Monday, June 21, Day 46
Pueblo to Canon City, Colorado (50 miles)

We had to pit stop at Walmart to replenish some of our water and snacks. We had a late start because the store wasn’t a 24 hour store and it didn’t open that early.
On the original schedule, we would have arrived in Pueblo today and Tuesday would have been a rest day. We are going forward and will rest when it’s time and we will know when that time has come.
Guess what???
We are getting into the Rocky Mountain foothills. Lots of long climbs up and up and up.
Tonight, in Canon City, we are at 6000 feet of elevation. Temperatures are near 100 and the winds are tough.

Sunday, June 20, Day 45
Haswell to Pueblo, Colorado (90 miles)

This is Steve’s and my first full day riding alone. Because of the change, our ride today will take us to City Park in Pueblo. If we had stuck to the schedule, we would have made Pueblo tomorrow, Monday. The actual mileage was 94 and this was in almost 100 degree temperatures.
We met a Korean national, MOO, on his way to Kansas. They sure will have fun with that name.
We bumped into a couple from Augusta, Kansas in the Sugar City Café. The food was okay and the waitress thought she was a comedian (she wasn’t). The couple we met were Connie and Bob Chance. They were a delight to talk to.
At the end of their meal, these wonderful people made a $25.00 donation to VetDogs. Despite a couple of occasions where people weren’t so nice, it certainly made our day to have made the acquaintance of these great people.

Saturday, June 19, Day 44
Tribune, Kansas to Eads, Colorado (60 miles)

There is a little change in plans that I will explain..
First off, the day started with a fog blanketing the landscape that lasted until nearly 11am.
A brisk Northeast wind helped us along at times producing bike speeds of nearly 25mph in short bursts..
We made it to Eads, Colorado, so we are officially out of Kansas. I said I would explain the change in plans.
Steve and I had a discussion and we shared our thoughts with Jerry and Phyllis. We would like to speed up the process so that we don’t spend almost 90 days on the road. I’m a little home sick and am missing my family, Terri and the beagles. Steve agreed that he would like to do more miles and get to Oregon faster. We told Jerry and Phyllis our thoughts and we agreed mutually to split up. Steve and I are leaving Eads, our original destination and doing an additional 20 miles into a place called Haswell.
Jerry and Phyllis are remaining in Eads and sticking to the original schedule.
I think this decision sits well with everyone and is the best for all involved.
I’m getting a tremendous amount of pleasure making this ride and I’m loving what I’m doing but I sure miss home.

Friday, June 18, Day 43
Scott City to Tribune, Kansas (47 miles)

I started the day driving Bill’s truck as the SAG person. This allowed Bill to ride with Jerry. Sadly, that didn’t last long. The wind was strong out of the north and Bill lost his legs at about the five-mile mark. At that point, Bill and I exchanged places and I was once again riding with Jerry.
Despite the strong wind out of the north, I had good legs and was moving along at a good clip. My start was slow, but just got better and better.
We got to Tribune and made a decision. Because of the high heat and the threat of severe weather, Steve and I took a room at the motel where Jerry, Bill and Phyllis were staying. The room rate of $39.95 wasn’t bad…but the rate was for a double bed.
No, I’m not that lonely!!! Though I am a little homesick.

Thursday, June 17, Day 42
Ness City to Scott City, Kansas (57 miles)

Today, Jerry Newman’s brother-in-law, Bill Lackey, joined us for two days of riding. We had strong winds from the south with gusts to almost 40mph. I was physically blown off the road on two occasions.
The temps were bad, too. Reaching to almost 100 degrees. The ride was like going up hill the entire day.
Nothing of interest to report with one exception and that happened in the evening after the day’s ride. We had a birthday party for Jerry who is now 71 years young.
Bill paid for the party and it was a very sweet thing for him to do.
Almost forgot to mention we are riding with a couple from New Zealand, Fred and Barbara. He’s 78 and Barbara is 77. How about a round of applause for our guests.
They are riding a tandem bike (two people on one bike).
These two are so incredibly happy and very gracious.
Sure enjoyed our conversations.
Hey…how ‘bout a round of applause for us….we passed the 2,000 mile mark. Two thousand miles in 42 days works out to an average of 48 miles per day. Wow. I’m impressed.

