I'll Be Taking My Name Back...

Hi folks. Thanks for coming back to my blog. The weather is turning here in PA and I think we may be in for our first "real" snow. I can hardly wait. I want to get back out there on the slopes with my "board"... oh yeah, thats right I sold my snow-board earlier this year with plans of getting a new one. We'll see.

For now, the news of the day is I will be taking back the domain: robgolden.net As of tomorrow, the address for the blog will be www.gowestusablog.com.

If the owner of robgolden.com would sell me that domain I wouldn't have to take robgolden.net back, but as I understand that robgolden is a DJ and he needs people to know who he is as well.

One more thing before I go, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Updates...

Well for now I am back "home" in PA, but I will be hitting the road again in January. I would once more like to thank all of you who have "followed" me and supported me over the last few months.

Right now I am spending time with my family and friends for the holidays and then in early January, I will be traveling again. I will keep you all updated in the future.

As far as the book is concerned, I hope to be finished with it by the middle of January. Of course all of my supporters will receive a free copy.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your support!

Ciao!

Dallas, Texas via Nashville, Tennessee

I spent a day in beautiful Nashville, TN before getting back on the road on my way to Dallas. It was nice there and I had the chance to spend some time with one of my new friends that I made while I was on my "historic" bicycle ride. Nashville was very nice and the only problem I had there was that I didn't have enough time. I am looking forward to my next visit to that historic and culturally rich town.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED ME!

I have been finished with my ride for several weeks now and I would like to send out a great big THANK You to all of those who supported me. There are so many and you know who you are. Whether it was offering a bottle of water or some words of encouragement, I appreciate you all more than you will ever know. I made it safely home, and now its time to get started with the second part of the project.

Once again, thank you all and I love you.

Rob

Mission Accomplished!

Finally! After three months of cycling we have reached the Pacific Ocean! For the past two months, I have had the pleasure of cycling with a good friend and brother, Clive Rogers, and at 7:02 PM, October 13, 2008, we cycled our way to the beach at Marina Del Rey, CA.

We chose Marina Del Rey because we were supposed to meet a friend of a friend there, but that never happened. So after we arrived, we decided it was too dark to take photos, so we went to a local coffee shop (The Cow's End) and had a celebratory drink.

The day started off like most of the other days. We got a late start leaving Fontana. We knew that we were going to have a cross wind and sometimes even a tail wind. We had about 70 miles to go, so we decided to not drag our feet any longer. After a few hours, Clive had one flat tire and then another. He thinks it's because he's jinxed us the day before and said that we would not have any more flats. The second flat would turn out to be the last one of our journey.

We would have made great time, but we encountered way too many traffic lights. It seemed that every light on the way to LA was out to get us. We would sometimes get up to 20 mph between lights, but the lights were on just about every block.

Just as it was getting dark, we made it to downtown Los Angeles. We still had about 20 miles left to go and we were fighting LA Dodgers traffic. At this point, we knew would never make it before the sun was completely down so we stopped and turned on our inadequate lights for the remainder of the ride. We decided to take Venice Blvd because it went all the way to the beach, we made a left on Lincoln and then a right on Washington and before you knew it, we were there. Marina Del Rey, at the beach and our ride was over. We still had a little bit of an adventure in front of us, but that is another story.

I would like to thank each and every one of you who reads, or has read this blog, sent in donations, encouragement or thoughts and prayers. I never would have been able to do this without your support. And I would like to thank Clive, my cycling brother who made this adventure one that I will never forget!

ALMOST THERE!

Just a few miles left to go!

Getting Close!

After another late start - due to a huge breakfast (I had steak and eggs with pancakes and Clive forgot he was a vegetarian and had the BIG COUNTRY BREAKFAST with bacon and sausage), we finally hit the road. We got back on Interstate 15 and we made it for 6.5 miles before CHP told us to get off or we would get a ticket. That made things interesting because we had planned on taking I-15 all the way to Victorville. We had to find an alternate route and that took awhile. We finally got on Old Route 66, it was a little out of the way and by far the roughest road I have been on since I left PA. I had two flat tires due to the potholes, but we finally made it in to Victorville at 7:45. It was dark and it was cold, but we made it. According to Google Maps, we are only 94 miles from Los Angeles now. We just have to find another way down the mountain, I don't think we can cycle down the Cajon Pass. I guess that's what we'll work on in the morning. Goodnight!

Another Windy Day

Today's wind was just as bad as yesterday's. We were only able to average 6 or 7 miles per hour. Our goal was to make it to Barstow, only 38 miles away. Well, we made it. It took some effort, but eventually we stumbled into town. The first couple of miles weren't so bad, but after that the wind really picked up. We were still riding the shoulder of I - 15 and the gusts were up to 40 mph. It was slow going, but Clive and I are both ready to be finished with this trip so we kept going. We are so close we can almost smell the ocean. Julie called ahead and has us set up tonight at the Super 8 Motel. A shower and a bed... wow! We are just about 140 miles away from our destination, now. That means just a few days! Hallelujah!

Tomorrow, the wind is not supposed to be as strong. That's good news because we are trying to make it down the mountain tomorrow.

It's An Ill WInd...

Today was one of the hardest days of the entire ride. The wind was so strong that it was blowing us all over the road. That is not the situation you want when you are on one of the busiest interstates in the country. We struggled to get just 27 miles today. We were hoping to get to Barstow - 62 miles away from Baker, but we only made it as far as the Afton Road exit. There was a mini market there, so we went inside for a drink and the owner suggested that we just pitch our tents and stay for the night. The name of the "stop" was the Desert Star Ranch. It was an unexpected Oasis that was much needed. It was truly in the middle of nowhere, but they had wifi available for us and sometime in the middle of the night we were treated to live music. The only negative is, because the wind was so blowing so hard it snapped one of my tent poles even though we set up our tents behind a huge water tank to shield us from the wind. I tried duct tape, we will have to see if it works.

Leaving Las Vegas... 4 Real

Staying true to form, we got another late start today. After getting supplies and finding the route, it had to have been 2:45 by the time we hit the road. We got stopped by the Nevada Highway Patrol after about 10 miles on Interstate 15. The officer told us to get off at the next exit and travel the service road. We did that for about 12 miles and then got back on I-15 and traveled that for another 15 miles. We did about 42 miles total and stopped for the night at Whiskey Pete's Casino and Hotel in Primm, NV. Primm is right on the Nevada/ California border. We have 26 miles to the first rest area and then about 25 more miles until we get to Baker,the home of the world's largest thermometer. It is hot and this is the REAL desert, so I have to go before it gets too hot. Los Angeles here we come!

