Timon and Pumba-ing My Way to Cave-in-Rock!



(The Sunrise Rangers - Timon and Pumba!)

Miles Ridden Today - 87.95 Average MPH - 14.1


Today was one of those days where I felt very ambivalent about riding.  On the one hand, I was all snuggled up with my boys in bed and it was so warm when the alarm went off at 5:00 am.  All I wanted to do was roll over and sleep for a few more hours.

But I also remembered that today was the day when I would be riding for the Rangers of Sunrise Day Camp - the Timon Boys and Girls and Pumba Boys and Girls.  For those of you not indoctrinated into the organization of Sunrise, these are our first and second grade campers and they are some of the most enthusiastic and upbeat kids you'd ever want to meet!  Even those who are fighting cancer right now have such a positive outlook and are always such balls of energy.  As a drama specialist it was always a challenge to keep up with them.

So with those thoughts in my head I quickly got ready, got my complimentary breakfast of a waffle and coffee from the good folks at Super 8 and headed on the road to Cave-in-Rock, IL, a mere 87 miles away!

As I rode, I thought of the Rangers and how much they would enjoy all of the nature I was seeing so I made a video of the lake I was passing;

And I thought how much the Rangers would enjoy seeing so much natural water, especially in the heat they were experiencing.

And then I rode on and for the second day in a row, I came across another one of these guys;

If this keeps up I'll have to open a sanctuary for rescued turtles!  I headed on my way with the idea of meeting up with my family sometime after Goreville for a much needed water and food break.  However, since I was low on cold water I stopped at a small truck stop outside of Goreville and that's when I received three text messages from Deanna that made me cry.  The first was of her guy on a bicycle that was to represent me and where I was on my journey.  The second was full page shot of the map and it looked amazing (of course, since she is such an an incredible and creative artist) and the third text simply said, "rangers...cheering and thanking u! be safe!" and that's when I started to sob.  Just knowing that they were with me and they knew I was thinking of them made my day and renewed the flagging energy in my legs.  It has been two days of hellatious up and down climbing but that was like the biggest jolt of caffeine to my system.  So much so that Amy and the kids didn't catch up with me until about mile 64, about 24 miles from the end of today's ride!

It was fortuitious that they did so since we met another cyclist coming the other direction and climbing the hill I was about to go down.  We offered her some ice and water and we compared notes about the roads ahead.  Her name is Ariel and she has just graduated from NYU with a degree in Journalism. She's heading back home to Golden, CO and has had some harrowing adventures on the road.  Of most interest to me was the fact that she had been bitten by a dog in Eastern Kentucky!  I've heard the warnings and so far I've been able to scare the dogs away by yelling at them and squirting them with water (although the one who came after me today took some doing before he backed off).  However, I do have some pepper spray if that non-violent method doesn't work.  But if I'm riding with Sarah and they come after us, no more mister nice guy - its right to the spray.

I continued riding after we parted and went our ways and took my next rest in Elizabethtown, MO known as E-Town to the locals.  I stopped at the local gas station/grocery and had some Mountain Dew and talked a little about Sunrise and why I was riding.  She was very impressed and said she'd be keeping our campers in her prayers.  While waiting outside I got into a discussion with the Hostess delivery man who was making his rounds.  And then Amy and the kids drove up!  Apparently, they had just had lunch on a converted barge there in E-Town.  And as they drove up I got one of the best gifts of all - he handed me a box of Twinkies and said, "a gift from Southern Illinois" and what a gift indeed!  I can't wait to eat them - of course I have to share them with the kids!  Immedieately following that, the lady came outside and asked us if we wanted some slushies - on the house!  I didn't but the kids availed themselves of the offer and thanked her profusely.  I am sure going to miss the wonderful, friendly and supportive folk of Illinois!

And then it was off for the final 13 miles of my journey.  It was more of the same, 23% grades that were short but killer in this heat.  But as I rode I thought again of our Rangers and how they were at that moment going home to be with their families after a great day at Sunrise!  I hope that through this journey we can make that possible for just a few more!

And now I'm finishing up this blog while overlooking the Ohio River.  There are hummingbird feeders on the windows behind me and I can hear them buzzing back and forth as they feed and flit on.  A little while ago I heard a thump and looked over and saw a small hummingbird lying on the ground just five feet from me.  I saw it was still alive so I picked it up and took it back to the cabin so it wouldn't become a meal for some animal.  As I called for Amy and the kids to come outside and see the poor stunned creature it suddenly revived itself and flew into the open door of the cabin.  There were a few moments of panic as we realized we couldn't find it and how frightened it must be.  It was then that I noticed it had stunned itself again by running into the wall and was lying on the carpet.  I carefully picked it up again and took it outside making sure to hold it so that it wouldn't take off in the cabin again.  This time only a few moments went by before it began to stir and took wing - our little hummingbird was okay!

And now, its time to eat some dinner, enjoy some Twinkies and watch the Olympics.  I have a rest day tomorrow but on Thursday I'll be riding to Owensboro, KY and riding for the Thunder Boys and Girls!


And today's report;

FFL - 1 Rabbits, 1 Skunk, 1 Possum, 4 Squirrels, 1 Fox,  6 UFO's, 1 Turtle (I couldn't get to him in time)
RRL - Two couch cushions, one really cool throw pillow and what appeared to be one XXXL pair of men's underwear (I don't want to know)

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!

For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com/
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

I Yam What I Yam - Crossing the Big River on the Way to Carbondale

(Statue of Popeye the Sailor in Chester, IL - Home of Elzie Segar)

Today's Mileage - 91.10  Average MPH - 14.0

Today was an exciting day to be on the bike for many reasons - first of all I knew that I would be crossing another state boundary which would bring me one state closer to getting back to Sunrise.

The other reason, and perhaps the most meaningful one, was the fact that starting today I will be riding for a different group of Sunrise campers each day I ride.  Today was for the Acorns and Troopers, our youngest campers battling cancer.  The acorns are 3 1/2 years old and the Troopers are 4 and 5 years old.  I have to admit that my thoughts were with them all day.  I can't think of the Troopers without seeing in my head a young girl named Jessica in my head.

My first summer teaching at Sunrise I only had the older kids for dance and the Rangers and up for drama since there was another drama specialist to teach the younger ones.  However, once in a while I was able to teach dance to some of the younger ones and during one of the last weeks of camp I had the chance to teach a little combination to the Troopers.  At the end, this vivacious young girl named Jessica - who always wore floppy hats to cover her head - came up to me as I was kneeling by my boom box and gave me a hug, a kiss and said, "thank you".  That moment has always stayed with me because she was so happy to be dancing.  She was thanking me for the chance to dance at camp.  It wasn't until later that I found out she loved to dance and she was always dancing.  You see, Jessica never made it to my second summer at camp.  She had passed away in between adn it was at her memorial that I found out how important dance was to her, and how excited she was whenever she got the chance to do it.

So it was with thoughts of Jessica and all of the other Acorns and Troopers I have had contact with over the last two summers at Sunrise that I started out pedaling my way towards Carbondale, IL.  And it was with thoughts of these youngest of campers that I happened upon one of the smallest of God's creatures struggling to get across the road.  As you can tell from my posts,  I have seen far too much flattened fauna along the way so I decided to make sure there was one less victim and helped it across the road.

