Not in Kansas Anymore

Blog-NC

Sept 9

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock, Deer Ticks,  yuck!

I have never before seen a seer tick.  Today I had my fill.  I pulled about a dozen off of me today.  My companions also had their share but I ‘won’ for having and hopefully removing, the most.  We took a boat ride to a barrier island in hopes of seeing wild horses.  We saw a lot of horse poo and some of it looking fairly fresh but we saw no wild horses.  We looked everywhere – well, I guess not everywhere (apparently not where the horses were) but we trampled through high grass and over sand dunes, around drift wood and litter, walked on shells and avoided waves – no wild horses.  Other people saw them so we know there were there.  After two hours in the hot sun we boarded the boat to ride back to the mainland.   As a reward for having spent so much time and not meeting our goal we did the only things we knew would make up for the lost time – we ate ice cream.  As we were sitting in the shade bemoaning the fact that we had failed to find the horses when I looked up and out across the water on a very nearby island were two horses.  So at the end of it all we got to see what we could not find in two hours of searching.

Coming back to the house hot and tired we cleaned ourselves up – found another tick, and headed out to dinner, just a very short walk down the street.  Did we have reservations? – well, no.  but we were able to make them then and there for about 45 minutes later.  Back to the house for a strawberry daiquiri – yumm!  While we were there we notices a woman walking down to the beach, checking on something and then walking back.  A quick question later we found out that she was checking on a turtle nest that is due to hatch at any time.  When we were walking the beach last evening we saw some people sitting by a trench made out of black plastic.  The trenches guide the little ones down to the ocean when they hatch. When the time is ripe volunteers keep watch at night for the first signs of the eggs hatching.  This event is taking place on the beach right behind the house we are staying in.  We went down and watched for awhile tonight.  I’m sleeping on the couch tonight in hopes that they will come let us know if anything is happening tonight.  Apparently the blessed event usually takes place at night.

We did return to the restaurant for a delicious meal.  Once again – good food, good talk,  great friends.  Can it get any better?  Once again our hearts are full of gratitude..

Sept 10,2013

An Evening on the Beach….

..was a very eventful one.  It followed a visit in the morning to Beaufort, NC just down the road a bit.  While in town we visit the Maritime Museum.  A small but informative museum.  It told of the area, fish, sea life, residents, pirates and shipwrecks.   Apparently, Black Beard was a famous resident of the area.

For lunch we visited a little café.  It had charm, well maybe, and the food was about a 1 on a scale of one to ten.  

 After a wonderful dinner and cleanup we headed for the beach with our beach chairs.  We just sat and watch the ocean for a while then we noticed a fisherman with a pole bent with the weight of an apparent fish.  He struggled for a short time before he landed,,,,his shark.  It was about 5 foot long and weighed - couldn’t even venture a guess.  (This is of course the same water Jerry has been swimming in all week.  And continues to swim in.)  The shark was landed and flopped around on the beach for a while.  It wasn’t being treated very kindly but it was impressive to see.  A few pictures later and when someone appeared with a very large knife we walked back down to our chairs.

By this time it was evident that something was going on with the turtle nest.  There appeared an indentation in the sand.  This happens when the turtles begin to come out of their shells and the sand above the eggs begins to fall down around them.  There were official turtle people there, all volunteers and unofficial onlookers.  This all began about 7:30.  There was excitement in the air – you could feel it.  By about 9:20 things began to happen.  The nest began to ‘boil’,  aka little black heads began to show.  One little guy was out ahead of the rest.  He was anxious to answer the call of the wild.  Head out of the sand, body to follow.  Number one was off and running, away from the nest, down the prepared chutes and towards the ocean.  About a minute later he was in the water headed for the deep blue sea.  The rest followed.  Sometimes one or two at a time, sometimes 8 to 20 at a time.  What a sight to behold!  The miracle of nature in action.  And we were there to witness it!  What an opportunity.  There is a lot that goes in to helping these little guys get to the sea.  No, they can’t be touched.  And since they are attracted to light there are no flashlights or other lights used.  Not even red lights.  Near the nest is a fishing pier, a fishing pier with lights.  Fear was that the lights would attract the little turtles and send them crashing into the pilings.  Thus, the chute with black plastic on either side and a sand trench smooth and ready to guide them towards their watery home.  Once in awhile someone or two would scoot under the plastic and head towards the light – official person to the rescue in guiding them back to the trail.  So with no lights and very little moonlight it was very hard to see just what we were witnessing on occasion, when your eyes adjusted, you could make out their little flippers walking them down to where the flipper would give up the walking and start the swimming.  Some of the turtle people were very concerned about the survival of the turtles because of the lights from the pier.  At one point a man walked up to one of the turtle people and asked if he could help in anyway.  The frustrated person said only if he could turn out the lights from the pier.  Turned out that he could do that – he was the mayor.  Shortly after that most of the lights on the pier went out.  But then there were the lights from the street and the moon was fading.  These little one have to swim out some 20 miles before they are caught up in the current that heads them out to the Gulf of Mexico.  20 miles!  God bless them!

Unofficial count was between 91-98.  On Friday even the Turtle people will come back and dig up the nest.  They will do an egg count among other things.

One unbelievable, unexpected, marvelous part of this whole miracle is that we were here to witness it.  What a gift!!

One more thing…..there is a nest about ¼ mile from here that is about to ‘boil’ at anytime.  What are the chances…………?

Sept 12

The evening went from wonderful …

…to just plain weird,  Last evening we took a walk to check on the status of the turtle nest about ½ mile up the beach.  There was an indentation an indication that something might be happening but some of the turtle people thought it might be just a crab hole.  No way to tell I guess.  But people were gathering and camping out for the night, at least part of the night until they could determine if the nest would ‘boil’ or not.

Sat out on the back deck for a while.  Watch the moon and stars.  Jerry and I saw a meteor.  Cool.  All of us saw three of something that looked like flares out above the ocean.  About 20 minutes or so later we watch a helicopter fly out over the water, make a couple of circles then fly out a little further.  It seemed to hover for awhile then fly on off towards the shore line.

After a little more star watching we headed up to bed.  It is now 4:23 a.m.  I was awaken an hour ago with noises that sounded like the house door opening.  I listened for a while and heard it again, and again.  Thinking it might be Anna needing something for the baby I got up only to find things in the house very normal, a.k.a. everyone else was asleep.  I peeked out the windows there was a young woman walking up our back steps.  She carried a camping lantern.  One that was not giving off much light.  What to do????  I got her attention by asking if I could help her.  That could have been pretty stupid!  She said that she was looking for someone and walked away.  She walked down the road to the next house and then walked back again.  Not having windows on all four sides of the house I lost track of her.  The noises have stopped.  Everyone else is asleep.  I should be too but …

Sept 13

Events of the day;

Breakfast at  4 Corners Diner

A walk/run on Hoop Hole Nature preserve-a little piece of jungle on the shore line.  And about ¼ mile down the path Jerry started complaining about the bugs.  When I looked over at him he was literally covered in flies, about 2 dozen of them.  Decided to nix the trail and he took off running for the car.  Somehow the flies were more attracted to Jerry than to me.  I was able to walk back to the car swinging my hat all the way.

We did a tour of Fort Macon just up the road from where we are staying.  I have trouble doing fort tours or anything connected with battles or war.  I busy myself with taking pictures of nonviolent things; doorways, steps, anything will do.

After the tour a nap was in order.  Not having slept much the night before due to the mystery lady that appeared at our house (see previous blog).

The rest of the evening was very enjoyable.  We drove up to New Bern for an evening of classical music.  Four performers

Sept 14

Oh, My Goodness…..