More pictures of Fort Larned and a farmer…

Wednesday, June 16, Day 41
Larned to Ness City, Kansas (65 miles)

Today was an easy ride. Early clouds gave way to sunny skies and the temperatures continued to rise as we pushed on.
We made a stop at Fort Larned on the way out of town. It’s about five miles outside Larned. We pedaled along and took a break for a cup of coffee in Rush Center, Kansas. We met a local farmer who was well into his eighties but managed to work a 5,000-acre farm on a daily basis. He was working with his sons.
The landscape in Kansas is the same, mile after mile of corn, soy and wheat. One wheat field I clocked on my odometer. It was five miles long. I tried to stop at a church and go inside. Yes, this trip is doing something to me. I’m not sure which way it’s going but the pull if very strong. We are tented in the city park at Ness City. There’s a girls softball game in progress and this is the 2nd game. The sun is going down.
Life is grand and simple. That’s what it boils down to!!!

Tuesday, June 15, Day 40
Sterling to Larned, Kansas (55 miles)

We are departing Sterling after having a hearty breakfast. This is one of those very unique situations where there are no stops on this 55-mile ride for water or food. We stocked up on snack bars and water and got going praying for a smooth ride. It was incredible. So flat that our pace was easy to maintain. Thank heaven for gears on a bike.
The humidity was low with temps in the 70’s and we had a following wind of about 10-12 knots.
The highlight of the day was this dog that followed Steve and me for a mile or so. Because of the dog trailing us, we got to meet the owner. He was a local farmer who had relocated to Kansas about 30 years ago from an upstate New York family farm.
We also had a lesson in farming during our conversation. It seems that because Kansas was having exorbitant amounts of rain for about a month, the wheat crop was taking a beating. Too much rain limits the amount of protein in the wheat. At harvest, his loss would be about 20 bushels per acre.
However, the corn he planted was benefiting from the rain and would, more than likely, be a banner crop.
He mentioned, too, that the wheat crop in the United States this year would be about 12 billion bushels. To put that into perspective, each acre of wheat is capable of producing 3 thousand loaves of bread.
Another area of interest was the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge that we were riding through for a good period of the day. We saw a wide variety of birds, some big, some small, very colorful and just a joy to watch. We saw a white tail deer dart out of the brush, pass in front of our bikes at a distance and leap over a six foot fence. The deer’s leap over the fence was as easy as us jumping over a stone. A real elegant animal.
Eat your heart out, Mike Joyce.

Monday, June 14, Day 39
Newton to Sterling, Kansas (64 miles)

A little nightmare of a day. It rained Saturday night into an almost all day rainfall on Sunday. So, we leave Newton with overcast skies and remaining drizzle and occasional steady rain.
The route we’re following was fine until we got to an area where the road was closed because of high water that made the road impassable. While on the detour, we have to make a second detour because of a bridge out. We were able to navigate a dirt road for about five miles until we were able to hook up with our original route. This was not a fun thing to do.
Back on the route was a pleasure…paved roads and not a lot of traffic.
We stopped for lunch in Buhler. It was Ferris’ day off.
Then we were off to Sterling where we would be spending the night tenting in Sterling City Park.
We had the luxury of a pool, a hot shower and a bathroom.
It’s those little things in life that really make a difference.

More Pictures of Newton, Kansas

Sunday, June 13, Day 38
Rest day in Newton, Kansas (0 miles)

Saturday, June 12, Day 37
Eureka to Newton (74 miles)

The humidity is up again with temperatures in the eighties. The sky is overcast and we have variable winds up to 15 mph.
Our ride started after a good breakfast and we were headed for Rosalia. We were scheduled for a 2nd breakfast and water replenishment there. That would be the approximate 20 mile marker into the day’s lengthy ride.
Much to our dismay, the only store in town is closed down. This is a more common occurrence we see as our ride progresses. Many of these towns have a very “tired” look. Many businesses, that once thrived, are closed but hopefully will be able to recover. Store fronts vacant…rent me signs everywhere. No jobs, few jobs, the prospect is grim.
It appears that you have to be closer to better lines of communication to survive. Being near an interstate or major East/West or North/South road is beneficial.
Our dilemma was that we were short on food and drink and weren’t really sure what we would find at our next potential stop.
We got to a town called Cassoday.
http://cassodaybikerun.com/
We are looking for water replenishment and a great meal.
We found both, a great meal and a multitude of entertainment..
We got involved with a group of local cowboys. You know, those guys that make sure we have good meat on the table. Yes, those guys that do the cowboy thing.
Those guys that take care of the cattle that ensures our prominence in the world meat market. Those guys that give us the incredible steaks and ribs and food that we die for.
Prime Rib is my nemesis. Rare, prime rib is heavenly.
Their age range from 20 to 50.
Their condition from great to superb.
Their bodies…very incredibly rippled and emblazoned with strength.
Much like mine LOL!!!
We still had 38 miles of road to cover through this day.
Back to no stores for food and water. Wonder if there were stores last year or two years ago???
The saving grace was a flat and smooth road that was straight as an arrow and led us into the confines of Newton.
We witnessed mile after mile of open fields, fields of cattle grazing, horses grazing, and miles and miles of oil derricks. What a difference in the land and it’s usage!!!
It was a chore…the last part of the trip. We made it. and were delighted with Newton and this was an overnight with the next day off. Good thing, too, because it rained all night and most of our off day. A great day to take a rest!!!

