Peace Rider is in the saddle again for anyone still monitoring the blogosphere for some signs of activity on this sight. Hi oh Silver and away! My new steed is an old, refurbished Schwinn my neighbor gave me.
I joined a 350SolutionsRevoltions ride already in progress. It was a good fit for a follow on to my first ride for the planet that ended in May.
Alec Neal, and Katherine Ball set out from Portland, OR in mid-August to film a documentary on local solutions to climate change. They were joined in Montana by Malcomb Boothroyd from Whitehorse. He actually began his ride from Skagway, Alaska In Edina, MN, a burb of Minneaopolis, they were joined by Paul Thompson, our sagwagon, driving a Toyota Prius.
In one of those coincidences not coincidences Malcomb is the son of Whitehorse friends I knew from flying days in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
I flew into Chicago from Fairbanks on 27 October. Paul met me at the airport thankfully, with none of those anxiety producing moments of arriving "cold turkey" in a new place.
The group had the use of an apartment for the Chicago stay. Kathy had moved out for three days to give the group a place to stay. Just one example of being cared for along the way by the generosity of friends and friends of friends.
We are in another such place this day near Toledo, Ohio the home of Becky and Dean Kasperzak, friends of Alec Neal. Yesterday we put nearly 80 miles behind us so it was slow getting going this morning. Next stop for interviews is Cleveland about 120 miles down the road, a shorter day in the offing today.
I have some inkling of where the expression "Holy Toledo" may have come from. Passing a landfill south of Detroit a roadside nail flattened my tire. Glueless patches failed thereafter and it took several attempts and an hour or so of fussing and glue down patch before the tube to held air. The delay put us into Toledo just at dark.
I should add that Malcomb is 18, Alec is 27 and Katherine 26. Paul and I are men of some vintage with me in the more elevated vintage category. At the outset I was wondering whether I could just keep up with these young folks. Luckily Paul is carrying much of our weight so the bicycles are lightly loaded. I also had two relatively low mileage days at the outset to gather strength after a four month layoff.
There must have been some residual conditioning from the earlier ride because I'm hanging in there, somewhat slower, but at least the rest of the group is still in sight at the end of the day. And after all, as Katherine said to me, they're not going to leave me behind.
It's a good mix of young and old that works well together. I am blessed to have these folks as traveling companions.
The plan is to reach DC on 15 November, spend a few days walking the halls of Congress lobbying members. Afterward, we'll leave by train for the southern coast and take a boat to Cancun or near vicinity. The latter has yet to be arranged. Several leads remain to be followed.
IF YOU CAN HELP WITH A BOAT CONNECTION ACROSS THE GULF TO PROGRESO, ON THE NORTH COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENN. LET ME KNOW.
Through contacts Katherine had developed, I have been able to volunteer with Klimaform, the climate talk organizers. Katherine and Alec are also volunteers as well as delegates to the conference. Food is provide and we will camp together in an eco-village. It should be interesting.
Malcomb is part of the Canadian youth delegation to the talks. Paul is also a delegate. I was too late to apply to attend the conference talks but I am happy to be a freelancer to go where I'm needed.
The talks run from late November thru 11 Dec.
After the talks not sure where the Universe would have me go. This is, after all, a faith walk. But have-wheels-will-travel. I plan to take my old Schwinn with me and will see, perhaps Cuba.
I will continue to add to the blog as computer access allows.
See 350Solutionsrevolutions web site for more information and a Face book page for updates on the ride progress.
Don - Peace Rider
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
End the Madness
I wrote the following article which appeared as a Community Perspective on the Opinion page of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Sunday, August 29, 2010. My title was "End the Madness." The text is unchanged from the original with the exception of one and universal, capitalized for emphasis. Editorial improvements were made to the author's punctuation.
Not all of the text appearing in the printed article was appropriately credited. That is corrected here.
*From "Target Atmospheric C02: Where Should Humanity Aim?" by James Hansen, Makido Sato et al. in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
"Spontaneous Evolution," by Lipton and Bhaerman
Changing our mental climate
We must alter our ways now.
I recently returned from a seven-month winter bike ride from Fairbanks to Washington, DC. I rode, impelled by the urgency of reigning in C02 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, motivated by the way of peace which is the way of Love. See www.ridefortheplanet.blogspot.com. To get involved see www.350.org.
In Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 97 percent of the climate researchers published in the field say man-made climate change is real.*
I spoke with those who still believe climate change is part of a natural cycle and not human caused. It lets you off the hook for doing anything about it if that's your belief. There are those, of course, who just don't know or are misinformed. But it's also convenient if your motives are money-driven and you choose to ignore all the costs to the common good from continuing our addiction to burning fossil fuels. It's the "what's-in-it-for me?" mind set that places human needs above all other considerations that must change.
Climate has changed in the past but has occurred over the course of centuries allowing living systems to adapt. The changes we are experiencing now are occurring over a relatively few decades-- too short a period of time for plants, animals and humanity to readily adapt.
Riding south through Canada, I was struck by the sight of so many dead trees. I had seen this earlier on the Kenai Peninsula but had no idea it was happening over vast areas of the Yukon, into Alberta to southern British Columbia. Later, I saw a lot more in Colorado. The winters are no longer cold enough to kill the spruce and pine bark beetle infestations causing widespread dying of trees.
Trees are the lungs of the planet, producing oxygen we need to breathe and absorb carbon dioxide. The oceans absorb some C02 but are becoming more acidic, stressing coral reefs and shell fish fisheries with consequences for long term productivity. Acidification in some Alaskan waters is already cause for concern.
Climate science is complex, but our understanding and ability to model it is better than any time in history. Perceived deficiencies in data are not a rationale for doing nothing. The present global mean of 385 ppm C02 is already in the danger zone.* Positive feedback may set in motion dramatic climate changes that cannot be controlled if humans push the climate system far into disequilibrium.* The possibility of near term return of atmospheric composition beneath the tipping level for catastrophic effects is practically eliminated with continued growth of green house gas emission for just another decade.*
Everything is connected and separation is an illusion in our quantum mechanical Universe.^ We are part of a greater field called the Source, Universe, All-That-Is, God.^ No structure or thing exists apart from it.^ Another way of putting it is we are all One. What we give to another, whether ourselves or other living things returns to the self individually or collectively because of our interconnectedness.
A "four-alarm-fire" is raging on the planet and we are sleep-walking through it. Quantum mechanics acknowledges that the observer creates the reality.^ We have created a kind of hell on Earth through our misperceptions. Perpetuating the war way and continuing our polluting, plundering and poisoning way of life on the planet is a prescription for extinction.
The good news is people are waking up. I met some of them and was greatly encouraged. A new consciousness is arising. We must change our perceptions if we are to meet the many challenges facing us. If we are to survive as a species on this planet, it will be through strategies and ways of being that foster cooperation and sharing for the greater good, not perpetuating competitive strategies that benefit a relative few at the expense of the many-- whether human or the environment.
If your heart's desire is to end the "madness," make it your intention to do so by acting on your highest thought aligned with Universal values of love, compassion, honesty, integrity, courage and kindness. All thought is creative, actually arranging the particles of matter called reality through our conscious and unconscious beliefs.^ As improbable as it may seem, it's through the power of our intention and acts of kindness multiplied a million fold and more that will end the "madness" and create a new Earth. It is time.
Don Ross, aka Peace Rider is a long time Fairbanks resident and Bush air service pilot.
Not all of the text appearing in the printed article was appropriately credited. That is corrected here.
*From "Target Atmospheric C02: Where Should Humanity Aim?" by James Hansen, Makido Sato et al. in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
"Spontaneous Evolution," by Lipton and Bhaerman
Changing our mental climate
We must alter our ways now.
I recently returned from a seven-month winter bike ride from Fairbanks to Washington, DC. I rode, impelled by the urgency of reigning in C02 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, motivated by the way of peace which is the way of Love. See www.ridefortheplanet.blogspot.com. To get involved see www.350.org.
In Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 97 percent of the climate researchers published in the field say man-made climate change is real.*
I spoke with those who still believe climate change is part of a natural cycle and not human caused. It lets you off the hook for doing anything about it if that's your belief. There are those, of course, who just don't know or are misinformed. But it's also convenient if your motives are money-driven and you choose to ignore all the costs to the common good from continuing our addiction to burning fossil fuels. It's the "what's-in-it-for me?" mind set that places human needs above all other considerations that must change.
Climate has changed in the past but has occurred over the course of centuries allowing living systems to adapt. The changes we are experiencing now are occurring over a relatively few decades-- too short a period of time for plants, animals and humanity to readily adapt.