…again.  Another Miracle by Moonlight.  I think I mentioned that there was another turtle nest down the beach about ½ mile.  Yesterday there was a small depression.  Not much happening.  We figured ----oh wait, let me back up a little.  Friday evening at 7:00 all the Turtle People showed up at the old nest near our house.  They were going to evacuate the nest.  Check to see if there was anything worth noting.  Volunteers began the dig.  The first thing they found was a live little turtle.  He was probably just trying to make his way to the top.  Maybe he was caught under the other eggs up to this time.  Anyway, with everyone excited beyond words, they checked the little guy out, determined that he could make it to the ocean on his own and placed him on the sand.  Wonderful thing was that the sun was still out so pictures could be taken.  Everyone silently cheered him on.  He made it.  Second order of business was to remove the hatch eggs for a count.  127! plus 15 unhatched eggs.  Some undeveloped, some rotten.  In the end the shells were placed back in to the hole to let nature take its course.

Okay, fast forward to 9:15 p.m.  My cell phone rang- it was Turtle Sherry who has had my # since Monday.  She promised to call when anything happened.  Turns out the second nest was moving right along and they thought it might be soon, sometime during the night or in the next few days.

We hoofed it down the beach.  Low and behold, the nest was beginning to’ boil’.  Within about 15 minutes of our arrival the turtles made their appearance.  The half moon was bright and the little turtles knew just what to do.  On to the ocean!  March On!  Right, Left, Right, Left.  Build up those flipper muscles.  Your going to need the strength to make it out to the Gulf Stream Current.   Go! Go! Go!  The tide was out so the march was a little long.  But they all made it.   What the mechanics of all of this is unknown.  Why mostly at night?  How do they know in what directions to march towards?   Perhaps it is best just to let the mystery be.

The silence, the moonlight, the sense excitement, of awe and wonder –

The Miracle by Moonlight!

What's the Name of This Town

I wasn't going to put anything in this month.  Felt like I said enough in my blog during the last two months.  But today was an interesting day, leaving me with more things to contemplate.

Today found Jerry and me down on the river bank just out for a short stroll, enjoying the wonderful weather.  We like to walk past the murals painted on the flood wall.  Most of the time we approach them from the wrong direction causing us to walk backwards through time instead of advancing.  We passed a man and his camera and politely comment on the weather.  He was marveling at the murals.  As we talked on we found out that he was from LA and flew into Cincinnati to watch the Dodgers play the Reds this weekend.  He flew in early to be able to explore the surrounding area.  He was so enjoying himself.  He asked what he should see while he was in the area.  We gave him the run down on the riverbank parks, historical walks, talked Lewis and Clark, recommended some places to eat, pointed out some buildings to notice, steered him in the direction of Mother of God since he was noticing it on the mural, talked bridge construction, etc.  He was just happy to be here.  What a treat for us also.  Kind of made us realize that we do live in an okay area with lots to offer.  As we were parting he asked “So what is the name of this town on the other side of this wall anyway? “  We were proud to tell him Covington.

The reason we were in the area is that we were able to apply for the Home Stead Exemption at the Court House.  Another perk of getting old.  Seems that when you turn 65 and own your own home you can apply for a break on your property taxes.  And so we did.  Today I also became a member of the card carrying  Medicare group.  It’s getting more and more official – people think I’m getting old.  I’m out to prove them wrong!

One last....

….sunrise over the ocean.  One last dolphin sighting.  One last walk on the beach.

The dolphins were fairly close as they let me walk with them down the beach.  They were playful as some of them breached and slapped their tails.  What a treat!!

There were fewer and fewer people on the beach for the sunrise as the week progressed.  There was one young man however who always arrived a few steps ahead or behind me each day.  He was a runner.  The last day I found him just sitting on the sand with his camera.  My hope was that he hadn’t hurt anything but was enjoying things from a different perspective.  Sure hope his pictures turn out.

We decided, after watching the sunrise to head for home a day early.  We’ve been gone about 9 ½ weeks and it was time to return to the nest.   We got a later start than usual.  Traffic was heavy the first part of the day and it was rainy the latter part of the day.  We made it home safe and sound with yet another adventure under our belts.

For these and all our gifts, we give thanks.

August 3

Should have ended it when it ended.

That was the way I felt last night when I was trying to get to sleep in the Virginia Beach KOA Campground.  It was your typical couple hundred site campground.  Mega RVs, medium RVs, 5^th wheels, pop-ups, tents of every shape and size, cabins, deluxe cabins and super deluxe cabins.  Anything you could want.  The only thing was that you were not allowed to sleep in your van or car – go figure.  We managed to get through the night, although I think I fell asleep about 4:00.  Jack blew the bugle about 5:00 so that we could leave by 5:30 and get him to the airport by 6:00 in time for his 8:00 flight.  So we lost one Coaster to USAir.  The rest of us headed South to Virginia Beach where we connected up with more relatives for a week  of fun and frolic.

So now it is August 6^th.  My how time flies!  I’ve managed to get up every morning for sunrise and one dolphin sighting.  The weather is the weather – somewhat wet, sometimes sunny.  Had good food and a night at a restaurant last e evening.   Some people when to visit Yorktown today.  Since we were just there for 3 days last week I decided to stay back.  Thinking of jeans, long sleeve shirt and the beach.  A different combination.

It Happened on Wednesday !!!

 I had taken the longer scenic road in to Yorktown instead of I-64.  Met up with the guys along the way.  Found my way to the Victory Memorial which was on the top of a hill.  It kind of makes me wonder – the official beginning and end of the route were at places close to the water but  nowhere near where a person could dip their bike wheel in to the water – which is suppose to be the tradition.   While I was waiting for the guys I wondered around town for awhile and ended up sitting by the waterfront.  There is a beach where people were swimming in the river.  As I sat and watch the kids a thought came to me.  The guys would be dipping their wheels later in the day.  But wait a minute I was a part of this team also (I think, at least in my head).  I realized that it would not be a good idea for me to dip the front van wheels in the water, so I dipped my feet.  And I took a picture also.  I only wish I had done the same on the day we started the adventure.  Guess I have to go back and do it all again (NOT!)

At preset we are guests of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown.  There is a house next to the church that is used for meetings, Sunday School, etc.  When it is not being used they open it up to bikers.  Even though there were fresh linens on the bed last evening we all chose to sleep on our air mattresses on the floor.  

Since we do not need to be anywhere until Saturday we are staying over another night in the warmth and dryness of the house.  There was another biker here last evening Dave from Portland.  He had just gotten back in December from serving 2 years in the Peace Corp in Africa.  Interesting guy to say the least.  He was headed back to Richmond VA in order to ship his bike home and begin a trip by bus and train up the east coast in order to visit friends.  It was a rainy morning so Jerry and I offered to drive him to Richmond.  It was about 90 minutes each way but time well spent.  At least on the way there.  On the way home we tried for about 45 minutes to locate a grocery story.  By the time we did we were both pretty tired cranky and needing to get out of the car.  But it is all good now.  Jeff and Jerry are at the Pub again.  The sun is coming out and I’m, thinking of a walk.

I hope I’m able to reflect on the trip a little more as time goes on but for now this is all I have.

Thanks for following along with me.  Thanks for your support and prayers.  Stay tune for more updates since this blog is not just about the bike trip.  The bike trip just happens to be what my life has been about for the last 2 months.  I'll probably be back 'on the move' tomorrow.

From Somewhere in VA

Why I’m Looking Forward to August 2013  (Not necessarily in order of importance)

***

-sleeping in one spot for more than one night

-fixing and eating something besides pasta and salad for supper each night

-being able to use the bathroom without leaving the house

-being able to flush, knowing there is always paper, not having to check for bugs, not having to stand in line, 

not having to find the nearest gas station

-knowing the shower is clean, not having to wear flip-flops, not having to check for bugs, having a little room to spread out towels, clothes, etc., having the shower ventilated so that you can breathe

-missing the symphony of tent and sleeping bag zippers during the night and early in the early morning

-not being awaken at 5:00 a.m.

