hopped up there with me… I laughed when 20 feet later we see the Sphinx, I guess I was going the right direction.

Well I still had and hour and a half to blow so I told the kid to take me on a longer trip. I was glad I did this because 30 minutes later we were riding in the dunes up to a vista where we could see everything. There I saw the sunset over the pyramids and Cairo, something I will never forget.

At 8PM we returned right outside of the sphinx to the father and camel owner. First he was saying 130 pounds (26$) and I laughed and said no way. I talked him down to 70 (14$), a good price considering he was going to charge me 20 pounds for a 5 minute ride at first. Well I hurried over to the line for the Sound and Light Show.
As I have been in Egypt I have found that people here are not big on waiting in line. They don’t stay in their lines in cars, in line at the subway, and definitely not in line to buy tickets to the show. But this was different, they had velvet ropes and everything, everyone was waiting in line except the guy who cut right in front of me at the front of the line. As nicely as can be done I pushed him out of the way and told him to wait his damn turn.

The Sound and Light Show begins after dark, it is a light and laser show that showcases the sphinx and pyramids. There is also some history but mostly it’s a light show. The commentary was way overdone but it was entertaining, not sure it was worth 75 pounds (15$) but still cool.

I couldn’t find the bus I was supposed to take home so I took a quick taxi ride to the closest subway station. The Egyptian people redeemed themselves in my eyes when I was lost. I couldn’t find an English subway map and asked the subway guy for help. He didn’t understand but the person behind me told me to just follow him. He took me half way home and took me all the way to my next connection and made sure I got on the right train.

It was an amazing day here in Egypt, I got the see the best and worst Egypt has to offer.

Camels are disgusting animals.
Sound and Light Show is expensive.
Egyptian cops suck
Baksheesh is Bull$hit

Epilogue - Famous Comments & List Of Stops

Epilogue-Famous Comments & List Of Stops

For those of you that were with us on the "virtual" tour but didn't have the pleasure of hearing them, I'd like to share some lasting moments and comments from along the trail...

"Uncle Chris, can you see a way across the river in the bottom corner of the map?"
(Pat & Sean trying to ford a river in the San Joaquin valley outside of Sacramento after missing a turn while Chris is having a slice of pizza at Costco.)

"Ow, Ow, Ow, my legs!"
(Both Sean and Pat trying to run across the street in Folsom, NV for dinner on unconditioned legs.)

"Uh-oh"
(Pat's casual, emotionless comment when he realized he was inevitably tipping over at 1 mph and could not unclip his feet from the pedals just before he crashed in the parking lot in Carson City, NV. Lucky for him, he jumped up before we could get a photograph.)

"I'm not ready to quit."
(Sean's resolve when we mentioned that if his dropout (bike part) broke, he could ride in the van that day as we were getting ready to leave the Hite Recreation area at Lake Powell.)

"The Brit's were just here."
(Uncle Chris' jibe at the guys when the elderly British team left Middlegate, NV before Sean and Pat arrived.

"He wouldn't go away"
(Pat and Sean's comment about the talkative guy in the Fallon, NV Wal-Mart parking lot who came over and struck up a biking conversation with them around 9PM and didn't leave until 11:30."

"Well, how hard did you knock? Like this?"
(Scotty's comment as he playfully knuckled Chris in the chest when he asked us how hard we knocked on the door of his trailer when we tried to register at his campground. [Scotty's campground was a little creepy])

"That was hilarious."
(Sean and Pat's response when Uncle Chris told them that he had to use the bathroom six times in one hour after eating something at Bryce Canyon. Not funny!)

"How could he get lost?"
(Chris and Pat after Sean missed a turn in Girard, KS on the way to dinner a half mile away.)

"We're not doing that again"
(Pat's comment the morning after they elected to ride their bikes deep into the night, even until midnight, on the ride to Ash Grove, MO. Bugs, smelly air, and bike-chasing dogs were in abundance.)

"You're lucky I don't throw you out right now!"
(The grumpy camp host's response to Chris' joking comment of "I guess that means no fireworks" when Chris was told it was quiet time as we arrived at Grindstone Campground in Va.)

