I'm sitting in a McDonald's in Wooster,OH reflecting on the last two days of my awesome adventure feeling like I should be on the road continuing my journey. Yesterday(Sunday) was a good day of rest. We had a good time with Jan's family. Her sister Kandace and her husband Jerry were at her parent's place and then her brother Ed and his wife Julie and their two youngest Tyler and Courtney came up for the afternoon/evening. It was good to be with family and catch up. We watched the Italy vs. Spain Euro Cup game together and agreed that Spain, even though it was P.K's was the rightful winner. Apologies to all the Italian fans out there.
This morning I awoke and began to organize some of my clothes and gear and just had the itch to get back out on the road and keep going. I know that I could, if I really wanted to. Jan has been so supportive and has said that if I feel I need to complete this trip she is behind me. I've got the energy. We do have the resources if we wanted to use them for continuing this trip. Part of me wants to keep going. To complete what I set out to complete. To go for it. Part of me feels like I'm giving up.
The other part of me sees my family. The resources (financial, time, energy) that have gone into this trip already and says I've had an amazing experience, my family has been extremely gracious to allow me this indulgence, I've gone far enough. We've got projects we want to complete at home. The girls and I have some things we want to do at home.
Let me just go back and say that Friday I rode from Archbold,OH to Norwalk,OH and logged 101 miles. While not as exciting as the previous days ride of 90 miles averaging 17 plus mph there was a good sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I carried a bit more weight in my backpack because I was on my own. Jan and the girls drove to Kidron.
I had a bit of excitement on the trip at two different points. The first bit of excitement was coming into the Toledo area. The directions I was following listed several roads that I could not locate(No road signs). I didn't have a map along with me and so I went a bit out of my way trying to get on the right road. When I finally did get on SR 20 I found myself riding on about 10 to 12 inches of pavement between a rumble strip and the gravel edge of the road. One benefit was that it kept my focus off of the steady stream of semis wizzing by my left shoulder.
The second bit of excitement came during the final 3 to 4 miles of this journey. As I rode along on this US 20 I began to look around and notice that I was riding on what looked an awful lot like a freeway. A four lane, divided highway, with off and on ramps and fence lined. I began to prepare my speech for the Highway Patrol man/woman who would pull me over and explain that bicycles were prohibited on this portion of this highway. I hadn't seen any signs, granted I was looking. I was on mile 97 and just wanted to get to Norwalk. I'm sorry. But thankfully the Highway Patrol never came. When I finally got to the Norwalk exit I found that the Highway Patrol office was located right next to the exit. I also saw the sign at the on-ramp "Prohibited.....bicycles" Oooops! Believe it or not it was actually some of the best riding I had, had all day. There was a big wide berm for me to ride on a safe distance from the swiftly moving traffic.
Well I found my way into town and stayed at the closest hotel I could find. The Norwalk Hotel. $45 got me a bed, air conditioning, and a decent nights stay. Oh yea, and a shower.
The next day I set out for Kidron about 68 miles away. It was about straight south with the winds out of the south/southwest. The terrain changed from flat to rolling and the road (250) was probably the tightest, busiest I'd been on during my whole trip. The strip I rode on narrowed to about 8 inches for the first 20 to 25 miles. I was relieved to get onto 302 and meet up with Jan and her father for the final 4o plus miles. We flirted with the rain for most of the trip. If we took to long of a break we'd start feeling the rain drops and would get back on our bikes and get ahead of it again. We had the best down hill of the trip coming down into Wooster,OH it was probably 3 to 4 miles of steep to gradual grade. And we never had to deal with the equal and opposite grade. Yes we did have some good uphills on this route but nothing to equal the downhill we enjoyed.
Emily, Kate, and Anya were waiting for us at the intersection of Kidron road and Western road and rode with us the final mile to Jan's parents home. They promptly ran into the house and returned with water balloons and had fun getting dad wet. There was a big sign to encourage us inside that they had made with their aunt Kandace. What a wonderful welcome. It was good to see the girls again and hear they had enjoyed their time with Kandace and Jerry.
250 miles in 3 days. 700 miles for the complete trip. My rear end faired relatively well, the final three days were better than the previous 7. My legs were a bit sore. My right knee was probably hurting the worst. But overall I'm feeling pretty good. My family laughs at the white strip on the side of my face where the chin strap to my helmet shaded the sun. They laugh at the distinct tan line on my legs where my biking shorts ended. I've got a distinct "Farmer's tan" on my arms. But I'm feeling good.
I have learned that I enjoy biking a whole lot more when I have a destination in mind and I feel as though I am going somewhere vs. simply a riding a loop and ending up where I started. Traveling 45, 60, or 100 miles towards something, being able to look back and see that I have traveled some distance is so much more satisfying to me than traveling in a 62 or 100 mile loop and simply saying I traveled the distance. 700 miles in a big circle just wouldn't be the same. I've now ridden from the U.P. of Michigan to Kidron,OH. Maybe some day Jan and I will take the time to make the journey from Kidron to Harrisonburg. What would be even more awesome is to have our daughters join us on that journey. Now that would be a thrill.
For now we look forward to getting home to Harrisonburg and working together to build fence and several pens for the calves the girls are planning to buy with their "economic stimulus funds". I'm looking forward to a day-long seminar the girls and I plan to attend at Joel Salatin's farm in Swope,VA. I'm hoping that will provide some good inspiration for some projects around our place. Some ways that we can get the girls more involved in the projects. They expressed much more interest in recent months to help out and try some new things. I'm excited about that. I'm looking forward to the next two months of working with them on some things. They are getting to an age that they've really been helpful.
Enough for now.
Consider the Birds
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Goshen,IN to Archbold,OH
Miles traveled: 90
Fly, be free! Oh, what a difference a day makes. I dropped forty pounds today, two tires and ohhh! what a difference that made. Add to this a nice tail wind and 70 degree weather and this was without a doubt the quickest and easiest day I've had.