Friday, June 11, Day 36
Chanute to Eureka (65 miles)

Today was interesting because we had a logistics problem. We had to travel long distances without a stop for food or water. One distance was 35 miles and the other was 22 miles.
Late into our ride, we stopped into a deli (yes, that’s what the sign said) in Toronto. The owner, Dan, told me he grew up in Sayville on Long Island. Meeting him was a big plus.
Steve and I ordered lunch. You know the saying that living in New York is living in the fast track. Having Dan make our lunch in Toronto is very much in the “slow” track…the very slow track. It took him almost a half hour to make two sandwiches with his own bare hands and with no one else in the store. We got our bill and whaled out of town.
We had 19 miles left on today’s journey. This time was spent on US54 that had maybe a three to three and a half foot shoulder. Trucks and cars were flying by us doing 65-70 mph.. To make matters worse, I had a flat on my trailer tire. Lucky that Steve was close by to lend a hand
We were ecstatic when we pulled into Eureka.

On the road, Thursday, June 10th, we stopped in Girard for our 2nd breakfast. Some pictures are attached.

Thursday, June 10, Day 35
Pittsburg to Chanute (58 miles)

Today, Steve was like a kid waking up on Christmas morning and seeing tons of presents under the tree. His elation this day was the first “Starbucks” in 1,600 miles. The Super 8 we stayed at has courtesy coffee in the lobby, but Steve passed in anticipation of a triple venti latte. The big moment came at 7am when the store officially opened. Steve was in his happy little world for almost a half hour.
Our ride was very nice. Winds were from the south so was pushing our left side as we headed west. Our first stop was in Girard where we had our second breakfast. We stopped at a little farmer’s restaurant nestled in an old town square that was well manicured.
The owner of the restaurant was a sweetheart. We requested an opportunity to sign her bike book, but she didn’t have one. She did when we left and our group was the first to sign.
We passed through Walnut (population 221) and we blinked and almost missed seeing the town. We headed into Chanute and located the local Super 8 that would house us that night. Our original intention was to camp out but the threat of really bad weather convinced us to seek shelter for the night. It definitely would not be a fun tent night. Check out the Osa & Martin Johnson Safari Museum
http://www.safarimuseum.com/their_story.htm

Wednesday, June 9th, Day 34
Ash Grove, Missouri to Pittsburg, Kansas (68 miles)

Last night, we had a severe thunderstorm with lightning strikes all around. We were tented in the local park and the police were aware of our presence. They came to us and suggested we head to the “safe house” the park had just for these kinds of emergencies.
We did that and after about a half hour, we were beginning to feel uncomfortable about leaving our equipment unattended, so we headed back to our camp. The rain had subsided. We went to sleep only to wake up around six in the morning with more rain and more lightning.
We got a late start leaving about 9am. After we mustered our gear, we headed to a local eatery for a hearty breakfast before hitting the road. I had mentioned earlier that my eating habits had to change because my body needed more food (and different kinds) to sustain the ride. We are burning on average anywhere from 6,000 to 9,000 calories per day. You ask what is a hearty breakfast??
First off, we usually have two breakfasts.
The first breakfast this morning (and this has become a daily thing), I had …
2 biscuits with gravy
Hash Browns
A Big Slice of Ham
Oatmeal
Milk
Coffee
A couple of hours on the road, then we stop for a second breakfast.
We have reached the end of the Ozarks. About 25 miles into the ride, there was a dramatic change. The mountains were now behind us and nothing but flat road lay ahead.
We made a pit stop in Golden City, Missouri and went to what was revered as “the bikers favorite food stop,” Cookies. The food sure was good, but the pie took the cake. Incredibly delicious.
I parked my bike in front of Parkers Barber Shop when we headed to Cookies for lunch. Upon my return, I met the owner/barber, Stanley Parker, who was curious about the bike and the outfit I was wearing. Seems that Stanley has been in the same shop and cutting hair for 54 years. He was cutting the hair of his boyhood friend…they went to school together.
There was no cell phone service in Golden City. Stanley was kind enough to allow me to use his phone to make a call. When I offered to pay him, he refused. Just another nice person that we’ve met along the way.
We continued our journey and stayed overnight in Pittsburg, Kansas. This is the fifth state we’ve been in since the start in May. And we just passed the 1,600 mile marker.
Below is a note that appears on the Pittsburg website…
STORM SIREN TESTING
The City of Pittsburg will begin testing its storm warning system beginning on Wednesday, March 17th, and will continue every other Wednesday through September 29th, at 12 noon. Should the weather not be favorable the sirens will not be tested and will be rescheduled for testing again in two weeks. The sirens will be sounded twice; once should be a continuous tone for storm warnings and the second should be an on/off tone for air attack warnings.
The City of Pittsburg will have spotters at each of the 12 siren locations, but encourages citizens of the community to contact the Department of Public Works at 231-4170 to report any siren that is not functioning properly.