Leaving Las Vegas

First of all, I would like to give a big THANKS to the Palace Station Hotel for opening their doors and making my stay in Las Vegas a very comfortable one. The staff was accommodating and hospitable.

Tonight, I begin to focus on the last leg of my journey, Las Vegas to Los Angeles. I have been in Las Vegas for two days now, but I have to say I am ready to leave. I am not a gambler, a smoker, a drinker and I don't have anything that I want to do that I don't want anyone else to know about so that I can leave it here because it happened here. The interviews that I came here for didn't pan out, but Clive did meet up with some of his friends and participate in the Rock-a-billy Festival. I've met his friends and they are way cool.

Our journey will take us out into the desert for a couple of hundred miles, but they will be the last couple of hundred miles of our journey. We have gone over the maps and determined the best route for us to take. The weather has been good, not too hot or windy, I hope it holds up for us. Next stop, Primm, Nevada. Primm is right on the CA, NV border. After Primm, we have a long way to go to the next town. Every mile we do is one less that we have to do down the road.

Congratulations to "Two Babes on Bikes", I knew you could do it. Stephanie and Molly, we'll see you on the slopes.

Friends...

These are just a few of the people I've met who have my journey one of the most enjoyable of my life. I hope you enjoy.

Finishing Up in Los Angeles..

OK Folks. I have to decided to finish this U.S. Tour in Los Angeles! I will be in Las Vegas this weekend for some interviews and publicity... after that on to LA.

Hobbling In to St. George

After a brief stay in Cedar City, it was time to move on to St. George... and beyond. Another late start today and the bicycle route to St. George wasn't very clear. Of course you could travel the interstate (I-15) all the way there, but not on a bicycle. I called the highway patrol and got only an answering machine, I called some other numbers and tried to get some clarity about the laws regarding bicycles on the interstate. Since western Kansas, I have been hearing that you could indeed ride the interstate. So what did I do, I rode the interstate all the way to St. George. 53 miles, in total. I didn't see one highway patrol vehicle in all that time. What I did encounter though, was three flat tires. That is the worst thing about riding on the interstate. You have all the wire from the "blown" truck tires, just waiting to give you a flat. The first one wasn't so bad, the next two were very annoying as they came one right after the other. I was making good time, but after all the flats it started getting late and the sun was going down.

To make a long story short, finally made it St. George and Motel 6 where they kept the light on for me. Courtesy of Peg Wolff. Thanks, Peg.

Cedar Breaks

After a quick pseudo breakfast, we pack up and get ready to hit the road. We say our goodbyes and before you know it, another late start. I don't know how that always happens. The climb from Panguitch was gruelling, right from the start. I started thinking, "How am I going to do this?" The first two and a half miles were really tough, and then it started becoming a little more reasonable. I knew it was going to be a long day and we had 35 miles of climbing to do, so I had to pace myself. There was little traffic, but a lot of signs warning about bears and mountain lions, so that helped me keep up the pace. At 15 miles, I stopped for real food, which I knew would slow me down, but I was hungry. It did slow me down and I still had 20 miles to go before I reached the 10000 foot summit. It was 1:44 when I left the cafe, and it was slow going. At times, I was only going 3 mph. Up, up, up it didn't seem like it would ever end, but like all things it did end. There were a few false summits, but just as the sun was going down, we reached the summit sign. Clive wanted to camp there, but there was no way I wanted to camp that high. It was all downhill to Cedar City, so we decided to go for it. It was 17 miles down and getting late, so we had to use our lights, but we made. This is the first real city with traffic lights and chain restaurants in about 3 weeks. It feels a little weird. And I had a tough time trying to sleep in a bed after sleeping on the ground for so long.

That brings me to where I am now. I woke up at 5:19 and started responding to email, uploading photos and making phone calls. And updating the blog. In a few hours, I will be heading off to Nevada. It'll be nice to have warm temperatures and food options again.

First Entry in Several Days...

Wow! So much has happened since my last entry. Let me see... well, we stayed in Escalante for three glorious days. While we were there, I got my new tent (did I mention that we were camping?) and almost immediatley one of the poles broke. That was a bummer, but I had to make do. I am still working with the company to get a replacement. The reason I stayed in Escalante? Steve Roberts. We were kind of hijacked (in a good way) and he wanted us to stay for their Art Festival. The Art Festival brought artists from all over the country, and it was on the weekend. We had a chance to meet a lot of the artists and spend some time in what Steve called, Small Town America. It was a really good place to hole up for a few days. The only problem is, it's hard to get going after such a long rest. So we were there for 3 days and then we were off to those mountains, that were patiently waiting for us.

From Escalante, we traveled to Bryce Valley KOA. A nice campground and a stunning rainbow awaited us. We tried to capture it, but the photos don't do it justice. We arrived at the KOA just before dark, had a quick meal and headed off to bed. The next day would be a tough one, but a short one. We were going to Byrce Canyon.

The ride from Bryce Valley to Bryce Canyon was all uphill. The views were amazing, like all the other days before. It's difficult to make good time because you want to capture all the beauty before you. So, because of taking so many photos, we got caught in a storm. We found a place to "hole up" called, "Mossy Cave". The cave is famous, not only for the moss, but because it maintains a cool/cold temperature throughtout the year. You can even find ice there in late June. After we were there for awhile, it looked as though the rain wasn't going to let up and it started getting late, so we decided to push on in the rain. Did I mention that my jacket is no longer waterproof?
We still had a several thousand foot ascent to get to our destination. That was tough. About a mile before our stop for the night, there was a Subway restaurant. We stopped there for coffee (I don't even drink coffee), and to warm up. After some soup and sub, the rain slowed up enough for us to ride the last mile and a half in the campground, shivering.

