tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534135396927618372024-02-19T00:25:19.426-08:00Sea To SeaJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-55952598507999419902013-08-21T18:41:00.001-07:002013-08-21T18:41:15.803-07:00Very quick summary. On Monday - August 19, 2013 - Dawn G & her kids brought me up to Ausable Chasm - (about 3 miles south of Plattsburgh). We had a very nice drive, stopped for dinner at a little family hamburger shack and then got to the campsite about 6:30 p.m. I was somewhat nervous/excited but settled down at Pelaton & small group. Tuesday - I woke up after a somewhat restless night (hard ground doesn't help) and got myself and gear together, had breakfast and then realized that the key to the lock keeping my bicycle attached to a small metal rail was missing. And missing. And missing. I looked but could not find the little devil so had to get someone to free the bike. Yes, FREE the bike. Clip, clip - one of the support staff - John - who drives the gear truck had a bolt cutter and there went Dave's antique chain. "Good" start to a very long day of all uphill riding. I made it to Whitehall with some assistance from Sherry - the Sweep person. Thank goodness Sherry doesn't mind the slow drive. Got to camp about 5 after a number of attempts to make it up those lovely inclines. Took a shower in one of the two available at the Whitehall Marina. Had dinner and went to sleep about 8:30, 9:00 - no small group gathering as it had been such a long hot hard day. <br />Wednesday - that would be today - I awoke at 5 - started to get ready to go but crawled back under the cover for a few extra minutes of shut-eye. I say that because it wasn't sleep. Got up - had breakfast - headed out to Route 4 south toward East Greenbush - some 80 or so miles down the line and did fairly well until around 2 p.m. when I got a flat. Had to walk after leaving a message w/Al to have someone pick me up. And Sherry showed up just about the time I really started having second, and third and fifth thoughts about what I was doing. We got to the Y about 3:30- 4 and it was nice to get my tent set up and get some of the damp clothes from yesterday drying in the sun. I wanted to go shower and get dry since I was drenched from the sweat of being out in 90 degree weather but waited for my friend and rescuer - Mark - to get my tire changed. Another Angel of Mercy who is blessed with patience and grace. Tube replaced, shower bag in hand I got my shower, finishing in time to get on the line for dinner - and of course it was the end of the line because that seems to be my place on these rides. Just call me Caboose. After dinner - went to try to get online - and thanks to Larry - figured out how to get the WIFI switch on. YAY. Just in time for our Pelaton (group gathering) and small group meeting. Dear friend Marey showed up just then so we quickly greeted one another, I met her husband and then she went to see their son and we had our meeting. Interesting discussion. Would like to recount now but just want to get back to the tent and go to sleep. My body is saying - ENOUGH ALREADY... I did get a chance to come back, catch up on FB and jot down these quick notes so that I can at least remember what has happened in the last 48 hours. You'd be surprised how much gets forgotten in the quest to get from Point A to Point B within a decent amount of time - which for me is hit or miss. But thanks to the Angels, I have made it so far. Good night and God bless. Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-55386291303162420292013-06-22T15:35:00.001-07:002013-06-22T17:43:29.283-07:00A Note to the 2013 Riders - Today's gathering at Vanguard...First Day Together<div>
(This is my note to the C2C cyclists as they gather at the point<br />
of origin in L.A. in preparation for the start of 2013 C2C ride).<br />
<br />
Good evening Cyclists: <br />
It's 6:15 here on the east coast so at this point you are all probably arriving at Vanguard,</div>
<div>
or getting settled in, checking to be sure your bike & gear is all in one piece and nothing</div>
<div>
that you need has disappeared into the blue.<br />
<br />
I suspect that even if you have ridden before, you are probably experiencing the excitement/nerves<br />
that accompany all major endeavors. For those who haven't ridden, I still maintain that nothing anyone tells you will fully inform you as to what you are about to participate in....<br />
<br />
I see that the tire dipping will take place tomorrow and the actual start of the ride will start Monday.<br />
Had I been riding from Cali - I would probably have appreciated the fact these two events are being</div>
<div>
separated by a day's time. The tire dipping has it's own sacred flavor....joining with your fellow sojourners to mark the start of this endeavor should be given time to soak it in...so to speak.<br />
<br />
After the tire dipping in '08 we took off immediately for the road with barely time to say hi to those who came and saw us off. New friends, the Foster Family - came to bid me adieu and I was soooo grateful that they took the time to see me off. With family and friends here in the east, I thought I would be the only one marking my participating in the momentous event. Jessica, Rob, Mikey and Kev opened their home to me so that I could arrive in Seattle a full week before the start of the tour so I could adjust to the time change, get myself ready and just have time to get organized (a task I'm still working on..lol) before we left. This was one of the unexpected side benefits of joining with the greater community to do God's work.<br />
<br />
At any rate, before I was 1/2 mile down the road from our starting place, my bike started doing weird things. It wouldn't move forward. With barely 5 minutes into the ride I was already in trouble and seriously wondering what I had gotten myself into. Thanks to the support and guidance of far more experienced riders I made it through the first day, the second, the tenth, and so on. I did take a two week break between Colorado and Michigan flying home, resting up, celebrating our 10th anniversary and getting my groove back in order to complete the ride. In light of that I want to encourage you to TRUST your instincts as to timing, biking, and riding so that you can do what you set out to do. At the same time, part of life is reaching beyond our grasp - which is something you've already done by signing up and doing all it took to make it to this point. <br />
<br />
After dinner on that first night we were welcomed by Claire and others and then got to eat some delicious cake - always welcome<br />
at times of celebration. Trust me - don't pass it up; you will work the calories off in no time.<br />
As Jerry noted, as this day got closer he wished he could be with you from the start of the journey. I too am finding I wish the same thing but it wasn't meant to be at this time. However, I will be ready to ride as you all get to Montreal so until then my prayers go with you as you are in the hearts and minds of so many. </div>
<div>
<br />
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship and Communion of the Holy Spirit<br />
be and abide with you from this day forward.<br />
<br />
