Oh North Carolina

I have arrived.
28 hours, four flights, three minor plane delays and one early depature and arrival! Plus three transit lounges, two terminal changes, two security checks, one 'please prove you are a diabetic' request, and a 1.5hour drive from the Greensboro airport to Cedar Grove, North Carolina.
As I sit here, typing, I am looking out onto the fenceless front yard of ultra-marathon runner, Missy Foy and her husband Bob's lovely home. In my right corner is an American flag. I know just behind the house is the lake front of Lake Orange, a terrific little backyard and playground for paddling ('if you want some exercise..').
Via email, Missy had told me Cedar Grove is a pretty small town. I think we drove through it late last night, but could only catch the sight of a post office and recently rebuilt church. I don't think there is much more to it than that. A small gathering of community essentials at a cross roads. We turn here, and head towards the 1 mile road that leads us to our extended driveway - a 1/4mile gravel road. Missy laughs as we turn into the actual driveway as she tells me that Bob arranged to have the short section leading to the garage paved. I started to laugh too, but then it all sounded way too familiar: mum and dad are on a 600m gravel road and also have their driveway paved.
We exchanged troubles with locals: Missy's problems with foxes (rabies is still present here!) and dealing with them with Bee Bee Guns, trying to prevent the local beavers from felling trees (similar possum preventure measures required), and dealing with snakes while running, or when bush walking (for me).
Its all very laid back here, but there isn't much time to adjust. Tomorrow we head five hours further south to Athens, Georgia, for my first race: the Athens Twilight. A big one and I am pretty nervous about the lack of race prep. I'll be in and around Georgia for a week with another 3-4 races. A good chance for a bit of a racing block. Keep the expectations low, and the head down, and hopefully I can get around the course.
More to come..