It is one thing to bike numerous miles.. it is another to cycle in the rain and wind… add The Green Mountain range into the trip, and we were pretty psyched (and VERY muddy, wet and cold) when we rolled into Brattleboro.
Thankfully, we stopped shortly into our rainy trip and had an awesome protein packed breakfast at Mango in Saratoga County, NY… Our breakfast has been consisting of egg white and turkey breast sandwiches, and these guys made it perfectly.
Today was the hardest day of cycling on this tour, and most likely the most challenging ride I have ever done. The ride consisted of nearly fifteen miles of hard riding through the mountain range. As we rode on Route 9 up and over the mountain into Brattleboro we were able to witness the incredible devastation that happened when Irene opened her clouds over the Green mountain state. Homes are washed away, roads have been washed away, businesses are destroyed, and countless memories were washed down the river. Even with all of the devastation, everyone we spoke with smiled and seemed full of hope. By the time we finished the ride, our bodies were soaked and freezing and my body decided to throw its’ first fit. Thankfully my fever, pain, and fatigue seemed to diminish rather quickly as the excitement of sharing about PeaceJam drew closer.
The evening at SIT was wonderful. We met many wonderful students, faculty, and community members. Professor John Ungerleider joined us to share about 350.org and the rally at the capital in Vermont this Saturday. For more information on that, go to 350.org.
SIT is a pioneer in experiential, field-based study abroad, SIT Study Abroad offers semester and summer programs in more than 40 countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, focused on critical global issues with opportunities for undergraduate research.
SIT Graduate Institute offers internationally focused master’s degrees, certificates, and professional development programs in the fields of conflict transformation, international education, sustainable development, and TESOL. Founded over 40 years ago as a training center for early Peace Corps volunteers, SIT Graduate Institute’s flexible full-time and low-residency programs are based on an experiential learning model and a commitment to social justice and intercultural communication. We were thankful to have our event here as the philosophy of PeaceJam blends very organically into the mission of SIT. Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams also attended college here! We are so excited to work with SIT!
Tomorrow we head to Merrimack, NH- home of the Merrimack PeaceJam Program!!!
Thank you to all of you that have been supporting PeaceJam!
With sincerity, perseverance, fatigue, and joy,
Colleen Kelly Alexander
cyclingforpeace 
Oh so glad you were able to connect with SIT! That maybe a great strategic partnership for you both…let me know if I can help in any way 🙂
They have asked that I come and speak in the spring and we work on developing some internships and collaborations with their youth programs. They are such a perfect fit.