I then got back on the road and furiously pedaled my way towards St. Mary, MO so I could try to get there before Amy and the kids arrived.  Sarah was going to ride with me to the foot of the Chester Bridge to cross the Mississippi River.  We would be joined there by the boys and we would form our little cycling group to cross over the bridge.  I made it unscathed, only being chased by one set of what I have begun to call "Bubba Dogs" - those dogs that hang out underneath cars set up on cinderblocks in the overgrown front yards of the backroads of the south.  (At least I'm not seeing the omnipresent Confederate flags that I saw yesterday.  I was born in South Carolina - the first state to succeed and I consider myself a Texan, another Confederate State and I can say this with certainty - THE SOUTH LOST - GET OVER IT!)  Of course, we did see a stray beagle puppy that William wanted to adopt but he didn't look like he would chase a passing cyclist - unless there was food hanging out of the cyclist's pocket.

Sarah and I then got on our way and we had a great ride for the eleven miles to get to the foot of the bridge.  There were a few steep climbs but she handled them like a trooper and then we hit the flatlands of the Flood Plains.  Along the way we met a young woman named Maria Eswin who was from Perryville who was out for a training ride.  She rode with us for a while and we chatted and she gave us the gift of "local knowledge" which would come in handy when we hit the bridge.

We got to the gas station at the foot of the Chester Bridge and after some refueling we collected the boys and headed across the bridge, The Four Cycling Connors in our Ride Across America jerseys and bike shorts - and yes, even the boys have padded bike shorts now.

At the other end of the bridge was the statue you see at the beginning of this post - the statue of Popeye the Sailor.  His creator Elzie Segar was originally from Chester and many of the original characters were based on folks from the town.  After briefly taking our pictures posing in front of the "Welcome to Illinois" sign, Sarah and I were back on the road. 

After three days of making it up some pretty steep hills, she finally had to get off and walk as she lost her momentum going up a very long, 13% grade.  But she soldiered on for the rest of the journey until Mama met us on the side of the road - she managed 23 hilly miles today which brings her total up to 183 miles!

The rest of the journey was uneventful - just hot and hilly, a state I'm getting used to as the days go on through this Ozarkian paradise!  As I said, I spent nine months working here in Branson, MO and I still don't remember it ever being this hot in this part of the country.  I also don't remember people being quite as conservative - perhaps its because its an election year.

Tomorrow I will be riding to Cave-In-Rock, IL which will be our last destination in Illinois.  I'll be riding for the Rangers of Sunrise who are our first and second graders - six and seven - year -olds.  I will be climbing some wicked, short, steep hills and I will be thinking of my Timon and Pumba boys and girls the entire 90 mile journey!  If you want to help make a difference in their lives, click here.  It all goes to helping these brave young boys and girls make a new beginning every day!

And today's report;

FFL - 2 Rabbits, 2 Skunks (small ones), 4 Possum,  8 Armadillos, 4 Squirrels, 8 UFO's, 1 Turtle (I couldn't get to him in time)
RRL - Nothing really to speak of, sorry!


Stay well and I'll update more from the road!


For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Fast and Fun (NOT!) Times on the Way to Farmington

Today's Mileage - 98.14  Average MPH - 14.4

I'm not too proud anymore to say that I am of an age where I can remember Sean Penn's primary claim to fame was the stoner in Fast Times At Ridgemont High.  I'm also not ashamed (much to my wife's chagrin) to admit that I actually like the movie, along with the other classic Dazed and Confused.  I guess because both of them pretty much reminded me of my senior year at C. E. Ellison High School in Killeen, TX.  Not that I was a stoner mind you (nope, straight-laced drama and band geek with the occasional foray into jockdom as I pursued soccer and wrestling, very unmainstream Texas sports), but I went to school with a bunch of Spicoli's.  For instance, this scene reminds me of many an exchange I would witness in Algebra II class which was "taught" by the head football coach;



Ahh, those were the days!  I can also remember Sean as he went through his Mr. Madonna phase (shudder) before he starred in amazing films such as A River Runs Through It, became a noted activist, and before he directed such films as The Indian Runner, The Crossing Guard, and The Pledge (I guess it MUST have the word "The" in front before he'll consider the script).

Well today I certainly could at least relate to the fast times part but more on that a little later.  But the day started out anything but fast as you can see from this video of the view as I ate my preride breakfast;

And then on our way up to the road (which was about a mile along a gravel road from the cabin where we stayed overnight) we discovered this little friend;

After saying goodbye to "Crystal" (as she came to be named) and Amy I headed off on my way to Farmington, MO - 100 miles away.

I wish I could say that many eventful things happened on the way but it was mostly non-eventful.  There were a few notable exceptions;

1)  On the 31 miles between Eminence and Ellington I hit some of the hardest climbs I have had in more than 2000 miles.  They were short but steep - I hit grades of 31%, yes you read that correctly 31%!!!!!!!  That sucked huge.

2)  In Ellington I got a little "local knowledge" that the way between Ellington and Farmington wouldn't be so steep.  Also, I was told that the rain lately has been nothing, just fifteen minutes or so and it was gone - THAT WAS WRONG!!!!  I ended up getting soaked for a good hour and a half of the route today - just after I sent Amy and the kids away with my rain gear because according to local knowledge I wouldn't need it.

3)  Once again I was menaced by dogs - this time a pack of five or six.  However, they started chasing (and seriously sprinting after me) after me but I was on a downhill stretch so I kicked it into overdrive and then next thing I knew I was doing 33 mph!  I don't think the dogs knew what had happened and I didn't have to use my pepper spray.

Back home they were riding the Gold Coast Century ride today and I was so sorry I couldn't do it.  In the shape I'm in now I would have smashed it!  I missed it last year because of a family commitment and the year before I didn't finish because that was the year I was doored halfway through.  So instead, I rode my own century today, and it was fast!

And that was pretty much it today.  Sorry, nothing but the facts folks.  It was a great ride - I averaged 14.4 and I got wet and squishy but I had fun.  Last night I had the chance to speak to my good friend Deanna Laster Slade who is the Assistant Director of Sunrise Day Camp.  We have worked out a way for the kids to be involved and I'm so proud to be able to say that tomorrow I am riding in honor of the Acorns (the 3 1/2 year-olds) and the Troopers (the 4 & 5 year-olds).  I am riding to give my strenght and support to these youngest of our campers and I hope you all will join me in thinking of them tomorrow and sending your energy to them!

And today's report;

FFL - 2 Rabbits, 2 Skunks, 1 Possum, 1 Hawk, 4 Squirrels, 1 Dog, 8 UFO's
RRL - 2 coolers, 1 cooler top, 3 gloves, 1 rubber work boot

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!


For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Epiphanies and Emasculation (Almost) on the Way to Eminence

(Something No Male Wants to See Coming At Him!)