The campground was Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground. A nice place with a unique history. After we set up the tents (mine is still broken), we noticed that someone left us a nice gift of firewood. It was wet, but I was cold and wanted a fire. This would turn out to be the coldest night of the entire trip. After the fire was good blazing, I tried to warm my cold, wet feet and one of my wet socks caught fire. Did I mention that it was cold? Also, my sleeping bag got wet from all the rain... needless to say, I had a miserable night. The next day I went and tried to thaw out in the hot tub. While I was thawing, Clive decided to go and check out Bryce Canyon. He had never been, so he jumped on his bike and rode into the park. That meant that we would be getting late start today. We would only be going as far as Panguitch, it was all (mostly downhill), but we didn't leave until 4:19. Better late than never.

The ride to Panguitch was AWESOME. We rode through Red Canyon... beautiful. We took a lot of photos, but we were racing the sun. It was getting dark and cold again, so we picked up the pace and arrived just as it was getting dark. We stayed at the Panguitch KOA (I love KOA) as guests of Kim and Bob. When we arrived, we met Roy and Linda from Las Vegas. They were riding their Harley to Telluride, back the way we came. We talked to them for awhile, made a quick dinner and headed off to bed. We were still at just about 7000 feet, so it would be cold again tonight. In addition to the cold, the coyotes got started howling and made it almost impossible to go to sleep. At least that's what I thought. The next thing I know, it's 6:30 and time to get up. We have the toughest climb of this entire trip waiting for us...

Escalante Grand Staicase and... Escalante Outfitters

Today, after leaving Boulder we cycled through Escalante National Monument. This has been some of the most scenic areas of the country, thus far. Stunning plateaus, panoramic vistas and muti-colored cliffs as far as the eye can see. We had plans on going at least 60 miles today, but this was not going to be the case. We only made it as far as the town of Escalante. Once we arrived here, we were welcomed at Escalante Outfitters where, Steve, Holly, Vicky, Dennis and Dana made us feel at home and let us stay the night for free. Escalante Outfitters is a "desert haven for outdoor adventure set right in the heart of Utah Canyon Country." Once inside, you will find the Esca Latte Cafe, a store for all your outdoor needs, lodging (Vagabond Inn, cabins, RV hookups and campsites for tents), hiking, mountain bike rental, and guided fly fishing tours. Whatever you happen to need, or want you can find at Escalante Outfitters. Tomorrow, we will back on the road, in the desert drinking lukewarm water and eating energy bars, but tonight its real food.

Boulder Mountain

Today, we set out from Boulder Mountain. I have to say that I have been a little intimidated by the thought. 9600 feet to the summit. Up til now, the mountains have been brutal and every seems to get a lot of joy out telling me how difficult this one is going to be. I've put it off long enough. Here we go, I'll write more from the other side of the mountain.

Well now, that wasn't so bad. I guess it's like a lot of things in life. The thought of a thing is a lot worse than the actual doing of that thing. There was only a little wind, and that was only occasionally. What I thought would take us all day only took a couple of hours. And now that its done, we have to find a place to stay here in Boulder. What few motels they have are all booked and there is absolutely no camping allowed in here within the town limits. It looks like we have to go back the way we came and do some more wild camping. I don't like camping in the wild so close to a town, but it's getting late so that'll have to do.

Tot ziens!

Greetings From Torrey, Utah

It's been a few days and several hundred miles since I last posted anything. I have cycled through the desert and back into the mountains of Utah. Now I am taking a rest day here in Torrey.

Many people have asked, "Why are you doing this?" I guess the simple answer is, that we thought that this would make a big enough statement about the problem of teen homelessness in the United States, not just in our little corner of the world. Most people are so busy in their day to day lives that they may not even be aware of the problem.

In truth, I didn't know that this journey would be as difficult and rewarding as it has been. I did the research, bought the books and the maps, but I still wasn't sure what to expect. I am still on an old bike, I don't have the proper pedals or shoes, and I am seriously overloaded. But, I am just a few hundred miles away from my destination. I can almost smell the ocean... almost.

The important thing is that "we" not lose sight on why we are here. In reality, it does take a village. I would not have been able to make it this far without the love and support of all you wonderful people. I am continuing on, through more deserts and over more mountains, but I will come back with a renewed strength and purpose. God has put all of us here for a reason and this ride, crossing the country by bike, has been part of that reason for me. The lives that have touched mine, the barriers that have been broken (both by me and for me), all of that contributes to that purpose and will trickle down and touch the lives of the teens that we work with.

I know I am rambling, but I just wanted to share my thoughts with you before I get back on the road.

Dolores, CO

Yesterday, I left Telluride and got back on the road. I stayed in the town of Dolores, just a little under 900 people. It's warm down here, as opposed to up there in Telluride. I was freezing coming down the mountain, but it didn't take long to warm up in the lower elevations. Soon, I will be in the desert and will have other issues to concern myself with. Water, water, water. I hope that I will have enough. I will be traveling US 50, it is called the loneliest highway in America. I am kind of looking forward to it. I've heard that it is BEAUTIFUL, and I am that much closer to California. Right now I am off to Utah... at least I hope to be there by the end of the day.

Photos of Telluride

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure. - Helen Keller"

OK, I am now nine states into my journey. A little tired, but still good to go. Right now I am in Telluride and I have been here for three days now. Julie has done an excellent job as "Eye in the Sky", and had things set up by the time I arrived. What a fabulous person she is! Accommodations were made for us at the Telluride Mountain Lodging. They allowed us to stay for 2 nights... for free. It has been amazing to see how supportive people can be when you take the time to talk to them.

Right now in Telluride there is a "Blues and Brew" Festival going on. Lots of music and lots of beer. I have taken in some of the music... none of the beer. I have spent the days riding the gondola (the free gondola), up to the mountain and taken walks on the trails and to the nature center. I have also walked the streets of Telluride, taking candid shots of the people and the town. It is a very interesting place with a lot of interesting people. This is a place I could learn to love.

In the beginning, I had no plans on coming to Telluride, I was moving on to Delores... but as I started up the mountain, I thought to myself "I have never been to Telluride and I am sooo close, so I should go". So, I turned around and headed back into town. It has turned out to be a very good decision. This place is great. The people here have gone out of their way to be helpful and welcoming.

Right now, I am staying at the Fire Station in Telluride. 'Met up with Gary Whitfield (the district fire chief) again and he opened up the fire station for a couple of days for us. Sleeping on the floor, but I've found that on this ride it's easier to sleep on the floor than in a bed. What I mean is that it's easier to get up and get going... maybe even more comfortable. I do have a good sleeping mat.