I was cruising at 20 to 25 mph for miles. I loved it.
You know the verse that goes something like "The wind blows where it wills". I tell you what, it definitely makes a difference when you are riding in the same direction as the wind. That's what I want to be doing.
I have a good friend who has asked me in essence. "Are you riding towards something or away from something?" My answer to such a question is "Yes" I see this journey as a ride towards something and a ride away from something. I'm just not completely clear what those things are at this point. I do believe the wind is at my back.
I was able to ride the last 18 miles with my father. He rode the bike that he had ridden across the
Tomorrow I am off to Norwalk
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Battle Creek,MI to Goshen,IN
June 17
Miles traveled: 71
Home again, Home again, lickity split. No, we are not in Harrisonburg,VA yet but Elkhart County, Indiana feels an awful lot like home. I've spent 14 1/2 of my forty years here in this county(split between Elkhart,Goshen, & Middlebury). We can almost add the two years spent at Amigo Centre during voluntary service just an hour north of here to this time as well. We made it to my parents home on the south side of Goshen right around 3pm. Jan and I were thrilled to see our 3 beautiful girls running to meet us on the bike path behind my parent's home.
We are feeling pretty good about having completed over 400 miles in the last seven days. One of the first things I did upon arriving (after all of the hugs and kisses) was to weigh the trailer I had been pulling for the last week. (39.5 pounds) I'm looking forward to dropping the trailer for the 90 mile ride to Archibold,OH on Thursday. I think it's going to be amazing but I am trying to keep perspective on the distance. It's still 90 miles on the bike. Jan and the girls will drive out and meet me there.
Jan and I were reflecting today about the different roads that we have ridden on. We found ourselves on a very quiet country road. Maybe 2 or 3 cars in the 6 plus miles we rode on it. We rode double most of the road. It was awesome to be able to chat back and forth for a while. One of the things we talked about was the contrast between the different road surfaces and how it effected our ride.
The road we were on, though quiet, was quite rough. Not just the tarred seams that jarred your arms and rear end but the surface itself really drug us down. Even apart from grade or wind, it took much more effort to travel on this surface than on some of the other smooth surfaces we traveled on. I think specifically of the road between Mancelona,MI and Kalkaska,MI. That road was like glass. It took such little effort to pedal on that road and you could glide for long stretches effortlessly. On the rougher roads, even the downhills were reduced by the rolling resistance the surface provided.
I'm writing this on Wednesday. We just got back from a tour of Michiana (Michigan/Indiana) and the 6 homes that I have lived in over the years in this area. Two of those homes were while we were in voluntary service at Amigo Centre. We just had to stop in to see John and Evelyn Blucker after taking the picture of the home we lived in on the edge of camp property. The Bluckers were our neighbors and I worked with John at Amigo for two years. Being with John and Evelyn and their daughter and her husband Caz and Sheila Moore has always been like traveling on one of those really smooth roads. It was so interesting to get our daughter's impressions of this family after getting back in the van to travel to Shipshewana,IN for our next stop. Our girls have never really had a chance to get to know them even though Emily was born when we lived next door to John and Evelyn. Our girls were instantly drawn to them and expressed how they liked being in their home. Evelyn has really slowed down with some significant health problems but was still very gracious and warm. John was his gruff, comical and warm self. And Caz was just as warm and comical as his father-in-law. So easy to be with. We didn't get drug down with any agenda or the need to put on airs. I hope I'm that kind of person.
I told my girls that I always knew when we were at Amigo that if anything ever happened, our car broke down or we needed something, John or Caz would "give us the shirt off their backs any time of day" without hesitation. What a gift! I hope I'm that kind of person.
I had remembered one of the many lines that John would fire at me from time to time "Try so hard to be perfect, next thing you know you'll think you're God!" But then he reminded me of the line one of his preachers along the way had always led off with. "Brother Man! Sister Woman!" He asked me if I had remembered to use that one in any of my sermons. He said he would like to hear me preach some time. I told him I'd try and use it in one of my next sermons (It'll be awhile).
Well back to our final day of riding together. The first 10 miles were mentally challenging. I could picture in my head the ride along the bike path in Goshen and our girls coming out to meet us. I was just ready to be there. The challenge was the 70 miles between us and that moment. It took me some time to work through this and get down to the work at hand. Eventually the miles began to slip by. We had several opportunities to ride side by side and talk and that helped.
We had our first flat tire of the week in Mendon, MI. Jan had been uncharacteristically trailing behind for almost a mile. We came to a stop sign in Mendon and I waited for her. When she came up she said "I've got a flat tire! I couldn't figure out why I just couldn't go anymore and then I realized my tire was flat." So we walked our bikes over to a pavilion at the local park and I fixed the tire.
We continued on and stopped for lunch in White Pigeon,MI. Jan said as we were leaving White Pigeon; "You know, up to this point I have felt like a visitor in this state (Michigan) but being here now (between Amigo Centre and Goshen) I feel like I'm at home. I know where we are and where we want to go. This is familiar territory." I could agree. Lots of good memories in this neck of the woods for me and for us.
Today then (Wednesday) was my layover day. We(the whole family) piled into the van and took the "3 hour tour". We ate 7-Eleven Slurpies(High Fructuse Corn Syrup and all), Steak & Shake Steakburgers, BBQ potato chips, and Oreo cookies(These are a few of my favorite things....as a child) on a merry-go-round in a little town park. Anya told me on the walk back to the van "That's the most fun lunch I've ever had!" That made my day.
Tomorrow I head out for Archbold,OH. It's a 90 miles trek. I'll drop the 40 pounds of the trailer but my rear end will still be connected to the seat for a full day of riding. I think I can, I think I can.... my dad will meet me about 20 miles out and ride the final miles with me.