Today's Mileage - 102.2 Average Speed - 13.7 mph

To say something is "Eminent" is to say that it is renowned or famous. By extrapolation then I guess that you could say that any town that names itself Eminence is saying that it is a place of renown or worthy of being famous. This is one of the bizarre thoughts that I found floating through my head on my through the central Missouri landscape.

Although I spent nine months here many years ago performing in Branson, MO for Andy Williams at his Moon River Theater, I never remember the weather being this hot in the summer. Apparently, its not the usual temperature for as Sarah and I rolled out of the Holiday Inn Express this morning it was already 70 degrees at 5:55 in the morning. Apparently, the HIE was the hopping place for cyclists since I saw another gentleman wheeling his ride through the hallway at exactly the same time I was leaving with mine. He was going west and I was going east so we were simply ships passing in the early morning. I was finally able to get everything together and Sarah and I headed out in search of a quick breakfast since we were missing the free one at HIE.

After a brief repast of “baked goodness”, coffee (me) and hot chocolate (Sarah) we headed out. But not before a local gentleman asked us if we were going to do the Pancake Ride the next day. We told him no that we were actually on our way to Eminence as part of our cross country ride to help the children of Sunrise. I told him a little about the camp and he asked if we had a website. I gave him a brochure and he smiled, thanked me and said he would donate. What a great way to start the day.

From the beginning I was a little concerned as to how Sarah would handle riding with me today. She actually managed to get in 23 miles yesterday so we knew she only had to ride 17 to keep up her average of 20 miles a day. Today would be rough according to the elevation profile. The indication was there were some steep (although short) inclines within the first 17 miles. But Sarah handled them like a trooper. In her new padded shorts and her clean cycling jersey it was so joyous to ride behind her and see her looking like a cyclist instead of just a young girl out on a ride with her dad. She looked so confident as she took to the road, bombed down hills at 30 mph and pedaled up the hills. And then we hit the first steep incline of 12%. I rode beside her encouraging her and singing my Dory version of “just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling….” until she made it to the top. She seemed to gain confidence from that. The next steep incline she attacked a little more energetically and by the end of the day she had conquered climbs of 14%! She was so incredibly proud of herself. She won’t be riding with me outside of Eminence because those climbs will be far too brutal but she will ride again soon!

Amy and the boys finally picked up Sarah from where we stopped on the road and since there were plenty of towns along the way I told Amy I would just meet them at the end of the day. I was now on my own for the next 88 miles but I had full water bottles, a full bladder (of the camelback variety) and money for snacks - I was on my way.

And it proved to be a repeat performance of yesterday’s rollercoaster ride. Only this time there were lots more of them. I seem to have gotten into a groove of how to handle the hills and how to deal with my gearing. However, at the first little town where I stopped, a small spot on the map named Bendavis, the man in the store warned me that the hill into Eminence would “eat my lunch”. I thanked him kindly for the advice but in my head I’m thinking, “I climbed Wolf Creek Pass in great time, how hard can it be”. Apparently, Amy and the kids had stopped in earlier because he greeted me with, “Your wife and kids were already here, they said an out of shape old guy would be in here looking for a cold drink.” So that was another reason why I thought he was just yanking my chain.

As traveled further on I was grateful for the GPS, the map, and the tailwind that I was finally getting after far too many days of headwind in Kansas. As I rode I noticed the proliferation of dead armadillos everywhere I rode. Also raccoons, possums, and far too many UFO’s. I was reminded of what Andra (the reporter from the Joplin Globe) who told me that a lot of it is due to the weather and the encroachment of humans into their environment. And these are the things I sort of ruminated upon as I rolled along. And then I rolled into a much bigger town and I received the same information about the hill into Eminence - it’s a killer! Hmmm, I thought, there might be more too this.

Finally, about 25 miles outside of Eminence I stopped at an intersection and as I was collecting my thoughts and preparing my penultimate assault for the day, a man in a church across the street beckoned to me. I came closer and he asked if I wanted to step inside for some air conditioning and some cold water. I thanked him kindly and went inside to partake. It was just nice to chat for a while about the roads, the weather, the town, and to my surprise when I told him my story he said that he thought he might have read about it in last week’s local paper. He sent me into town (Summersville) to look for an old paper - no luck. So I pressed on expecting to see the monster of all hills loom before me. From my elevation charts I knew just where to expect it - right across the Jack’s Ford crossing.

Finally it was here, the monster I had been warned about. I looked at my elevation on my cycling computer and it listed it as 8% - no big deal. Then it jumped to 14, 15, 18 %! I was now officially struggling so I stood up and mashed the pedals - I would not let it beat me, I would not stop, I would not climb off the bike. Just as I thought my heart was going to explode it “flattened out” to 7% - a breather! And then it kicked back up to 17 % and the sign appeared that told me my turn off was ½ mile ahead - and it was uphill all the way! And the computer suddenly flattened out to 8% - time to breathe! And finally it kicked back to 18, 17, 15, 17% and then it was finished - I was at the intersection for SR E - my turn off - I had made it!!!!! But I refused to stop yet, I rode on for another 300 yards down SR E just to show that hill it didn’t beat me!!!!!!

The rest of the journey was just to get to the cabin and get into contact with Amy. My ride today was done. We headed to the cabin on the bucolic lake where we would spend tomorrow’s rest day and I showered, met some of the animals (it’s a working farm), and headed into town for a yummy meal of catfish, hush puppies fried okra, cole slaw and fried potatoes - it’s the closest we could get to fish and chips in honor of the games.

Well, here’s to a restful day tomorrow to get prepared for another grueling day in the saddle!

And here is the gruesome and more disturbing than usual report;

FFL - 25+ armadillos, 18 possums, 15 raccoons, 2 cats, 1 skunk, 2 turtles, 1 fox, 10 UFO’s
RRL - Noodle, red cowboy hat, strange steel spike (which I kept)

For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Perambulations with Partners on the Way to Pittsburgh

Miles Ridden Today - 122.2   Average Miles Per Hour - 13.17

So I have to admit the title of this post is a little misleading since strictly speaking "perambulate" would indicate walking instead of riding a bicycle as we see here.  This is also not to confuse what I was doing today with my walking about pushing one of these;

which, while cool and uber retro, is ultimately not terribly aerodynamic due to the fact that the wicker allows way too much air to get through and there is no steering mechanism, no brakes and no place to attach my water bottles and handlebar bag.

Of course, someone apparently has forseen my problem and has created one of these;

in which I could, as Miley Cyrus so eloquently put it, have the "best of both worlds"!  I could attach water bottles, handlebar bags and I could push along my riding partners when they get tired.

What's that you say?  Riding partners?  I thought you, in your mental instability brought on by too much desert heat, were doing this solo!  Well, if you thought that was the entire case you would only be partially right because today I had company - lots of it.

It has always been Sarah's plan to ride with me and to try to put in 400 miles of the journey.  Yesterday she struggled terribly becuase we tried to have her join me at 10:00 and to put in twenty miles.  It was far too hot for her and she struggled to make ten.  So, Amy and I rethought the strategy and decided that she should ride with me early in the morning when it is coolest.  By 10:00 in the morning the temperature is already hovering in the 90's right now but at 6:00 its a manageable 70 degrees.