Joanna Tipple</div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-67869381046889956802013-02-01T08:43:00.000-08:002013-02-01T08:43:01.147-08:00Communication/InvitationGood Friday Morning: Along with sermon prep for Sunday, I've been making sure my C2C page is updated with relevant and inviting material. I am hoping that after the 3 inital responses to my donation request, things will continue to move along. Yes, I could have started this months ago. But I wasn't sure I could make the commitment and discovered that it is probably better I don't try to ride the whole way. At the same time, I want to have the experience of doing as much of the ride as possible since this time I have an idea of what's involved and I think it would make a difference in how I experience it this time around. However, the same holds true now as for last time, no matter how much I do or do not ride, the contributions are the important thing - the money which will go towards helping eradicate poverty. It may seem like a big task but the other piece of the ride is raising awareness and perhaps engendering a turn around in the deep cynicism that has overtaken us as a people. I firmly believe (not that this make it so) that there are absolutely enough resources in the world for everyone to have enough water to drink, food to eat and a place to live. However, we also have to stop polluting our resources as well. We have to be willing to rethink how we live and encourage others to do the same. Hey - I know it's not easy...I'm still working on how to do with less, less driving mainly. And through education and discussion, we want to encourage others to rethink these things with out coming off like a bunch of scolds. The level of conflict and anxiety get rateched right up when trying to address the problem which is a terrible waste of energy - and far to draining to allow any real solution to be thought of never mind worked out. <br /><br />But here is one creative way to address the issue - which isn't really one issue but a series of complex, interwoven matters that together end up with us trying to overcome POVERTY. Very overwhelming when thought of at that level - in the big picture mode - but no reason to try and fix the whole thing at once....a little at a time, in different places, with different people going about it; this can be ended. <br />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-18295701425029446882013-01-28T15:33:00.000-08:002013-01-28T15:43:43.780-08:00Registering for 2013Well isn't this interesting? I have the funds to register for this years' ride and yet I haven't clicked on the site to finalize that next step. I have a bike, support from my family, and the funds to register but just as I was about to I wavered. I'm not sure why. Actually I did more than waver, I quivered. I'm not even planning on doing the whole ride this time as I can't commit that amount of time but even the thought of being away for any length of time has my anxiety level ratcheting up. Yikes...this has gotten out of hand. I want to do this but apparently my inner self is having second thoughts. Or maybe that's not it at all - it's just my bio-chemistry running amok. It seems to be doing that lately - like the last 2 or 3 weeks. It doesn't seem to have any concrete basis in anything but my thoughts have been circling and there is the internal quivering that occurs when the anxiety kicks in. I'm pretty sure it isn't about the ride itself...I did the 2008 ride and this time I know what to expect - which may be the issue - I know what pushing myself to that degree is going to feel like but I don't think this is the real basis for what's been going on. It's just so random and been kicking in over who know's what...<br />
I have shortened the length of my being away precisely because I want to be here on the farm and there are many things to attend to. However, I really would like to do the ride having some experience under my belt. I'm also not sure if I have the energy to do the fundraising that I need to do. I mean I know I can...but it does take a concerted effort. A lot of people sound like they have already made some good progress....me and getting a jump on things don't tend to partner well. <br />
Well - time to get to work on the house....things to do - the cycle keeps turning. Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-34532731222765517322012-07-25T12:16:00.001-07:002012-07-25T12:16:30.913-07:00Inclines: Part 2I rode all the way on my bike today. NO getting off. Ok - well I did get off the 2 times my water bottle dropped out of my bike shirt so I did have to get it. (Don't have the water bottle or holder yet). And then I stopped 1 time to get a fresh peach from a local farmstand. I could have gotten more at the 3 other stands I passed on my route. It was a great day to ride. I'm not sure how far I went but it was in the 15 mile zone. The best part for me today was that the 2 places I had to walk on Monday I didn't have to today. Now, it could be because it was cooler, I took a different route or it was earlier in the day but regardless, I was able to ride up those babies and not fall over and not get out of the saddle. (Although I wouldn't mind a different saddle...I like the big comfy ones...) It took about an hour and a half. <br /><br />The only negative to today's ride was something that sadly occurs on most rides. The litter which is EVERYWHERE. WHY do people feel it's ok to throw their debris out of their cars as they go on? I mean - really?!!? You can't wait until you get to the next gas station or HOME to throw out your junk? It is a thorn in my side. Not that I agonize over this...other things yes, not this. But 2 weeks ago I saw a little boy litter - right in front of his dad as they walked out of the dollar store and his dad didn't say word one to him. I had T pick it up to throw out when she went to work. I thought that perhaps dad would get the hint since it was pretty obvious that she was picking up the kid's mess. Well, apparently it didn't phase him at all since I saw little boy drop the rest of the toy packaging in the parking lot as they walked to their car. Now, I don't usually do things like this - at least not with strangers but I stopped my car, walked over to their car and knocked on the window. I wasn't loud or violent - I just knocked on the window and said to dad, "your little boy dropped this" and pointed to the litter. He opened the window and the little boy held out his hand. I said "sorry hon, it isn't ok to litter" and then got back in my car. I know it was risky, and it wasn't my intention to scare the kid but I get so fed up with people who litter as if the world was there own personal trash receptacle. I think I may have written about this during C2C 2008 as I'm sure I saw quite a bit of litter but it still doesn't cease to amaze me. Dad always said leave a place better than you find it...cleaner, more orderly, whatever was needed. This was reinforced at Camp Matollionequay where I spent 8 summers of my life and then the major reinforcement experience was via my drill sargeant at the Monmouth County Police Academy in Howell NJ. We are all charged with the care and keeping of our world and if you see something out of place or that doesn't belong it behooves us (I love that word) to pick it up and throw it out. I always tell the kids that if they pick something up from off of the ground then they are responsible for it. I don't push it when it comes to just seeing things otherwise all we would be doing is picking up litter but if you touch it, it's yours. <br /><br />Well, it was a good ride and with another 15 miles under my belt, I'm on the way to making the goal of 1000 miles done before the trip next year. A few miles at a time, I'll get there. A few pieces of litter picked up and thrown away - it's that much better than it was 2 seconds before.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-49663781484149260212012-07-24T18:08:00.001-07:002012-07-24T18:08:52.325-07:00InclinesI heard from someone recently about how he has a hard time getting up inclines. Any grade of incline. Doesn't matter if it's just a slight rise in the road...it becomes the Rockies. I soooo identified. That's what it's like for me when I ride. I can ride for miles and miles, I can ride for miles and miles...oops - wrong song.... but I can ride for miles on flat, level terrain. Put an anthill in the mix and forget it....I'm as winded as an old organ bellows gasping its last breath. But tonight I rode up quite the steep grade on Gahbauer Road. Gahbauer parallels our road but as you head onto it from Rt 217 you have reason to believe your bike will just keel over in an expression of sympathy with its rider. That would be me. Yet after an initial hesitation - I did have to unclip my pedal so I didn't in fact fall over sideways - I got back on and headed up what feels like the side of previously aforementioned Rocky Mountain. And then I went on to find another really steep - going up into the air kind of feeling - not too far from the first one. And I <i>almost</i> made it up. It's been a while since I've done any up and up riding. The kind that's like ALL UP - on either side of the peak - so I have to say I was very happy with my attempt tonight. I may have only gone about 3 or 4 miles but I really saw how much more improved I am at this point than I was even after riding the tour last time. <br /><br />Well, as they say - "ain't no mountain high enough" to keep me, well in this case, to keep me from finishing what I have set out to do. And that is to make a difference. There will always be inclines - obstacles and challenges put the point is to do the best one can and to make a difference, regardless of how one gets through the mountain to the other side. And that's exactly the point. The point is to get to the other side whether through, or around or over the top. Who cares, as long as we don't stop....Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-68016143299225293822012-07-23T14:49:00.000-07:002012-07-23T14:49:12.189-07:002 outdoor days in a row - & 13+ miles todayHot today...it was hot today. I know, it's summer, it's supposed to be hot. But there's hot, then there is h-o-t...and then there is biking around the county when it's h-o-t. I am happy to have been out there. I even got a few more miles in than yesterday - although I have to figure out how many. I probably should get an odometer so I can keep track. I doubt I will be getting a blackberry, android or iphone any time soon so won't have the ability to get those cool apps that keep track of distance. But, I did put in well over 13 miles, which is what I did yesterday. Since I've ridden 2 straight days outside, I think I can really say now that official training for next year has begun.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-35858955464664302012-07-22T19:01:00.001-07:002012-07-22T19:01:28.093-07:00Training - One O One - Don't FALL DOWN.It's been a busy week nor did the weekend provide any real opportunity for slowing down. There was a lot of work to be done on the farm and with Justin here (our 30 yr old) we are really beginning to make progress with all the projects. However, he took a week to visit his sister in WA state...That did provide some relief as he doesn't believe in letting time get away without getting something accomplished. He's more like the bikers (2008 ride) who got up, got on their bikes and got going as early in the morning as they possibly could and they didn't really slow down until reaching the next camp site. Well, they did take breaks here and there at the occasional coffee shop or other colorful local eating establishment. But then, after their moment of indulgences, they got back in the saddle and kept pushing those pedals until they reached our daily destination. Well, he did the same thing so to speak - weeding, mucking and all those things that need to get done on the farm. We even got a couple of workouts in as well. I guess it was all good, because tonight after a full weekend of working and socializing I decided I needed to get a ride in as well. (Want to get my training miles in and also needed to work off the candy binge I indulged in thanks to a candy bar at yesterday's wedding). It was almost 8 p.m when I set off - but still pretty light. Darn if 30 seconds into the ride I was down on the ground - in pain from landing on my wrist and jamming my elbow. Dave walked out of the house just in time to see my "fall from grace" and he came right over to check things out. So of course the first thing he asked was, "Does it hurt?" Good thing I was crying somewhat or else my response would have been less than gracious. But after a few tears and some tentative moving of my wrist, I got up and hopped on the bike - putting in about 13 miles round trip. I do have to be careful as about 3 miles into the ride, my right hand tingled and then got numb. I know it's not from the fall as I've had this problem for several years now and I'm pretty sure the last bike trip didn't help. Between the carpal tunnel and tendonitis, my right arm is a bit vulnerable so I hope I can figure something out by next year. I got back just after dark and after putting the loose chickens back into their cage and closing the hen house up - my next step was to get into that shower and get the cold water running. Well, it's time to finish up for the day...things are looking good as far as training. Thank you B for my bike. It makes a world of difference.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-10419514821895308862012-07-13T16:15:00.002-07:002012-07-13T16:15:31.754-07:00It's HOT today. It's been HOT for several days. A tree down the road has lost a good bunch of leaves. They are piled up under the tree - crunchy and an far too early reminder that fall is not too far away. And after fall, winter, then spring, the JUNE...time for riding C2C. And all I can think about is the fact that it will be just as hot next year on the ride and I can all to clearly remember the heat from 2008. Everyone had to experience it and it seems like some can just slough it off - but I HATE the heat. Which is so ironic considering for a good portion of my life - I would happily lay outside in the sun - from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. going for the tanned leatherhide look. (Ok, I didn't want to look like the Tanning Bed Mom but I definitely liked the tan rather than the pasty look). And still love going to the beach. But I was happy to have missed the 2 week period of riding through Kansas & Nebraska last time around as I heard the days hit 100 degrees with headwinds all the way. And prior to that, I would hide in the sliver of shade that a road side sign would create in order to convince myself that I could get cool. The sight of me scrunching up under the sage bush also probably was somewhat amusing - anything to get out of the blazing hot sun. So now, as I try to fulfill my commitment to really getting ready for this ride, I am wrestling with the reality of the discomfort I will be facing both in practice and on the ride. Lord - help me to push past the misery of sweat running down every inch of skin, into eyes and crevices as I prepare and then live through the actual ride. Just sayin' Thanks.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-73540789043067606422012-07-08T05:46:00.000-07:002012-07-13T16:16:11.483-07:002013 C2C - Here I ComeI'm glad I named this blog Sea To Sea. There have been several although I only participated in the 2008 ride - from Seattle to Jersey City. There was a previous ride through Canada in 2006 and several shorter rides after 2008. But a new one is underway and it is my hope/plan to participate. This time I have the right bike. Thanks to a dear friend, I now own that most important piece of equipment. As I learned previously - having the right piece of equipment can make all the difference in the world in accomplishing one's goals and efforts. It can be done with other options but that can add extra work and in an effort like this who needs that? Well, I don't. Maybe others do but I know my possibilities and I know my limitations. I know people don't like to acknowledge that reality but it's best if I do...otherwise life becomes an effort in futility. We CANNOT all do everything...or even lots of things. For some, it's just better to concentrate on a limited number of possibilities so that what we do attempt we can do well...or complete...or just even attempt. This does not mean failure. It means being real....it means knowing oneself well and accepting that one is who one is. And it is in fact ok.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-79078907537100283162009-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:002009-10-22T11:46:22.907-07:00Waiting for the GiftToday my copy of "Jesus Wept: When Faith & Depression Meet" arrived. I ordered it after reading my sister-in-law's copy. Barbara Crafton wrote/writes so eloquently about having the condition of depression and being a person of faith - in her case an Episcopal priest, in my case, a clergy woman w/out a congregation but a deep awareness of God having something in mind for my life.