Tuesday, June 8th, Day 33
Marshfield to Ash Grove, Missouri (49 miles)

This should be our last day on the up and down hills as we are departing the Ozark Mountains. We can say, without reservation, this stretch of road had been very demanding and has had its toll on all of us. I can say, truthfully, I am very happy to be leaving the Ozark area. Very memorable people have been part of the past several weeks and we will remember them forever. This is our last day in “Misery,” I meant Missouri and we are looking forward to Kansas. We’ve heard some very good reports about Kansas. Some gal with the name “Dorothy” had her name mentioned. LOL.
The day started warm and stayed warm most of the day.
The ending was no different from past days…the hills were close together and we had plenty of them. Some good climbs, steep, and the last two hours were very difficult.
Very hot, very humid!
We are headed for Ash Grove City Park Tenting for the night..
I had an opportunity to speak with a man named Lee who is from the U.K.
He’s riding with the “Adventure Cycling Group!”
They are following the same route we are using. Lee said he is so enjoying the ride and loving our country. It’s so nice to hear. And I’ve enjoyed his accent.

Monday, June 7th, Day 32
Houston to Marshfield, Missouri (67 miles)

The ride today has taken us almost to the end of the Ozark Mountains. There was a threat of rain from an overcast sky this morning. It was a day of endless farms and rolling hills. We had a few good climbs during the day, but we are veterans and we are tough. Nothing out of the ordinary today…just several people honking their horns and shouting at us from their open windows. What can you do???
The last four miles were tough for me…don’t think I had enough to eat. Gotta be more cautious about eating. That’s all folks for today.

More Pictures from the Eminence to Houston Ride

Sunday, June 6th, Day 31
Eminence to Houston, Missouri (45 miles)

Our stay at the bed and breakfast was over too quickly. The day of relaxation goes a long way in allowing our bodies to slow down temporarily. Said goodbye to our hosts, Clint, Jody and Ali. It was a great place to flop…soft beds…good food and some great conversations. Clint is really interested in starting a Do-It-Yourself Bike Shop. He asked many questions. Hope it works out for him and it would be a tremendous asset for bikers.
Six miles out, we stopped at Alley Springs National Park. 81 million gallons of water come out of the spring each day. There is a grist mill and waterway.
The hardest hills we would encounter this day were just outside the park. Both humidity and temperatures were lower today. It was a great day for a ride. What a difference 48 hours makes. From one of the toughest days to one of the best for riding.

Saturday, June 5th, Day 30
Emminence, Missouri

Today is a day of rest. And we don’t have to sleep in tents.

Friday, June 4th, Day 29
Centerville to Eminence, Missouri (54 miles)

The day started with fog covering the landscape. Our 6:30am start was with low humidity and it was fairly cool. Fifteen miles of tough hills and our route had no shoulders and lots of trucks passing us.
As the day progressed, the temps rose and the humidity did, too. The hills never subsided and the only flat things were the road signs. At about 25 miles, I began to experience some rear brake problems. I didn’t know the problem at first but the brake was not releasing after using it. I thought an anchor had miraculously attached itself to my bike.
The last 15 miles into Eminence was a joy. So that the rolling hills, the heat and sun made for one of our hardest days. This was also a first for bad drivers.
Bad because they were yelling at us, blowing their horns and even flashing us the bird. It made a not so joyous day even less joyous.
How sad it is that the few that dampened our day cannot compare with the wonderful people we’ve met. These few we can dismiss as having a bad day.
Our spirits are lifted because tomorrow is a day of rest. We are staying at a bed and breakfast.

