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Day 233: DC to NYC …OMG

Day 233: DC to NYC …OMG

Washington, DC to New York, New York

High Point: Seeing the NYC skyline come into view, hotel lobby disco balls

Low Point: Arriving in New York means the end of Stage 8

No Point: Sat nav in New York – no GPS and no knowledge of one way streets

Author’s notes

We had an early start from L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington DC. Thanks to Ed for putting us up (and Andy Peters from The Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama for putting us in touch).

After some suspect driving around the capital’s sights (a ’No truck’ sign surely doesn’t mean no Martha right?!) and subsequently a few close calls with local police (“Move away from this area sir”, “Please remove the person from the top of your vehicle mam”, “You do not have permission to film here sir”) we continued, unscathed and without any unscheduled visits to the police department – phew.

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Day 230 : The future’s bright, the sky’s Orange

Day 230 : The future’s bright, the sky’s Orange

Luray to Fredricksburg (via Skydive Orange)

High Point: 13,500 feet

Low Point: Frost bite at zero feet

No Point: Trying to enforce ‘No swear Friday’ – potty mouthed boys!

Quote of the Day: Waitress to Steve – “You look like what I’d imagine a man from London to look like” (while he was wearing the three-piece red FTFE suit)

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Day 225 : Right place, right time

Day 225 : Right place, right time

Katy (TX) to New Orleans (LA)

High Point: Mardis Gras magic

Low Point: Trailer trash, cold showers and Steve’s ponytail

No Point: Taxi ‘co-drivers’ meaning not enough seats for the crew, and Amy frequently having to sit on the floor!

When planning our Stage 8 route, New Orleans was one of the places we were determined to visit. But what we didn’t know, 18 months ago, as Val drew a hopeful line on a map, that our arrival into the city would coincide with one of the biggest events in the New Orleans social calendar – Mardis Gras – win!

New crew member Steve Shoppman immediately proved his worth by knowing some lovely locals who invited us round their beautiful house, which was positioned conveniently close to the Mardis Gras parade route – double win! Thanks to Ashley and Will for their hospitality, local knowledge and King Cake to kick start the day.

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Day 220 : Hot dog, jumping frog, Martha’s perky

Day 220 : Hot dog, jumping frog, Martha’s perky

Santa Fe to Truth or Consequences (via Albuquerque)

High point: Martha getting a clean bill of health…and bowling, small town style

Low point: Dirty diesel…yuck!

No point: James acknowledging a car’s hoot with a blast of blues and twos, only to later admit it was him who accidentally hit the horn in the first place…smooth!

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