Jill's Cyclo Venture

8/5 Jill's post bike trip reflection

2010-08-06T05:05:00.002-04:00

8/5 Tue-Post Bike Trip Reflection.

 Miles biked-1210
 Over 50 people were on The Cyclo Healer Team and largely by private donations raised to date for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center- $9500.
 67 family and friends and Unitarian Universalist Church hosts and Warm Shower hosts helped out during our trip with lodging; driving the support van; and with meal preparation.
 On every day of the journey I was inspired and my spirit nourished by the connections made amongst family, friends and new acquaintances.
 Many family members and friends on the home-front helped me realize my journey by helping to organize The Cyclo Healers Prouty Team; organize the departure and arrival home celebration.

It’s been almost 4 weeks since arriving home from our bike journey. I was home for a week and then Bryce and I left for a productive week on a youth service trip with 25 youth and 5 adults from the UU and UCC churches in our town to work with Habitat for Humanity and non profit organizations in New Haven, CT who provide both crisis and transitional housing. The bike trip already seems long ago, but now that I’m settling back in at home, I find myself reflecting on the journey and thinking about what a gift it was to be able to embark on it. Many people have asked me if I’m exhausted from the trip, but instead I found it invigorating. I realize how sharing experiences with a common endeavor deeply enriches and bring meaning to my life. During this trip, I was able to deepen bonds with my family; rekindle and strengthen friendships; and establish new kinships. As memories from the trip float into my head, it brings a smile to my face, followed by a quiet aaah, life is good…

7/9 Jill's Bike Log

2010-07-15T21:22:00.005-04:00

7/9- Destination-Hartland, Vt. (Biked 64 miles, total, 1171). In the morning, there was a mixture of excited and nervous energy. Today was our last day of biking with a celebration awaiting us in Hartland, but we also had to climb over the infamous Killington mountain to get there. We were instructed to arrive in Hartland around 4:00 pm. We didn’t want to wait too long before climbing the grade because we new it was going to be another hot day. We decided that we would hang out at a rope swing 10 miles from Hartland to kill some time.

Trevor worked on cleaning and lubricating his dad’s bike to increase its performance. He decided to ride it for the first 20 miles to Rutland and Keith would ride his bike. Kim headed to Hartland to help prepare for the welcome home party. We departed on our bikes from the campground shortly after 8:00 am. After a relatively easy ride to Rutland, we met in the city park and fueled up with food before attacking the 8 mile climb. We said goodbye to Crystal and Esoy who headed to New Hampshire for a Peace Corps reunion. Keith decided to sag to the top of the mountain since riding his clunky mountain bike would be a challenge.

We all arrived to the top of the grade by noon. We unanimously decided that the climb wasn’t nearly as challenging as we had anticipated, and the ride to Hague in the Adirondacks a few days prior was much more rigorous. Lynne bought food for lunch and made us wraps. After a good rest at Killington, we headed down the other side of the mountain, and met up again for an ice-cream break in Woodstock at the White Cottage. Wow, back to very familiar stomping grounds…Karen, Wes and Grandpa drove to the White Cottage to bring everyone Cyclo Healer t-shirts to wear for our entry into Hartland. We decided to bail on the rope swing attraction since it’d make us late for our 4:00 pm arrival time in Hartland.

As I rode the last 15 miles to Hartland, I felt a combination of emotions from excitement to be home, to a sadness that this journey is ending. I relished the daily simplicity of moving each day from point “A” to point “B”, rarely fretting about work, house renovations, or family issues. It has been a long time that I’ve fully embraced each day. I gained inspiration and nourishment from old and new connections I made along the way. It was wonderful to embark on a journey together with my children; to have friends and family drive the sag van along the way, and to have Todd and friends join us on the last leg of the trip. We were locked into stopping points, but we allowed the journey to unfold with impromptu adventures.

We all gathered at the Hartland UU Church so all 12 of us could ride in together. It felt strange to be leading the pack. I enjoyed my station bringing up the rear. For the last two miles, the excitement rose as we made our grand entrance at home. The lawn was lined with friends and extended family cheering us on. As a special surprise, my uncles Doug and John flew from Washington D.C. to be here for week-end. I felt overwhelmed with emotions that I’m not sure I could define.

As the trip was coming to a close, people have been asking me what have been the high and low points of the trip. I truly can’t single out one high point, but I have to say my overall high points have been the connections I’ve made with new and old friends and family, and our shared adventures. I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family and friends. The low point would be that on only 4 out of 32 days on the trip, the temperature was below 90 degrees.

As soon as we arrived, it was apparent all of the work friends and family had done in preparation for our arrival; particularly my friends Lucia Jackson and Sue Buckholz, and sister in law Kim Anderson, our contractor for our house renovation/friend Eric Kleber, and my mom who had been helping to organize the end of the trip celebration for months. This doesn’t include all of the people who brought food for a pot-luck meal. My friend Beth Rice had a welcoming banner silk screened as her way of being part of the celebration since she was going to be out of town. I was told that since the people on the home front weren’t able to participate on the actual trip, this was their way of feeling like they were part of it.

One of the big surprises was seeing the house renovation. I was told that Eric worked late hours feverishly trying to finish it. Although the renovation isn’t complete, the transformation is spectacular. We now have an awesome living space.

We were able to throw some inflatable mattresses on the floors in areas where stuff wasn’t being stored during the renovation and the back yard became a tent city, so we handily accommodated 20 people for the weekend. Before heading to bed, we watched the slide show of the trip that Karen stayed up until 2:00 am the night before putting it together. I’m already reminiscent about the trip…

t

7/10 Jill's Bike Log

2010-07-14T16:39:00.003-04:00

7/10-Saturday- The Prouty. (Biked 50 miles, total, 1231). My children, friends and family joined me in my journey and the connections I made deeply nourished my spirit. I set a goal of personally raising $2000 and as a team $10,000. I raised $2200 and as a team $8675. I hoped to have 75 people on The Cyclo Healer Team and 58 were signed up for our team. It feels wonderful to be within reach of my goals

The forecast for Saturday was for rain and possible thunderstorms, so at the welcome home party, many of The Cyclo Healers walkers decided to begin their walk at 7:30 am and the bikers depart at 8:00 am. When I got up on Saturday, at 6:30 it was pouring down rain. We had some debate whether on not to bike the whole 50 miles if it was going to continue to rain. We decided to play it by ear. Karen and the rest of the walkers in the family decided to head out later in hopes that it’d stop raining.

This year I was able to park in the VIP parking lot near the starting point because of the amount of money I raised. The rest of our group parked in the other lot about a mile from the start and had to bike in. We thought we saw Bryce’s friend Ira biking to the start as we headed to the parking lot, so when we got out of the car, I went to pick up our bibs and Bryce scoured the food tent to locate Ira. Unfortunately we never did hook up with him. We headed out on with our friends the Bilbacks after grazing in the food tent. Rich thought his daughter Kelsey’s belly was going to pop from eating so much of the yummy breakfast foods…a great way to begin the snack to snack ride. You see, every 10 miles there’s a food tent with plenty to eat.

Initially the numbers participating in The Prouty seemed to be down. I assume it was due to the weather. It rained pretty hard for the first 10 miles, but just a drizzle for the rest of the ride. The rain kept the temperatures down, so we didn’t mind it at all. It was great to have 12 Cyclo Healers biking together and we met half a dozen more wearing their Cyclo Healers t-shirts on the route.

I wondered how challenging I’d find the route compared to the previous two years we rode in it. I didn’t feel tired or particularly strained on any of the hills. Now if I can mange to stay in shape! At the finish line The Cyclo Healers Walkers were waiting for us to cheer us on. Ah…what a gratifying journey. I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life.

t

7/7 & 7/8 Jill's Bike Log

2010-07-12T23:11:00.002-04:00

7/7-Wed-Destination-Hague, NY. (Biked 66 miles; total 1081). We headed out, thinking that after 10 miles we would stop to get a quick refuel at a bakery Sue & Thelma scoped out. When we arrived, they were in a local convenience store. Apparently the bakery along with the other eating establishments were closed. We ate lunch in a shaded area bordering a creek. Sue made bologna & cheese sandwiches and Oreos for dessert.
Today the hills were more challenging than the previous day. We had a 4 mile climb with little shade to protect us from blaring sun with temperatures in the 90s. At some points on the grade, I was in my lowest granny gear and barely making forward progress. With the intense heat, it felt like my body fluids were in a rolling boil, welling up into my head and about to make it explode. The boys apparently made it to the top of the grade without stopping, but I had to make two rest stops before making it to the top. They concurred however about the intensity of the heat and steep grade. We cruised 4 miles down the other side of the hill into Hague.

We had four more miles to bike to Roger’s Rock State Park. After that major grade, fortunately the road had gently rolling hills bordering Lake George. As soon as the attendant saw us at the office, she waved us onto the campsite. Apparently she was forewarned to anticipate hot, sweaty, and potentially grumpy bikers would be arriving. Compared to last night’s exceptional campsites, these were medium sized and didn’t border the lake.

We walked down to the beach to swim and cool off. It was painful to walk across the hot sand. After we swam, we hunted down the showers to scrub off the daily quotient of bike grease. By the time we arrived back to the campground, we were already profusely sweating.

Yesterday I missed my daily ice-cream fix, so Sue, Kelsey, Jenna and I went on a mission in the car to bring back ice-cream. Four miles down the road, we found a soft serve ice-cream stand. We bought 2 qts. of chocolate, 1 qt. vanilla, 1 qt. orange creamsicle and 1 qt. of maple yogurt soft serve we loaded into an ice chest to load for transport. We snarfed it for a hors d’ouvres before Sue & Thelma made a delicious meal of salmon and grilled corn on the cob.

Lynne left after lunch to pick up Todd’s son Evan at the airport. They arrived at the campground around 9:00 pm. Sue and her mom Thelma, bid their goodbyes and headed back to their motel. They really spoiled us with elaborate dinners for two days. I’ll miss Sue’s laugh and Thelma’s vigor. We played a round of pinochle before heading to bed.

7/8-Thur-Bomoseen, VT. (Biked 26 miles; total 1107). We decided to take the ferry across Lake George which shortened the route by 25 miles. For some reason we all felt the ride today was even more tiring than yesterday. I suspect it had to do with the intense heat, plus we had a number of although short, but very steep hills to climb.

It was fun to take the ferry. It brought back memories of twenty years ago when Todd and I went on our biking honey moon in Vermont and we crossed on this ferry. We lived in Colorado, and little did we know that we’d eventually move to Vermont.

Once we hit gravel roads, we loaded our bikes on the vans and drove to Lake Bomoseen. The sites we had reserved were sunny, so Lynne and I cruised the campground to see if there were any shaded sites that might be available. We were able to snag several very shaded sites situated in tall pines. We headed to the lake to cool off before setting up camp. The beach was a distance from the campsite, but the boat launch wasn’t too far from it. We swam from the boat launch to the beach through major sea-weed, plus it was shallow with a mucky bottom. It was a relief to get to the sanctioned beach area because the bottom wasn’t as mucky and less sea-weed, although at one point the kids collected enough of it to drape on Mallory, so that she looked like a creature from the Black Lagoon.

My brother Keith and his wife Kim arrived at supper time. Keith will ride with us tomorrow. Crystal made a yummy spaghetti supper with the burger (from “T-bone” which she raised and slaughtered), along with a salad. Before supper, the kids played a complicated card game that Evan brought with him. After supper, we had two teams of four playing pinochle. Rich poured over the quadrant maps, dreading the 8 mile climb to the summit of Killington tomorrow. Keith changed the knobby tires on his mountain bike to smooth ones to make it a little easier for biking.

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7/3-7/6 Jill's Bike Log

2010-07-08T19:25:00.004-04:00

7/3 Sat- Rest day at Bucktail Family Camping. At 9:00 am over the loud speaker blasted “America the Beautiful”…the start of a “Bucky” adventure day. At 11:00 we all headed, (now 15 with the Friedeborns and Bilsbacks), over to the Bucky train which runs twice a day. It made a loop through the woods. Just as the train lurched forward, the last car came off the tracks. Bucky called in the rescue team who arrived in their golf carts, but by the time they had arrived a contingency of mostly men had lifted the car back onto the track. (A lot of people seem to stay for the summer here and use golf carts to get around). During the train loop, we saw: a skunk; a bear; a frog; a turtle; a deer; and a grouse wedged between two trees; all of the ceramic species.

Todd and my cousin Lynne arrived around noon. Until this trip, the longest Todd and I have been apart in our twenty years of marriage, has been a week. It was wonderful to be reunited after a month of not seeing him.

Next we clamored onto the vintage carousel which operated twice a day. I rode on a chicken, and Tessa was on a pig. Mallory really wanted to ride on the monkey, but it is coveted so you have to be first in line to be able to ride on it... Trevor signed us up as two teams to play in the volleyball tournament. Each of our teams made it to the second round, but then lost our respective matches so was eliminated from the tournament. John and Mallory, and Trevor and Bryce played in the basketball 2 on 2 tournaments, which T & B won. Just as we were arriving back at camp the fire engine arrived with Bucky the buck dressed in his uniform, to give rides around the campground. Mallory, Jenna, Sebby, and Tessa partook on the ride. It was already 4:00 pm when we got back to the campsite. We were going to cram a laser tag or paint ball game into the line-up of activities during the day, but we were too late to begin a game. There’s only so much “Bucky” fun you can fit into one day…Rich and Denise cooked up a delicious dinner of sausages and salad. We took a walk around the campground after dinner. The population density I’m sure was much higher than in China. We headed to bed at 10:00 pm so we could get up to be on the road by 8:00 am.

7/4- Sun.-Destination-Oxford, NY. (Biked 54 miles; total-934 miles). With the Bilsback punctual and organizational influence, we departed the campground by 8:00 am; the earliest departure on this trip. We drove to the highway to avoid riding 4 miles on gravel roads.

My cousin Lynne took over driving the SAG van after my sister drove it for two weeks. She did an awesome job. We suddenly mushroomed from 4 to 10 people riding bikes. We’re definitely more of a presence on the road. Rte 6 passed wider valleys nestled in the hills with picturesque farms dotting the landscape.

The hot weather caught up with us again. We had a two day reprieve riding in 70-80 degree temperatures. We’re back in 90 degree weather again. We ate lunch outside of Towanda on the Dupont manufacturing’s grassy lawn with huge white pines and oak trees. It’s amazing what relief from the heat shade provides.

Further down the road, we came to a 5 mile grade. I was following Kelsey as we grunted our way up the grade with the blazing sun beating down on us, with lots of traffic on the road, including semi trailer trucks. Thankfully the shoulder was wide. At the top of the grade was a scenic overlook with a stone pavilion, which gave us relief from the hot sun. On the next leg, we had a fun, twisty road to ride down.

Mallory decided to sag all day, and read one of the Harry Potter books…At age 11, she’s already out-read Todd, Bryce and I in our life-time. I drove the sag van for the last 12 mile leg so Lynne would have a turn to ride.