I'll have about 150 miles over the next two days to get to Kidron,OH. Hopefully I can split that out fairly evenly. Jan and the girls will travel on ahead to her parents after being with me in Archbold. I ride solo until Jan along with her dad and sister join me for the final miles into Kidron.
A friend emailed me today and commented about how lucky we were to have had the opportunity to take this trip together. We couldn't agree more. What a great experience it has been over the past week. Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Yes. Awesome memories have been made that will be with us for many, many years to come. I've got a good one. She stuck with me through the challenges, the rough roads, the hills(both killer and gradual), the detours, the "yippy dog" encounters, and I can honestly say I love her more today than I did when we left Manistique,MI on that cold and cloudy day 8 days ago.
I've asked her if she would like my mom to drive the kids out to Archbold,OH so she could ride with me tomorrow. She's graciously declined. I'm on my own for these last three days. We'll have to see how it goes. I won't have any one behind me telling me I'm doing good when I start to lag. I won't have anyone out in front of me to break the wind if the wind should happen to change its mind and blow out of the east. I won't have a companion at rest breaks and lunch. I'll have to be careful not to push too hard out of the gate and run myself down too early. It'll be different. But I also think it will be good for me.
Jan and I have made the decision to bring my bicycle trip to a close at Kidron,OH. It's been awesome so far. But I've felt for the last several weeks a bit of guilt/uncertainty for taking such a significant portion of our family resources to complete this trip when I don't know what or where I will be employed in the near future. When there are projects that we are needing to work on at our place in Harrisonburg that will benefit the whole family, and when I want to be spending time with my girls. I have no regrets about the time and resources we have spent up to this point. But, I am also at peace with letting go of the final leg of the journey to be with my girls and do something special with them. And yes, my rear end is at peace with this decision as well.
Miles traveled: 71
Home again, Home again, lickity split. No, we are not in Harrisonburg,VA yet but Elkhart County, Indiana feels an awful lot like home. I've spent 14 1/2 of my forty years here in this county(split between Elkhart,Goshen, & Middlebury). We can almost add the two years spent at Amigo Centre during voluntary service just an hour north of here to this time as well. We made it to my parents home on the south side of Goshen right around 3pm. Jan and I were thrilled to see our 3 beautiful girls running to meet us on the bike path behind my parent's home.
We are feeling pretty good about having completed over 400 miles in the last seven days. One of the first things I did upon arriving (after all of the hugs and kisses) was to weigh the trailer I had been pulling for the last week. (39.5 pounds) I'm looking forward to dropping the trailer for the 90 mile ride to Archibold,OH on Thursday. I think it's going to be amazing but I am trying to keep perspective on the distance. It's still 90 miles on the bike. Jan and the girls will drive out and meet me there.
Jan and I were reflecting today about the different roads that we have ridden on. We found ourselves on a very quiet country road. Maybe 2 or 3 cars in the 6 plus miles we rode on it. We rode double most of the road. It was awesome to be able to chat back and forth for a while. One of the things we talked about was the contrast between the different road surfaces and how it effected our ride.
The road we were on, though quiet, was quite rough. Not just the tarred seams that jarred your arms and rear end but the surface itself really drug us down. Even apart from grade or wind, it took much more effort to travel on this surface than on some of the other smooth surfaces we traveled on. I think specifically of the road between Mancelona,MI and Kalkaska,MI. That road was like glass. It took such little effort to pedal on that road and you could glide for long stretches effortlessly. On the rougher roads, even the downhills were reduced by the rolling resistance the surface provided.
I'm writing this on Wednesday. We just got back from a tour of Michiana (Michigan/Indiana) and the 6 homes that I have lived in over the years in this area. Two of those homes were while we were in voluntary service at Amigo Centre. We just had to stop in to see John and Evelyn Blucker after taking the picture of the home we lived in on the edge of camp property. The Bluckers were our neighbors and I worked with John at Amigo for two years. Being with John and Evelyn and their daughter and her husband Caz and Sheila Moore has always been like traveling on one of those really smooth roads. It was so interesting to get our daughter's impressions of this family after getting back in the van to travel to Shipshewana,IN for our next stop. Our girls have never really had a chance to get to know them even though Emily was born when we lived next door to John and Evelyn. Our girls were instantly drawn to them and expressed how they liked being in their home. Evelyn has really slowed down with some significant health problems but was still very gracious and warm. John was his gruff, comical and warm self. And Caz was just as warm and comical as his father-in-law. So easy to be with. We didn't get drug down with any agenda or the need to put on airs. I hope I'm that kind of person.
I told my girls that I always knew when we were at Amigo that if anything ever happened, our car broke down or we needed something, John or Caz would "give us the shirt off their backs any time of day" without hesitation. What a gift! I hope I'm that kind of person.
I had remembered one of the many lines that John would fire at me from time to time "Try so hard to be perfect, next thing you know you'll think you're God!" But then he reminded me of the line one of his preachers along the way had always led off with. "Brother Man! Sister Woman!" He asked me if I had remembered to use that one in any of my sermons. He said he would like to hear me preach some time. I told him I'd try and use it in one of my next sermons (It'll be awhile).
Well back to our final day of riding together. The first 10 miles were mentally challenging. I could picture in my head the ride along the bike path in Goshen and our girls coming out to meet us. I was just ready to be there. The challenge was the 70 miles between us and that moment. It took me some time to work through this and get down to the work at hand. Eventually the miles began to slip by. We had several opportunities to ride side by side and talk and that helped.
We had our first flat tire of the week in Mendon, MI. Jan had been uncharacteristically trailing behind for almost a mile. We came to a stop sign in Mendon and I waited for her. When she came up she said "I've got a flat tire! I couldn't figure out why I just couldn't go anymore and then I realized my tire was flat." So we walked our bikes over to a pavilion at the local park and I fixed the tire.