"Whooaaaa"
(Collective scream by all three when lightning flashed and boomed simultaneously nearby the van while we were hunkered down inside at Rough River, MO)

And for those who might be interested, here is a list of our nightly stops along the way:

Day Date End Point Accommodations
0 June 13 Vallejo, CA Vallejo Inn
1 June 14 Winters, CA Super 8 Motel, Dixon, CA
2 June 15 Folsom, CA Wal-Mart Inn
3 June 16 Somerset, CA Indian Grinding Rock State Park, Pine Grove, CA
4 June 17 Bear River, CA Bear River Reservoir Campground
5 June 18 Carson City, CA Comstock Country RV Park
6 June 19 Fallon, NV Wal-Mart Inn
7 June 20 Cold Springs, NV Cold Springs Campground/RV
8 June 21 Bob Scott Summit, NV Bob Scott Campground
9 June 22 Eureka, NV Scotty's RV Park
10 June 23 Ely, NV Ely KOA Campground
11 June 24 Baker, NV Great Basin Nat. Park, Lower Lehman Creek Campground
12 June 25 Milford, UT Lion's Club Charity RV Park
13 June 26 Cedar City, UT Wal-Mart Inn
14 June 27 Panguitch, UT Panguitch KOA Campground
15 June 28 Bryce Canyon, UT Bryce Canyon Campground
16 June 29 Boulder, UT Boulder Grocery/Campground
17 June 30 Hanksville, UT Red Rock Restaurant/Campground
18 July 1 Hite Rec. Area, UT Hite Rec. Area
19 July 2 Blanding, UT Four Corners Inn
20 July 3 Dolores, CO Wal-Mart Inn, Cortez, CO
21 July 4 Telluride, CO Pandora Lane
22 July 5 Montrose, CO Hampton Inn
23 July 6 Gunnison, CO Wal-Mart Inn, Gunnison, CO
24 July 7 Coaldale, CO Bear RV Park, CO
25 July 8 Colorado Springs, CO The Hardman's
26 July 9 Sugar City, CO Sugar City City Park
27 July 10 Eads, CO Eads City Park
28 July 11 Tribune, KS Tribune City Park
29 July 12 Dighton, KS Dighton City Park
30 July 13 La Cross,KS La Crosse, CIty Park
31 July 14 Nickerson, KS Nickerson City Park
32 July 15 Cassoday, KS Cassoday City Park
33 July 16 Toronto, KS Toronto Lake State Park
34 July 17 Girard, KS Winston City Park
35 July 18 Ash Grove, MO Ash Grove City Park
36 July 19 Hartville, MO Hartville City Park
37 July 20 Houston, MO Houston Motel
38 July 21 Eminence, MO Riverfront RV Park
39 July 22 St. Louis, MO Motel 6
40 July 23 Farmington, MO Wal-Mart Inn
41 July 24 Murphysboro, IL Lake Murphysboro State Park
42 July 25 Galconda, IL Rauchfuss Hill Campground
43 July 26 Sebree, KY First Baptist Church
44 July 27 Rough River, KY Rough River State Park
45 July 28 Sonora, KY Pilot Truck Stop
46 July 29 Springfield, KY Idle Hour City Park
47 July 30 Lexington, KY Homewood Suites
48 July 31 Buckhorn, KY Buckhorn Lake State Park
49 August 1 Pippa Passes, KY Shopping Center
50 August 2 Council, VA Council City Park
51 August 3 Koonarock, VA Grindstone Campground
52 August 4 Radford, VA City Park
53 August 5 Troutville, VA Camp Bethel
54 August 6 Waynesboro, VA (Afton) Wal-Mart Inn
55 August 7 Mineral, VA Anna Lake Campground
56 August 8 Williamsburg, VA Motel 6

Farewell to all and thank you for the comments.

Day 56 - MISSION ACOMPLISHED!

Day 56-MISSION ACOMPLISHED!





Miles Completed Today: 13
Total Miles Completed: 3770
Miles To Go: 0

They did it! Fifty-six hard days of riding and the dynamic duo cycled into Yorktown just before noon today, thirteen miles from Williamsburg on the Colonial Parkway. It was another terribly muggy day, but that didn't dampen their spirits, and they rode the length without even filling their water bottles. After arriving they "cooled" off in the not so refreshing waters of Chesapeake Bay for awhile before heading indoors for victory lunch with two other groups that paralleled Pat & Sean's ride across the country; the "California team" of Dave and Zach, and Josh the lone rider from Utah.

Perseverance pays off and they never gave up, not in that river before Sacramento, not climbing the Sierras, not in the heat of Nevada and Lake Powell, not riding up the Continental Divide, not after a late night bug-ridden, dog chased night in Missouri, not in Kentucky or western Virginia on those foggy, steep, curving downhills or the blistering 132 mile ride into Williamsburg. Never say never. Congratulations!

Today's Internet courtesy of the Heritage Inn in Fredricksburg, Va.
Posted by Chris at 8:37 PM




16 comments:

Michael said...