Since we took an unplanned rest day at Bucky’s Family Camping Resort, we had to make up the miles by piling into the vans in Montrose and driving 60 miles to Oxford. We stopped for ice-cream…yum. We arrived at Bowman Lake State Park at 6:30 pm. We were bummed that the lake was closed to swimming because of algae, but was pleasantly surprised there were showers as they weren’t listed as a campground amenity. Set up camp and then took showers. Only two unisex showers so there was a line-up waiting for them. Rich and Denise make a delicious dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes and veges. I tried to blogasize and everyone else walked down to the lakefront to watch the distant fireworks in Norwich. Everyone headed to bed by 10:00 pm for an 8:00 start in the morning.

7/5-Mon-Destination-Poland, NY. (Biked 30 miles; total-964 miles).We drove from Montrose to Norwich to begin biking. Just as we were loading into the van, I shut Mallory’s fingers in the van door. Needless to say I felt horrible. We immediately iced her fingers and gave her a Motrin. Thankfully by the time we arrived in Norwich, she had recuperated and decided to ride. I drove the van for the first leg so Lynne could ride with Mallory, and Denise drove sag for their van. We stopped in a local restaurant for a bagel and coffee. Mallory, Lynne, Kelsey, Rich and Todd stopped for a morning ice-cream during the first leg of their ride.

We ate lunch in a shaded park in Waterville. With all of us sprawled out on the lawn, we occupied a fair amount of space... Lots of rolling hills, but the ride today was relatively easy without major grades to climb. We decided we wanted to finish riding by 1:00 pm since the campground advertised tubing on the river. It sounded really refreshing after biking in the heat.

Rode down a hill that kept warning to gear down because of a steep grade. I am not a speed demon going down hills, but ended up not having to break much going down it. Rich flagged us down to stop before we entered busy roads in Utica.

We loaded into the van outside of Utica and headed to Poland, NY, to the West Canada Creek Park. Our tent sites bordered the river. We quickly set up camp so we could go tubing on the river. We thought the campground rented tubes, but found out we had to purchase them. We almost bailed but had our heart set on tubing, so bought 12 inflatable tubes. Fortunately the campground had an air pump, or otherwise it would have taken a lot of time to blow up all of them up using our own hot air. We piled into a mini bus and were driven upstream for a 1 ½ hour float. Really refreshing. Evan rigged up a cooler which was bungied to a tube so we had a supply of beverages during our float.

Back at camp, Denise cooked up a huge pot of meatballs and noodles, and Todd cut up veges for an enormous salad. Trevor, Mallory, Rich, Todd, Lynne and Jenna took another float ride after supper, while Denise and I did a load of laundry. Sue and her mom
Thelma rolled in about 7:00 pm to touch base before heading to their motel. Sue and Will got back from their yearly month long service trip to Guatemala a few days ago and then flew out from Colorado today to join us on the trip. She joined up with her mom who lives in Rochester, NY. They signed up to serve us lunch and dinner for the next several days. Crystal and her dog Esoy rolled in at 8:00 pm who drove from Colorado and will join us on the trip for three days before joining Peace Corps friends in NH for a reunion. Crystal used the one-man tent Lynne brought and Trevor tried out the Bilback’s screened hammock so everyone would have a screened sleeping space without having to face the vicious mosquitoes.

7/6-Tue-Destination-Blue Mountain Lake, NY. (Biked 57 miles; total-1021). We packed up and drove to the beginning of the scenic drive on Rte. 28 in the Adirondacks. Packing up wasn’t as smooth as on some mornings, but we managed to pull out of the campground shortly after 8:00 am. The Bilsback had a 5 minute head start on us. I rode with Crystal as we had 7 passengers and 6 seats. We all convened in a parking lot and readied our bikes for the ride. It feels good to have hit the 1000 mile mark and I also realize I’m a confirmed “putzer.” I get where I want to go, but I’ll never win a race getting there. Since the Bilbacks and Todd have joined the ranks, I continue to be the last one to arrive at the rest stops.

We ate lunch in the town of Inlet, in a city park with a huge pavilion bordering a lake. We’ve been doted on this trip. Sue and her mom made meatball subs for us from the leftover meatballs from last night’s supper. We also had watermelon, and ice cold water to refresh us. Thelma made delicious chocolate chip cookies- the kind that are soft and chewy.

The number of churches we’ve passed by have dramatically diminished. We’re definitely no longer in the Bible belt. Many of the churches seem to be nondenominational, community churches. We had a much hillier ride today, mostly through pine forests and passed by pretty mountain lakes. I’ve fallen behind in the road-kill count. Over the past number of days, we’ve ridden by a fox, a snake, a raven, a fisher cat, a groundhog, and multiple deer road-kill.

Todd, Rich, Kelsey and I brought up the rear of the bike pack. We biked to incredible sites at Lake Durant State Park. We had two adjacent campsites which bordered the lake and were nestled in the woods. The lake had a naturally sandy bottom and was easily accessible which made it very inviting. We dismounted our bikes; quickly set up our tents and then plunged into the water…Aah. Thelma, Sue, Kelsey Mallory, and Trevor blew up our tubes and floated in the lake. Mallory and Esoy the dog soaked for hours.

Sue and Thelma made a delicious chicken dish and a salad. Sue told her that bikers eat a lot of food so she cut up and prepared 8 lbs of chicken. For dessert Thelma baked brownies and Crystal brought a huge bag of Bing cherries she bought at an orchard in PA which we munched on. Todd added to the cuisine with the mussels he cooked that he and Mallory harvested from the lake. They were a bit bland in taste, so Trevor whipped up a vinaigrette sauce for flavoring.

Two teams of 4 played a round of pinochle and then we headed to the lake edge to watch an incredible sunset. We headed to bed early since we were tired from a long day of riding. The loons serenaded us in bed. It took a while to fall asleep as it took a long while for the temperature to cool down.

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7/2 Jill's Bike Log

2010-07-03T10:37:00.000-04:00

7/2 Fri-Destination; Mansfield, PA. (Biked 35 miles; total 880). We usually eat cereal and bagels for breakfast, but Karen & Mallory bought a special treat of sticky buns and cantaloupe. Yum. Trevor and Bryce adopted a “Kazakhstan” accent for the past four days. They’ve kept us amused with their duo dialogue while hanging out at the campground.

We drove on back roads from the campground to Galeton. The bikes were covered in a thick layer of dust from driving on gravel roads. We hosed off the bikes in a car wash, which worked well to remove the dust and grime. Yesterday Bryce and Mal took most of the day off and today Trevor and Mal decided to sag. For the first 20 miles, it was rolling hills nestled in a valley with intermittent towns and farms. Karen stopped so we could eat lunch. Bryce decided to sag after lunch which was a wise move because the road became really congested with traffic and the hills were intense. Part of the way was a rumble strip which was nerve racking going downhill because it looked like fluorescent flashing lights.

I was picked up at the end of a dirt road to head into Bucktail Family Campground. Passed by fields and woods and then suddenly came upon “Bucky” signs leading us into the campground. It was a RV city. Our campsite is in front of the office, so all day long we watched huge RVs stream into the campground. The kids were off playing “Bucky Ball,” swimming in the pool or playing mini golf while Karen and I washed clothes and Karen uploaded photos for the blog. John, Sebby and Tessa’s Friedeborn, (Karen’s family), arrived around 6:00 and Rich, Denise, Kelsey, Evan and Jenna Bilsback arrived around 9:00 pm. They set up camp and then we played a round of “Catch Phrase” before heading to bed.

6/30-7/1 jill's Bike Log

2010-07-02T16:52:00.000-04:00

6/30-Wed-Destination, Warren, PA. (Biked 48 miles; total 806). Packed up and drove to Meadville to begin biking. At the campsite, Karen worked on uploading all of our photos to update the blog site. I bought a 4G flash drive for back-up, but it’s already full so Karen & I stopped at Staples to buy a 16 G flash drive, while T, B, & M bought fireworks at a road side stand. Since it was already 11:30, we decided to eat a fast food lunch at Burger King so Karen wouldn’t have to meet us with the lunch bin so she could find a Wi-Fi to work on the photos. After eating it, Bryce and Trevor swore off anymore fast food… She went up to the student union at Allegheny but it ended up being a secure network, so in the end she worked on the photos at Burger King. Locating unsecured Wi-fi networks on this trip has been a challenge. Karen has been indispensable in the amount of work she has but into the logistics to make this trip run relatively smoothly. I couldn’t have done it without her. She’s also been a trooper grocery shopping for us while we’re riding and then more often than not cooking the supper. It’s also been wonderful to be able to spend an extended amount of time with her which I haven’t been able to do since early adulthood.

We rode up and down hills all day, with some significant grades to climb. The landscape was a combination of farms and woods. I also noticed over the past few days that the churches seemed be shifting from predominantly Baptist, to Methodist Churches, and billboards with messages about Jesus, being saved, or about Satan have become infrequent occurrences. Mallory rode the whole day today; (48 miles). Riding in the cool weather really helps. Trevor wore knee-high crew socks to stay warm and I borrowed a pair as well…epitome of fashion.

We had two bike repair issues during the course of the day. Mallory lost the bolt to her mirror. I jerry rigged it with an Allen wrench and duct tape until we passed through a small town with a hardware store where I was able to get a replacement bolt and nut.
Apparently Trevor had a blow-out of his tube while going downhill. Thankfully he didn’t have an accident.

We passed through more Amish country. I have a new awareness knowing when we’re near Amish homes because you dodge horse poop on the road. At one point going up a steep hill, Mallory zoomed ahead and passed a horse and buggy on the left. I’m sure Mal saw the challenge and took it on… Going downhill, I worry about cars pulling out in front of me on side streets. Today a father and his son in their horse and buggy pulled up to the end of their driveway as I zoomed by going downhill. In one small town, I went into a grocery store with well worn wooden floors and on a shelf behind a counter sat a stuffed squirrel and a stuffed what looked like a combination of beaver and groundhog. They had a display case of pastry pastries which I couldn’t resist. The custard filling tasted homemade and the case was refrigerated. The store seemed to be a gathering place for the Amish men and boys.

As we drove through Warren to locate the bike shop to buy tubes, it cracked me up that the Main St was already lined with chairs in all varieties and colors to save a spot for the 4th of July parade five days before the 4th! The bike shop was already closed so we’ll have to buy them in the morning. We then headed to the municipal pool to take showers which closed due to the cool weather. The kids were bummed because the pool had a water slide. Down the block was a YMCA where Bryce and I took showers. Stopped to grocery shop and then headed to Buckaloons campground. Warren seems to be a really nice small city in the middle of nowhere. I’m curious what the industry is, because it seems to be surrounded by forests in an isolated area.

Arrived at the campground at 9:00 pm. set up camp and ate spaghetti dinner. While Karen was cooking dinner, T,B & M played street soccer . I don’t know where they got their energy after biking all day. Went to bed after we washed the dishes.

7/1-Thurs-Destination; Galeton, PA. (Biked 39 miles; total 845). By the time we dried everything out, left the campground at 11:00 am. Drove to the bike shop bought tire tubes and had the wow taken out of Trevor’s front rim. We were assured by the bike mechanic that the noise coming from Trevor’s bottom bracket was because it was dry and could wait to be lubed until we got home without damaging it. While we waited for it to be repaired, we ate lunch.

We were on the road at 12:45. For 2/3s of the ride, Rte 59 was designated as a scenic highway. It had the widest shoulders we’ve ridden on so far and was in good repair, and the hills were cut to make a gradual grade. One grade was 3+ miles long, but manageable. Came to Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River. Pretty big, and one of the most impressive aspect of it, was the far side of it was turf. I can’t imagine how long it took to mow it, plus with the incline, it looked almost too steep to mow.

This area is one of the most picturesque on our trip. After the dam, the lake with all of the narrow peninsulas, if they were steeper, reminded me of fjords. At the top of the long grade, it was many miles on a plateau with rolling hills. The woods were open and lush with ferns and rhododendron. It must be breath taking in the spring.

The last 15 miles of the ride was a buggar…it was no longer designated as scenic and the road narrowed and had no shoulders and with more potholes we’ve experienced on the whole trip. Trucks with white trailers passed by, (probably vending units), and trailer beds with demolition cars, so I figured a fair much be somewhere down the road. We passed through some run-down appearing settlements and passed through a boggy stretch which looked like perfect moose country, but I don’t think they live this far south. Too bad because they’re missing some prime moose real estate.

Outside of Smethport, I passed by a car junkyard. The yard was filled was vintage cars and trucks. There also was a bus with a Porsche on top of it, but my camera ran out of battery just as I was about to take a picture of it. I was picked up in Smethport (home of “Wooly Willy), since we had to travel on 20+ miles of gravel road to get to our campground. T,B, & M apparently were playing on the skate board park without skateboards while waiting for me to arrive. Before climbing into the van to head to Lyman State Park, we stopped at a local DQ, and Trevor had chocolate malts which I got him hooked on, and I ate a flurry with York Peppermint Patties at a local DQ. We traveled a long ways up a gravel road. The woods were blanketed with ferns. I never saw so many ferns naturally occurring in woods before. At the top was a scenic pull-out area. Mountains all around with little evidence of civilization.

The campground was small and near a lake. We all decided it was too cold to swim. We were pleasantly surprised to find warm showers as we thought it was a primitive campground. Keith and Kim sent directions for a geocache which the kids went to find after we set up camp and brought back firewood they collected. Karen cooked a delicious meal of Mediterranean Chicken while I took a shower. Mal picked out lemon meringue pie for dessert. Bryce noted on the list of ingredients that the pie contained less than 2% food. Of course both Trevor and Bryce with their dry sense of humor carried on about the non-food aspect of the pie. The two of them together are pretty funny. Trevor performed his ritual of making a fire and then we all headed to bed by 9:30 pm in an attempt to get an earlier start on the road in the morning.

6/28-6/29 Jill's Bike log

2010-06-30T15:34:00.001-04:00

6/28-Mon-Destination; Cortland, OH. (Biked 65 miles; total 758). Being from the Netherlands I think influenced Jan being a “utilitarian” biker, as he termed it. It sounds as though he more frequently uses his bike than car for transportation around the city. He routed us 8 miles through the city to get onto our designated highway. Thanks goodness Trevor memorized all of the right and left turns so we didn’t have to keep looking at the directions. It was satisfying to bike from start to end today without having to be sagged by the van. Our original plans had us going to a destination only 30 miles from Canton, but we increased it to 65 miles so we’d be in closer proximity to Allegheny College where Bryce will have a tour and interview on Tuesday. We took pictures of us and Eileen, Jan and their dog Mattie in front of their house before taking off at 9:00 am.

Mallory rode 35 miles today non-stop to our lunch stop. The weather was very temperate, probably in the 80s which really facilitated biking. There were gently rolling hills with farms. I don’t know if the hills had a lower percent grade or I’m gradually getting in better shape, because I noticed I didn’t have to gear down as much as in the past. Overall the highways today were okay for biking except for a few really busy stretches and a few parts that had a lot of pot holes. When planning the trip, we were worried there’d be a lot of congestion because of industrial cities in the region. We beat Karen to our lunch destination at a state park because she got really lost trying to locate a grocery store.

I arrived at Mosquito Lake State Park to a bagpipe serenade. A camper down the street from us was walking up and down the road playing his bagpipe. He was quite good. (Later we heard someone playing a flute in the distance). About half an hour after I arrived, we had a downpour. Everyone had pretty much set up camp by the time I arrived. All day we had threatening rain clouds. The night before in Canton, it had rained during the night. The storm only lasted about 20 minutes and then cleared off. We headed over to the beach area for a swim. The water was brown with a lot of algae, but never the less refreshing. This whole area seems to be swampy…excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It was appropriately named Mosquitoes Lake State Park. Tonight was a Cutter’s bug repellent night.