We continued on and stopped for lunch in White Pigeon,MI. Jan said as we were leaving White Pigeon; "You know, up to this point I have felt like a visitor in this state (Michigan) but being here now (between Amigo Centre and Goshen) I feel like I'm at home. I know where we are and where we want to go. This is familiar territory." I could agree. Lots of good memories in this neck of the woods for me and for us.
Today then (Wednesday) was my layover day. We(the whole family) piled into the van and took the "3 hour tour". We ate 7-Eleven Slurpies(High Fructuse Corn Syrup and all), Steak & Shake Steakburgers, BBQ potato chips, and Oreo cookies(These are a few of my favorite things....as a child) on a merry-go-round in a little town park. Anya told me on the walk back to the van "That's the most fun lunch I've ever had!" That made my day.
Tomorrow I head out for Archbold,OH. It's a 90 miles trek. I'll drop the 40 pounds of the trailer but my rear end will still be connected to the seat for a full day of riding. I think I can, I think I can.... my dad will meet me about 20 miles out and ride the final miles with me.
I'll have about 150 miles over the next two days to get to Kidron,OH. Hopefully I can split that out fairly evenly. Jan and the girls will travel on ahead to her parents after being with me in Archbold. I ride solo until Jan along with her dad and sister join me for the final miles into Kidron.
A friend emailed me today and commented about how lucky we were to have had the opportunity to take this trip together. We couldn't agree more. What a great experience it has been over the past week. Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Yes. Awesome memories have been made that will be with us for many, many years to come. I've got a good one. She stuck with me through the challenges, the rough roads, the hills(both killer and gradual), the detours, the "yippy dog" encounters, and I can honestly say I love her more today than I did when we left Manistique,MI on that cold and cloudy day 8 days ago.
I've asked her if she would like my mom to drive the kids out to Archbold,OH so she could ride with me tomorrow. She's graciously declined. I'm on my own for these last three days. We'll have to see how it goes. I won't have any one behind me telling me I'm doing good when I start to lag. I won't have anyone out in front of me to break the wind if the wind should happen to change its mind and blow out of the east. I won't have a companion at rest breaks and lunch. I'll have to be careful not to push too hard out of the gate and run myself down too early. It'll be different. But I also think it will be good for me.
Jan and I have made the decision to bring my bicycle trip to a close at Kidron,OH. It's been awesome so far. But I've felt for the last several weeks a bit of guilt/uncertainty for taking such a significant portion of our family resources to complete this trip when I don't know what or where I will be employed in the near future. When there are projects that we are needing to work on at our place in Harrisonburg that will benefit the whole family, and when I want to be spending time with my girls. I have no regrets about the time and resources we have spent up to this point. But, I am also at peace with letting go of the final leg of the journey to be with my girls and do something special with them. And yes, my rear end is at peace with this decision as well.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Ionia to Battle Creek
June 16
Miles traveled: 45
We had a nice easy day. We got off late and still got into Battle Creek by 2pm. We stayed on the South side of Battle Creek in a Comfort Inn. After getting settled and showering we headed out to get something to eat. It's amazing how nice it felt to walk vs. ride. We walked probably a mile and a half to a Chinese buffet for "Lupper"(combination lunch & supper). Not the best choice but it was a good change from the pizza and subs we had eaten to that point.
After eating we walked another half mile in search of a bookstore. We found a Barnes & Noble in the mall accross the street. We enjoyed reading and sipping sweet drinks for a couple hours before heading back to our hotel room. As we were walking back Jan said, "You know, this feels like vacation." I agreed. It was just a real pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
We have been concentrating so much on our riding that we haven't always taken the time to take in the sights and sounds around us. Now granted, most of the towns we have stayed in were quite small and without much that is unique or interesting. But there have been some beautiful scenery along the way. I think of the rides along the water in the U.P., The towns of Petosky and Charlevoix. I enjoyed the ride from Kalkaska to Evert, particularly as we dropped down to the Manistee River valley and then back out. God's Country. That's what Michiganders call it. I could've stayed for a week in any one of these places just hanging out.
I've noticed a common element in the places that I find myself drawn to. There is something about water. I have no desire to board a big ship and sail out into the Great Lakes or oceans. But along the shore and being around lakes and rivers is awesome. My dream home growing up would have been a place with a rocky stream running through it.
When we were in voluntary service at Amigo Centre we lived on a good sized lake. I loved it. Each season brought new things. Summer was time to float out onto the lake on innertubes and cool off, or throw out a worm and catch and release a few fish. Spring time brought migrating birds and ducks. Fall was again alive with a variety of ducks. Winter was time for ice skating, ice fishing, and exploring the edges of the marsh.
Today was a good day for relaxing and reflecting on the journey to this point. Jan and I talked about how our uncertainty during the first couple of days kept us from fully enjoying where we were. I was still not feeling well and was uncertain if I could sustain this level of exertion for a week. Jan too was uncertain about whether she could handle the trip. The farther into the trip our confidence level has grown and has allowed us to get into a rhythm and enjoy ourselves a bit more. We certainly have enjoyed ourselves.
Miles traveled: 45
We had a nice easy day. We got off late and still got into Battle Creek by 2pm. We stayed on the South side of Battle Creek in a Comfort Inn. After getting settled and showering we headed out to get something to eat. It's amazing how nice it felt to walk vs. ride. We walked probably a mile and a half to a Chinese buffet for "Lupper"(combination lunch & supper). Not the best choice but it was a good change from the pizza and subs we had eaten to that point.
