Wha)t a beautiful day today, in every way. I don't believe the temperature broke the eighty degree (27-28 degrees C). The winds were light, the roads were some of the best that we have had, the traffic was minimal, there were no significant climbs and the scenery was georgeous. What more could one ask for. God is good!
I actually slept in this morning until 5:30am. I think my body was trying to tell me it still needed a little bit of recuperating time from the past two weeks of putting in long mileage. It didn't matter too much. Everyone else slept in too and so what! We were only going 132 km. (82 miles today, no big deal right.
We were still able to get away by 6:40am which is only about ten minutes later than what we have been doing. Ed (Witvoet) the tour coordinator had marked out the first half of the trip for us with spray paint on the road to indicate all the turns that we had to make. That is such a life saver for us as our maps for the day coming out of Madison had us making about 20 turns onto different streets and country roads. I'm sure we would still be out there trying to find our way. Even with the markings our group gets "lost" one or two times a day thanks to our trustworthy navigator John. For example, today we went straight through an intersection instead of turning right and ended up on this country road that quickly became a bush road and suddenly came to a dead end at a lake. In John's defence I must say I don't mind it at all. It is an opportunity to stop and talk to the locals to get directions and then tell them about what we are doing. At this lake were two ladies fishing and so we stopped and talked to them for a bit, handed them Sea to Sea cards and then were on our way again. Never the less, Thanks Ed for the super job you and the rest of the SAG drivers do for us! We appreciate it very much.
Shortly into the trip, we spotted some sand hill cranes in the wheat stubble along the road. A few were flying. These are huge, majestic, light brown coloured birds that must have a wing span of over four or five feet. A few miles further there was a field where there were literally hundreds of them. Quite a sight to see. I spotted one in a tree along the road and quickly pulled over to the side of the road to take a picture while the rest of the group continued on their way. I didn't mind a bit. You see, I learned a little lesson last week about stopping (or not, as was the case). I had just crested the top of a hill and had started down the other side when there perched on a sign right along the road was the largest hawk I have ever seen. It wasn't more than ten feet away from me. What a majestic sight. It didn't budge a bit as I passed by five feet away. I'm sure I could have stopped and taken a picture, but I HAD TO build up speed and get down the hill. I'm still kicking myself about that one. Sometimes we are so busy in life trying to GET THERE where ever there is that we don't stop to take in and enjoy the journey of life. That's what I did with that hawk. I was in too big a hurry to take the time to enjoy the beauty of the moment.
About 25 miles into our journey this morning John spotted a MacDonald's along the road and that could mean only one thing. We had to stop for a "seniors" coffee. John can't pass one by without stopping. It's a bit like Tim Hortons are for some of us back in Canada. Anyway, we needed a break. Remember, we are here to enjoy the journey and stopping is part of that journey.
At the little town of Delavan, some 80 km. (50 miles) into our journey, we were treated to a lunch of beef on a bun, sloppy joes, salads, chips, etc. and brownies with ice cream at the local CRC. It was SUPER! It is so nice to be treated this way and have opportunity to talk to the people.
Shortly thereafter, we noticed some people sitting at the side of the road with a sign welcoming the Sea to Sea cyclists with a cooler of water there. We stopped and quickly realized that the individuals were handicapped who lived in a home called Inspiration Ministries. They had heard that we were coming through and wanted to do this for us, bless their hearts. Susan, Chuck, Sarah and Donna were so excited that we stopped. We talked with them for a bit and then all had our pictures taken with them. You should have seen the huge smiles on their faces. We made their day but you know what, they made ours too. I think we were more blessed by them than they by us. I know I was.
They wanted us to take a ride through their nature trail and we were more than happy to do so. What fun it was going down this narrow paved trail through the woods. At one point this big sunflower plant crossed the path. Barb went through it and let it whip back into my face, laughing all the way. We were both laughing so hard that I missed a turn and went right into the corn field. No damage done, just a lot of laughs. And so our day went. Just a beautiful day for a beautiful ride. God is certainly very good.
