This is Katie's new bike (I think she needs to clean that chain!) and just today she noticed the little "Ride and Smile" message - or maybe it just appeared there today as a good reminder for me. As my blog title today indicates, I'm running low on energy. We had a 65 mile ride today with nice surface, just about all flat, sometimes a shoulder, sometimes no shoulder, sun but not hot, our companion the wind, and minimum traffic. However, it was a difficult ride for me. I had to stop myself (every 15 minutes) from checking the odometer to see how many more miles.
Please tell me you can see the dew on the grass...Katie couldn't believe I wanted to stop and take a picture of the dew. Her comment was "what, you don't have dew in Oconomowoc?"! It reminded me of the song "Morning Has Broken".
I thought this was interesting...it actually was kind of a swamp/stream, but the reflection of the trees in the water was cool. Most of the scenery today was non-descript. This may have been the first day when I had to actually look for things to take pictures of. Not meaning to complain, I believe we have been in Texas for 19 days and it has been 18 days of beauty!
On straight, flat roads like today, I can spot the SAG (supplies and support) wagon a mile or two down the road. It is always a welcome sight that appears about every 20 miles. A few times when I really wanted to see it, it was a "mirage" instead. What a disappointment. The trunk is open and loaded with fresh cold water, fruit, and snacks.
Meet Shelley, our SAG driver today (and every 4th day). Shelley is directionally challenged and we shutter when we get our cue sheets (and she is driving for the day) if there are too many left and right turns. She does great on the straight aways, but oh those turns can confuse her. Her nickname is Canada....of course cause she is from Canada!
Our newest flower, spider lilies, are found along the roadside.
Meet "Miss Kitty", owner of the Pinewood Inn where we are staying. She is very southern and when we asked where the post office was she said "just a stone throws that way". She told me "honey, y'all goin like your room". The broken mirror saga....last night I walked to Walmart in hopes of finding a bike mirror - they only had one kind, probably for kid's bikes, for $5.97 - but I bought it anyways. I had to do some engineering to make it work for my bike - but what do you know - all day today I had a mirror that actually worked! It's amazing the things you can fix when you have to!
Miss Kitty's (not the owner, but the bridge group) thought for today:
Spirit has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle.
My thought.....I just need a little more spirit!!!! Still loving the trip....just needing a little more get up and go.
We be making a run for the border tomorrow....We cross into Louisianna at mile 35!!!!
Keep pedaling forward Mom. You can do it...you have the strength, plus the support of hundreds! I will be praying for you tomorrow. Hope you get a good night sleep at Miss Kitty's place. Love - Jason
ReplyDeleteHi Patti, Hope the Energizer Bunny found you. I might email you a picture of our spring flowers--they were covered with snow Thursday AM!! Keep up the good work--you are doing great. Enjoy your blog so much. I just thought the wind would be from the west and push you right along. How wrong I was!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Karen
Took Betsy and Adam on a short bike ride around the neighborhood this afternoon and I couldn't hardly make it up a tiny hill. I had to laugh out loud as I thought of you going up mountains! You might be tired but what you are doing is amazing - you are entitled to feel tired for a day but keep going!!! Take care,
ReplyDeleteTamie
I saw John Kleinschmidt at a funeral Thursday (Lisa's step-father died). He was telling someone about your trip, but he wasn't aware of your blog, so I sent the "address" to him. You know that he'll love reading about your adventure. I can't believe that you have the time or energy to tell your stories at the end of the day...sooo enjoyable on this end!
ReplyDeleteDear, dear Patti. Am catching up with your blog .... aside from the fantastic journey you are physically embarking on, this wonderful, "publishing worthy" journal is fabulous! I have so enjoyed and am ashamed for not being a better correspondent. Your postcard was wonderful and glad you all enjoyed our Texas wildflowers. We did what we could to make your "visit" spectacular! I have kept meaning to ask ... when you get to the coast, will Van be there? Can't imagine how everyone has missed you .... such stories for your grandchildren!!! They will even filter over to our grandchildren!!! Take care of you ... such an amazing and enviable journey .... Love, Leah
ReplyDeleteHi Patti
ReplyDeleteJan and Don Schmidt have been following your blog and they are in Fla and she e-mailed this to me.
"Just went through Patti's blog. We saw a woman this morning while biking that resembles one of the women in the picture. We also saw a van marked "Womens Bike Tours" and thought it could be them. Of course Patti would not be with them as she is flying into Pensacola today They probably took the ferry over from Dauphen Island. Will have to ask Patti if this is the route they were on." So was this your gruop??
Great to see you again and praying for safety this last leg of the trip.
Love Donna R.