Thursday, June 3rd, Day 28
Farmington to Centerville, Missouri (44 miles)

We left the firehouse saying goodbye to our new friends. Just the best as all firemen seem to be. Then onto route 221…12 miles into the trip, we were doing well except for rumble strips that make it hard to go uphill. We made a stop at the town of Pilot Knob and another stop at Fort Davidson, General Grant’s first commission..
We traveled on toward Centerville and the hills got higher. We reached the highest hill of the day that was at 1,400 feet above sea level. The downhill trek would take us directly into Centerville. I had received a phone call from the sheriff of Reynolds County, Tom Volner. He wanted to meet us and had Bob Hickman of the VFW and his friend Mike Whitmacker with him when we got to the police station. Centerville is a community with a population of 171. Sheriff Volner presented me with a check for $233.00 for VetDogs.
We had some pictures taken in the Town Square. Then Bob and Mike took the four of us to Sally’s Truck Stop for a shower and then out to dinner. We went back to town square where out tents were set up and we crashed for the night. It seems the people we meet continue to get better and better. I hope this never ends.
The temperature today was in the low eighties, the humidity was tolerable and the sunny skies accented the beautiful landscape.

Wednesday, June 2nd, Day 27
Chester, Illinois to Farmington, Missouri (51 miles)

We were under threat of severe weather…thunderstorms with hail and lightning. We went to bed with the though paramount in our minds. At about 4:30am, we could hear the storms taking hold of the surrounding area, so we made an effort to break down the camp. I now hold the world record for breaking down a tent and preparing for the worst…that was coming.
We left Chester at 7am and crossed the Mississippi River. I’ve crossed the Mississippi in prior years, but this was the firs time on a bicycle.
Once across the Mississippi, we encountered more rolling hills, and we were in Missouri.
This was our welcome to the Ozarks…rolling hills and many ups and downs.
We got into temps in the 90’s. Very hot, uncomfortable and humid.
Tough day for all…Steve and Ted got a little ahead of Jerry and Phyllis.
We stopped at the Crown Winery in Coffee. Missouri. For ten dollars each, we sat comfortably drinking our root beer and eating our lunch on the back deck looking at the vista of grapevines, bison (yes bison) and the beautiful rolling hills.
Once in Farmington, we had to find the fire house that would be our flop for the night.
Chief Meley and Captain Harris couldn’t do enough to make our stay as comfortable as possible. What wonderful people we are meeting on this journey. They realize our trip is important for several reasons and just want to be helpful.
My love for this country grows each day I’m on this trip!!!

Tuesday, June 1st, Day 26
Carbondale to Chester, Illinois (50 miles)

John and Peggy Show visited us on our off day.
Now, we are off on the trip to Chester, Illinois.
We took the levee route to Chester (home of Popeye).
It was an awesome ride…the flood plains on the land side of the levee go on for thousands of acres of soy, corn and other plantings;
This ride helps me understand the importance of the Mississippi River.
It makes me totally realize an important part of our country for hundreds of years.
There was a coal depot at the river. The importance was the unloading of coal into hundreds of Railroad cars using conveyer belts. There were barges that also were being used to transport coal.
The temperatures today were in the mid 80’s.

Monday, May 31st, Day 25
Rest Day In Carbondale, Illinois

Not enough to say. I feel totally back into reality. This mission is a personal vendetta for me to raise funds for VetDogs. I feel it’s working because I’ve had some feedback from VetDogs and the funds are becoming a reality. My strength is almost normal.

Sunday, May 30th, Day 24
Golconda to Carbondale, Illinois (63 miles)

