tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54947510415601213262024-03-13T22:14:02.481-06:00Bucket List Bike TourThe saga of four (then three) bicyclists peddling from San Francisco, CA to Yorktown, VAPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-58396405768400619962011-08-02T14:18:00.002-06:002011-08-02T15:30:14.084-06:00The finalie at Yorktown and one day back to GR<div class="MsoNormal">7/31/11</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yorktown. The final 79 miles from Ashland to Yorktown went fast and we arrived at 1:30 PM. The ride today went through Mechanicsville and Williamsburg. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The end. We’re finished. Pete rode every mile, all 3,740 of them. Dave rode most of them except for the 325 that Phil rode. We were expecting a welcoming parade of adoring fans with big bands and everything, but we forgot to tell them we were coming. In fact we arrived 6 days earlier than our original projection. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aszkkdtJ_9E/TjhWBT5OJrI/AAAAAAAAAOc/3lXoz4JWED0/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aszkkdtJ_9E/TjhWBT5OJrI/AAAAAAAAAOc/3lXoz4JWED0/s320/IMG_0703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tire dipping in the Atlantic at Yorktown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Victors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final mile into Yorktown.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s some stats:</div><div class="MsoNormal">72 – average miles per riding day</div><div class="MsoNormal">126 – the most miles in one day</div><div class="MsoNormal">20 – the least miles in one day</div><div class="MsoNormal">52 – days of actual riding</div><div class="MsoNormal"> 4 – rest days</div><div class="MsoNormal"> 5 – travel days</div><div class="MsoNormal">29 – nights in motels including travel days</div><div class="MsoNormal">26 – nights camping</div><div class="MsoNormal"> 5 – nights in homes or church</div><div class="MsoNormal"> 6 - flats<br />
5 - broken spokes<br />
4 - trips to bike shops for repairs<br />
<b> 0 - incidents requiring medical attention. Thanks for your prayers for us.</b><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We found a motel, showered, and then got a Revolutionary War history lesson at the Yorktown visitor center. We are heading home tomorrow after a stop in historic Williamsburg.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V-7cetrhFFc/TjhXpxMPFRI/AAAAAAAAAOg/QkLuGxHHvbI/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V-7cetrhFFc/TjhXpxMPFRI/AAAAAAAAAOg/QkLuGxHHvbI/s320/IMG_0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victory Monument at Yorktown</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO4rvt3N_w8/TjhX49NJ-lI/AAAAAAAAAOs/7zar-bTr04s/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fO4rvt3N_w8/TjhX49NJ-lI/AAAAAAAAAOs/7zar-bTr04s/s320/IMG_0709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a lot of history here.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SaVFpm4igQ/TjhX_SrrhuI/AAAAAAAAAOw/-RcFxL7MkvM/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SaVFpm4igQ/TjhX_SrrhuI/AAAAAAAAAOw/-RcFxL7MkvM/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Yorktown resident.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">8/1/11</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Travel back to GR. 823 miles, 12 hours travel time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ow2IYLSSXA/TjhjrSzly1I/AAAAAAAAAPI/SgE1SNZFTlg/s1600/IMG_0197-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ow2IYLSSXA/TjhjrSzly1I/AAAAAAAAAPI/SgE1SNZFTlg/s320/IMG_0197-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The riders thank-you for your interest. (Do you suppose he'll ever change that orange shirt?)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Phil, Dave and Pete.(and Gary too) </div>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-46633914496817680422011-07-30T14:09:00.006-06:002011-07-31T05:32:25.367-06:00Charlottesville VA to Ashland VA 90 Miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4351">10</sup> The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4352">11</sup> Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the sunrise. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4353">12</sup> From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4354">13</sup> They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4360">19</sup> from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-4361">20</sup> and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland. (See Numbers 21 for additional info about what they did when they got there.)<br />
<br />
These wandering Israelites are about to reach the promised land. Our 60 day trek has brought us 90 more miles to Ashland VA - just north of Richmond if you are looking for it on the map. We intend to get to Yorktown on Monday after experiencing some more historical sites along the way. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vfnoPUzCSA/TjU1xlL8O1I/AAAAAAAAANI/Og9d0VMZdss/s1600/IMG_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vfnoPUzCSA/TjU1xlL8O1I/AAAAAAAAANI/Og9d0VMZdss/s320/IMG_0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom had his standards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>More bike problems. Phil's bike had a flat hanging off the back of the car. (?) Pete's bike had another broken spoke and tire out of round. He had to disengage his back brake so the wheel would go around. He rode that way for about 40 miles to Ashland and a bike shop. All fixed.<br />
<br />
The state of Virginia has taken our route (published by Adventure Cycling) and created road signs guiding us through the State. It has also drawn the route on the official state map and on the scenic map of the state. The signs have been very helpful in preventing us from taking the wrong road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nonwoM9iaM4/TjU7V_CurnI/AAAAAAAAANs/NasHrTRGdGQ/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nonwoM9iaM4/TjU7V_CurnI/AAAAAAAAANs/NasHrTRGdGQ/s320/IMG_0633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These signs guide us along our route through VA.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p2ZXALVNR0/TjRoTMxLjGI/AAAAAAAAANE/WMBFsyNkYtQ/s1600/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p2ZXALVNR0/TjRoTMxLjGI/AAAAAAAAANE/WMBFsyNkYtQ/s320/IMG_0681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQtPYTkcq4U/TjU2gopDmpI/AAAAAAAAANM/bpdEaU3RWRQ/s1600/IMG_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQtPYTkcq4U/TjU2gopDmpI/AAAAAAAAANM/bpdEaU3RWRQ/s320/IMG_0666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The top sign has a special meaning to the Zaruba family in CO Springs<br />
The second one is for cat lovers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-70083004573425626452011-07-29T19:40:00.002-06:002011-07-30T14:35:08.903-06:00Blue Ridge Parkway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>7/29/11<br />