Well, I'm missing a peleton meeting and so until next time, take care.
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2 comments:
Louis,
What a great idea, spray painting on the road so everyone knows without a doubt where to turn! Applause to Ed Witvoet, for doing this! But just the same, a hearty Hi to your "navigator", John Vandersteen! Sometimes it's good to leave the route and head down the "road less travelled". And if there's a lake at the end, and it's another one of those humid days, that could be refreshing! I think that Gayle would concur!
I hope that John is back in fine form after his accident! A cracked helmet is a hard fall, and temporarily foregoing the lead, speaks for itself.
Remember that song...Sign, sign, everywhere a sign...?
Still, concern and prayers for the safety of the Sea to Sea cyclists is ongoing, is far and wide, also for those who have earlier, or since, left the tour due to falls and injuries that have required immediate medical attention. As you've attested to, things can take a turn so quickly, as we read once again, with Eritia Smit.
Glad somebody got the licence plate info, and that the police caught up with the driver! I hope too, that Eritia, whose blog I just read for the first time, is back on track again. God speed to you, Eritia! Resting in Sioux Centre at Barb's, seems nothing short of providential too!
Sorry to read about Donald's fall and resulting collar bone break. A truck bearing down from behind, and loose gravel up ahead does not bode well for anyone. And isn't that, often enough, a daily challenge on the road for many a cyclist? How disappointing for him, when he was counting on riding the last two weeks from Grand Rapids with his daughter!
Prayers for healing are also extended to Donald, who joins those who have had to completly rework their mission and their Sea to Sea plans. The magnitude of grappling with that kind of disappointment can best be understood by those who have undergone such a leave taking. But they they remain in our prayers.
About the oppressive heat...I'm sure everyone appreciates any form of air conditioning they can get! The local arena must feel like one accomodating collective reprieve, when cycling long distances, through miles/kilometres of humidity!
But you're right; you can and you should stop along the way!
Have more of those "majestic sand hill crane" moments, Louie! You are in your third last week, right? The missed "large hawk" moment, coming within 5' of something so beautiful, will stay with you always...as with some of your readers!
Yup! We've all got to stop more! Even if we're not wired that way, or we're not inclined to do so!
This too, shall pass...this Sea to Sea, 2008.
I liked reading about your time with Susan, Chuck, Sarah, and Donna from Inspiration Ministries; how you made their day, but also, how they made yours!
It works that way!
Glad you had a great time at Dordt College, and that you availed yourselves of the Dutch bakery, while there! Yes! Have those "senior"(?) en route coffee moments too, when and as you need them...fuel for the road, if that's what it takes to kick start the pace, or maintain momentum. You'll get there, wherever there is...I liked that line!!!
About accidentally bumping into people? Nah! I also see that as divinely orchestrated. Those kinds of encounters are exclusively God's timing! Random serendipities and other apparent coincidentals simply don't weigh in on the same scale!
Wonderful, how Hilda and Harry Broer, Marj and Laurie Pasma, Grace Schipper and her twin sister, could meet with you all in Madison!
Hi to Andy D. and other fellow cyclists and support people from this area, and thanks too to Pete V. He keeps up a pretty informative blog with accompanying photos!
Grand Rapids, here you all come! Hopefully!
Sterkte, Louie, and may you not have any more whipping sunflowers sending you off into the cornfield!
God's richest blessings to you, and to all the cyclists, and to all the support crew, from your blog readers in and around Aylmer, St. Thomas, and London areas. Mind those forever miles, the last of the daily fifteen...Daily.
Safe travels,
Tine
Good Afternoon Louis, a little note from Andrea Knevel-Mulder in Woodstock. It is good to read your blog and get yet another perspective, you have had many amazing God Creature spottings, it causes us to stop and marvel at His handiwork doesn't it?! You are in the home strtch of an amzing journey--God Bless you and keep you safe, will see you in Woodstock, Andrea
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