Tomorrow... on the road again. Even though I love it here, I am looking forward to getting back out there. I can hardly wait for the adventures that lie ahead.

I Caught Up With Clive

I caught up with Clive today. It’s kind of funny that the very next day after I wrote about him I tried to send him on his way. I had to ride an extra 30 miles to catch him, but I’m glad I did. I don’t want to ride this alone anymore.

Back to today’s ride. It was hard. I started off this morning at 6:00 am and it was raining then. It rained and rained and it was only 46 degrees, up ahead of me on the mountain where I would be going I could see the snow from last night and this morning. It was the most miserable I have been on this entire journey. I was trying to catch up with Clive (who was in Ridgway) before 10:00 and it wasn’t looking good. I had a several thousand-foot climb, it was raining, I had a head wind, it was cold and there was almost no shoulder. I was losing the desire to ride today. The map said that it was only 26 miles to Ridgway, but it was more like 30. When I did arrive, all I wanted to do was get some breakfast (which I did) and some hot chocolate (which I didn’t).

Clive came down and met me at a restaurant called the “Galloping Goose”. It was an interesting place. The menu (at least the breakfast menu) had only individual items. If you wanted a complete breakfast, you had to order for example eggs, sausage, toast, and hash browns all separately. I have never seen that before. Anyway, while we were inside, we took a look outside and the weather looked ominous, to say the least. The clouds were almost black and we had a serious climb ahead of us, the temperature was only supposed to get up to 54 degrees, and it was raining. We considered staying in Ridgway, we actually talked about it for about an hour. While I was paying the bill, Clive went outside to take a look at the sky and came back very excited to tell me that the sky was blue where we were going. So, we decided to head off to Telluride.

The ride from Ridgway to Telluride has a couple of climbs. The one out of Ridgway was tough. It took us over 2 hours to travel the 12 miles up the mountain. Because of the fresh snow, we both got some really good photos. The descent was a long one as far as descents go, but there was a head wind, again. So the 11 miles down didn’t go by as fast as I would have liked. But they did go by. At the bottom of the mountain, I was ready for some hot chocolate. I was still cold from this morning and I couldn’t get warm, so I stopped in the village of Placerville. It has the distinction of being the smallest town (population) in Colorado… 27.

We are staying at the fire Station in Placerville. We were trying to figure out where we were going to stay (by the way that is half of the adventure) when I saw a vehicle with a fire fighter sticker on it. I approached the owner and he turned to be the chief of the fire department and a cyclist, as well. I told him we were traveling cross-country and needed a place to stay for the night and he ended up opening up the entire fire station for us, washer and dryer, kitchen, shower… and food. His name is Gary Whitfield and he is a very nice guy.

I have discovered that as much as I love Colorado, It has been my least favorite state to cycle in. A lot of trucks (pickups and others) have been getting very close to me, even though I am riding on the shoulder. Today, with the rain and the climbs I don’t think I needed the extra abuse from the traffic. Anyway, I am here now and I am safe.

Tomorrow, Telluride!

Where's Rob?

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Here I am!

Clive Rogers

Let me tell you about Clive Rogers. I met Clive in the town of Eureka, KS a few weeks ago. I was at the Pizza Hut in Eureka, just relaxing with 3 other cyclists who were also riding coast to coast when I saw Clive ride by towing a "funky" looking trailer. I motioned for him to come over and join us and he totally ignored me and rode riyght on by. About a half hour later, he came back and he did indeed join us.

Clive is the main reason I have made it so far in such a short period of time. He comes from Poole, England, and he is a "real" cyclist. Just recently, he completed a cycle tour of Cairo to Capetown. He sets a good pace and it takes all that I have to keep with him. We have gone almost 1000 miles and we have every intention on finishing in San Francisco together.


Today, we have more mountains to climb. We left Gunnison (home of the world's smallest Walmart), and we headed west on Highway 50. We were shooting for Montrose, CO, a town 66 miles away, but we had to fight the head winds again... and the scenery once again so beautiful that we kept stopping to take photos. There was no way we were going to make it to Montrose, so we decided on a campsite just outside of a town called, Cimarron. The site is a really good one, its right on the bank of a river and I am sure that the sound of water will help me sleep tonight.

I have a really slow connection, so I have to go. I will write more later.
'Just wanted everyone to know about my new "brother".

I Made It Down The Mountain!

Today, I made it down the mountain. I am in the city of Gunnison, CO. A college town with the distinction of having the world's smallest Walmart. I will be going there tomorrow for a visit, to get a few things before I head back into the wilderness of Colorado. Gotta go for now!

Thank God for Angels

Today was the most difficult day of my journey. Once I got to 9000 feet, I started feeling it. I could only go 30 yards or so before I had to stop and catch my breath and the road ahead kept going up and up. Monarch Pass is one that I will never forget, the summit is 11,312 ft./3448 m. In addition to the altitude, I had another flat tire. After I repaired my flat tire, I sat down on the ground and had an orange, just as I was about finished with the orange, an angel showed up in a white pickup truck. Her name is Debbie Gallagher and she lives in Salida. She asked me if I was OK and told me to throw my bike into her truck and she could take me up the road to Monarch Lodge. I complied, how could I argue with an angel. Once I arrived at Monarch Lodge, they gave me a room and dinner. I met some of the most wonderful people there, most of all... an angel.

In the Rockies II

This is the 2nd day of me being high up in the Rockies. It is so beautiful up here that is has taken me all day to make it the 47 miles to my destination. Just today I have taken several photos. It seemed that every mile or so there were numerous photo opportunities. I am still looking for a bighorn sheep, no luck yet.

I am in the town of Salida, looking forward to several more days of being here in the Rockies.

The topography has changed so much, just since Pueblo. It is absolutely amazing. I think back to all the states I have been through, the terrain. The Ozarks, the Appalachians, the Praries... this is something that all of us should take the opportunity to experience for ourselves. This is a life-changing event.

