So, in order to finish what one starts, one has to complete any number of tasks, which in the completion of them leads to a finished product. If I keep writing,
at the end of this presumably there will a book, a collection of essays, or something that others will get to read - aside from family and/or friends.
As previously indicated, I did finish the ride, I did raise funds that are at this moment being used to support others in need while seeking to end the cycle of poverty and awareness was raised throughout the continent about these issues. Even as I write this, I still find it incomprehensible that people have not been aware of the existence of poverty, the conditions which lead to it, the attempts to address it. And again - I have to acknowledge that there are people who are either unaware of it's existence, in their midst, or believe that due to their financial struggles that they are living in conditions of poverty. If we understand poverty to mean more than a like of money, economic security, then I suppose it's true. For poverty is more than just lack of money in the bank. It's more than not having material necessities although it wouldn't do to minimize the impact this has on people's sense of well-being. However, there is a mental component to the state of poverty which isn't addressed as much. Anyone who has a roof over their heads but believes that their situation is equivilent to that of those who sleep on the streets because they no longer have a roof, is in a mindset of poverty. Fear of losing the house, fear of not paying bills, fear of being destitute does things to people. It robs them of the understanding that 90% of the world's population would feel like millionaires if they had the what most of us in the western world has and takes for granted. It's amazing to me that there are so many of us who have no real understanding of what it means to be truly poor. Does it matter? If you think you live in poverty, then perhaps you do - no matter what the facts of your life indicate otherwise. And then there are the people that a recent article in the AARP bulletin described - people who are out on the street having just recently owned not one but two homes, worth over a million dollars. Not that I think she deserves to be living in her car at this time but I cannot fathom what lead her to believe that she needed two homes. Or two homes worth that much. It's hard for me to conjure up feelings of empathy that tend normally would be almost automatic upon hearing this situation. I know she is suffering, I know that I would not want to live in a car. Why isn't there a place for her, a place she can afford, a place where she can have three square meals a day? I don't know. But the image in my mind of the "townships" Dave & I saw in South Africa, the images of the people of Darfur and the Sudan, and our native American reservations and pockets in the Applachians as contrasted with the home she used to live in, make it hard for me to feel that compassion that I would prefer to think of as automatic and non-judgemental.
But interestingly enough she is keeping on. She is seeking solutions to her problems. She is looking for options. They are there although not at the level they could be in a country which has so many resources but tends not to distribute them equitably.
What do people do when there are no or minimal resources? No water, no wheat. No medical care? How are these situations going to be addressed? Well, at the moment during the countdown to election day, as the candidates stress the need to vote for THEM, I am hearing the "promise" that things will change, that in the future, more people will be able to pay their bills and live the "American Dream". It's what presidential candidates do but is it real? Can one person change the focus of a country enough so that all people will be able to pay bills, own a house and have enough for the periodic vacation? And what about people throughout the world? Don't they also have right to all those things we've been conditioned to believe we have right to? Like oh say - WATER!!! Did you know that in a recent world leader conference - there was actually a discussion as to whether access to water was a right or a privilege? HELLO!?!?! Is that for real? Not that access to water hasn't always been a hallmark of those in power, those who could control a designated geographic/social environment. But when, how did it come to this point that we would seriously discuss the possibility that some people, just because of where they live don't have the same right to drinking water as anyone else in the world. Amazing.
Anyway - the 2.1 million that we raised, while perhaps only a drop in the bucket in the larger picture, will be used to address these issues in the lives of individuals and communities.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Begin Already
So, I rode about 3000 miles on a bike ride. I had originally meant to ride the full 3831 miles - starting in Seattle WA., and ending in Jersey City NJ. I really did. However I ended up not riding the full 3,838 miles. I did accomplish what I intended to accomplish. And according to everyone who hears about the ride, it was a pretty major accomplishment - full ride or no. 3000 miles is nothing to sneeze at yet even now, a full two months since the end of the ride, it hasn't really hit me. I rode my bike, across almost the full country - with a left turn into Canada. I also didn't raise the full $10,000.00 I had hoped to. The total I did raise was just over $8000.00. That's not bad either considering the most money I ever raised in the name of fund-raising was $100.00 in 6th grade. The purpose of that money making event was to sell space in the 1970 year book and the class that raised the most contributions would earn a pizza party. Was in 1970 or '73? I can't remember actually so I might have been in 8th grade but the point is - the thought of raising enough to help our class have a pizza party generated enough effort to actually accomplish that goal. Of course, I didn't do it on my own. I had plenty of help in that mom & dad were teachers in the school district and of course teachers colleagues are great marks to hit up since it's only fair. School employees are almost a guaranteed source of fundraising income since everyone turns to each other for help in this gig. A colleague's kid has to raise money for Girl Scouts and someone else for the ball team so in comes a TON of candy to be distributed and paid for so the machine stays well oiled since we all know that "what goes around, comes around". What comes around is an overdose of sugar and calories and thank goodness that in IS 7 and surrounding schools there were enough stairs to climb throughout the day so that if you planned right, a teacher or aide could get enough exercise to burn off oh say maybe a bag of MnMs.
Anyway - thanks to Mom & Dad and our neighbors at home, some relatives and maybe even some local people that I didn't really know but were acquainted with paid for space in the Elias Bernstein Jr. High School (aka I.S. 7 - not sure why), year book of 1970, or maybe it was 1973 and our class had a pizza party. Funny that it was the promise of food which inspired me as my next major fund-raising effort was to address the issue of not enough food. While I had given some dollars here and some other dollars there throughout the year for poverty related issues, I had never taken on a project of this magnitude. And what was that you ask? It was making a commitment to ride in the largest cross country bike tour ever. The purpose of the ride was to raise funds and awareness of poverty related issues. It was to get people thinking about the sytem which allows people to go hungry and not have a place to sleep - and not be able to work while needing to pay for medical care for self and family. This is a situation which occurs worldwide: in the streets of Haiti and Calcutta, in all the continents of all the world, including in our own back yards. Families known and unknown to us face conditions daily, hourly which many more of us have an option not to address. But we are all called to address the needs of sisters and brothers everywhere - be we Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, or any of the other faith systems which help us make sense of this world. And knowing a couple of self-acknowledged atheists, I can say that they too feel a sense of responsibility for the others in this creation who for any number of reasons are not living in a state of even minimal well-being. Of course it would be naive to say that everyone, everywhere cares enough about others to make the necessary changes which would afford everyone access to the necessities of life but this doesn't stop the rest of us from doing what we can to see that change. "Us" being anyone who does whatever they can, in their place in the world, no matter how large or small. That's about the most I like to do with the "us" and "them" dichotomy. Not that I want to lead you to think that I don't appreciate difference. As a matter of fact, I think in our effort to cement together a sense of unity, we minimize, diminish even the notion that we are different, in so many ways from one another. We are both. There seems to be a trend toward ignoring those things that make up our character, our view points, our ways of perceving things in the world. As if we could. As the old line says, if we were all alike, it would be a pretty boring cookie cutter kind of world. But because being different from others has led to such violent and disastrous tendencies, instead of being able to acknowledge and appreciate them, no one wants to point them out. Skin color, ethnicity, cultural tradition and life experience for everyone in this world entails numerous marks of different. It SHOULDN'T MATTER. Sadly, it does. So, intead of being able to address how being different from someone else has led to looking at life a certain way, we just say, "oh, underneath we're really all the same." Well, that's not exactly true, even in individuals who grow up in the same household never mind the same neighborhood. Perhaps instead of saying "we're all the same", we could say, "some of me is different, my hair, my color, my faith tradition but I care about what school my kids are going to or I care that my kids have enough to eat and if you care about those things then we have something in common." Anyway, my concern with the concepts of "us" and "them" is the way it leads to one individual thinking that (s)he has a right to things that another person doesn't. Or the things that make us different lead one group of people to oppress and diminish another group merely for differences in whatever.
"Us" and "them." It often leads to a lot of conflict. It doesn't even have to be a major issue.
Jocks/brains! Druggies/nerds! Stoners/surfers! Oh no - heaven forbid some of us don't do things the way some others of us do. Some of us don't look like others. Some of us don't do as well at whatever as others. Why should it matter? It shouldn't except that it does.
The idea of the ride grew out of members of the Christian Reformed Church in Canada marking a major anniversary 3 years ago. That ride took place within the Canadian borders and about 65 bikers rode. It went ten and a half weeks with the money raised being used to fund new church starts within the CRC. It was successful and enjoyable and enough people thought it was such a good idea that they looked for another opportunity to ride again. Three years and a lot of planning later, the "Sea To Sea Bike Tour- Biking to End the Cycle of Poverty" came together and on Monday, June 30th 144 riders with about 25 support staff left the park at Puget Sound heading east. I am still amazed that I even considered participating in the ride never mind having completed 7/9ths of it. But it made sense for me at the time and I have no regrets about joining the ride and spending a good portion of the summer of 2008 on my butt, on a saddle, (bike seat but bikers call it a saddle - based on the fact that when the bike was first developed, it was made so that riders would throw their right leg over the bike in the same way horse riders would mount a horse). I have no regrets that I huffed and puffed my way up 3,000 mile "inclines". Or that I slept in a tent almost every night but would accept an invitation to sleep in someone's home almost any chance I could. Nor do I regret getting off the saddle and hitching a ride with our support staff in one of the vehicles designated for the purpose of rescuing injured or just plain ol' worn out riders. Had I not been able to take a break as needed, I don't think I would have been able to keep myself going when the going got tough. Although I also know that there was a fair measure of the divine at work keeping my two little legs pedaling when all I really wanted to do was throw myself off of the bike and just lay down out in the field next to whatever road I was on. This was work. Riding a bike when you are a kid is fun. It's a means to get you from point A to point B. Or to show off. But getting from point A to point B out on this ride was more than just traveling for traveling's sake. It was to help others. It was to challenge self. It was to see how a community (in this case, of faith) can maintain their principles and good humor while being unable to avoid the natural pitfalls of spending a lot of time together in somewhat pared down circumstances. We did it even though there was the occasional stepping on of toes. Hey, 150 to 200 people spending pretty much 24/7 for 9 weeks is going to cause some ruffled feathers. But we got through it because no matter what our differences were, we were committed to the same principle, the same cause, - living out our love of others. And that in the end was all that mattered.
Anyway - thanks to Mom & Dad and our neighbors at home, some relatives and maybe even some local people that I didn't really know but were acquainted with paid for space in the Elias Bernstein Jr. High School (aka I.S. 7 - not sure why), year book of 1970, or maybe it was 1973 and our class had a pizza party. Funny that it was the promise of food which inspired me as my next major fund-raising effort was to address the issue of not enough food. While I had given some dollars here and some other dollars there throughout the year for poverty related issues, I had never taken on a project of this magnitude. And what was that you ask? It was making a commitment to ride in the largest cross country bike tour ever. The purpose of the ride was to raise funds and awareness of poverty related issues. It was to get people thinking about the sytem which allows people to go hungry and not have a place to sleep - and not be able to work while needing to pay for medical care for self and family. This is a situation which occurs worldwide: in the streets of Haiti and Calcutta, in all the continents of all the world, including in our own back yards. Families known and unknown to us face conditions daily, hourly which many more of us have an option not to address. But we are all called to address the needs of sisters and brothers everywhere - be we Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddist, or any of the other faith systems which help us make sense of this world. And knowing a couple of self-acknowledged atheists, I can say that they too feel a sense of responsibility for the others in this creation who for any number of reasons are not living in a state of even minimal well-being. Of course it would be naive to say that everyone, everywhere cares enough about others to make the necessary changes which would afford everyone access to the necessities of life but this doesn't stop the rest of us from doing what we can to see that change. "Us" being anyone who does whatever they can, in their place in the world, no matter how large or small. That's about the most I like to do with the "us" and "them" dichotomy. Not that I want to lead you to think that I don't appreciate difference. As a matter of fact, I think in our effort to cement together a sense of unity, we minimize, diminish even the notion that we are different, in so many ways from one another. We are both. There seems to be a trend toward ignoring those things that make up our character, our view points, our ways of perceving things in the world. As if we could. As the old line says, if we were all alike, it would be a pretty boring cookie cutter kind of world. But because being different from others has led to such violent and disastrous tendencies, instead of being able to acknowledge and appreciate them, no one wants to point them out. Skin color, ethnicity, cultural tradition and life experience for everyone in this world entails numerous marks of different. It SHOULDN'T MATTER. Sadly, it does. So, intead of being able to address how being different from someone else has led to looking at life a certain way, we just say, "oh, underneath we're really all the same." Well, that's not exactly true, even in individuals who grow up in the same household never mind the same neighborhood. Perhaps instead of saying "we're all the same", we could say, "some of me is different, my hair, my color, my faith tradition but I care about what school my kids are going to or I care that my kids have enough to eat and if you care about those things then we have something in common." Anyway, my concern with the concepts of "us" and "them" is the way it leads to one individual thinking that (s)he has a right to things that another person doesn't. Or the things that make us different lead one group of people to oppress and diminish another group merely for differences in whatever.
