GreenyGrey Rambles Around the World

Pagan Traveler: The Mysterious Origins Of The Green Man

2009-11-25T03:20:00.001-08:00

Pagan Traveler: The Mysterious Origins Of The Green Man

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Greenygrey Rambles now Published

2008-10-21T03:48:00.001-07:00

The ebook of this blog is now available by clicking on the BUY NOW button at www.greenygrey.co.uk/blog

It's been edited into chronological order, with chapters, photos and professional formatting to make it look as pretty as a greenygrey!

It also has analysis from Dr. Marc Latham to explain the acronyms and make them more memorable, so that you should know the North American regions better than when you started. Hopefully you'll be able to remember them all, but I can't promise you will!

There's over 70 pages, just under 20,000 words, and it's 90p (about $1-50) to download. You'll need an Adobe Reader, which is free to download from the Adobe site, and a paypal account, which is also free to set up.

So I hope you'll think it's a good deal, and thoroughly enjoy virtually travelling with GG.

Cheers!

Stop Press: Greenygrey agrees publishing deal

2008-09-24T03:17:00.000-07:00

*Stop Press* *News Flash* Greenygrey agrees to publish blog with www.greenygrey.co.uk

Yes, exciting news as the Greenygrey nears the end of its journey. Following lengthy and complicated discussions it has agreed to publish the journey blogs you've come to love over the year with the greenygrey website, and has brought in renowned self-proclaimed genius and freelance writer, Dr. Marc Latham, to edit the book.

The greenygrey said he was delighted at the outcome from the negotiations, and now just wanted to get on with finishing off its epic journey without any more distractions: 'Yeh, it's not my cup of tea really, and some of the time it got a bit gruelling. I'm definitely ready for the open roads and some nature now, and can't wait to get in some shapeshifting and time travel too if possible. I think Dr. Marc Latham is the man for the job, and I have every confidence in his ability.'

Dr. Marc Latham proclaimed it a dream job, and one he's been waiting all his career for: 'It's the break I've been waiting for, to edit the book of such a virtual travelling legend is what I've been breaking my back for over the years. For me, it's the big one, and I just hope I can do the project justice.'

We shall have to wait and see how it pans out. Watch this space.

Dale Aware in Delaware

2008-09-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

PMD 3: Delaware

As I crossed into Delaware I still felt merry from my travel through Maryland; this was added to by the fact that I'd reached my last state: the final stop on my epic North American journey. Ironically, my last US state, Delaware, is often referred to as the First State, as it was the first to ratify the constitution.

After heading across the north of Delaware I met a couple of strange looking creatures at the Brandywine River, and they introduced themselves as Frodo and Sam. They said they were hobbits, and funnily enough they were also finishing an epic journey, although theirs sounded even more exciting than mine, and much more dangerous. We walked down to the dales together, and the glowing lime green colours reminded me of somewhere else from my past; somewhere buried deep in my mind. I became dale aware in Delaware.

After bidding the hobbits farewell at the shire, I made my way down to Dover, which also gave me a feeling of deja-vu, and my past seemed to be reawakening; it wasn't that I'd been there before, it was the name.

From there I travelled to Milford, which had a nice sound, before ending my trek through Delaware at Cape Henlopen. A Fighting Blue Hen greeted me there, and said that normally it challenges visitors to a brawl, but it had decided to greet me in peace. I said thanks, and being a veggie werewolf I won't eat you. This reciprocation of goodwill seemed to go down well, and we got on like a henhouse on fire after that.

As we had a few glasses of speckled hen I reminisced about my epic journey; all the creatures I'd met, adventures had, tasty acronyms and beautiful views experienced. And now I seemed to be becoming aware of my past more than ever before. Would more travelling lead to further revelations? How many more roads must I travel? Only time will tell, and for now I sat back and enjoyed the feeling of journey's end, as the last rays of sunlight fell over the Delaware Bay.