Riding south through Canada, I was struck by the sight of so many dead trees. I had seen this earlier on the Kenai Peninsula but had no idea it was happening over vast areas of the Yukon, into Alberta to southern British Columbia. Later, I saw a lot more in Colorado. The winters are no longer cold enough to kill the spruce and pine bark beetle infestations causing widespread dying of trees.
Trees are the lungs of the planet, producing oxygen we need to breathe and absorb carbon dioxide. The oceans absorb some C02 but are becoming more acidic, stressing coral reefs and shell fish fisheries with consequences for long term productivity. Acidification in some Alaskan waters is already cause for concern.
Climate science is complex, but our understanding and ability to model it is better than any time in history. Perceived deficiencies in data are not a rationale for doing nothing. The present global mean of 385 ppm C02 is already in the danger zone.* Positive feedback may set in motion dramatic climate changes that cannot be controlled if humans push the climate system far into disequilibrium.* The possibility of near term return of atmospheric composition beneath the tipping level for catastrophic effects is practically eliminated with continued growth of green house gas emission for just another decade.*
Everything is connected and separation is an illusion in our quantum mechanical Universe.^ We are part of a greater field called the Source, Universe, All-That-Is, God.^ No structure or thing exists apart from it.^ Another way of putting it is we are all One. What we give to another, whether ourselves or other living things returns to the self individually or collectively because of our interconnectedness.
A "four-alarm-fire" is raging on the planet and we are sleep-walking through it. Quantum mechanics acknowledges that the observer creates the reality.^ We have created a kind of hell on Earth through our misperceptions. Perpetuating the war way and continuing our polluting, plundering and poisoning way of life on the planet is a prescription for extinction.
The good news is people are waking up. I met some of them and was greatly encouraged. A new consciousness is arising. We must change our perceptions if we are to meet the many challenges facing us. If we are to survive as a species on this planet, it will be through strategies and ways of being that foster cooperation and sharing for the greater good, not perpetuating competitive strategies that benefit a relative few at the expense of the many-- whether human or the environment.
If your heart's desire is to end the "madness," make it your intention to do so by acting on your highest thought aligned with Universal values of love, compassion, honesty, integrity, courage and kindness. All thought is creative, actually arranging the particles of matter called reality through our conscious and unconscious beliefs.^ As improbable as it may seem, it's through the power of our intention and acts of kindness multiplied a million fold and more that will end the "madness" and create a new Earth. It is time.
Don Ross, aka Peace Rider is a long time Fairbanks resident and Bush air service pilot.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Off the Road in Fairbanks 6/16/10
Friend (Joe) - Hey Peace Rider long time no hear from you. What happened?
PR - Sorry about that. I forgot to let folks know that I'd be out of touch for awhile. Besides that my sag wagon went on a much deserved break. It was an oversight.
F - You still plan to do something like a summary of your trip?
PR - I do but that will take a bit of time. I wanted to just let everyone know what has passed since I left Washington, DC May 18th.
F - Did you visit your friend in New York as you mentioned earlier.
PR - I did. It was great seeing him.
He and I met on a Pastor's for Peace Caravan to Cuba, in '98, as I recall. In addition to taking aid for the Cuban people it was a protest against the US embargo.
One thing I learned you don't hear about is that after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor melt down the Cuban government took in thousands of children affected by radiation poisoning and resulting cancers and treated them. We visited the clinic in Havana and met some of the children there. One of the donated items was an ambulance for the clinic.
Cuba also provides free education and medical care for its citizens which we don't. Their system may be flawed but so is ours.
The embargo hurt the average "Joe" in Cuba more that it did the government. It should be ended.
F - Where did you go after NY?
PR - I hopped on another bus headed for Toronto. From there I took the Via Rail Canadienne train to Edson, Alberta.
F - How was that experience?
PR - It was nice having a bunk for the three nights it took to get to Edson. The food was excellent. The rub came after I got off the train.
F - How's that?
PR - Somewhere between getting off the bus in Toronto and Edson my front handle bar bag took a walk. It was in my BOB trailer with some of my other stuff secured with bungee cords.
F - It could have just fallen out, eh?
PR - Yeah, it's possible but I had wedged it in pretty good. I didn't notice it missing until after I was off the train. It was well out of sight by then. The problem was that my pedals were also in that bag. I'm standing on the platform with a bicycle and no pedals, no go power. Great!
F - What'd you do?