After swimming, we went to take showers, which also had a pay washer and drier. An Amish mother with her 5 daughters ranging in age from about 5 to middle school age were there doing their wash. They were wearing blue dresses with white kerchiefs on their heads. About half of the girls also donned roller blades. The youngest was wearing enormous roller blades. It was a National Geographic moment, but we felt it was voyeurism to take a picture.

Karen bought makings for tacos, which we engulfed. Every night it looks like we have way too much food, but between Trevor and Bryce, it always is demolished. I even managed to scarf 5 small tacos.

After supper Mallory rented from the office a 3-wheel recumbent like bike which didn’t have handlebars to steer. You had to steer by shifting your weight. I attempted to ride, but found trying to steer it challenging. Of course T, B, and M found it hilarious that I wasn’t particularly adept in driving it. Around 8:30, Karen and I drove to a Paneras about 10 minutes away to check on our email. We were kicked out at 9:30. I wasn’t finished, but I was really tired so I don’t know how much more I would have accomplished anyway.

For wildlife today, I saw a beaver along side of the road sitting in a pool of water surrounded by almost fluorescent green algae. I figured if I turned around to get a picture, he’d have ducked under the water. Saw deer, possum, and a raccoon family road-kill. Apparently Bryce and Trevor had a crane fly across the road in front of them, leaving an amazingly long trail of bird poop. In the evening before heading to bed there was eerie screeching in the trees. Karen and I saw a two foot tall owl sitting on a post across from our campsite with a white face. I’m not an expert on owls, but looked to me like a barn owl. The boys then located two more in the trees using their flashlights. They seemed to be calling back forth to each other.

6/29 Tue-Destination, Jamestown, PA. (Rest Day). We planned on biking the 28 miles, but we already had a late start trying to dry out the camping gear, and just as we were getting on our bikes, Bryce noticed that he had a flat tire. By the time we fixed his flat, we decided it would make him late for his interview at Allegheny College. We switched gears and loaded up the bikes and got in the van. After almost a month, we’re getting down a system for packing and loading the bikes onto the bike rack, which is puzzle work weaving the handlebars and rear carriers to make them fit on the cramped rack without scratching them. Tying on rags is an essential element for scratch prevention.

Bryce and Trevor are a formidable biking team. Despite a 10 year difference between Trevor and Bryce, and Mallory is 6 years younger than Bryce; I’m sure all three have forged a life-long relationship.

I am amazed how well everyone has gotten along and has gone with the flow….all part of the journey. Speaking of journey, yesterday when we were leaving Canton, Jan and Eileen wished Trevor luck finishing his teaching degree and Bryce with his choice and acceptance for college. Bryce made a comment that he had to decide what he wanted to pursue in college, and Eileen and Jan both chimed in that they each had experienced three completely different careers before they retired. Facsimiles of a saying I’ve repeatedly heard over the years is: it’s not about the destination, but the journey there; and if you’re moving forward, you’re on the right path. It really has resonated with me on this trip.

We spent all day at Allegheny College…home to the “Alligators.” Pennsylvania and alligators; somewhat of an oxymoron. During the tour, we found out that their mascot was originally the “Hellbender Salamanders.” With the Methodist Church roots, they apparently felt it wasn’t an appropriate name, so changed it to alligator which looks somewhat like a salamander. As the day progressed, Bryce became more impressed with the college. Definite downside is that Meade isn’t much of a college town, but he did seem to like the program and the involvement of the faculty with the students. We ate dinner with Brie, who’ll be a senior this year at Allegheny who is a friend of Karen’s son. She seems to be happy with her choice to go to Allegheny.

We went back to Pymatuning State Park. Our campsite bordered the lake, but we decided to forego swimming because it was too cold. Bryce fixed his flat tire…success after the second try. Hung out at the campsite. Today is has been the first cool day on the trip. I wore pants all day and back at the campsite wore my sweatshirt and hood up to stay warm. First night we’ve used our sleeping bags.

6/25-6/27 Jill's Bike Log

2010-06-28T08:24:00.001-04:00

6/26 Sat.-Destination, Mt. Vernon, OH. (Biked 42 miles; total 663). Didn’t leave the campground until 10:00 since we had only 40 miles to ride and we told our hosts we would arrive around 2:00. Left from the campground on our bikes and will be the first day that we biked to our destination without having to get into the car. Mal rode the first 22 miles to a town park where we met Karen for lunch. I’m still not sick of peanut-butter, honey and banana sandwiches. Bryce created a new variation with peanut butter and chocolate covered raisins sandwich. We polished off our first 3 lb tub of peanut butter.

Killer hill to get to our Warm Shower hosts, Bill & Marsha Ernst. Their home is contemporary style, nestled in the woods. Throughout their home, they had artwork displayed; some of it Bill’s photography, but much it their 31 year old son’s, who is a painter. His artwork is very impressive. He’s won all kind of awards and has already established himself as a painter to the point that he’s able to support himself on the sales of his artwork I can see why.

By the time I arrived, the boys had already showered and were settled their family room watching on their big screen TV the soccer world cup play-offs between Ghana and the US, and Mal was glued to the computer watching videos. Karen was dropping off Tessa to join her College Discovery group.

Marsha had prepared fresh fruit, shrimp cocktail, and Congo bars. Bill made some delicious caramel corn, which I got the recipe for. For dinner Marsha made lasagna, zucchini quiche and a fresh fruit salad. For dessert we had a fresh fruit and sherbet parfait. Man o’ man was we lavished with good food…

After dinner Mallory practiced archery and shooting cans with a BB gun they had strung up; all for the benefit of their grandkids. Bill told Mallory he’d give her a dollar if she could place an arrow on the target, which since it was a physical challenge, she was all over it. We had great conversation with Bill and Marsha about everything under the sun from politics, religion, kids, to travel…

Bill showed us his pictures of his cross country bike trip across the southern US he completed with his friend a month ago. He’s older than me and they averaged 80 miles per day and their longest day was 137 miles. They traveled extremely lightly, carrying only a change of clothes and they stayed either stayed with Warm Showers hosts, Affordable Travel Club housing hosts, or in hotels. It made me think about how we’re averaging 40 miles per day, however I do feel we’re reaching my goal f making connections along the way, so I’m trying to let go of shorter distances we’re traveling. We headed to bed about 11:30.

6/27-Sun-Destination, Canton, OH (Biked 30 miles, total 693). We planned on departing at 9:00, but we kept gabbing and Mallory was determined to knock the 3 cans off the string with the BB gun by hitting the paper clips holding them on the line, which she eventually succeeded in doing. We departed from their house on our bikes at 11:30. A few miles from their house we picked up the Kokosing rails to trail bike path. Woods bordered the stream on each side. Really pretty and also helped with the heat as it was already 91 according to a bank sign I saw before we got on the trail. It still feels considerably cooler and less muggy than it was in Missouri, Illinois or Indiana. Along the bike path we stopped to take a swim in the stream to cool and T, B, and M got into skipping stones At one point we passed through some recreation fields and were lured to a metal structure, which from a distance looked like a play structure As we got to it, we realized it was an interesting modern art piece We met Karen at a picnic pavilion at the end of the bike path. Mal decided to sag and T, B, and I continued on. We soaked our heads and shirts because it was hot, (the downside of getting a late start).

We got into hilly country with smaller farms. It was picturesque. In one town we passed by 5 Amish horse and buggy within several miles. The first buggy had two shirtless teenage boys. The second two horse n’ buggies each had a teenage boy wearing tank tops. The next buggy, were two teenage girls wearing purple dresses without bonnets; and in the fifth was sitting a teenage girl and a boy talking on a cell phone. They all appeared like they were heading to the same destination. Sunday afternoons, must be teenage hang-out time... Karen picked us up at 4:00 so we’d arrive to our host’s home by 5:00 who were making us dinner. We traveled through really pretty countryside on back highways and passed 31 Amish horse and buggies!

Jan and Eileen Kicken from the UU church in Canton, OH hosted us. Sandy, also from their fellowship brought over dinner. She cooked a pasta casserole and side dish of pork chops, along with a tossed salad. We had chocolate and Boston crème cake for dessert. We’ve been really spoiled by our hosts. For the rest of the trip we’ll be camping.

Jan, Eileen and Sandy’s fellowship have 40 members. I thought it would have been bigger considering the size of Canton, but they did say it’s fairly conservative around here. I’ve really enjoyed making new acquaintances along the way. Each connection I’ve made has nourished me in a different way.

After dinner, Trevor, Bryce and Mallory played on their Wii. I tried a few rounds of bowling. We headed to bed at 9:30, determined to hit the road by 8:00 in the morning.

6/25 Jill's Bike Log

2010-06-27T09:19:00.000-04:00

6/25 Fri-Destination, Delaware, OH (Biked 65 miles; 621 total) Rode 10 miles from the campground to the Erie/Ohio bike trail. The trail was straight and flat, with minimal shade. Large farms with mostly corn fields bordered each side of the trail. The grain elevators were huge. I find riding on back, twisty winding country roads, with gently rolling hills more interesting then flat, straight routes.

Wildlife on the trail today was cottontails and chipmunks. Bryce said he almost ran over one. Mal sagged today. Bryce and Trevor decided to take a highway instead of following the TA route after the trail ended. The Trans America routes zigzags you through back street and roads, which requires frequently looking at the map and reading the directions so you won’t miss a turn. I still preferred doing that than riding on a busy highway.

We were on our own for lunch. I was having my usual chocolate malt craving, but when I inquired where I could find ice-cream in West Jefferson, there was a Dairy Queen on the edge of town which was the opposite direction from where I had to ride. Ended up eating at a “mom & pop” restaurant. Ate a chicken salad sandwich and watermelon. Tasty. My ice cream fix would have to wait.

I could see why Trevor and Bryce didn’t want to follow the TA map as it took a lot of staring at the map and conferring with the directions to make sure I was following the back roads. I had to go off the TA route and ask for directions to Plain City as one road I thought would take meet them ended up being closed due to road repairs. My phone battery was just abut depleted so I asked if there was more than one pizza joint in town as I knew Trevor and Bryce were hanging out at one. Fortunately there was only one off of Rte. 42, so figured that’s where they were. I ended up biking about 1 mile on Rte. 42, which was a very busy highway. I preferred biking on back roads and conferring with the map. It ended up that T & B were content hanging out at the pizza joint for several hours with air conditioning and a big screen TV waiting for the van and me to arrive.

We drove to the Alum Creek State Park. It was huge. We had a decent site with electricity. I made my follow up phone call with the newspaper reporter back home to make sure he didn’t have any questions about the article which was going to be printed tomorrow. Apparently the pictures Karen sent weren’t action shots, which is what they usually want, so we road up and down the street trying to get an action shot. The kids took off on the bikes to go swimming. Karen and I went up to the registration office where there is Wi-Fi. We took up residence on the sidewalk outside of the office. Took a while to figure out how to down-load and choose the photos. Bryce came by on his bike, so we had him take over, which he expedited within 10 minutes.

Made dinner; and Trevor started his compulsory fire in the fire pit from down fall. Had an electrical hook-up so we plugged in all of our electronics to charge. Bryce dragged out the light up Frisbee which they played in the street for a while before heading to bed. Unfortunately we were camped adjacent to partiers. Fortunately it didn’t keep me awake all night. The last several nights, it’s been reasonably cool for sleeping.

6/24 Jill's Bike log

2010-06-27T08:02:00.001-04:00

6/24 Thur – Destination-Clifton, OH (Biked 52 miles; 556 totals) Drove to the start of the Little Miami Scenic rails to trail in Milford, OH. Traveled through the woods bordering the Little Miami River. Easiest day of biking day between the shaded trail, relatively cool temperatures, no traffic and flat terrain. Lots of cyclists on the trail, particularly an abundance of recumbent bikes. I was surprised to see how many senior citizens were biking.

Mal rode 22 miles to our first snack stop and then decided to SAG. I think she could easily ride further if she didn’t get bored riding. I haven’t pushed the issue as I don’t want her to view the trip as a forced march. On the bike path to amuse her, she rode 1 mile without hands on the handle bar. It sparked me to get up the nerve to ride without hands. I easily rode without hands when I was younger, but with age, fear has taken over. While riding on the trail, I was determined to let go…of fear that is. It took me ½ an hour, but finally I let go. Yeah, a freeing feeling.

Each day our wildlife sightings seem to change. Today five deer crossed the trail, including a fawn. Also saw lots of cardinals. I almost ran over a 2 ½ foot snake, blackish in appearance with a tawny belly. I don’t know if we’re too far north for water moccasins, but there certainly enough water for them. Noticed that all of the rivers we’ve seen in the mid-west so far have muddy water. Not sure if that’s always their appearance or if it’s because they’ve had a lot of rain.

Karen picked us up at the trail to drive to the campground. All day I was craving ice-cream. I didn’t stop at towns along the way because I didn’t want to hold people up waiting for me at the SAG stops. We did stop at the Dairy King on the way to the campground. Slurped down delicious chocolate malt. They offered menu items I’ve never heard of before: deep fried dill pickles; deep fried Kentucky bologna; and deep fried bacon.

Stayed at John Bryan State Park which lacked showers but 10 minutes away in Yellow Springs, you could take a shower at their municipal pool for a buck each, which we took advantage of. The pool was mobbed with kids and parents due to a swim meet. It seems that the entire town turned out for it. It excluded any recreational swimming, but we did take showers.

Karen cooked up a delicious Jambalaya meal with chicken, which we gorged ourselves on. Headed to bed by 9:30, but unfortunately were next to a site with college aged kids who partied well into the night. It didn’t keep me awake as much as it did Karen.

Jill's Bike Blog 6/22-6/23

2010-06-24T06:57:00.001-04:00

6/22 Tue- Destination, Mason, OH (Biked 30 miles; total 504) Despite having to load everyone’s gear and 7 people into the van, we managed to get on the road by 8:00 am. Talking about sardines! Drove to Madison, IN to begin biking. As we drove there, the clouds turned black and looked threatening. Decided to start biking, and Karen would rescue us if there was a downpour. Fortunately the storm blew past us. The route all day would follow the Ohio River, so it was fairly flat riding. Mal complained of significant chafing from her seat, so sagged after ten miles. After 20 miles, I had a quick snack and headed on the trail again.

This is the second day in a row that I was a hero. Yesterday Mal and I gave a drink of water to a dehydrated dog and today I stopped and rescued a box turtle crossing the road from being smushed by a car by carrying it to the other side of the road.

I was feeling strong riding today, despite being the first day that we had a mild head wind. I took a pit stop at the Best Western Motel. Seemed like a very fancy hotel for in the middle of nowhere. Outside of Vevay, the route very congested with traffic, including tractor trailer trucks and there was no shoulder. I was glad that Mal decided to SAG. Down the road I realized what created the traffic. The route we were on crossed interstate 71 and s well, a large casino was further down the road. Karen came back to pick me up to take me to where Trevor and Bryce were stopping for lunch. I was somewhat reluctant because I didn’t want to stop riding, but decided to hop on board to not delay progress for everyone.