Merry land in Maryland

2008-09-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

PMD2= Maryland

I woke up in the morning with Lake Erie not feeling so eerie in the daylight. However, I found myself on the wrong side of the state for my next destination: Maryland. So I quickly shape-shifted into an eagle and flew over the state and border, before landing in Hagerstown, in the north-west of Maryland. I was met by a merry viking called Hager the Honourable, and he provided me with a tasty veggie brekkie. We supped some ale with the chow, and it became a merry occasion.

After thanking Hager and bidding him farewell I swam down the Potomac River, which was full of fish swimming merrily-on-high. I got down to Rockville by lunch-time, and was just in time for a great concert featuring Guns n' Roses, Blondie, Aerosmith, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones and the Runaways, so I was soon rocking merrily away.

Then I headed over to Bowie, where I met a Spider from Mars called Ziggy. I asked him why Maryland was such a merry land, and he said it did help that it was the richest state in the US. His Beatle mate said but money don't buy you love.

Then I sprang over to Silver Spring, where my grey side felt at home, before heading up to Baltimore. I had a variety of Indian dishes in a nice restaurant there, and when the merry waiter asked if I would like anything else, I just had to say more Balti please. More balti in Baltimore! What a wit I can be at times!!

Then I went down to Annapolis, where I received a police escort from a merry officer called Anna to the Chesapeake Bay. She was willing to take me over the bridge, but I fancied a swim, and with the Chesapeake such a famous landmark, I thought it fitting to get in the drink, and give my greenygrey fur a bit of a wash.

I enjoyed it so much I swam right out of the bay, and up the ocean to Ocean City, where I rested up for the night. I felt so merry!

Thanks for joining me in Maryland, and please return for the conclusion of my epic North American next week in Delaware (virtually rather than physically!).

Pencil Vainier in Pennsylvania

2008-09-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

PMD 1: Pennsylvania

The beginning of my last acronym; after months of virtual travelling and too many acronyms than I care to remember, here I was, crossing the border into my last one.

I made good progress in the morning, and found myself on Loyalsock Creek by lunchtime. It was nice and greenygrey there, so I felt at home, and enjoyed a nice little dip to refresh myself. My greenygrey coat was very appreciative.

While I was drying myself off a sock and a pencil approached me, and we entered into a nice conflab about this and that. We started talking about old wars, and how smartly dressed soldiers were often as patriotic as they were resplendent. I asked if it was similar for their kind. They agreed that socks are more loyal, while the pencil's vainier.

I thoroughly enjoyed our chat, and after saying chow I went to get some in the nearby town of Williamsport. I thought there might be lots of people called William playing games there, but I didn't see any. I didn't mind, even greenygreys get it wrong sometimes!

After that I headed west. My meeting with the pencil and the sock must have gone to my head, as I went out for a few beers with da boys in Du Boise, got oiled in Oil City, and had some mead in Meadville before sleeping it all off on the shores of Lake Erie. As usual at Lake Erie, I felt a bit eerie there, but this time it might have been because my head was spinning!

Con Etiquette in Connecticut

2008-09-11T04:16:00.000-07:00

MR.C 3= Connecticut

Crossing into Connecticut I headed down to Lake Candlewood for a morning dip, and enjoyed it apart from the sticky goo floating on the surface; it got on my wick a bit.

I headed north-east after that, and called in at Waterbury for a bit of a rinse, before heading up to New Britain for tea and crumpets.

Energised from some good buttered crumpets and strong cream tea I headed up to Connecticut's biggest city, Hartford, in super fast time. I saw that the Hartford Wolf Pack was playing Worcester Sharks in an American Hockey League ice-hockey game that night, so bought a ticket and had some supper before going to the game.

As I arrived at the stadium a rough looking shark pushed into me before trying to sell me a dodgy looking ticket. I told it I already had a ticket and it should learn some con etiquette.

I really enjoyed the game, and especially as the Wolf Pack beat the Sharks in a close and good-natured game, although the Sharks did get a bit snappy at times.