Rocky Mountain High

Tonight I am in the Rockies, in my tent, cold and tired. I didn't plan on coming this far today, but it ended up being more miles under my belt. I am staying at a campground called, "Fort Gorge", it is just outside of Royal Gorge where the famous suspension bridge is. I don't think I am going to make it to the bridge, its 4.5 miles away and it looks like it is all uphill. I need to save energy for the ride to Salida tomorrow. I am at about 6000 ft right now, so I will have to climb to 9012 ft by the time I stop tomorrow. It won't be easy. Having said that, I will be signing off so I can get some rest before tomorrow.

The sunset tonight over the Rockies was absolutely beautiful. I will post some photos later, but for now I have to conserve my batteries... all of them.

Congratulations and Thanks to Joanne Francis!

Congratulations and thanks to Joanne Francis, our new director of maps and trip planning! You make it all possible.

Feel Free to Make a Donation.

I have finally arrived in Colorado! I have the wind to deal with, as I have for the past 3 days, but at least I am here. I am determinded to continue this journey, but I can only do it with your help. Make a donation today so that we can have a better tomorrow. Click on the Donate Button below to make a donation.

How Far I've Come So Far

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If anyone wants to join me for the next leg, I'll be in Pueblo, CO in a few days!

This is for you, Joanne!

OK Joanne, what do you think now. This is for you and all of your cookies, support and prayer! Also for the pillowcase that I use every night.
Thanks!

Kansas

Wow! In the last few days I have covered over 200 miles. There have been several stretches where there are no services for almost 60 miles. After you throw some +90 degree temperatures, a headwind or two and some never-ending grades, you have the ingredients for some tough days. At least tough for me. I have met up with a few other riders and its good to ride together for awhile.

I am still meeting awesome people, though. In Larned, Kansas and not long after I arrived in town I was getting ready to setup my tent for the night in a city park. As I pulled up to the restroom there were two girls coming from a church across the street. They were excited to see cyclists and invited us to the church for cake. After meeting the pastor, he offered to put us up for the night in a hotel.

The next day we are off again, heading to Kinsley. Kinsley is the halfway point between New York and San Francisco. Along the way we are treated to old cars and tractors, trains and a lot of silos. Kansas is a long state with a lot of wind and we are steadily climbing up, getting ready for Colorado.

We met up with a group from Boston today. Matt is the leader and he is traveling by wheelchair. They are an exceptional group and you can learn more about them at: http://www.officialmattsplace.org/

Thats all for now as I have to get back on the road.

My Visit to Dinosaur National Park

Riding With The Wind in Kansas

I am in Kansas and it hasn't been as flat as I thought it would be. Maybe the reason I remember it being so flat is usually I am in a car. Riding a bicycle is an entirely different experience. Hills take on a totally different meaning. Today I did about 80 miles, just trying to get on to Colorado, but I still have a way to go.

Kansas is a long state, but it's also beautiful and diverse. A lot of farmland, oil and really nice people. Tonight, in Newton I am staying with an extremely nice couple who have opened up their house to me, Simon and Clive (a new friend from England). They had dinner prepared for us when we arrived, they have beds for us as well. This is the sort of thing that you never hear about, but I have experienced it time and time again.

I will try to catch up with this blog in a day or two, but right now it's late and I am very tired.

KY3 News in Springfield, MO

This is a story they did on me when I was in Springfield, MO.I was just about to leave
town when the reporter came and we had a good conversation off camera.

So far this trip has been GREAT. I have run into a few "knuckleheads", but like I said earlier, most of the people I have met go out of their way to be helpful.

It may be a few days before I have the opportunity to write again... I am going deep into Kansas and I may not have the chance to get back online. In the meantime, please send me email and continue to comment on the blog. Thanks again to all of you who support me in what I am doing!

I will be in touch!

Super 8 Has Been Super... GREAT!

Once again, I am staying at a Super 8 Motel. In every state, they have gone out of their way to assist me. So, once again, my hat goes off to the kind folks at Super 8 Motel!

Pittsburg, KS

Well, here I am, Pittsburg, Kansas. I have been here for a few days and have already been adopted again by a nice couple. I have worked in their pawn shop (Easy Money Pawn Shop) and have really gotten some good rest. I have been staying at the Super 8 here in town (Super 8 has been great in supporting my ride). The Internet connection is really slow right now, so I am not able to load any photos. I will try again later. I am well and looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow. I am right on the eastern edge of the state and I have to start preparing myself for the 400 mile ride across the state.

Words to Live By Helen Keller

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.

-Helen Keller

Marilyn and Katie

This is Marilyn. My new friend who came up to me in her Hoveround motorized wheelchair just as I was getting ready to start packing up to leave Ash Grove. She started talking to me and asking questions about what I was doing. Later, she took me on a tour of the area and took me to meet Father Moses at his church. She also gave me a ride to the Nathan Boone house. It was nice to have met her and her dog, Katie.

Historic Ash Grove, MO

OK, so after I leave Springfield I head northwest to a historic little town called, Ash Grove. Ash Grove is only about 25 miles from Springfield and is famous for being the home of Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel Boone. I was only planning on being in town one night, but after meeting a few o f the residents, I decide to stay on another day. By now, I have heard at least 10 times, "you have to meet Father Moses". I don't know who Father Moses is, but I am looking forward to meeting him. I hear that he is the smartest man in town, that he is a descendant of Nathan Boone, that he established the African American Museum in Ash Grove and that he built his church almost with his bare hands. Later that evening, another resident drops by my tent and tells me pretty much the same thing, then she asks me if I would like a drive out to Father Moses' church. Of course I agree and in few minutes, I am face to face with... Father Moses.

Father Moses is indeed a smart man and all of the other things that I've heard about him. His church is small, but immaculate. He offers to let me stay overnight so that I can go and visit the Museum that he is going to open up just for me. I would take him up on the offer, but the town of Ash Grove has already agreed to let me stay in the "Barnum House", one of the oldest houses in town that is listed with the historical society. After I go back to the Barnum House, I prepare for tomorrow, a day with Father Moses.

Early the next day, I meet Keith. Keith is the brother of Father Moses. He also describes himself as being ANGRY. I have a good talk with him while I am waiting for my tour of the museum with Father Moses. Keith talks about being one of only a few black people in a predominately white town. I tell him I can relate. I also tell him of my experiences since I left Pennsylvania. I tell him about all the wonderful people I've met along the way. "Most people are good and they don't mean you any harm", I tell him, I don't think he's buying it. Just then, Father Moses comes out and calls me over to the museum. Keith doesn't come with me.