-not having to listen to the deflation of air mattresses at 5:00 a.m.

-worrying about the guys during the day especially on windy, hilly roads and during hot or wet weather

-packing the tent up each day, sometimes wet

-being left alone in city parks and other strange places

-seeing friends and relatives

-clearing out and cleaning the van

-not having to shop almost every day for buy peanut butter, jelly, bread, bananas, pasta, sauce, salad and beer

-feeling clean and not having to keep track of how clean the clothes are

-not living with three guys in their biking shorts

-not looking for a campsite or sleeping in city parks

-not following maps and directions

-not having to remember what city you are in or looking stupid when someone asked you where you were 

yesterday and you can’t remember

-just being home

The Sounds of the Night

We camped last evening at the Mallard Duck Campground in a (tongue in cheek) suburb of Lexington VA.  It was a challenge to find but when we did it passed our (tongue in cheek) tough standards.  Things were fine until bedtime.  My first problem was that I went to bed before I was really tired.

Then there were the noises –

-dog across the road barking literally all night

-sound of beanbags hitting the corn hole platforms

-music being played on the other side of the campground

-music being played on our side of the campground

-traffic on the road close to the tent

-community of old men, which I thought was kind of cute at first, getting progressively louder and crazy

-trains passing by, at least 4 that while laying on our air mattresses you could feel the ground vibrate

-another dog howling in the distance

-lightning and thunder on the other side of the mountain which made for a hasty trip to the bathroom before it started raining, which it never did

-snoring coming from my tent mate telling me he was sleeping through all of this

-a bird thinking 4:30 was a good time to welcome the morning

The only sound I missed was the Sound of Silence……

July 28

Thanks to the rain and prediction of high winds, large hail and flash floods we did not camp in the city park last night.  We stayed in a motel in Daleville.  The same one I stayed in when I visited Jerry on the AT back in 2010.  All is well.  It did rain all day yesterday but the severe weather did not materialize.  They came in looking like very wet little puppies.  The forecast is for t-storms again today but the guys have a short day today and should beat the weather.  Question is will we be in a campground or motel again tonight.  I hate spoil our record of so very few nights in a motel but then I also don’t always like the idea of sleeping in the tent with lightning and thunder all around.  We all ended up packing up wet yesterday and it would be good to have a chance to dry things out today.  We’ll have to see it that happens. 

Not much to report on.  We’re moving on to Lexington VA today.  They are positioning themselves for MT. Vesuvius on Monday.  Not sure that is the official name of the mountain just the name of the town it is near.  It is the last reportedly huge mountain.  It is all downhill from there I’m told, although they are on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a while.

I’m just hanging out in the motel room for as long as I can so that I don’t have to hang out on the street corner in Lexington where we’re to meet.  Maybe Jack will even beat me there.  He is the speed demon of the group – up and out early.  In the beginning they talked about riding as a group/team, that didn’t last long.  They all fell in to their own rhythm.   I just wish they could look out for each other a little better.  But, it is almost over with and it will be history soon.  One more thing checked off the bucket list.

Hope all is well where you are.

And the rain...

July 27 – Saturday – 9:39 a.m.

“And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down.” W. the P.   It started about 2:30 this morning and kept it up pretty steady until about 8:00.  That is when the men decided to get up and head for the road.  It is now a little later and raining again.  The campground host just stopped by and said that it was suppose to start up any minute again and sure enough while we were talking it started.  I managed to get the tent down although things are packed up wet.  ‘Packed up’ this morning means shoved in to a plastic bag until the sun comes out again.  Somehow I’m seeing a motel in our future tonight.  We were planning on another city park tonight.  Not my favorite place to be but as I keep telling them, they make the decisions and I follow.  We’ll see what happens.

Normally I would be following the guys on the route but lately there have been so many twists and turns on narrow county roads, and so many route changes that I’ve taken to I-81 and meeting they at their destination.  I’ll do that again today but then backtrack until I find them to make sure all is okay since it is raining.

My hat is off to anyone who drives alone in new and different territory.  I find it very difficult to watch the signs, watch the traffic, read the map and enjoy some of the scenery by myself.  To say I sometimes pull off a lot to check the map, etc. would be an understatement.

We had a first last night.  Jack decided that he wanted a campfire.  He bought the wood from the campground host.  He stacked the wood very ‘boy scoutish’.  He lit the fire.  The kindling burned very nicely.  That was about it.  He worked hard but it difficult when the wood is so very green.  What seemed to give it life were some pistachio nut shells.  We had the nuts in the car since the beginning of the trip but I guess their mission was fulfilled last evening.     Did I mention that it was about 72* last evening when Jack made the fire?   Jerry, Jeff and I enjoyed it from about 10 ft. back.  Jack insisted that it was cool enough to watch it up close.  Oh, Jack…!   

July 25

Today we woke up in the Methodist Church and are now sitting on the porch of a hostile that is operated by the Baptist in Troutdale VA.  We have great weather and a wonderful view of the mountains.  All is well.

The guys left at the usual time this morning.  I sat in the church a little before I hit the road – praying for good roads and little traffic.  About a mile down the road we passed some cattle farms and then hit the mountain.  Oh, my goodness!!!  The hairpin turns, the drop offs, the oh so narrow road.  I really do not know how two cars could have passes each other on most of the route.  I guess my prayers were heard, at least partially.  There was little traffic coming towards me and when I did meet them I was able to pull over enough to let them by and there were no cars behind me.  I think if things had gotten any worst I’d be headed home by now.  I was actually shaking.  Wish I was able to control that fear.  Believe me I have tried.

So, I made it to Damascus.  Met up with the guys for pancakes.  (should have had a drink along with them)  After that I left route.  I was not willing to attempt another  mountain on another county road.  So I branched out and took a little longer route around.  I was able to relax a little and enjoy the scenery-it was beautiful.  Met up with the men about noon.  And here we sit – on top of the world. 

Tomorrow’s route looks a little confusing so I think I’ll stick to the interstate when I can.

Jeff is cooking tonight.  Yeah, Jeff!  Apparently he has one master dish that I missed the week I spent at home so he is repeating it for me.

July 24

I always heard that you should hem your day in with prayer – so does waking up in a Baptist Church and going to bed in a Methodist Church count?   It is wonderful that some of the churches on the route open their doors to bikers.  Usually there is a church hall that we sleep in but a lady stopped by today and told us to sleep on the rug in the church being that it is more comfortable.   So I have my mattress laid out right in front of the piano.  I’m looking forward to some revelations in my dreams tonight – maybe, finally, that blueprint for my life….

We woke up to rain beating on the roof of the Baptist Gym building.  Not exactly a gentle rain but no lightning and thunder.  Jack took off anyway, Jeff and Jerry gave it a few minutes to lighten up.  As usual I brought up the rear.  Nothing too eventful today.  I met up with Jerry a couple of times.  We were looking for coffee but never did find any.  We did meet a guy from China, So-I. He came over to do the route ‘just for fun’.  He wasn’t exactly fluent in English and he was traveling solo.  Takes more guts that I would have.  There were a couple of mountains today.  One was called Big A, aka Big Ass.  Driving the mountains wasn’t near as bad as yesterday – thanks be to God.  We met a friendly manager of a grocery store.  She took a break and talked to us for some time.  Good people along the way.   

So once again tonight, a roof over our heads, AC, kitchen facilities, indoor plumming and three hungry guys.  Gotta go fix supper…..

July 23

The day started out good….