"Us" and "them." It often leads to a lot of conflict. It doesn't even have to be a major issue.
Jocks/brains! Druggies/nerds! Stoners/surfers! Oh no - heaven forbid some of us don't do things the way some others of us do. Some of us don't look like others. Some of us don't do as well at whatever as others. Why should it matter? It shouldn't except that it does.
The idea of the ride grew out of members of the Christian Reformed Church in Canada marking a major anniversary 3 years ago. That ride took place within the Canadian borders and about 65 bikers rode. It went ten and a half weeks with the money raised being used to fund new church starts within the CRC. It was successful and enjoyable and enough people thought it was such a good idea that they looked for another opportunity to ride again. Three years and a lot of planning later, the "Sea To Sea Bike Tour- Biking to End the Cycle of Poverty" came together and on Monday, June 30th 144 riders with about 25 support staff left the park at Puget Sound heading east. I am still amazed that I even considered participating in the ride never mind having completed 7/9ths of it. But it made sense for me at the time and I have no regrets about joining the ride and spending a good portion of the summer of 2008 on my butt, on a saddle, (bike seat but bikers call it a saddle - based on the fact that when the bike was first developed, it was made so that riders would throw their right leg over the bike in the same way horse riders would mount a horse). I have no regrets that I huffed and puffed my way up 3,000 mile "inclines". Or that I slept in a tent almost every night but would accept an invitation to sleep in someone's home almost any chance I could. Nor do I regret getting off the saddle and hitching a ride with our support staff in one of the vehicles designated for the purpose of rescuing injured or just plain ol' worn out riders. Had I not been able to take a break as needed, I don't think I would have been able to keep myself going when the going got tough. Although I also know that there was a fair measure of the divine at work keeping my two little legs pedaling when all I really wanted to do was throw myself off of the bike and just lay down out in the field next to whatever road I was on. This was work. Riding a bike when you are a kid is fun. It's a means to get you from point A to point B. Or to show off. But getting from point A to point B out on this ride was more than just traveling for traveling's sake. It was to help others. It was to challenge self. It was to see how a community (in this case, of faith) can maintain their principles and good humor while being unable to avoid the natural pitfalls of spending a lot of time together in somewhat pared down circumstances. We did it even though there was the occasional stepping on of toes. Hey, 150 to 200 people spending pretty much 24/7 for 9 weeks is going to cause some ruffled feathers. But we got through it because no matter what our differences were, we were committed to the same principle, the same cause, - living out our love of others. And that in the end was all that mattered.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Starting My Book
Actually, I've started several writing projects:
Title - "Waiting For The Wren To Come" - poetry
Title - "Band of Gold" - play
Title - Our Story- The Life of Women in Columbia-Greene Classis - research project
Title - "Little Shepherd Boy" - children's book
Title - "I Reached For the Stars, And Caught The Moon" - Sort of autobiographical - with the
C2C bike tour as the backdrop.
Forward: In January, 2008, I read in a church bulletin insert that more riders were being
sought to participate in a cross country bike tour sponsored by the Christian Reformed
Church with the Reformed Church in America. The purpose of this tour was to raise
funds to address and awareness of the issues of poverty in our world. The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) held a similar effort in 2005 to mark their 150th anniversary. The funds raised by that effort supported church starts throughout the North American Continent.
Because of the success of that effort and the desire of others to participate in something similar, the Sea To Sea Tour - Biking to End the Cycle of Poverty was organized. This resulted in the largest cross continent tour to ever take place. When it was completed, over 200 cyclists and approximately 25 support staff journey either some or all of 3831 miles throughout North America. More significantly, over 2.1 million dollars were raised to support mission efforts in the CRC & RCA. The funds raised were to be distributed among these organizations:
In order to ride, each cyclist had to raise either $4000.00, $8,000.00 or $10,000.00 dollars.
Donations continued coming in throughout the summer. Numerous individuals across the country also contributed as we made our way throughout the towns, villages and cities in 8 states and the province of Ontario, CA. Waitresses handed over their tips, diners in small coffee shops and other eateries pulled out their wallets to support the effort when they heard about the tour. Folks in groceries, gas stations and along the roads offered whatever they could to offer a helping hand. These contributions came spontaneously and with heartfelt generosity by people happy to help support such an effort. That doesn't begin to describe the support of the family, friends and "strangers" we met on the way who offered the precious drink of cold water, or held up a home made sign to encourage bikers as we pedaled what sometimes seemed like endless miles. And the cakes, cookies and other fare offered to help us maintain our energy. You cannot imagine the support and encouragement we received by so many others who went out of their way to remind us we were not alone. Additionally, the help we received by our support staff cannot be underestimated or over appreciated. The SAG drivers and "Kitchen Ladies" were part of this rolling, mobile community - a community which was born out of the desire to feed His sheep and share the love of the Lord.
How I got involved in this effort is a story in and of itself but I realized that it was a backdrop to a larger story - the story of
The title came from a saying I heard around the same time that I heard about the trip. I have paraphrased it, I think, because I don't remember the exact phrase. But the concept is pretty clear. While many of us reach for the stars and actually get to grab ahold, sometimes we reach for something and don't get get it. In sharing my intention to participate in the ride, I received mostly encouraging feedback. Mostly but not all. There were a few responses of the "what are you nuts?" kind of question or the ever heartfelt, "better you than me" comment. Of all the people who had something to say only a couple which fell in the negative category. For whatever reason, these people were adamant that this was not something I should participate in. However, their reasons weren't persuasive enough to dissuade me from following through on this decision. I did appreciate when people expressed concern for my well-being as my overall health in general was never in the great shape category. But when people asked, "what if you don't make it", I could and did reply, "well, then I've reached for the stars and caught the moon instead - not a bad deal."
Title - "Waiting For The Wren To Come" - poetry
Title - "Band of Gold" - play
Title - Our Story- The Life of Women in Columbia-Greene Classis - research project
Title - "Little Shepherd Boy" - children's book
Title - "I Reached For the Stars, And Caught The Moon" - Sort of autobiographical - with the
C2C bike tour as the backdrop.
Forward: In January, 2008, I read in a church bulletin insert that more riders were being
sought to participate in a cross country bike tour sponsored by the Christian Reformed
Church with the Reformed Church in America. The purpose of this tour was to raise
funds to address and awareness of the issues of poverty in our world. The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) held a similar effort in 2005 to mark their 150th anniversary. The funds raised by that effort supported church starts throughout the North American Continent.
Because of the success of that effort and the desire of others to participate in something similar, the Sea To Sea Tour - Biking to End the Cycle of Poverty was organized. This resulted in the largest cross continent tour to ever take place. When it was completed, over 200 cyclists and approximately 25 support staff journey either some or all of 3831 miles throughout North America. More significantly, over 2.1 million dollars were raised to support mission efforts in the CRC & RCA. The funds raised were to be distributed among these organizations:
In order to ride, each cyclist had to raise either $4000.00, $8,000.00 or $10,000.00 dollars.
Donations continued coming in throughout the summer. Numerous individuals across the country also contributed as we made our way throughout the towns, villages and cities in 8 states and the province of Ontario, CA. Waitresses handed over their tips, diners in small coffee shops and other eateries pulled out their wallets to support the effort when they heard about the tour. Folks in groceries, gas stations and along the roads offered whatever they could to offer a helping hand. These contributions came spontaneously and with heartfelt generosity by people happy to help support such an effort. That doesn't begin to describe the support of the family, friends and "strangers" we met on the way who offered the precious drink of cold water, or held up a home made sign to encourage bikers as we pedaled what sometimes seemed like endless miles. And the cakes, cookies and other fare offered to help us maintain our energy. You cannot imagine the support and encouragement we received by so many others who went out of their way to remind us we were not alone. Additionally, the help we received by our support staff cannot be underestimated or over appreciated. The SAG drivers and "Kitchen Ladies" were part of this rolling, mobile community - a community which was born out of the desire to feed His sheep and share the love of the Lord.
How I got involved in this effort is a story in and of itself but I realized that it was a backdrop to a larger story - the story of
The title came from a saying I heard around the same time that I heard about the trip. I have paraphrased it, I think, because I don't remember the exact phrase. But the concept is pretty clear. While many of us reach for the stars and actually get to grab ahold, sometimes we reach for something and don't get get it. In sharing my intention to participate in the ride, I received mostly encouraging feedback. Mostly but not all. There were a few responses of the "what are you nuts?" kind of question or the ever heartfelt, "better you than me" comment. Of all the people who had something to say only a couple which fell in the negative category. For whatever reason, these people were adamant that this was not something I should participate in. However, their reasons weren't persuasive enough to dissuade me from following through on this decision. I did appreciate when people expressed concern for my well-being as my overall health in general was never in the great shape category. But when people asked, "what if you don't make it", I could and did reply, "well, then I've reached for the stars and caught the moon instead - not a bad deal."
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Oct 9, 2008
Pretty straightforward title, eh? I'm trying to become more disciplined about writing on a regular basis - but why in a blog? Why not just in a journal or even a word document?
Maybe because it's the compromise between writing as a writer for myself and writing something in the small hope that one day I'll get around to writing something which I can
then submit for publication. I write knowing that it's possible someone else may read these
entries but also possible that no one else will. Which is fine - as long as I write. Something I've supposedly wanted to do for ages. And not just for me - but with the hope of getting published.
But like they say re: winning the lottery - "you've got to be in it to win it". In order to be published - one has to write - or there will definitely be NO POSSIBILITY of being published. Ok - my credo is somewhere on the shelves of NBTS - I think - but it's not quite what I had in mind. And why is it that some writers can sit and write as if their life depended on it - and others struggle with the chasm between desire intent and intent and follow through.
