Birthday surprises, Green Educating and more RV breakdowns in Austin!
Environmental Education had to take a cab, from Austin Texas!
Our arrival into this really cool Texas town was made memorable once more, from our beloved Mothership having “issues”. This time it was the whole fuel system folks! Yes indeed, she not only had to have the fuel pump replaced, but just for good measure, all 8-fuel injectors too! Sometimes I wish we had pushed our gear around the continent with baby joggers (but then WE, would have been just ME). However, she is fixed and ready to roll with improved economy from a fuel system working correctly. Thank the big guy upstairs we purchased the extra extended insurance.
Steph surprised me for my birthday with a night out eating incredible Italian food, with Evan and Louisa, friends we made way back in Charleston. Even my old friend Rick, from my Ironman days in Penticton came along. Louisa and Steph had traded emails for weeks teeing up what turned out to be a memorable night at her Dad’s restaurant, Carmelo Italian Restaurant, a southwest themed eatery and oldest building here in Austin! I even got my favorite desert; ice cream cake, as well as, Happy Birthday by Accordion!
Earlier in the day, Steph surprised me with the most unique gift I’ve ever received. Everyone knows how much I love coffee. Well, she had conspired with our friend, Billy Claxton (the guy who had invited us to get off his property in South Carolina), from Island Coffee? She and Billy conspired (are you getting the themes here), and had our very own Run For One Planet branded coffee printed on some organic roast! I couldn’t believe it. Now that’s a birthday!
We finally (after many cab rides) got to do what we’re running around America to do. And that was, speak with more amazing, hilarious, insightful and same size as us kids. Here in Austin it was at Rawson Saunders Elementary, a unique place of learning for children with Dyslexia. Finally, I was able to share my “special gift” of typing words like “thnaks & aolt” with this incredibly gifted group of kids! Steph and I had a blast sharing our message of Action with these enthusiastic pint sized eco warriors!
Our 2nd school was the Austin Jewish Academy, where the “green team” ran us onto the field and told us how they had encouraged people to make greener choices with painted signs during the morning commute!
I want to thank everyone who made my birthday amazing, Steph especially. And I want to see if you notice a theme here with more friends who are helping us, in this case it was to celebrate my birthday. But there’s another theme mixed in. It’s the theme of instant support to our cause from people we’ve been privileged to meet along the road. All saying “sure I’ll help”, in order to make our journey just a little bit better. I’ve always known that people are good. And even me, Mr. “thanks for everything”, am reminded at how deep the human spirit is to assist one to fulfill the dream. Steph and I are continually supported as we fulfill our dream to inspire people here in America to take Action for the health of our dear Planet. This week, it was by way of some tasty calories, sleeping in comfortable surroundings at the Habitat Inn and Suites (thanks Adam), rides home from friendly service manager’s at Ford, branded coffee from someone we met for an hour, and all the amazing kids we met at our two school events!
Less than 16 weeks to go folks! We’re locked, loaded and eager to run through the rest of Texas and see how the west was won! All at 6 miles an hour.
I wanted to share an @Message you got on Twitter.
OTD_Colonel @Run41Planet btw – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT! 6:32 AM Jan 19th from TweetDeck in reply to Run41Planet.
Cheers,
Run41Planet
Comment by Shaunah — Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
I love the Coffee! Are they going to make it a regular sale item in their inventory? I would buy it! Cheers, Shaunah
Comment by Shaunah — Sunday, January 25, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Hi Matt and Steph!
Thanks for showing the love on your blog! I do need to extend the credit for the coffee out to Rob too! When I was going to send 12 oz, he said “Send them 2.5 lbs!” “And send them a bottle of chai too!”
All of us here felt fortunate that you guys parked in our yard that day.
Keep up the good work……and to Shaunah who commented above…we would love to have this coffee as a regular sale item in your store!
warm and caffeinated regards,
~Billy
Island Coffee
Comment by Billy — Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 7:03 am
I’m the other “chunk” of the Island Coffee family, the one that stays in town trying to spread our message – and I have to say that I have only regrets that I hadn’t planned a trip to the plant the day you “hi-jacked” our little piece of highway! I’m so excited about what you do and we’re thrilled to be sending our caffeinated support.
FINISH STRONG!
Laurie Kramer, President of Island Coffee
Comment by Laurie Kramer — Monday, January 26, 2009 @ 7:23 am
Well done.
Sixteen weeks! Amazing.
Enjoy the South-West and points further west.
Comment by Patrick Judge — Tuesday, February 10, 2009 @ 10:31 am