We woke up in the Buckhorn Campground-same place we went to sleep in- that’s always a good thing!  Yesterday Joan, David and Jay joined us for the day and night.  The day was so exciting – after the bikers finished and when Jay, Joan and David pulled in, it started to rain, so we sat under the shelter (Thank you God) for most of the afternoon trying to decide if  were going to camp or head for the lodge on the other side of the lake and try our luck there.  About 3:33 the rain stopped enough for us to decide that yes, in fact we could set up camp.  The tent pads were gravel so they were not too wet.  We ended up with a double site so we planted 5 tents.  David and Joan win the award for the most deluxe tent.

After the tents sprouted, David fixed supper for us (Thank you David!).  It was wonderful, so nice to be served – spaghetti, bread, salad, beets from Jay, cookies (Joan said that they were almost homemade.)

The cyclist were up bright and early this morning.  Everyone else thought they should get up to see them off (yea, I did that to the first couple of days) anyway I got up this morning.  Had a cup of tea and some bread that Jay brought.  Early start to a long day….

Jay left by about 7:00.  Joan and Dave were on their way north about 8:00.  I pulled out of the campground by 8:30.

The first part of the day way fairly typical.  I even met up with the guys at a Dairy Queen in Hindman (long i—try to drill that into Jeff and Jack’s head).  Plan was to finish at Alice Lloyd College at about 52 miles.  We were all there by 11:00.  It was a cooler than normal, a great day for cycling so, on they pressed to Lookout KY, a total of 96.5 miles.  Over hill and dale would have been easy but the mountains of Eastern KY are high and mighty.  Today was my hardest day by far.  I do not do well on windy, steep mountain roads, especially where there are no guard rails and I’m driving on the down side of the mountain.  Those of you who know me that that is a totally true statement.  So the first mountain to fit that description was a stretch for me but I made it.  The second one I found terrifying –steep, windy, no guard rail, downside of the hill and…one lane.  Really for two cars to pass each other was quite a challenge.  I usually just moved over as much as I could, came to a crawl and prayed.  Luckily, there was no one following me-that’s when I’ve been known to cry.

But, I made it.  We are now sitting in a Baptist Center in Lookout KY, in the AC.  We have a kitchen to use tonight and a roof over our heads.  Who could ask for anything more.  (Well, maybe God, gentle rolling hills for tomorrow with shoulders and guard rails—Let me thank you in advance for that, please.)   

--A little later in the evening ---oh, here’s something else I could ask for, the spaghetti sauce that I thought David put in to our cooler – somehow it ended up in his cooler and is now back up in Park Hills.  That’s okay, as plan B I cut up the hot dogs that Jay left and put them in to the canned spaghetti sauce.  Needless to say, the guys were thrilled (not!)

what a roller coaster ride....

So Jerry was home for two nights.   Most of the kids stopped in to say hello and visit for a while.  

Otherwise, the day was spent reorganizing the van – once again.  Pulled some things out, put some things in, moved things around, a place for everything and everything in its place – at least for a couple of hours.  I even managed to vacuum some floor space that was not occupied. 

That lasted until we picked up Jeff on Sunday and met up again with Jack.  Once again -Van Chaos.  Having picked up Jeff we headed south on 75 to Berea where we met up with Christy, Janet, Don, Adam and Teri.  

We connected up with Jacob who was working at the Artisan Center.  Sadly Jacob had to work until 5:30 and the crowd was getting hungry and some were anxious to head back north.  I afraid Jacob missed out on dinner.  Better luck next time.  

So some headed north and tomorrow, bright and early some oSo, at the moment, The men are working on their toys, I mean bikes, preparing lunch for tomorrow and mentally getting ready,………set,……………go!f us will once again head east…

We’re in a very nice motel room for the night.  We will sink in the comforts as tomorrow when we leave Berea we know will be camping at Buckhorn Campground on Monday but beyond that…..there is no indication of camping or lodging for a couple of day.  Talk about an act of trust….  

How quickly things change....

Jerry called late afternoon yesterday.  Plans were changing and fast.  Mary suggested that Jeff come home to go to a gathering for the MPS, Aly’s group.  Mary was going to drive down to Berea and pick him up and then drive to Columbus and then back down to Berea.  Bottom line is that Jerry drove Jeff up to NKY.  He was home early evening and spent the night in a bed, under a roof in AC.  It all seems s little strange, to say the least.  So Jerry and Jeff are in NKY.  Trying to adjust.  Teri is with jack in Berea.  Tomorrow we will head back down to Berea in order to spend one more night under roof.  The trip will continue on Monday.  Good Lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise, that is.  

Back in the Saddle Again...

..and I feel that I am ready.  After a week of not doing much at all except visiting with some friends and family I’m ready to take over the van controls once again as planned.  Home fires will be kept going by Clair and Christy and the others. 

The fellows are in Berea this weekend and I’ll be joining them to finish up Ky and then on to VA and the Finish Line in Yorktown.  The weekend will be spent just chillin’ in Berea with friends and family some of the visiting will spill over in to Monday and Eastern KY.  That will be the fuel that will see us through and on to their goal.

The heat has been hard for them (and all of us) and it looks like rain is in the forecast but they made it this far…

Tuesday 7-15

Where I spent my nights…

So, Clair’s meal was wonderful.  It was nice to be under roof.  In the evening the guys changed the tires on their bikes and we sat on the front steps for a time just talking.  Clair had decided to head back to KY on Saturday.  And….after one more night in a city park, I decided to go with her, you know, to help her drive.  Actually, when I realized that I could ride back with Clair on Saturday and then catch up with the guys next weekend in Berea and finish the trip with them, I decided to go for it.  I’m looking upon it and a mental health R & R time.  I needed a break from sleeping in city parks.  Jerry was fine with the idea.  He would drive the van in the morning to their destination for the day and then peddle back to meet Jeff and Jack.  Of course Jerry would also shop and cook.   It will add a slightly different dynamic to the day but it will also give them some strictly guy time.

So Saturday night I spent in my own bed.  I really had a difficult time sleeping.  Sunday night was a little better.  I plan on just vegging out this week, maybe a couple of movies, a little AC and seeing the kids and some relatives.  Hopefully I’ll be ready to join up with the bikers later on this week.  Ready or not I will be there to finish this ‘adventure’.  Perhaps there will not be as many blogs this week – nothing exciting usually happens at home.

Catch up

So,…last night a little before midnight I woke to the sound of distant thunder and the sky lighting up in the distance.  I waited until things got a little closer before waking Jerry up.  We needed to put on the rainfly.  At exactly midnight we finished the fly and crawled back in to the tent.  The storm we had was fierce.  Was I scared?  I was beyond that.  The lightening was close and the thunder deafening.  There didn’t seem to be much rain but the rainfly was soaked in the morning.

The guys took off at their usual time.  I got up with them and broke up camp.  I didn’t relish the thought of again being alone in the park.  I stuck around until the rainfly dried off.  

 July 10

We made it to Girard, still in KS.  We were once again allowed to camp at the city park.  It was a nice experience.  There were showers and a city pool which we were able to use for free.  The manager was a middle school science teacher and had 3 foster kids that he was in the process of adopting.  He commented on how organized we seemed with our equipment and all.  Big news of the day is that Clair rolled in to town about 5:00.  She is joining us for a few days.  Having her here is such a joy for me – someone to talk to, someone to sleep in with, someone to help me hold on to what little sanity I have left.

Today Clair and I made the usual stops for the usual items, bananas, bread and beer, and a few other things.  She then followed me over the county roads to a place called Ash Grove.  Ash Grove has…a city park.  Guess where we are. ..the park has showers and a pool and…a house that was not being used tonight until we rolled in to town and were handed the key.  No furniture but to sleep in AC and not to have to set up the tent—what a gift.  And no flies – or at least not too many.

Clair is cooking tonight.  God Bless Her!

One more thing….Ash Grove is not in Kansas.  We finally made it to MO.     

Kansas...take me away

It seems that we cannot get out on Kansas.  The men keep telling me one more night but that last night in Kansas just doesn’t seem to happen.  They did 100 miles today with the wind and heat advisory and we still haven’t crossed the state line.

