Both roads going into Mobile have tunnels at the end. So we had to go north a bit to hit up the Cochane-Africatown USA Bridge. As we came down into the greater Mobile area we made our way past the rail and ship yards. We were moving right along and incountered a couple of cyclist coming our way. As we passed one of them asked ‘where ya going?’ I responded with ‘EVERYWHERE!!!’ The man did a quick u-turn and came at me with questions. I informed Bucky and his group of bikers of what I was planing on doing and handed out some cards giving them my info. I needed to hit up a post office to pick up a care package and I needed to figure out where I was going to camp that night and the following day and night due to yet another storm moving on in. All the post offices are closed on Saturdays in Mobile so I would have to wait till Monday to pick it up. I was cruising around downtown taking in the sights when my phone rang.

It was Bucky inviting me to lunch. He told me to meet him at the OK Bicycle Shoppe. This is a Asian fusion taqueria that used to be a old bicycle shop that Buckys’ grandpa used to run. They are a dog friendly place so Coop was alowed to sit with us and they have a back patio that I was able to park the ride in to keep it safe. After an delicious lunch we went outside to get moving, Bucky made a phone call and found us a place to stay for a bit. Kelly lives less than a mile from the Shoppe and has a backyard for the ride and dog. While we were outside chatting Ray pulled up on his bike and asked if I wanted a guided tour of Downtown Mobile. I was happy to have a native pointing out the things I would of missed on my own. While riding around the people of Mobile where very curious and to what we where all about. One such person was Nadine, I met her outside a new gallery that had just opened above a tatoo shop. She informed me that there was a Artstrology show going on there that night for free and we should stop on by. After the tour we headed over to Kellys’ place to get cleaned up and settled in. I made dinner for Kelly and I and we headed out to go check out the show. When we arrived we were introduced to all the local artist that had stuff up on the walls. I told them of my adventures and everyone was amazingly nice. Nadine was there and asked if I might be interested in going to see Gov’t Mule that was starting in about an hour. I said I didn’t have any money and she said not to worry that she would take care of it because she felt I really needed to go see the concert. I was more than happy to go to the show. I was even happier when I found out we where sitting front row!! It was an amazing show and everyone around me was very nice and interested to hear about how I have traveled over 2,ooo miles to be there. After the show we went around back and met Warren Haynes!! I got his autograph, and pic with him and gave him one of my cards. He was truly amazed and interested in reading about it. After the show we went to a couple bars and I continued to be amazed at how nice everyone is down here. I also learned that there isn’t a set closing time for the bars. There are some places that stay open and serve 24 hours!!! I got back to Kellys around 5 am and crashed out with a huge smile on my face!

I woke up 2 hours later to my alarm. And wasn’t able to go back to sleep. I putzed around getting stuff organized and ready to roll out the next day. Sunday brought on rain and football. That afternoon Bucky swung by to pick me up and we went to the Mellow Mushroom to watch the Jets game. Coming from NYC I have a love for NY sports teams good and bad. My football team is the Chitown Bears. But they suck so there is never a chance to root for them to make it to the playoffs. So I was behind my beloved Jets. Unfortunately that was not enough to get the win. After that game we headed back to Kellys’ to feed Coop and see what Kelly was up to. Then we headed to Buckys’ place of employment, Paddy O’Tooles. The regular group of Saints Faithful where present and I was introduced to everyone and settled in to my spot in front of the TV to cheer on the Saints. What a game. After their victory there was good cheer in the smokey bar. As I talked to people at the bar and elsewhere the same question comes up.
“why are you doing this, what inspired you?”
It all comes down to this
EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE AN ADVENTURE OF SOME KIND!!!
No matter how big or small. Stop talking about it, stop wishing about it, just do it. The best thing to do is set the date and don’t deviate from it. Get out and stop making excuses. Life is short.

Everything on this trip has a feeling of meant to be. From the things I see, to the people I meet. Its all seems to have been arranged and taken care of. Even the Saints win. A lot of people want to see the Saints win because of what happened after Katrina. What a lot of people don’t think about is what Katrina did to the whole Gulf area. It was just on a bigger scale in N.O. due to the fact that they are like 10 feet below sea level. So when the Saints won it was a win not only for N.O. but for all the people of the Gulf. There where tears of happiness running down some of the biggest, hardest guys in the bar that night. After the win it was then I decided to stay for a couple weeks. I need to be apart of the whole Original Mardi Gras idea they got going on down here. But I need to be here for the biggest win of all. When the Saints win the Super Bowl.

WHO DAT!!!

To see pictures and read more blog entries by Sean, go to: http://rickshawusa.blogspot.com/