After eating we walked another half mile in search of a bookstore. We found a Barnes & Noble in the mall accross the street. We enjoyed reading and sipping sweet drinks for a couple hours before heading back to our hotel room. As we were walking back Jan said, "You know, this feels like vacation." I agreed. It was just a real pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
We have been concentrating so much on our riding that we haven't always taken the time to take in the sights and sounds around us. Now granted, most of the towns we have stayed in were quite small and without much that is unique or interesting. But there have been some beautiful scenery along the way. I think of the rides along the water in the U.P., The towns of Petosky and Charlevoix. I enjoyed the ride from Kalkaska to Evert, particularly as we dropped down to the Manistee River valley and then back out. God's Country. That's what Michiganders call it. I could've stayed for a week in any one of these places just hanging out.
I've noticed a common element in the places that I find myself drawn to. There is something about water. I have no desire to board a big ship and sail out into the Great Lakes or oceans. But along the shore and being around lakes and rivers is awesome. My dream home growing up would have been a place with a rocky stream running through it.
When we were in voluntary service at Amigo Centre we lived on a good sized lake. I loved it. Each season brought new things. Summer was time to float out onto the lake on innertubes and cool off, or throw out a worm and catch and release a few fish. Spring time brought migrating birds and ducks. Fall was again alive with a variety of ducks. Winter was time for ice skating, ice fishing, and exploring the edges of the marsh.
Today was a good day for relaxing and reflecting on the journey to this point. Jan and I talked about how our uncertainty during the first couple of days kept us from fully enjoying where we were. I was still not feeling well and was uncertain if I could sustain this level of exertion for a week. Jan too was uncertain about whether she could handle the trip. The farther into the trip our confidence level has grown and has allowed us to get into a rhythm and enjoy ourselves a bit more. We certainly have enjoyed ourselves.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Evart to Ionia, MI
June 15, 2008
Distance: 79 miles
Without anything else to do we set out for the hotel. About a mile down the road we come upon a hotel that I will not name. It seemed to be a more upscale hotel than the Super 8 we were looking for but it was right there, I convinced Jan(didn’t take anything) to check it out. They wanted $81 for a room. We were tired and so we reluctantly took it. They didn’t have anything on the first floor so we lugged our bikes and trailer up the stairs to our room.
I noticed that the hallway was pretty warm and when I walked into the room, or should I say “postage stamp sized” room it was hot and stuffy. There was a hole in the carpet and no room for our bikes. I told Jan “Don’t unpack or use anything, I’m going to get on the internet and look at that Super 8.” We had stayed at an awesome Super 8 hotel in Evart the night before but I wasn’t sure if the one here would be similar. I took one look at the pictures of the hotel and the $20+ we would save and we were off.
Back on our bikes I asked Jan if she was frustrated with me. She wasn’t. I told her I knew who was frustrated with me. She asked, "who?" I said “My rear end, that’s who!” Oh, so tender. About a ½ mile later we rounded a corner and stared a monster hill straight in front of us. We’re talking a quarter mile of serious grade. About a third of the way up I said “Jan, you know who else is angry with me?” She asked “who?” I said “My legs!” They were on fire at that point. She agreed hers weren’t too happy either.
After riding for about 2 miles we came across a strip with all kinds of restaurants and shops, etc…. but no hotels. We started heading out of time and still no hotel. Oh yes, did I mention the storm clouds that were overhead and the large raindrops that were falling intermittently? Yes, they were. Anyways, we made it to the Super 8 and I’m sitting in my Lazy Boy with my feet up as we speak. Feels good to have gone 79 today. It shortens our ride tomorrow that much further.
I’d say that today was our best day of riding thus far. Yes, some ups and downs but nothing too extreme (except for that monster right at the end). We had a great lunch spot under an Oak tree inKalkaska to Evart, MI
June 14
Miles Traveled: 61 miles
Our day was a good one overall. We started off following M66 for the first 40 miles. We passed through some beautiful country. Down to the
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ten and a half pounds
We're at the Econolodge in Kalkaska,MI 76 miles from our last hotel in Alanson, MI. My trailer is 10.58 pounds lighter than it was when we left this morning. This fact partially explains the extra 16 miles we covered today. It's amazing. Jan was giving me a hard time at the Post Office where we shipped the extra clothes, laptop bag and battery, and an extra tube to my parents' home in Indiana. I didn't mind. 10.5 pounds makes a difference on the hills. Yes, it does beg the question "Why did you have it with you in the first place?" All of the sources I read on tours suggested packing all that you intend to take with you on your tour and then riding a distance fully loaded. No, I didn't. We're all good now though.
We had several highlights today. Obviously the 76 miles was a highlight. Along the way we saw some beautiful country. Made a decision to bypass Traverse City and head South/Southeast. Had a hill climb that made us think that we were back in Virginia. Finished off the last 13 miles with some of the smoothest road we've been on so far.
Beautiful country: Petoskey and Charlevoix were gorgeous. We rode right along the rocky northern shore on a paved bike trail. This is just one of the beautiful places in this awesome state.
Bypass Decision: Steady, stiff winds out of the southwest gave us pause. We chose to appreciate what we had already seen and head for home. After dropping the weight in Charlevoix at the Post Office we stayed on M-66 and headed South -- Southeast. It turned out to be a good decision. Well, except for the hill climb that had us believing we were back in Virginia and riding to Charlottesville.
Last 13 Miles: Smooooth! and flat and even some slight downhill. We cruised. Yes we were zapped but boy did the miles fly by. The decision to keep going was based on the conversation we had with a kind older gentleman at the McDonald's we stopped at in Mancelona. He reminded us of Jan's grandpa Steffen in his overalls. He seemed fairly confident that the road was pretty flat. He knew the road we had just ridden and assured us there was nothing like that ahead. He was right.
Well it's time to hit the hay. We're planning a 60 mile day for tommorrow. Hopefully we don't run into any of the flooding they've been experiencing further south in Michigan.