Today that is exactly what we did.  Sarah got up at 5:00 and we were on the road by 6:00 and we managed to put in 20 miles by 8:00 in the morning.  This makes the total miles that Sarah has logged a whopping 120.  We're hoping to add on a bit every day to that total and to help her reach her goal by the end of the journey.  I love riding with Sarah becasue I love being able to share this love I have of cycling with my children. 

However, when I do ride with Sarah it does take on the quality of a perambulation (see definition link above) instead of a ride.   Left to my own devices I often ride at 17 - 22 miles an hour depending on terrain.  When I ride with Sarah my average speed dips down to 11 mph mainly because Sarah gets so caught up in sight seeing and enjoying the terrain that she forgets to pedal.  I find myself constantly reminding her that she needs to keep moving - and often to stay on the road.

Today though I couldn't be the least bit annoyed with her when I watched her watch the sunrise from behind.  I have seen a few sunrises in my time but only recently was able to do so from the back of a moving bicycle.  This morning I got to see the joy in another person experiencing this bliss when I rode behind Sarah and saw her reaction to the sunrise.  She couldn't stop talking about how beautiful and "awesome" it was.  I rode behind her with tears in my eyes just grateful to be able to experience the child like joy she was exhibiting.  It wasn't until later when I compared notes with Amy and then asked Sarah straight out that I had the realization that I had the joy of being able to be there when Sarah saw her first sunrise EVER!  To be able to share something like that with my daughter will forever be one of my favorite memories - and I can totally forgive her the perambulatory pace we kept.

Eventually Amy caught up with us and we loaded up the van with Sarah's bike, refilled me with water and were passed up by the cyclist we met in the restaurant the night before.  He was loaded down with full panniers so I thought I might be able to catch up with him and maybe ride with him for a while.  Unfortunately, due to various complications (couldn't find a bathroom, cough, cough) I was probably 45 minutes behind him and I would have a lot of catching up to do.

Amy's parents are avid sailors who used to occasionally race.  Now they often go out on cruises with their fellow yacht club members and they have a phrase my mother-in-law likes to call out after they tell people they'll meet them at their next destination - "not racing!" which really is code for, we're going to sail as fast as we safely can and try to get there before you.  Its not for a prize, its just to know that you did it - you were first.  I have to admit that I have a bit of that same mentality.  So needless to say, I was on a quest to try to catch up with him before Chanute since I knew from our conversation last night that he probably wouldn't be going much further.  Well, I never found him.  Ten miles outside of Chanute I pulled into a gas station to get water and I saw two loaded bikes already parked there - and neither of them looked like his.  How did I miss him?

When I left Newton the other day I had been told by the clerk at a gas station that there were two girls heading to Virginia that were on the road ahead of me.  I thought, well, maybe I'll catch up to them in Missouri since they were already almost a day ahead of me.  This morning when Sarah and I were getting ready to leave I noticed to riders pulling out on the road but they were heading out a half hour before us and with the perambulatory pace Sarah and I were setting I didn't stand a chance of catching them until I saw their bikes at the gas station.  Again, not racing!  But after being left in the dust by that peloton on the way to Ash Fork, it was gratifying to know that I could catch someone who had lefta half an hour before us, even with my lavoratory problems.  It turns out that these were the same two ladies we had heard about and their names are Whitney and Promise.  They're really fascinating people and Whitney is in the process of riding cross country to win a bet with her brother James.  We exchanged stories and observations of experiences on the road but since I still had a long way to go before Pittsburg I left them in the coolness of the air conditioned gas station office and headed back on my way.

Amy and the kids soon caught up with me about ten miles outside of Chanute and while they were refueling me Whitney and Promise rolled up again.  I introduced them to the kids and my beautiful wife and we all took some photos together.  Here are the intrepid duo posing next to Vannikan;

A little while later I caught back up with them on the way to Chanute.  Turns out they were staying there for the night whereas I was still going to be going further along to Pittsburgh.  We parted ways and exchanded information.  We parted at an intersection that seemed to have a likely gas/convenience store for me to refuel before heading out.  While there I saw Amy and the kids (who had left me thirty minutes earlier) heading back as if to find me so I called them.  Turns out the road was closed on the TransAmerica route a little ahead of me so I was going to have to find an alternate route.  No problem, since we've started to get pretty good about going off the beaten path.  Ever since taking route 160 from Cameron to Pueblo I've gotten a little more comfortable with the idea of going "off the grid".

But I thave to be grateful for having a support vehicle becuase not only have they been instrumental in me not dying in the desert, littel benefits like this keep me from needing to go miles out of my way because of detours.  It would add fifteen miles to the route but at the time I thought nothing of it.

Little did I know what was in store for me.  The problem with maps is that it always looks easy in a two dimensional format.  Even with shading and elevation charts the topography doesn't give the true picture of rolling hills and heat.  Add to that the new perambulations that I would encounter today, what looked like a fairly easy and straightforward 110 mile ride became a rambling 122 mile one that lasted nine hours.

To top it off, Amy and the kids were supposed to double back and resupply me at some point but because they missed a turn we didn't reconnect as we were supposed to.  As a result, I missed the bison farm;

(I don't know if he'll charge, but he's dangerous!)

Along the way I began to see something I hadn't seen all summer - armadilloes!  Having grown up in Texas I was used to seeing these little guys in the Southwest but I had yet to see one along our journey.  Unfortunately, the only ones I was seeing were dead ones.  Yet now I know they're here I'm keeping my eyes peeled and I hope I can show the kids what these armored possums look like in the flesh.

Eventually I made my way to St. Paul, the first real stop along my way as the TransAm route had me meandering along the backroads of Kansas.  Not wanting to diverge too much from the map to find fuel I just kept plodding on in the hopes I would eventually get to a place where I could refill my water and get a salty snack.  Unfortunately, it wasn't for about 40 miles.  Finally I reached St. Paul and took my rest.  After refueling I was finally able to steel myself for the last 35 miles of the day. 

By this time it was 2:30 and I knew I was going to have to really book it if I was going to get to Pittsburgh before dark.  Apparently, I was going so briskly I missed one of the coolest things along the route today;

(It ain't the Alamo but still remember it!)

Apparently they had gotten back on the route after they had missed the turn but they were ahead of me so never came across me on the route.  They ended up stopping at the same gas station I did in St. Paul and came across two other female cyclists who were stopping in Girard for the night.  While leaving town they found this church took the picture.  I completely missed it.

I finally made it to Pittsburgh just as the light was starting to fade and I now had the onerous task of finding the bed and breakfast that was so graciously donated to us for our stay in Pittsburgh by Jeff and Sherri Stephens.  The name of their place is Himmel House Bed and Breakfast and they donated two nights in the Decuyper and Blair rooms to our traveling circus.  Amy had contacted them about the posibility of staying here when she was booking accomodations and Sherri felt so moved by our story and what we are trying to do for the kids of Sunrise that she donated the nights during our stay in Pittsburgh.  Her husband Jeff, as it turns out, is a cancer survivor and her daughter does a lot of work in the cancer community.  We have been so blessed already on our journey by meeting folks like Jeff and Sherri who have been so generous with places to stay and even donations that we are feeling more and more optimistic that we might be able to really make a difference on this journey.