It was night-time when the game finished, but I made my way over to the Connecticut River and swam south to the Long Island Sound. I surfaced in Old Lyme, where my greeny side felt very much at home. Even my grey side was quite limey by the time I entered open sea in the Sound. This came in handy when I ended up in Greenwich, and fitted in just perfectly. I slept well.

Rowed I land in Rhode Island

2008-09-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

Mr.C 2: Rhode Island

Leaving Massachusetts with my chewers intact, I headed down to Prudence Island. It was nice and sunny when I arrived, and I spent a chilling morning relaxing on the beach.

However, a storm brewed up just before lunch, and my prudent decision to buy a canoe and oars was vindicated. So I pushed it out to sea, and paddled up the Narragansett Bay for an hour or two, until the city of Providence was in sight. Just as I was about to reach the harbour a dream I'd had the night before came back into my head, with the thought of me telling myself 'Rowed, I land', and then a few minutes later I rowed my last, and landed.

Once back on terra firma I headed into the city, and to keep my grey side quiet I travelled back to the nineteenth century to watch the Providence Grays win the first World Championship in baseball history in 1884. Those were some celebrations.

After that I travelled back to the modern age and travelled up to Pawtucket, where I gave my paws a well-earned rest with a paw spa before tucking in to some tea.

Then I travelled west, with my revitalised paws carrying me at lightning speeds. I headed up Jerimoth Hill, Rhode Island's highest point, and camped there for the night. It's a beautiful place, but most of the good spots had already been taken by towel-wielding bugs.

Mass o' Chew Sets in Massachusetts

2008-09-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

MR.C 1: Massachusetts

Having made a diversion from my original plans by travelling to N2 instead of MR.C I now had to get myself back on track, with no land border between New Jersey and Massachusetts.

So I shape-shifted into a buzzard and flew up to Lowell; I chose a buzzard as I knew I'd be passing through Buzzards Bay air space, and didn't want to ruffle the buzzards' feathers so to speak. The buzzards were glad to see me, and gave me an escort through their territory. I appreciated their hospitality, and their company broke up the flight.

After landing in 1940s Lowell I visited the childhood home of my favourite author, Jack Kerouac, whose travel narratives influenced my rambles. We had a bit of a chat and a beer, and entered into a conversation about writing and travelling experiences and tips. I don't think my advice really influenced his later writing, but I like to think my support gave him some inspiration.

Leaving Lowell I time-travelled back into the 21st century, and nearly got knocked down by a fast modern automobile. I got back into the swing of the new age after that, and made it down to Boston in time for tea.

I bit into something a bit tough while eating, and thought I might need some false teeth for a while. I asked a passing leprachaun if he knew where there might be a dentist, and he said there was one with a mass o' chew sets around the corner. I thanked him, and set off for it, but by the time I arrived the pain had passed, and my need for new chewers had passed.

I fancied a swim after the flight and run, so I shape-shifted into a cod and swam down Cape Cod Bay to Nantucket Sound, which was quite noisy. Then I met up with the buzzards again, and we finished the day off drinking wine in Martha's Vineyard. We toasted Massachusetts and Kerouac, and wished each other good times on the road and in the air.

New Jersey in New Jersey

2008-09-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

N2 2: New Jersey

I crossed from New York State into New Jersey over the George Washington Bridge, and had a cranberry breakfast.

Then I hiked up high to High Point, where my greenygrey fur was uncharacteristically unable to keep out the cold. So I bought a nice new jersey at a stall selling second-hand merchandise: it was a Bon Jovi jersey from their 'Slippery When Wet' tour. Yes, that was a great album, and there have been many fine songs from the New Jerseyians; in fact, I often sing 'Wanted Dead or Alive' when I'm travelling through hunting grounds!

Then I made my way over to Camp Glen Gray, where my grey side had a good time, before heading into the city. Jersey City was great, and I saw Bruce Springsteen play at the Asbury. I mingled in the crowd with other celebrities, like Patti Smith and Lauryn Hill.