It's kind of similar to what I experienced while riding on the C2C tour. Many of the riders could get up each morning, eat breakfast and hop on their bikes and just go. And it was never (according to them) something that they struggled with. Riding was just so much fun, so inspiring, so whatever that apparently they didn't ever wake up cringing at the thought of hoping on and going. But for me & I think at least a few others - there were mornings when the thought of getting up and pedaling for the next 5-8 hours was overwhelming. Sometimes tear producing. It's not that I ever stopped liking biking in and of itself. But even though I did manage to get up every morning at least by 6, a miracle, and wanted to fully participate in this thing I committed to doing, I had days when I just didn't know how it would happen. One morning, in the town of Dinosaur, I woke up, after a night of sleep and no particular agenda other than getting to point B from point A that day but found I could not get going. I DID NOT WANT TO GET OUT OF MY TENT. I did not want to get up, get dressed or ride. Now, did I somehow change in the middle of the night to a creature whose heart changed, whose mind changed about this tour and the purpose of the ride? No, I don't believe so. I just was going through a moment in life in which my heart, my mind, my body decided we'd had enough. It was more than I could bear - the thought of riding 1 mile never mind whatever we had to ride that day. But as my friend says in her song - "there is more than what was going on in that moment". I perhaps could not fathom what exactly it was I was feeling in that moment -
but I had to fix my eyes "not on what is seen by what is unseen". If I let myself sucumb to the moment of distress, I would not have moved - the feeling was almost enough to paralyze me - not as I have experienced in say, a PANIC ATTACK - because I wasn't panicky. I was just TIRED, I think. So, in order to get going, I promised myself I would only make myself ride a mile. At least. I'd even aim for 3 miles but after that I wasn't going to make myself go any further. And I had to allow myself that leeway or else I would not have left the haven of the tent. And so I got up, got dressed, had breakfast, got my gear put together to go on the truck and I swung my leg over the saddle and started peddling. And in interesting thing happened. After 3 miles, I thought I might make it another 2 or 3 at least. At that point another rider, Ad, rode up beside me. It's funny because on this particular day, Ad decided that he wasn't in any particular hurry and asked if he could join me. I responded the way I always did - that he was more than welcome to ride alongside but he was welcome to go on at any point if he decided that he wanted to speed it up. Speed became somewhat of an issue during the tour and it could be a struggle trying to keep up with others - even when they offered to slow down. For the most part - it would work for a while but then the bikers with more stamina, energy, whatever would find that the slow pace just didn't work for them. I personally didn't have too much of a problem with that but it did get discouraging now and then or more to see people passing, passing, passing on their way to the next stopover. Now, it's easy to say that comparing ourselves with others isn't necessary or helpful or even what God wants us to do. Which is true. If God called "Me", to ride, God called me as I am, not as I should or even would like to be. God called me and uses me with all that I am and all that I have to offer in service. But, I would like to be more physically fit and always have wanted to be. I've worked out, I've gone to gyms, I've exercised on and off my whole life and no matter what - I don't improve after a certain point. So, while I didn't have to keep up with others - I would have liked to so that I could take my time later in the day to keep up with blogging, or to go to a local store, hang-out whatever and just be part of the larger group. Or even a smaller one. So, sometimes, on rare occasions it happened but for the most part, I would, with the support of one or two or maybe 3 others who weren't in a hurry that day, get to our overnight site more towared the end of the day - rather than earlier.
Do I feel less of a person? Does God or anyone else love me less? No!! I'm not less than anyone else although I might want to be better at the fitness thing. Certainly God would not love me less - or more - than any other rider. And in fact - it was quite a reminder that God uses us in our weakness moreso than using our strengths to work in us. We are so caught up in our culture to worship strength!!! Physical, emotional, spiritual - that we forget that God's work is with the weak, the poor, the marginalized. Our strengths very often can get in the way of God's purpose - we sucumb to an "oh, look what I did kind of thinking and forget to say look how God uses me. Certainly it's not a sin to recognize our strengths and capabilities and use them - but we can't eliminate or ignore the way God uses the weaknesses of our lives, our personalities to show us how great God is - and what can be accomplished when we remember that it IS ALL ABOUT GOD!!
Anyway - for the bikers who didn't want to ride everyday, all the way - but did, with or without support - amen. I commend you and I appreciate that you probably have an idea of what it was like that one morning when I couldn't do the whole day's ride. I did end up riding 18 miles - to the first SAG stop of the day - COREY - YAYY COREY. I had a snack and then got in his van and fell asleep for like 3 hours. Then we rode on and at some point I did get out and finish the ride for that day on my bike. As the tour progressed, there were a lot of days such as that one. I'd start out on the bike, ride for a while, then get a ride in a SAG and then finish the day off on my bike. It was the style - the pattern - the recipe that worked for me. Toward the end of the ride - I had more days when I could ride the whole day - every mile - even if it took longer than most. Right now I'm riding almost every day of the week - but not more than 20 miles in one day. And it's getting harder, not easier to keep it up. Why? I want to stay in shape - the physical part of it should be showing improvement but I don't seem to be. It's weird.
I really did learn that I had to and continue to have to trust that inner voice - that inner knowing that when I make a choice, a decision to do or not something, it is because I am allowing God to lead me. To the outside world, it may not make sense, but I know that I know what I know and I have to trust that. I don't do this in a vacuum as I am in conversation with Dave and others about other possibilities but I trust that my relationship with the Divine is ongoing and real so that I can trust that today's choices are part of an overall plan for my life and my life in the context of the greater world around me. I know that when I took days off during the ride and when I took the 2 weeks off to come home they were so the right choices - for me. I wasn't quitting as someone asked me one day. I wasn't giving up. I was pacing myself for the long run - the run that continues after the bike tour. If I had really pushed myself - I might have collapsed - physically or emotionally and who knows what that would have meant. Of course there seems to still be an awareness and acceptance of physical needs moreso than mental/emotional. We applaud people for getting physically injured but we dismiss those whose wounds we can't (or won't) see. We decide that if "I can do thus and such", then so should someone else be able to. Our ability & willingness to judge what others do - or what we think they should do is so arrogant. Hey, I'm guilty of it myself. I know how hard it is to overcome childhood wounds - and the control we can feel throughout the years but I will say things like, "it's time for so and so to take responsibility for his/her life." Yes, it may be true - but not everything is revealed to each of us in the same way. How on earth can I say that "he should just move on (this isn't in relation to the loss of a loved on) when I still am working on issues which hang me up. Now, it's interesting that I don't say that about people who are in grief about the loss of a loved one - but grief generated by other kinds of loss they should be able to move past. I guess it's watching how others allow the wounds of the past to continue to control them so that they don't get to grow and move forward using their full potential for life. They are in their weakness - which God can use - but I guess the question is - do they let God do that for/with them?
Anyway - I think the next entry should be some pictures. I have to put together a CD with highlights from the trip as I will be doing some presentations in the next couple of weeks about it - and it'd be nice to have pictures to show. A power point presentation is what I'm going to try working on. No, I'm going to work on it - hopefully it will come together.
One more note - the wooly bears are out all over the place. I have seen plenty while riding around and the other day saw an all black one. It was beautiful. Fall is truly here and it's a great season.
Maybe because it's the compromise between writing as a writer for myself and writing something in the small hope that one day I'll get around to writing something which I can
then submit for publication. I write knowing that it's possible someone else may read these
entries but also possible that no one else will. Which is fine - as long as I write. Something I've supposedly wanted to do for ages. And not just for me - but with the hope of getting published.
But like they say re: winning the lottery - "you've got to be in it to win it". In order to be published - one has to write - or there will definitely be NO POSSIBILITY of being published. Ok - my credo is somewhere on the shelves of NBTS - I think - but it's not quite what I had in mind. And why is it that some writers can sit and write as if their life depended on it - and others struggle with the chasm between desire intent and intent and follow through.
It's kind of similar to what I experienced while riding on the C2C tour. Many of the riders could get up each morning, eat breakfast and hop on their bikes and just go. And it was never (according to them) something that they struggled with. Riding was just so much fun, so inspiring, so whatever that apparently they didn't ever wake up cringing at the thought of hoping on and going. But for me & I think at least a few others - there were mornings when the thought of getting up and pedaling for the next 5-8 hours was overwhelming. Sometimes tear producing. It's not that I ever stopped liking biking in and of itself. But even though I did manage to get up every morning at least by 6, a miracle, and wanted to fully participate in this thing I committed to doing, I had days when I just didn't know how it would happen. One morning, in the town of Dinosaur, I woke up, after a night of sleep and no particular agenda other than getting to point B from point A that day but found I could not get going. I DID NOT WANT TO GET OUT OF MY TENT. I did not want to get up, get dressed or ride. Now, did I somehow change in the middle of the night to a creature whose heart changed, whose mind changed about this tour and the purpose of the ride? No, I don't believe so. I just was going through a moment in life in which my heart, my mind, my body decided we'd had enough. It was more than I could bear - the thought of riding 1 mile never mind whatever we had to ride that day. But as my friend says in her song - "there is more than what was going on in that moment". I perhaps could not fathom what exactly it was I was feeling in that moment -
but I had to fix my eyes "not on what is seen by what is unseen". If I let myself sucumb to the moment of distress, I would not have moved - the feeling was almost enough to paralyze me - not as I have experienced in say, a PANIC ATTACK - because I wasn't panicky. I was just TIRED, I think. So, in order to get going, I promised myself I would only make myself ride a mile. At least. I'd even aim for 3 miles but after that I wasn't going to make myself go any further. And I had to allow myself that leeway or else I would not have left the haven of the tent. And so I got up, got dressed, had breakfast, got my gear put together to go on the truck and I swung my leg over the saddle and started peddling. And in interesting thing happened. After 3 miles, I thought I might make it another 2 or 3 at least. At that point another rider, Ad, rode up beside me. It's funny because on this particular day, Ad decided that he wasn't in any particular hurry and asked if he could join me. I responded the way I always did - that he was more than welcome to ride alongside but he was welcome to go on at any point if he decided that he wanted to speed it up. Speed became somewhat of an issue during the tour and it could be a struggle trying to keep up with others - even when they offered to slow down. For the most part - it would work for a while but then the bikers with more stamina, energy, whatever would find that the slow pace just didn't work for them. I personally didn't have too much of a problem with that but it did get discouraging now and then or more to see people passing, passing, passing on their way to the next stopover. Now, it's easy to say that comparing ourselves with others isn't necessary or helpful or even what God wants us to do. Which is true. If God called "Me", to ride, God called me as I am, not as I should or even would like to be. God called me and uses me with all that I am and all that I have to offer in service. But, I would like to be more physically fit and always have wanted to be. I've worked out, I've gone to gyms, I've exercised on and off my whole life and no matter what - I don't improve after a certain point. So, while I didn't have to keep up with others - I would have liked to so that I could take my time later in the day to keep up with blogging, or to go to a local store, hang-out whatever and just be part of the larger group. Or even a smaller one. So, sometimes, on rare occasions it happened but for the most part, I would, with the support of one or two or maybe 3 others who weren't in a hurry that day, get to our overnight site more towared the end of the day - rather than earlier.
Do I feel less of a person? Does God or anyone else love me less? No!! I'm not less than anyone else although I might want to be better at the fitness thing. Certainly God would not love me less - or more - than any other rider. And in fact - it was quite a reminder that God uses us in our weakness moreso than using our strengths to work in us. We are so caught up in our culture to worship strength!!! Physical, emotional, spiritual - that we forget that God's work is with the weak, the poor, the marginalized. Our strengths very often can get in the way of God's purpose - we sucumb to an "oh, look what I did kind of thinking and forget to say look how God uses me. Certainly it's not a sin to recognize our strengths and capabilities and use them - but we can't eliminate or ignore the way God uses the weaknesses of our lives, our personalities to show us how great God is - and what can be accomplished when we remember that it IS ALL ABOUT GOD!!
Anyway - for the bikers who didn't want to ride everyday, all the way - but did, with or without support - amen. I commend you and I appreciate that you probably have an idea of what it was like that one morning when I couldn't do the whole day's ride. I did end up riding 18 miles - to the first SAG stop of the day - COREY - YAYY COREY. I had a snack and then got in his van and fell asleep for like 3 hours. Then we rode on and at some point I did get out and finish the ride for that day on my bike. As the tour progressed, there were a lot of days such as that one. I'd start out on the bike, ride for a while, then get a ride in a SAG and then finish the day off on my bike. It was the style - the pattern - the recipe that worked for me. Toward the end of the ride - I had more days when I could ride the whole day - every mile - even if it took longer than most. Right now I'm riding almost every day of the week - but not more than 20 miles in one day. And it's getting harder, not easier to keep it up. Why? I want to stay in shape - the physical part of it should be showing improvement but I don't seem to be. It's weird.
I really did learn that I had to and continue to have to trust that inner voice - that inner knowing that when I make a choice, a decision to do or not something, it is because I am allowing God to lead me. To the outside world, it may not make sense, but I know that I know what I know and I have to trust that. I don't do this in a vacuum as I am in conversation with Dave and others about other possibilities but I trust that my relationship with the Divine is ongoing and real so that I can trust that today's choices are part of an overall plan for my life and my life in the context of the greater world around me. I know that when I took days off during the ride and when I took the 2 weeks off to come home they were so the right choices - for me. I wasn't quitting as someone asked me one day. I wasn't giving up. I was pacing myself for the long run - the run that continues after the bike tour. If I had really pushed myself - I might have collapsed - physically or emotionally and who knows what that would have meant. Of course there seems to still be an awareness and acceptance of physical needs moreso than mental/emotional. We applaud people for getting physically injured but we dismiss those whose wounds we can't (or won't) see. We decide that if "I can do thus and such", then so should someone else be able to. Our ability & willingness to judge what others do - or what we think they should do is so arrogant. Hey, I'm guilty of it myself. I know how hard it is to overcome childhood wounds - and the control we can feel throughout the years but I will say things like, "it's time for so and so to take responsibility for his/her life." Yes, it may be true - but not everything is revealed to each of us in the same way. How on earth can I say that "he should just move on (this isn't in relation to the loss of a loved on) when I still am working on issues which hang me up. Now, it's interesting that I don't say that about people who are in grief about the loss of a loved one - but grief generated by other kinds of loss they should be able to move past. I guess it's watching how others allow the wounds of the past to continue to control them so that they don't get to grow and move forward using their full potential for life. They are in their weakness - which God can use - but I guess the question is - do they let God do that for/with them?