Then it was time to head off for a great dinner and some rest in a big comfy bed!!!!!  Tomorrow we head off to Joplin so Sarah can give them her check for $800 to help replace the trees lost in the tornadoes last year.

FFL - 8 armadilloes, 6 Possums, 1 Rabbit, 1 Racoon, 1 Deer, 2 Squirrels, 1 Dog, 6 UFO's

RRL - 6 coolers, Lazy Boy arm chair, laundry asket with clothes in it.
Stay well and I'll update more from the road!


For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Lessons Learned on the Way to Larned

 

Miles Ridden Today - 94.76   Average Miles Per Hour - 12.03

Today I almost quit the ride.  I have never in my life felt so alone, so defeated, so utterly run through the wringer.  At one point I actually considered hurling my bike into the ditch and just giving up.  I think if I would have had phone service and could have reached Amy to come and get me I just might have.  But I'll get to that in a moment.

The day started benignly enough as Sarah joined me for twenty miles of the ride and we perambulated at our usual 12 miles an hour tempo.  It was early and although we didn't see the sun rise this morning we had a happy time just cruising around among the deserted Kansan roads.  We saw lots more cows and more hawks making lazy circles in the sky (even thought that apparently only happens in Oklahoma!).  We even managed to take a short break at this marker commemorating the homestead of George Washington Carver outside of Beeler, KS - population 25.

Before we knew it, Amy and the boys were there and it was time to pick up Sarah and for me to ride on my lonesome way.  At the time I didn't think it would be too bad although the wind had begun to creep up on me.  "This can't be too bad," I thought, "it's Kansas, land of Dorothy, of Toto, of flat lands stretching as far as the eye can see."  And indeed, I started to think I was truly in the Land of Oz as very soon I came across a town that seemed to be completely paved in brick;
 

As I traveresed my way through this town I came to find out that it was Ness City, the county seat of Ness County.  Unfortunately I had made a major miscalculation in how far I would be riding today.  You can hear me in the video saying I'm about halfway to Larned.  Ohhhhhhhh, how wrong I was.  As it would turn out, I was only a third of the way from where I needed to be and the wind was starting to pick up.

Part of the reason why we decided to travel West to East this summer is that conventional wisdom tells us that the prevailing Subtropical Jet Stream flows from West to East during this time of the year.  Sort of like this;

Conventional Wisdom LIES!!!!! 

Apparently there is one thing you need to know about Kansas - the wind ALWAYS blows.  I thought I was fairly safe today since I was traveling almost due east on Kansas Highway 96 for much of the journey, then on US - 183 for about twenty miles, and then the final push to Larned on Kansas Highway 156.  Simple, right?????

Wrong!  Almost as soon as Amy and the kids left me the wind shifted around from Southwesterly to Southeasterly - pretty much on my nose!  And it would stay there for the next 70 miles!  Now I have had my share of bad days and I wrote about one of the very worst, which was when I rode to Mesa Verde.  This was worse!  Once I left Ness City the wind stayed on my nose but it began to blow harder and where I once was cruising along at 18+ mph, I found myself struggling to maintain 14 mph.

And it got worse!  Although there were some memorable moments on this ride and some great side trips and more historical markers to take note of, I found myself about twelve miles outside of Ness City sobbing and struggling as hard as I could to simply travel at 12 mph!  "I can't do this, its too hard" I said in between sobs and trying to catch my breath.  I actually kept eyeing the patches of shade along the way as by this time the temperature was hovering around 100 degreees and with the wind blowing as hard as it was it felt like opening a blast oven.  Yet every time I got to the aforementioned shade I found a reason to try to make it to the next patch of shade "That one looks bigger", "this one looks uncomfortable", "maybe there will be a gas station up ahead".  My TransAmerica maps were not being helpful here since I had already passed one spot that didn't have the facilities it claimed existed.

While riding I consulted my map and estimated I only had another eight miles to get to the intersection of Kansas 96 and US - 183.  The map indicated multiple places to stop for refreshment and so I convinced myself I could make it that far.  If need be Amy could come and get me.  And then I found the following message printed out for me on the hillsides of Kansas;



 

 



 Perhaps that was the lesson I was supposed to learn, similar to the one that Jake and Elwood learned in The Blues Brothers;

  

 

However, at the moment it was hard to realize that might be the truth.  I knew I was on a mission of mercy and I was pedaling as hard as I could just to finish the leg today and try to do so for the kids of Sunrise Day Camp.  But it was also hard to think of anything except to continue going.

 

By the time I reached the intersection I was totally spent.  And to top it off, I was at least two hours behind schedule, I couldn't reach Amy on the phone to come and get me even if I wanted to, and the only thing open was a bar and restaurant - the rest of the town seemed to have dried up and closed down.  And to make matters worse, the wind was starting to shift again and was coming directly from the south - the very direction I was about to start riding.

 

To brace myself I went into the restaurant and it seemed like everyone in town was having lunch there that day.  Fortunately I had half a sandwich and other foodstuffs left over from the day before so all I needed was liquid.  I refilled my water bottles with the bartender and ordered the largest Mountain Dew they had.  It looked to be a 32 ounce big gulp and I was a happy camper.  She told me there were free refills, which I would definitely be needing if I was to fortify myself for the wind tunnel/blast furnace I was about to enter.  I went outside and sat down on one of the covered picnic tables outside and proceeded to injest as much food as I could handle as well as a couple of turbo shots and a Five Hour Energy Drink that I had bought in Ness City.  I truly needed the caffeine.

 

But I was behind schedule and I knew Amy would be having doom filled fantasies, especially since I had no cell service - it was time to get back on the road.  And five miles in along this twelve mile stretch is where I broke down again.  I just couldn't get myself going.  I was pedaling as hard as I could, the heat was blasting against me at 100 degrees, it was not flat any longer as the road was now undulating up and down and I just couldn't do it.  As I came upon the figure you see at the top of this blog I realized I just couldn't push on any longer.  I rode about another mile and found there was no shade anywhere along the entire road to be seen.  With tears streaming down my face, I simply pulled off the side of the road, pulled my Connor's Army baseball cap out of my bag, drank some water and lay down on the dead and dried up grass on the side of the road.  I knew Amy would be worrying since I should have been there by now but I still had no service and I couldn't go on.  I fell asleep in the heat with the sweat pouring off my body there in the hot sun.  People stopped occasionally to ask me if I were okay.  It was odd, since where I'm from on Long Island I could be stopped by the side of the road bleeding and no one would stop to ask if I were okay.  But here I was, a complete stranger and folks felt compelled to check and see if I was in distress.  I love Kansans!

 

It felt like hours but by my watch it had only been twenty minutes when I awoke.  Oddly, I felt slightly refreshed - at least enough to start up again.  So I looked about, saw no traffic coming so I relieved myself and got back on the road, heading back into the wind that was blowing straight "on my nose" to use a nautical term.  It was excrutiating slow going and I looked down often to see that I was barely pedaling at 10 mph.  There would be times when a rogue side gust would hit me and it would be all I could do to stay upright.