Ate lunch in a town pavilion overlooking the river. Ate our usual peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich. In the morning we decided we wanted to stop riding at 1:00 so we’d have time to do some sight seeing in Cincinnati, so we loaded up the bikes after our lunch. We stopped at a grocery store on the outskirts, and by the time we arrived in Cincinnati, it was 4:00 pm. Since the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center closed at 5:00, we decided to visit the Aquarium with Mat, Tessa and Mal since it closed at 8:00 pm. They designed it so you passed through glass tunnels submerged in the giant aquarium so it felt like you were under water. Pretty cool.

Ate dinner at a pizza place along the restored downtown walkway. The Buffalo chicken pizza was my favorite. Drove to King’s Island Resort Hotel where we stayed for two nights. Everyone quickly changed and jumped in the outside pool before it closed at 9:30. The kids then headed over to the indoor pool and Karen and I washed laundry.

6/23 Wed-Rest Day.Yeah! The kids ate breakfast and then took the shuttle to the King’s Island Amusement Park. Karen and I spent the morning chatting and then she worked on pictures and I worked on my blog. I called the Valley News back home for a telephone interview I had set up. Trevor, Bryce and Mal came back at 4:00 to eat since the food in the park was so expensive. Apparently just a hotdog was 8.00 bucks and a hamburger meal was 17.00. I took Mal and Bryce to a bike shop to get new seats since their seats were very uncomfortable. T, B, and M headed back to the amusement park until it closed at 10:00 pm. Mat & Tessa came back at 5:30 because Karen to drive him to meet his aunt & uncle who were picking him up for a two week stay at their house.

Jill's Bike Log 6/21

2010-06-23T23:57:00.001-04:00

6/21 Mon- Destination, Louisville, KY. (Biked 28 miles; total 474). Packed up camp and on the road by 8:30. Drove to Tell City to begin biking. This is the only day on the trip that we don’t have a SAG driver. Mal was asleep in the van so I decided to start as the SAG driver. Trevor and Bryce road 26 miles on winding, back country roads. Bryce drove and Trevor sagged while Mal and I rode the next leg. We had our first vicious dog encounter. Two dogs charged out at Mal, so she stopped in the road. My mother bear instincts came out so I charged in front of Mal to ward off the dogs. Fortunately they were just barkers. Down the road a few miles, another dog came towards us. The owner who was working in the yard assured us he wouldn’t bite. He looked like a geriatric, obese, yellow lab. As he came loping towards us, I thought he was going to have a coronary as he was gasping and grunting in his efforts to move forward.

We followed the Ohio River, but started to get on county roads with limited signage. We took a wrong turn and started heading down a gravel road. After about 4 miles, decided it couldn’t be the correct route. Beck-tracked and found the boys parked on the side of the road waiting for us. They forewarned us that we had two very steep hills to climb up. Mal was pumped for biking, so headed out. They weren’t kidding that the hills were steep… I was in my granny gear and could barely pedal forward and my with my heavy breathing I sounded like a freight train. It felt more taxing than any of the hills we climbed in Missouri. I don’t know where Mallory got the energy, but she blew ahead of me. At the top of the mountain, I was wiped out and not looking forward to a steep downhill grade. (I’m still somewhat of a wimp going fast down steep down hills). Mal decided to continue riding, and Bryce and Trevor joined her. The three of them road to together for the next 15 miles, at which time Mal got into the van and Bryce and Trevor biked the last 7 miles. As I was loading Mal’s bike onto the van, a little mutt came up to us whose tongue was hanging out from panting. It looked like he had a healing wound on his hind quarters. He was a friendly little guy. We had no available bowls to give him water, so we improvised and used Mal’s crock. He lapped up a bunch of water and seemed satisfied and took off back down the road.

We headed to the Louisville airport to pick up my sister Karen to be our SAG driver for the next two weeks. She drove a one way rental car from Ithaca, NY with my 16 year old niece Tessa and her boyfriend Mat. We headed back to the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church where she dropped off Mat and Tessa. The church opened up to us, use of their former meeting house adjacent to the new church they built. We laid out our beds in the room they called the “wedding chapel.” We were all set as it was air conditioned, and had a shower and kitchen for us to use. We walked across the street to eat supper. We shared tappas entrées at a place called Mojitos Tappas. Tasty…Went back to our sleeping quarters for the evening and played a rousing game of “Catch Phrase,” which was new to everyone except Bryce, Mal and I.

Jill's Bike Log 6/20

2010-06-23T22:47:00.001-04:00

6/20 Sun-Drove to Bandon, Indiana. Rosi invited us to head over to the house at 7:00 am to eat breakfast, which I did. I let Mal sleep. I enjoyed chatting with Rosi, her husband Mark and their friend from out of town. One of the conversations was about the challenges of “launching” children. (They have a son who’s 21 and an 18 year old son). They had a good sense of humor about it. Rosi cooked a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon and a fruit salad. Woke up Mal at 9:00 to eat breakfast and then we headed to church for the service.

The UU Church of Evansville gets an “A” for friendliness. When we entered, there were several greeters at the door. Once we sat down in the sanctuary, Trevor confessed that he didn’t feel comfortable going to church because he’s only been to a few services in his life and he doesn’t know the protocol. I assured him that UU churches are generally laid back. Before the service began, Trevor shared that he enjoyed his stay with Ed who is an avid lepidopterist. Before leaving the house to go to church, Ed showed him some of his butterfly collections. Their minister wasn’t preaching that morning, so they had a guest speaker to talk about the area’s program to combat homelessness which this fellowship has been involved with. Jan read a great children’s story about homelessness. Parts of the service were very familiar. They have “Joys and Sorrows,” as we do, as well as sing “Spirit of Life,” after a silent meditation.

After the service, we stayed for a bit and chatted during coffee hour, and then headed back to Jan and Susan’s house to collect our bikes before heading out. The night before, Jan and Ed told Trevor and me about a historic Utopian Village in New Harmony which dated back to the 1800’s. In the village were also two labyrinths. Since it was already 12:30, and really hot outside, the consensus was that we would take the day off biking and would head to New Harmony to check out the historic village and labyrinths. Jan sent us off with a case of bottled water, snacks, and a paper bag stapled shut with a surprise inside. She instructed Mal that we weren’t to open it right away. About 10 miles down the road, we couldn’t resist, so we opened the bag. Each of us had a red, white and blue paper bag with our names on it. The bags were filled with trinkets which Trevor was excited that some could be used to put in geo cache boxes.

New Harmony was a really interesting town. The historic buildings were private residences which blend in with the town. In the center of the town was a meditation garden, a stone labyrinth made out of granite and a roofless church. The hedge labyrinth was on the outskirts of town, so we rented a golf cart for an hour to drive around town and to go the labyrinth, which Mal got into. The hedge labyrinth was about the size of a soccer field and shoulder height. The kids got a kick out of getting lost in it.

Everyone was disappointed we didn’t have time to visit Santa Claus, IN where there’s an amusement park, which Jan, Susan, Rosi and Mark recommended. Headed to Hoosier National Forest Where we stayed at Tipsaw State Park. Set up camp and then B,T, and M biked to the swim area and I decided to drive the van since I wanted to use my computer to do some blogging. The lake was like bath water, so wasn’t as refreshing as it could have been. I headed back to camp to cook supper and T, B and M went geo caching around the lake trail. They located 4 out of 7 of the caches. While geo caching, Bryce picked up 7 tics and Trevor 4. Each night we’re having to do a thorough tic check on ourselves.

Jill's Bike Blog 6/17-6/19

2010-06-23T21:05:00.001-04:00

6/17 Thur-Chester-Carbondale. (Biked 36 miles; total 374). Really hot & muggy all night, which made sleeping less than restful. Bryce & Mal were feeling wiped out, so decided to SAG to the 1st rest stop, (which was a good indicator how Bryce was feeling because he rarely bails out of activities). Arranged last night to meet “Darren” from the UU Church in Carbondale who’d bring us in on back roads to avoid traffic. On the road by 8:30 am. More rolling hills with some inclines. Around 10:00, out of no-where black clouds started brewing. The started to look really ominous with rolling clouds with greenish-black appearance; looking like tornado clouds. I was passing by a farm with a large barn. Asked for directions from the farmer who was transplanting irises. Just then wind started picking up and he offered that I could take cover in his barn, when the rain started. I managed to get into the barn just before torrential rain came down. Stood in the barn for 50 minutes waiting for the rain to pass. Managed to make contact with the van. “Darren” was riding through the storm to meet us at the convenience store. They came to pick me up so Darren wouldn’t be waiting long at the store. Trevor was ahead of me and holed up in a barn as well, but was further down the road so rode to the convenience store.

Darren looked like a bike racer with large calf and thigh muscles. He trains 2-4 hours per and bikes 200-300 miles per week. Darren guided Trevor, Bryce and me into Carbondale via back roads. Very picturesque with woods and farms. I’m sure it was painful for Darren to ride at my pace, but he was very cordial about it.

Once we arrived a Darren’s house, Claudia, Mal and I made the two hour drive up to St. Louis to drop Claudia off at the airport. Bryce and Trevor hung out in Carbondale. Played a game of disc golf and hung out in an air conditioned restaurant before heading over to Rev. Bill Sassos’ home where we were being hosted for the night. Mal and I stopped for a quick bite at Dairy Queen and so I could post a blog…so challenging to find a place at the right time with wi-fi to post blogs. In Missouri, cell and wi-fi coverage was pretty much non-existent. As much as I gripe about electronic technology, I am realizing how dependent on it I am.

Made cell phone contact with Dan and Rickey Poor from our congregation in Hartland. They’re on their way home from visiting their son and daughter-in-law in Colorado who had a baby girl. They will meet us tomorrow morning at 8:00 am at the Sassos’ to be our SAG (support and gear) driver for two days.

Arrived at the Sasso’s home at 8:15 and Trevor and Bryce got there around 6:30. They looked pretty zoned from exhaustion, (probably from being out in the blazing hot sun all day). They were sitting in front of the TV watching the NBA finals. play-offs. The Sasso family-Bill, Kathy and their ten year old daughter Elaina struck me as reserved and cordial folks. They went out of their way to accommodate us with showers, washing machine, and beds. While Trevor and Bryce watched the play-offs, Bill and Kathy helped me look up alternative routes to ride to Cave in Rock State Park. They found information about Tunnel Hill bike path on the internet, (and printed it out), which wasn’t directly west to east, so we’d have to drive to the starting point in the morning. They also told us about Garden of the Gods State Park.

6/18 Fri-Carbondale-Cave–in-Rock. (Biked 30 miles; total 404) Kathy and Elaina the night before baked a blueberry crumble for breakfast. Rickey and Dan Poor arrived promptly at 8:00 to the Sassos’ home. Trevor was working on tightening his front derailleur. Although he was able to tighten it, the cables were frayed, so could break at any time. Called all three bike shops in town, but none were open yet. Decided to wait until Evansville to have it fixed. Departed Carbondale around 9:00 am.

Route 13, which is what we originally planned to ride, was a very busy highway. Arrived at the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail around 10:00 am. It was already beastly hot outside. Bryce was marginally functioning. He said although he was tired, he was mainly dehydrated. He chugged some water while I started to fix his flat. The first attempt to repair the flat, the tube was pinched. Definite low point…Trevor had a simpler method to change flats, and the second repair attempt was successful. Bryce started to perch up and act his normal self, which was a relief because I was starting to worry about him. Rickey and Dan were very patient with our slow start getting onto the trail. Doused our heads and shirts with water…the only way to tolerate the beastly hot temperatures. (There hasn’t been a day yet since Colorado, that by early afternoon the temperatures have been below the mid 90’s). Hit the trail around 11:30. Rickey decided to drive her vehicle to Cave in Rock State campground to reserve a tenting site and meet us in Harrisburg.

About 0.2 miles back on the rails to trail, was a long tunnel. Pretty cool in more than one way to ride through. Found with the darkness, my depth perception was off. The beginning part of the trail was fairly wooded so we had some relief from the hot sun. It was a welcome change to have neither hills nor traffic. After 12 miles, Dan met us with the van and we took a lunch break. Mal was done with riding. I was glad to see that Bryce seemed to be back to his usual self. He obliged me by slowing his pace to ride with me until the last 7 miles, and then he hastened his pace and left me in the dust. Nice to be able to chat with Bryce’s. Except for when Mal decides to ride, I’m usually biking solo as I can’t keep up with the boys.

By the time we reached Harrisburg, the heat was oppressive. We decided to load the bikes on the van. Stopped at the grocery store to get food for supper. I asked if there was a pay phone near by so I could call the newspaper reporter from the Valley News to set up a time for an interview. There wasn’t one in near proximity, so he allowed me to call using the store phone. Set up an interview time on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.

Decided to check out Garden of the Gods before heading to the campground. Rickey met us there. It was on top of some bluffs so the temperature was a bit cooler. The trail was ¼ mile long and said it took 45 minutes to walk. We wondered how ¼ mile could possibly take that long, but as soon as we arrived at the rock formations, we understood. They reminded me of Bryce Canyon in the woods. The rock formations were striking, plus on top of the hill, the air was cooler with a mild breeze. We unanimously agreed that this was a worthwhile side trip. The unexpected side trips have often been highlights on the trip…all part of letting the journey unfold.

Headed to Cave in Rock State Park bordering the Ohio River. Back to extremely hot and muggy weather…We set up our tents and Trevor cooked the spaghetti supper and Bryce and Rickey shucked the corn for corn on the cob. Rickey also made a salad. We feasted and Bryce and Trevor almost popped their guts trying to finish the spaghetti so it wouldn’t go to waste. Trevor cooked 3 lbs of hamburger for the sauce! It still never ceases to amaze me how much food the boys can consume.

Headed to the shower. Mal hopped into the shower and was flinching. I thought it was cold, but it was a shocker that instead it was hot water and not adjustable. So much for a refresher shower! We were waiting outside of the shower for Bryce when Trevor discovered the outside spigot had cold water, so he crumpled his body to submerge under the 3 foot high faucet.

As Bryce was coming out of the shower, a young adult who I estimated was in is twenties, befriended Bryce, whose name was RJ. He started in Virginia and was going to end up in California as a fundraiser ride for autism. He was very animated and had some funny stories to tell. We could also tell that he was a bit lonely bicycling by himself. We both could relate with the challenges finding Wi-Fi access and resorting to blogging on a word document and then pasting the blog when we find Wi-Fi to post it.

Lots of mosquitoes and Rickey and Bryce each found three tics on them. We were happy to crawl into the safety of our tents. We vowed to depart from the campground by 7:30 am to take advantage of the cooler mornings.

6/19 Sat-Cave-in-Rock-Evansville, Indiana. (Biked 30 miles; total 434).
Shortly before dawn, the wind started blowing and the air smelled like rain. Rickey and Dan had put their flies on but Trevor and Bryce and Mal and I kept our flies off because we wanted more air circulation to stay cooler. Mal slept through it, but Bryce, Trevor and I bolted out of tents, and in the dark to madly put on our tent flies. The rain never did come, but just a short ways down the road, we could see evidence that it had poured.

We broke camp and put the bikes onto to the van to drive to Shawnee Town where we had originally scheduled to begin our ride. Jan, our host for the night suggested an alternate route to Evansville. We departed at 8:00 instead of 7:30, but we’re improving on our morning departures. I think everyone is realizing the benefits of riding early to try to beat the heat. We briefly stopped to look at the Cave in Rock which faced the Ohio River. Story goes that bandits would hide in the cave and raided ships as they passed by.