Camping at the Mallard Duck Campground was great. The morning dew is the worst part of the experience. Unusually we are packing a wet tent or ground cover. However the dew here seems less than we experience on bike trips in Michigan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMIeKCHhv1A/TjNen7Flf4I/AAAAAAAAAMs/OzbHvHjvR4E/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMIeKCHhv1A/TjNen7Flf4I/AAAAAAAAAMs/OzbHvHjvR4E/s320/IMG_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The route today took us up to and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The "up to" part was a very steep climb for 3 miles. Dave said the "along" part was disappointing in that he expected a flat ride in the park, but the Parkway had many granny gear hills. But it was beautiful. I saw one small bear and three deer along the route.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZvSxCKdBCY/TjNfFNFhnbI/AAAAAAAAAMw/UaW19f9nyuQ/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZvSxCKdBCY/TjNfFNFhnbI/AAAAAAAAAMw/UaW19f9nyuQ/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We arrived in Charlottsville after 61 miles and found a motel in the middle of the campus of the U of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson designed the campus. After the showers we drove to Monticello and toured the manor house and grounds. Old Tom was quite a guy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom's Place at Monticello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-19272304622996681652011-07-29T19:18:00.001-06:002011-07-31T05:12:13.293-06:00Daleville VA to Vesuvius VA 51 milesWe decided to take on shorter days and avoid afternoon heat. The mornings have been really comfortable.<br />
The route today took us through Troutville, Buchanan, and Lexington. On the way we stopped at the visitors center of the Natural Bridge, said to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We are Dutch therefore we declined to pay $18.00 each to see a rock formation.<br />
The campground was about 10 miles past Lexington. Again it had all the elements we require, grass, level, showers and electricity. We met Dean, another rider our age and invited him to camp and have dinner with us. He has been on the road since May and is headed to Washington, DC. He was gone in the morning before we got up at 5:00 AM.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJk25elGuzE/TjU3huLiDMI/AAAAAAAAANQ/JdVLXXV0ljA/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJk25elGuzE/TjU3huLiDMI/AAAAAAAAANQ/JdVLXXV0ljA/s320/IMG_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canpsite near Vesuvius with our new friend Dean.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite near Vesuvius</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrWG3IKlVB8/TjU3jxGEwxI/AAAAAAAAANY/Jv08RFaPh8E/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrWG3IKlVB8/TjU3jxGEwxI/AAAAAAAAANY/Jv08RFaPh8E/s320/IMG_0669.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a river near our Vesuvius campsite.</td></tr>
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-61197499500665926802011-07-27T15:26:00.001-06:002011-07-30T14:21:09.433-06:00Grahams Forge to Daleville. 84 Miles7/27/11<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We considered having this guy for supper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FIUrlDq67c/TjRm9GF6dMI/AAAAAAAAAM8/gtNJPVpxVB0/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FIUrlDq67c/TjRm9GF6dMI/AAAAAAAAAM8/gtNJPVpxVB0/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Ground near Grahams Forge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8M9msEfW7k/TjRm_dTX0mI/AAAAAAAAANA/HLf9IO9tf8k/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8M9msEfW7k/TjRm_dTX0mI/AAAAAAAAANA/HLf9IO9tf8k/s320/IMG_0646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In camp ground in Grahams Forge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you know how dark it is at 5:30AM in a camp ground. Very dark. We have packed up our camp about 25 times in this tour and can pretty much do it by feel. We had already decided that Micky D would prepare our breakfast, so we only had to pack the tents in the car and take off. Micky did a good job and the riders were on the road by 6:30AM.<br />
Again the temps were in the 70s, and the humidity was low. Dave said he feels like this was the best day ride he had on the tour. There were many rolling hills, and he was either peddling up or coasting down. He could work up a momentum on the down side to get most of the way up the next hill. The net effect was very little sweat. Dave is enthusiastic about how beautiful this area is. We see the Blue Ridge range ahead of us, and we have been warned that there are some challenging climbs ahead.<br />
Pete had another animal attack - a dog this time. The dog got the worst of it. Pete has a 12 inch long special dog defense. The toe on his biking shoe was planted firmly into the dog's shoulder which gave the dog pause.<br />
It started to come back for another shot, when its owner called him off.<br />
<br />
We could not locate any campsites in Daleville, so it's another motel night.<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-36204540816586291802011-07-27T14:52:00.003-06:002011-07-31T04:55:55.802-06:00Damascus to Grahams Forge 75 Miles7/26/11 <br />
It was a great day. Temps were in the mid 70s in the morning warming up to the high 80s in the PM.<br />
We loaded the bikes in Abindgon and drove to Damascus, 11 miles.<br />
<br />
Damascus is one community along the Virgina Creeper Trail. (The Appalachian Trail also goes through here.) Jan and I rode the Creeper Trail a few years ago. It starts at White Top at about 3,000 feet and goes 36 mile, ending at Abingdon. There are many bike tour companies in Damascus and Abingdon. They will rent you a mountain bike and drive you up to White Top and turn you loose to ride downhill about 20 miles to Damascus or longer to Abingdon. Jan and I had rode our own bikes. When we arrived in Damascus we hired one of these companies to drive us back to White Top. We noticed that the road back to White Top was quite steep and we were happy we had a ride up back to our car. Guess what, that was the hill Dave and Pete rode along our route. It went up about 4 miles, but Dave and Pete said it was not the toughest one on the trip since it was not that steep.<br />
<br />
This is beautiful rolling hill country. We are seeing very few junky yards as we did in the eastern part of the state. There are many beautiful horse farms. Dave and Pete report a bonus animal sighting. A medium size black bear ambled in front of them. It happened so fast that Dave could not get a picture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-ndG394BFI/TjNXetvRwFI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iCR4OFW3f-U/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-ndG394BFI/TjNXetvRwFI/AAAAAAAAAMo/iCR4OFW3f-U/s320/IMG_0663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one they actually saw was a bit smaller than this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pete was nearly run over by a gopher but the rodent thought better of it and made a super fast 180. Pete swerved to avoid it and Dave had to swerved to avoid Pete. That little sucker nearly caused a pile-up.<br />
<br />
We noticed a camp ground as we approached Grahams Forge. The $15.00 price was right. The grassy, level sites, and the hot showers were a draw. The weather was absolutely perfect for camping. We cooked a dinner of pork chops, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mellon pieces. Life is good.<br />
The temps cooled off to make it a good sleeping night.<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-73614327497712182262011-07-25T14:55:00.000-06:002011-07-25T14:55:01.379-06:00Damascus VA. Rain. Bike Troubles.7/25/11.<br />
Lots'a issues today, fog in the AM leaving The Breaks Interstate Park, many hills some very steep and many sharp hairpin curves, Pete's bike broke a spoke, the wheel went out of round, and rain.<br />
<br />
In the process of attempting to fix the spoke, another another one went. So what to do. Just then Phil showed up in the Yukon with the reserve bike. Pete rode Phil's bike while Phil drove the broken one to a bike shop, an hours drive, 35 miles away in Abingdon. The bike shop got to the bike after two hours. They found a third spoke which was nearly a goner. The tire showed a lot of ware, so they put on the extra one Pete brought along. The rear brake pads were shot too. All fixed.<br />