We had several highlights today. Obviously the 76 miles was a highlight. Along the way we saw some beautiful country. Made a decision to bypass Traverse City and head South/Southeast. Had a hill climb that made us think that we were back in Virginia. Finished off the last 13 miles with some of the smoothest road we've been on so far.
Beautiful country: Petoskey and Charlevoix were gorgeous. We rode right along the rocky northern shore on a paved bike trail. This is just one of the beautiful places in this awesome state.
Bypass Decision: Steady, stiff winds out of the southwest gave us pause. We chose to appreciate what we had already seen and head for home. After dropping the weight in Charlevoix at the Post Office we stayed on M-66 and headed South -- Southeast. It turned out to be a good decision. Well, except for the hill climb that had us believing we were back in Virginia and riding to Charlottesville.
Last 13 Miles: Smooooth! and flat and even some slight downhill. We cruised. Yes we were zapped but boy did the miles fly by. The decision to keep going was based on the conversation we had with a kind older gentleman at the McDonald's we stopped at in Mancelona. He reminded us of Jan's grandpa Steffen in his overalls. He seemed fairly confident that the road was pretty flat. He knew the road we had just ridden and assured us there was nothing like that ahead. He was right.
Well it's time to hit the hay. We're planning a 60 mile day for tommorrow. Hopefully we don't run into any of the flooding they've been experiencing further south in Michigan.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Detours and Wind
Day two is behind us. Just under 6o miles again today. O.K. so that includes the 5 miles we rode in the truck over the Mackinaw Bridge. I say it counts Jan's not so sure. I say it makes up for the stiff wind we rode into for the 30 miles to get to the bridge.
We're feeling pretty good today. I actually feel a whole lot better today than I did yesterday. I finally had an appetite today. My stomach has finally stopped rumbling and food finally looks desirable. Considering that the first 30 miles were into a stiff 10 to 20 mph gusty wind, the temperatures topped out around 60 we are feeling really good. Yes the bottoms are sore but my legs don't feel nearly as bad today as they did yesterday. So that's the "wind" in the title. Cold and blustery. Oh so many things I could say about riding into the blustery wind for 3 to 4 hours. Oh! did I mention the long steady grades we encountered.
Detours! Yesterday we got a hotel right on the west side of a significant detour. When we went to supper we asked the waitress if we could just go through and skip the detour. She said no. Undeterred we asked our waitress at breakfast. Same answer. Not wanting to give up just yet we asked the Michigan DOT man in the parking lot of our motel. The answer for the 3rd time "NO". So reluctantly we took the detour. About halfway into the detour route we were asking ourselves "Why did we resist this detour so much?" We were out of the wind. There were some nice down hills. It wasn't nearly as long as we thought it might be. It was actually one of the more pleasurable sections of our ride today.
I think of the detour I am on right now in my life. Not what I wanted to do. But I hope that I can feel as good about this detour as we did about ours today. There certainly is less wind and some nice downhills on this detour to this point.
We're feeling pretty good today. I actually feel a whole lot better today than I did yesterday. I finally had an appetite today. My stomach has finally stopped rumbling and food finally looks desirable. Considering that the first 30 miles were into a stiff 10 to 20 mph gusty wind, the temperatures topped out around 60 we are feeling really good. Yes the bottoms are sore but my legs don't feel nearly as bad today as they did yesterday. So that's the "wind" in the title. Cold and blustery. Oh so many things I could say about riding into the blustery wind for 3 to 4 hours. Oh! did I mention the long steady grades we encountered.
Detours! Yesterday we got a hotel right on the west side of a significant detour. When we went to supper we asked the waitress if we could just go through and skip the detour. She said no. Undeterred we asked our waitress at breakfast. Same answer. Not wanting to give up just yet we asked the Michigan DOT man in the parking lot of our motel. The answer for the 3rd time "NO". So reluctantly we took the detour. About halfway into the detour route we were asking ourselves "Why did we resist this detour so much?" We were out of the wind. There were some nice down hills. It wasn't nearly as long as we thought it might be. It was actually one of the more pleasurable sections of our ride today.
I think of the detour I am on right now in my life. Not what I wanted to do. But I hope that I can feel as good about this detour as we did about ours today. There certainly is less wind and some nice downhills on this detour to this point.
WooooHoooo!!!! We’ve completed our first day of riding. 1 down….20 something to go. For the first day, feeling as I have the past 3 days I’m feeling pretty good about our day. I didn’t know I would make it 30 miles let alone almost 60. My appetite has been 0. My stomach has been gurgling for three straight days and I’ve had (pardon the thought) diarrhea for 4 days now. With all that in perspective I’ve got to feel good about where we are at.
Our goal was Brevort, MI. I had estimated it to be 60 miles from Manistique. It ended up being more like 68 miles. We stopped in
This morning was really cool. During the drive to Manistique we heard my mom’s description of the hours leading up to my delivery. Then we listened as my parent’s described the events that led to their move away from Engadine, away from
Before we took off we took some pictures and then we all gathered around and Dad offered a prayer, tears were shed and we took off. It all seemed surreal and I was trying to think through what all I would want to remember and take pictures of and see and…. .
The ride was challenging. Mostly flat, although there we some lengthy slow climbs along the way and not nearly as many downhills. Jan and I decided to switch back and forth between leading every five miles. The monotony was probably the biggest challenge. The road led through miles and miles of pine forest. Nothing much to look at. Long stretches of flat or gently rising roads where we could see for miles what was ahead. We had to continue to do things to break up the monotony.
What to think about, the more fatigue I felt the more difficult it was to keep my mind from focusing on the feeling in my legs and stomach. I was concerned that my illness would make my legs cramp up and it was a challenge to not focus on that too much.