We were on the road by 9:30 am. Thankfully it was a much smoother start compared to the previous morning. As typical, Mal and I quickly lost sight of Trevor and Bryce as they biked ahead. The terrain changed to very gentle rolling hills with mainly farmlands and very intermittent woods. After 18 miles, we took a rest break in the shade of trees at an abandoned Methodist Church which was bordered by corn fields. Mal decided to SAG to Mt. Vernon. We ate lunch on the shaded lawn of the Court House. The heat seemed to have depleted Trevor. I called Jan who suggested we SAG to Evansville where there was a bike path along the Ohio since the road from Mt. Vernon to Evansville was pretty congested with traffic.

When we arrived at the bike/walking path, it was 2:00 pm and in the heat of the day. Trevor wasn’t interested in riding in the heat and Bryce and Mal weren’t particularly enthused either. They drove the van to a park about a mile down the road and Rickey, Dan and I walked to the parked. When we arrived there, we found T, B and M racing around a wooden play ground structure playing tag. So much for being too hot to do anything!

We arrived at Jan Stein’s and her partner Susan Thomas’ condo. They had a welcome sign posted on the door and Jan had about 20 children’s books related to bikes displayed on the windowsill which she had checked out of the library. (She works at the local public library). Trevor, Bryce and Mal quickly absorbed themselves in the books. The kitchen counter was filled with snacks for us to munch on, including a carton filled with movie theater size boxes of candy. Their hospitality really touched me. Each of us took our turns taking showers, which helped to refreshed us.

At 6:30 we headed over to the UU Church in Evansville, (about 75 members), where Jan had arranged for a pot-luck supper. A poster was on the door to greet us there as well. Each of us were assigned to a different table to carry on discussion about the trip while eating our dinner. After supper I spoke to the whole group about my motivation and experience during the trip.

After supper we were sent to our respective hosts’ homes. Bryce stayed with Jan and Susan. Rickey and Dan stayed with Isabel Lavens, a 90+ woman who is as sharp as a tack and a life-long Universalist. Trevor stayed with Ed Howard, (almost 80 and who went ballroom dancing for several hours after the pot-luck dinner), who is articulate and with a dry sense of humor. He informed me that he’s a secular humanist and quite frankly liked the days when there were no children in the fellowship, but knew they were the livelihood of the church.

We said our goodbyes to Dan and Rickey since they were heading on their trip back home first thing in the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them better. In the two days we spent with them, I now feel I have a special connection with them. Mal and I followed Rosi Weatherwax to her house across town. They had other company for the evening, so she settled us into their studio apartment above their garage. It had a 3 foot video screen which we watched for about 30 minutes and then turned off because I was bushed.

Jill's bike log 6/16

2010-06-18T09:22:00.005-04:00

6/16 (Wed-Biked 50 miles)-Bryce spent the morning getting his bike ready to ride. Had to put his pedals on adjust his brakes. Mal, Claudia and I went to a wi-fi café so I could post my bike journal which I hadn’t had a chance to do for over a week. Didn’t get started until close to noon. Mal and Claudia hung out at a municipal water park in Farmington for a few hours before heading to Chester, Il. Once out of town, I lost sight of Trevor and Bryce. New experience biking by myself… Enjoying daydreaming and taking in the scenery and listening to the birds.

I’ve quickly realized that I’m not in my twenties anymore, as there’s no way I can keep up with the boys. It’s hard for me to fathom in 1979 that Carol and I biked an average of 90 miles per days with loaded bikes by the time we reached Missouri. We had however been biking for 6 weeks and got up at the crack of dawn to begin biking. Never the less, it’d be challenging for me to bike more than 60 miles per day. I’m feeling a little disappointed that I’m not putting in the miles that I had hoped, but am very nourished by how well everyone is connecting on the trip from my Colorado buddies, to Mal, Trevor, Bryce, Claudia and I.(It was one of my biggest goals). In case something ever happens to me, it is comforting for me to know that Mallory and Bryce have made connections, with people who have been influential in my life. (I regret that Bryce wasn’t able to experience the whole trip). Claudia has grown into a very competent and mature, and fun woman to be around, and was indispensable as our sag driver. I am grateful that Mallory has been able to maintain a relationship with her birth mom. Speaking of mature, Trevor has been a huge help and very accommodating on the trip except for that one blip yesterday.

Throughout Missouri, ¾ of the vehicles have been pick-up trucks. The apparel for farmers have been overalls and straw hats or caps. As we’re heading out of the Ozarks, the architecture of the home have changed from tiny bungalows, often sided with metal or tar paper to modest homes often built out of brick.

Passed through mostly farm lands with rolling hills and not as wooded as the previous few days. The secondary roads follow the natural contour of the land, so there’s no grading of the hills…some definite butt and thigh burners, but not quite as challenging as the previous two days. It’s been constant up and down rolling hills.We didn’t pass by any convenience stores to fill up my water bottles. I was beginning to feel parched so I when at the top of one of the hills, in the middle of no-where in the woods was a sign for The Tiger Restaurant. I pulled in and asked if there was an outside spigot I could use. The restaurant was very fancy with white table cloths. Hunting down the outside faucet, I noticed a very high fence, which appeared like an animal enclosure and from which came a roar of a feline. I was all I could do to not go over to investigate, but a sign stated, “Do not enter unless authorized.” I was entertained for a number of miles coming with a story about it.

Mal and I started biking in Bismarck. Rode 10 miles on a very busy highway and then turned

Crossed the Mississippi River into Chester, IL, home of Popeye. The bridge was somewhat dilapidated with crumbling cement, so I was a bit nervous crossing it on my bike. I had called and left a message for Claudia and Mal to head over to the municipal pool. Got a call from Trevor and Bryce who were trying to locate the pool on their bike. They had gone up and down a very steep hill into Chester twice, thinking that I was on a different road going into town. Bryce started his first day on one of the more challenging days between the intense heat and lots of hills, so the second time riding up the hill, his legs cramped up ¾ of the way up it.I connected with Trevor and we got better directions and headed over to the pool.

We went over to check out The Order of the Eagles where we we’re going to stay for the night before heading back to the pool. They have a shower, bathrooms and apparently an air conditioned bunk house which wasn’t available. We could set up our tent on the lawn though and use the facilities. There were quite a few bikers camped out with a Trans America group. We headed back to the pool for 45 minutes until it closed. Refreshing. Trevor, Mal and Bryce were into doing crazy dives. Claudia had got a good burn while reading during the day at the poolside. Tried to locate a geo cache at the park without success.

Headed back to the Order of the Eagles, and ordered dinner in the pool hall. Not the typical place I’d frequent, but the folks there were friendly. Set up our tents on the lawn. Very hot and muggy. Went to the McDonalds for Wi-Hi so Claudia could check in for her flight from St. Louis tomorrow. Went to Wal-Mart to get aloe vera. Headed to bed around 10:30.

Jill's bike log 6/15

2010-06-17T20:16:00.001-04:00

6/15 (Tue-Biked 28 miles) - Packed up and loaded the bikes onto the van we were originally going to stop in Ellington 26 miles down the road. Very twisty, winding and hilly roads. My cigarette lighter converter died so stopped in Ellington to pick one up. Checked at a hardware store which looked like it dated back to when the town was formed. It was stocked with everything under the sun, but unfortunately didn’t the kind of converter I wanted, but did have UPS service. Most of the clerks were men, but the clerk who waited on us was a woman. She definitely didn’t have the Wall St. professional look, but was pleasant and helpful. She was wearing cowboy boots, with neon green short shorts, and a grey t-shirt. She was overweight with a lot of dental decay. Found a box just the right size to mail home the back panniers and Trevor’s tent.

Trevor was ready to ride from Ellington, which would have been a 60 plus mile ride and it was already 11:30 am. Talked Trevor into riding in the van to Centerville 10 miles further down the road. With Trevor’s departure, had our first conflict during the trip. Trevor pared down what he was carrying to be more streamlined. I insisted that he put the flag on his bike to be more visible on these treacherous roads. He took off without the flag but then turned around a little ways down the road and came back to reluctantly put on the flag. Headed out without having all of the direction how to get to Farmington, which into riding 18 miles on a bike path. When we stopped to get clarification for directions, the store clerk again confirmed how dangerous the roads were for bicyclers. After we met up with Trevor in Farmington, he said when he asked for directions, he was also told the roads treacherous because of the lack of shoulders and winding twisting roads with very limited visibility. They told him of a shortcut to Farmington which wasn’t quite as traveled but not as dangerous, which he took.

Mal and I started biking in Bismarck. Rode 10 miles on a very busy highway and then turned

Mal and I started biking in Bismarck. Rode 10 miles on a very busy highway and then turned off to St. Joe State Park where we linked with a bike path. The path was paved and could easily accommodate two bikes riding side by side. A welcome relief to the hazardless road we had been traveling on. It winded through the woods, including some very steep up hills. For about a mile it opened out to a sandy, barren, bluff with high exposure. We noticed black clouds beginning to build, so quickened our pace to get back into the woods. When the thunder and lightning were overhead, we took refuge under some under story trees. We alerted Claudia on the cell phone that we were safe. She was apparently trying to find Trevor who was a Dairy Queen. We arrived at Al’s Bike Hostel before Claudia and Trevor. Apparently it was an afternoon of Hell for Claudia between trying to find Trevor and worrying about Mal and I in the major thunderstorm, she kept driving up and down Maple St where she knew we’d come off of the bike path. Al’s Place was welcome reprieve. It was an old jail which was renovated into a hostel. The bikes could be stored downstairs and upstairs was air conditioned with bunk rooms, a comfortable lounge area and washing machine.

Trevor decided to stay at the hostel and Claudia, Mal, and I headed up to St. Louis to pick up Bryce at the airport. It seemed like forever that we waited for Bryce to deboard the plane. Went to eat supper at an authentic Mexican restaurant. Headed back to Farmington, but missed an exit so the Garmon routed us a round about way to get back.. Didn’t get back to Farmington until midnight.

2010-06-16T11:00:00.003-04:00

Bike Trip Log

6/4 (Fri) - Departed from Hartland at 6:30 am. Drove to Williamstown to pick up Trevor at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s house. Left Williamstown 11:00 are. Drove to Keith & Kim’s house in Latham. Left at 12:30. Ate supper at Bob Evans in Missouri.

6/5 (Sat) - Drove straight through to Colorado. Trevor drove through the night. I drove 6 hours of the trip. Ate supper in Hays, Kansas. Arrived at Pam & Roger’s house in Westcliffe at 9:30 pm. Wonderful to see them. Still very family oriented, but now instead of their two children; they are very involved grandparents in the lives of their 4 grandkids. Stayed up until 1:00 am Mountain Time talking and catching up on elementary aged kids I knew when we moved from Westcliffe who now are grown and many with children. Introduced to Face Book on which Pam showed me pictures of kids and friends from when we lived in Westcliffe 10 years ago. Where has the time gone?

6/6 (Sun) - Hung out at Pam & Roger’s house. Mal tuckered herself out riding on the ATV in the driveway all day long. Good thing it was geared down for their grandkids because as it was she was doing donuts at high speed. Roger helped us put light and flags on our bikes. Ginger, Judy, Tammy, Laura, John and Nina Piquette, Toloa & Jerry came over who I worked with at the clinic in the 1990’s. Toured Westcliffe and Silver Cliff with Pam. Town have grown quite a bit. Our old house is for sale. A bit run down but the patios still look good. Trees in the yard are big. Todd’s silver Cliff welcome sign which he spear headed when he was a Silver Cliff trustee still looks great. Carol, who I did my cross country bike in 1979, arrived in the evening, driving from Oregon. She looks the same and it immediately felt like it was only yesterday that we had spent time together.

6/7 (Mon-biked 29 miles) - Departed from Westcliffe on our bikes at 9:30 am. On our bikes. Biked down rte. 69 to Cotopaxi for 23 miles. Trevor biked ahead and Mal, Carol and I biked together. Hot (95) and very windy. Fortunately mostly cross winds. Ate lunch in Cotopaxi and then rode in the car 15 miles to Rte 9. Mal got in the van and Carol & I biked together. Biked uphill 8 miles on Rte. 9. I fretted the night before that I crazy to think that I could bike any distance and relieved to find out that I was plugging along just fine… Trevor biked ahead Nice to spend time chatting about our lives while biking. I was relieved that Crystal picked us up in the van and then drove 10 miles up a dirt road to the top of a mesa with amazing views of the Rockies. Stayed in Nym’s cabin which is owned by Peace Corps friends of Crystal, Janet, and George. Beautiful huge log cabin. Janet and Crystal cooked us an amazing dinner with steaks from “T-bone’ which Crystal raised and slaughtered. Played a rousing hand of Pinochle and went to bed. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Janet and George better. They were in Peace Corps with me in The Central African Republic, but lived in a different region than me.

6/8 (Tue-biked 31 miles)-Drove back down 10 miles of dirt road. Bikes coated with thick layer of red dust so had to clean them off. Trevor took off in high drive while Carol, Mallory, and I moved along in low drive. Pedaled gradual uphill for 10 miles when Crystal came to check on us in the SAG van. Mallory decided she had enough pedaling for the day so got in the van with Crystal. Carol and I pedaled on towards Hartsel. Because it was mostly uphill, gave us a chance to catch up with each other’s lives over the past 30 years. It felt like the old times on our cross country bike ride…We thought it was 23 miles to Hartsel so around mile 29, we wondered if somehow we made a wrong turn. We headed into South Park which has wide open, desolate, valleys, bordered in the distance by the Rockies. At mile 31, Crystal came to check on us. She and Trevor had been hanging out at a bar for a few hours which served home-cut fries and buffalo burgers. Hunger prevented us from riding the last 4 miles into Hartsel. The bar looked like from the Wild West and the owner was a character with lots of stories. The walls and ceilings were lined with decorated, one dollar bills. The owner said if you could find the bill you decorated when you came back, you could have a free drink. Of course Mallory was into decorating a bill to be tack up on the wall. Some of them looked like they had been on the wall for quite some time.

Drove to Cottonwood Hot Springs resort in Buena Vista. Somewhat dilapidated, but a very popular place. We rented a cabin which had a hot springs fed hot tub on the back deck. There were also a number of hot springs pools at the main lodge which Trevor and Mallory floated around in until they were literally pruney.

Dan and Barb drove down from the Evergreen area, but were stuck in traffic fro 3 hours because of a bad accident, so arrived in the evening. Between buffalo burger, fries and biking uphill, I was wiped out so headed to bed around 11:00, although I was tempted to stay up because the stars were amazingly visible. Mal, Trevor, Dan and Barb were raring to go, so headed up to the hot tub pools and floated around, watching shooting stars.

6/9 (Wed) Hung out another day at the hot springs. Trevor, Carol, Mallory and I decided to climb Mt. Princeton, but could only find a car route. Headed back to the cabin and Janet and Crystal joined us driving to the top of Cottonwood Pass. Still snow at the top. Trevor and Carol screamed back down the mountain on their bikes. I’m still a speed wimp, so declined to join them…Janet and Crystal cooked up another delicious dinner. Played a rousing game of pinochle with Trevor, Crystal and Janet.