PR - I went into the station. A CN railway worker was inside. I told him my problem. He said there's a recycling center just down the street. Check to see if any bicycles were left there. I did that but found nothing. I did talk to a man there dropping off stuff. I asked him if there was a bike shop in town? He said yes but it was likely closed. It was Sunday. And he added it will be closed on Monday, the equivalent of our Memorial Day weekend.
When I told him my problem he said why don't you check the dump there's lots of bicycles there. He gave me directions. It was not too far away.
But first I had to walk back to the station where I'd left my bike and make sure it was going to be open when I got back.
F - So how did you make out at the dump?
PR - I was pretty amazed in the end. Not only did I find bike pedals, I found the same style pedals that were on my bike minus the reflectors. I had to borrow a wrench at the dump office to get them off. But that done I walked back to the station, put the pedals on and hit the road. I'm being taken care of and grateful for it.
F - I thought you were going to visit Don Laird in Edson?
PR - I was but he took a job and was out of town. I got off there anyway, since I didn't want to lose too much conditioning when I hit the road again from Haines, AK.
F - So smooth sailing from there on.
PR - Pretty much. I visited friends made on the way down in Hinton and Jasper. I biked from Hinton to Jasper then caught the train from there to Prince Rupert.
While I was in Hinton my friend Rocky Notnes reminded me to call the newspaper for a post ride interview. I did that and Virginia Carnagham interviewed me again for an article in the Edson Leader. It also appeared in the Hinton Parklander. That was way cool to touch bases again after the trip.
F - When was that?
PR - About the 28th or 29th of May.
F- How was the train ride from Jasper.?
PR - A lovely ride through the mountains, well worth taking. We saw plenty of black bears en route. It retraced part of my bike route west. It wasn't snowing at least but Mt. Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, was obscured in clouds.
The train to Prince Rupert overnights in Prince George. I arranged in advance to stay with Warm Showers hosts Richard and Mattie Thompson.
He's a retired writer of children's books and she a soon to retire school teacher. It was really nice of them to take me in for such a short stay. I got my bike off the train to get to there house but had to make an 8:00 AM departure the next morning.
They are an amazing couple. They have never owned an automobile.
F - When did you leave Prince Rupert?
PR - I caught the ferry to Haines on 1 June and got there early on 3 June. The ferry was packed. There was a native festival happening in Juneau and people from coastal communities were traveling north to join this every two year event.
F- How was your stateroom on the ferry?
PR - My "stateroom" was on deck seven outside under the solarium. It was the least crowded and quietest place on the ship. Slept on the available reclining deck chairs. Some pitched their tents on the deck but they got rained out.
F - From Haines you biked to Fairbanks, right?
PR - That's right. I had a wonderful first night's camp high up near Chilkat Pass with a grand view of distant glaciers and mountain peaks. It was one of those less common nearly cloudless days without rain.
I made good time and got to Fairbanks on 12 June, 10 days to go 650 miles. I was crus'in.
F - Any problems?
PR - In the end no but I was warned off the road and avoided an encounter that could have been ugly.
F - You want to say more about it?
PR - Maybe sometime. But for now all I want to say is listen to that intuitive voice expressed through one's feelings.
F- What are your plans now?
PR - I'm not hanging up my sandals just yet. Another ride across the country is being planned by some folks with 350.org. I'm considering joining that in August. It would end up in DC, then train and boat to Cancun for climate talks convening in Cancun Mexico in November.
F - Seems like a good fit for you?
PR - Yeah, it does, need to sit with it awhile before I commit.
F - Talk to you again soon. Let me know what you decide.
PR - Will do!
Viajero por la paz
PR - Sorry about that. I forgot to let folks know that I'd be out of touch for awhile. Besides that my sag wagon went on a much deserved break. It was an oversight.
F - You still plan to do something like a summary of your trip?
PR - I do but that will take a bit of time. I wanted to just let everyone know what has passed since I left Washington, DC May 18th.
F - Did you visit your friend in New York as you mentioned earlier.
PR - I did. It was great seeing him.
He and I met on a Pastor's for Peace Caravan to Cuba, in '98, as I recall. In addition to taking aid for the Cuban people it was a protest against the US embargo.
One thing I learned you don't hear about is that after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor melt down the Cuban government took in thousands of children affected by radiation poisoning and resulting cancers and treated them. We visited the clinic in Havana and met some of the children there. One of the donated items was an ambulance for the clinic.
Cuba also provides free education and medical care for its citizens which we don't. Their system may be flawed but so is ours.