Anyway - I think the next entry should be some pictures. I have to put together a CD with highlights from the trip as I will be doing some presentations in the next couple of weeks about it - and it'd be nice to have pictures to show. A power point presentation is what I'm going to try working on. No, I'm going to work on it - hopefully it will come together.
One more note - the wooly bears are out all over the place. I have seen plenty while riding around and the other day saw an all black one. It was beautiful. Fall is truly here and it's a great season.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Into the Future
Hi All -
It's OCTOBER!! I've written in my blog lots and lots since August - unfortunately - it's been only in my mind. Since getting home, I've been more inclined to live my life daily - rather than writing about it - although I've been promising myself I'd get around to writing more often and just haven't done it.
Anyway - can't upload any pictures from the pc I'm writing on but wanted to get a few thoughtsdown before they go the way of the do-do bird, into extinction.
First off - the last 3 weeks of the tour were easier in many ways to live through - no more 11,000' climbs. Still no rain. Much more used to riding. Riding a bike better suited to the purpose. There were up and down hills to get over but other than the 112% grade in Canada -
nothing too major. The challenge (at that point) for me was to finish the ride and do so in the most efficient, effective way possible. I realized that I enjoyed going through Michigan because it was familiar territory. (The impact of familiarity should not be underestimated - we also shouldn't be slaves to it - as in - "we never did it this way before"). The environment was much more like upstate NY where I live than being in the desert. Duh! Trees - greenery, rolling landscape, etc. Not too much humidity and certainly not as hot as the desert had been. Riding along Lake Michigan was lovely as was staying in the state park that we camped in one night.
Getting into Canada was a big treat. The welcome was incredible and the hospitality throughout was phenomenal. I enjoy visiting Canada - Dave & I honeymooned there 10 years ago and I was there when I was 7 for Expo '67 with my family - Mom, Dad, Edie, Lena & I think my grandfather. Heading back over the Rainbow Bridge at Niagra Falls was quite an experience also. Seeing all these riders biking as one, making our way back to the states stands out as a trip highlight. Didn't receive the same welcome as when we went into Canada (like 300 people and 3 tents full of snacks, and souvenoirs) but for me it was coming home. The excitement really began building as the days passed and the end of the tour got closer. Many people had mixed feelings about it and I did too but to a small degree.
I've been wondering why this experience hasn't had the impact on me that a) I thought it would and b) that it has had on others. I realize that riding any or all of this tour was a major commitment and sacrifice but that OMG sense of having participated and completed (for the most part) it still hasn't hit me. People who hear about what I've done are really "impressed" and think it was a great thing. I think that what was great was the inspiration for the tour itself and fulfilling a mandate by God to care for and be there for others. It was a great, creative way to address the needs of brothers & sisters who don't have the resources that many of us do. But I, who get excited over the silliest things am not overly excited with myself for having done this. It's kind of weird. I mean, I don't regret doing it, I'm happy to have done it, I think that it was part of many efforts to address the issue of poverty and related concerns but I just haven't been all crazy about it. And this isn't about anyone else or the tour itself. Perhaps it's because I did it but it's over. Maybe it's because my sense is that it really is just a beginning or should be of a long term effort to continue addressing and seeking change in a system that is falls short of what it should be about - seeing that EVERYONE has enough resources to live on - which I believe is the case. The ride, as we were reminded of at our final rally (Sat. Aug 30th CRC in Wyckoff NJ), is or should be only the beginning of an effort to eradicate poverty, for us riders and tour participants in the long run - sort of like a kick-off event. We as individuals and congregations and members of surrounding communities need to be looking for ways to continue to see that the hungry get fed; see that there is no one else in our world thirsting for literal water or righteousness; see that everyone has enough- enough medical care, insurance, money in the bank, and all the things that so many of us can take for granted and so many more can only dream about.
The ride did accomplish it's purpose in that over 2.1 million dollars were raised to be used toward these efforts. Riders rode, stories were told, mission was accomplished but I am curious about something. One of the stated purposes of the ride was to raise awareness, awareness of poverty -(I'm really curious as to who isn't aware of its existence). Awareness of ways to alleviate and eradicate it - if only. But what is the standard by which we judge as to whether or not that was accomplished? Is there a way to measure the level of awareness prior to the tour? Is there a way to measure the impact of the tour on people's awareness during and after the ride? If so - what is is it? Who determine(d)(s) the level of success that we achieved? And of course the ever so obvious hermeneutical question, "how are we defining success?" I know that the tour itself was publicized so people did become aware of the fact that people were riding bicycles across North America for the purpose of raising funds and awareness of poverty related issues. There were newspaper articles and t.v. interviews. The tour made it into our denominational magazines. But the issue of poverty? And how we can participate in eradicating it - is there any more awareness of that than there was prior to the ride? And - if there is, does it, will it make a difference? How? At one level - it will make a difference only if we as individuals want it to. If we as the Body of Christ say it matters so much that we will continue to do what we can to meet the needs of the world - then it will make a difference. I'm sure that the distribution of the funds raised will have a direct impact upon those who receive them but since I am not aware of how and to whom they will be distributed, I don't know what that will look like.
I suspect that there will only be a handful of people who, having ridden will find some way to use the trip as a springboard for onging further action. I trust that for the most part - the people who signed on for this adventure had already been doing something in terms of mission and ministry prior to the ride and this was another way to respond to this particular need. Perhaps someone will have an ephiphany directly related to their ride about ways to address the root causes of poverty - something creative or truly inspiring. I think that for the most part though - the majority of us will have come back to our everyday lives, doing our best to be faithful in answering the call that God lays upon our hearts in ways large & small that generally make up our days. We will come back to our homes, families, jobs, careers, congregations having experienced something and knowing that what we did was important but only a small section on the long journey we call our lives. What comes next? I think that this was the question that another rider was posing on our email forum. Larry shared some thoughts about what the ride meant and was asking in some sense - "ok, now what? Now what are we to do with what we have learned & experienced this summer via the bike tour?" What if any will the long term impact be? What is the next step in our spiritual journey? How can I as I must, remain open to God's leading? How faithful am I being to carrying out my purpose in addressing these concerns in my everyday life as I obviously can't spend the rest of my life riding a bike across the world - even if it is for a good purpose?
I am continuing to ride - but at this point it is for health reasons more than anything. I am pretty sure I could ride in other fund raising events - although I would definitely prefer to have a touring bike to do that with. (I did have to return Lucy 2 back to her owner after the ride was over. Didn't have enough funds to keep her). I enjoy riding Lucy Blue - my hybrid - around the county - but still have a hard time getting up any kind of incline. I also prefer sitting up more or less straight if I am going to ride any great distance. Haven't done that yet. I'm riding about 80 or so miles a week to keep fit. Perhaps will have a day when I can head out for a loooong ride and then have Dave come pick me up.
In the meantime - I am as content as I ever have been and enjoying life back at home tending to our pets and the chickens. Wouldn't mind if Amber & Justin were closer to us but they are on their own paths in their own places so will keep in touch via phone, email and hopefully visits sooner rather than later.
There are other thoughts I've had about the trip -and I'll write them sooner or later - but for now, have to turn in - 6:30 comes quickly. I've maintained the early to bed - early to rise schedule since coming home - for the most part - and enjoy having the whole day to attend to things. Last week I was up later than usual since I was visiting friends, my sister and attending my niece's wedding but going to get back on track.
Peace & blessings to all this night -
It's OCTOBER!! I've written in my blog lots and lots since August - unfortunately - it's been only in my mind. Since getting home, I've been more inclined to live my life daily - rather than writing about it - although I've been promising myself I'd get around to writing more often and just haven't done it.
Anyway - can't upload any pictures from the pc I'm writing on but wanted to get a few thoughtsdown before they go the way of the do-do bird, into extinction.
First off - the last 3 weeks of the tour were easier in many ways to live through - no more 11,000' climbs. Still no rain. Much more used to riding. Riding a bike better suited to the purpose. There were up and down hills to get over but other than the 112% grade in Canada -
nothing too major. The challenge (at that point) for me was to finish the ride and do so in the most efficient, effective way possible. I realized that I enjoyed going through Michigan because it was familiar territory. (The impact of familiarity should not be underestimated - we also shouldn't be slaves to it - as in - "we never did it this way before"). The environment was much more like upstate NY where I live than being in the desert. Duh! Trees - greenery, rolling landscape, etc. Not too much humidity and certainly not as hot as the desert had been. Riding along Lake Michigan was lovely as was staying in the state park that we camped in one night.
Getting into Canada was a big treat. The welcome was incredible and the hospitality throughout was phenomenal. I enjoy visiting Canada - Dave & I honeymooned there 10 years ago and I was there when I was 7 for Expo '67 with my family - Mom, Dad, Edie, Lena & I think my grandfather. Heading back over the Rainbow Bridge at Niagra Falls was quite an experience also. Seeing all these riders biking as one, making our way back to the states stands out as a trip highlight. Didn't receive the same welcome as when we went into Canada (like 300 people and 3 tents full of snacks, and souvenoirs) but for me it was coming home. The excitement really began building as the days passed and the end of the tour got closer. Many people had mixed feelings about it and I did too but to a small degree.
I've been wondering why this experience hasn't had the impact on me that a) I thought it would and b) that it has had on others. I realize that riding any or all of this tour was a major commitment and sacrifice but that OMG sense of having participated and completed (for the most part) it still hasn't hit me. People who hear about what I've done are really "impressed" and think it was a great thing. I think that what was great was the inspiration for the tour itself and fulfilling a mandate by God to care for and be there for others. It was a great, creative way to address the needs of brothers & sisters who don't have the resources that many of us do. But I, who get excited over the silliest things am not overly excited with myself for having done this. It's kind of weird. I mean, I don't regret doing it, I'm happy to have done it, I think that it was part of many efforts to address the issue of poverty and related concerns but I just haven't been all crazy about it. And this isn't about anyone else or the tour itself. Perhaps it's because I did it but it's over. Maybe it's because my sense is that it really is just a beginning or should be of a long term effort to continue addressing and seeking change in a system that is falls short of what it should be about - seeing that EVERYONE has enough resources to live on - which I believe is the case. The ride, as we were reminded of at our final rally (Sat. Aug 30th CRC in Wyckoff NJ), is or should be only the beginning of an effort to eradicate poverty, for us riders and tour participants in the long run - sort of like a kick-off event. We as individuals and congregations and members of surrounding communities need to be looking for ways to continue to see that the hungry get fed; see that there is no one else in our world thirsting for literal water or righteousness; see that everyone has enough- enough medical care, insurance, money in the bank, and all the things that so many of us can take for granted and so many more can only dream about.
The ride did accomplish it's purpose in that over 2.1 million dollars were raised to be used toward these efforts. Riders rode, stories were told, mission was accomplished but I am curious about something. One of the stated purposes of the ride was to raise awareness, awareness of poverty -(I'm really curious as to who isn't aware of its existence). Awareness of ways to alleviate and eradicate it - if only. But what is the standard by which we judge as to whether or not that was accomplished? Is there a way to measure the level of awareness prior to the tour? Is there a way to measure the impact of the tour on people's awareness during and after the ride? If so - what is is it? Who determine(d)(s) the level of success that we achieved? And of course the ever so obvious hermeneutical question, "how are we defining success?" I know that the tour itself was publicized so people did become aware of the fact that people were riding bicycles across North America for the purpose of raising funds and awareness of poverty related issues. There were newspaper articles and t.v. interviews. The tour made it into our denominational magazines. But the issue of poverty? And how we can participate in eradicating it - is there any more awareness of that than there was prior to the ride? And - if there is, does it, will it make a difference? How? At one level - it will make a difference only if we as individuals want it to. If we as the Body of Christ say it matters so much that we will continue to do what we can to meet the needs of the world - then it will make a difference. I'm sure that the distribution of the funds raised will have a direct impact upon those who receive them but since I am not aware of how and to whom they will be distributed, I don't know what that will look like.