<br /><br />I've always searched for my purpose, my meaning for being. It's been embedded in me since, well, before birth. I have ached to know what I was meant to do, who I was meant to be for as long as I can remember. My whole life entailed/s this search. I think I've found my essence but it's not something concrete. And today, I was "told" via the words of another that this isn't a goal I can attain, but a gift to be recieved. <br /><br />Wow, that turns things around. In the back of Barbara's book, several pages of other books of interest are listed. <br />Parker J. Palmer has written a couple of books re: life/spiritual journey etc. and this one, <br />Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation<br /> speaks directly to me. Here is what the write-up on the book says: and I quote<br /><br /><em>Let Your Life Speak </em>is an insightful & moving mediation on finding one's true calling. The book's title is a time-honored Quaker admonition, usually taken to mean "Let the hightest truths and values guide everything you do." But Palmer reinterprets those words, drawing on his own earch for selfhood. "Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it," he writes, "listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent." Sharing sotries of frailty and strength, of darkness and light, Palmer will show you that vocation is NOT (my caps) A GOAL TO BE ACHIEVED BUT A GIFT TO BE RECEIVED. <br /><br />What an insight and for me an epiphany. I have sought to gain, achieve, find for so long that I may have missed the directions I was supposed to take and went off on detours that while not a waste may have prolonged this journey somewhat. Or not.<br /><br />Anyway - as I took my walk this morning w/Caleb & tried to be attentive, the parable that speaks to my Enneagram # (4) came to mind. This is from Matthew - "Do not worry..." And I try not to worry but of course you can't try not to worry. It's as Yoda said, "Try, there is no try. Do or do not." Funny, my drill sargent would say the same thing. But worry is there - worry about not paying bills, not being in a position to deal w/the unexpected, etc. Sure, we have a roof over our heads and eat but the drain of living paycheck to paycheck is, well, it's draining. <br />So, without wanting to recite that litany again, I am seeking the answer that I presume is within that parable. I don't envy others in the sense that I don't want them to have what they are meant to have but I would like to have the money to pay for hot water, for home repairs, for other things. <br />So, the parable came to mind as I walked around. And I heard Jesus/God?? say that it would all work out and the vision that was laid upon my heart will come to pass. Even if I don't know at the moment how to make that happen. But maybe I don't need to. It's just that the message that we have to take the bull by the horns to make things happen seems to be very ingrained in me. How does one discover when to "act" and when to "wait?" Even if it is "active waiting" does that mean do NOTHING? Or SOMETHING? Pray...be open...listen...aackk.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-74716497308499595702009-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:24:22.005-07:00Essence of NostalgiaSunday, August 30, 2009<br />I am sitting in our car, in the Fairview Plaza Parking Lot, Hudson, NY.<br />My husband is making a deposit in a local bank. It's about 8:45 p.m.<br />If I close my eyes, I can not only see but smell the scenes of my youth<br />as clearly as if they were just outside the car.<br />It's not too difficult as all my senses go on a journey into the past.<br />Two doors down from the bank is a small Chinese restaurant storefront.<br /><br />The aroma is not overpowering but the smell of heated oil, being<br />pumped out of the vents makes it seem as if I am back in Matawan, NJ,<br />heading into the Strathmore Bowling Alley for ballet class.<br />I can't actually remember if there was a Chinese restaurant in that<br />particular strip mall, but the snack bar could also catch your attention with<br />the scent of frying french fries emanating out of the kitchen.<br /> Across town, by the railroad station there also<br />was a Chinese restaurant but it started out serving either Italian or American cuisine. Dutchies was the name. Now it's Sultan's Wok...I think. There has been one or two other incarnations.<br /><br />And there was a Chinese restaurant in the "other" shopping center, where Grand Union<br />was built as a local competitor to the original Matawan Shop-Rite. My parents<br />were happy when the Lloyd Road Shop-Rite went up since it meant they didn't have<br />to drive over to Rt 36 any longer to do their weekly grocery shopping. Later on I'd<br />walk to the store to "get some exercise." It was about a mile up the road. Hudson Plaza also has a Shop-Rite. It looks almost exactly like the original Matawan store before it became "ginormous", selling literally everything from soup to nuts. And God knows what else. If you go in these days, make sure you are well hydrated, have a full stomache and plenty of time to do your shopping. People don't shop anymore, they go on excursions. And if I close my eyes, I could be standing in SR, located on Lloyd Rd., Matawan or Aberdeen. Whatever you want to call the place. It's a combination of the bakery, coffee, and well, Matawan. <br /><br />If you drive down Fairview Ave., (here in NY) about a 1/2 mile, there is another Chinese restaurant, more of an eat-in establishment, with a bar. Eating there always induces memories of going to the place by Grand Union. They served really good food there,but I think they're gone, succumbed to the end of the originals era. <br />The Matawan Card & Gift Store, The Cheese & Chocolate Shop, The jewelers, Drug Fair, all long gone. <br /><br />Next to the Hudson restauarant sits a movie-plex. Cineplex. Whatever. There are 2 locations in the area showing movies. But again, if I close my eyes, I find <br />myself walking across the Strathmore Shopping parking lot headed toward the Strathmore Twin Cinema and I'm about to see American Grafitti. Or the Apprenticship of Duddy Kravitz. Now that was an interesting movie. My friend and I went to see it because Richard Dreyfuss was the "star." A fairly young Richard Dreyfuss. And we were in completely over our heads. We thought we'd be seeing American Grafitti - The College Years but it wasn't to be. So naive.<br /><br />Thanks to the impact AG had on me, coming at about the same time I discovered do-wop, I became a hard core fan of early rock & roll. My neighbor, a guy who was a classic car afficionado before he was 14 would work on his muscle cars day & night. He had older brothers so perhaps that influenced his taste in music but I can hear WCBS-FM 101.1 as clearly as if it were on the radio at this moment. That was the station he would listen to as he washed and polished his cars until you could see yourself in them. Cliche but that's what he did. He cleaned with the doors and windows open and the harmonies drifted right over the lawn to catch my ear. I began listening to Cousin Bruce and Don K. Reed when I was 13, 14. This of course was after Cousin Brucie & Harry Harrison left WABC due to format change. But I don't have to rely on my daydreams to bring me back to those moments of listening to Ben E. King, the Drifters, Frankie Lymon, or the other street corner harmonizers. Now a days I can tune the car radio to 100.9 out of Albany. Thanks to their Sunday night broadcasts, I can hear the original rockers...and real Golden Oldies. When WCBS went off the air, then came back on but only playing memory music from the 70's on, that was a jolt. I have no problem with change but no do-wop, anywhere? Of course, having moved to upstate NY, I could only hear WCBS when I went back to Jersey to visit family & friends. I know I could access them on the internet but it's not the same.