While in the museum, Father Moses tells me about his connection to Nathan Boone and the affair he had with one of his slaves. That slave turns out to be Father Moses' great, great grandmother. He shows me his artifacts and gives me the slave collar and shackles to try on. This small museum has things that I'm sure the Smithsonian would love to have. After the museum, I go out to the cemetery for slaves, Indians and paupers. The cemetery is on the "Berry" property and right near the house and church. I meet some ladies out there and before you know it, I have a ride to Springfield and lunch. I go go Springfield and Branson as a full fledged tourist and on the way back to Ash Grove I have an appointment with John Kelly of KY3 TV of Springfield. KY3 is the Number 1 news channel in Springfield.

The next morning, KY3 is there for the interview. In addition to KY3 News, I am also treated to racial slurs from to young men who seem to be in town just to harass me. I have to ride around town for some of the shots for the news (its a really small town), and everywhere I go these guys are there. I must have heard at least 15 times, "N__ger go home!". Hearing this over and over again threatened to "mess up" my day, but it doesn't. I have to remember the hundreds of interactions I have had with so many awesome people. That's what I have to remember... and that these two represent such a small minority. At first I was a little angry, but now I just feel sorry for them.

After all that, I am off to Pittsburg... Kansas.

My Journey Thus Far...

View Larger Map

Take a look at how far I've come so far!

Greetings from Ash Grove, MO

A & B Bicycles, Springfield, MO

I stopped at the best bike shop in the US today. I was just there to replace my pedals, but I ended up with new pedals, a new freewheel, a water bottle, a new chain, a new stem for my handlebars and a few other things. I have to say that everyone there went out of their way to help me out. I have to mention Scott by name. He did a lot of work for me and didn't charge me a penny. He didn't want me to leave until my bike was good to go and ready for the upcoming "Rockies". I have to give a great big THANKS to all the folks at A & B Cycles! I would also like to thank the ladies at AAA of Springfild. You are absolutely AWESOME! Laura, Theresa and Sarah... Thanks so much!

I Have To Show You The Peaches!

These were the best peaches ever, thanks Dale!

Dale Gross

Today as I cycled on down the road. It was hot and I was tired. I didn't really have a good night's sleep and that's exactly how I felt. After a few hours of not feeling so great about the ride, I took a break at a Peach Stand. The proprietor's name was Dale Gross and he knew everything there was to know about peaches. I offered to buy one, but he was only selling them buy the bushel. So he gave me one. I sat and talked to him for what seemed like a couple of hours... just talking. When it was time to leave he gave me more peaches than I could carry, but I took them anyway. They were the best peaches I've ever had in my life. Thanks, Dale. Spending time with him made me forget all about feeling miserable.

The Laacks

While I was in Illinois, the Laack family took me in and made me feel like family... right away. Pastor Dan is excited about serving God and he is happy to share the love that comes Him. Dan, Pat and Kendra thanks for making me feel like family. You guys are the best.

May I Introduce... Mia

This is Mia ladies and gentlemen. Disney's next star. You can watch her and Danielle first video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WS8fjAVYjY

Dick and Joanne Francis

Today I met two very special people, Dick and Joanne Francis. They live in Altamont, IL and I will be staying with them for a few days. Julie lives there with her daughter, Mia. Dick showed me around town and gave me a tour of his farm.

After one of my tours of the area, I was introduced to a fire breathing dragon.

Welcome to Illinois

What a great state this is, "Land of Lincoln" and all that. I have much to look forward to. Going to a rodeo, visit a farm and meet some more wonderful people. I can hardly wait. Eye in the Sky, here I come.

So much corn here.

Richmond, KY

After a goodnight's sleep in Berea, courtesy Super 8 Motel, I look outside to see that its raining. Before I leave town, I head over to Wal-Mart to get a few things and to wait out the rain. The one thing I have discovered on this journey is that I don't like to ride in the rain.

Just before I go into the store, I meet two young men from the LDS Church. I have a very good conversation with them for well over an hour. Not a debate, but a conversation about God and what He means to them and their mission. These two young men are truly remarkable. They just want to help people, cook for them, shop for them... do whatever they need. I was impressed by what they had to say and they helped me pass the time.

After speaking with the missionaries, I decided to go to Hong Kong Chinese Buffet for lunch. I went over with Simon and our idea was to "load up" before we got back on the road. One thing I have realized is that you never know when you will have the chance for a warm meal. A complete meal with veggies, rice, meat, fruit... I don't think you can go wrong with a buffet. It was only $5.00, so it was a "no brainer".

Just before we left the restaurant, I met Robin and Rachel, a mother and daughter from Berea. Even though we should have been on the road by then, we ended up staying and talking with them for well over an hour. By now I am not surprised to meet so many nice people. After some good advice from these two ladies, we decided to get on the road and head to Richmond. I needed a bike shop and it seems the best one for what I needed was in there.

When I get to Richmond, Motel 6 there has a room ready for me. Rick and Alicia had it all set up and they were happy to help. It was after 7 when we got there so we would have to wait until the next day to go to the bike shop.

I guess that's it for today.

Random Photos...

Inspiration...

I truly hope that some of you reading will find inspiration through me taking on this challenge. Inspiration to do the things in YOUR lives that you may have always wanted to, but were maybe a little too unsure or afraid. We say all the time to our kids, "You can do whatever you set your mind to", or "You can be anything you want to be". We as adults need to put our money where our mouths are. Trust me, you CAN do whatever you want to do. So, get out there. Plant that garden, buy that ticket to Paris, start taking some classes... whatever it takes for you to get back in touch with your dreams. GET OUT THERE!

Berea, Kentucky

Today, I arrived in Berea, the folk arts and crafts capitol of Kentucky. I have been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks now. This is another city rich in history. I learned that Berea College, founded in 1855, was the first interracial and coeducational colleges in the South. It also charges no tuition and admits only academically promising students, primarily from Appalachia, who have limited economic resources. Berea’s cost of educating a student exceeds $23,000 per year. They only requirement is that the students work at least 10 hours per week on campus.