6/10 (Thur) - Spent the morning packing the van and mucking out the cabin. All of us managed to squeeze into the van and headed back to Westcliffe. Stopped in Salida for lunch and ate Amigos which has changed names but the same menu as when Todd and I would eat there after a day of skiing at Monarch Pass.

We parted ways in Westcliffe. Carol headed back to Oregon; Crystal up Evergreen and Janet rode with us up to Colorado Springs where we met George and Claudia. Before embarking on this trip, I totally stressed about logistics, but since the trip began, all of the details have organically been falling into place…food, transportation, SAG support. This latest detail, Janet arranged for George to pick up Claudia in her apartment in Lakewood on the outskirts of Denver on his way home to Pueblo. (He had to leave a day early from Buena Vista to go to Denver for work).

I bought a handle bar at REI which fit my bike. My old one didn’t fit on Ngangu, so now Trevor is using it. I really missed having a handle bar bag to throw munchies and my camera in for easy access. We ate at Paneras and then hit the roads at 9:00 pm. Drove until1:00 am. We all piled into a room at a Day’s Inn in Colby, KS.

6/11 (Fri) - Up at 6:00 am. Eight hour drive left to Springfield, MS. Got a drive through breakfast at McDonalds. Traveled to Topeka, KS, making good time. Stopped at Barnes and Nobles so Mallory 7 Claudia could buy books. Ate lunch in the mall and Mal had her hair corn rowed in a salon to try to keep her cooler in the intense heat. It ended up taking over two hours t braid, plus ran into stop and go traffic outside of Topeka due to construction. Didn’t arrive in Springfield until 9:30 pm.

Becky and Brad Gillmore, (who were our first Warm Shower hosts), had out Tiki Torches at the end of their driveway to direct us to their house since they lived in a compact neighborhood. They made a welcome sign with all of our names on it, which they taped onto the front door. Wow…they opened up their home to us, lavished us with home cooked meals, and treated us liked family. Mallory quickly took on the role of guardian to their five, 5-week old kittens.

6/12 (Sat-Biked 28 miles) - Got up at 6:00 am to participate in the “Cycle for Life,” fundraiser for breast cancer. Both Brad and Becky were going to ride in it, but Becky wasn’t feeling well. They lent us a hybrid bike for Claudia to use. Traveled 20 minutes in the van to Ozark, at the James River Assembly of God for the start of the ride. The church was massive, with a video billboard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more elaborate church.

Trevor headed out on the 50 mile ride and Mal, Claudia and I got ready for the 25 mile ride. Brad arrived in his own vehicle we started a bit behind the pack because we had our tires inflated by a volunteer bike shop. Following the route was a bit confusing because there was signage painted on the road from a number of different rides. Road through rolling hillside and farmland. Farmers were out haying. Claudia did great riding despite not having trained, plus she quit cold turkey cigarette smoking on this trip. There were a few steep hills, but she refused to get off of her bike and walk. Despite riding the 50 mile route, Trevor arrived back about ½ an hour before us. Brad finished the ride and headed back to the house.

Our check engine light came back on a few hours before we arrived in Springfield, and didn’t go back off when we started the care in the morning. After the ride, when we started up the van, it had an engine smell which went away. We debated whether or not to stop at the Toyota dealership, but decided against it, as the check engine light came on our drive to Colorado, but eventually went off.

When we got back to Brad and Becky’s house, Trevor and I mucked out the van to get ready for our ride in the morning. Mal played with the kittens and Claudia crashed in the recliner chair for the entire afternoon. I was amazed that she was able to sleep that night. Becky and Brad barbecued up a slew of hamburgers and hotdogs. I personally ate two of each and Trevor ate a lot more than that. I am amazed how thin Trevor is considering how thin he is. Spent the evening chatting with B & B, and after a bunch of rigor moral managed to add cell phone minutes to my cell phone.

6/13 (Sun-Biked 42 miles)-Becky made an egg and sausage casserole, biscuits and orange juice to fuels us for the ride. We headed out in the van about 9:00 to drive to Marshfield to embark on our eastward bike journey. Said our goodbyes to Becky and Brad. They were genuine, warm and fun folks to spend time with. Our stay with them will definitely be logged amongst more memorable times on our cross country bike trip.

Bought groceries in Marshfield since us we’re camping for the next four days. Finally hitting the road at 11:00 am. It must have been in the high 90’s because I was sweating even in the shade. Doused ourselves with water and then headed out to Hartville (26 miles) for a rest stop. Trevor zoomed ahead and Mal and I plodded along. Passed through rolling farmland. Passed by lots of road kill including possums from looking like was faking dead with its tongue hanging out to so smushed, that it was ¼ inch in diameter. Armadillos and turtles were also popular road kill. Trevor, Mal and Claudia played a card game of Zombies. Relaxed a while in the shade in the city park. Mal decided to sag and Trevor and I road onto Houston. Met Claudia and Mal pulled over on a side road waiting out to see if I needed anything. While I was eating a snack, a horse and buggy drove by with an Amish family on board. The father was driving and wearing a straw hat. The mother was sitting in front and three daughters in the back, wearing black bonnets and royal blue dresses. I’d saying we were equally gawking at each other. I would have love to have taken a picture, but didn’t feel right about it without getting permission first Starting to get hillier as we ride towards the Ozarks. Really enjoy hearing the birds singing. A few logging trucks passed by, but overall the traffic isn’t bad which is good because the road is narrow without any shoulders. Six miles outside of Houston, Claudia and Mal came back to check on me. I got in to sag the rest of the way.

Spent some time in Houston hunting down the Westside city park to camp in. Called to notify the police we were staying there, but no-one working on Sundays except for emergencies. Decided to head back to a swimming hole we noticed on the way into town with picnic tables. A popular spot. Looked like an old quarry fed by a river. On the other side of the swimming hole was a 40 ft. ledge with a wooden ladder to climb up. Popular place to jump off from. Trevor jumped twice. Although the water was deep, it made me nervous. There was also a rope swing which I swam over to against the current. I was pooped by the time I got there. Swung on the rope once and swam back. Mal probably swam back and forth 5 times. Made a rice mix dinner and used two packages of “T-bone” hamburger which Crystal left with us. When everyone left, we set up the tent. Took a skinny dip to cool off before heading to bed at 10:00. It was enchanting watching the fireflies flickering over the water.

6/14 (Mon-36 miles) - We were packed up by 7:30 am. Headed back into Houston and ate breakfast at a Sonic drive-in. Mal is totally wiped out and fell back asleep as soon as she got into the van. Decided to let her sleep and Trevor and I headed out around 9:00 am. So much for early starts to beat the heat…Rode 26 miles outside of Summersville where Claudia found a place to stop in the shade. Trevor arrived 45 minutes before me and was sacked out in the front seat of the van. Mal woke up when I arrived. Trevor was feeling really wiped out, but decided to continue riding and mal decided to sag for the whole day which wasn’t a bad idea since the road was very hilly and twisty and winding. Mal and Claudia flagged me down at the Ozark National Park picnic area about 5 miles outside of Eminence. Trevor decide to ride into Eminence. We checked out the campground which had a lot of shaded tenting sites and bordered the river. A tubing rental place was ½ a mile from the campground. Went into town to find Trevor. Tried to see if we could mail home our saddle bags and Trevor’s dilapidated tent which was mine from many years ago and was ruined by sitting a bog one summer when I camped out in Alaska. (Trevor didn’t want to throw it away since it was the only tent he owned). Post office didn’t have boxes and the local grocery store didn’t have the right size boxes.

Headed back to the campground and chose a shaded sight to set up. Rented tubes and floated down the river from one end of the park to the other, which took about an hour. The first run I picked up Claudia, Trevor and Mal. It really refreshed them, so I decided to do a second run with them and bag doing my journaling. We left a bike at the end so Trevor could bike back up to get the van. This time started in the popular swimming hole a little ways up the path from where they started the first time. This swimming hole had a 20 foot ledge to jump off from. I allowed Mal to jumped off of this one. She talked Mal and me into jumping off as well. Claudia is an afraid of height as I am so it took us a bit to get up the courage to jump. Before we headed downstream in the tube, a snake swam out in the swimming hole which created a little raucous. Some thought it was a water moccasin. The tube ride was really refreshing and a treat afterward to be able to take a shower. Made a collect call to make sure Bryce was set to fly out to St. Louis tomorrow. Cooked a spaghetti dinner using the last two bags of “T-bone.” Sat around a campfire for a bit and then managed to head to bed by 10:00.

June 5th-What Really Matters (Blog # 14)

2010-06-12T20:55:00.002-04:00

As we traveled westward on our drive to Colorado, worries about progress on our home remodel, work, family matters, and bike trip logistics started to drift into the background. For the first time in weeks, I was able to reflect on my journey. I had become so caught up in trip logistics; I lost sight of why I ventured on it to begin with.

Over the past six months I have realized that to fully heal from my breast cancer, the need for a union of my body, mind and spirit. Although my body was healed through surgery, my body and spirit hadn’t fully recovered. I’ve discovered that my connections with family and friends have been integral in helping me to heal to my mind and spirit. Over the past month, I became so consumed and stressed finalizing details about the bike trip that Todd and Bryce celebrated our departure as my stress manifested as nagging, and needless to say there was minimal healing in mind and spirit happening…

As I frantically rushed around a few days before our departure, it was intermingled with affirmations of love and support which I’ll carry in my heart. My strength training instructor and her husband have a second business building custom bikes. Through their generosity, they built for me a custom bike I’ve named Ngangu, which means strength and courage in Sango. A friend brought a charm with a fairy on a bicycle which I tied onto Nagangu with a pink ribbon. Other friends dropped off food to take on our trip. People in my church community, (some who I know have very fixed incomes), made donations to my bike trip or to “The Prouty.” At my church, our minister gathered the children in front of the sanctuary to give me a departing ceremony. On the eve before our departure,I was running around in circles trying to get ready,when people from my church community showed up for a surprise, farewell pot-luck supper. It was the last thing I thought I had time for, but it jolted me out of my self absorbed stress, to deep gratitude to have family and friends who care about me. I have a lot to be thankful for to be blanketed in support and love.

J

June 5th- Deadlines & Disorgnaization (Blog # 13

2010-06-11T14:50:00.004-04:00

We were going to depart from Hartland by 7:00 pm on June 4th and head to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to pick up my nephew Trevor. From there we’d commence on our cross country trip…A call to my mom, “I’m not going to be packed by 7:00, so instead we’ll leave at 4:00 AM.” I came home from church at 11:00 pm after making last minute preparations for the summer religious education program. At midnight I’ve barely begun packing...,

We’ve been in the midst of a total house renovation since last November. Our contractor was scheduled to have it finished two months ago, but in the front room, it’s still down to the stud walls. I look around and see all of our possessions in boxes which over the months, boxes and furniture have been shuffled from room to room as the focus of the renovations move around the house. The unfinished disorder epitomizes what I’m feeling. At 1:30 am I am physically spent and can no longer forge ahead with the packing process so I head to bed.

I look at all of the stuff crammed into the van in disarray. Twenty-four hours earlier I had a long “to-do” and packing list, which along the way had become buried in piles of things. No time to look for them… We finally pulled out of our driveway at 6:30 AM on June 5th for a 33 hour drive to Westcliffe, Colorado. I hoped that I managed to pack most of the crucial gear. I felt somewhat comforted that I had a fall-back plan to have Bryce bring any missing items with him when he joins us on the trip on June 17th.

We arrived in Williamstown at 9:00 am. Grandma had the kitchen table set for breakfast with Dunkin Donuts and fruit since 5:00 am. Trevor had his gear piled in the driveway, waiting for our arrival. I made a mental note to myself that in the future to be more specific when I say, “pack lightly.” I pared Trevor down from three to one pillow, but did stuff in a dilapidated tent he borrowed from his dad.

In order to fit ourselves along with all of our stuff into the van, we ended up having to pull all of the gear out of the van and pack it with a more orderly cramming. As we embarked on our journey, I felt a bit more in control and comforted as I gazed at the organized van chaos…

Jill's Blog #12-Who's the Parent?

2010-05-06T11:46:00.003-04:00

Until about age forty-five, limitations in my physical abilities went unnoticed. I’ve always prided myself in being nimble, but over the past 10 years, I’ve noticed that my agility, strength and endurance have gradually diminished. For example there’s pick-up ultimate Frisbee during the summer in Hartland. It’s a fun activity we can participate in as a family. Ten years ago, I would have been a force on the field to reckon with. Now the Frisbee is occasionally tossed to me since I’m “part of the team.” I am not considered a key player to be guarded. There’s a disconnect as I still view myself as “speedy” and am surprised when my body doesn’t quickly accelerate on the field. The morning after a game, I find myself hobbling around the house. With Mallory having older parents, she’s never seen me “in my prime,” and cannot imagine that I was ever considered a good athlete…

I’m now in a position to empathize with my mom when she laments about her prowess in younger years (she majored in physical education in college), and now is challenged by her every day activities. Although I can still participate in any physical activities I desire to, I take into consideration the potential of being injured, and find myself holding back because of that concern. Through experience, I’ve come to realize I have to limber up before sports or I’ll suffer consequences.

In planning for this trip, I’ve had to take in consideration my physical limitations. I’m setting up a support vehicle in case both Mallory and I need it, but the reality is, that I know am main the concern. Recently I’ve scheduled medical appointments for tune-ups. I saw a chiropractor for the first in many years. Particularly my ankle joints can be creaky. The chiropractor gave me an explanation of my joint symptoms,which when I read between the lines, indicated that I have some arthritis.Then I was sent by my family doctor to see a cardiologist because of heart palpitations. Fortunately it ended up being a benign condition as well. A few years ago I related to my mom around child rearing issues. With more frequent Dr's appointments to see specialists,that is another area that I can empathize with my mom. I must admit that I’m a bit shocked with the realization of the transference of how we can relate from child rearing to some age related issues.

Overall this aging stuff I feel I’ve taken in stride. I’m getting used to the aches and pains and wrinkles, but what I wasn’t prepared for, was the role reversal I experienced last week-end during a bike ride with the family. I’m still riding “Wilma,” which is the bike I bought for my cross country bicycle trip in 1979. On a number of occasions I’ve attempted to put her “out to pasture,” but there are too many sentimental attachments. I feel great gratitude that I’m having a custom bicycle made for me. My exercise teacher and her husband have a business making custom bicycles and offered to build one for me when they heard about my trip.

Back to the week-end bike excursion… I like to make the excuse that I have a handicap because I’m riding a 30 year old bike. I beckoned the family to bike ahead of me and that I’d meet up with them. Todd and Mallory headed out, but Bryce took it upon himself to follow behind me. I quickly realized that he had decided he needed to look out after “mom.” I reassured him that I’d be fine and he reluctantly pedaled on ahead of me. Not more than five minutes down the road, Mallory was parked on the shoulder waiting for me. She used the lame excuse that she needed a rest. Then she too insisted on riding behind me until I managed to persuade her as I did with Bryce, that I was fine and would make to our destination in my own due time, which I did. My mom grouses about her children fretting over her well being. I am thankful that my children want to support me, but just wait until my new bike I’m naming Ngangu, (which in Sango means strong or courageous is done), they won’t feel the need too! Well maybe I’ll never get back to the condition I was in 30 years ago, but I’ll have the technology to help me compensate.

