June 5 – Wilmington, DE to Baltimore, MD (79)

Greetings from Baltimore MD

Good morning and greetings from Baltimore, MD our 8th state in seven days. We traveled 79 miles yesterday for a total of 433 miles the first week. The day started with overcast skies and a severe weather forecast.

We spent most of the day riding up and down the country roads through western Delaware and eastern Maryland. One random encounter was with Brian Riva, a cyclist and father of two boys. We were also pleased to have Kevin Heerdt, an avid cyclist and board member with the Center For Urban Families join us mid ride. Our final destination was at the CFUF, where there was a pre-Father’s Day celebration with 100 kids and their dads. We were also greeted by the media including the Baltimore Sun, the local ABC affiliate and FOX45. First week’s rider Mike Godlin’s wife Samantha surprised him by flying in from Chicago to meet him as we rode into the CFUF. He was duly surprised.

Wilk peeled off to have dinner with an 89 year old “lady friend” he hadn’t seen in 70 years. The rest of us had a relaxing meal at Maisys in downtown Baltimore.

Included below are some photos.

If you’re looking for a Father’s Day gift, please consider a Great Dad Coin as well as purchasing a copy of my new book entitled 21st Century Dads: A Father’s Journey To Break The Cycle Of Father Absence, available on Amazon. As a reminder, all the proceeds go to charity.

We’re off to Charles Town, WV today, our 9th state in eight days.

Thanks again. Make it a great day!!!

David Hirsch

As we entered Maryland.

Presenting Kevin Heerdt with a Great Dad Coin.

Presenting Darrell (26) a Baltimore dad of five, with a GDC, accompanied by his youngest child Logan (3).

With Manny, the camera man from ABC, who is a father and now a grandfather.

Some of the attendees at the Center for Urban Families pre-Father’s Day celebration.

Meeting with Tim Predente, a reporter with the Baltimore Sun.

With Mike Godlin and wife Samantha Fleishman.

With long-time friend Joe Jones, founder of the Center for Urban Families. We made a 180 Great Dad Coin donation for their use.

With Brian Riva, a father of two teenagers, after presenting him with a Great Dad Coin.

With Paige and her friend Tammy Lindsay (from Akron, OH) who spontaneously made a donation when she saw the signage on the truck and trailer.