<br />
The rain started while the bikes were being switched and continued the rest of the afternoon. Man did it rain - in squalls. Dave and Pete did not use rain gear since they were wet anyway. We all met in Damascus while it was still raining. A do it yourself car wash stall served as a good loading point including getting out of dripping wet bike clothes. <br />
<br />
Where are we going to sleep? In a tent! In the Rain!! Are you kidding?!! There are no motels in Damascus according to Garman, so back to Abingdon, 11 miles, to a Days Inn. I doubt we will cook tonight either.<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-6364118005229383312011-07-23T18:34:00.004-06:002011-07-31T05:21:23.903-06:00Virginia. We're here. Saturday and Sunday 7/23 & 24/11<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4GC7k-eF1E/Ti3Y_VsCkGI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ARPWH72GDfU/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4GC7k-eF1E/Ti3Y_VsCkGI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ARPWH72GDfU/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last State</td></tr>
</tbody></table>7/23/11<br />
As we looking over the camp site choices in the Breaks Interstate Park in Virginia, the sky opened up dampening our enthusiasm for camping. There is a lodge here so we checked in. Nice room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRfnBrsptT4/TjU5erG6GuI/AAAAAAAAANc/larlw1_iUlw/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRfnBrsptT4/TjU5erG6GuI/AAAAAAAAANc/larlw1_iUlw/s320/IMG_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the US Flag on the porch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmGuVjN9joA/TjU5fxbjd9I/AAAAAAAAANg/s9UAOQxO4ek/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmGuVjN9joA/TjU5fxbjd9I/AAAAAAAAANg/s9UAOQxO4ek/s320/IMG_0626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trailer is next door. Note the Rebel Flags outside and inside. Tea Partyers??</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The ride today ended 20 miles from here after 72 miles in the saddle. These are the steepest hills we have encountered yet. The down hill on one of them was on a 1.5 lane road with cars going both ways. Pete had to do some fancy maneuvering to avoid one idiot. After that incident they decided to give it up for the day, so we loaded the bikes on the car and drove the 20 miles to the park. Tomorrow the riders will go back to the pickup point and ride back to Breaks Park where we will spend a second night. This place has a lot of activities, so we are making it a quasi rest day.<br />
<br />
The day started in Hazard in a rather heavy fog. The riders left later than usual to let it dissipate some what.. <br />
The road in and out of Hazard was heavily traveled, but it turned out alright. Much of the route today followed streams. The valleys they passed through were beautiful.. There were many beautiful homes stream side. There were many old junky places too. We passed at least 2 coal mines that we could identify.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEvQaHmTKqc/Ti3ZeuJQmyI/AAAAAAAAAMg/61_8_WKnqBA/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEvQaHmTKqc/Ti3ZeuJQmyI/AAAAAAAAAMg/61_8_WKnqBA/s320/IMG_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is coal country and our bikes are covered in coal dust.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMCsSBRPNOU/Ti3bHvwGuLI/AAAAAAAAAMk/G2sVi4CyTeg/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Sunday 7/24/11<br />
<br />
The alarm went off at 6:00 AM. Ten minutes later we heard a big boom and saw a flash out our window and the lights went out. Fifteen minutes later power trucks showed up. When I returned from delivering the guys, the power was back on.<br />
The Bikes were loaded on the car at 7:00 AM.. The drive back 20 miles to Lookout KY took about an hour. <br />
They rode back to Breaks by 10:15 AM. So now we are looking to find a Church which starts at 11:00 AM. There are many, many Baptist Churches to chose from.<br />
<br />
Lunch was in the restaurant in the park. On the table we saw an ad for the play THE FOREIGNER at the Elkhorn City community theater. The place held about 150 people. The manager did a welcome and asked "where ya'll from.". Dave mentioned Michigan. She said where have ya'll been in these last weeks - she had been tipped off that we were bikers. Dave told them to the OOHS from the mostly gray hair crowd. The play was very well done. The acting was as good as anything we've seen at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.<br />
<br />
Homemade spaghetti, sweet corn, and lettuce salad for dinner. To bed by 9:30 with plans to be up at 5:00AM. The goal tomorrow (Monday) is Damascus VA.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4bJKzH3w2Q/Ti3ZYxTD3jI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Gx17X3lB7VA/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4bJKzH3w2Q/Ti3ZYxTD3jI/AAAAAAAAAMc/Gx17X3lB7VA/s320/IMG_0628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the OPEN sign in the window. Can't tell OPEN for what?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-63256057287945606062011-07-22T15:41:00.000-06:002011-07-22T15:41:19.057-06:00Now we are in HazardDave's alarm is going off at 4:30 AM every day, and since we are on the western edge of the Eastern time zone it's really dark. By the time we get packed up and eat breakfast, the riders can hit the road with head and tail lights just as the sun is coming up. The day was long, but we came a long way. 93 miles. The initial goal was Booneville at 51 miles, but that milestone was accomplished at 11:00 AM - too early to quit. So on to Hazard, another 42 miles. ETA 4:00 PM. There is a thunderstorm moving in, and no camp ground available, so (aw shucks) we are in an air conditioned motel again tonight. The hills today were a challenge. Pete counted 9 "mountains" which required the granny gear. The very steep up hills results in very steep fast down hills too. We are wondering if this is a warm-up for the Appalachians.<br />
<br />
Dogs. Dave said that there were approximately 15 dogs which would like to have a piece of them, and all but one were constrained in some way. The one that was loose made a lot of noise but did not get too close to Pete and it almost got hit by a car in the process. I see by his blog that fellow tourist Rusty got bit and the EMTs came to patch him up. He continued on. Dave and Peter went to Walmart in Berea last night to get some wasp spray, but the container was too large to carry on the bike. Dave does have some anti dog spray but has not had to use it, even though he had it in is hand a few times.<br />
<br />
Dave, the photographer, did not take any pictures today. He could have taken some of the many tunnels of trees. Some homes along the way had very large (many acres) lawns which were manicured. Those next to junkey dumps. <br />
<br />