As I was leaving the club a little worse for wear a strange creature appeared, looking like a winged horse. It said it was the Jersey Devil, and asked what I was doing in its neighbourhood. I said I was just passing through, but it wasn't happy with my presence, which was probably down to me being a much nicer looking mythological creature. Anyway, I said I was in a bit of a rush, as I had more states to visit, and gave it my Bon Jovi jersey as a goodwill offering, before bidding farewell and legging it.

I paid homage to the Lenni Lenape culture's wolf clan as I left the city, and then headed out to the countryside again. I travelled through New Brunswick, which reminded me of my Canadian travels, before swimming and eating in the Great Egg Harbour River.

I ended the day in Salem, where I thought I'd had my lot, as there were vampires and witches all over the shop. Not the kind of thing a respectable vegetarian werewolf needs after a hard day's hoboing. I managed to get some sleep after letting out an almighty howl that even shocked myself.

New Yorkie in New York

2008-08-31T00:13:00.000-07:00

N2 1: New York (State)

Leaving Vermont I crossed into New York and headed up into the Adirondack Mountains, passing Lake Placid on the way. You'll never believe this, but it looked very placid, although there wasn't as much water as I'd expected!

There was a drop more at Saratoga Springs, and I had a good bathe and swim, before a spot of brekkie. I was joined by a New York Giant there, and he introduced himself as Bill Purcell; he must have stood forty feet tall. He asked me if I wanted a chocolate bar, and I said depends what type, as I'm not really a big chockie fan. He brought out this bar that I didn't recognise, and I enquired as to its make. He said it's a Yorkie, and I said it doesn't look like the Yorkie I know and love, but he said that it was a new yorkie, that comes in chunks. I said thanks, but I think I'll stick to my fruit and veg, as I still had a lot of travelling to do that day.

After bidding farewell to Bill I headed down into the Catskill Mountains. I ran up Slide Mountain, and then slid down the other side, which was immense fun; I was glad I hadn't eaten Bill's new yorkie as it might have come up again!

Then I came across a cat who introduced itself as Molly the Moggie. It seemed to be a very precocious feline, and said it had many skills. So I shape-shifted into a cat, and we played with a ball of wool, climbed trees and lazed around. I must say that Molly was very skilled at these, but I was better at unravelling a ball of wool, although my technique was apparently unorthodox.

After bidding Molly au revoir I continued south-east, until reaching New York City; this guy called Joey wanted to play conkers in Yonkers, so I gave him a game, and beat him. His friends weren't too happy, so I bought them a coffee in a cafe called Central Perk. I had a nice chat and a good laugh with his charming friends, and after they got over Joey's conkers defeat they put me up in their flats.

Very Mount in Vermont

2008-08-28T03:18:00.000-07:00

MNV 3: Vermont

Crossing into Vermont I headed straight up into the Green Mountains, and started singing the state song: 'These Green Mountains'. Well, I did add 'ygrey' onto the Green if I'm telling the truth, as I didn't see another soul all morning, and could imagine it was just me and the mountains.

Then I swam down the Winooski River to Lake Champlain, where I lunched by the waterside, and enjoyed a nice cooling post-meal dip in the clear water.

Then it was back up into the Green Mountains, and I started heading south towards New York. Along the trail I came across a greenybrown creature, which was hiking in the other direction. It introduced itself as Nigela the Northern Leopard Frog, and we entered into a lengthy conversation. It asked where I'd been in Vermont, and I told it, saying the Green Mountains had kept me in the mountains a lot, so it had been a very mount journey through Vermont.

After bidding farewell to Nigela, I made my edged along the outskirts of Rutland to avoid the rutting stags, and made it to New York state by nightfall. I still had 'These Greenygrey Mountains' in my head before dropping off to sleep.

New Hemp Sure in New Hampshire

2008-08-25T05:11:00.000-07:00

MNV 2= New Hampshire

Crossing into New Hampshire from Maine I made good progress over to Lake Winnipesaukee, and had a fantastic swim in there, changing intermittently from manta to reef shark, or a bright mandarin fish; the latter takes all my chameleon powers to accomplish, as there are so many colours needed to make up a good mandarin fish.