Eureka…..We pass through Eureka.  I had intended to take a picture of Jerry with the City sigh but that just didn’t happen.  If you remember Eureka was his trail name on the AT. 

We had d’do the laundry party’ Monday afternoon.  Nothing too exciting, just a lot of bubbles and spinning.  Last night we stayed at a County Park outside of Newton KS.  It had a nice size lake, a few blue heron and some cranes .  There was only one other couple in the campground so we slept without the rain fly.  No storms, only stars and WIND.  This morning I got up with the guys.  The sky was pink and we all know – pink in the morning, sailors take warning.  So I packed up some of the tent got dressed and fell back to sleep for a couple of hours.  The storm never did happen but there was another heat advisory issued for today 101+.  I checked on the guys a couple of times.  They all made it okay.  Jerry again took his time and pulled in somewhat later than Jeff and Jack but, you know, in the long run he is not as winded as they are and seems to have more energy in the evening.  Guess he knows what he can do and how best to do it.

Tonight we are at a State Park (movin’ on up).  Again there is no one here.  That equals no rain fly.  However, they did warn us about the rattlesnakes and copperheads – oh, joy!  We just ate out at a place called the Hilltop Café.  More than anything we needed to be out of the heat.  There are showers here.  If you look up while taking a shower you’ll notice that the color is sky blue.  Literally!  Off to sleep with the cicadas singing their little hearts out.   Oh, joy!

City Parks

July 7

Yesterday was a rough day.  Actually for me it started on Friday night.  We were camping in a City Park again.  The park was nice, a lot of new, interesting play equipment for the kids.  But I seem to feel somewhat exposed in the city parks.  The wind once again started about 4:00 and did not let up until about 3:00 am.  We were camped by an air handling unit that was constantly running.  The cicadas were singing in very loud chorus most of the night.  And then there were the, I suppose they were young men who had a few too many drinks, hanging out in the park from about midnight until 4:00.  I did not get any sleep that night.  JJJ got up at 5:00 (they all slept well).  I decided that I did not want to hang around by myself so I also got up and hit the road.  Did some grocery shopping and proceeded to our destination for the night – a rest area that allowed camping.  (I miss the RV parks but there are none out here. – not exactly a tourist attraction around here.)  When everyone arrived about 1:00 they decided to push on another 40 miles.

The day was hot and windy to begin with but as it wore on both the heat and wind increased.  I went on to the town on Learnd.  Checking out the local ‘once was’ campground I decided that even we wouldn’t stay there.  So once again the only option was the city park.  I managed to find it and then the police station where we had to get permission to camp there and to sign in.  The park is great.  Ball fields, play equipment, fountains, a duck pond and even a swimming pool with showers which are free to bikers.   I decided to retrace my steps and check on the boys.  Wind and heat and bikes are not a good combination.  I found them in need of water and working hard.  After filling their water bottles I decided that I had time for a local tourist attraction, Fort Learnd.  Not much there but it gave me something to do besides wait on the crazies.  After that I went back to the park and decided to take my free shower.  Just ready to step in to the delightful water when Jack called and said they needed more water.  My delightful shower lasted about 90 seconds.  Duty called.  When I found them they were beat from the heat and wind!!  I offered them a ride but they are Von Handorfs.  Jerry usually trails behind a few miles at his own pace.  He too was whipped but refused a ride.  So one more water bottle filling contact with them before they arrived at the city park.  Jack and Jeff made use of the pool while we waited for Jerry.

Total mileage = 121 miles.  Add in the heat of upper 90s and the constant wind and you’ll get an idea of just how crazy they are.

We decided on Pizza for supper since we all were too tired to think about cooking.  I’m not going to mention the oh so slow and sloppy service we got at the Pizza Hut here in town.  Not a good way to end the day!  I was grumpy with the pizza hut ladies!

I think we all slept will last evening.  However, here in the park they shut off the water to the bathrooms at night….?  But gladly, that did not pose too much of a problem.

The guys are on the road.  I need to pick up beer, bananas and ice before I leave town, in that order.  And so the day begins….

Name That City Park....

Tonight we’re in a town called…….I got it,(just don’t ask me where we were last night) Nickerson and once again at the city park.  This one has green grass a shower/restroom AND a splash park, where all four of us got wet.  The shower is unique in so far as you have to hold down a lever in order for the water to flow, leave go of the lever the water stops.  The catch is that the lever is about 18 inches above my head.  So if I stood on my tip toes and stretched and leaned against the wall it would work for me.  But it was not easy or efficient.  Oh, well at least I kind of got my hair washed.  Now if I could only find a Laundromat and a hair cut.

The ride today was a somewhat uneventful 59 miles.  They are working now on positioning themselves so as to hit a campground every night.  Things are pretty sparse out here.

It is wonderful how towns open up their city parks to accommodate bikers.  Jeff and Jack were even talking to the wife of the mayor in a café earlier today.  She said that Jerry and I, since we are older could sleep in the senior center or even in her guest room.  Luckily, she wasn’t around when Jerry and I got to the café.  Any invitation that comes with ‘because you’re older’ just won’t do.  Besides we’ve been in the tent so long I think I’d have a hard time sleeping in a regular bed.

Today wasn’t as hot or as windy as the previous days (as least not in the van).  Progress is being made and we should be out of Kansas sometime this week.

It is now 6:20 and I think we’re all ready for bed.  Supper was pasta with chicken, beets and onions, bread and leftover salad.  Tonight was the first time we had leftovers.  First time in 5 weeks.   

5 Weeks, Wow!!!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

July 7

Yesterday was a rough day.  Actually for me it started on Friday night.  We were camping in a City Park again.  The park was nice, a lot of new, interesting play equipment for the kids.  But I seem to feel somewhat exposed in the city parks.  The wind once again started about 4:00 and did not let up until about 3:00 am.  We were camped by an air handling unit that was constantly running.  The cicadas were singing in very loud chorus most of the night.  And then there were the, I suppose they were young men who had a few too many drinks, hanging out in the park from about midnight until 4:00.  I did not get any sleep that night.  JJJ got up at 5:00 (they all slept well).  I decided that I did not want to hang around by myself so I also got up and hit the road.  Did some grocery shopping and proceeded to our destination for the night – a rest area that allowed camping.  (I miss the RV parks but there are none out here. – not exactly a tourist attraction around here.)  When everyone arrived about 1:00 they decided to push on another 40 miles.

The day was hot and windy to begin with but as it wore on both the heat and wind increased.  I went on to the town on Learnd.  Checking out the local ‘once was’ campground I decided that even we wouldn’t stay there.  So once again the only option was the city park.  I managed to find it and then the police station where we had to get permission to camp there and to sign in.  The park is great.  Ball fields, play equipment, fountains, a duck pond and even a swimming pool with showers which are free to bikers.   I decided to retrace my steps and check on the boys.  Wind and heat and bikes are not a good combination.  I found them in need of water and working hard.  After filling their water bottles I decided that I had time for a local tourist attraction, Fort Learnd.  Not much there but it gave me something to do besides wait on the crazies.  

After that I went back to the park and decided to take my free shower.  Just ready to step in to the delightful water when Jack called and said they needed more water.  My delightful shower lasted about 90 seconds.  Duty called.  When I found them they were beat from the heat and wind!!  I offered them a ride but they are Von Handorfs.  Jerry usually trails behind a few miles at his own pace.  He too was whipped but refused a ride.  So one more water bottle filling contact with them before they arrived at the city park.  Jack and Jeff made use of the pool while we waited for Jerry.

Total mileage = 121 miles.  Add in the heat of upper 90s and the constant wind and you’ll get an idea of just how crazy they are.

