We made our way across Kansas this week and it was a hard and discouraging ride. Not because Kansas was a bad state, actually it was quite beautiful, it was the wind. Did I say wind? It never stopped blowing, in fact I stopped by a marker noting the Santa Fe Trail and read a statement made in September of 1825, the statement said, "This is a big territory, but the winds are driving us insane." It was really neat to see the trail of literally thousands of horse and wagons made hundreds of years ago that can still be seen, the Trail was active up until the late 1860's. Plus Kansas is an open plain and very erid with very little change in scenery...I started counting telephone poles. In fact Michael Stephens and I got off of our bikes to walk over to a telephone pole with those green insulators on and in the process a fellow pulled up to my bike and started to throw it in his truck. I yelled at him and off he went, how embarrasing would that have been.
We were able to catch up with Ken & Judy Claar in Garden City, Ks, and had a wonderful time just seeing a familiar face being so far away from home. After our brief visit we headed on to Scott City, were we stayed at a Baptist Church and found a shower down at the community center. On Saturday we made our way to Eads Colorado. It was really cool to cross from the central time zone into the Mountain Time Zone, and gain an hour, it made the day go a little bit easier. When we finally came to the "welcome to Colorado" sign we had enough time to sit under it with our New Day lawn chairs, and eat lunch, along with a stiff Co, breeze. While in Eads we worshipped with Alvin Clamp and even took showers over at his house. Alvin was a pretty colorful fellow, and a testimony of God's saving grace, his wife Margaret was in the early stages of alzheimers and was a delight to be around, another testimony of a couples commitment to the covenant of marriage. Worship with them and then hit the road over to Pueblo Co (where I write this evening). We had to get to Pueblo in order that our driver Dan Mokris could catch a shuttle to Colorado Springs and a flight back to Georgia, we're gonna miss him. The Rockies now lay before us, and as with all challenges we're praying that we're up to the task.
Some of you have commented that I look like I'm losing weight...I suppose a little here and there, but then I'm burning 6-8k calories a day, so I have no problem eating cheese burgers guilt free. Okay that's it for now, drop us a note on the blog and stay in touch, you're words of encouragement and prayer mean so much.
wSc "The Rust Rider"
7 comments:
Scott, praying for you every day. We check each day for news of your journey! Love, Max & Phyllis
Hi guys,
It's fantastic looking at the pictures and hearing Michael's updates on the telephone daily. What a wonderful way to see the country by bicycling across it. Makes me wish that I was doing it too....NOT. Matthew and I are praying and loving to see your progress. Really awesome. Keep it up and I can't wait to see my "slimmer" husband....Love ya, Susan
Hi Dad! I'm so glad that Mr. Tracy called you on your cellphone today. It was fun hearing the kids in my class asking you questions about your bike trip. The play I was in today at school went pretty good. Wish you were here and we really miss you. Watch out for the snakes! Thanks for the card we got today in the mail. I liked the x and o's. Love, Matthew
Scott, you are all really awesome. I am keeping all of you in prayer and checking on your progress. It's great that you are on schedule and the pictures helps us visualize where you are. Wow, what sermon topics you must be picking up!!! Love you, Faye O'Bryant
Matthew and Susan:
Yesterday, Wednesday, June 4, 2008 we crossed the Continental Divide at Hoosier Pass between Alma, CO and Breckenridge, CO. The long uphill was tough due to the grade of the road and the less available oxygen at higher altitudes. On the down hill side of the mountain pass we coasted nearly 8 miles to Breckenridege, CO. At Breckenridge we caught an off road paved bicycle path for several miles to our overnight destination of Silverthorne, CO. This was a cold day but great views and bicycling.
Matthew:
Talking with your class on the speaker phone on Monday was the highlight of my day. It was fun for me to answer the class's questions about our bicyle trip. I wish I would have seen the play but maybe somebody has it on tape. When I get back we can go see the Indiana Jones movie. I will see you soon. Tke care of Sugar for me. Have fun at Taylor's party.
The wind in Kansas was powerful. At times, it blew us sideways and we had to lean into it. It came from our 9:00 o'clock position most of one day. The combination of the nwind, and 40 miles of up and down the hills, made for a long day.
Michael
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