After a bite of lunch I took my time going through Laconia and must have looked quite laconic; I don't think anybody saw me though, as I'd turned back into my default greenygrey colours, and the surroundings were nicely greenygrey.

As I passed through the countryside I saw a man in a field of crops repeatedly throwing a ball up in the air and then collecting it. I was vexed as to what he was doing, so I enquired. He said he'd used to live in New York, but he'd moved up to New Hampshire because of 'Catcher in the Rye'. I said it's a long way to move for such a sport, but he said New Hampshire has great rye fields.

I'm sure there was something cryptic in what he said, but I never worked it out. I started thinking about it on my way down to Concord, but was there before I knew it, so it went completely out of my head...until now.

Anyway, I was travelling so fast my greenygrey fur was falling into my eyes, so I thought I'd buy some rope to tie it. I asked at an old-fashioned wholesale store and the very polite shop-owner said 'New hemp sure'.

So I tied my fur back with the hemp, and it came in very handy, as I flew from Concord to the border with Vermont, where I would end my journey through MNV. I slept on the banks of the Connecticut River, and nice it was too.

Mane in Maine

2008-08-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

MNV 1= Maine

Having accepted that I would have to take on this acronym without many memory aids I shapeshifted into a sea eagle and made my way up to the first leg of the acronynym without meaning, Maine.

However, as I flew I realised the letters followed alphabetically, so that was some help.

The scenery below was wonderful, and really whet my appetite for my land trip. Touching down in the north of Maine I was transported back in time to my travels across Canada, as the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick border Maine.

Yes, I much preferred BASMOQ and N3+PEI to MNV I must say, but I musn't grumble, as the scenery in Maine is also beautiful, with about 90% of the state still wooded, and plenty of coastline.

I was also back in the Appalachians, and enjoyed the clear natural air as I ran through the powder puff snow, and towering trees. I stopped off in Caribou, and got talking to a moose called Stephen that said it was the King of Maine. I said that was impressive and complimented it on its cuddly ears. It said thanks, and complimented me on my greenygrey mane. I said thanks, but it's not really a mane, as lions have manes, but it's close enough, and I don't want to be pedantic.

After bidding goodbye to Stephen King I made my way down to Mars Hill, which was spacey, and then over to the east coast at Calais. I went for a swim in the Bay of Fundy there, and it was fun. Then I made my way down to Bath, and washed the salt water out of my greenygrey coat with a bath, before continuing to Portland, which reminded me of my time in Oregon, near the start of my journey in the USA.

I ended the day in Norway, and enjoyed the evening there. So that was the first leg of MNV over with, and I had thoroughly enjoyed it; even the acronym was starting to grow on me!

End of my American journey planned out

2008-08-18T03:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Greenygrey. I have planned the last leg of my journey, and I'm afraid it's going to be some tough acronyming in the last eleven states, as the first and last acronyms don't offer much memorability.

However, we've come a long way together, and I'm confident that after all the tough virtual travelling we've done, we'll make it to the end now.

The route is set out below, and I hope you'll join me on it in the next few weeks.

MNV= Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

Mr. C= Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut

N2= New York and New Jersey

PMD= Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware

Waste Virginier in West Virginia

2008-08-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

C2+V2 4= West Virginia

I crossed from Virginia into West Virginia by travelling west funnily enough. Crossing into Greenbrier county I felt at home, and travelled upstream in the Greenbrier river for a while.

I was going to head north all the way, but something drew me out to the west, and before I knew it I was in Point Pleasant. Strange things started happening to me there, such as my fur turning orange and purple without me chameleonising it, and losing track of my blog without knowing it; I therefore have no information about my journey from Greenbrier to Point Pleasant.

Then a strange creature started appearing, kind of like a moth, but also like a man; sort of mothmanish! I don't suppose I should talk, being kind of wolfish, and kinda human. Anyway, in the end we got together and had a good chat. It's a legendary super-being as well, so we had plenty to talk about. As we were leaving I left my food wrapper behind, thinking it was biodegradable, and the Mothman asked if I always did that. I said yes, and it got quite angry, saying I should never leave waste to chance. I asked if it had ever done it and it said no. I assured it I would be more careful in the future, and it seemed pleased.