<br /><br />So, tonight, I time traveled back to age 11, 15 & 17. I walked through<br />the parking lot and up and back along Route 34 stopping at Dunkin' Donuts/Burger King, the movies, Hess Gas Station. Ben E. King sang, "You Know That You Lied/Don't Play That Song." There's a diner too along this particular route but no jukeboxes. No opportunity to drop a coin in to listen to favorite tunes. Yes, there are Ipods, MP3 players and all manner of other music devices. But no sharing the music. I remember when Paul insisted we listen to the closing riff of "Layla." I still listen for it.<br /><br /> But, yeah, I know, I know, I know, stop the whining. Hey, I'm reminiscing here. I'm not saying I want to go back to those days...yeah, not at all. But it's funny how the threads of those times seem to be as fully present in the tapestry that's being woven today. The anachronism at this moment is being able to do our banking at 9 p.m. on a Sunday night, in a storefront, in a strip mall along the local 2 way highway that used to be the site of the local farms that sustained the town (they call it city) of Hudson. Farms - a stream - dirt roads. No black-top, no eating establishments, no entertainment centers or grocery stores. <br />Hmm, I wonder what the farmer's wife, sitting in the wagon would see. hear and smell in her memory banks as she waited for him to make his deal with his neighbor?Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-49440346164256851572009-08-04T17:04:00.000-07:002009-08-04T17:37:59.888-07:00Story Telling?So, I suppose there is a story in the fact that I did not make it to my story telling workshop tonight, up in Clifton Park. Or not. I left home about 5:15 and headed to the Northway. Everything was fine until I realized I was not sure what exit to take. But I did remember I had been on Route 9 last session and I thought I remembered the address so I took what seemed like the correct exit. Only it wasn't. But it did bring me to Route 9 which I turned onto, heading north. Drove about 5 miles and couldn't find the bookstore. Turned around and headed south back to what I thought was the correct address. But it wasn't. By then I had to accept that I had no idea where I needed to go and after several misguided attempts, made it back to the Northway. Heading south. While crying. Alot. Hard. One of the things that I have always been able to do well is find my way around, even if I have been someplace only once. My sense of direction has always served me well. Ok, not always but 99% of the time. But tonight that gift failed me. It's happened before. It isn't the worst of experiences. But I didn't want to miss the workshop. And I couldn't remember the name of the bookstore. So, I had nothing to work with. Is it a prelude to future problems? The book I'm reading, "Carved in Sand" suggests that early onset Alzheimers or other forms of dimentia have been missed in the pass. And the book about the neurologist who documented her recovery from a stroke suggests that typical tests for these things don't take into account the original starting point for the patient. A high functioning person who losese their typical abilities should not be evaluated as if everything were normal. For that person, it's not. Not that this is a matter of higher functioning but my typical level of operating is one thing. Tonight's events make me wonder if there is something to be concerned about. Or am I just doing drama? I've forgotten plenty of things in the past. There are so many reasons why we forget things: stress, distractions, organic breakdowns, and others but this rattles me. I wanted to go. I know I couldn't have been too far from the store but just couldn't get a sense of what direction I needed to head in.<br />And it upset me. I was disappointed. I felt lost. And maybe that's what triggered the angst. I don't like feeling lost, without an anchor, without a set point. And so then I cried out to God, "what do you want from me? What am I supposed to learn? What's this test about? Is it or am I exaggerating? I don't want to exaggerate the depth of the experience. I don't want to work out of my temperment, hardwiring distortion. Enneagram 4 - that's me. But God, you made me this way and now I'm not supposed to be who I am? I feel what I feel, but it's too much? Too much angst...too much despair. And what did Melissa (spiritual director) warn me about yesterday? She mentioned, Merton was it? The womb is the wound? Sounds backwards. But the wound is still there obviously. And then I felt like I wanted my mom. Either one. Not sure that "Ruby" could handle this - but hers was the womb I came from. And then I heard Mom ask, "what do you want me to do Josie? What do you need? And that's the thing. I have no idea. Even if Mom were here, which I desperately want, what could she do? She can't fix my life, fix me, fix the situation...I just want her back. Five years later and it's like it's last week. I hated when she was like this about her dad. I never said anything to her but couldn't understand why 25 years later, her grief was still so fresh. I believe some of it had to do w/the fact she did have issues she never dealt with. But smart-aleck me thought I'd escape that depth of pain, that sense of loss, having "dealt" with my issues. Yeah. I have - but the wound of loss is still there. The grief. Still with me. I miss you Mom & Dad - but tonight I just cried out for Mommy. <br />And then I wanted a piece of chocolate cake. Talk about sympathy pains - empathic experience. Mom used food to handle the hurt. I know it's not a good idea. Doesn't really change the facts. Doesn't really make it better. I guess it does work as a pain blocker for a little while. I've done it before, knowing it wasn't going to change anything. <br />But I wanted some chocolate cake and thought, "why not?" I stopped at a diner in Kinderhook. There was a huge classic car show going on. It didn't entice me. I went in but it was busy and I didn't think they'd accept a credit card for what probably would be less than a $5.00 purchase. I left and stopped at the Hannaford down the road. I wandered up and down the refrigerator aisle until I found the cake. I purchased it and drove home. On the radio a song highlighting nostalgia played, John Mellencamp's "Cherry Bomb." Perfect background music to a chocolate cake binge w/a classic car setting. A little before my time but nostalgia hemmed the night. <br />I don't know if there's anything to be learned in this "story." Or writing it. Melissa suggested I journal around the discussion from yesterday...the wound, the womb, my "4" characteristics. Didn't think there'd be too much generated but maybe I was wrong. I don't know. I've been told I overanalyze things...I'm too sensitive...I'm shoot, what's the word - don't work hard enough - yea that's it, I don't live up to my potential. I've been trying to all my life. And there was one other thing I realized that had me upset. I don't think I can tell stories anymore. I used to be able to make them up but I haven't done that in a long time.<br /> I can tell about things - like a story - but who cares really? Will it make a difference? I hadn't planned on just writing for myself - telling stories to myself. That was the point of going to the story telling workshop. And wow - missed the first session, missed tonight. Is there something I need to know from this? Can't I pursue anything so that it serves a purpose for the greater good if not my own? I don't know. I just know that the cake tasted good. And I didn't eat tooo much. Just enough.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-81005360533426042392009-06-08T13:55:00.001-07:002009-06-08T13:59:24.429-07:00GS 2009I don't know if this will show up in the blogs site for GS but I have been happy to "participate" via our current technologies. It it far more interesting to join in the conversations, even if not actually present or a voting member.<br />Again - I so appreciate the passion and commitment to engage in in-depth discussion on the issues which will affect this particular section of the Body of Christ.