This was a really tough day for me.
Had some food at the campground before we departed on the trip to Carbondale..
For whatever reason I had in my mind, I ate enough food for the start of the ride.
WRONG. We have been experiencing some pretty drastic rides where the amount of calories burned is astronomical. We must remain hydrated and we must have a certain amount of fats and carbs in our diet. My personal vendetta for years has been to void myself of fats and carbs. I guess that’s the mentality of someone who is genuinely concerned with trying to maintain a healthy heart by limiting the amount of fats introduced into the body.
About 10 to 12 miles into the ride today, my legs became jello like and I didn’t have the power or the where with all to continue the ride. My legs felt like lead and I was anticipating the end of the ride for Ted Swedalla. I was beginning to hallucinate and wasn’t sure if I wanted to go on.
Two things happened that turned my ride around.
A call from the VFW Hall in Centerville, Missouri.
Bob Hickman from the VFW Post 6043 wants the team to stop because he wants to meet us and his gang has a donation for VetDogs. Maybe we can do some photos.
The second and most amazing revelation happened when we sat down for lunch in Goreville, Illinois.
Jerry suggested I forget the continued lack of fat into my diet.
I had the biggest plate of chicken with lots of gravy.
In less than 30 minutes, my energy level had gone from “zilch” to “Let’s kick some ass.”
I was able to complete the last 30 miles in stellar fashion. I was back to being my old self.
Back to being the person who wants desperately to finish this ride and make some bucks for our returning veterans.
VetDogs Rules.
Guess what I had for dinner???
A big ass rib-eye steak and a good night sleep.
Semper Fi.
I’m back and going to kick some butt.
I hope it’s not yours and thanks for your support.
And, I forgot to mention, the biggest help was talking with my soul mate, Terri, who has been there from day 1. The inspiration in my life and my best friend!!!

Saturday, May 29th, Day 23
Marion, Kentucky to Golconda , Illinois (41 miles)

We stopped at the Marion Café on the way out of town and had a hearty breakfast.
It’s twelve miles to the ferry and we don’t have to be there at a specific time. Once at our destination, we hopped onto the Cave-in-Rock ferry that would take us across the Ohio River to Cave in Rock, Illinois. We are looking to hook up with Gee Jay’s Café for our second breakfast. Good Food.
Back on the road, we were still fighting hills and heat. We are staying tonight at Deer Run CG that has showers and bathrooms. We have a 63 mile ride to Carbondale tomorrow and then a day off. Everyone seems beat. The rest will be wonderful.

Friday, May 28th, Day 22
Utica to Marion, Kentucky (72 miles)

Today is a long haul and the weather is still hot and humid. Our destination is the Marion City County Park. 78 mile day…4,800 calorie burn…Jerry is having problems with his rear cassette. Today we hit 1,075 miles into our trip. Tomorrow on the way out, we will stop and see Mike at the Marion Café

Thursday, May 27th, Day 21
Rough River Dam to Utica, Kentucky (45 miles)

Another day in hell with heat and humidity (sound familiar??).
By 9am, we were going up and down hills and the sweat was pouring from our pores.
The consensus amongst us was the previous day was the worst. We all agree that this was the second part of a double header…both days equally disastrous.
As afternoon came, so did the roar of distant thunder storms that didn’t reach us. The saving grace here was a tremendous reduction in the temperature and humidity. Within two hours, we felt a lot more comfortable.
Today was a day of strict scheduling. We were given permission to use the local fire house that is locked at all times. The key we had to get from Mabel who runs J.R’s Market and she would be there until 5pm, then she’d be gone. We made it to Utica by 4pm. Picked up the key and made it to the firehouse. We were allowed to use their kitchen facility and the most welcome showers. They wanted nothing in return…they were most hospitable.

Wednesday, May 26th, Day 20
Hodgenville to Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Kentucky (57 miles)

Today was a rough day for the bikers. At 9am, it was 83 degrees and the lazy sun was climbing into the sky. The humidity has been high the past several days and this day was no exception. We actually started late because we all were anxious to visit Lincoln’s birthplace. It was on the way out of town toward our next destination but we had to wait for the park to be opened. The official name is
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park 2995 Lincoln Farm Road Hodgenville, Kentucky 42748
“My earliest recollection is of the Knob Creek place.” So wrote Abraham Lincoln on June 4, 1860 to Samuel Haycraft, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Haycraft had invited the future President to visit his childhood home in Kentucky. The Lincoln family lived on 30 acres of the 228 acre Knob Creek Farm from the time Abraham was two and a half until he was almost eight years old. Here he learned to talk and soon grew big enough to run errands such as carrying water, and gathering wood for the fires. Abraham recalled in later years numerous memories of his childhood here; a stone house he had passed while taking corn to Hodgen’s Mill; a certain big tree that had attracted his boyish fancy; the old homestead; the clear stream where he fished, and the surrounding hills where he picked berries were all impressed on his mind.
The fact that this is our 20th day since the start of the ride, and we’ve covered almost a thousand mile, we’ve not missed a turn. We broke the record today and missed our first turn that cost us major lost time. The error cost us an hour and added eight miles to our 57 mile ride.
As the day progressed, the temperature rose and the humidity peaked and we were stopping every six miles or so for water and food breaks. I bet we consumed over 4 gallons of water between the four of us.
We had some overcast and small sprinkles of rain. We did one river crossing at Rough River about 15 miles from Rough River Dam. It was great going down but the return upwards was not to be believed. Three tier rise of 2 hills, the first about 15 degrees and the last almost 20 degrees…it was a killer. Talk about panting like a dog in heat. Our goal now was just to make it to camp. We were successful but had several additional hills to navigate. Needless to say, we had four very tired and weary bikers in need of rest. Good Night!!! By the by…we are in the central time zone now.