I left the next day, and headed east. I had a good time chameleonising in Auburn, ran with the elk in Elk Garden, and ended up with sore paws in Paw Paw. I'd really enjoyed travelling through West Virginia though, and once again running free through the Appalachian Mountain range.

As I rested my paws in Paw Paw I also planned the rest of the journey through the last twelve states. Although they are only small, and compacted into the north-east of the USA, I felt that they would provide the biggest test yet of my travel by acronym.

Virginier in Virginia

2008-08-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

C2+V2 3= Virginia

Heading over the border into Virginia I started off by having an early morning swim at Virginia Beach, and then headed inland to Chesapeake and the Chesapeake Bay. I passed through Suffolk, Norfolk, Newport News and Portsmouth, and the names reminded me of somewhere.

Then I headed inland to Richmond, which seemed quite affluent, before swimming towards the mountains on the Roanoke River.

Along the way I stopped in the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. I was worried I'd walked into a trap set to capture my greenygrey fur, but could relax after a few hours, as I was so fascinated by the performing arts center that I couldn't leave, and guessed that was what the trap referred to. They asked if I'd been to the opera before, and I replied no, because I hadn't. They said everybody else had been before, so I was the only newbie in the place.

After leaving there I passed through some dogwood trees, which made me feel at home, before I finally made it back into the Blue Ridge Mountains. I had another reminder of what a small world it is a few hours a later, because I came across the two gentlemen I'd met in the Blue Ridge Mountains further south. I asked what they were doing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and it seemed to set them off into song: telling me they were in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia on the Trail of the Lonesome Pine.

I said oh, are you still looking for the lonesome pine; I saw some dogwood earlier if that's any help. They said that was a great help, although I don't know if they were just being kind, before they left. It was the last I saw of them, so I hope they found what they were looking for.

I made it to the border with West Virgina by nightfall, with the end of my journey through C2+V2 in sight.

No' Carol liner in North Carolina

2008-08-06T03:01:00.000-07:00

C2+V2 2: North Carolina

I left Myrtle Beach at first light and crossed the border into North Carolina. I stopped in Bolivia for brekkie, and had some nice veggie tapas.

I ran over to Carolina Beach, and was going to catch a ship up the coast, but when I went to get on the only ship in port a guard asked my name. I remembered the trouble I'd had in South Carolina, with the ship that only allowed on creatures called Carol, so I said Carol. The guard chuckled, before saying 'I'm sorry, we don't allow Carols on this ship'.

I was proper brangled; thinking only Carols in South Carolina, and no Carols in North Carolina, what the heck's going on?!

Anyway, I didn't hang around to find out, and made my way inland. Heading up into the Piedmont I came across an old friend as I travelled through the Brushy Mountains; yes, none other than that ol' cad, Basil Brush. When I told him about my experiences with the ships he said 'boom boom', but I said it was no joke Basil, it really happened!

After bidding farewell to Basil I headed into higher mountains; the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachians. After traversing a pine forest I came across an odd couple of characters; one was big and the other not at all. The big one was scolding the other, telling him 'that's another fine mess you've got me into'. I introduced myself, and they said they're names were Stan and Ollie. I asked what they were doing, and they said they were on the trail of the lonesome pine, but Stan had just got them lost. I told them I'd seen many pines on my journey, and pointed them in the direction of some lonesome looking ones.

I started making my way down soon after that, and entered Raleigh in time for tea. Everybody was riding around on bicycles there, so I joined in. I enjoyed it so much I rode up to Eden on one. It was so heavenly in Eden that I camped there. I had apple for supper.

South Carol Liner in South Carolina

2008-08-02T03:51:00.000-07:00

C2+V2 1: South Carolina

After relaxing on the beach for awhile in the Florida Keys I flew up to Charleston in South Carolina after changing into a seagull for the journey.