I suspect that there will only be a handful of people who, having ridden will find some way to use the trip as a springboard for onging further action. I trust that for the most part - the people who signed on for this adventure had already been doing something in terms of mission and ministry prior to the ride and this was another way to respond to this particular need. Perhaps someone will have an ephiphany directly related to their ride about ways to address the root causes of poverty - something creative or truly inspiring. I think that for the most part though - the majority of us will have come back to our everyday lives, doing our best to be faithful in answering the call that God lays upon our hearts in ways large & small that generally make up our days. We will come back to our homes, families, jobs, careers, congregations having experienced something and knowing that what we did was important but only a small section on the long journey we call our lives. What comes next? I think that this was the question that another rider was posing on our email forum. Larry shared some thoughts about what the ride meant and was asking in some sense - "ok, now what? Now what are we to do with what we have learned & experienced this summer via the bike tour?" What if any will the long term impact be? What is the next step in our spiritual journey? How can I as I must, remain open to God's leading? How faithful am I being to carrying out my purpose in addressing these concerns in my everyday life as I obviously can't spend the rest of my life riding a bike across the world - even if it is for a good purpose?
I am continuing to ride - but at this point it is for health reasons more than anything. I am pretty sure I could ride in other fund raising events - although I would definitely prefer to have a touring bike to do that with. (I did have to return Lucy 2 back to her owner after the ride was over. Didn't have enough funds to keep her). I enjoy riding Lucy Blue - my hybrid - around the county - but still have a hard time getting up any kind of incline. I also prefer sitting up more or less straight if I am going to ride any great distance. Haven't done that yet. I'm riding about 80 or so miles a week to keep fit. Perhaps will have a day when I can head out for a loooong ride and then have Dave come pick me up.
In the meantime - I am as content as I ever have been and enjoying life back at home tending to our pets and the chickens. Wouldn't mind if Amber & Justin were closer to us but they are on their own paths in their own places so will keep in touch via phone, email and hopefully visits sooner rather than later.
There are other thoughts I've had about the trip -and I'll write them sooner or later - but for now, have to turn in - 6:30 comes quickly. I've maintained the early to bed - early to rise schedule since coming home - for the most part - and enjoy having the whole day to attend to things. Last week I was up later than usual since I was visiting friends, my sister and attending my niece's wedding but going to get back on track.
Peace & blessings to all this night -
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Just a Thought
Hi All - Happy Sunday.
Still not able to get some pictures up but wanted to share this invitation to anyone who might be along the NY/NJ route - or able to get to it...
It is my sincere hope that you will consider coming to our final rally of the 2008 North American Continent Sea to Sea Tour to welcome the 200 + riders who have ridden either all or part of the way.
This effort has raised over 2.1 million dollars to alleviate the causes of poverty. Just as importantly, it has raised awareness of the issues which contribute to the cycle of poverty and perhaps, in the raising of that awareness, people & agencies and institutions will understand that if we work together we can alleviate if not completely eliminate much of the suffering that occurs in our world. This is not an idle hope or an unrealistic effort. We have the means, the knowledge and the resources to end this blight on humanity. It is now up to us to chose to do so. The fact that in the time it takes to pedal 4 strokes, a person dies due to poverty related isssues is
unconsionable. The fact that so many people are working to end this tragedy is something to celebrate.
If you cannot make it - please be sure to send the cyclists a note on their blogs or create a sign
which can be left by the roadway as we pass through NY & NJ and it will encourage many hearts.Please pass this on to anyone you know who may be along our route - you can find that at
www.seatosea.org.
Thank you for all your encouragement and support and I look forward to seeing you soon or keeping in touch when Dave & I return home from a week at Ocean Grove.)
Hugs - Joanna
Still not able to get some pictures up but wanted to share this invitation to anyone who might be along the NY/NJ route - or able to get to it...
It is my sincere hope that you will consider coming to our final rally of the 2008 North American Continent Sea to Sea Tour to welcome the 200 + riders who have ridden either all or part of the way.
This effort has raised over 2.1 million dollars to alleviate the causes of poverty. Just as importantly, it has raised awareness of the issues which contribute to the cycle of poverty and perhaps, in the raising of that awareness, people & agencies and institutions will understand that if we work together we can alleviate if not completely eliminate much of the suffering that occurs in our world. This is not an idle hope or an unrealistic effort. We have the means, the knowledge and the resources to end this blight on humanity. It is now up to us to chose to do so. The fact that in the time it takes to pedal 4 strokes, a person dies due to poverty related isssues is
unconsionable. The fact that so many people are working to end this tragedy is something to celebrate.
If you cannot make it - please be sure to send the cyclists a note on their blogs or create a sign
which can be left by the roadway as we pass through NY & NJ and it will encourage many hearts.Please pass this on to anyone you know who may be along our route - you can find that at
www.seatosea.org.
Thank you for all your encouragement and support and I look forward to seeing you soon or keeping in touch when Dave & I return home from a week at Ocean Grove.)
Hugs - Joanna
Saturday, August 23, 2008
More Michigan & Beyond
Hi All -
Thanks again to those of you who read our blogs - and for letting us know.
We realize it's not always consistent - but then again - isn't life a bit like that?
People ask - "how has the riding been?" and I ususually answer, "alot like life, some hard days, some easy, some rough patches, some smooth - but all in all I wouldn't have missed it for anything".
I've also been asked whether I'd do it again if I had the chance and to that I say, "It depends on when you ask me." I probably would if it was meant to be - but I would surely want to know that it was something God was asking of me. The level of stamina and endurance that is needed for this is significant - and I do recognize that I have made it this far - with my break - but I honestly believe that I have done what I did because God provided the opportunity and then empowered me to do it. On my own - I wouldn't have considered riding across the country on a bike. Not that I wouldn't have given it some thought - or just thought it was a neat thing to do - but in terms of what I am usually up for physically - this would not be at the top of the list. There are some riders who are athletic - some who are more casual riders and some who truly have had to deal w/physical ailments that would make anyone think twice about embarking upon this type of ride. Yet, I guess in each of our cases, God asked it of us and then empowered us to go ahead and do it.
I also truly believe that the prayers we have had prayed for us and the support and encouragment that is directed towards us all play a part in keeping us going, moving eastward and God-ward as we use this tour to do our part in ending the cycle of poverty.
For all those who have said that they are involved in only a small way - I say that each person who has chosen or been moved to participate in this tour is a necessary and vital part of the tour. Systems work together in ways that allow for good or for ill to occur and if you have taken part in this tour - either through prayer, financial support, baking goodies for us or opening your homes to us - you have been a part of this special system that has been created to address the unhealthy systems that keep people oppressed or feeling that they are doomed to spend their lives in need and want.
I will say that if the whole tour had been like the last couple of weeks, there would have been a lot less drama and angst on my part but again - life doesn't work like that either as there will be uphills, hot days or headwinds. It's all part of this package and avoiding or trying to avoid the challenges and difficulties usually doesn't work. As tough as the first 4 weeks were - and they were - I would have missed out on so much had I not taken part in it. I don't ever want to bike through a desert again - but I got to see a part of the country I had never seen before. We've been blessed in terms of weather other than that very hot days that we encountered (yes, I did miss some of them in Nebraska & Wisconsin). And the roads and environment in Michigan & Canada have been terrific. It seems to be true, in my case at least that familiarity makes for comfort. Michigan and Canada look a lot like what I am used to - green, suburbs & farms, humidity and other characteristics which in their familiarity I find comforting. It should help me to empathize more I suppose with those who find change threatening or unwelcome and I hope I will be - but I also hope that others will take the risk that change seems to represent and find out what else there is for them in life. Like many things - it doesn't have to be either/or - life can be both/and. Familiar and yet new, similar yet different, comfortable yet going beyond comfort to the next level.
As of Wednesday - we have been in Canada and I cannot say enough about how hospitable our Canadian cousins have been. Ontario is beautiful and the rides have been mostly smooth - (again - a few rough spots here and there) and the outpouring of support is phenomenol. If it is true that people express their love via food - then we have been loved as high as the clouds and as deep as the oceans. Churches and individuals have provided us with snacks and fruit and cold water and ice cream and pastries until we feel like Thanksgiving turkeys (American style) ready to be served. To see all the people awaiting our arrival in Ontario on Wednesday when we crossed on the ferry was truly overwhelming. Of course there were many family members there -looking for their riders but even we Americans felt like we were being welcomed back home. How fitting and again - how illustrative of the concept of true, biblical hospitality.
For myself, I wanted to find a place to buy a Canadian flag to "wear" on my bike. I saw a gentleman speaking w/one of the riders and asked him if he could let me know where I might get one. He didn't answer but responded by giving me the flag he held in his hand. It's bigger than the ones that most people have been putting on their bikes (Canadian or American) but I attached it as best as I could and rode on my way.
Other wonders occured on Wednesday when Johnny ("Do Something Beautiful") Pierce rode by w/John Vanderveen and somehow I managed to catch up w/them. Yes, they had to have been taking it easy but we rode from the marina to Chatham (Ontario - not NY my New York friends) together. I don't know where the energy came from - it had to have been the cupcakes and candy and boeter koeke (Dutch- see if you can guess what it means) that I had before getting back on the road. Everything went smoothly until about 7 km from Chatham where we stayed Wed. night. Earlier - John's (Pierce) rear tire & my front one clicked although we didn't go down thank goodness. But it seemed to have affected his tire because not 1 but 2 spokes broke. Suffice it to say I felt badly but Johnny was a good sport and said it was something that happens when biking - which is true. I know he would have preferred not to have to SAG into camp but as it was - he did get a ride to a bike shop where the spokes were fixed, the tires replaced and someone very generously covered the cost. Then John got a ride back out to the spot we had stopped and rode the rest of the way into camp. Given that another rider had taken a bad fall due to his frame splitting (I'll spare you the details but please keep him in prayer as he recovers) I am happy that nothing worse happened to John or myself. The best part of that ride was singing our way into camp. It's amazing I can sing and ride at the same time but it does pass the time. Which is good because there were a couple of days during that week that I wasn't sure whether or not I'd make it in to camp that day.
Tuesday was pretty tough - as it was a 95 mile day and I was dragging along. Lovely Greta got in front of me at some point and we took off. I was able to keep up w/her for most of the day but I know she was holding back as well. We spent a number of miles together and then when we got to Walter's stop I let her break free. Jake P. & I ended up doing the last 20/30 miles together and got help along the way from Tim V. Tim does work w/the CRC and is a really good rider as well. If he hadn't carried us along I would have called it quits long before getting to camp but he like so many others kept us going and we rode into camp just as dinner was being served.
Those long days are the ones that really get to me. I think I can handle up to about 60 miles and then I want to stop. There were so many places along the roadway that looked inviting enough to stop at and take a nap - a long nap. Which only works if you have all the time in the world and don't have to be any place in particular.
On Thursday - it was almost the same thing. I couldn't keep up w/my shadow it seemed and the road seemed endless and I was sure I would miss lunch that another wonderful congregation was serving but I managed to get there around 1 and there was plenty to eat and I wasn't even the last or near to the last person to get into camp. Thursday was a busy day for some riders as there was a time trial for anyone who wanted to sign up - (testing yourself against yourself) but they did ask that only riders who could do 18miles/hour or better sign up so the volunteers who were helping out didn't have to stay out all day. Suffice it to say - I didn't sign up. (Many bikers also went to the VELODROME. It's an indoor bike track that goes around in circles at some bizarre angle and riders can ride like it's some kind of amusement park thing).
I did get to London early enough to get clothes done but I missed going to the work project I had signed up for. We needed to meet before 7 but I thought we had to meet at the bus at 7 - so I missed that one. If I can get in early enough for the project in Binghamton NY - I'll do that. In London we were greeted again by a number of wonderful people who had all the different kinds of dessert in the world you can imagine -after serving us snacks and dinner and inviting us to do laundry and swim in their pools.