Tuesday, May 25th, Day 19
My Old Kentucky Home S.P. to Hodgenville, Kentucky (45 miles)

Today’s ride was uneventful, thanks. Temps were in the 80’s again, humidity was up there but it was a nice and easy ride. Good friends, rolling hills, just a part of the magnificent country we live in. So happy to be able to see things in a different perspective.
We made it into Hodgenville by 2pm. We are staying at LaRue County Park (no charge) and are looking to bed down early. We are near the tennis courts and there is a little league baseball game being played at the nearby ball field.
Everyone you see has a smile.

Monday, May 24th, Day 18
Chimney Rock, Kentucky to Bardstown, Kentucky (55 miles)

Holy smakers…talk about hot. 7:00am was very hot as we were leaving camp. We made a breakfast stop in Burgin…good grits. Burgin is a picturesque community steeped in tradition and history. Established in 1877, Burgin continues to grow because of its hard working citizens and their urge to welcome others..The ride was okay except for the blazing sun, a temperature near 90 and high humidity. It was a little bit of a problem staying hydrated. There was very little wind to cool us as we rode.
Stopped for lunch at a quaint country store that had been a home and now was a store.
Grandma and Grandpa behind the counter. Their daughter, with a small baby in tow, was available to help.
They were very accommodating and lunch was terrific. The rest of the day saw us traveling on US62, a rolling expanse of countryside dotted with many hills and a lot of traffic. The most we’ve seen thus far.
We made it to Bardstown and settled in at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Had more food and then off to the sleeping bag. Oh, did I tell you it was HOT!!!

Sunday, May 23rd, Day 17
Berea, Kentucky to Chimney Rock RV Park (45 miles)

What a perfect day…what? Good temps, good skies, good roads…perfect.
And to make it more better, a support team other than our own support..
Roger and Charleen Jones. Good weather with temps in the 80’s and a moderating humidity.
Roger and Charleen took our equipment and made our ride a bit easier.
This couple did more for our disposition (and or course their help with our logistics)
And it was a delight.
We are the ones that chose this endeavor.
The support teams are those who made a decision to help us along the way.
We cannot say how much we appreciate their involvement. You guys are great
We thank you for your concern for our endeavor and thank you for being Americans.
Our countryside is magnificent. We are now seeing horse farms and cattle.
The surrounding farms with rolling hills and explosive countryside is mind boggling.
Beyond explanation.

Saturday, May 22nd, Day 16
Rest Day In Berea

…And on the seventh day!!!! We rested!!!

The adventure is about to continue. We are looking forward to getting back on the road and into a routine. Our stamina and ability to go from day to day is increasing. We are very confident about the ride and look at our day to day routine. We are stronger and eager to make this journey memorable in more than one way.
But just like any marriage, there are problems.
This is a major problem. There have been times when I questioned if I could ride with others who have more experience than me.
Today, we had to ask Terri to leave the ride. We have a vendetta and a schedule and if someone in the group is not able to maintain the pace, decisions have to be made.
Terri is a wonderful person and a great rider. We have to consider the team and it’s a tough ride that most people would look at in their dreams. This is not a dream…this is a reality that we want to see through to fruition.
It was a mutual decision started by a discussion between Phyllis and Terri.
I’m very sad about this but glad somewhat about the decision.
At the end of our ride today, all those involved will be better off.
I got my first haircut (what hair are you talking about???).