Off to supper.<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-13664892969549199732011-07-21T13:00:00.003-06:002011-07-21T17:07:11.978-06:00We're in Berea, Ky<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl9775YZzVs/Tih1MFAfrII/AAAAAAAAALs/_YBmIQzTXmc/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dl9775YZzVs/Tih1MFAfrII/AAAAAAAAALs/_YBmIQzTXmc/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fixer upper in Kentucky</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQvaox4kza4/Tih1h_plc-I/AAAAAAAAALw/ZlIZO8zdqck/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQvaox4kza4/Tih1h_plc-I/AAAAAAAAALw/ZlIZO8zdqck/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many houseboats on Herrington Lake </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gHP_gV2PLw/Tih1oBZNWsI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Yv963wYBoLo/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gHP_gV2PLw/Tih1oBZNWsI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Yv963wYBoLo/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many slate walls along the route.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yhkFMgtsiY8/Tih1tylcRNI/AAAAAAAAAL4/zuB7Jt0gkmo/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yhkFMgtsiY8/Tih1tylcRNI/AAAAAAAAAL4/zuB7Jt0gkmo/s320/IMG_0613.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the street name above the STOP sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sultry continues to be the apt description for the climate here. The route today took us on very narrow even one lane roads. It was 72 miles from Lincoln Homestead State Park to Berea. The partial overcast made it bearable. They finished the trip at 1:30 just as a drizzle started. Dave checked the weather on his Iphone and discovered storms in the area, so we ducked into a Days Inn.<br />
<br />
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/28570190<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-10387535442089667642011-07-21T07:54:00.002-06:002011-07-21T13:11:55.078-06:007/20/11 Lincoln's Birthplace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9glQ2LiXeY/Tih4-0FZQUI/AAAAAAAAAME/vofAsh6uFzc/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9glQ2LiXeY/Tih4-0FZQUI/AAAAAAAAAME/vofAsh6uFzc/s320/IMG_0602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Homestead State Park KY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ6srVFZAGM/Tih40rvjgJI/AAAAAAAAAL8/NP7dvtCjPgU/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ6srVFZAGM/Tih40rvjgJI/AAAAAAAAAL8/NP7dvtCjPgU/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Homestead State Park KY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5Qjy3faQlg/Tih45K1JFfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MkJRaymObAg/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5Qjy3faQlg/Tih45K1JFfI/AAAAAAAAAMA/MkJRaymObAg/s320/IMG_0601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a hard day at the office.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>7/20/11</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the land of Lincoln. The route passed by Abraham Lincoln’s Birth Place which is now a National Historical Site. I was too early to stop in to see it. The campsite tonight is in the Lincoln Homestead State Park northeast of Bardstown KY. The shower is in the golf club house a half mile away. The campsite is a picnic area with a large covered shelter with a lot of tables and a lot of sloping grass for our tents. </div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The ride today covered 70 miles from Sonora KY. Dave says that as long as he is willing to accept being wet, this was a perfect day. The route was rolling with few granny gear hills.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We see that the whole country is stuck in a heat wave. We are eager to wave it good bye. It did not cool off all night, and we woke in a sweat. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Pete says we are blessed with free saunas every day.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Oh well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Phil</span>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-69269657431085393212011-07-19T18:54:00.000-06:002011-07-19T18:54:26.336-06:00Mammoth Cave7/19/11.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzJJ9B7rN8s/TiYmGkdAtDI/AAAAAAAAALo/xnc9jmgW100/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzJJ9B7rN8s/TiYmGkdAtDI/AAAAAAAAALo/xnc9jmgW100/s320/IMG_0595.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I guess you could call this a "smell the flowers" day. Pete & Dave rode from Rough River State Park to Sonora - 45 miles. They said it was a good morning with a few hard hills but mostly a cruise.<br />
We decided to get a motel, shower, then drive 35 miles south to Mammoth Cave. We joined hundreds of others for a two hour tour. Fun.<br />
<br />
PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-4234534064722499462011-07-19T18:18:00.001-06:002011-07-19T18:43:05.446-06:00Corn as high as an elephants eye7/18/11<br />
Pete and I rode the 74 miles from Sebree to Rough River State Park. It was hot again but we hydrated well and it wasn't bad. The hills were generally rolling, but there were a few long granny gear ones. The park we camped in Dave rated to be a C+. The shower were moldy but they did have hot water.<br />
Marty was our serendipity event here. He invited the three of us for dinner. He was formerly a minister in the Southern Baptist church and is currently the manager of his families musical group. We had a great meal and conversation.<br />
The heat did not diminish much over night but we have learned to live with it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcjDJrb0i98/TiYa_B2CrbI/AAAAAAAAALU/3pGeMhI3tng/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcjDJrb0i98/TiYa_B2CrbI/AAAAAAAAALU/3pGeMhI3tng/s320/IMG_0585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough River Kentucky</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7DzExMDpE8/TiYbCw-WAsI/AAAAAAAAALY/Gk5P7w9xMUE/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7DzExMDpE8/TiYbCw-WAsI/AAAAAAAAALY/Gk5P7w9xMUE/s320/IMG_0581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky Tobacco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STyKomNM2SM/TiYbLB5IkMI/AAAAAAAAALc/JXdvjFh7rl8/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STyKomNM2SM/TiYbLB5IkMI/AAAAAAAAALc/JXdvjFh7rl8/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Marty's campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAMKwhdi7c4/TiYbTANBIxI/AAAAAAAAALg/b6CPDiX9zWI/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAMKwhdi7c4/TiYbTANBIxI/AAAAAAAAALg/b6CPDiX9zWI/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough River State Park Kentucky</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I am again impressed with the beauty of this country. Each state has it unique scenery and farm industry. When Jan and I ride in the morning especially along a Michigan lake, we usually sign a few bars of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma. There is a line in that song ..the corn is as high as a elephants eye.. I always thought that was hyperbole because corn in Michigan is knee high by forth of July. Kentucky corn made me a believer. There were field after field of 10 to 12 feet corn. We saw some tobacco fields but surprisingly few. <br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-29820094045843755142011-07-17T13:59:00.003-06:002011-07-19T18:27:53.934-06:00Sunday 7/17/11. A rest day at 1st Baptist Church, Sebree, KY<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHXQXdZZ9eY/TiYfWCGnexI/AAAAAAAAALk/Jmje7K0Zx6w/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHXQXdZZ9eY/TiYfWCGnexI/AAAAAAAAALk/Jmje7K0Zx6w/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sebree KY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This is our fourth rest day of the trip. There is a no better place to take it than here in Sebree. I fixed the six of us breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs in the great kitchen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAyIT6uOuaE/TiM-raAJJYI/AAAAAAAAALQ/wUbyRH88_mY/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAyIT6uOuaE/TiM-raAJJYI/AAAAAAAAALQ/wUbyRH88_mY/s320/IMG_0572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast in Sebree KY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The young guys took off at 7:00 AM. The men's Sunday school began at 9:30, the worship started at 10:30. We were warmly welcomed by everyone. The rest of the day was a real rest. We had a great sitting area in the youth department of the church where we read and napped. Pizza for supper. To bed about 9:30 after the youth group meeting broke up.<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-21476329857411955232011-07-17T13:49:00.002-06:002011-07-22T05:05:37.246-06:00A whole shower of GRACE in Sebree, KY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> 7/16/11<br />