We decided on Pizza for supper since we all were too tired to think about cooking.  I’m not going to mention the oh so slow and sloppy service we got at the Pizza Hut here in town.  Not a good way to end the day!  I was grumpy with the pizza hut ladies!

I think we all slept will last evening.  However, here in the park they shut off the water to the bathrooms at night….?  But gladly, that did not pose too much of a problem.

The guys are on the road.  I need to pick up beer, bananas and ice before I leave town, in that order.  And so the day begins….

Wow! What a 4th!

We pulled in to the Sheridan Lake Bible Church early afternoon.  We were greeted by the pastor’s family.  They opened their church and their arms to us.  The church has a hall attached where we slept.  I had the nursery all to myself and the men slept in the large meeting room with a well equipped kitchen attached.  Everything was clean and spotless.  Part of their ministry is welcoming bike cyclists who pass through.  And what a great job they do of that.  First came introductions and then a gift of a stainless steel water bottle and a pack of microwave popcorn.   Conversations lasted for a time and then we unloaded the van of the things we needed.

We were Lucky enough to be here on the 4^th.  No fireworks because of the danger of fire.  But there was a parade that rivaled the Peaselburg Parade. 

After that was a flag burning ceremony done by the boy scout troop.  There were about 10 tattered flags that had been retired and were burnt.  I had never seen this before and it was quite moving, very reverently done.

 After that came the community pot luck supper.  Jack whipped up a rice dish from what we had in the van and we joined in the festivities.  Wow, the food!  Most of us have been to pot lucks before but until you been to a country pot luck you don’t know what you’re missing.  It was great.  We met some very interesting people and also learned a lot.---So they are in this drought for a good  many years.  Last good storm was in 1999.  Conditions are worst that in the 1930s.  No wheat production this season, again.  The railroad doesn’t run anymore, no grain to move.  The community is dwindling since many people have left because things are so bad.   Schools have been consolidated. Many of the houses are abandoned.  It really makes your heart ache.  (of course, earlier I talked to people back home and they said that it was suppose to rain all day-I hope I never complain about the rain again, and think of these people with a prayer.)

It was a fun evening.  

After supper the people brought the flags (US, Flag of CO and Flag of Honor) over to the church and staged a picture with JJJ and me.  Then the men were interviewed for the local newspaper.  I’ll try to post the picture but that doesn’t always work for me.  

The men had a tremendous meal last evening and got to bed late.  They hit the road at 5:30 to avoid the heat of around 100 today.  It will be interesting to see how they do.  Their hope is 70 miles before noon.  Light day today.  Camping is scarce in KS and planning is needed.  They did cross the ½ way mark yesterday.  Officially it is in Eads CO.  As I’m typing this they will have left me behind in CO as now they should be in KS.  Another time change and one more state closer to their goal.  

Happy 4th to everyone

 Enjoy your holiday.  Out here there is a band on fireworks of any kind due to the risk of wildfire.  Yesterday I bought some brats (no metts in this park of the country and some bean and chips in order to celebrate.

At present I am sitting out in the middle of nowhere-pretty literal on that.  I pulled in to the town of Ordway yesterday in search of a campground that was listed on the guy’s map.  I found the campground-maybe if you were in an RV it might have worked but there was only dirt and no restrooms.  I drove down the road a bit only to find a stockyard with a couple thousand cows.  Didn’t want to dwell on that too much so I turned around and drove through town in search of a place to stay. (When I showed Jerry the campground later in the day he said that the smell from the stockyard was over whelming.  Good thing I chose wisely.)  I thought I’d found a motel but it turned out to be a rest home.  I remembered seeing a camping sign about 3 miles out of town when I drove in so I back tracked and a mile and a half down a dusty road I found the Saw Mill Campground.  There are about 16 sites.  Nothing level.  No drinking water.  Saying there was  sparse grass is being very generous.  Nice picnic tables and a port-a-potty that looked brand new.  I waited for the guys to arrive before assuming that this was where we would stay but since there was nowhere else around-we stayed.   The operator of the campground lives up a road that is gated off with a no trespassing sign on it.  Oh yea, there is also a state correctional instate in the near distance.

Jerry, Jeff and I took a ride in to town for a couple of items – like a slurpy.  Came back and had our usual supper of pasta.  I was so tired that I ended up under the sleeping bag at 7:00.  It was a clear night so we all decided to leave the rainfly off our tents.  Jack had been doing this for some time.  Our tent however is mostly netting so from bout 18 inches on up we could see the sky.  Did I mention that there was no one else in the campground.  Actually it looked like there had never been anyone else in the campground – ever.  Anyway, it was really wonderful to look up and see the constellations  and the milky way.  About 1:40 the tent started to leak – it was raining- but the stars were still out.   All of us were up in a heartbeat with our headlanps on putting on the flys as fast as we could.  I swear I could hear God in his masculine voice belly laughing.  Things didn’t get too wet so we crawled back in to the tent.  6 minutes later the rain stopped.  The drizzle did wake up some night sounds like crickets and I think I heard a tree frog.  Thankful for the water I suppose.

Earlier in the evening the owner biked down from his house with his dog, Snowball.  He was a good guy.  Had lived in NYC but moved out here 32 years ago and farmed until ‘the big cities took all the water’  He said that the last good storm they had was in ’99.  Believe me the land looks it.  He invited us up to his gargen to pick lettuce or anything we wanted.  We all walked up and picked some onions and beets.  The lettuce looked past prime. His wife had did this past January.  You could tell he misses her.  Must be lonely our here.  (I know I am.)

The guys got an earlier than usual start this morning, trying to beat the hear and the headwind.

Oh, I haven’t mentioned the wind?  It’s crazy out here.  Early evening (last night it was 6:45) it kicks up and doesn’t let up until about 10:00.  I’m not talking breeze here I talking WIND – enough to make you wonder if the tent is going to stay on the ground, even though you are in it.  Just Crazy!

Well, tonight we have out spot reserved.  Sheridan Lake Bible Church floor.  Seems that the pastor there welcomes biker (and hopefully me) with open arms—what a concept, sheltering the homeless. 

Almost the 4th

Couple of days have gone by since I’ve had time to blog.  If I think hard enough I would be able to tell you where we were and what we did but its 8 in the morning.  Too early for heavy thinking.

We did meet up with cousin Ken & Kate on Monday.  That was a real treat.  Our visit began in the tire place while waiting for our one tire to be fixed – the one tire turned in to 4 new tires.  Oh well,  hopefully no more tire problems.  We also enjoyed a nice Mexican dinner while catching up with the relatives/friends.

We traveled on Monday and Tuesday – mostly like all the other days we’ve been out here.  We did cross the highest peak on route yesterday 11,+.  All went well.  The guys did 98 miles yesterday except Jerry who did 101 because he took a little side trip to a town of Guffy thinking that I might not have gotten his voice mail and ended up there.  Actually, I also did the little side trip just to check out a B+B.  What a town.  So many places out here were apparently large prosperous towns during the gold rush days but are now hanging on to populations of about 50 or so.  Guffy looked like a town out of a 50s western movie.  Not much action there now.  I would have taken some pictures but being the only car in town I felt like I was being watched.  The B&B had a no trespassing sign up so I didn’t stop there or anywhere.

Found a nice campsite last night.  Not sure what the name of the town is but it west of Canyon City.  The site is on a hills nestled among pinon trees and 2 types of cactus, site was all gravel.  We also had a humdinger of a storm last afternoon – lightening, thunder, rain – a lot of all three.

The men took off before 6 as usual this morning.  We really do not have a clear idea of just where we’ll be camping tonight.  I’m one who likes to know what is happening and when so this is a stretch for me (as if the whole trip hasn’t been).  We will be leaving the mountains, which is probably good.  The high altitude affects my attitude – not always for the better.  Also, I’ve had headaches for quite a while a few days now.  On to Kansas!  (oh, boy!...)

