SPOKIN' HOME - A YEAR OF ADVENTURE

We love to travel and especially to visit our family in Denver. Four years ago we had the crazy idea to ride our bikes home from Denver, approximately 1550 miles. Over a period of several months we told many people about our idea - the idea began to turn into a plan and before we knew it we had told enough people that we were going to do and couldn't turn back!

So over a period of four months we started seriously working towards doing this. There were some ups and downs and we certainly were not in the condition that we hoped to be by our start date. We started by doing biking on stationary bikes at the LifePlex in Plymouth, IN. We have had some good hours on the bike and were able to watch a few movies on their projection system while biking. It is great to have such a nice facility. I admit that watching Julie and Julia, instead of the 2008 Ironman is a little different workout, but it has been fun.

We had a great ride for 1,000 mile and then we had a little mishap. If you read through our blog Stick with our blog you can read more about that cycling experience and other adventure for that year.

Now we are four years down the road. Many good things have happened to our family during those years. On May 28, 2014 we will return to our last riding point, get on our bikes again and finish the last 500+ miles. Join us as we continue our adventure.




Sunday, June 1, 2014

Angels On Your Shoulders

Miles today 49.7, Miles for this trip 138.4, total from Denver 1,138.4

The title of post come from a parishioner at Our Lady Queen Of Peace church in Bethalto, Il. We saw that this church was about a half mile off our route for the day, so thought we might make mass. We arrived just as it was ending. As we road up on our bikes we did get a few looks. Since mass was over we went in to say a few prayers before getting back on the bikes. As we were leaving a lady asked us what we were doing. As we left she said, "Angles on your shoulders." What a great parting blessing for us.

We road nearly 20 miles after that before coming to what I thought might be a Farmers Market. It turned out to be a fruit and vegetable stand. But it would have been a little difficult to take much with us. We were also looking for a place to cool off and sit down. You guessed it, there was a gas/convenience store just up the road.  Those places are really cold when you first walk in after a few hours of riding you bike. We got some drinks, cheese and crackers. I also noticed that a Marine Corp unit was selling grilled brats just outside. For all my Marine Corp friends Semper Fi. It was just what I needed.

Back on the bikes and a quick turn onto Histori Route 66. Pretty uneventful but nice ride for another 20 miles, but time for a cool off and energy stop. Yep, convenience store, but still no place to sit down. That has made it a long day!!

I mentioned that we are riding on Old Route 66. I got a bike map from the State of Illinois. The map and direction are great except it is written for a trip from North to South.  That doesn't sound to
complicated does it? Well when you are hot and sweaty and looking at small print that says:
Go.  Dir.    On.                                                                       Miles.          
L.     S.       Mt. Oliv Rd./Lake St.                                          1.3
L.     E.       Main St.                                                                . 3

And you have to think in reverse stuff happens. Well I missed a road sign and a turn.  Not a good thing to do on a bike. As a typical man I did't tell Mary Kay we were on a road that didn't appear on our map. Fortunately my sense of direction is still good so I just kept heading NW. All the time hoping that I didn't come to a country road that only went SW. We didn't and while the roads weren't excellent, well maybe not even fair, we made it back to 66 and shortly to Litchfield. What makes the story even better for me was that we made it their about 10 minutes before today's thunder storm. Thank you God. As we ate at the China Town Buffet I told Mary Kay the story. At least tonight we could laugh about it. I believe tonight I will study the map and make a few personal notes.

At dinner Mary Kay's Chinese Cookie said, "You will conquer obstacles to achieve success."  That left us wondering what is ahead of us? At least we know that one of us will come through it successfully.  Mine said, "Everything will come your way."  So I guess together we should be well off.

Hope your day was a good one! Missing our family!!!

Prayers and Peace,
Mary Kay and Jack

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