Another unique feature of this trip - a free ferry barge ride across the Ohio River. The ferry was at Cave-In-Rock 11 miles from Elizabethtown. The route however was very hilly and the riders were wiped out already. So we had a second breakfast. before we got on the ferry to Kentucky. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m7Y_aJWFFE/TiMn3uD6oBI/AAAAAAAAAK4/NvK5qH222to/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m7Y_aJWFFE/TiMn3uD6oBI/AAAAAAAAAK4/NvK5qH222to/s320/IMG_0566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky starts at the Rivers edge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRFsM3lsRgs/TiMnb04xsoI/AAAAAAAAAKw/VhZVvJbkVqA/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRFsM3lsRgs/TiMnb04xsoI/AAAAAAAAAKw/VhZVvJbkVqA/s320/IMG_0564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohio River Ferry Crossing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecGYA2cFYGQ/TiMnmmjoSuI/AAAAAAAAAK0/7AsbMvL136c/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecGYA2cFYGQ/TiMnmmjoSuI/AAAAAAAAAK0/7AsbMvL136c/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry at Cave-In-Rock crossing. Ohio River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our goal for today was Sebree, KY. 63 miles away. We learned from Al and Keith (see their picture on the post from Scott City KS below) that Sebree1st Baptist Church hosts bikers in church's facilities. We experienced a whole shower of GRACE. Pastor Bob and Violet Hardison feel they have a ministry to the wayfarers, and they have been doing it for over 30 years. In 2001 the church expanded and added showers, and laundry facilities specifically for bikers. Pastor Bob showed us around, had us put three pins on a map on the place where we were from, showed us God's plan of salvation for our lives, and told us to help ourselves to the facilities. It had a full kitchen, but Bob said Violet was going to fix us "a little something" for supper.<br />
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Later in the afternoon Jacob, Mike, Marcus showed up. These guys never knew each other before they hit the road. The six of us had a good time sharing the facilities. Jake had a rough day. He had a flat which totally destroyed his tube and he had no spare. He hitched a ride to Sebree. Resourceful Dave toured the neighborhood, bought a wheel from a resident off a rusted bike, and brought it back to Jake. That worked and Jake was back on the road.<br />
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Supper time. The six of us headed to the house where we met Glen - a neighbor - nine for dinner in all. That "little something" consisted of butterfly pork chops, chicken, mashed potatoes, lettuce salad, sauteed squash, fresh green beans, corn bread, muskmelon, and lemon pie with ice cream for desert. WOW. We were overwhelmed.<br />
Every dish had leftovers, and everyone including Violet was stuffed. Violet related their history of this ministry including some of the unique bikers and their bikes they have hosted. I looked back in the guest registry and found Al and Keith's entry on 6/12/11. There we 70 other bikers at that table between them and us! We asked who pays for the food. They said it comes from their personal food budget, and they have never charged any biker in all the time they were doing this. I will be sending a donation to them when I get back. Their ddress is PO Box 148, Sebree KY 42455.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBdBCCIRkMw/TiM4g71uN_I/AAAAAAAAALA/2_wjcmRMrZQ/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBdBCCIRkMw/TiM4g71uN_I/AAAAAAAAALA/2_wjcmRMrZQ/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hostel room n Sebree KY 1st Baptist Church. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had use of a full kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike (from CA), Marcus (from PA), Jacob (from England)</td></tr>
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After dinner Jake finished putting his bike together but he still didn't have a spare. So I drove the three young guys to Walmart to get some in Henderson, 42 miles round trip.<br />
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Phil <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-12932603160476908452011-07-16T09:54:00.001-06:002011-07-17T12:13:06.911-06:00Elizbethtown IL and the mighty Ohio River.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHsU1MGT4dE/TiMj5xXbqvI/AAAAAAAAAKc/NMBpewGTgDg/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHsU1MGT4dE/TiMj5xXbqvI/AAAAAAAAAKc/NMBpewGTgDg/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern version of an Illinois Outhouse</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>7/15/11<br />
The word for the day, ready - "crepuscular", adj. of resembling, or relating to twilight both evening and morning. Now if you were 13 and participating in a spelling bee, you would ask the judge to use it in a sentence, so here goes, "Haywood, in fact, was quick to credit providence for this good fortune, when in the crepuscular light of dawn he --" from <u>West of Here</u> by Jonathan Evison. That word caught my eye because I read it in the crepuscular evening twilight sitting at beautiful spot on the Ohio River as the coal barges chugged past. The word came to mind again in the morning as we watched the sun and mist come up over the River.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX8LZp1jYoo/TiMf646tZdI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eJBufvu8Zoo/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX8LZp1jYoo/TiMf646tZdI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eJBufvu8Zoo/s320/IMG_0562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barge coming up river. Elizabethtown, IL</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast on the River. Elizabethtown IL</td></tr>
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The River Rose Inn, a B&B is located in Elizabethtown, IL, is just a few feet from the River. While waiting for Dave and Pete to arrive, I inquired about the room rates at the same time as mentioning camping. The proprietor said, "Oh we let bikers camp in our back yard. You can use this shower room and swim in the pool. The rate will be $5.00 per person." Now if that ain't a dripping of Grace, I don't know what is. There was a gazebo right across the street where we cooked our evening meal - meat, potatoes, broccoli, sweet corn and diet Coke. The guys arrived and were very happy to stay here after 65 miles rather than going another 11 to a state park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Rose B&B. Elizabethtown IL Ohio River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping in back yard of River Rose B&B</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Rose Inn B&B. Elizabethtown IL</td></tr>
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-59240814939621306122011-07-14T17:09:00.005-06:002011-07-31T05:42:07.671-06:00Farmington, MO to Murphysboro, IL 88 Miles, Armadillo7/14/11<br />