After taking in the history of Charleston I crossed the bay over to Mount Pleasant, which was also pleasant.

I was going to take a boat up the coast from there, but when I went to the port there was only one ship there, and no other voyages were planned for the foreseeable future. So I thought I'd get on that boat, and went to board.

However, as I approached the ship a guard asked me what my name was. I didn't know why I was being asked, so I just replied 'Greenygrey'. The guard looked at me with astonishment, before replying: 'Greenygrey, you tried to get on the Carol liner with a name like Greenygrey; where are you from, everybody in South Carolina knows the Carol liner is only for people called Carol'.

I was taken aback; brangled and in shock. If I'd unbrangled myself quickly enough I might have retorted that my middle name was Carol, but at the time I just sloped off, with my tail between my legs so to speak.

Anyway, it all worked out well in the end, because I got to see loads of sunny South Carolina.

First, I travelled across the Sandhills, and enjoyed running up the banks and then rolling down the other sides.

I met some cool geese at Goose Creek, ate orange burgers in Orangeburg, danced the salsa in Columbia, fitted into Greenville, and joined a mock battle in Spartanburg.

After running around the mountains in the Piedmont, I made my way back to the east coast by nightfall, and slept on Myrtle Beach.

The Carol liner docked two hours later.

Greenygrey's next route

2008-07-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Having finished the WIIM, TKO, MAG and F leg of the journey, it's time to plan out the next acronym segment.

I have decided to travel to C2+V2 next, which is probably more of an equation than an acronym; c'est la vie: anyway, it stands for South and North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

I think that will leave only 16 states in the north-east of the US, and I hope you will be along to finish the journey off with me.

Floor rider in Florida

2008-07-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

F=Florida

When is an acronym not an acronym? Maybe when there's only one letter? I didn't have time to work out if one letter can constitute an acronym, because I was heading down to Florida, and at the end of a long and epic journey I thought it was time to hit the BEACH!

So I swam through beautiful seas down to the Florida coast; I of course chameleonised my fur into a gorgeous turquoise and azure number, and this helped me avoid any shark bovver. Although sharks are not usually any problem anyway, and have nearly as much right to life as wolves.

I hitched a lift on a space shuttle leaving Cape Canaveral, and got off above Jupiter; Jupiter a little further down the coast that is, not the Jupiter near Saturn off in outer space.

Then I swam through more tropical waters to Hollywood City, and thought I was back on the west coast for a while. I headed inland after that, and crossed the Everglades; fascinating, but a bit dodgy with all those reptiles.

I was crossing a path, when an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake asked who I was; after I explained that I was the Greenygrey, and travelling across North America by land, air and sea, it said it was called Ernie, and it only rode the floor. We talked a little more after that, but nothing important enough to document here, before I headed back to the BEACH.

I swam out to Marathon on the Florida Keys, before ending my Florida journey at Key West, where I celebrated with some lime pie; it only needed a bit of grey to be really fitting!

Georgier in Georgia

2008-07-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

MAG 3: Georgia

Crossing the border into the third and final state of MAG, I headed over to Atlanta for a look, and ended up being chased by a CNN news crew, who thought a greenygrey werewolf in town was quite an exclusive. Luckily, my chameleon powers came in handy, and I was able to elude being captured on film; we're better at that sort of thing than those Bigfoots!

Then I headed down to Peachtree City for a lunch of peaches, and I must say I do dig those Georgia peaches.

Georgia was an old British colony, and I entered into a conversation with a local about what royal name they like the best, and it met a response of 'In Georgia, we prefer George'.

I then headed south-west to La Grange, where there was a band singing about sharp dressed men, legs, tush, and requesting all our loving. Two members of the band had big long beards, so they looked kind of wolfish, in a gray wolf kind of way.

I then continued south to Lake Seminole, before heading east to the Okefenokee Swamp. It was a bit of a perilous trek through the swamp, with many gators and snakes around, but through diplomacy and camouflage I managed it, and emerged on the east coast of the state and country after a few hours.

