Striking Twice on the Way to Cave City!



(For Sunrise Lightning and Sue - KaChow!!!)

The saying goes that lightning never strikes twice in the same spot. One of my favorite episodes of Mythbusters was the one where they tried out different myths related to lightning.  I don’t remember if they were ever conclusive about striking twice but I do know that today I had the chance to strike twice in my efforts to help those fighting cancer. Today I was riding for the Lightning Boys and Girls of Sunrise Day Camp and for my Aunt-in-law Sue Gudeon.

For some reason today was a very difficult day to get started. I’m not really sure why it was more difficult but it just seemed as if I couldn’t drag myself out of bed. It wasn’t the particular luxuriousness of the bed (it was a Super 8 in Owensboro, KY) but last night it started raining, thundering and lightning. Although I thought it most appropriate since I had just ridden for Thunder yesterday and I was riding for Lightning today I really didn’t relish the idea of riding in thunderstorm. When the rain started up again at 3:30 I made an executive decision and decided not to head out until 7:00 just to make sure it had passed. It really was so hard to motivate myself to get out of bed when all I wanted to do was stay snuggled up between my boys and sleep until we all woke up. But I had a particular mission today, one that had me striking twice against this disease that has ravaged so many so I just had to tell myself to suck it up and get my tuckus out of bed.

I was also riding solo today since after looking at the route profile we saw there would be a lot of killer hills in the first twenty miles. It was a good thing too since I hit a couple of grades of 23% or more. I also knew I would be off the map since I would be following a Google Maps route instead of the ACA maps I have been following most of the time. That combined with my concern over the Bubba Dogs coming after her and I just thought that it might be better for me to do this one alone. I do feel guilty though since she is now at 200 miles in her own riding goal and really wants to hit 400 by the time we get to Sunrise. Watching her slowly transform into a cyclist has been such a joy. She is constantly remarking about her new found musculature, especially her thighs, She’s even starting to get some really ripped calf muscles - once I’m able to get her a better bike she will be hard to keep up with!

So as I meandering through the Kentucky countryside my thoughts were on the people I was riding for today. I may have mentioned it before but part of my daily ritual on the bike is that I say a rosary every day as I ride. I don’t actually use the beads (according to one internet source that’s allowed and hey, its on the internet so it must be true) since that would make steering, braking and shifting hard but I really try to direct my prayers for the group (or individuals) for which I’m riding. I want to send as much positive energy to them as I can.

The first group I was riding for today were the Lightning Boys and Girls of Sunrise Day Camp. I’m going to have to admit something to you all right now. This group of boys and girls have always been one of (if not THE) my favorites in the camp. The reason is simple, they are the same age as my twin boys William and James and as I play with them at camp its like playing with my own boys. Whenever I have a problem trying to motivate them in drama games I try to think about what would motivate my own boys. This has held true for the last two summers as I’ve tried to create situations for improv or theatre games that would catch their interest. And not just the boys but the girls as well. Getting the chance to play with them over the last two summers has always been such a joy and I really miss them this summer. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love all the campers (and how can you not love the Acorns, especially when they plop down in your lap and snuggle) but this age group has always been one that has made me laugh since I know exactly where their humor comes from. I had originally wanted to share some videos with them about some turtles I had saved today but due to technical difficulties with the camera those will have to be uploaded later.  The first was of a baby turtle that was smaller than my hand.

Actually, that was the second turtle I was able to save today.  The first one was a Common Snapping Turtle that was 15 inches long and about a foot wide.  He tried to snap my hand about six times as I carried him across the street but I was able to get him there without serious injury to myself.

I was also riding today for my aunt-in-law Sue Gudeon who was starting a new protocol today in her battle against Pancreatic cancer. I’ve written a lot over the years about my family’s various battles against cancer. It was what started the whole idea of Connor’s Army in the first place (go to www.connorsarmy.org for the whole story). I’m happy to say that most of my family has won their battles although I just lost my uncle Hill two weeks ago as he wasn’t able to keep fighting the disease. I hadn’t seen him since my childhood but I know that in the last few years my father had gotten closer to his brother and it really made me feel for my dad that he was losing yet another sibling to this disease. He has gone to far too many family funerals in the past few years and most of them because of cancer.

But today was for Sue and in the hopes that she will win her own battle. We have walked with her and Uncle Arthur in the Lustgarten Walk as part of Sue’s Crewsers and we will continue to support her as she faces this new protocol. But today I did what I do - I rode. Whenever I really felt like the hill was too daunting I would think of Sue and I would think of my Lightning Boys and Girls and I remind myself that this ride was for them and my discomfort is nothing compared to what they face in their treatments/protocols. And it can never be comparable to anything they go through - no wind, no rain, no lightning, no heat, no humidity can ever compare what they go through.

So I ride for them and I tuck my head down against the wind that is blowing in my face and I muscle up the hills and I’m grateful that I can have the chance to do this. I’m grateful that I get to come into contact with people and spread the word about what an amazing place Sunrise Day Camp is with them. It is my hope that of the hundreds of people I will have spoken to about the camp some will feel the calling to make a donation and help make a difference in the lives of these kids.

After the initial rush of hills the rest of the ride was pretty uneventful except for the fact that it was hot and long. Oh, and the score has changed against the Bubba Dogs. I wrote yesterday about how Sarah had been harassed by the little yappy Jack Russel and how the owner just watched it happen. From that moment I decided that if the dog crossed into the road, and especially if they came from the opposite side and got to the yellow, I would pepper it. Just outside of Mammoth Cave National Park a young boxer and an older dog came out of their yard and chased into the road after me. I kept shouting, “stay”, “back”, and “no” but they kept coming so I let them both have a bit of the peppery experience. I didn’t catch them full in the face, just enough for them to get a good whiff of the pepper spray. They both pulled back sneezing and snorting and that gave me just enough time to continue on my way. So the score is now Bubba Dogs 1, Connor’s Army 2. With any luck I won’t have to spray again.

I finally made it to Cave City only to discover I had passed the Rock Cabin facility about five miles back. I only discovered this because Amy called me to see how I was just as she was passing me. She came back for me and we went back to the cabin so I could get cleaned up before heading off to dinner at one of my favorite places - Cracker Barrel!!!!! I don’t know why but I love their food and I get the chance to play the Tricky Triagle game.

After a great meal and desert we headed back to the cabins to watch the Olympics. And now its time to hit the sack and get ready to explore the largest cave system in the world - Mammoth Cave!

And the daily report;

FFR - 2 Turtles (I was too late), 6 possums, 5 raccoons, 9 frogs, 1 cat, 9 UFO’s
RRL - 1 cooler, 1 bag of groceries (someone will not be happy)

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/

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/