Kelsey McKinney
Pearland, TX
Southern Methodist University

Last 5 blog entries: 71/84 33/84 32/84 23/84 22/84

Show latest update from from Kelsey's blog 71/84 Sorry to all who follow this blog and have had nothing to follow for weeks now. Computer time and energy are equally scarce on the road. We crossed into Oregon today (Lizzy's home state). Had a super fun ride. Many worthwhile purchases were made today. First, I got a legit slingshot at a very outdoorsy convenience store. Then, we stopped at a thrift store and bought two books for only $3. But then I spent more on mustaches from a gumball machine inside an A&W than I did on the books. But I got a sweet fumanchu, Lizzy got a Mario-esque 'stache and B-Money got a Zoro 'stache. We wore them for the remaining 12 miles. Money and Lizzy got to riding a bit too fast for my liking so I hung back. It was sooo entertaining waving to motorists while wearing that dirty fumanchu. One of the riders told me it looked like the hair of a fox's ass. It was red and at the bottom it had a bead strung onto the hair that hung down on each side. We only have 12 ride days and one build day remaining. Mixed feelings on the matter. Doing this much longer is probably not sustainable but it's strange to have this come to an end. I'm not so sure what I want to do afterward. I guess I'll have to figure that out. First, I think I'll hangout in CA for a few days, possibly with Lizzy. Then, I think I'll take the California Zephyr to Grand Junction, CO to visit Grandma Moab shortly after her 92nd birthday. At some point I'll fly on home. I've missed a lot while I've been gone. Mammaw's 78th birthday is today. Aunt Janice's 58th is tomorrow. Holly had her baby. Jacob Morris got engaged. Tyler had the shingles. Jake had a scare with vision loss, which turned out only to be a migraine. I have a lot of visiting to make up for all that.

Kelsey's bio: My name is Kelsey McKinney and I am determined to do something amazing with my life. I graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in May ’08 and have been The Shreveport Times’ night-side cops reporter since then.   As much as I enjoy my job, I realize that taking this opportunity to ride across the country means I'll have to resign. I'm oddly OK with that. I’m only 24 and I have the freedom to uproot my life at will. And I’m convinced that Bike and Build is the perfect synergy of my interests.   I’ve always liked riding bikes, but in the last year I’ve gotten really involved and recently bought my own road bike – a lovely white/mint green/black Jamis Ventura Race. I also own way more tools and power tools than the average 24-year-old girl. It’s a little shocking. I love doing home improvement and decorating projects.   In college I went on several camping, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and caving trips through SMU Outdoor Adventures, which puts together student-led trips. I like roughing it and I like the kind of people who don’t bring a grill and a blow-up air mattress along when they go camping.   And being a reporter, I go to new (and often strange) places and instantly talk to new (and often strange) people. I’m the girl who talks to strangers when she travels. I want to talk to the locals and do what they do.   On top of all this, I love people and I think God called me to fulfill their unmet needs with whatever interests, hobbies and skills with which He’s equipped me. “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” – Proverbs 21:13. I’ve recently begun volunteering with The Hub, an inner-city mission that ministers to the poor and homeless of Shreveport and Bossier City. They need so much and are so grateful for so little.   I heard about Bike and Build from a friend of a friend after the three of us got back from a bike ride. I googled it and have been convinced ever since. I would love to be able to provide the poor and homeless of Shreveport with more than a hotdog and some used clothing – a house that meets a permanent need and could change the way they live their lives.

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