The embargo hurt the average "Joe" in Cuba more that it did the government. It should be ended.
F - Where did you go after NY?
PR - I hopped on another bus headed for Toronto. From there I took the Via Rail Canadienne train to Edson, Alberta.
F - How was that experience?
PR - It was nice having a bunk for the three nights it took to get to Edson. The food was excellent. The rub came after I got off the train.
F - How's that?
PR - Somewhere between getting off the bus in Toronto and Edson my front handle bar bag took a walk. It was in my BOB trailer with some of my other stuff secured with bungee cords.
F - It could have just fallen out, eh?
PR - Yeah, it's possible but I had wedged it in pretty good. I didn't notice it missing until after I was off the train. It was well out of sight by then. The problem was that my pedals were also in that bag. I'm standing on the platform with a bicycle and no pedals, no go power. Great!
F - What'd you do?
PR - I went into the station. A CN railway worker was inside. I told him my problem. He said there's a recycling center just down the street. Check to see if any bicycles were left there. I did that but found nothing. I did talk to a man there dropping off stuff. I asked him if there was a bike shop in town? He said yes but it was likely closed. It was Sunday. And he added it will be closed on Monday, the equivalent of our Memorial Day weekend.
When I told him my problem he said why don't you check the dump there's lots of bicycles there. He gave me directions. It was not too far away.
But first I had to walk back to the station where I'd left my bike and make sure it was going to be open when I got back.
F - So how did you make out at the dump?
PR - I was pretty amazed in the end. Not only did I find bike pedals, I found the same style pedals that were on my bike minus the reflectors. I had to borrow a wrench at the dump office to get them off. But that done I walked back to the station, put the pedals on and hit the road. I'm being taken care of and grateful for it.
F - I thought you were going to visit Don Laird in Edson?
PR - I was but he took a job and was out of town. I got off there anyway, since I didn't want to lose too much conditioning when I hit the road again from Haines, AK.
F - So smooth sailing from there on.
PR - Pretty much. I visited friends made on the way down in Hinton and Jasper. I biked from Hinton to Jasper then caught the train from there to Prince Rupert.
While I was in Hinton my friend Rocky Notnes reminded me to call the newspaper for a post ride interview. I did that and Virginia Carnagham interviewed me again for an article in the Edson Leader. It also appeared in the Hinton Parklander. That was way cool to touch bases again after the trip.
F - When was that?
PR - About the 28th or 29th of May.
F- How was the train ride from Jasper.?
PR - A lovely ride through the mountains, well worth taking. We saw plenty of black bears en route. It retraced part of my bike route west. It wasn't snowing at least but Mt. Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, was obscured in clouds.
The train to Prince Rupert overnights in Prince George. I arranged in advance to stay with Warm Showers hosts Richard and Mattie Thompson.
He's a retired writer of children's books and she a soon to retire school teacher. It was really nice of them to take me in for such a short stay. I got my bike off the train to get to there house but had to make an 8:00 AM departure the next morning.
They are an amazing couple. They have never owned an automobile.
F - When did you leave Prince Rupert?
PR - I caught the ferry to Haines on 1 June and got there early on 3 June. The ferry was packed. There was a native festival happening in Juneau and people from coastal communities were traveling north to join this every two year event.
F- How was your stateroom on the ferry?
PR - My "stateroom" was on deck seven outside under the solarium. It was the least crowded and quietest place on the ship. Slept on the available reclining deck chairs. Some pitched their tents on the deck but they got rained out.
F - From Haines you biked to Fairbanks, right?
PR - That's right. I had a wonderful first night's camp high up near Chilkat Pass with a grand view of distant glaciers and mountain peaks. It was one of those less common nearly cloudless days without rain.
I made good time and got to Fairbanks on 12 June, 10 days to go 650 miles. I was crus'in.
F - Any problems?
PR - In the end no but I was warned off the road and avoided an encounter that could have been ugly.
F - You want to say more about it?
PR - Maybe sometime. But for now all I want to say is listen to that intuitive voice expressed through one's feelings.
F- What are your plans now?
PR - I'm not hanging up my sandals just yet. Another ride across the country is being planned by some folks with 350.org. I'm considering joining that in August. It would end up in DC, then train and boat to Cancun for climate talks convening in Cancun Mexico in November.
F - Seems like a good fit for you?
PR - Yeah, it does, need to sit with it awhile before I commit.
F - Talk to you again soon. Let me know what you decide.
PR - Will do!