Eventually I hit the intersection of US - 183 and Kansas 156 where I thought I would be safe.  The wind was still blowing briskly but I thought that if it were blowing from the south while I was heading East it would be "on my beam" and not so bad, right?

Wrong, about the same time I hit the intersection the wind shifted again, to settle in a more SSE direction.  I was having absolutely no luck with the wind today.  Once again I began to succumb to my emotions and my exhaustion.  I just felt as if I couldn't face another mile.  The problem was I had at least another fifteen miles to go and I had run out of water.  It was all I could do to continue pedaling.  Just fifteen miles, another hour and a half, I could do this.

And then looming on the horizon in front of me was the familiar black shape with the blue tarp on top - Vannikan Roadwalker with Amy and the kids!  I COULD do this!  They made a U-Turn and passed me, finding a good place to pull over on the side.  As I saw them I once again sobbed.  As I pulled up to the van I was still crying slightly as the kids piled out of the van to give me hugs and sustenance.  Amy said they had come looking for me because I was running so late and she couldn't reach me on the phone so she came looking for me.

They refueled me and told me about their incredible adventure at Fort Larned, a National Historic Site, which meant they got another Junior Ranger badge each.  My GPS showed it was just slightly ahead on the right so I knew I could make it now.  I was refueled and Amy informed me it was only 12 miles to Larned - one more hour and I would be there!  Amy gave me the room key and told me they were going to go to the public pool (which was supposed to be amazing) and I could just go to the room, take a shower and hang out till they got there.  After refilling my water bottles they headed off, leaving me to finish my day from hell alone.

In just a few miles I came across this sign and knew that I would be at my final destination soon; 



As hot as it was and as exhausted as I was, I just focused on keeping my pedals going.  Before I knew it I was in Larned proper and I stopped at the first convenience store I could find to chug down a Monster Energy drink and scarf down the last of my food.  I headed back out and followed Amy's directions to the Rodeway Hotel in Larned.  It was a beautiful sight to behold;

 

I made myself comfortable, showered and promptly fell asleep until the family arrived. 

 

We celebrated by breaking one of our cardinal rules - we ate fast food at the local Pizza Hut!  Then back to the room to watch the Food Network reruns of Chopped and Cupcake Wars!

 

So what did I learn today? 

I hate Kansas weather. 

I like Kansas people. 

Perhaps all of this has a purpose that I don't even fathom yet. 

I can make it, I can survive these rides, I can make a difference for the kids of Sunrise.

I WILL NOT LET ANYTHING BEAT ME!

Without my family, I truly will not be able to finish this ride.

 

And now, today's report;

 

FFL - 7 UFO’s, 4 Rabbits, 1 Snake, 1 Skunk, 4 Birds of indeterminate species, 1 mouse

RRL - Nothing of note

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!


For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Happy Times to Tribune - A Third of the Way!

Miles Ridden Today - 119   Average Miles Per Hour - 16.66

Yesterday was one of the best days so far on the ride.  No, it couldn't compare to any of our days at Grand Canyon.  Nor did it match the day of exuberance I felt when I crossed the Continental Divide.  But it was an incredible day in which I finally got to ride with my daughter and had the chance to make something out of nothing with my family.  Ordway's a lovely little town but there was absolutely nothing to do there except play in the fountain.  As with far too many small towns we've already come across, the downtown area is desolute and you have to wonder what keeps it alive out here miles from the next town.

But we had an amazing time celebrating being together as a family and we watched the food network (once again, "Next Food Network Star" and "Cupcake Wars") before falling asleep in our lovely old-fashioned hotel which was air conditioned.  Of course, as is my habit I was terribly concerned about my bicycle so I chained it up underneath the outside staircase to make sure it didn't dissappear.  I know, I've got too much of an untrusting nature about the bikes but as I've mentioned before, my biggest fear is that someone jacks my bicycle and I'm stuck without a way to finish this ride.

We decided to try something a bit different today and go by the same game plan we followed yesterday which was for me to leave early (to let Sarah sleep) and meet up with Amy later in the morning where Sarah would join me.  The idea was for her to be with me when we cross the Kansas border.   Since I knew I'd have a long ride today I got up at 5:00 am and had a short breakfast of cereal and hard boiled eggs from the local grocery store.  There was no real coffee maker in the room (I did use the small one cup brewer as I was getting ready but it wasn't enough caffeine) so I stopped at a convenience store that was just outside the town where I got a really good cup of dark coffee!  Yeah, that's the ticket!  I also made sure I had plenty of extra water in my bag because as you can see from our route below, there wouldn't be much between Ordway and Tribune, KS! 

As a matter of fact, one of the things that our hostess warned me about was the fact that most cyclists who pass through here tend to not pack enough water;

As you can see, Eastern Colorado is hot, flat, featureless and so much fun to ride!  If I passed five cars in an hour I was lucky and it was great to just ride and watch the sunrise!  Of course, once the sun came up it was a totally different matter.  It was then that I really started feeling the heat and more importantly, the dehydration.  I kept passing things that looked like they should have been towns but were really nothing more than a couple of houses in the same local with miles and miles between them.

Finally, Sarah and the family caught up to me in Eads.  By all indications on the map there was supposed to be a service station and a small convenience/grocery store.  Wrong!!!!!  Once again I found reason to curse the folks who (failed to) update the maps at Adventure Cycling Association.  However, the city park they mention on their maps WAS there and at least it had a port-a-potty that Sarah could use before we headed out on the road.  She was a bit nervous about using it (I couldn't blame her) and while we had our brief reunion the boys suddenly discover a ton of the hugest ants I've ever seen.  As boys are always wont to do, they became fascinated by the little critters until we forced them back into the van.  It was all we could do to keep William from squishing them as if he were a giant destroyer!  I swear to God, my children are Calvin, Hobbes and Suzie! 

But what is so endearing on this trip is even though they get on each others' nerves, they have really done some incredible bonding during this trip and seeing (and hearing) the boys wish Sarah good luck on today's ride was so sweet.  They truly do love each other and although they like to push each other's buttons, we've really seen so many little instances of them caring for each other and supporting each other.  I truly hope we can continue this when we return home.  Of course, on the flip side, the boys were also incredibly jealous I was only riding with Sarah so I have to make sure on the next ride day they get some miles in!

Fortunately, the ride with Sarah today was uneventful.  How could it not be?  We were rolling through some of the flattest country we'll see this entire journey.  She was fascinated by all of the dust devils we passed and it was fun to watch multiple dust devils twirl about in their little naturalistic pas de deux.  Finally, 40 miles later, we reached the Kansas border and since we were so far ahead of Amy and the boys (they had stopped to look at water towers and photograph a few - Amy's new hobby on the road) we stopped in the shade of the sign.  Since it was nearly noon, that wasn't much shade at all.  After about 20 minutes we finally saw the familiar black van with the blue tarp coming our way!  And Sarah and I part at the Kansas border but not until Amy gets a picture of us together.

