4.20.08 Sunday
Wilmington to Little River NC
54miles, 11mph AVG
Sunny and Hot

The First Official Day of the "Smiling Jack Memorial Bike Ride"
AKA "The Smart As Hell Tour".
We said our goodbyes at Vick and Gwen's House in Hempstead NC. They have a great spot and I enjoy visiting
It was hard to say goodbye and see the family go. The hardest part of the trip will be justifying time away from the family. I will do my best to live int he moment and be thankful for the opportunity which has been allowed me. Thanks and praises to all those at home who have made this trip possible.
We barley make the 10am ferry. They honk there horn to hurry us up as we unload our bikes from Vick's truck.
We cross the mouth of the cape fear river and debark at South Port NC. We ride our bikes up off the ferry with 4 easy miles under our belt. We head North on 211? I think. We have only ridden about 4 miles when i spot a small purse on the side of the rode. I turn around and find the purse and it's content's scattered in the bushes. I open the wallet and find $140 and no ID. Dennis thinks we should return it. I let him know that I have a policy about these things; Finders keepers. Luckily we avoid the moral dilemma as there is know local id so we can't return it. Things are looking good so far. We have shrimp for lunch and finish up our ride just South of Calabash at Little River. We shower and head down towards the intercoastal. We find a bar/restaurant named Key West Crazy full of 50 somethings, I'm the youngest guy in the place. Enjoy some more shrimp, listen to some pretty bad live music and call it a night. Not bad for the first day.