Run Across America 2007
Tuesday 27th March 2007.
My last day at the VMD and my last night at home for a few months. This will be the longest period I've been away from Rebecca since our honeymoon in November1992. This was another solo-trip when I went trekking in Israel and Egypt, whilst Rebecca returned to her teaching job at Slough Grammar School. However, it has been a fantastic 15 years together and I look forward to our reunion in Central Park in the summer.
My colleagues at the VMD have been very supportive and I am incredibly grateful to them for covering during my absence (although they might wonder what they need to cover!). It was rather fitting that the last day was a Biologicals Committee Meeting for a poultry product. I can recall one of my first applications was a poultry vaccine in 1997 when I asked the company to justify not performing field trials with SPF birds. Even more fitting was a heated debate with one my policy colleagues just before leaving (I know there's a heart of gold in there somewhere!).
The route has had to undergo some major revisions after being informed by the Californian Department of Transport that it's not possible to exit East from California without using the Interstate and that no encroachment permit would be granted for use of I-15. I have subsequently discovered that it IS possible and that the only section of the Interstate that one needs to follow is Nevada. The Nevada Department of transport were supportive, but I had already amended my plans. The lesson to be learned...............? Rebecca has been very frustrated by the episode and even more exasperated when she discovered that I am using a 1998 USA road atlas to plan the project! Never have been the best project manager.........
Wednesday 28th March 2007
Martin left for Los Angeles this afternoon, having spent the last morning with my siblings and I before we went to school. He should arrive in the early hours of Thursday, our time. Not much other news, but it is important for us to practice! Thankyou for visiting the website and for the generous donations.
Thursday 29th March 2007
Martin woke up in Los Angeles today at the home of a friend of his aunt. His Mum and Californian relatives have joined him to deliver the baby jogger and send him off tomorrow. More significant news tomorrow, as the run really starts…
Friday 30th March 2007
Today Martin started his trans America at Huntington Beach (see usa run photos in photos). The time in Los Angeles was 7:00 am. Family and friends were present at the beach and balloons were released to celebrate. He took the Pacific coast road to Seal beach and then headed north on route 605, finishing just south of Pasadena. He found a forty-dollar motel for the night.
Saturday 31st March 2007
From Pasadena, Martin took route 2, which he sneaked onto, despite a pedestrians prohibited sign. He soon found out why! It was a biker’s rat run! The road was steep and winding. From here he took the N3 over the San Gabriel Mountains. Hot conditions and hilly terrain meant high water consumption (8 litres!) and plenty of bananas, apples and chocolate chip cookies! He stopped at Hidden springs, where he used the tent for the first time. It was a cold night.
Sunday 1st April 2007
Martin phoned us at midday his time. He had reached Palmdale; he is covering about 70 kilometres per day so far. He mentioned his burning calves (thought he said burnt out cars!). He hopes to reach Rosamond tonight.