Friday, May 21st, Day 15
Booneville to Berea, Kentucky (58 miles)

We started from the place we squatted at last night…only to be greeted by overcast skies and some drips…from the sky. This might have been leftovers from the previous day when we had much rain.
The mile hill out of town was a wonderful way to start our day. It sorta piqued our interest in having some breakfast. Food now is a very welcomed part of our day that helps sustain the ride we are making.
We made good time despite the many ups and downs we experienced during our trek toward Berea. Some ups and downs were very sharp meaning we had to be very aware of the terrain to avoid injury. It was okay and we arrived in Berea mid-afternoon.
We settled into a Super 8 that would provide us safe haven for two days because tomorrow is a rest day, thank you.
We are so hyped to visit town tomorrow to see what it’s like in Berea, Kentucky.
Have no idea what to expect, but looking forward to our tour.
Tonight we are having Mexican Food.
I heard there are explosive virtues that enhance bike riding.
Uh, Oh…we aren’t riding tomorrow.
Who’s rooming with who???

Thursday, May 20, Day 14
Hindman to Booneville, Kentucky (65 miles)
Another rough ride over hill and dale…we had hoped for more dales, but there were six, I said six major elevations or more commonly called hills. What’s that expression???
Holy Mackeral or is it the other Holy???
You know what they say, the strong survive. And we are getting stronger. Two of the major hills were within 5 miles of Booneville.
On our ride today, we passed through a community called Dwarf. See Phyllis and Ted in the attached picture
The town was named for Daniel Boone. The town, consisting at the time of little more than a temporary log courthouse, became the county seat when Owsley County was formed on May 20, 1844. During the civil war, Booneville was a crossroads for various Union and Confederate regiments, and was threatened by Confederate guerrillas, but avoided the destruction that befell some other county seats of Kentucky during the war.
When we arrived, we went to the site of our overnight – The Booneville Presbyterian Church. We actually squatted in the courtyard. Cold Showers and Port-O-Potty (that was the squatting).
End result of the hilly ride…I lost my rearview mirror. Thankfully, Steve had a spare and loaned it to me until we reach Berea tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 19, Day 13
Breaks Interstate Park to Hindman, Kentucky (67 miles)

Not much to say about this day. Another day of hills…much hard climbing. We passed through showers as the day progressed. Saw tons of coal trucks as we traveled the roads we classified as really “tough.”
We left Virginia and are in Kentucky.
We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in Hindman run by Dave…$25.00 for the night…4,000 feet elevation.

Hindman, Kentucky, was named in honor of James P. Hindman, Lieutenant Governor when the town was founded in 1884. Hindman is the birthplace of Carl D. Perkins, the Knott County Congressman known for working to better the lives of Appalachian residents.

Tuesday, May 18, Day 12
Rosedale to Breaks Interstate Park, VA (52 miles)

Another tough day of hills (mountains, I should say). The ride started out in the rain and ended with more rain. Combine the ups and downs with grades in excess of 15 percent, the inclement weather and we can safely say the ride was difficult. This area of the country is a depressed area but the unfolding beauty of the surrounding country is worth a million dollars. The disposition of those we meet along the way is cheerful and happy. It seems a personal vendetta for them to make your day a pleasure.
All the drivers we’ve encountered along the way have extended road courtesy to us especially the “Big” rig drivers.
The end of our run this day culminated in a deluge of water we classified as ‘buckets’ of rain. This was as we are entering Breaks Interstate Park. The facilities we discovered were excellent and the park itself is magnificent.

It’s 8:30…I’m beat…and will be happy to bed down for the night.

Monday, May 17, Day 11
Damascus (Marion) to Rosedale, Virginia (30 Miles)

We left the Hungry Mother State Park (a lovely facility with a super bathroom, showers and a great place to crash for a day or two) and headed the same way Horace Greeley did years before…West. We stopped in Marion on the way out for breakfast and stayed on Route 11 heading toward Rosedale Campground.
It wasn’t long before the fun started…more hills, up and down, up and down, up and down…you get it??? We went through Hayters Gap and passed over the Holston River and then we started the climb up Clinch Mountain…
1,500 feet, 2,000 feet, 2,500 feet, 3,000 feet, 3,500 feet…the climb was about 3-1/2 miles. It was the toughest climb to date. …and it was not exactly fun. But it was.
We were seeing some of our country we would never see again. It is something etched into our brains forever. Incredible and beautiful.
We all reached the top amidst cheers of encouragement from one another.
The ride down was very steep and I made an error braking too much and managed to blow out my front tire. A local man, Kenneth, stopped to help me. He loaded me into his pickup and I shared a seat with his two dogs.
I called my brother in law, Phil, and he is sending me three new tubes and tires.
Tonight we are housed at the Elk Garden Methodist Church. Brother Bob opened the church for us to berth in overnight.
The more time I spend in Virginia, the more I love Virginians