Jill's Blog #11- What is Family (Part II)

2010-04-08T21:59:00.003-04:00

I vividly remember back to nursing school in 1982, and it was 2:00 AM. The manual typewriter which was given to me from my parents as a high school graduation present was perched on my lap. Several empty bottles of white-out, surrounded by shreds of eraser, and a large cup of coffee from Daylight Donuts sat on the floor next to me. I had a 15 page research paper to complete by 8:00 AM and I was on page #9. My eyes felt like my “Tiny Tears” doll I had as a kid. Due to dryness and fatigue, each blink was mechanical. Earlier in the evening, when I made more than a few typo errors, I ripped the page out of the typewriter and started anew. As the night progressed, more and more eraser and white-out marks were evident on the typed pages. Fast forward to 2010, and a laptop computer sits on my lap. I have learned how to cut and paste…no more eraser and white-out, and I can navigate the internet. A whole new horizon in communication has opened up to me.

My horizons regarding relationships have also changed over the years. Growing up, I had a fairytale perception of family… a man and a woman,”fell in love at first sight;” got married; and raised only two children, (so as to not contribute to over population). Then I came home from the Peace Corps feeling like I was a “New Age” woman with a broadened perception and acceptance of what a family might be. After all, I had come to accept polygamy, (which was practiced in the Central African Republic); single parent families; and homosexual head of households as just some of a multitude of normal family configurations.

At times I’m a slow learner… it wasn’t until my late twenties that I figured out what I wanted in a long-term relationship. Up until then, they were superficial, conditional and with little potential for growth. Then Todd entered into my life. He was the opposite of previous boyfriends. He was one of the most earnest, down to earth and genuine people I’d ever met…indeed irresistible. Instead of feeling like I was sacrificing part of myself by being in a relationship, with Todd, I felt like the two of us together were more than each of us individually. But was I ready to embrace the fact that Todd had a toddler from his previous marriage? Was I ready to become part of his already established family?

After soul searching, I decided I was ready to get married and make a life together with Todd and his son Evan. Being a step-parent I imagine is like an arranged marriage. You learn to synchronize the dance of your relationship, with a lot of trial and errors in the process. I had a preconceived notion of how I would mold Evan. Being the very independent sort, Evan quickly made it clear that I wasn’t about to mold him...Through time we established a relationship and I have grown to love Evan as a son.

Then I gave birth to Bryce. By then it felt natural being a mother and I rather enjoyed the role. When we decided to have another child, things went awry. I had two miscarriages and a birth loss. We decided we couldn’t handle the possibility of another loss, so we pursued an open adoption…initially a foreign concept to us.

Claudia came into our lives when she was a teen and eight months pregnant. Eleven years later, she feels like family to me. Claudia made an incredibly mature and courageous decision to plan for an adoption since she felt she wasn’t ready at that point in her life to be a parent. Through the Lutheran Family Services we planned for an open adoption. Among other applicants, Claudia chose our family to raise Mallory. I’ll never forget the call from the hospital informing us that Claudia was in labor. Todd, Bryce and I piled into the car and raced to the hospital outside of Denver.

In one week-end, we became immersed in Claudia’s and her extended family’s lives. I’ve never before nor since have felt such a spectrum of emotions from immense joy with the birth of our daughter Mallory, to empathetic pain for Claudia and her family, as they relinquished Mallory to our love and care. I often look at the framed picture of six year old Bryce, proudly holding his newborn sister in the nursery, and I am so thankful for the symbolic adoption ceremony in the hospital. Claudia is now 29 and owns a business with her brother; Evan is 23, living with his girlfriend and is in graduate school; Bryce is 17 and Mallory is 11 and both are thriving. Life is good…

I’ll begin my bicycle journey this summer in Colorado with Mallory, my nephew Trevor, and Carol who I biked across the country with in 1979, and haven’t seen in many years. Bryce will join us a week later and Todd and friends for the last week of the trip. I recently received a call from Claudia, stating that she can drive our support wagon from Colorado through Missouri. Evan or his girlfriend Brooke, might be able to drive support wagon for the second leg of the trip, and my sister will drive the last leg of the trip. My goal of including family and friends to join me on this journey is becoming a reality. It feels deeply affirming to have support from family and friends, and I feel blessed to be part of a rich and diverse family with deep connections.

Jill's Blog #10- What is Family? (Part I)

2010-04-05T20:40:00.003-04:00

When I was younger, my horizons were limited to a traditional family including a mother, father and their birth children; and extended family with grandparents, aunt & uncles, first cousins, and maybe a few scattered second cousins. Then, during my Peace Corps tour, my whole perspective on family was challenged. First of all, polygamy is common in the Central African Republic (CAR). I must admit that I was initially aghast. I couldn’t fathom intimacy with my husband, being shared with one or two other women. I gradually came to realize that most Central African wives don’t have the kind of intimate relationship with their husband that is common in the US. A wife’s role in CAR was to bear and raise her husband’s children.

Women in CAR lead a grueling life tending the fields; hauling wood and drinking water from distant places; and day in, and day out, labor intensive preparation of food for their passel of children. Polygamous wives often shared a “sisterhood” in which they supported each other and worked together to lessen the arduous family responsibilities. It was a common sight in the evening, to see women clustered outside of their huts after toiling in the hot sun all day. From my hut, I vicariously enjoyed hearing them chat and laugh amongst themselves as they coiffed each other’s hair.

I volunteered for the Peace Corps to “help people in need.” Little did I know how much the woman would be an inspiration to me. Despite living a life of constant duress between the constant work and struggle to have enough food to feed their family, and dealing with rampant illness without medicine to treat it, their smile and laughter defied what they endured on a daily basis. I saw that their joy for life was fueled through their shared connections and support for each other. The first six months I lived in CAR, I was extremely lonely, because I didn’t feel a common bond and connection with people there.

Kin in CAR “share, and share alike”. The notion of fending for oneself is a foreign concept. Very few Central Africans accumulate possessions or money because of the expectation to spread it throughout the family to those in need. Simply put, in CAR you assume responsibility to take care of kin, regardless of how remotely related they might be and resign yourself to the fact that you’ll never become rich.

While there, I hired a teen named “Lucy,” who lived next door to me to haul my water from a watering hole half a mile away. She also hand washed my clothes over rocks and pressed them with an iron heated with wood embers. (I had a kerosene burner to cook my meals while my neighbors cooked over a fire. I lived a life of luxury compared to most). When Lucy and I developed a kinship, her family adopted me into their family. I remember my pots and pans started appearing over at their hut. I was initially indignant, feeling that they were stealing from me and that I was being taken advantage of. Then I felt ashamed when I came to realize as one of their kin, it had switched in their eyes from “my” to “all of our” possessions. When I realized there was no ill intention, if I was missing something, I’d simply head over to their hut to collect it. Although they didn’t have many material goods to share with me, they often brought me food they prepared, despite their meager rations, and were immediately at my side if I was ill.

I came home from CAR with a less rigid outlook on family and kinship. What became important to me were not the family structure, but the connections and support between family members. So when I took my first job as a nurse practitioner I lived in an isolated mountain town in Colorado, and sorely missed the support and connections of my immediate family in the Northeast. Early in my job, I made a home visit to an elderly neighbor who was ill. What little did I know that she would become known to us as “Grandma Knobbe,” and I would make a daily visit, not as a nurse, but because I yearned to hear one more of her stories, or to seek out her sage advice. I’m certain we wouldn’t have moved back East if she was still alive.Yup,on this bike trip, I look forward to on rekindling connections with old friends and making new ones along the way.

Jill's Blog #9-The Insidious Nature of Fear

2010-03-17T15:56:00.002-04:00

I began this blog three months ago and this is the 5th time I’ve come back to it, hoping this time the words will come to me. Since it has been so difficult to formulate, I know it must be a core issue of mine, and for which I have a hard time gaining insight.

What I do know, is that I sometimes fear the unknown; am wired for a fight or flight response, ever ready for “the next shoe to drop;” and have a keen imagination. Not always a healthy combination of attributes! Since my surgery, I have struggled with an insidious fear of breast cancer recurrence. I don’t consciously think about it, but I know it must be an issue because I am reluctant to do a breast self examination, (BSE). It’s my form of denial. If I don’t feel lumps, then I don’t have to address it.

About a month after my surgery, following three days of psychically preparing myself, I did a breast self examination. I was so relieved to not palpate any unusual lumps or bumps. I was also felt proud of myself that I took a proactive approach instead of allowing an insidious fear to take hold, preventing me from taking action.

A month passed, so I knew it was time to do my monthly BSE. This time I wasn’t as hesitant. As I palpated my breast, I felt lumps that hadn’t been there the previous month. My worst fear came true…Immediately numerous scenarios raced through my head. The rational side of me acknowledged that it was unlikely breast cancer since it developed so quickly, and it made most sense that they were benign cysts which I’ve contended with my whole adult life. Then the insidious fear slithered its way into my conscience. What if it was a rapidly growing cancer? What if all of the doctors who assured me that my cancer was cured were wrong? Then the familiar self doubt crept in. Was I mistaken the previous month that I was lump free? Was I really feeling lumps? Was I simply being paranoid, allowing it to get in the way of my healing process?

After spending a week ruminating about what I should do, and meanwhile my night-time hot flashes had escalated because of my stress, I asked my husband to palpate to see if he felt lumps, which he did. After discussing it with Todd, I decided to make an appointment with my breast cancer radiologist, but first I had to play the insurance game to be seen. I’ve been fighting with the insurance company since my breast cancer diagnosis. They initially denied all of the bills because they weren’t “properly reported”. (That’s a future blog). Anyway, because I have HMO insurance, I had to first see my primary physician who indeed confirmed there were lumps, who then referred me back to my specialist. The process delayed me from seeing my specialist for three weeks. I had plenty of time to become a quagmire of irrational fear.

Fortunately after a mammogram and ultrasound, the radiologist assured me that the lumps were due to post surgical changes and would eventually resolve. She told me that this was my new base-line topography for BSE. I asked her if she recommended doing breast self examinations, since it is no longer recommended that women perform their own BSEs, since mammogram screenings can pick up masses undetectable to palpation. She said that she’s had patients who’ve discovered their cancer during BSE, so she encouraged me to continue.

Yesterday it was over a month since I saw the radiologist. It was time for my BSE. I know my baseline, but what if I felt new lumps? If I didn’t do a BSE, then I couldn’t feel new lumps, but then I’d allow insidious fear to raise its ugly head. ..So despite being I 53 years old, I am determined to change my modus operandi. I vowed I would do my BSE.

Today I can report that I did my BSE and there are no new lumps or bumps. It feels good to be taking one day at a time, celebrating all that I have to be thankful for, and taking at face value, each real challenge which passes my way. It’ll be a slow process changing my ways, but a middle aged mom can learn new tricks.

Blog # 8-The Inequalities of Health Care

2010-03-06T08:48:00.002-05:00

I volunteer at The Good Neighbor Clinic in White River Junction, Vermont. It has been some of the most fulfilling work I’ve had over my 20 year career as a nurse practitioner. Every time I work, I am reminded how fortunate I am to have health insurance. You see, this clinic serves the working poor. People whose employer’s don’t offer health insurance coverage; who can’t afford to carry an insurance premium; and because they work, don’t qualify for Medicaid. Most of them at some point in time have had health insurance, but due to extenuating circumstances, have lost their insurance coverage.

When patients are scheduled at The Good Neighbor Clinic, many have lived with their condition for a while. They haven’t sought treatment at a private clinic because they worry about medical bills that they can’t afford to pay. Many arrive at our clinic through word of mouth.

With my recent diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, I have a heightened empathy for women with breast issues. On my patient schedule it said, “Patient with a discoloration on her breast”. In two weeks through her current work, the patient would be eligible for health care, but heard that we offered free health care, and was worried enough about her breast symptoms that she didn’t want to wait two more weeks. The patient told me that her last screening mammogram was two years ago. She said she had to have a repeat mammogram because of worrisome findings, which ended up being benign, cystic breast changes.

In the examination room, she described over the past month how her left breast felt fuller, and in the last two weeks developed pain and hardness in her breast. She also noticed that the appearance of her nipple and skin surrounding the hardened area had changed over the past several weeks. Potentially very worrisome symptoms, but I was hopeful that she had mastitis which with antibiotic treatment, would make her symptoms resolve. I took her temperature which was normal. If she had mastitis, she most likely would have a fever…On physical examination, almost the entire outer aspect of her left breast was rock hard and her nipple was inverted.

She was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound that day. The preliminary report indicates that she has advanced breast cancer. Hearing about her preliminary results caused a spectrum of emotions to well up inside of me. I felt thankful that my breast cancer was diagnosed and treated early. I felt angry that because this woman didn’t have health insurance coverage, her cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. I felt guilty that I am among the privileged to have health insurance and to be able to seek preventive care. As I ride my bike across the country this summer, I will be able to advocate early detection and treatment for breast cancer, but what do I say to all of the people who can’t afford health insurance to pay for preventive care?

Blog #7- Color Prejudices

2010-03-02T08:10:00.002-05:00

My sister felt that the appearance of my blog was too bland so she decided to dress it up with some pictures and added color. She asked me what my favorite colors were to know which ones to add, which over the years have consistently been blue and green. I’d have to say that I’m in a rut. Occasionally a different color such as purple might show up in my wardrobe, but that piece of clothing is rarely worn. I don’t know why, but I feel more authentic when I wear green or blue clothes.

This afternoon, I showed my 17 year old son Bryce, my blog site. He asked if he could spice up the appearance of it. I said, “Sure.” After about 15 minutes, he handed it back to me see what I thought. It has a dark pink background, and he pasted on it one of those pink breast cancer ribbons. I refrained from showing my visceral reaction, auk, pink! Instead I tried demonstrate the maturity of a 53 year old mother, and told him that it looked great, which it did, and stifled my desire to comment about the pink color.

I’d have to wager it wasn’t until I reached the mature age of thirty that I deliberately stopped stereotyping the color pink. I associated pink with being weak and helpless. It’s more fitting with my ideals to be inclusive and to accept diversity. I am proud to say that I occasionally get out of my blue and green rut, and wear pink clothes. But it’s apparent from my reaction to the color of my blog site, that I still have some residual prejudices.

My ten year old daughter Mallory won’t get near the color pink. I could give a lecture about the injustices of labeling, but I’d be a hypocrite. I remember when Bryce was about four years old; he went through a phase that pink was his favorite color. Then societal influences turned him away from it. My husband Todd, for years wore a pair of hot pink biking shorts. They were washed so many times and faded by the sun that they turned into a light pink color. They eventually shredded in a biking wipe-out. I was impressed and proud that he wasn’t fazed by societal norms despite living in a conservative town.