I slept the night in Brunswick, which reminded me of New Brunswick, where I had previously camped on the Atlantic east coast, only then in Canada. I'd covered a lot of miles since then, travelling from east to west across Canada, and west to east across the US, so I slept well after a bit of contemplation.

I'll a balm 'er in Alabama

2008-07-25T05:21:00.000-07:00

MAG 2: Alabama

Crossing into Alibami, umm, I mean Alabama, I heard some music which sounded ghostly but great; something about sweet home alabama.

It got my pace up alright, and I reached Florence for brekkie; it was served by a very nice woman carrying a lamp for some reason.

I continued east after polishing it all off; at times running and at other times taking a dip in the Tennessee River.

But then I saw a sign for Huntsville, and thought I'd better avoid it, so I started heading south.

I reached Jasper, near Birmingham, by lunchtime, and had carrots to eat.

I headed down to Greenville and Evergreen after sleeping my lunch off, before reaching the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile Bay.

It was so nice to be beside the seaside that I became quite sedentary, but after reminding myself I was in Mobile, I became mobile again, and started heading east towards Georgia.

On the way to the border I came across a female gator that looked in pain. When I enquired what was the matter, she said she had a sore leg, so I brought out some gilead balm I had from earlier in the trip, and applied it to the painful leg. It seemed to do the trick, and it was off swimming through the swamps in no time.

I reached the border with Georgia by nightfall, and slept well despite the humidity.

Mrs Hippy in Mississippi

2008-07-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

MAG 1: Mississippi

Having woken up from my TKO sleep I felt refreshed, and it took me no time at all to change into an eagle and fly down to Mississippi for the start of my journey through MAG.

Landing in the Mississippi River I made my way to Greenville, where I seemed to fit in splendidly; well, half of me anyway!

After a cabbage, broccoli and zucchini greeny brekkie I left Greenville and headed south.

I made good progress along the flat humid land, and it wasn't long before I reached Hattiesburg. As I was passing along the outskirts a woman made polite conversation, and I asked if she was born in Mississippi. She said no, she had been single and very straight-laced in the early 1960s, but then she met a hippy at Woodstock, got married to him and moved down to Mississippi with him.

It was an interesting story, and I could've listened to her all day, but I had rambling to do myself, so I set off again after bidding Mrs Hippy farewell.

I reached Biloxi, by nightfall, and joined the Mississippi Sea Wolves ice hockey team after receiving an invitation. It was great to spend some good wolf time with a few of the lads again, even if sea wolves aren't that closely related to greenygreys.

We could make ourselves understood, and as we share a similar sense of humour it made for a wonderful night. They aren't as fierce as they look, and put me up for the night after I'd had a little too much to drink.
Cheers Sea Wolves, and good luck next season!

O, hi O in Ohio

2008-07-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

TKO 3: Ohio

I crossed the Ohio River, from Covington in Kentucky to Cincinnati in Ohio. I had brekkie while listening to Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati.

Then I made my way up to Beavercreek for brunch with the beavers at the creek.

After saying farewell to the beavers I travelled through Springfield, where a family of yellow people were very friendly and funny. They said they'd give me a lift up to Columbus, but then the son wound the father up, and he crashed into a ditch while trying to reach behind to swipe him; it was a bit of a nightmare, but also funny when the father exclaimed 'Doh!' and the son ran off laughing.

I continued by foot, and made good progress along the flat wide open farmland that makes up much of the state.

I stopped for supper in Lima, which has a South American feel to it. A beautiful red bird landed near me and introduced itself as O the Cardinal. I was taken aback by its radiance, and was a little brangled; you know, when your brain's in a tangle. I eventually just blurted out 'O hi O'. O was very friendly though, and we shared some buckeyes while having a good chat.

After saying adios to O I continued north until reaching Cleveland. I slept on the beach there, on the shores of Lake Erie. However, I didn't sleep for a while, as there was something eerie about the place.

So I took some sleeping pills and they knocked me out; it brought my journey through TKO to a fitting end.