Woo hoo! First to say congrats. Now, college!
August 9, 2007 9:35 PM
Anonymous said...

You said, "You would do it", and YOU DID IT! WOW!!! Pat, and Sean, you are two terrific young men, and we couldn't be prouder. Big hug time soon.

Grandma and Grandpa Almond
August 9, 2007 9:41 PM
Matt said...

I told you 55 days or no cookies for you. Well guess what? NO COOKIES FOR YOU!

Now since you've failed to meet my expectations once again, I suggest you come back and humbly kiss my feet and beg for forgiveness. And if you're lucky, I'll leave it at that.
August 9, 2007 11:05 PM
Dad Fitz said...

Sean and Pat,

Hope you got my text message back when you finished. Your text message buzzed on my phone at 3:15 AM which was fine because I was getting up for a 5AM flight. You guys made my whole day and I had to brag a bit to the folks here in Iloilo Philippines. They just could not imagine anyone being able to make such a huge trip. Neither can I, but you showed an incredible amount of strength and perseverance.

We are even more thrilled that no one had an accident. Just goes to show you were being careful and taking care of one another. Have a couple of days relaxing and we will see you at home. However, do not think we will let you sleep in as late as Uncle Chris has been allowing.

Cheers, Congrats, Well Done, At aboy and all that stuff.
August 10, 2007 6:03 AM
Anonymous said...

Good, Better, Best, etc., etc., etc.--You've proven to be the Best. Well done. Now thank the Lord for a safe and successful journey. Include Chris too in your acclamations. Oma & Opa
August 10, 2007 6:38 AM
Jacqueline - Sean's Mom said...

IT'S OFFICIAL . . . . . . . . .

YOU DID IT!
AWESOME FABULOUS WONDERFUL FANTASTIC

Enjoy DC --- you deserve a fun day!

Sean-we can't wait to see you on Sat!

'Til then be safe & have fun.

xoxoxxo
August 10, 2007 6:43 AM
Anonymous said...

Congratulations! We are all so proud of you! Can't wait to see you. Love, Mom Fitz
August 10, 2007 7:18 AM
Rebecca said...

I am completely impressed by the whole thing and wanted to tell you that Chris has been impressive! He kept the blog updated, writes well, and was there for you guys - what a saint!
I hope you thank him heartily and realize what he made possible for you.
This coming from a parent of course.

Jacqueline's friend Rebecca
August 10, 2007 8:17 AM
dschulter said...

Congratulations!!!
This is like any other goal that you set for yourself. You just take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, and sometimes, one mile at a time until you reach your goal. If you can finish this the posibilities are endless. I am working as the Instructional Coach at Gridley Middle School. Good luck to you next year in College.

Dr. Schulter
August 10, 2007 12:15 PM
Christine Olson said...

Congratulations everyone!!!!! I'm in awe!! You're going to blow your classmates' minds at college this fall when they hear what you did this summer.
August 10, 2007 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...

I just got back from a last minute trip to Headquarters, so we weren't that far away the last few days. I can attest to everyone it was really hot and really humid in D.C. and I'm sure it was where you were too. Excellent job. Pat, your Dad and I (the two with the bum knees) are going to try to beat your record next summer (biking is supposed to be good for the knees!). I am going to chart a different course though, with nightly stops at 5 star hotels with massages and jacuzzis. We want to use Chris as a ride along again, plus have him be our fund raiser since we could not afford such a trip. Seriously, very impressive guys, all three of you have completed a great story to be told for years! Have a beer (rootbeer)!! Uncle Tim
August 10, 2007 5:49 PM
Christine M said...

You DID IT! Wow!! Congratulations! What an adventure to treasure for your lifetime! Uncle Chris your blog was wonderful! You boys are inspiring and should be just beaming with pride. I don't know about any of the other blog readers but I am going to miss reading your adventure each day. Thanks for allowing us all to follow your travels.
Christine (Mom Fitz's friend)
August 10, 2007 6:13 PM
Anonymous said...

GREAT!FANTASTIC!AMAZING!These things describe your ride. YOU ARE LUCKY TO HAVE SEEN SO MANY STATES. In 56 days you saw more than 1/2 of what I saw in a couple of years! Come visit us on your way back!

Dan
August 11, 2007 10:41 AM
Bryon said...

good job guys :]
August 11, 2007 12:27 PM
Ariel said...

You guys are so amazing! I am so proud of you and proud to know you! I can't wait to see ya!
August 11, 2007 12:41 PM
Tom H said...

Great job guys, although I am suspicious about cereal that disappeared out of a certain Colorado pantry. ;-)

Tom