On to Pueblo and beyond today.  They tell me that is the halfway point.  Been on the road for 4 days short of a month and target for the Atlantic is one month from now.  Things Seem to be going well.

Woke up last night and thought I was in my bed at home.  It took a few seconds for reality to hit but at least it was a good night sleep.

Time to get on with the day.  Hope all is well where you are.   

Hiccups in the road

We hit a few hiccups in the last 24 hours.  We were camping in the City Park in Walden CO last evening.  City Park camping is usually free to tenters.  That’s a plus.  There were also about 20 other cyclists there last evening.  That’s a minus.  One of the toilets was out of order so there was only one available.  That’s a real minus.  In a sleepy little town like Walden I guess the place to be on Saturday night is the City Park.  At least that’s what a bunch of teenagers feel is true.  Also, I would bet that all the mosquitoes in town were there in the park with us.  It was a noisy night and in to the wee hours of the morning.  Another minus.  We did treat ourselves to a stake for dinner.   Steak, potatoes, onions, mushrooms and salad.  That went well.  

After dinner Jeff noticed that one of the tires on the van was low.  I’m still thanking God that he noticed it.  It could have blown so easily on me on a mountain road.  I would have really been up a creek or down a valley.  Literally.  Off they went to a gas station in town.  Being Saturday evening the one tire place in Walden was not open nor would it be until Monday.  But the guy assured us that there was one in Steamboat Springs that was open on Sunday.  Jerry and Jeff changed the tire.  Sunday morning Jeff and Jack took of on the bikes.   Jerry and I were riding on the spare to Steamboat, about 60 miles away.  When we got there the store was not opened nor were any of the other tire places in town.  Not until Monday.  What now???  Jerry thought a stop at Starbucks might help.  Well, it didn’t get the tire changed so on we went about 60 miles again to meet up with J & J in Hot Springs.  Meet up we did and had a light breakfast at a café.  Jerry then joined the other 2 and rode to Kremmling where here we sit waiting for time to pass until supper.

We did see some antelope today and a herd of cows being moved down the road.  Again it is so strange to see cows and cowboys/girls on the road in front of you.  We did see prairie dogs again today.  They act just like our squirrel at home when it comes to crossing roads.  Yesterday I hit one of them.  Looking in my rear view mirror I could see that I did not kill the little thing.  He seemed to be on his back struggling to flip over.  At least that’s what I want to think.

Monday morning will find us bright and early at the tire place.  I hope they have our size and can do it for us.  

Hoping Monday afternoon to meet up with cousin Ken and Kate for an early dinner.  Looking forward to that.

We’re almost at the half way point Pueblo CO.  I’ll let you know what that happens.   

Windy Wyoming

6/28

Goodbye to WY and it's strong winds.  Again last night we had a wind storm that I thought was going to take the tent apart.  The bad thing about that is the fact that we were in the tent.  It seemed to last for about an hour.  Don’t think I’ll miss them as we move in to CO in a day or two.

6/29/13

I’m tempted to just copy and paste Jeff’s blog here.  He does a really good job.  But….Thursday night we stayed at the nosiest campground I’ve ever been in.  We were so very close to the expressway and the noise continues all night.  And then there was the wind again.  Friday night we found ourselves in Riverside WO.  Okay campground but it is truly the land of cottonwood trees (that shed so much it looks like snow) and mosquitoes, many, many mosquitoes.  We all hit our tents early last evening because of them. 

After the men left this morning I went back to sleep for a few minutes only to be awaken by the cound of what I thought was a crop duster plane.  Yuck, I could see the chemicals coming from the plane.  I did not want to breathe.  I come to find out that really what they were spraying was really to kill the mosquitoes.  Now I don’t like the little things but I think they would win over the chemicals.

Hats off to Jeff and Jack.  Every evening they are there offering to help prepare supper – cutting bread, preparing the salad, - I really think they are just hovering until supper is ready but they are willing to be helpful.  And after supper they can be found doing the dishes.  They even caught on as to how to stack things so that everything fits in to our little white kitchen bin.  I only had to give them 2-3 inservices on the subject.  They are very helpful.  Needless to say Jerry also contributes in oh so many ways.

I am going to paste Jeff’s blog here.  I know it’s cheating but he kind of says it all.  On to Walton WY today, short day of 50 miles.

June27 and 28

Did not do an entry yesterday. Very strange day.  The night before, I asked Jack what time we were starting the next day, and he said about 8:00.  And they call me the Princess.  Anyway, he is up and atem at about 7:00 and doesn’t wake me up.  He instructed me that 8:00 means7:00 in camping.  Anyway, we got off a little later than usual.  We left Landor and headed toward Muddy Gap.  There is nothing between Landor and Muddy Gap. No coffee today.  Scenery was a different kind of purdy.  Nothing outstanding, just typical of what you would expect the West to look like.  Prairie land and a lot of desolate areas. Kind of like a moon landscape.   But still very purdy.  Ran into some  gentlemen heading West along the same trail and they gave us some info about what is ahead of us.  Not all good stuff, but they did recommend a place to stay in Latimore.  We continued onto our destination of Muddy Gap.  We got there and there is not a place to stay.  So we rode 10 miles more to a place called Latimore which those guys talked about.  Well, words cannot describe what we found.  Either they bamboozled us or we go the wrong message.  The place was a like a garbage dump.  Shtuff all over the place.  Some lady lived there by herself and had been trying to clear the place out for four years.  Cannot get a dumpster delivered.  Sue got there first.  The lady told her not to camp in certain places because there were rattlers.  She had a bunk house and an outhouse with a skyview.  Sue has pictures.  Needless to say.  We moved on.  Our next option for a campsite was in Rawlins, about 30 miles away.  The road between Latimore and Rawlins had construction that “those guys” said was not really passable by bike.  Not safe.  So we racked up the bikes and rode through the construction using good discretion and got a place in Rawlins, a city of almost 9,500.  We stayed in an RV Park, but we didn’t get there until about 6:00.  A long day.  We were whupped again, so we decided to go out and eat rather than cook.  Went to a place called Bucks, where everything on the menu had the word “Bucks” in it.  It was a Wyoming décor and had menus that were 24 inches by 14 inches.  Food was good.  Back to the campsite around 9:15.  All went to bed.  Very windy at night but no rain.  Total of about 85 miles today.

On the 28^th, we left around 7:10 headed for Riverside, total of 60 miles.  We got to our campsite in Riverside about 12:20.  Like an offday.  Population 52.  But they have two cafes, an RV Park, a grocery/hardware store, and a church.  Not sure how 52 people support all the services.  The place was recommended by a guy we met going West from New Joisey.  He was alone and unsupported headed for San Diego.  Twenty-five years old.  Just winging it.  We met him at our coffee stop in Saratoga at Lollipops.  Also there was a girl from Portland traveling alone with her dog who had a basket on the front of her bike.  No she was not really from Kansas.  Ride was pretty good.   Saw some antelope and some white pelicans flying in formation.  They are black and white; and when they turn, they disappear.  Jack couldn’t see the pelicans and will to his grave say that I was making it up.  I’m sure Jack’s family will find this hard to believe.  Our day at the campsite included naps, beers at the café, trip to the hardware store, and of course dinner.  Jack made some friends at the café.  He had a book out on the table he was reading.   A young motorcyclist walked by and said he had done a book report on that book.  Jack got into a reading conversation and another motorcyclist who did not fit the typical reader type (like I am) chimed in that he had read the same book and recommended another book entitled “Stumbling Upon Happiness”.  New book club in the works it sounds like.  Tomorrow, we head to Waldon to see if Ralph is still at the pond. 

Odds and ends.  There was a city near the Tetons where lot of moose have been sighted.  Guess what they call it?  You guessed it, Moose.  A black bird with an orange head.  An orange headed black bird.  Jimmy Durante came up today.  Again, Jack had no clue.