We've left the hills of MO and are taking on the hills of IL, KY, and VA. Looking ahead, we see nothing but ups and downs, but they are still shorter than MO. The Mississippi is still flooding. This area had a four inch rain storm a few days ago. The river at Chester is only about a mile wide. We were told that the river was 1.5 miles across today. The route today took us atop some Mississippi levees. There were large areas of flooding along the way. I saw a house with sand bags around the foundation. In fact there was water over the road in one area. The route reminded me of the areas we rode in the Netherlands last year. Water was higher on the river side of the levee than the fields on the other side. There were a bunch of egrets along the way - beautiful. <br />
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Road Kill. What animal did we see as road kill the most through MO. A hint. I have never seen this animal as road kill in Michigan. I don't think there are any in MI. Pete and I were hoping to see a live one, but the ---------- was a no show.<br />
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The roads in MO were very narrow. No shoulder at all. The bikers knew it, but I experienced it in the car too. The speed limit was 55 most of the time on roads that should not have been more than 35. There were very limited sight lines too. Since I did not have to get anywhere fast I held up traffic once in a whole. I hope IL has done better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuGNvI2JJzU/Th-QIdAH5-I/AAAAAAAAAJs/o3aiB2zzE5Y/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuGNvI2JJzU/Th-QIdAH5-I/AAAAAAAAAJs/o3aiB2zzE5Y/s320/IMG_0532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete's fan club wondering why the crazy guy is out in that sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern MO has many winery s </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkZUNkqofu0/Th-QXjoiV3I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/8QmSfI9Yyvo/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkZUNkqofu0/Th-QXjoiV3I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/8QmSfI9Yyvo/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The saints gathered by the River, the beautiful, the beautiful River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGakbAJ2tWM/Th-QgBA_xUI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/6cjGzdxZxxs/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGakbAJ2tWM/Th-QgBA_xUI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/6cjGzdxZxxs/s320/IMG_0539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't that guy on the left ever going to change that orange shirt?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnDSLfAHIzA/Th-Qnu-FWoI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/foGg-4aKKzM/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnDSLfAHIzA/Th-Qnu-FWoI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/foGg-4aKKzM/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pS8Y_gdTXrc/TjU-8VR61OI/AAAAAAAAANw/F9w3m5ou11I/s1600/HPIM1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pS8Y_gdTXrc/TjU-8VR61OI/AAAAAAAAANw/F9w3m5ou11I/s320/HPIM1883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pete is happy to be in his home State. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gN7LCbrGNTQ/Th-QsBeqhPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/kk6fZV5nhqg/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gN7LCbrGNTQ/Th-QsBeqhPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/kk6fZV5nhqg/s320/IMG_0542.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in Murphysboro IL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bike Trouble/Flats. Phil & Pete have had one flat each. Dave has had two plus one tire with a big hole in it.Pete has had two broken spokes and one tire out of round. Pete also replaced back wheel because it had a crack in it. Dave's crank needed lubrication by a professional. Otherwise they are working well.<br />
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Since we could not find a suitable camp ground near Murphysboro- there was one with pit toilets and no showers - we are in a motel again. The guys are welcoming the AC after 88 hot miles.<br />
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I'm reading <u>West of Here</u>, by Jonathan Evison. My daughter-in-law Kristy recommended it. It's about some folks whose whole life is an adventure. I have been calling this trip an adventure but I am wondering if what we are doing is in the same category as Evison describes it. "Only in adventure were the senses fully engaged, the life force fully harnessed, the intellect fully immersed. Only then could one feel the magnetic forces of chaos pulling them toward the true nature of all things. And only when these forces dragged you by the collar to the very precipice of terrible understanding, and forced you to look down into the abyss, only then did the fighting begin in earnest, only then were you truly alive." We are having an adventure, but not exactly looking into the abyss.<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-40918690570139965342011-07-14T13:12:00.001-06:002011-07-14T19:16:06.632-06:00Ellington MO to Farmington MO7/13/11 Temps are a lot cooler today. It rained buckets during the night in Ellington. We even went back to sleep for another hour. By the time Dave & Pete left it was drizzling lightly. We were glad we decided to take a motel. In the morning we met two young women from Norway just leaving the same motel heading into the rain west. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTPmkfz_aEs/Th-UKB9-14I/AAAAAAAAAKE/aQtbImjJDO0/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTPmkfz_aEs/Th-UKB9-14I/AAAAAAAAAKE/aQtbImjJDO0/s320/IMG_0527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are from Norway. Ellington MO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was mostly cloudy during the day. The hills continued. Dave said he never shifted on a route as much as he did then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motel Ellington MO</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ellington locals who were full of advice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QldSzQ9vYqE/Th8-b-AFqII/AAAAAAAAAJo/lzqp0KLMtO0/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QldSzQ9vYqE/Th8-b-AFqII/AAAAAAAAAJo/lzqp0KLMtO0/s320/IMG_0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reason we stayed in a motel in Ellington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We headed for Farmington, but stopped about 10 miles short at St Joe State Park. Again we had a level grassy site, with electricity, and a hot shower. Life is good.<br />