And once again I was on my own.  I do love riding with Sarah but I find it does slow me down a lot.  My average speed for today's ride was only 16.66 mph because during the 41 miles with Sarah we averaged only about 13 mph.   But on the plus side I have somebody to talk to amidst the monotony of the landscape;



Which I obviously did not have during that video since Sarah had left me at the Kansas border.  Fortunately, I only had 18 miles left to ride.  But what an 18 miles it was!!!  For the first time I actually got a tiny bit of a tail wind and the road was totally and completely flat!  So for 16 of the 18 miles I traveled fairly consistently at 25 mph!  I was flying and it was great, I felt good and even managed to take some video;

So I sped along eastward until I finally reached Tribune, KS the home of the Horace Greeley museum.   Who was Horace Greeley?  Only the founder of the Liberal Republican party.  Of course to me, that just sounds like an oxymoron.  Although Tribune is the county seat of Greeley county there is no indication he ever came to Kansas.  Go figure.

Tonight we are staying at a wonderful little cottage that has been provided for us by our hostess who often provides housing for those traveling on the TransAmerica route.  I'm hoping to change out my chain tomorrow since it's been over 1,000 miles now and my shifting is getting a little wonky. 

But one thing I definitely want to do is relish these moments with my children and my amazing wife.  Yes, there may be many wonderful moments in our future life, but right now we are definitely having the time of our lives.


And today's report;


FFL - 2 Deer, 3 Rabbits, 9 Birds of indeterminate species, 1 Skunk, 8 UFO’s
RRL - Toilet bowl (why do I keep finding these things in Colorado?), one couch

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!

For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

Familial Bonding on the Way to Ordway!

Miles Ridden Today -  60.66    Average Miles per Hour -  15.15

Today was an historic moment in the Connor's Army Ride Across America annuls - Sarah rode solo with me for the very first time!  However, before I get to that momentous occasion, I need to share with you a little of yesterday's foray into Pueblo.

We all survived the ordeal of the Night of the Black Scorpion and I'm hoping when we get the time to be able to post here the video of the kids screaming at decibels only discernable to our canine friends.  And of course, this night of scorpions should not be confused with those nights back in my youth when I used to just hang in my room and LISTEN to Scorpions;

 

Ahhh, good times!  But I digress.

 

We survived the night of sleeping with the scorpions and we headed out bright and early to explore the riverwalk area of Pueblo.  Unfortunately, we were a bit too early and not much was open but since it was going to be a scorcher of a day that suited us fine.  We walked along the river and then we came across dancing waters, which the kids just had to play in;

 

(Ahhhh, nothing like the feel of squishy underpants!!!!!)

pedalled the dragon boat;

 

(H.R. Puffenstuff, where to turn when things get rough.....)

Then we headed off to the sancity of the air-conditioned movie theatre (after first going to Walmart to get movie candy - its cheaper) to watch Brave.  I have to admit, getting out of the heat and watching some quality animation was great.  It also gave me a head start on research for the Scottish accent the kids will have to use for our fall show The 39 Steps.  Especially in scenes like this;

 

 

 I love the middle suitor - you can't understand a word he says.  But the family and I had a great time at the movies and of course Amy and I cried at the end.  This trip has really made us appreciate what wonderful children we have and while we are doing something wonderful for other people's children we are getting closer in so many ways to our own.

We also engaged in something that has become a summer ritual, one that we hope we can continue after we get home - we bough cupcakes and watched "Cupcake Wars".  The kids have really gotten into the food channel and between this show, "Chopped", "Restaurant Impossible", and "Next Food Star" we've been keeping them watching good wholesome television all summer.  Throw in the Summer Olympics which opens in eleven days and we've got a full plate of family entertainment.

Before we new it, it was time to go to sleep and dream of scorpion free environs.  However, since we were all in our own little bunk beds (Amy slept with Sarah in the double and the boys and I each got a single bunk) we managed to get SOME sleep.  Not as much for me but that was due to William moving around all night and shaking the bed. 

I awoke bleary-eyed and tired but I also knew I would be riding on a relatively flat and short course today - only 60ish miles.  I started out alone today because after Saturday's confusion in trying to navigate around Pueblo I didn't want to do that with Sarah in tow.  But the big plan for today was for Sarah to join me as soon as the shoulders got wide enough so that she would be safe.  I had made plans for Amy to join me about twenty miles outside of Ordway so Sarah and I could ride into town together.  Since I was leaving at 7:00 and figuring on 15 miles an hour I knew Sarah would join me by 10:00 which would get us in around lunch time.

So after fumbling around in the dark for a while trying to be as quiet as I could be and stumbling over to the restroom (it's a campground so there are not facilities in the cabin) I got myself ready to go and headed out in the dark with the sun just beginning to peak up over the horizon.  Part of why I waited until 7:00 was to make sure I could see what was going on around me.  I traveled on the highway to the point where signage told me to exit and made it to a local McDonald's for breakfast (I needed coffee!).  By the time I headed back out on the road it was after 8:00 but it was light, I was fed and the road would be flat. 

And then I lost my way.  I don't know how I missed the turn between my maps and GPS but I did so I went against the grain - I asked for directions.  I have figured out that even though as a man I am genetically predisposed to not ask for directions, when you're riding a bike instead of driving that extra time can mean lots of extra distance so asking is better than pedaling extra miles!  I asked a woman who was pulling into a convenience store (she probably thought I was going to mug her at 8:30 in the morning) and found I was only a few miles off course so I backtracked (I had missed the turn) and got back to the right place.  After some moderate climbing to get out of Pueblo I was on the open road!

And it wasn't too far before I finally saw some fellow cross country cyclists!  I've seen a lot of cyclists out commuting and training but very few that seemed as if they were loaded up and traveling.  I chatted with one briefly and found the road was flat ahead and that Ordway was going to be an easy ride.  At this point I was moving well and my average MPH was 18.65!  Remember that number - we'll come back to it later. 

I was having an euphoric experience enjoying the sights and sounds of the flora and fauna and even discovered wild melons!!!!  I saw these softball sized green globes growing from vines on the roads and couldn't figure out what they were so at a bathroom break I opened one up.  It wasn't ripe but I could tell it was a melon.  Oh if it were only a few weeks later!!!! 


(Yummmmmmm!)

 

A few miles further down I had the sight of a young coyote that was trailing me.  I'm not sure if he was just curious or if he was stalking me (you know, less clothing, less to get caught in his teeth when he ate me) but after a while of keeping up with me he turned off and headed into the brush.

And then I looked back and saw the familiar sight of a black van with a blue tarp - Amy and the kids in Vannikan!  It was time to do something that I have been looking forward to for a long time - ride with my daughter!  Although you can see the photo of the two of us together, the most magic moment was this exchange I managed to record;

 

 Before we knew it, we were in Ordway and pulling up to the Hotel Ordway, a lovely turn of the century hotel in the downtown area of Ordway, Colorado!

 

 

I won't say it was the speediest two and a half hours I had ever ridden but the rewards of rolling up to the van with my daughter leading the way was priceless.  Remember that 18.65?  Well, it was now down to 15.15!  But, as I said - priceless!