<br />I have posted comments elsewhere so won't repeat here. <br />I do want to say thank-you to Jay H. for all the great photos. It has helped to make this seem a not so distant event. I have enjoyed seeing many familiar faces - w/the exception of one special one - my Dave. ;)<br />Peace be with all as you continue your work as those who serve God by serving others. <br />(Hi to Toni & Gloria & Paul, and ooh I see Kent and ...you get the idea. LOL)Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-36408932795699240382009-04-16T09:24:00.000-07:002009-04-16T09:28:03.717-07:00The Way - Here's a modelCheck out this community in PA - <br />The Simple Way<br /><br />http://www.thesimpleway.org/index2.html<br /><br /><br />A lot of folks have asked about some of the structures and rhythms that allow us to function as a community. Over the past 10 years, we’ve learned a lot and made plenty of mistakes, and we have now created a little packet to help new folks adjust to life here on Potter Street, sort of decoding some of our common life and expectations. We often liken these structures to the trellis of a garden. You want enough structure to provide stability, so that your tomatoes don’t flop around on the ground and rot. But if you have too much structure it can have the opposite effect, and can suffocate the plants from being free to grow. So this works for us, along with our foundations and functionality. We offer it, not necessarily as something to emulate or copy, but as a resource to look at as you discover what works for your community.<br /><br />Our Commitments <br />Our Foundation and Functionality <br /><br />Our Mission is: <br />"To Love God. To Love people. To Follow Jesus."<br />We're giving that our best shot.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-74160211369520795742009-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:002009-04-16T09:24:19.038-07:00The WayAlthough life is no longer centered around the C2C ride - I used a picture of the bay off of Atlantic Highlands, NJ for my profile. It's where Dave & I went last year after I returned.<br />It's hard to believe so many months have passed since that major event and yet it is beginning to fade into the recesses of memory. However, the purpose of the ride exists as real as it ever did responding to the the reality of poverty, the prevalence of injustice, the continuation of a world/creation suffering in spite of an abundance of resources - mental, physical & economic. However, these things are not being used wisely and suffering continues. <br /><br />I just heard Shane Claiborne again this past Tuesday night. I first heard him last summer when he spoke at the C2C Michigan Rally - one of many service highlighting our efforts and bringing us into communities to share worship & hear the message of how we are all called to respond to the needs of the world by LIVING the gospel, not just preaching or listening to it. <br /><br />And now, I am once again challenged to respond but am not sure how to do this. While events like the C2C ride have a place and can continue to be a means for responding the ills of this world - it's not something that I at least can live off of - or expect to continue doing. How can I respond now, in the place that God has called me to live, in a way that is effective, meaningful and faithful. I am not sure what is in store for me as I try to respond to this continuing challenge. But I don't believe I am called to respond alone - on my own. I have gifts and graces that are meant to encourage others as we all work together. Yet, I can't just go and live in Philly or elsewhere just because like minded people happen to be there. I am w/Dave and don't see that changing - nor do I want it to. But we aren't living in urban America & rural America also faces suffering and hopelessness. And is also called to discipleship - whatever that looks like in our context. While creation may have "started" in a Garden & may "end" as a City - that isn't where we live. And it can't be all one or the other - can it?<br /><br />Anyway - I should be writing my sermon. I have the information and the time, but I am filled with excitement & frustration that this drive that is within me has no outlet at least at the moment.<br /><br />If I had the resources now however, I would buy the farm or some other land, establish a healing center and set it up so that people in need of healing could come and till the soil and plant the seeds and feed the animals and reconnect with creation in a way that so many in the past have found to be healing. But I want it to be a place that people w/out a huge income can come to. For clergy and military personnel and hurting people and even the rejected animals. I want to live THE WAY where we are - NOW!!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-89879158510864861422008-11-03T05:21:00.001-08:002008-11-03T05:58:33.096-08:00Keeping OnSo, 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, <br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br />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. <br />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.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-30544148303886336212008-11-01T15:14:00.000-07:002008-11-02T04:39:36.337-08:00Begin AlreadySo, 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.<br /><br />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.<br />"Us" and "them." It often leads to a lot of conflict. It doesn't even have to be a major issue.<br />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.<br /><br />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 <em>throw</em> 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.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-28792746131672707342008-10-22T15:24:00.000-07:002008-10-22T18:14:42.112-07:00Starting My BookActually, I've started several writing projects:<br />Title - "Waiting For The Wren To Come" - poetry<br />Title - "Band of Gold" - play<br />Title - Our Story- The Life of Women in Columbia-Greene Classis - research project<br />Title - "Little Shepherd Boy" - children's book<br />Title - "I Reached For the Stars, And Caught The Moon" - Sort of autobiographical - with the<br /> C2C bike tour as the backdrop.<br /><br />Forward: In January, 2008, I read in a church bulletin insert that more riders were being<br /> sought to participate in a cross country bike tour sponsored by the Christian Reformed<br /> Church with the Reformed Church in America. The purpose of this tour was to raise<br /> 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.<br />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:<br />In order to ride, each cyclist had to raise either $4000.00, $8,000.00 or $10,000.00 dollars.<br />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.<br /><br />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<br /><br />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."Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-14021632369642081202008-10-09T16:27:00.000-07:002008-10-09T17:17:48.156-07:00Oct 9, 2008Pretty 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?<br />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<br />then submit for publication. I write knowing that it's possible someone else may read these<br />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. <br />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. <br /><br />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 -<br />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. <br />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 <em>I</em> 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!!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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? <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-37947708776724180122008-10-07T17:53:00.000-07:002008-10-07T19:00:26.346-07:00Into the Future<span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#3333ff;">Hi All - </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">It's OCTOBER!! I've written in my blog lots and lots since August - unfortunately - it's been </span><span style="color:#3333ff;">only in my mind. Since getting home, I've been more inclined to live my life daily - rather </span><span style="color:#3333ff;">than writing about it - although I've been promising myself I'd get around to writing more </span><span style="color:#3333ff;">often and just haven't done it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Anyway - can't upload any pictures from the pc I'm writing on but wanted to get a few thoughts</span><span style="color:#3333ff;">down before they go the way of the do-do bird, into extinction.