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Tomorrow we head for Murphysboro IL crossing the Mississippi at Chester IL. <br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-35896961896625025882011-07-12T18:57:00.003-06:002011-07-12T19:16:43.329-06:00Joplin Visit<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Phil has been keeping up this blog for Pete and me over the past several weeks, and has made so many excellent entries that it is difficult to come in the middle and add to his observations. Due to unexplained diarrhea last night, today was an “under the weather” day for me and I drove the van while Pete and Phil dealt with temperature conditions that lead to severe weather alerts called “excessive heat warning” that states that we should reschedule strenuous activities and take breaks in air conditioned buildings. Sure…..!! We do drink a lot of water as recommended. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> However, Pete and I (Dave) did get to Joplin this past Friday, and observed a town in distress. A major swath of the town has been removed by a fearful series of tornadoes that literally cleared the area of buildings and left mounds of debris that is being cleared by the city and volunteers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have spent a considerable amount of time in New Orleans since Katrina, and the two have some significant differences.. Katrina left 90,000 square miles of destruction, Joplin less than 100. Katrina left about 1900 dead, Joplin about 160. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With Katrina, most houses were left standing and in need of rehabilitation (with some notable exceptions in the Lower Ninth and along the Gulf Coast up to a mile inland); in Joplin, most affected houses simply vanished with some on the fringes in need of repair. With Katrina, the infrastructure necessary for self-help was so destroyed, and the population so dispersed, that the response was almost entirely from the outside, especially in the New Orleans area. In Joplin, the unaffected neighborhoods nearby are responding to their neighborhoods in heroic ways. In both communities, there are views as far as one can see of empty blocks where houses and businesses once stood. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">FEMA has also learned a thing or two about response to disasters, and appears to be responding in more helpful ways. Churches are stepping up, and volunteers are starting to appear willing to help. The community does not yet seem to be organized for the long haul, but that may follow. After touring the affected area, there is room for our churches and denominational disaster response agency (CRWRC) to respond, but there are also great needs in other areas of the country following a rather active weather pattern this spring,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I did meet with two organizations who are responding, and both have received extensive donations for the community. The Abundant Life Christian Center is one of these agencies. The pastor, Larry Bjorklund has made his large facility available for housing volunteers and the parking lot is full of semi-trailers full of donations. There are medical services offered, and the volunteers are going out into the community to work on requests that come to the attention of the pastor. Interest in partnering does not appear to be important, but there is a need and desire to have volunteers come to the community and stay at the church facilities. Their phone number is 417-782-6533.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Another is the Joplin Family Worship Center, which is on the fringe of the destroyed area. Richard Yeager is a deacon there who has assumed some of the administrative responsibilities. He generously agreed to take Pete and I for a tour of the area, and gave a continuing narrative of the changes to the neighborhoods caused by the tornado. He spoke of a three year plan and commitment to the community, and said there were three other centers responding. The secretary of the church, Charity Bethke, is interested in volunteers coming to the Center to work in the community and at the center. Her phone number is 417-623-6134, Ext 10. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joplin Neighborhood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFD-_sYcG3g/ThzwTG4PBrI/AAAAAAAAAJc/vUNgNRJAKiM/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFD-_sYcG3g/ThzwTG4PBrI/AAAAAAAAAJc/vUNgNRJAKiM/s320/IMG_0483.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hospital wich was knocked off its foundation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> One of the places destroyed is the hospital. Above is a picture of this huge building that was literally moved off its foundation, and the top two floors were ripped off. The other posted pictures show the extent of the damage to the neighborhood, with houses and large businesses completely demolished. </div>PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-260359863487948362011-07-12T16:49:00.001-06:002011-07-14T13:15:09.170-06:00Thunderstorms on the horizon. 7/11/11 In our goal to ride every mile, Phil brought Pete back 14 miles to Sommersville where he rode solo back to Alley Springs. Dave was feeling under the weather, and decided not to ride . When Pete returned to the camp, Phil joined him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ozarks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacks Fork River swimmin' hole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28DEReDmQ7w/ThzO4_7iJNI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Mq5DFUqMexc/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28DEReDmQ7w/ThzO4_7iJNI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Mq5DFUqMexc/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling through Eminence MO</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ecgnx6k6yU/ThzPLApYMAI/AAAAAAAAAJU/x5QtZkXw3bk/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ecgnx6k6yU/ThzPLApYMAI/AAAAAAAAAJU/x5QtZkXw3bk/s320/IMG_0518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite at Ozark National Scenic Rivers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Alley Springs to Eminence is about six miles. Our second breakfast was there. Ellington was another 26 miles further. You'd think that is would be a piece of cake. NOT. Pete said these were the steepest hills he experienced on this trip, and he was in his granny gear more than ever before. In fact he and I both experienced our front wheels coming off the ground on a couple of occasions. We think there were some 12% grades. The temp 100 at 1:00 when we had lunch. Pete decided to ride an additional twelve miles and started out solo - Phil had had it. Thunderstorms moved in, so Phil and Dave picked him up and drove back to Ellington and an air conditioned motel.PhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-85475072688999726802011-07-12T16:21:00.003-06:002011-07-15T05:48:46.768-06:00Hartville to Alley Springs 67 miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>7/12/11<br />
The trip from Springfield back to Hartford took about an hour. Dave and Pete left on their bikes about 8:30 AM.<br />
Did we mention hills? How about heat? To set up a tent in 100 degree heat after negotiating the hills is kinda the pits. But we found a great camp ground at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This was a national park with hot showers, grassy sites, and the Jacks Fork River to swim in. We sorta cooled off but the heat continued all night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93SMqPR3h4g/ThzHmECWe0I/AAAAAAAAAJA/ymWrTenAzsE/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93SMqPR3h4g/ThzHmECWe0I/AAAAAAAAAJA/ymWrTenAzsE/s320/IMG_0511.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micky D's is a favorite blog spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-RlQHB7-Bk/ThzIM7Z9G3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/AHISANbT9i0/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-RlQHB7-Bk/ThzIM7Z9G3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/AHISANbT9i0/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete working on his broken spoke in Sommersville MO.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Actually we drove 14 miles ahead to get to this campsite. We have arrived in Sommersville with Dave's bike on the back of the car because he had a flat. Pete came along and caught up with us there. He discovered a broken spoke. We used the gazebo in the middle of the town park as a repair shop. Fortunately Dave had a supply of spokes and they figured out how replace it. The good news is the wheel was not out of round. Sommersville had no lodging, so we drove ahead to Alley Springs.