From London we went to Hamilton and again were greeted graciously. I may even have been on a news story that aired Friday night as a local station was videotaping riders for their story and I rode in just as they were preparing to tape the riders following their van. Everyone said to get in the group and perhaps be on t.v. - For once, getting in late didn't mean missing everything, although I did miss getting a pedicure or foot massage. I will appreciate them even more now than I ever have. I also had decided to see if I could go home w/someone as I wanted to sleep in a bed and take a shower in a home setting. There was room & I signed up to stay w/Sandy & Suzie (from NJ) and we got to stay w/Ann who was just wonderful. It was also nice spending time w/others from NJ even though neither of them grew up there like I did.
Ann got us back to Redeemer University where we had been hosted by 7 a.m. Sat. morning and we were on the road again before too long. Corinne & I rode again together today (did yesterday also) and got to St. Catherine's this afternoon around 3:30. She got into camp before I did - as she can put the pedal to the metal (so to speak) when she wants to. I got caught at a couple of lights and stopped in a bike shop for some chain lube. I ended up getting some other things & forgot the lube but hopefully will be able to borrow some before the week is over.
Now I am getting ready to go to sleep for the night at the home of another lovely couple - Mike & Engline, my hosts for the night.
I will do my best to get updated w/pictures before too long. The smoother, shorter rides have provided the opportunity to take many moreand I enjoy sharing them w/my readers.
As I reviewed this before posting - I realize I have used a number of superlatives to describe the people and experiences from the last 2 weeks. It's hard to know how to express the level of what we have experienced in words alone and writers usually advise not going overboard but it's hard not to. I hope when I get the pictures up - they will be able to convey a sense of what we are feeling and thinking but perhaps it can only fully be understood by others who are participating in some way or another. Again - this is similar to life itself. Sometimes you just have to be there.
Thanks again to those of you who read our blogs - and for letting us know.
We realize it's not always consistent - but then again - isn't life a bit like that?
People ask - "how has the riding been?" and I ususually answer, "alot like life, some hard days, some easy, some rough patches, some smooth - but all in all I wouldn't have missed it for anything".
I've also been asked whether I'd do it again if I had the chance and to that I say, "It depends on when you ask me." I probably would if it was meant to be - but I would surely want to know that it was something God was asking of me. The level of stamina and endurance that is needed for this is significant - and I do recognize that I have made it this far - with my break - but I honestly believe that I have done what I did because God provided the opportunity and then empowered me to do it. On my own - I wouldn't have considered riding across the country on a bike. Not that I wouldn't have given it some thought - or just thought it was a neat thing to do - but in terms of what I am usually up for physically - this would not be at the top of the list. There are some riders who are athletic - some who are more casual riders and some who truly have had to deal w/physical ailments that would make anyone think twice about embarking upon this type of ride. Yet, I guess in each of our cases, God asked it of us and then empowered us to go ahead and do it.
I also truly believe that the prayers we have had prayed for us and the support and encouragment that is directed towards us all play a part in keeping us going, moving eastward and God-ward as we use this tour to do our part in ending the cycle of poverty.
For all those who have said that they are involved in only a small way - I say that each person who has chosen or been moved to participate in this tour is a necessary and vital part of the tour. Systems work together in ways that allow for good or for ill to occur and if you have taken part in this tour - either through prayer, financial support, baking goodies for us or opening your homes to us - you have been a part of this special system that has been created to address the unhealthy systems that keep people oppressed or feeling that they are doomed to spend their lives in need and want.
I will say that if the whole tour had been like the last couple of weeks, there would have been a lot less drama and angst on my part but again - life doesn't work like that either as there will be uphills, hot days or headwinds. It's all part of this package and avoiding or trying to avoid the challenges and difficulties usually doesn't work. As tough as the first 4 weeks were - and they were - I would have missed out on so much had I not taken part in it. I don't ever want to bike through a desert again - but I got to see a part of the country I had never seen before. We've been blessed in terms of weather other than that very hot days that we encountered (yes, I did miss some of them in Nebraska & Wisconsin). And the roads and environment in Michigan & Canada have been terrific. It seems to be true, in my case at least that familiarity makes for comfort. Michigan and Canada look a lot like what I am used to - green, suburbs & farms, humidity and other characteristics which in their familiarity I find comforting. It should help me to empathize more I suppose with those who find change threatening or unwelcome and I hope I will be - but I also hope that others will take the risk that change seems to represent and find out what else there is for them in life. Like many things - it doesn't have to be either/or - life can be both/and. Familiar and yet new, similar yet different, comfortable yet going beyond comfort to the next level.
As of Wednesday - we have been in Canada and I cannot say enough about how hospitable our Canadian cousins have been. Ontario is beautiful and the rides have been mostly smooth - (again - a few rough spots here and there) and the outpouring of support is phenomenol. If it is true that people express their love via food - then we have been loved as high as the clouds and as deep as the oceans. Churches and individuals have provided us with snacks and fruit and cold water and ice cream and pastries until we feel like Thanksgiving turkeys (American style) ready to be served. To see all the people awaiting our arrival in Ontario on Wednesday when we crossed on the ferry was truly overwhelming. Of course there were many family members there -looking for their riders but even we Americans felt like we were being welcomed back home. How fitting and again - how illustrative of the concept of true, biblical hospitality.
For myself, I wanted to find a place to buy a Canadian flag to "wear" on my bike. I saw a gentleman speaking w/one of the riders and asked him if he could let me know where I might get one. He didn't answer but responded by giving me the flag he held in his hand. It's bigger than the ones that most people have been putting on their bikes (Canadian or American) but I attached it as best as I could and rode on my way.
Other wonders occured on Wednesday when Johnny ("Do Something Beautiful") Pierce rode by w/John Vanderveen and somehow I managed to catch up w/them. Yes, they had to have been taking it easy but we rode from the marina to Chatham (Ontario - not NY my New York friends) together. I don't know where the energy came from - it had to have been the cupcakes and candy and boeter koeke (Dutch- see if you can guess what it means) that I had before getting back on the road. Everything went smoothly until about 7 km from Chatham where we stayed Wed. night. Earlier - John's (Pierce) rear tire & my front one clicked although we didn't go down thank goodness. But it seemed to have affected his tire because not 1 but 2 spokes broke. Suffice it to say I felt badly but Johnny was a good sport and said it was something that happens when biking - which is true. I know he would have preferred not to have to SAG into camp but as it was - he did get a ride to a bike shop where the spokes were fixed, the tires replaced and someone very generously covered the cost. Then John got a ride back out to the spot we had stopped and rode the rest of the way into camp. Given that another rider had taken a bad fall due to his frame splitting (I'll spare you the details but please keep him in prayer as he recovers) I am happy that nothing worse happened to John or myself. The best part of that ride was singing our way into camp. It's amazing I can sing and ride at the same time but it does pass the time. Which is good because there were a couple of days during that week that I wasn't sure whether or not I'd make it in to camp that day.
Tuesday was pretty tough - as it was a 95 mile day and I was dragging along. Lovely Greta got in front of me at some point and we took off. I was able to keep up w/her for most of the day but I know she was holding back as well. We spent a number of miles together and then when we got to Walter's stop I let her break free. Jake P. & I ended up doing the last 20/30 miles together and got help along the way from Tim V. Tim does work w/the CRC and is a really good rider as well. If he hadn't carried us along I would have called it quits long before getting to camp but he like so many others kept us going and we rode into camp just as dinner was being served.
Those long days are the ones that really get to me. I think I can handle up to about 60 miles and then I want to stop. There were so many places along the roadway that looked inviting enough to stop at and take a nap - a long nap. Which only works if you have all the time in the world and don't have to be any place in particular.
On Thursday - it was almost the same thing. I couldn't keep up w/my shadow it seemed and the road seemed endless and I was sure I would miss lunch that another wonderful congregation was serving but I managed to get there around 1 and there was plenty to eat and I wasn't even the last or near to the last person to get into camp. Thursday was a busy day for some riders as there was a time trial for anyone who wanted to sign up - (testing yourself against yourself) but they did ask that only riders who could do 18miles/hour or better sign up so the volunteers who were helping out didn't have to stay out all day. Suffice it to say - I didn't sign up. (Many bikers also went to the VELODROME. It's an indoor bike track that goes around in circles at some bizarre angle and riders can ride like it's some kind of amusement park thing).
I did get to London early enough to get clothes done but I missed going to the work project I had signed up for. We needed to meet before 7 but I thought we had to meet at the bus at 7 - so I missed that one. If I can get in early enough for the project in Binghamton NY - I'll do that. In London we were greeted again by a number of wonderful people who had all the different kinds of dessert in the world you can imagine -after serving us snacks and dinner and inviting us to do laundry and swim in their pools.
From London we went to Hamilton and again were greeted graciously. I may even have been on a news story that aired Friday night as a local station was videotaping riders for their story and I rode in just as they were preparing to tape the riders following their van. Everyone said to get in the group and perhaps be on t.v. - For once, getting in late didn't mean missing everything, although I did miss getting a pedicure or foot massage. I will appreciate them even more now than I ever have. I also had decided to see if I could go home w/someone as I wanted to sleep in a bed and take a shower in a home setting. There was room & I signed up to stay w/Sandy & Suzie (from NJ) and we got to stay w/Ann who was just wonderful. It was also nice spending time w/others from NJ even though neither of them grew up there like I did.
Ann got us back to Redeemer University where we had been hosted by 7 a.m. Sat. morning and we were on the road again before too long. Corinne & I rode again together today (did yesterday also) and got to St. Catherine's this afternoon around 3:30. She got into camp before I did - as she can put the pedal to the metal (so to speak) when she wants to. I got caught at a couple of lights and stopped in a bike shop for some chain lube. I ended up getting some other things & forgot the lube but hopefully will be able to borrow some before the week is over.
Now I am getting ready to go to sleep for the night at the home of another lovely couple - Mike & Engline, my hosts for the night.
I will do my best to get updated w/pictures before too long. The smoother, shorter rides have provided the opportunity to take many moreand I enjoy sharing them w/my readers.
As I reviewed this before posting - I realize I have used a number of superlatives to describe the people and experiences from the last 2 weeks. It's hard to know how to express the level of what we have experienced in words alone and writers usually advise not going overboard but it's hard not to. I hope when I get the pictures up - they will be able to convey a sense of what we are feeling and thinking but perhaps it can only fully be understood by others who are participating in some way or another. Again - this is similar to life itself. Sometimes you just have to be there.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Back on the road
It's Thursday - my second day of riding. I got back to the tour on Tuesday night - 10:oo p.m. thanks to Rev. Liala B, of Chicago. She picked me up and drove me to Palos Heights where there were tents and trucks but we didn't see anyone for a couple of minutes. Liala didn't want to leave me there - bless her - until we found someone and not too much later I nearly ran across Bert sitting by the truck. Everyone else was either in their tents or staying with folks in the area. Fortunately - I didn't have to set up my tent as the tour was invited to stay in the college buildings (Trinity Christian College). Since I hadn't set up prior to getting back, I figured trying to do that for the first time in the dark wouldn't be the easiest thing in the world. I got in - put my bag on a couch and hit the proverbial hay. Unfortunately - (and Dave, you aren't reading this), somewhere between that point and the time I woke up in the morning - my sunglasses disappeared. Yes, the really expensive ones that I got just for this trip. If no one at the college has picked them up, and I didn't leave them in Liala's car then who knows where they are.
No pictures from my trip back but I did meet an angel at Albany airport. For a couple of reasons I needed to bring everything with me on the plane - didn't want to check any bags so I tried to consolidate as much as possible. We got my clothes AND the sleeping bag in the small carry-on case. However, there was a bunch of other things that needed to go and the check in person said that if I didn't get it all together, then I wouldn't be able to bring both bags on the plane. Let's just say I got a tad upset and decided that perhaps I wouldn't return. So, I sat in a lounge chair, pouting - yes - I know, shocking - and someone came over just to check the seat for his keys. They weren't there but as he left - he put his hand on my arm and prayed a blessing that things would turn out better for the night. After that - I pulled everything out of the one bag, everything out of the other and repacked. Except for 3 items - I got everything I needed in the carry on and made the trip. It went smoothly and Liala picked me up, we had a great talk and I got back on the road.