Jan and I talked a bit about whether it was better to know what was coming up or not. I think we both would have preferred to see less of what was ahead. I couldn’t help but make the connection with the place I am at in my life. In some ways I wish I could see farther into the future. To know that there is something out there for me. To have a sense of what that is. To begin preparing myself for what’s ahead. But then I think about the monotony of our ride. I’m o.k. with some curves ahead to break the view, some inclines and steady down-hills as well.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The day before
Yesterday we drove the route we will be riding when we begin our trek tomorrow. Pretty flat with good shoulders, plenty of good spots for rest stops, plenty of little grocery stores, restaurants for food, and good places for lodging.
Jan and I were discussing whether we were glad to see the route before we began or would we rather not have seen it. When we came through yesterday it was overcast and drizzling. We both agreed it was o.k. to have seen it but it will be just as good to get into new country as well.
We did have conversation around contingency plans for severe weather. We came through some pretty tough weather on Sunday afternoon and they are calling for scattered thunderstorms throughout the week. I suppose there is nothing to do but respond as safely as we can as we see the weather arriving.
We feel like we are in a holding pattern at this point. We are both ready to get started but at the same time my intestinal tract is still recovering from Sunday mornings ordeal. I've just been eating because I know that I need to, not because I have had appetite. I've tried to pump the fluids and I believe I can tell.
We are here in Menomonee, MI with my sister and her children along with my parents. The kids have enjoyed the indoor pool and are frolicking in Green Bay as I write. It's great to see them having such a good time together. Sometimes I feel guilty for taking this trip without them. I've talked with them about it and we've had some good conversations.
Tomorrow morning we will try and be on the road by 8am drive up to Manistique where my parents will drop us off and continue on to Goshen. Jan and I will then be on our own.
That familiar verse in Jeremiah just went through my head "I know the plans I have for you...." We are on the cusp of this journey that I have been talking about for a long time. Exciting stuff.
On a more contemplative note I was pondering how my life would have been different had my parents never moved south. If I'd stayed a yooper all this time???? I was talking to dad about how remote the U.P. and even Fairview seems. That's all he knew until he was in his late twenties. I'm a product of suburbia. I grew up with everything close by. My dad spoke of driving the 30 to 40 miles to the hospital for my delivery. And the same distance to the closest shoe store. I sit at my computer in my home and buy shoes online and have them delivered to my door. Not because there aren't a dozen shoe stores within 5 miles of my home(there are) but because I like the selection and price online, not to mention the convenience. If the hospital is more than 10 miles away it feels like a remote location. It's one of those "what once was a luxury is now an expectation." I'm spoiled.
The lilacs are just now blooming up here. I told my dad "you have to appreciate cold weather to live up here year round." The highs are to be in the 6o's today and tomorrow. Harrisonburg is suffering through mid-90's. I don't know where I am going with this except to acknowledge that my life, my experiences and perspective would have been quite different had we never left.
Enough for now.
Jan and I were discussing whether we were glad to see the route before we began or would we rather not have seen it. When we came through yesterday it was overcast and drizzling. We both agreed it was o.k. to have seen it but it will be just as good to get into new country as well.
We did have conversation around contingency plans for severe weather. We came through some pretty tough weather on Sunday afternoon and they are calling for scattered thunderstorms throughout the week. I suppose there is nothing to do but respond as safely as we can as we see the weather arriving.
We feel like we are in a holding pattern at this point. We are both ready to get started but at the same time my intestinal tract is still recovering from Sunday mornings ordeal. I've just been eating because I know that I need to, not because I have had appetite. I've tried to pump the fluids and I believe I can tell.
We are here in Menomonee, MI with my sister and her children along with my parents. The kids have enjoyed the indoor pool and are frolicking in Green Bay as I write. It's great to see them having such a good time together. Sometimes I feel guilty for taking this trip without them. I've talked with them about it and we've had some good conversations.
Tomorrow morning we will try and be on the road by 8am drive up to Manistique where my parents will drop us off and continue on to Goshen. Jan and I will then be on our own.
That familiar verse in Jeremiah just went through my head "I know the plans I have for you...." We are on the cusp of this journey that I have been talking about for a long time. Exciting stuff.
On a more contemplative note I was pondering how my life would have been different had my parents never moved south. If I'd stayed a yooper all this time???? I was talking to dad about how remote the U.P. and even Fairview seems. That's all he knew until he was in his late twenties. I'm a product of suburbia. I grew up with everything close by. My dad spoke of driving the 30 to 40 miles to the hospital for my delivery. And the same distance to the closest shoe store. I sit at my computer in my home and buy shoes online and have them delivered to my door. Not because there aren't a dozen shoe stores within 5 miles of my home(there are) but because I like the selection and price online, not to mention the convenience. If the hospital is more than 10 miles away it feels like a remote location. It's one of those "what once was a luxury is now an expectation." I'm spoiled.
The lilacs are just now blooming up here. I told my dad "you have to appreciate cold weather to live up here year round." The highs are to be in the 6o's today and tomorrow. Harrisonburg is suffering through mid-90's. I don't know where I am going with this except to acknowledge that my life, my experiences and perspective would have been quite different had we never left.
Enough for now.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
A Long Night
When my head hit the pillow last night I knew something wasn't quite right inside. Sure enough around midnight I awoke and knew I needed to make my way to the porcelain throne. After a long quarter hour of releasing the contents of my stomach, I spent the rest of the night on the floor in that same room. I continue to release the contents of my intestines. Not what I was hoping for.
I suspect that I caught the flu bug that Anya had last week. Needless to say I am not at church this morning.
While I wonder how long this will hang on my greater concern is dehydration and the longer lasting effects of the intestinal disruption. We'll just have to see. Last night all I could think about was how this would effect our start on Wednesday. Would we wait until Thursday? Would we shorten our trip?