The ride here was... interesting. It was the most difficult day I have had in a while. I was under the impression that I was finished with the mountains, at least for now. I guess I was right, because what I encountered today was more hills than mountains. I don't think the 100 degree temperature helped. The hills at some points were relentless, and then the map I am using has me going over hill and dale, going north to come back south. By the time I was half-way, I was out of gas. I stopped in a little town called South Irvine, where a driver proceeded to call me the "N" word for the first time since I started my journey. I later encountered him when I finally made it to Irvine (just a few miles north of South Irvine) and he wouldn't even make eye contact. Even with that incident, 99.9 % of my experiences on this trip have been positive. I have had many warnings about the people in the Kentucky, but they have been great and many of them have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.

I am staying at another Super 8 Motel here in Berea. They have been very supportive of my ride and are willing to do whatever they can to help.

Tomorrow, I am off again. There is a real joy in not knowing what is on the next page, not to mention the next chapter.

More Great People

These are just a few more of the people who have gone out of there way to make me feel special while I am on my journey. There are others, as well. I don't have photos, but I do have their names. I also want to thank Super 8 Motels for letting me stay for free because they believe in our cause.

My Entire Family for their Support
Super 8 Motel Whitesburg, KY
Super 8 Motel Hazard, KY
Super 8 Motel Berea, KY
Super 8 Motel Branson, MO
Motel 6 Springfield, MO
A & B Bicycle Shop, Springfield, MO
Nancy, Berea KY
Springfield Victory Mission, Springfield, MO
Jim and Marilyn Chastek, Camp Hill, PA
Harrisburg Bicycle Club, Harrisburg, PA
Danielle Sturgill, Whitesburg, KY
Kathy, Whitesburg, KY
Richard Smith, Damascus, VA
Laura Stahler, Hanover, PA
Pastor Lewis, Richmond, VA
James Martin, Fairfield, VA
Nick Boekelheide
Elizabeth Capko, Branson, MO
Bunny Medeiros, Damascus, VA
Julie Hayden, Altamont, IL
Dick and Joanne Francis, Altamont, IL
Dan, Pat and Kendra Laack, Vandalia, IL
Kristin Bergmann
The Police Departmant, Ash Grove, MO
AAA Branch Office, Springfield, MO
Scott Kirchner, Springfield, MO
Marc Golden, Middletown, PA
Dwayne Golden, Harrisburg, PA
Mari McShane, Dana Point, CA
The Police and Fire Department, Troutville, VA
The Police Department, Wytheville, VA
Damascus.org
Ray from Holmes Cycle and Fitness, Camp Hill, PA
Pedal Pusher Bike Shop, Harrisburg, PA
Kim Gray, Mechanicsburg, PA

Great People Along the Way

Just a few shots...

I'm Rolling...

I left Damascus and got lost for about 20 miles when it started to rain... it was the worst storm I have ever been caught in in my entire life. I was in the middle of nowhere and I just stood under a tree in someone's front yard. When lightning struck just a few yards away, I ran up and rang the doorbell. When no one answered I went back and stood under the tree, trying to wait it out. After about 5 minutes, I heard the garage door open up and there stood this woman, she was calling me in out of the rain. She had been in the shower and didn't hear me when I rang the bell.

I stayed there and talked to her for about 20 minutes and I wasn't sure whether I would turn around and go back to Damascus, or continue on towards Kentucky. The rain didn't stop, but it did lighten up so I decided to continue on towards Rosedale. I thanked the woman, I never even got her name, and I took off.

I rode for about 25 miles when I met up with 2 other cyclists (Keith and Larry). I was going up the mountain and they were going down. They went all the way to the bottom and caught up with me before I reached the top. We all rode to the top together and I told them all about my ride. They were really nice guys and offered to take me to dinner. I accepted and we had a great time.

After dinner, Keith helped me with my bike and we said goodbye. We both said we'd stay in touch. I would be sleeping at the Elk Garden Methodist Church Hostel, so when I got inside I just threw down my sleeping back and knocked myself out for the night.

Tomorrow... the Breaks

On the Road to Damascus

Today I find myself in Damascus, VA. One of the last stops before I get into KY. I have ridden quite a few miles to get here... almost 600 and I have decided to take a rest day here. Damascus is a town that is right aong the Appalachian Trail, so there are a lot of hikers in this town. I have decided to stay at a world famous hostel known to bikers and hikers all over the world. It's called, "The Place". In town, I have access to the Internet, but no signal for my phone.

On the way here, I followed the AT trail for some time and think to myself that I would like to hike it someday... maybe next year.

Along the way I finally caught up with Simon, I have heard about him since I was at the Cookie Lady's house. We have decided to ride together for at least a little while.

Thad and Sarah

Wait Until I tell you about these two wonderful people. They took me in, they fed me, I stayed for 2 days and I really felt like we were family. I'll write more about it tomorrow, but once again, I can say that meeting them has been the best part of my trip, so far. O.K., I'm back, so let me tell you about the Lee’s. I got their number from Boris when we were at the Cookie Lady’s House. They live in a town called Radford, which is right on the route heading west. They invite ALL cyclists to come and stay with them as long as they like. Thad Lee is a local physician and his wife, Sarah is a nurse in Radford. They are two of the most awesome people I have ever met. They live in a nice big farmhouse on a hill and have three cats and two dogs. When I called Thad and told him that I would like to take advantage of his hospitality, he gave me directions and said that he would be waiting for me. When I arrived, Thad and Sarah were outside waiting (as promised) and right away Thad went to work on me. He told me that I could stay, but I would have to stay another day as a rest day. Then he told me that I had to get something to eat. I told him that I don’t eat after 7:30, but he wasn’t interested. While they were deciding on where to go for dinner, Thad and I talked. We talked about where we come from, family, religion, politics, everything.

After a while, we were finally ready to go to dinner. We all jumped into his car and went out to dinner. We went to a nice Italian restaurant and we talked and talked. After dinner we went back to their house and I went straight to sleep.

The next day, I awoke at around 10:30 and I went down for breakfast. When I got downstairs, I met "Tucker" and "Olive"... the Lee's dogs. Tucker wanted to play with me and I so I did. I would throw the ball and he would fetch it. Again, I'd throw it and he would fetch it again. If I didn't stop it would have gone on for hours... we both enjoyed it, though.

For lunch we went to Wendy's and then off to Wal-Mart for supplies. When we got back "home", I worked on my bike for a couple of hours and began prepping my mind for tomorrows departure.