 

We were both starving so we went to lunch at a great little place that had once been a Dairy Queen but was now relabelled as the Dairy King.  It didn't matter, we chowed down on some great deep fried food and enjoyed every bit of it.  It wasn't as good as the Navajo Tacos we enjoyed throughout Arizona but still pretty good.  As we then checked into the hotel we went exploring and found a load of fun in the town park just across the street from the hotel - a mini water park with gushing fountains.  Although I didn't partake, the kids had a blast;

 

 

 All of this frolicking was followed by spinning around on the swingsets (instigated by yours truly) which unfortunately caused William to lose his lunch - literally!!!!  But being the mercurial one that he is he bounced back quickly and frolicked some more before lying back on the grass in total exuberant exhaustion;

 

 

All in all a good day and we still haven't crossed our third state!  Those American Express commercials can claim lots of things are priceless but the chance to play and really get to bond with my family - that is the most precious thing of all.

Well, time to hit the sack, Sarah and I have a lot of riding to do tomorrow!

And today's report;

FFL - 1 Deer, 4 Rabbits, 1 Skunk, 5 UFO’s
RRL - Toilet bowl, Complete Child’s Swingset

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!

For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/

 





 



Powering to Pueblo!

Miles Ridden Today - 57.43  Average Miles Per Hour - 17.16

Well, I actually didn't actually propel myself along today on a bike like the one you see pictured above.  But due to some great rest at Carolyn's place and somewhat flat terrain I managed to log my third fastest average MPH only bested by my rides to Fort Garland and Tuba City.  Although such a bike would have been helpful and can apparently be purchased online I stick to the tried and true Black Pearl that has gotten me so far already.

The day started bright and early with Carolyn driving me into Walsenburg, that lovely little town where we met Maria and Brendt Berger.  Along the way we saw some incredible rock formations which looked just like the spine of a dragon;

You can't really see it from this angle but when you pass it on the road it is so narrow that it truly looks like some sort of dorsal spike on a mythological creature!

Carolyn drove me in our van because it had the bike rack and since we needed gas we filled up.  She and I then managed to just have some great bonding time, one of those talks about family and life that we hadn't had since college.  Before I knew it, it was after 9:20 in the morning - about an hour and twenty minutes after I had planned to leave!  So it was time to book it like no one's business.  As I left Walsenburg I was struck by bittersweet feelings as I watched the Rocky Mountains paralell my path on my left.  As leery as I was to traverse them, they really helped me understand what this journey is about and if I will have the mettle to hold up.  Too often when I saw the road rising above me and I was suffering I had to remind myself, "They can't give up, so I won't give up".  Climbing the Rockies (even for the short time I was here) taught me that I CAN do this!  So it was with mixed feelings that I watched them slowly marching off to my left.

Yet a large source of trepidation for me was the fact I was traveling on I-25 for the entire 45 miles from Walsenburg to Pueblo.  Apparently there was another back route I could go but it would entail riding 75 miles instead and I just wasn't prepared for that today - I needed a break!  So I braved the highway with memories/flashbacks of that frightening trip up 89 out of Cameron, AZ towards Tuba City.  And then I came upon this sign and I new all was well - I had a RIGHT (or at least legal permission) to be there!

Before I knew it I was actually there!  It wasn't as big a deal since it was only about 40 miles from Walsenburg and I figured I would reach that in two and half hours.  But Madonna del Ghisallo was smiling on me today and I made it in slightly less than two hours.

Of course upon reaching Pueblo I then got hopelessly confused, especially since I was off the grid and just operating from the Colorado DOT bike map.  All thanks be to my sister Alina who purchased the Garmin Edge 605 for me because without it I surely would have gotten lost.  Especially since I was not permitted to ride on US 25 through the center of Pueblo.  I had to create a detour and it was only through the grace of Garmin that I managed to get to the right intersection.  Once back on the freeway I called Amy to get the address of the KOA where we were staying and she told me to look for the signs.  There were none!  Eventually I just told her I would wait for her on the side of the road as I was out of water and it was just after that she and the kids came to my rescue in good old Vannikan  Roadwalker!

We actually stayed at the Pueblo Kampgrounds of America site in one of their Kozy Kabins which had been donated to us.  We were incredibly grateful to have a free place to stay.  It wasn't as spacious and homey as staying with my friend Carolyn but it was cozy (hence the name) and small (hence the Kabin part).  The only downside of it all (other than the extreme heat) was the discovery of a little friend in the overhead light.  You see, it appears we had roomed with an Arizona Bark Scorpion which inhabit almost all of the Sonoran desert.  Our little friend looked like this;

 (No really, I'm DANGEROUS!)

And although we didn't get an actual photo of our little friend, we did manage to get a photo of the kids after they had stopped screaming (too much) and had taken refuge outside;

(YOU go check it out!  No, YOU go check it out! No, You go check it out....)

Since I am the official family entymologist and/or bug discarder, it was my job to unscrew the overhead light fixture and carry our little friend far past the tree you see in the distance.  The kids didn't leave the table until I showed them the empty fixture and had rinsed it off so no scorpion eggs could be hidden on it.  Now you have to understand, I have been fairly frightened of scorpions and tarantulas every since I saw that classic 1957 movie The Black Scorpion at a drive in movie when I was about six



But I'm the dad and it's my job.  It wasn't until tonight when I was researching the little critter when I realized exactly how dangerous our little friend is.  Turns out he is an Arizona Bark Scorpion and they inhabit most of the Sonoran desert.  Here are some of the things the website buzzle had to say in their article about our roommate;

• The Arizona scorpion, is one of the many venomous; Arizona animals found in the Sonoran Desert. It feeds on crickets and cockroaches.
• These scorpions do not make burrows, and instead hide inside preexisting holes or small openings. Which may explain, as to why these invertebrates find human and animal shelters an easy and comfortable haven for survival.
• They are attracted to humidity and prefer moisture. This is the reason why, these scorpions infest areas with vegetation and moisture, such as gardens, near house-ponds, kitchen cabinets and sink, the bathroom/toilet.
• A peculiar trait displayed by these scorpions, is that they can stick to the undersurface of objects. For instance, a seemingly normal rock in a garden, may have a scorpion under its surface, making anyone who comes near the rock; an easy target.
• These are the only scorpions in the world, which can climb up walls and hide on the ceiling, behind curtains and other vertical surfaces.

There's more but those were the hightlights.   After all was said and done we got over the fear of the scorpions we loaded everyone up and headed into town in search of food.  We found a great place called Soup 'r Salad where we could get all the veggies and soup we wanted for one low price.  It was heaven - nutritious and economical at the same time. 

 

It was then time to head back to our Kozy Kabin and try to get some sleep.  I'm not sure any of us will handle that too well without the covers over our heads. 

 

Tomorrow we head into town to explore Pueblo on a Sunday - wish us luck!

  

And the daily report;

FFL - 2 Rabbits, 6 Snakes, 2 UFO’s,
RRL - Nothing of note which was weird since I was on the highway.  What are the odds?

Stay well and I'll update more from the road!

For another perspective on our journey check out Amy's blog at http://www.crosscountrymama.blogspot.com//
To help us get the kids to Sunrise go to https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=1809&id=1056
Check out our website at http://www.connorsarmy.org/