</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /><br />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 -<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />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 <em>OMG </em>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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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 - <em>if only</em>. 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 <em>people were riding bicycles across North America for the purpose of raising funds and awareness of poverty related issues.</em> 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.<br /><br />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 <em>something</em> 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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br />Peace & blessings to all this night - </span><br /></span>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-84755102322678667772008-08-24T04:15:00.000-07:002008-08-24T04:18:04.330-07:00Just a ThoughtHi All - Happy Sunday.<br />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...<br /><br />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.<br />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<br />unconsionable. The fact that so many people are working to end this tragedy is something to celebrate.<br /><br />If you cannot make it - please be sure to send the cyclists a note on their blogs or create a sign<br />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<br /><a href="http://www.seatosea.org/">www.seatosea.org</a>.<br />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.)<br /><br />Hugs - JoannaJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-16690410412453780602008-08-23T16:57:00.000-07:002008-08-23T18:08:46.327-07:00More Michigan & BeyondHi All -<br />Thanks again to those of you who read our blogs - and for letting us know.<br />We realize it's not always consistent - but then again - isn't life a bit like that?<br />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".<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-73285615388816303852008-08-14T18:23:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:13:35.886-07:00Back on the roadIt'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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Pictures to come as the connection just went off.<br /><br />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...<br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br />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.<br /><br />I ended up back w/the group and Alida went off with someone else after our "Walter" stop. <br />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".<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />So, that's what we will continue to do - and love each other through our adventures.<br />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.<br />BE WELL & BE BLESSED -Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053413539692761837.post-69622583109942791622008-08-11T13:43:00.000-07:002008-08-11T15:01:50.065-07:00Random Thoughts & Pictures -2<em><span style="color:#006600;">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</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">pictures in the previous blog.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><em><span style="color:#006600;">I passed this site and took the shot as it shows us heading south.</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#006600;">WSU is where Amber is now enrolled. She got to Pullman WA</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#006600;">last week (around Aug 1st). She headed west as I was riding back east.</span></em><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNrllmgHKKb4NUE5kfONJwiFnooCqF1UIkE2ESXoEzsb1oCGy-dvJuOE5dC-3NHD0QTaKGeP2FkAKYHLMZ8g_2ZWQgPaF4_Qgj5IrmpwD0MMkG1npEtwCNUjBfz8EjiUD9DWSht6my_Y/s1600-h/DSCN2547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233365528515434034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNrllmgHKKb4NUE5kfONJwiFnooCqF1UIkE2ESXoEzsb1oCGy-dvJuOE5dC-3NHD0QTaKGeP2FkAKYHLMZ8g_2ZWQgPaF4_Qgj5IrmpwD0MMkG1npEtwCNUjBfz8EjiUD9DWSht6my_Y/s320/DSCN2547.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thought I'd "shoot" the pony. He seemed to notice that a camera was pointing his way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYryoELFfq4_QfCA7zJBisw-4VDjJObepAPpHevNLl1WE0T16iNfwdvdqpIUy2QteJF_R8tg4khyphenhyphenLMKa8wNGZ-pFOWtjIgGsAw9yEzH5Q8Nfg_jlBlfoOmT05E2u3Nk8BwT-9YZDx_xk0/s1600-h/DSCN2548.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233365537540056546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYryoELFfq4_QfCA7zJBisw-4VDjJObepAPpHevNLl1WE0T16iNfwdvdqpIUy2QteJF_R8tg4khyphenhyphenLMKa8wNGZ-pFOWtjIgGsAw9yEzH5Q8Nfg_jlBlfoOmT05E2u3Nk8BwT-9YZDx_xk0/s320/DSCN2548.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>This sign was on the side of the place I stopped in for a break & a coke. This is where my</div><div>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."<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOnazYpHfPxCIwtRInajhxUxUcVdhDjOitz6a8hroZJrkEXs4JX3aI7ic6L8c88s9KCQn5vIv8kGmdrG4eZCK8YWPbyZGWY8Fgnsti7-IJMgeIsNFISa5g5NnGHSyntBKvAnfoIEdM5w/s1600-h/DSCN2549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233365552311550050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOnazYpHfPxCIwtRInajhxUxUcVdhDjOitz6a8hroZJrkEXs4JX3aI7ic6L8c88s9KCQn5vIv8kGmdrG4eZCK8YWPbyZGWY8Fgnsti7-IJMgeIsNFISa5g5NnGHSyntBKvAnfoIEdM5w/s320/DSCN2549.JPG" border="0" /></a> I took this shot as I sat on the curb in front of the store. It was just after taking this break that</div><div>I encountered the man who I nearly gave my bike to. The road took a definite upward turn after this stop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UFiwEghC8E2wLoKAd_gR4rYqrGPvM0GSVkHHTe_9ENwqVzlNRQcL0uwNm0lDLWwehRvD8ubHuMjaapE5gj2YRxVOfJ-6fu_QQUY5sTUYdJMg1Bwt54ATeXnbtb3aFmrhod5trUq8U-8/s1600-h/DSCN2552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233365573325556658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UFiwEghC8E2wLoKAd_gR4rYqrGPvM0GSVkHHTe_9ENwqVzlNRQcL0uwNm0lDLWwehRvD8ubHuMjaapE5gj2YRxVOfJ-6fu_QQUY5sTUYdJMg1Bwt54ATeXnbtb3aFmrhod5trUq8U-8/s320/DSCN2552.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />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 href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7aPAcPfOU4r1AiocXaW8kYE7LuRnJEjblU3Hhzl-N-BkL6KDmI0k-rQb_rBBhqz8g8gHX3_3dZPA3b-8k-gbsU0-XaBjJUYB_zRtj2FJugmbj_Wt6VbTqHKw_s5r_f8AMgGXY1Xpru4/s1600-h/DSCN2555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233365577684206434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7aPAcPfOU4r1AiocXaW8kYE7LuRnJEjblU3Hhzl-N-BkL6KDmI0k-rQb_rBBhqz8g8gHX3_3dZPA3b-8k-gbsU0-XaBjJUYB_zRtj2FJugmbj_Wt6VbTqHKw_s5r_f8AMgGXY1Xpru4/s320/DSCN2555.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A shot showing some of the logging results.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233366903736949554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaLZYQPoWE-Wxs61DBJgyTq7xhGyqDPM2FsChjXM2olLzXJZNL1W_e5uQCNYa049TFhzzBImR_Du2gJwCIqDwLfM45uBkTVisyNtL85JII7uHeXjb5I5H86nSNmE9D0_QvhaVJkyj66I/s320/DSCN2557.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Heading to Ellensburg -<br />Yakima is Thursday's destination.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233366921367616402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL_kDp3njPE-l8txLI0KS8zuDs-EsMCh_J6B4of68GWyNs0G_-p8OszGA0kFwmEgd_KriW9LLxS7SLR2ED708pdPeoLmTgJ1q5dbNotzFB28WiYZcrn2Ekh3iiD5N2qFBcAwyptOQUrE/s320/DSCN2562.JPG" border="0" />Corey drops me off on the other side of the incline and I head down on Lucy Blue.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233366912177647586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MHyBTb20c1e_W_ukwgsy2s8t_uTbKwIdHIxIwcruN50JszJM-kNQZDN2tIxn1d_Lpav5YJn1gFY832QYXaS4tsNu3s8QG1EmjJIgx_zk4tlMDRlzWXG7Me-OAel4dZjyLiHpB62JdhE/s320/DSCN2559.