Pictures to come as the connection just went off.
Anyway - the ride yesterday went very well. It was a short ride, a cool day and mainly level. This I can work with. There were only 2 mishaps on my part. Well, not totally mine; the first was when I rode with a group and Lou H. was part of that group. He came up behind us and it looked at first like he would stop on time and with no problem. However, things can happen in a split second and he couldn't unclip his shoe so that as he got up to where I was, his arm shot out and before either of really knew what was happening - he fell over on me and we both went down. After checking to see if we were ok, Marti D. very quickly offered to...
no, not help us up - but wanted to take our picture. I'm surprised she could focus she was laughing so much. Of course we were ok and I said sure - go ahead - shoot away. Be sure to check out her blog to see the site of Lou & myself lying prostrate, legs askew.
We picked ourselves up - got going and made our way to 2nd Highland CRC for lunch which they so graciously prepared. We ate and ate and got back on the road. I took off - apparently in violation of the mandate for the day that we stay in pairs. Didn't know so enjoyed myself riding along, talking wth people and taking more picutres. It all went well as Roland & Clare I got going riding togther, until my tire made this phhfftt sound. The tube went and Roland & Clare did their thing and got me back on the road. Roland again comes to the rescue as he let me use his patched tube which he did have with him. Since I didn't have an extra one. Yes, I was not prepared but I had forgotten the size tires that were on the bike so I figured I'd pick up replacements when I got back to the tour. However, I thought I'd have a day or two before any mishaps occured but no!!! Apparently God/the universe wanted to be sure I didn't think things were going to be too easy my first day back so I got to add to the evening statistic report.
Anyway - we split up again - I ran into Mark, Bryan & Manley and we rode into the campsite together - Indiana Dunes - a very nice site if anyone is interested. We had crossed into Indiana earlier in the day.
The night went well - other than the mosquitos which were abundant. I said the evening prayer and we went to small group. That was a time for a little catching up and then we went to our tents. I got to go to the new one that Rachael & Moonray sent me - back in Denver. This tent has traveled more than some people. It was mailed home (to me, in NY) from there and then I brought it back with me to the tour. Rach & Moonray - it's great. Sets up easily and there is a lot of room. Of course when I woke up this morning - I found that a bird had "christened" it. Sorry - but I did clean it off. I was hopeful that there would be no other mishaps to come.
And no major ones did for me - as "almost" getting creamed by a car doesn't count as someone did actually get hit today. Prayers please for Lois who got clipped by a car mirror. Someone was a little too close. Alida & I had to stop pretty quickly as someone had failed to stop at the stop sign and pulled out right in front of us. We were a bit shaken up but kept going. I had been riding with a group earlier but Alida & I stopped to get more water from a very helpful young man named David. He and his grandparents were another of many people who have set up water stations and just signs of encouragement along the way - HINT HINT.
I ended up back w/the group and Alida went off with someone else after our "Walter" stop.
Also got another picture of all the great "Kitchen Ladies." They could put together a calender with all the pictures that have been taken of them and sell them to donate the proceeds to "Sea To Sea".
The route took us past the beach & the famous "Sherman's Ice Cream", where I got "Hawaiian Ice". We spent about 1/2 an hour there and then continued on to our site - the Baseline Middle School in South Haven. And here I sit - updating the blog - not getting to put pictures on - but trying to share some of the experiences of this trip.
It was good being able to ride w/a group these last couple of days. It's not that I don't enjoy riding on my own - as I do - but I have been making better time and I enjoy feeling like I'm not dragging in at the end of the day - but it does help to strengthen the bonds I think. Of course in a group this size, bonds have an interesting way of being created, strengthened, challenged and even sometimes weakened. It's that last part that can be a challenge in & of itself. No group of any size will escape having those moments when people rub each other the wrong way - not because of any innate problem but just because - people are people and it's inevitable that stuff happens. But people seem to work things out or just let them go and we try to focus as John said tonight in prayer on why we are together.
So, that's what we will continue to do - and love each other through our adventures.
TO ALL THE FOLKS FROM NY/BINGHAMTON AREA - IF YOU CAN COME BY THE ROUTE or HAVE YOUR CHURCH OFFER US SOME SNACKS - WE WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL - AND YOU WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS ADVENTURE.
BE WELL & BE BLESSED -
No pictures from my trip back but I did meet an angel at Albany airport. For a couple of reasons I needed to bring everything with me on the plane - didn't want to check any bags so I tried to consolidate as much as possible. We got my clothes AND the sleeping bag in the small carry-on case. However, there was a bunch of other things that needed to go and the check in person said that if I didn't get it all together, then I wouldn't be able to bring both bags on the plane. Let's just say I got a tad upset and decided that perhaps I wouldn't return. So, I sat in a lounge chair, pouting - yes - I know, shocking - and someone came over just to check the seat for his keys. They weren't there but as he left - he put his hand on my arm and prayed a blessing that things would turn out better for the night. After that - I pulled everything out of the one bag, everything out of the other and repacked. Except for 3 items - I got everything I needed in the carry on and made the trip. It went smoothly and Liala picked me up, we had a great talk and I got back on the road.
Pictures to come as the connection just went off.
Anyway - the ride yesterday went very well. It was a short ride, a cool day and mainly level. This I can work with. There were only 2 mishaps on my part. Well, not totally mine; the first was when I rode with a group and Lou H. was part of that group. He came up behind us and it looked at first like he would stop on time and with no problem. However, things can happen in a split second and he couldn't unclip his shoe so that as he got up to where I was, his arm shot out and before either of really knew what was happening - he fell over on me and we both went down. After checking to see if we were ok, Marti D. very quickly offered to...
no, not help us up - but wanted to take our picture. I'm surprised she could focus she was laughing so much. Of course we were ok and I said sure - go ahead - shoot away. Be sure to check out her blog to see the site of Lou & myself lying prostrate, legs askew.
We picked ourselves up - got going and made our way to 2nd Highland CRC for lunch which they so graciously prepared. We ate and ate and got back on the road. I took off - apparently in violation of the mandate for the day that we stay in pairs. Didn't know so enjoyed myself riding along, talking wth people and taking more picutres. It all went well as Roland & Clare I got going riding togther, until my tire made this phhfftt sound. The tube went and Roland & Clare did their thing and got me back on the road. Roland again comes to the rescue as he let me use his patched tube which he did have with him. Since I didn't have an extra one. Yes, I was not prepared but I had forgotten the size tires that were on the bike so I figured I'd pick up replacements when I got back to the tour. However, I thought I'd have a day or two before any mishaps occured but no!!! Apparently God/the universe wanted to be sure I didn't think things were going to be too easy my first day back so I got to add to the evening statistic report.
Anyway - we split up again - I ran into Mark, Bryan & Manley and we rode into the campsite together - Indiana Dunes - a very nice site if anyone is interested. We had crossed into Indiana earlier in the day.
The night went well - other than the mosquitos which were abundant. I said the evening prayer and we went to small group. That was a time for a little catching up and then we went to our tents. I got to go to the new one that Rachael & Moonray sent me - back in Denver. This tent has traveled more than some people. It was mailed home (to me, in NY) from there and then I brought it back with me to the tour. Rach & Moonray - it's great. Sets up easily and there is a lot of room. Of course when I woke up this morning - I found that a bird had "christened" it. Sorry - but I did clean it off. I was hopeful that there would be no other mishaps to come.
And no major ones did for me - as "almost" getting creamed by a car doesn't count as someone did actually get hit today. Prayers please for Lois who got clipped by a car mirror. Someone was a little too close. Alida & I had to stop pretty quickly as someone had failed to stop at the stop sign and pulled out right in front of us. We were a bit shaken up but kept going. I had been riding with a group earlier but Alida & I stopped to get more water from a very helpful young man named David. He and his grandparents were another of many people who have set up water stations and just signs of encouragement along the way - HINT HINT.
I ended up back w/the group and Alida went off with someone else after our "Walter" stop.
Also got another picture of all the great "Kitchen Ladies." They could put together a calender with all the pictures that have been taken of them and sell them to donate the proceeds to "Sea To Sea".
The route took us past the beach & the famous "Sherman's Ice Cream", where I got "Hawaiian Ice". We spent about 1/2 an hour there and then continued on to our site - the Baseline Middle School in South Haven. And here I sit - updating the blog - not getting to put pictures on - but trying to share some of the experiences of this trip.
It was good being able to ride w/a group these last couple of days. It's not that I don't enjoy riding on my own - as I do - but I have been making better time and I enjoy feeling like I'm not dragging in at the end of the day - but it does help to strengthen the bonds I think. Of course in a group this size, bonds have an interesting way of being created, strengthened, challenged and even sometimes weakened. It's that last part that can be a challenge in & of itself. No group of any size will escape having those moments when people rub each other the wrong way - not because of any innate problem but just because - people are people and it's inevitable that stuff happens. But people seem to work things out or just let them go and we try to focus as John said tonight in prayer on why we are together.
So, that's what we will continue to do - and love each other through our adventures.
TO ALL THE FOLKS FROM NY/BINGHAMTON AREA - IF YOU CAN COME BY THE ROUTE or HAVE YOUR CHURCH OFFER US SOME SNACKS - WE WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL - AND YOU WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS ADVENTURE.
BE WELL & BE BLESSED -
Monday, August 11, 2008
Random Thoughts & Pictures -2
The following pictures are from the first week. (Ithink a couple of the pictures are out of order. Not sure how that happened but I thought I had all the Leavenworth, Ellensburg
pictures in the previous blog.
Thought I'd "shoot" the pony. He seemed to notice that a camera was pointing his way.
I took this shot as I sat on the curb in front of the store. It was just after taking this break that
Corey drops me off on the other side of the incline and I head down on Lucy Blue.
Coolin' the "dawgs"
pictures in the previous blog.
I passed this site and took the shot as it shows us heading south.
WSU is where Amber is now enrolled. She got to Pullman WA
last week (around Aug 1st). She headed west as I was riding back east.
Thought I'd "shoot" the pony. He seemed to notice that a camera was pointing his way.
This sign was on the side of the place I stopped in for a break & a coke. This is where my
thirst for Coke seemed to take hold. The bottom of the sign says, "The weather will change", and "No, I don't know what time it is."
I took this shot as I sat on the curb in front of the store. It was just after taking this break thatI encountered the man who I nearly gave my bike to. The road took a definite upward turn after this stop.
I eventually gave up the struggle & hitched a ride with Corey. We ended up driving almost back to Leavenworth as he needed gas for the van & more water.
A shot showing some of the logging results.
I eventually gave up the struggle & hitched a ride with Corey. We ended up driving almost back to Leavenworth as he needed gas for the van & more water.
A shot showing some of the logging results.
Heading to Ellensburg -
Yakima is Thursday's destination.
Yakima is Thursday's destination.
Corey drops me off on the other side of the incline and I head down on Lucy Blue.I liked this scene. It reminds me of a picture my dad took years ago when he & mom 
About 5 miles from the site. 
Took a break along the bike path. took a trip to Washington State in the 70's.
Got to Ellensburg. This is a shot Larry S. took as we left the school on Thursday, July 3rd.
Larry takes off to lead the way to Yakima.
Sites from the Yakima Canyon.
Got to Ellensburg. This is a shot Larry S. took as we left the school on Thursday, July 3rd.Larry takes off to lead the way to Yakima.Sites from the Yakima Canyon.About 5 miles from the site. Coolin' the "dawgs"
Finally at the school. Later that afternoon, I caught a ride to the local Wal-Mart with
Dr. Sandy. After dinner, she took me w/her to her office where I got to catch up on some
emails and posting. This was one of many examples of this type of help & support the riders
experienced throughout the tour.
Dr. Sandy. To her right is Frank F. He rode from Seattle to Denver. The person in the background aiming - a camera - is Jonathon Stoner - one of our 2 media people.
Jenn & Megan - cooling off in the air-conditioned school.
Jenn is Ed's assistant & Megan is the other media person. More of our great support team.