We still plan to leave this afternoon for Fairview and this morning decided to stop by the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor to show Emily where she was born. She had expressed a desire to do this and we're hoping to make that possible. We still plan to begin riding on Wednesday. We'll make adjustments to our itinerary as needed when the time gets here.
Well enough for now.
I suspect that I caught the flu bug that Anya had last week. Needless to say I am not at church this morning.
While I wonder how long this will hang on my greater concern is dehydration and the longer lasting effects of the intestinal disruption. We'll just have to see. Last night all I could think about was how this would effect our start on Wednesday. Would we wait until Thursday? Would we shorten our trip?
We still plan to leave this afternoon for Fairview and this morning decided to stop by the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor to show Emily where she was born. She had expressed a desire to do this and we're hoping to make that possible. We still plan to begin riding on Wednesday. We'll make adjustments to our itinerary as needed when the time gets here.
Well enough for now.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
On our way
I'm sitting in Archbold, OH with my family and my father. We drove to Kidron, OH yesterday and spent the night at Jan's parent's home. We rode about 20 miles this morning in Wayne County, OH and then ate some lunch and drove up here to Archbold.
I was reminded of just how flat land can be as we drove into Archbold,OH. You can see for miles. That can be good if the wind is with you but if it isn't??!! This morning I never had to come close to my granny gear on the hills. I'm not complaining. I'm hoping the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) is nice and flat and we get a stiff West wind. We need all the help we can get.
I'm ready to get under way with the riding. Tomorrow morning we go to church at Zion in Archbold where my father is serving as interim pastor and then head up to Fairview, MI. My dad was born and raised in Fairview and I lived there for about a year and a half when I was just a toddler. I remember going there to visit my grandma Kauffman and Cousin Steve. It's a one blinker light town but if you visit you need to try the locally made Summer Sausage at the Fairview Supermarket. Mmmm! Mmmm! Good! I'm hoping to pick some up on our way through. Maybe even pick up some locally boiled Maple Syrup. I have an old oak sap bucket and wooden tap at home from my relatives sugar bush in Fairview.
Well enough for now. I hope to start updating daily from here on out. We'll see if I can find a hotspot every day. If not I plan to write entries every day and then add them when I find a connection.
Jff
I was reminded of just how flat land can be as we drove into Archbold,OH. You can see for miles. That can be good if the wind is with you but if it isn't??!! This morning I never had to come close to my granny gear on the hills. I'm not complaining. I'm hoping the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) is nice and flat and we get a stiff West wind. We need all the help we can get.
I'm ready to get under way with the riding. Tomorrow morning we go to church at Zion in Archbold where my father is serving as interim pastor and then head up to Fairview, MI. My dad was born and raised in Fairview and I lived there for about a year and a half when I was just a toddler. I remember going there to visit my grandma Kauffman and Cousin Steve. It's a one blinker light town but if you visit you need to try the locally made Summer Sausage at the Fairview Supermarket. Mmmm! Mmmm! Good! I'm hoping to pick some up on our way through. Maybe even pick up some locally boiled Maple Syrup. I have an old oak sap bucket and wooden tap at home from my relatives sugar bush in Fairview.
Well enough for now. I hope to start updating daily from here on out. We'll see if I can find a hotspot every day. If not I plan to write entries every day and then add them when I find a connection.
Jff
Thursday, May 29, 2008
T Minus 13 days and counting
I'm brand spankin' new to this bloggin' thing but we'll give it a shot. We are just about two weeks out from the start of this journey. Lots of excitement and lots of questions. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? What will it be like to ride 60 miles day after day? I can't wait to finally get started. What will it be like to visit all of the places I have lived along the way?
This is a journey from my birthplace in the upper pennisula of Michigan to my current home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I will be visiting the 4 states and 9 towns where I have lived at some point in my 4o years of life thus far.
This is a journey on a bicycle, yes, but it is more than that for me. I've been intrigued by a particular kind of journey known as a pilgrimmage. A journey taken with the express purpose of meeting God along the way. Over the past several years I've read several books written by individuals who have engaged in this sort of journey. This has stimulated my interest in embarking on my own pilgrimmage.
I do not know how, or where, or when I will meet God along the way. I believe God is with me always. But, I am not always with God. This journey is about retracing my path, reflecting on those occassions in my life when I was with God and those when I was not. Those experiences and people who helped to shape me and my life. This journey is about seeking God's will and direction for my next forty years.
The excercise and hard work, the fresh air and stiff breezes, the hills and the downhills, the potholes and smooth roads, the new friends and old aquantances, the kind and the scary, these will be points of contact.
Where all will I go? What will I learn and see? How will I be shaped? God knows. And as my favored Psalm 16 says; O Lord, "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I will trust in our Lord to lead me and guide me on this journey.
Jff
This is a journey from my birthplace in the upper pennisula of Michigan to my current home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I will be visiting the 4 states and 9 towns where I have lived at some point in my 4o years of life thus far.
This is a journey on a bicycle, yes, but it is more than that for me. I've been intrigued by a particular kind of journey known as a pilgrimmage. A journey taken with the express purpose of meeting God along the way. Over the past several years I've read several books written by individuals who have engaged in this sort of journey. This has stimulated my interest in embarking on my own pilgrimmage.
I do not know how, or where, or when I will meet God along the way. I believe God is with me always. But, I am not always with God. This journey is about retracing my path, reflecting on those occassions in my life when I was with God and those when I was not. Those experiences and people who helped to shape me and my life. This journey is about seeking God's will and direction for my next forty years.
The excercise and hard work, the fresh air and stiff breezes, the hills and the downhills, the potholes and smooth roads, the new friends and old aquantances, the kind and the scary, these will be points of contact.
Where all will I go? What will I learn and see? How will I be shaped? God knows. And as my favored Psalm 16 says; O Lord, "You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I will trust in our Lord to lead me and guide me on this journey.
Jff
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