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I liked this scene. It reminds me of a picture my dad took years ago when he & mom <div>took a trip to Washington State in the 70's.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233366940538561186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VLSK6ko0Pd90c6SUwLBIrzB5H_fDwEhiJNCbuc2KRdtwzgOm2lp6as6Q5gPd8hUt9bkEmS73DdL5zUwKxbd4cdM16_PGG6WSc8t6ak3FPYFVluk_97BvjViaidaPw7F9YRqexiRE6o0/s320/DSCN2564.JPG" border="0" />Got to Ellensburg. This is a shot Larry S. took as we left the school on Thursday, July 3rd.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233366944342207922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksmuSATWsdZWpdLRFE1igBlP6-O77maladYcOtrB_rV-pWdVVDygkoWCAhfh81atB_zeS0_Gp0tLZH6CGXM44s1VpJ1LrcIsARaKJyGa2TGXHs48TUz6Bnc3ifxifa_CyDL3lmtyrswk/s320/DSCN2565.JPG" border="0" />Larry takes off to lead the way to Yakima.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233368718060154258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRAyaKPQ2aAiIGATOQCqUmKc-rjxSqOZ45HiQyZ2YpyvGQ9eA3mP1gc53BGyEXagWy1JMCfOS3kGhRXgDBgouoVntJebC6goe2gPCKNo5XZiOj9J6VgGa3QIKpigomMTOEZtWX48VRvs/s320/DSCN2567.JPG" border="0" />Sites from the Yakima Canyon.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233368729492227554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWSdvbKyepwSe9FfwDCItw1N0Q9YKUChAvXCQRVrSrz7BaBZrJaK6uR20cwWzSRLPIUexUlThGYCz2-m95r_bM3nIK3q3CFCNfJ9TrR4UBk6-APvFzOu6QcI9jJ-vZGDSvhpZq5-3jAc/s320/DSCN2568.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233368736324176370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvNjeVW4MyIplXDNVuTIAe664sMK6jiFj09Z7_9oDh5Ft4t1mNkHtudLf5R1c6J5RG-wttZ9LS-A8s2avxoP2byn20KfNAChZAAkSWtDsC5UBJ75uZxd5rNon7u0cglypRt-XqCfZ1OE/s320/DSCN2571.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233368746327030562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAvcRlmss0C96S1Eqai49R1kuZGVh_wZXaZMBXT8G813YdQec1bEmplU9lJ_w2ZYAuG8NqEcACbdMUoNVmsgR38KV8UZS0AUdcyPBIYSx8UPUXhoDYQeLzS8jBjej2uthTMPY2VHnAfU/s320/DSCN2575.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233368755578803730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJnNmbshGx_s8AOrkRDDGvnQs1rBQUDZbyjy_kWy2T9AfOzp3R0uXoqnWWTggCoLfXOuBj9IwzptI7vdUQsbitjqhaJM3TvW6UDy3Edbws1Ff3TNmXbBRNwNiEvu6Zj_gsW9Yl2xuRGI/s320/DSCN2581.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233370305377940994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1R8WCUJj-ChO4JOomOV9KY50bqcHORq_UjsKqbr5Bw2T3HkfTRzIkHg4MRtUcESlvI_gwx_kQqhjTcMd0prbiuR6lz3XlPIwcO7jkpyCqtaHREfc03KJ8WQzwqWb_W41anKn5mTjHG8/s320/DSCN2583.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233370309664025346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4qbJDb_u68GhOdLpDZUp-JZKQsYyf51Jz6QeZGqmeltL0RW6jgBn8QvfZOuq0UiNm6aV9ldBBtcNIyV6UkkY1pxZn6rrhhjrJZVezHuphz_uqoUT9e93VGXmywYddGZTE8vmoMsxhXg/s320/DSCN2586.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233370385789838274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPrHIV07z2oQEjNXutKARVpeSzH0C5l11CW6YBN_7vVatDPghL59hp3f_nQcnEFfUsk6tjBZUGKIabeoqvj93iLDzVUkPD_iK95mFwPthWC3tXP-lA2BAYyp5FbZpxMF_o5IiI8XmqQA/s320/DSCN2588.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233370402075521650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPuIm-h4hPy9wqHIf1WVJptwkwfi5e-F1Th3XoCM3uOHRP2TWcR6EuJB6Rbth1F4vyC-WOxov0zrYgUmU9vicZNV6SzqYcgMKtgHsA3-p2wAeTGfE4xth4bKls71M65YUPgom-aS60Y4/s320/DSCN2589.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233370413698583730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf8QCAMu4Jvd6tCPz1heHGDTogRlUBOFN6eCwifKLX6fX-yhE8BISLpa8jmElW7TI_yvHkt6QE8mT53V3FI2vTYt5M4Ai_qdh5aXZ4LmXjfpq6n8fepqWoDbU_ru6vruInezUnUlxqE4/s320/DSCN2590.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233371922610660322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZch_nxkcefWymg-owUxrD5rRBi8OoLvU3gpwmM9ryeATQ6Uoe1kAJM-drSg7DA9BePsxasGuhxfPRNIXY5Gcm8yTgRfV3q573vGX2xNPSXUTf_5tcBbyKaj_e35uPH3l93YTZJTj-uc/s320/DSCN2591.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233371933776084770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0i7Ng7HRA-DFVlxJBox4RjxqAK5TbD0XlDTInzGDxSmbioGiDhawYsDH_r1jLv-135OnE5v-PVOqaYVsPZ1Dx4LKfUZjSJg_JbBERH44363_na4IrH85PIwmHyJffybyjky8iKtevU/s320/DSCN2593.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233371940634011858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNIpgIeEigi0K9RltsvHYsStKVLJRRP2__PNRKWzaIktf1_vGLpOXDn-axlPEKF8g9tn636NmmDcvk95FqLzXa16cJQxTEvrgp_DNvGLTDfahyphenhyphenRU42re5mNAgDVdGNgc46pWXaxYcCi0/s320/DSCN2598.JPG" border="0" />About 5 miles from the site. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233371945395939474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmYQggKs5Ft8O4gf7jvzXAtm7BPDVJ29ubLFbJPPZG-SJzRMPhtXSQ5tHdhfcnDIsH3CjpFdpunE3hm0Plr49SDpdGBI5_TK1PYk9M_pQm9ag1DpA4vQSuf-APRlbuYdJCBRmB68-FMs/s320/DSCN2600.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233371968778343058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyRX6tMzdCsdiRy5WkhVhEe7u6dVUTsqq8PewxkSYaD68y8eDLRvI9cCP7K8PwcngeQmxGczpM_ZkOWF6yVux9uVajB-eHLjj6-LBjUzvxrLSalBBR6BM95IJydrx_AS6vmA-fYvP-Kk/s320/DSCN2601.JPG" border="0" /></div>Took a break along the bike path. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233379924170525634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SJQc3hIASo_1em7sUf0MjPTC1PIyXIKmXCu7LD0ojOXDVrFfcgw55nYgHJQkp92GBsWbp2Rs8doSoS8rTQLv8mqTNRejlAssNGiKkZ0qvzc_AVCnovK9B0fnV1b7HfVm1EjftRysS-k/s320/DSCN2604.JPG" border="0" /><br />Coolin' the "dawgs"<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233380317459886242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqTwO26mnLPNcdVwAp5ykiluGP9dvKdVP4XVgOrCEAQpmLX88gabJB0oVVt6WsOwapT63CxqCswWEw0xYYKt_eFwMbSAByV8cxiK2FNwb_81orVSCGCgLAnyY3ca7eO_LJUnZyEDB3E8/s320/DSCN2605.JPG" border="0" /> <p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233381329874097442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjnjty2bRO6fevRBASldzrPaZ5e64L8wv0uJQpUKFEGDM6UpTDsu8nB4M3VvJTCKbEdyXcu2DfAveduEFyG6rDsce8luTswSzaiaPeVJiYz_KDvxHSyGDwVMnHawWOo7_hksIBV8Fbnc/s320/DSCN2606.JPG" border="0" />Finally at the school. Later that afternoon, I caught a ride to the local Wal-Mart with<br />Dr. Sandy. After dinner, she took me w/her to her office where I got to catch up on some<br />emails and posting. This was one of many examples of this type of help & support the riders<br />experienced throughout the tour.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233381334466728594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dx9t5XAAsht361flZpPSmy7zRUvpd8wctAqB4DzJ8D7orTHr6601D3CHZM25guItNEWQbNiisOfEKB7pIeebvUTNlo2PfsFQnapH3YdrGBAoJxTQY1DmIKq7uU5DNauvoORivgrJt4U/s320/DSCN2607.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>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.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233381339869626034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXcua0b3u2cwKtghJ2q6rKjFbroIo7mzWaUp4VaWhrWabJ5wtjn0OAom4ni5ekQP8id8yTnUZWW5_Z2Ov6g7ZzyfFcFyfoLCjy1BU7n8No7LDhJo2WPRPyTiGWcvL2OoxuRddCKTOC30/s320/DSCN2608.JPG" border="0" />Jenn & Megan - cooling off in the air-conditioned school. <br />Jenn is Ed's assistant & Megan is the other media person. More of our great support team.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233381388825986530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTvPjXIoNOd3n1p84nPA59qhsRUUIfRfXFrmHQxBXqpS-MXHpyn2KYR_DFV6NuhpZtIlZSNsr391oZCZzSt-Du9ptDxVcXeu4SKhb6GI_ShWP8Kbcu4BTfTQ-EnBHSJkgAOSGMMcl6Kg/s320/DSCN2609.JPG" border="0" />Saying goodbye to the Riverside Christian School who graciously hosted us during our time<br />in Yakima. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233381398227924626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U3Vz5v96s257LeUxBvSfxoBhHKQWh9mXfUWopriR3t0wZOmaQf4eDe5nKz57WufHjXtpCWDpL_65dTAeLwIbGqJhkSTYXsxiSRYxKde2vMkjsZmYrdgEI8qbrhkmnD0AHXKkrEpFJ2s/s320/DSCN2610.JPG" border="0" /></p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13863056296219141562noreply@blogger.com1