Saying goodbye to the Riverside Christian School who graciously hosted us during our time
in Yakima. 
Catching up with pictures and other things
Day 1 we stayed in Sultan
Day 2 headed from Sultan to Leavenworth.
Had to go through Stevens Pass first - first major incline of the trip.
Had to go through Stevens Pass first - first major incline of the trip.
Biked as far as I could then got a ride the last 3 miles up. 
Now heading down.
This next picture was taken from inside Vivian's car. She & Que picked me up, literally off the road and took me to the site in Leavenworth. And no, not the state penitentiary. It's a small mountain town - with German ancestry. 
PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
There have been a number of people whose paths have crossed mine in the last several weeks.
I may not have mentioned you prior to this but I hope if you are keeping up with the reading - (and again, my apologies that it's been sporadic) know that I have not forgotten you or how important a part you have played in my journey. Also including pictures from the trip.
VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO -
Que & Vivian. They were the 2 guardian angels who stopped to help me out the second day of the trip. I had gone as far as I could go up Steven's Pass when I decided to take the SAG vehicle to the top. It was the going down part that I really looked forward to. While on the way down, I stopped to talk w/a couple of other riders. As we got going again - my bike slipped and I went down - hard. Ended up w/huge bruise on leg and elsewhere and chest pain. The cell phones didn't work and there was no one else around but these 2 saw me as I fell and stopped to help.
I may not have mentioned you prior to this but I hope if you are keeping up with the reading - (and again, my apologies that it's been sporadic) know that I have not forgotten you or how important a part you have played in my journey. Also including pictures from the trip.
VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO -
Que & Vivian. They were the 2 guardian angels who stopped to help me out the second day of the trip. I had gone as far as I could go up Steven's Pass when I decided to take the SAG vehicle to the top. It was the going down part that I really looked forward to. While on the way down, I stopped to talk w/a couple of other riders. As we got going again - my bike slipped and I went down - hard. Ended up w/huge bruise on leg and elsewhere and chest pain. The cell phones didn't work and there was no one else around but these 2 saw me as I fell and stopped to help.
Then they drove me to our site that night.
Wed. July 2 -
Packing up camp at Leavenworth.
Packing up camp at Leavenworth.
Leaving Leavenworth-heading to Ellensburg
Random Thoughts & Pictures
RECIPES FROM THE ROAD:
Thought I'd get this down as memories from the summer.
Thought I'd get this down as memories from the summer.
From the Lee Family in Kennewick -
Easy To Make Doughnuts.
1 container buttermilk biscuits
Open. Make a small hole in middle of biscuit.
Fry in vegetable oil (about 1/2 inch in frying pan)
Take out. Coat w/sugar/cinnamon mix.
Eat - enjoy!!
Easy Tacos from Jill S. in Denver.
Eat - enjoy!!
Easy Tacos from Jill S. in Denver.
1 flank steak.
Cook in crock pot - adding taco seasoning and chilies till done. Meat will flake.
Cook in crock pot - adding taco seasoning and chilies till done. Meat will flake.
Tortilla shells
Grated cheese
Grated cheese
sour cream
guacamole
tomatoes
lettuce
Anything else you like.
Place ingredients on shells - roll - eat. Excellent
Place ingredients on shells - roll - eat. Excellent
If anyone has any other recipes they've gotten while on tour - or if any readers want to share their recipes - please feel free to. Perhaps I can get some from Lavonne as well if anyone needs to know how much to use for serving large groups of people.
Home- Pictures Aug 3-11, 2008
These pictures are really probably more for me in the event I feel a little homesick while back on the road. However, I hope that if you are checking out this site-you will find them of interest. They represent what life is like at home on any given week. But I did want to keep a record of my time at home during this particular summer. I am going to be back on tour as of tomorrow night (Aug 12) and I've been thinking about a lot of things. I haven't written much about them as our son noted that my site leans more toward the reflective, analytical than he expected. And we asked, "why?" Not being detail oriented, I do tend toward narrative in my writing but the pictures from the last 2 weeks are more a recording of events, not an evaluation of them.
Later on Tuesday - I went to the dentist and found out I'd need a root canal.
No pictures from Wednesday - and then Thursday at 4 (the appt. got changed from 6:30 which worked out well since Dave was able to take me, bring me home and then go back to Schoharie to attend the geneaology lecture re: Palatine settlements. Since the Tipples are descended from the Palatines who settled in Columbia County in the 1700's, it's something his family has some interest in. He is also on a committee which is making plans for the anniversary of that settlement in conjunction with the anniversary that's coming up of Henry Hudson's sail up the river which led to the settlement of the Hudson Valley.
Dr. Solomon & his very able assistant (sorry, forget her name). She participates in Trialthons. Perhaps I could consider that for my next endeavor - not anytime soon however.
The post office in Hudson, NY
Later on that day, we went to Latham and met my brother & his family and cousin Leo & Kathy (just below). Leo is the son of my birth father's brother - Paul DeMartino. This is one long, convoluted story.
I took this picture of Dave, P.J. & Leighanne (Joe & Dianne's kids), Joe, Leo, Dianne, Kathy
P.J., Joe, Me, Leighanne & Leo - The DeMartinos
SATURDAY- Aug 9
Charlie -
This is the Lutheran church where I preached on Aug. 3rd. St. Thomas, Churchtown, NY
Me at the pulpit. It was communion Sunday & of course there are different ways of engaging in this tradition. Have to remember that wine is served otherwise one can be surprised when partaking. The people were gracious and patient with the subsitute preacher.
One of the ministries of the church is to make pillows and quilts.
This is Dave later on that day (Aug 3rd) outside of one of the congregations he serves:
Mt. Pleasant, Greenport NY
The choir sings at Mt. Pleasant. It was a combined choir this Sunday as the Reformed congregations from Germantown, Livingston Memorial and Linlithgo all met to worship at Mt. P.
Me at the pulpit. It was communion Sunday & of course there are different ways of engaging in this tradition. Have to remember that wine is served otherwise one can be surprised when partaking. The people were gracious and patient with the subsitute preacher.One of the ministries of the church is to make pillows and quilts.This is Dave later on that day (Aug 3rd) outside of one of the congregations he serves:Mt. Pleasant, Greenport NY
The choir sings at Mt. Pleasant. It was a combined choir this Sunday as the Reformed congregations from Germantown, Livingston Memorial and Linlithgo all met to worship at Mt. P.MONDAY - Aug 4 - Here I am at the walk-in clinic in Coxsackie (pronounced - cook sockey). (Take note writers & actors from "Law & Order). Apparently it's nothing serious. Just have to wait out the sore throat.
After seeing the doctor - we head to Tannersville - and the North/South Lake camp site and lakes. They are 2200' above sea level. So, even bikers in the east have to pedal hard when riding around. We are in Greene County now. This is about 15 minutes from where we used to live in Kiskatom, NY. We came here a lot during the summer since it was generally about 5 to 10 degrees cooler than where we were. 
You can tell that the wind tends to come in off the lake.
The kids from the family we sat next too.
Dave eating one of the cucumbers from our garden.
You can tell that the wind tends to come in off the lake.The kids from the family we sat next too.Dave eating one of the cucumbers from our garden.The view from the beach.
Another view.
Leaving the campgrounds, heading back to Route 23 and we're going to head west.
Ominous clouds. It rained on and off all afternoon. It also got pretty chilly which is why we left the beach/lake in the first place.
Just another view on the road. Of course pictures almost never do justice to what it looks like in reality - but it still gives an idea of what the scenery is like.
We had never been out this far before on 23. We are now in Schoharie County and we stopped to see the falls.
Dave walking determinedly toward the falls. Fortunately, they weren't too far from the parking lot. 
Another cool site.
Back on the road, heading toward the Old Stone Fort, in Schoharie. It was another Palatine Settlement. 
Stopped in Middleburgh - thought these guys deserved a picture.
Unexpectedly found another historic site. Stopped to look around. Didn't stay long however as the mosquitoes were atrocious. Apparently Schoharie doesn't spray for them, or they just didn't care. 
Finally at the Fort. Dave only got a couple of pictures then the batteries in the camera died. 
TUESDAY Aug 5th.
Dave looking like a true biker. We've just droped Emily off at soccer cam and he is checking out his saddle. We will be riding the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. He borrowed this bike from his brother Matt. Matt is a bit taller than Dave, even if he is the youngest and Dave had to make sure the saddle was the right height.
Columbia County cornfields w/the Taconic Mts. in the background - looking west.
TUESDAY Aug 5th.Dave looking like a true biker. We've just droped Emily off at soccer cam and he is checking out his saddle. We will be riding the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. He borrowed this bike from his brother Matt. Matt is a bit taller than Dave, even if he is the youngest and Dave had to make sure the saddle was the right height.
Columbia County cornfields w/the Taconic Mts. in the background - looking west.Checking out the damage from the tire blowing out.
On my way back to get the car, I stop at this historic marker which notes that a fight took place a number of years ago - "on this very spot". 
Later on Tuesday - I went to the dentist and found out I'd need a root canal.
No pictures from Wednesday - and then Thursday at 4 (the appt. got changed from 6:30 which worked out well since Dave was able to take me, bring me home and then go back to Schoharie to attend the geneaology lecture re: Palatine settlements. Since the Tipples are descended from the Palatines who settled in Columbia County in the 1700's, it's something his family has some interest in. He is also on a committee which is making plans for the anniversary of that settlement in conjunction with the anniversary that's coming up of Henry Hudson's sail up the river which led to the settlement of the Hudson Valley.
Back at the dentist - "happy, happy, joy, joy"
Dr. Solomon & his very able assistant (sorry, forget her name). She participates in Trialthons. Perhaps I could consider that for my next endeavor - not anytime soon however.
FRIDAY - August 8th - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY - Married - 10 years. The day we got married was pretty much the hottest of the summer. And the only time in our relationship that I was late. Amber & I were getting our hair done at my sister Helen's place of employment - (Neuland & Minton Salon) and I got lost getting back to my other sister's house in Hillsdale, NJ. And then other things happened so I didn't get the church until 3:30. But it worked because my parents were also late due to heavy traffic on the Garden St. Parkway.
So, we finally got started and had a great ceremony and great reception. Even if the DJ didn't show up. A whole nother story.
Anyway - 10 years later and it's Friday and every Friday, Dave or both of us do a worship service at the Pavilion in Catskill, NY. As I noted, it refreshes us as much as anything it does for the residents. Below are several of them and they all are very wonderful people.
The post office in Hudson, NYLater on that day, we went to Latham and met my brother & his family and cousin Leo & Kathy (just below). Leo is the son of my birth father's brother - Paul DeMartino. This is one long, convoluted story.
I took this picture of Dave, P.J. & Leighanne (Joe & Dianne's kids), Joe, Leo, Dianne, Kathy
P.J., Joe, Me, Leighanne & Leo - The DeMartinosSATURDAY- Aug 9
Charlie -
enough said.
View of the back field behind the house. That's where the chicken house and horse stall will be - eventually.
Schnapps, rounding up one group of chickens. The others get to roam around pretty much as they please.
SUNDAY - Aug 10 - I stay home, trying to get better. Dave gets back from church around 1 and takes the necessary Sunday afternoon nap. We also watch a show on PBS (WMHT in our area - channel 2) and they are presenting a series on the German immigrants who came to here to America through the years. It was well done but certainly thought provoking as the issues of how we treat immigrants who make their home here & contribute so much continue to be treated.
MONDAY- Aug 11 - Catching up and getting ready to head to Illinois tomorrow night.
View of the back field behind the house. That's where the chicken house and horse stall will be - eventually.
Schnapps, rounding up one group of chickens. The others get to roam around pretty much as they please.
SUNDAY - Aug 10 - I stay home, trying to get better. Dave gets back from church around 1 and takes the necessary Sunday afternoon nap. We also watch a show on PBS (WMHT in our area - channel 2) and they are presenting a series on the German immigrants who came to here to America through the years. It was well done but certainly thought provoking as the issues of how we treat immigrants who make their home here & contribute so much continue to be treated.
MONDAY- Aug 11 - Catching up and getting ready to head to Illinois tomorrow night.
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