When dinner came around, Sarah made the most amazing meal. A nice southern, inspired dinner with beans, cornbread, veggies from the garden and homemade iced tea. After dinner I played a little more with Tucker and before I knew it, it was bedtime.

The next day as interesting. Thad and I blew a tube before I left and that gave us more time to talk and put off the inevitable... my departure.

Eventually I did leave, I was a little sad and hesitant to say goodbye. The Lee's are great people.

Next

I left Troutville Park at around 7:30 and rode to the nearest McDonalds. I had breakfast and filled my bottles with their version of Gatorade. They had a television on there, so I watched a little ESPN. After about 20 minutes, I got back on down the road. Since I am still in VA, I am still going up and down these hills. The fact that there is so much history, nature and wildlife here makes it a lot easier. Earlier today I saw two unusual squirrels, one black and the other was brown with a black underbelly and feet. When I stopped at the local store, I was told that they were actually quite common.

This particular store I stopped at is right on the Trans America Bike trail, so the people here are used to seeing bikers come in. They told me that I was welcome to into the back room, eat something and then take a nap. I was considering doing just that when I see to other cyclists come in. They appear to be heading west (like me) so we start talking. The two cyclists are Nick and Kristin and are actually a newly married couple from Maryland. They are actually moving out to the Bay Area, so they figured they would ship their stuff out and ride their bikes. They are calling it, their “Honeymoon”. They are very nice and we hit it off immediately. We decide to ride together and get a campsite in Christiansburg, which is about 28 miles away. We are still in the hills, so it’s going to be a little challenging to make it before nightfall. Nick and Kristin are riding Trek touring bikes and they have a good pace going. I don’t have as many gears and I am really loaded, so I try to act like its no big deal, but I have to work to keep up with them. I tell them at a rest stop, “Don’t wait for me if I fall behind, I’ll just see you at the campground”. Not too much longer, I have a mishap with my bike and I have to stop to kind of put her back together. I don’t see Nick and Kristin again until about 8:30 PM at the campsite.

Only after I ride all over town looking for this campground, I decide to stop and ask someone. I see a pawn shop and I look inside, I always look inside pawn shops. I hear someone tell me to come inside so I do. I meet the owner, Dave Strathy. Dave is a nice guy who upgrades my camera for me and then gives me directions to the campground. He tells me I am going in the wrong direction and that it is about 4.6 miles in the other direction. After talking to Dave for a while, I decide to start heading for camp. It’s all uphill, of course. After a little while, I arrive and find Nick and Kristin in their tent trying to stay away from the mosquitoes. When I show up they come and we talk for some time, exchange information, and I tell them that I won’t be leaving with them in the morning.

So far...

So far I have slept in 3 motels, 3 campsites, 2 houses, 1 city park, 1 state park. I have inhaled approximately 2 flies, umpteen mosquitoes, a bunch of gnats and aphids. I have gotten rained on a total of 4 days (at least 3 hours each day). I have met some really awesome people, here are a few of them... Juanita - Willis Church, Pastor Lewis - Richmond, Mary and Laura - Radford, James Martin aka "The Computer Doctor" - Fairfield, June Curry aka "The Cookie Lady" - Afton, Frances Ramann - Charlottesville, Boris Grogg - Oakland, Thad and Sarah - Radford, Nick and Kristin - Maryland, Rafu Patel - Radford, Dave Strathy - Christiansburg, and all the wonderful people of VA. It has been truly amazing. So far, 99% of my interactions with the people here have been positive ones.

The Reason for the Ride

Just wanted to thank all of you out there for reading and following along. I just want to say for the record, this trip has been great so far and I have met some truly interesting and great people. However, this trip is all about homeless teens and families. With your help, we can make a difference together. Go to the website: www.gowestusa.org and make a donation. I'll ride the bike, you just keep coming with your prayers, email, calls and blog comments. I am not trying to sound like a presidential candidate, but together we can make a difference.

Puttin' My Time in the Saddle

I did my laundry last night at the Cookie Lady’s house and I have to wait for it to dry before I can leave. I anxiously wait for the sun to come up and while I am waiting, I perform some much-needed maintenance on my bike. I meet some really nice cyclists while working outside and we talk for almost ½ hour. I am still hearing stories about what I have waiting for me as I enter what could be my most difficult day thus far. The road from the Cookie Lady’s house seems to go straight up and up and up, then there is a turn and I cross my fingers hoping that it will level off, but no such luck. I continue this climb as I enter the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is beautiful, and has been well worth the grueling climb getting up here… at least that is what I think until about 3:45. That’s when it starts to rain. After it starts it doesn’t stop until about 7:30 the next day. I continue riding and stop at a visitor’s center – trying to wait out the storm. After I see the the rain has no intention on moving on, I take off towards my next camp site. A place called "Sherando Lake" is going to be my home for the night. The problem is, its still raining and I still have to go up. Up and up before I can come down to Lake Sherando. I finally get there right before dark, I am wet, tired and hungry. I meet a couple of really nice Rangers who did me a nice favor and made a $20 donation. I talk with them for awhile and get directions for the next day and then I head to my camp site. Too tired to make a meal, I eat Dorito's, a honey bun, some potato chips and have a gatorade as my beverage. Its still raining and I am so tired so I just set up my tent, crawl inside and go to sleep.

The next day, I ride and ride trying to make it to Buchanan (pronounced Buck-Ann-An). Its about 70 miles away and it doesn't look like I am going to make it as I stop at a Chinese Buffet and stuff myself in a small town called Stuart' Draft. I don't really feel like getting back on the bike afer that meal, but I do it anyhow. I continue my roller coaster ride through Virginia and after about 4 hours I stop in a town called Fairfield and meet the "Computer Doctor", James Martin. James lets me set up my computer, get on his network and... blog. He has a very nice shop, the nicest one I have ever seen. It is setup kind of like a coffee shop, he has a big conference area and table there if you want to hold a meeting and they have drinks and the best chocolate. I stay for an hour or two and get back on the road.

After a few more hours, I reach Buchanan and then continue on to Troutville. Once in Troutville, I set up my tent in the famous, Troutville Park. I meet the sheriff and the Park Supervisor and the fire department. It seems like a very nice town and they let me use the showers in the Fire House. All in all, this was a very good day!