I am hoping that Bryce will make a graphic design to put on a t-shirt which The Cyclo Healer team can wear during the cross country ride as well as in the Prouty. I’ve been wrestling with the t-shirt color. Since I’m a breast cancer survivor, it seems appropriate that it’d be pink, which wouldn’t normally be my first choice. Who knows, maybe by the end of the trip I’ll associate pink with strength and courage, not that I’m doing any kind of labeling…

Jill's Blog#6- Staying on Track

2010-02-25T11:21:00.000-05:00

Yikes…It’s been a week since I last worked on moving my bike trip forward. I’ve been trying to juggle a big house renovation, family, and work responsibilities, but feel like I’m falling behind. I’ve tried to take control by micro-managing the family- a nonproductive use of time. An overwhelming feeling took hold thinking about what pieces for the bike trip need to be put into place. Then I start to count all of the barriers which will prevent me from moving forward. How will I figure out how to link my bike route to the Prouty site and my blog so people can see it? How do I negotiate the computer program to put the final details onto the bike route? How will I coordinate family and friends participating on the trip? Will I have enough support to make it happen? I want to crawl into my shell and make it go away.

Then I tell myself, "Whoa, what are you doing?” I drag out my bike trip goals to read. One is in particular is blaring at me. It states, “Model to my children my process in healing my mind, body and soul, including embracing challenges getting there.” One of my biggest challenges is the barriers I put in front of myself. They’re a huge distraction. I think of the mantras I tell my children, (which little do they know is more for me). Just do it, one day at a time, little by little, instead of making excuses why I can’t do it. So here I am, working on my 6th blog, getting back on track.

I reflect on the process that has already unfolded to make this bike trip happen. I’ve made connections with family and friends. It feels affirming. I’ve worked through the challenges of working on the computer to set up a blog and use a clunky computer program to create a bike route.

Last week I went to my sister’s house for several days to work on the bike trip. My plan was to make a few revisions on the computer bike route and then link together the Prouty site, bike route and blog. Best laid plans…we couldn’t figure out how to revise the map for the bike route, so for two days until late at night we slogged through remapping the route, but ultimately made new revisions with much better results. It made me realize that maybe I’m not quite as much of a Luddite as I thought because my sister had as much difficulty as I did negotiating the mapping program. In the process we began to figure out lodging logistics and revisited my trip goals to make sure I was on track. It touched me deeply that she too believes in my dream enough that she took time from work to make it happen. It also reaffirmed to me that to reach the most challenging goals that it takes deliberate work, flexibility, and persistence a day at a time; and as importantly, to celebrate the small accomplishments along the way to keep myself motivated.

Wow…an hour ago I was feeling overwhelmed after a number of days fretting about what I needed to do. Now I’m feeling grounded, knowing I’m back on track. Typically Todd helps me talk through these overwhelmed feelings, but today I did it with an hour of blogging.

Yeah, I’m just doing it, making my time count with deliberate work, and facing the challenges as they come instead of letting them become barriers. Later in the day I’ll revise the short Colorado leg of the bike trip and maybe will figure out how to link the sites. It feels good to be back on track.

Jill's Blog #5-Breasts are a Cultural Phenomenon

2010-02-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

I remember when I was twelve years old with the physical attributes of a 16 year, and emotional maturity of a ten year old. I mourned over the loss of playground recess; one of the rites of passage of seventh graders. I would have given anything to be tearing around outside playing tag. (Throughout elementary school, recess was my favorite subject).

I distinctly remember pouring into a white cotton slip with a tiered full skirt. The excess material in the slip skirt bunched up under many of my dresses, but I thought it was worth it since the bodice flattened my breasts. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to them. I remember my mom dragging me to the store to buy my first bra. I was totally embarrassed having to go into the dressing room to try it on. Breasts represented to me a loss of my childhood play and emotional territories I wasn’t yet ready to venture into.

After I graduated from college I headed to the Central African Republic with the Peace Corps. During our orientation, we were instructed on the importance of being sensitive to the cultural norms regarding dress. In the C.A.R. it was generally taboo for women to expose their legs. Even wearing pants, was considered exposure of the legs. I had to wear pants to ride my motorcycle to remote villages, but people made exceptions for me since I was Mungu (white). Interestingly, from the waist up, it was optional if women wore anything. During the child bearing years, many women were shirtless for easy breast-feeding of their infants. There was nothing taboo or forbidden about breasts. They were simply utilitarian food machines.

Fast forward ten years…I decided to breast feed Bryce, our first child. After some trials and tribulations getting started, I found it to be one of the more pleasant experiences I’ve had. While breast feeding, I was immersed in the moment and intimately connecting with my child. But, I also remember feeling ambivalent in my physical relationship with Todd, like I had to disassociate my maternal and sexual connection to my breasts. It makes me wonder if culturally, breasts became sexualized when many women stopped breast feeding and turned to bottle feeding.

Over the years, my breasts have been at the center of some very intense feelings. From rejection, acceptance, pleasure, nurturance, ambivalence, to a feeling of loss. It amazes me how this component of my anatomy has transcended my life experiences.

Jill's Blog #4-Facing Fear

2010-02-10T13:35:00.000-05:00

I had an initial feeling of accomplishment figuring out how to post a blog, which then morphed into anxiety. My immediate impulse was to erase them. For the first time, I exposed my guarded secrets. What if people couldn’t understand what I was trying to express? What if they couldn’t relate to them, which was one of my motivations for posting them? What if instead of relating, friends and family felt pity reading the blogs? What if instead of a stronger connection, it made them feel awkward? I can empathize with the angst teenagers feel, wanting to feel like they fit in and connect with their tribe, wanting to reach out, but not sure how to…

So I’ve suppressed pushing the delete buttons to erase the blogs. Todd, (my rock), encouraged me to keep writing about my feelings and down the road I’d find my inner voice; to keep writing for introspection, staying true to my authentic self. He encouraged me to not worry about people’s reaction, as it’ll vary greatly, depending on where their coming from.

I suspect if I took a poll, people would say that I don’t live with fear and that perhaps I’m even fearless when they look at my adventuresome past. I’ve been a Sherpa for friends climbing Mt. Denali; trekked the Himalayas; volunteered with Frontier Nursing Service in Appalachian Kentucky for two summers; travelled the world on a shoe-string; been in the Peace Corps in Africa; biked across the country; and embarked on a biking trip in New Zealand/Australia with our 6 week old infant. Many of the trips have included friends and family.

What many don’t realize is that fear has ruled much of my life. Not an outward fear, but an inward, insidious fear masked by my stoicism. I would even venture to guess that a component of my love of adventure is a quest to better understand my inners fears. I can best pinpoint it to a fear of rejection and loss of control which manifests itself as anxiety. As I sit here reflecting, I am wondering if the root of those fears is my lack of unconditional acceptance of me- both my strengths and challenges.

The people who have been the most inspiration to me, and seem to be the happiest, are people who’ve had the humility and courage to accept, encounter, and learn to navigate through their challenges and use them to their advantages. They unconditionally accept themselves with no apologies. It’s the ones who move through each day, embracing the mosaic of events. It’s people who make interconnections as the core of their experiences; who nurture themselves; and are able to support others by having the strength to let go.

So I won’t push the delete button. For this moment, I am free of anxiety and am accepting and embracing my challenges. For this moment, I am unconditionally accepting myself. A step towards wholly healing…

Jill's Blog#3-A Luddite in a Technological World

2010-02-09T14:08:00.002-05:00

The idea of a bike trip this summer suddenly infused me with vibrant, positive energy. I love to embark on journeys! My wheels were already turning, imagining Bryce and Mallory joining me on much of the trip and Todd linking in for the last week; and having friends joining us along the way. I was excited to have my children meet people who have been important at different points of my life, along with friends and family who are presently integral to our lives. They’d be able to hear stories from ordinary people we meet along the way who I remember back in 1979 were a great inspiration to me.

Then the reality set in. How could I make this happen? In 1979, Carol (my biking buddy), and I found a ride to get from Moscow, Idaho to Corvalis, Oregon. Then our bikes, (Wilma & Ethel) became part of our being for the rest of the summer. We had planned enough ahead to have maps of the Bicentennial Route sent to post offices along the way, but early in the trip, we abandoned the planned route, and instead picked roads recommended by local people. We had no agenda except to arrive in Williamstown, MA before we had to head back to Idaho for college.

Although very appealing, I quickly realized an impromptu agenda wasn’t going to fly for my trip this summer. Life now is more complicated. I had to keep in mind that potentially Mallory or I would need sag wagon assistance, and I had to leave open the option for the kids to abandon ship if this wasn’t the way cool experience that I thought they’d find it to be. Also, if it was going to open for friends and family to join us during the trip, we had to have a definitive route with stopping points.

Although I knew computer technology would allow me to integrate this trip and open the line of communication, how to do it seemed daunting. You see, I believe I was born with Luddite genes. I have often thought that I would have functioned much more easily if I had grown up in an era without all of the modern technologies. When I look at equipment which requires batteries, gas or electricity, I can feel myself immediately tense up. What is obvious to most people in the operation of equipment, I am totally alluded. Then, when a glitch arises requiring problem solving, I break out into a cold sweat.

Growing up, I gave up easily if I ran up against a real or perceived obstacle. It’s an attitude that as a parent, I haven’t wanted to model to my children. My natural inclination was to bail on the bike trip idea while trying to use the computer as a tool to plot my bike route map and set up a blog to journal my experience. I didn’t because I would feel like a hypocrite encouraging my children, to try harder, or find an alternative path when confronting obstacles.

So two and a half months after my decision to bike this summer, I’ve begun a blog; started a Prouty team; and have a rough draft of a computer map of my bike route. For most people, it would have taken a quarter the time it did for me, which was very frustrating and draining, but I do feel good that the trip is starting to become a reality; and I am grateful that people have offered to help me with the more technical computer logistics, which is my alternative path.

Jill's Blog #2-Assuming Responsibility for My Health and Well Being

2010-02-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

I rode in the Prouty the previous two years to raise money for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center. How ironic that I was standing in line last September to register as a NCCC patient. I looked around the lobby and noticed that a majority of people appeared healthy like me, but by virtue of that fact I was a patient there, I suddenly felt I was labeled as sick.

I sat down and waited to be called to see the doctor. I picked up a magazine which featured an article about Lance Armstrong and his recovery from testicular cancer despite a poor prognosis. He told about his mind set to fight the cancer despite poor odds. I imagined his immune system blasting the cancer cells. I was determined to have the same kind of mind set.

I headed home, resolute to assume responsibility for my health and well being. After many years desiring to set up a regular meditation practice, I haven’t yet been successful in establishing one. Here was my golden opportunity. The positive energy would certainly curtail any aberrant cancer cells. I positioned myself on big pillows on the floor and had my watch on the floor next to it. I figured I’ll start out meditating for 10 minutes. Two minutes into it, I was already looking at my watch. I sat on the pillows with my legs crossed and my fingers laced with my palms facing upward. Like a toddler going through the motions with loud grunting sounds, but missing the crucial Valsalva maneuver during potty training, I was well positioned to meditate if only my mind would chill-out.

Responsibility for my health on food front I feel more successful. I haven’t had a Dr. Pepper or other sugary drink since starting my crusade to lead a healthy life style. I’ve also appreciably cut down on my sweets intake. I haven’t become less of a cheese hound, but figure it’s a relatively health vice.

On the exercise front, I was slow on the uptake, but I’ve a resumed strength training classes three mornings per week. Yeah for endorphin release through exercise! I don’t think I’d initiate a regularly exercise regime on my own, so I feel lucky to have one I can walk across the street to.

Onward to the beginning of December... I’m trying hard to not sweat the small stuff, which translates, that I’m not micro-managing (aka nagging) my family. When I assessed my nag meter, I had made some headway in this department. So although I wasn’t expending quite so much of my energy micro-managing the family, I found it wasn’t being redirected towards my emotional wellness. I was waking up a lot with hot-flashes during the night. I’ve found a direct correlation to night awakenings due to hot-flashes, with the level of stress I’m feeling. I was still ruminating about the cancer and feeling guilty about it since I was told I had been cured. I was turning towards my natural inclination to withdraw inward instead of reaching out to friends and family. It certainly wasn’t a healthy approach to wellness and heaven forbid if anyone saw my weakness.

Then, somewhere mid December I had the inspiration for my cycling journey this summer. I was volunteering at a H1N1 flu clinic. One of the nurses talked about a middle aged friend of hers who is on sabbatical riding her bike around the country. It instantly took me back me back to 1979 when I rode my bike across the country with a girlfriend from college. It has continued to be one of my most memorable life experiences. I was fueled by the authenticity and hospitality of people we met on our trip, as they took us under their wings and shared a momentary part of their lives with us.

As a journey back to physical and mental wellness, I decided to bike from Colorado back to Vermont, and invite family and friends to join me along the way. To keep me on track of the mission of my journey, I created following goals to in mind when making decisions during the planning process.

• Make connections with family and friends through a shared experience.
• Gain inspiration meeting people and hearing their stories.
• Heal my body and soul through exercise.
• Raise money for cancer research and supportive cancer care through the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
• Keep a journal of my thoughts while planning and during my bike trip.
• Model to my children my process in healing my mind, body and soul, including embracing challenges getting there.

So step one, establishing a bike route.

Jill's Blog#1-How it Began

2010-02-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

Wow, here I am, 53 years old and blogging... Despite my Luddite tendencies, I am venturing forth to communicate via a technology which baffles me, in hopes that it'll be more accessible. I feel compelled to document this particular journey in my life for the sake of my children. (And perhaps friends have had similar experiences they can relate to, or that blogging will have some cathartic affect on me). I want my children to see that at all ages we face obstacles for which we have a choice to confront or succumb. And that the path we choose, isn't always clear-cut or easy to follow.

My breast cancer journey began last August following a routine screening mammogram. I was called back to have a repeat mammogram which has been a common occurance over the years because of my lumpy breasts, (or in medical lingo- fibrocystic breasts). Over the course of a month I moved from one test to the next, in order to rule-out cancer. Depending upon my metal attitude du jour, the unknowing was a distant, worrisome nag, or on some days a consuming fret. I am certain that having children prevented me from falling into a wallow of self pity. As a parent, I feel I must put on a front as a pillar of strength and frequently a nagging inner voice tells me, "Jill whether it's positive or negative behavior, remember you're modeling to the kids." I wish my id would take over more often...

Last September, what started off as a biopsy, turned into a lumpectomy. It was determined that I had an early, noninvasive breast cancer. It was a great relief to have a diagnosis with an excellent prognosis. After a month of an emotional roller coaster, I figured I was back to relatively smooth sailing, riding high with a new lease on life. I was determined to start meditating; eat healthy; exercise; and stop sweating the small stuff.

Within a week, the road started to get bumpy again. I expected to see a 1 inch incision when I took the bandage off, and instead it was a 31/2 inch incision, and after the swelling had subsided, that breast was a cup size smaller. I didn't anticipate adjusting to an altered body image. Ping, I suddenly wasn't riding quite so high on life...

Then the feelings of ambivalence regarding treatment settled in…Since my breast cancer was diagnosed early on, the recommendations to prevent cancer recurrence were unclear due to limited research with outcomes to support treatment versus non-treatment. My options were radiation, Tamoxifen, both, or none of the above. I longed for the specialists to tell me what to do. Had my cancer been further advanced, they would have made a recommendation. After a month, my indecision was becoming a decision. I forced myself to arrange one more visit with the radiology oncologist, and after consternation decided for non-treatment since the benefits of radiation or Tamoxifen appeared to be limited. Instead I decided to focus on my life style.

Now the responsibility for my health and well being clearly rested on me. It would have been so much easier to have 5 weeks of radiation treatment and be blanketed in a false security that I prevented any chance for cancer recurrence. I wondered if I had made the right decision.