Jeff, Jerry, Jack, and Sue

Guest Blogger

Summons

Keep me from going to sleep too soon
Or if I go to sleep too soon
Come wake me up. Come any hour
Of night. Come whistling up the road.
Stomp on the porch. Bang on the door.
Make me get out of bed and come
And let you in and light a light.
Tell me the northern lights are on
And make me look. Or tell me clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and show me.
See that I see. Talk to me till
I'm half as wide awake as you
And start to dress wondering why
I ever went to bed at all.
Tell me the walking is superb.
Not only tell me but persuade me.
You know I'm not too hard persuaded. 

Robert Francis

kind of says it all......

Lander WY

Lander WY

Traveled from the Tetons to Lander yesterday.  The men did 125 miles.  The most in any day for all of them.   Congratulations Gentlemen!!  We had hoped to camp sooner but the campground that was listed had no showers or toilets – what’s that all about?  So they pushed on another 14 miles to find – well, at least the campground had a toilet and a shower.  Although from what the men said about the shower, made me decide that I did not need one last night. 

Yesterday was a long day.  Went from cold to hot by crossing a mountain.  With the hot weather (high today of 95) I feel like I want to check on the guys a little more during the days.  The scenery changes around every bend – rocks, prairies, mountains, streams, trees, tree-less, on and on.  I did see a moose yesterday, a very big old guy grazing in the bushes.

The men slept in this morning until about 7:00.  They are planning on an 80 mile day.  Pretty ambitious just having done over 100 yesterday and with the heat.  I’ll be checking on them when I can.

All else is good.  Hope it is the same where you are.

catch up time

June 23

The Coasters left Ennis bright and early this morning.  I hung around the campsite waiting for the tent to dry out.  When I first got up the rain fly was covered with frost.  So I had a little extra time to spend watching sandhill cranes, deer, antelope and the like.  Does life get any better?  It is easy to pray out here.  The prayer usually starts with WOW.  On the flip side, spending so much time alone sometimes it is pretty scary to pray.

So after a couple hours of tremendous scenery I find myself sitting in Yellowstone waiting for the guys.  When I passed them today Jerry was doing just fine about 1 mile behind the others but enjoying himself.  Way to go Jerry!  If Jack and Jeff wait for him before they enter the Park they will get in free on Jerry’s senior pass.  I suspect at that point they may wait.  Camp is set up, saw a few elk, no bear or buffalo just yet.  I’m sitting at a pull of completely visible to them as they pass.  Provided they are looking at something other than the road.  Weather has been good today.  In the sun it is actually hot.

A very old lady just walked past with her cane barely making it.  When she got to the end of the fence she began her stretching exercises.  Hearing more voices I looked up and here comes her husband with a walker looking more feebly than her.  Good for them.  Happy to say they were not driving.

There is an Osprey sitting in a dead tree just waiting for the right moment to do fishing.  Earlier today I did see on bringing home fish for dinner for the family.

Just looked out the window and there is a buffalo in the field across the stream –at this moment there are about 6 cars pulling in – I saw it first – I really did!  Guess I better keep an eye on my rear view mirror.  There is some buffalo fur back at our campsite.  I was thinking that it might make a nice taupe for someone I know.

June 24

So we camped at Madison Campgrounds in Yellowstone.

Sunday morning we took off for Grand Village in the southern part of the Park.  Try as we might we saw only that one buffalo mentioned above.  We were even told that there was Grizzly activity on our campground and we decided that seeing a grizzly would make up for the lack of other wildlife.  Happy to say we did not see a grizzly.  The rain began Monday afternoon.  Just a drizzle here and there.  By about 5 there was thunder in the air.  We attempted to fix supper a number of times but everything we got serious about then and  it began to rain again.  Finally the decision was made to eat out.  We ate at the Lake House.  Nice atmosphere, on Yellowstone Lake.  We headed for bed early, not much else to do in the rain.  Then we heard Jack looking for his cycling shoes.  Seems he might have left them in the shower about 2 hours earlier.  I’d sure like to know who he prayed to – he got back to the shower area about 5 minutes before they closed and managed to find his shoes.  Lost shoes could spell disaster for a cyclist.

It rained off and on during the night.  No Grizzly, no moon, no stars.  Packing up this morning was a challenge.  I have figured out how to take down the tent without removing the rain fly but then the process of taking down the rain fly isn’t a pretty one.  With a chill in the air I stopped for a hot chocolate then hit the road no wildlife but road construction this day.  Got held up for about 30 minutes.  From what Jerry tells me they had to get ferried across the area in the back of a  pickup truck.  We’re at an RV site in Moran WY-nothing fancy but a port in a storm.  ( I think God has been taking part in a new game.  Let’s see if we can blow Sue over as she carries the inflated air mattresses from the van to the tent.  So far I’m managed to stay on my feet – sometimes just barely.)

And a storm it was.  I crawled in to the tent to read about 7:30.  Ten minutes later the heavens opened and the wind began to blow.  It didn’t let up for about a half an hour.  I kept thinking of Jim and Karen who lost their tent in the Badlands to the wind.  Luckily ours held together and we were rewarded with a beautiful double rainbow after the fact.    

It is now Wednesday and the guys are on the road.  I decided to let the tent dry out a little before packing up.  They say the weather will be taking a turn for the better today.  Of course we’ll be leaving the area today.  But the sun is shining and all is well.  Actually it’s wonderful.

Clouds,Clouds and more Clouds

It rained some during the night.  This time the tent did not leak, pleasant surprise.

The Coasters left at their usual time of 6:00 a.m.  I did my usual thing and slept in until 7:00.  When I began to open my eyes I noticed that the sun shining through the tent wasn’t as bright as when I opened my eyes at 6:00.  When I peeked out there were defiantly some dark clouds moving in.  The clouds here are magnificent.   I don’t know if they are logically linked to the weather or not.  I’m sure they are but sometimes they move in strange and mysterious ways.

I got a move on and packed up the inside of the tent as quickly as I could-heated up some water for tea-and finished breaking up camp.  I no sooner had everything in the car, including myself when the heavens opened.  It didn’t rain too hard or too long but I was thankful I could pack up dry.

I headed for Ennis, MT.  On the way I saw a bald eagle, and a flock of white pelicans.   The guys had a good head start on me.  I met up with them at a historical marker.  They all seemed to be doing fine.  I got into Ennis after crossing a pass ele. 7000.  Found a RV park and checked in.  I use to have a bad feeling about RV Parks but, at least out here, they are clean, have an acceptable space for tents and usually have hot showers and a laundry.  What more could you ask for – the men really appreciate the hot showers after a hard day’s riding.

Found my site – pulled in – looked up at the sky and decided I had better work fast.  Got the ground cloth down, tent set up and rain fly on before it got too serious about raining.  I had just finished when Jack called.  He was in town but Jeff and Jerry were behind him on the mountain yet.  When Jack pulled out ahead of them it had started to rain and sleet.  He was worried about them so I set out to rescue them.  Jerry called when I was leaving.  They had just crossed the summit when the rain turned to snow and ice.  They were at a pull off.  Could I come get them?  And be careful because things were icing over on the mountain.  I could have done without that last bit of information.  On the way up it rained hard, turning to sleet, the wind was fierce.  Snow was accumulating on the roadside.  I found them so very cold and wet on a pull off, no shelter.  After they put their bikes on the car they moved in to the car covered with ice.  After a few minutes of the heater cranked all the way up they seemed to thaw out a little.  We got off the mountain safely.  It was still raining for a while when we got back to camp.  They headed for the hot showers and feeling in their hands and feet once again.

Things are dry now and they are getting ready for tomorrow – gear, sandwiches, maps, plans...   Onward to West Yellowstone tomorrow.