<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-11671436817630992902011-07-10T17:18:00.000-06:002011-07-10T17:18:29.437-06:00Another bike shop run to Springfield MO7/10/11<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjaAuE-g9Eo/ThoyLvUWfsI/AAAAAAAAAI8/V6mQzBrPiV8/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjaAuE-g9Eo/ThoyLvUWfsI/AAAAAAAAAI8/V6mQzBrPiV8/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete's Fan Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dave and Pete rode 72 miles from Ash Grove MO to Hartville, MO. Up and down, and do it over again. It's 103 degrees again. They arrived in Hartville about 2:00. Dave was having trouble with his crank - slipping. We figured that the only bike fixit shop would be in Springfield about an hour away by car. So load the bikes and off we went. Likely the bike shop would be closed on a Sunday, but we drove to one anyway to find out when they would be open on Monday. This one was open! The crew jumped right on it and lubed the crank well and we were otta there in 45 minutes. There was no lodging in Hartville so we are in a La Quinta Inn in Springfield. Air Conditioning on a 100 degree day is a dripping of Grace.<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-42553181251738382782011-07-10T11:44:00.002-06:002011-07-15T05:56:40.632-06:00We're not in Kansas anymore - Toto.7/10/11 Pittsburg KS to Ash Grove MO 75 Miles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38tRNROXpQY/Thnf76VrWUI/AAAAAAAAAIY/nmFHT6g9kcI/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38tRNROXpQY/Thnf76VrWUI/AAAAAAAAAIY/nmFHT6g9kcI/s320/IMG_0504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite Ash Grove MO, City Park/Pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Show Me State.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry in Ash Grove MO</td></tr>
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MO is truly different from KS. The Ozarks. Hills. Short, steep ups, and fast, short downs, with a lot of momentum to start up again. It's also hot again in the high 90's<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAN52AigeBU/ThnkYA0zNHI/AAAAAAAAAIs/lI_t7mU5vtg/s1600/westernmoroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAN52AigeBU/ThnkYA0zNHI/AAAAAAAAAIs/lI_t7mU5vtg/s1600/westernmoroad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusty took this picture of a typical MO road. They are very narrow too.</td></tr>
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Ash Grove calls itself the City of Trees. This whole area is known for it's hard woods. We arrived about 1:30 PM and were able to relax at the pool and do our laundry. Dinner included sweet (not very sweet) corn which an older couple gave to Dave when he befriended them. Bed by 8:30 PM 'cause the alarm is going off at 4:30 AM.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnMqwBQ1-Sk/TiAqes9GGMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HMDJn1QZh78/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnMqwBQ1-Sk/TiAqes9GGMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HMDJn1QZh78/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave saw this couple shucking their corn. They gave us some.</td></tr>
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-69559600788231458822011-07-09T10:09:00.002-06:002011-07-10T11:14:37.447-06:00Chanute KS to Pittsburg KS 59 miles.The was really a short day. Dave and Pete arrived in Pittsburg about 1:00PM. Pitt is a rather large town with a huge city park with a large pool. The parks people gave us bikers permission to camp there. The do not allow other campers. The pool and accompanying shower were available to us - free - too. <br />
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We were a day late. Immanuel Lutheran Church has a permanent welcome to all bikers on their outside sign. It is located on a lightly traveled rural road in the middle of no where. Every Thursday they feed lunch to all comers including bikers. Our fellow travelers Rusty and Ray got in on it. (see www.rustymccain.com). We were a day late. In the book <u>What's So Amazing About Grace</u> Yancy talks about churches which exhibit grace beyond maintaining their our congregation. Immanuel's sign said in effect the door to the fellowship hall is open. Help yourself. Use it to sleep in if you need to. We checked, and sure enough the place was wide open. That was a "dripping of Grace" for us today<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8WkoC6KIj8/ThnbiPXeAAI/AAAAAAAAAIM/ioLeSAcFaHM/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8WkoC6KIj8/ThnbiPXeAAI/AAAAAAAAAIM/ioLeSAcFaHM/s320/IMG_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Dave was on a mission today. He wanted to, and did, drive to Joplin to make contact with relief agencies with whom the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee might be partners. He agreed to write a blog and post pictures soon about his visit there. Pete went with him. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8000 homes were destroyed in Joplin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp8pdiEWJOo/ThndkvpcN0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/Ch6ASSpaQNs/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp8pdiEWJOo/ThndkvpcN0I/AAAAAAAAAIU/Ch6ASSpaQNs/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the places Dave contacted in Joplin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I stayed and played golf at a course in this big park.<br />
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This is our last night in KS. We really enjoyed the camping experiences in the city parks with pools. We now will see what MO brings.<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494751041560121326.post-50308232436107164722011-07-07T16:44:00.002-06:002011-07-09T10:13:15.797-06:00El Dorado KS to Chanute KS 92 milesWow. I am glad we were in a motel 'cause it was raining quite steadily when we poked or head out at 5:00 AM. By the time Pete and I headed out at 6:00 it had stopped but there were puddles on the road. We received a few hard, dirty showers, from passing semis. Fortunately US 54 in this part of Kansas doesn't have much truck traffic. The morning was overcast with temps in the mid 70s. I rode the first 55 miles and Dave rode the rest in the 90 degree afternoon sun. Pete of course rode the whole way and he just reported that he is feeling great and "I don't hurt anywhere." We got here, Chanute, and found the camp ground, but there are no tent sites and not even a rest room much less a shower. So Knights Inn is our bedroom for the night.<br />
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Green. This part of the state has received a lot of water. All the pasture lands are lush, and the cows must be be in their glory. We had many observers today. Whole herds of cows watched us on as we went by. I called them Pete's fan club. Pete observed that this part of KS looks a lot like rural MI and WI. The humidity is the same too.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scott Winters of GR radio station, WJRW, 1340 AM had read about us in the Press and wanted to talked to one of us. Dave called him and was on the radio for about 15 minutes.</span><br />
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Later<br />
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PhilPhilQuisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749266104691063192noreply@blogger.com0