Viajero por la paz
Monday, May 17, 2010
On the Road from Washington, DC 5/17/2010
Friend (Joe) - Congratulations, you made it to DC.
PR - Yeah, hard to believe seven month or so on the road with some of the best for last. Connections with friends new and old, things that really matter. I'll have more to say when time and computer access allows.
For now I want to just thank all of you across Canada and America for your prayers, well wishes and travel safety. There was a Greater Hand in this journey, lighting my path and giving me the strength and fortitude to continue under some really demanding conditions.
F - So what are your plans now?
PR - Well, I'm waiting for a call from President Obama. But failing a command performance at the White House I'll head out of here tomorrow by Greyhound Bus to Newark, NY to visit friends. May 20th I'll catch the train from Toronto across Canada to Prince Rupert, the Alaska Ferry from there to Haines and to Fairbanks again by bicycle. With luck I'll by back home the middle of June.
PR - A special thanks to my friends Ed and Jackie Debevec for their help and support with my journey and the blog. Maybe they should take a vacation, go to Scotland, have fun.
F - I thought he was going to do that?
PR - He is, just being light hearted, have a good one Ed and Jackie!
Viajero por la Paz!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Peace Rider in Washington, D.C. 5/13/2010
Got a call from Don today. He arrived in Washington D.C. on Thursday, May 13th. He met with staff of both Senators Begich and Murkowski yesterday. Later today he was going to a bit of a reception for him arranged by Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado. He will hopefully find a computer in the next couple days and compose a post reflecting on the completion of this part of his journey and some clues as to what he'll do next.
Monday, May 10, 2010
On the Road from Washington, PA
PR - Hey Joe this will be a quickie.
F - Go!
PR Rolled into Washington, PA this afternoon, a day and half out of Cambridge,OH, two newspaper and one TV interview later. Small town media outlets a lot more interested in local news than the big guys.
F- Where you headed from here.
PR - Straight east on Hwy 136 over hill and dale to West Newton, intersect the Greater Allegheny Passage Trail there.
F - When do you expect to be in DC?
PR - Still on course on glide path for making it 13 May. But will see far I get today.
F - You have anything lined up for DC yet?
PR - Not yet, maybe Obama forgot to put me on the calendar.
F - You think? Catch you down the road. You're almost there, be careful.
PR - Thanks, I have a lot of folks praying for me. Positive vibes help.
Don Peace Rider
F - Go!
PR Rolled into Washington, PA this afternoon, a day and half out of Cambridge,OH, two newspaper and one TV interview later. Small town media outlets a lot more interested in local news than the big guys.
F- Where you headed from here.
PR - Straight east on Hwy 136 over hill and dale to West Newton, intersect the Greater Allegheny Passage Trail there.
F - When do you expect to be in DC?
PR - Still on course on glide path for making it 13 May. But will see far I get today.
F - You have anything lined up for DC yet?
PR - Not yet, maybe Obama forgot to put me on the calendar.
F - You think? Catch you down the road. You're almost there, be careful.
PR - Thanks, I have a lot of folks praying for me. Positive vibes help.
Don Peace Rider
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
On the Road from Strasburg, OH 5/05/10
Just a brief note to update my whereabouts.
I arrived here Monday afternoon after being picked up by my friends Don and Bev Frickie in Cambridge, OH. I will resume from there tomorrow.
Don and I worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service many years ago when the office was on Airport Road. When Don left for Bethel I took his position as Assistant Refuge Manager on the Arctic National Wildlife Range. Averill Thayer was the first Manager of ANWR and our boss then.
I will continue east bound on Hwy 40 into PA then intersect the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail near West Newport most likely. From Cumberland, MD I'll follow the C&O Towpath into DC. Try to reach DC around 13 May, see if I can fit Obama into my schedule.
PRD
I arrived here Monday afternoon after being picked up by my friends Don and Bev Frickie in Cambridge, OH. I will resume from there tomorrow.
Don and I worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service many years ago when the office was on Airport Road. When Don left for Bethel I took his position as Assistant Refuge Manager on the Arctic National Wildlife Range. Averill Thayer was the first Manager of ANWR and our boss then.
I will continue east bound on Hwy 40 into PA then intersect the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail near West Newport most likely. From Cumberland, MD I'll follow the C&O Towpath into DC. Try to reach DC around 13 May, see if I can fit Obama into my schedule.
PRD
Friday, April 30, 2010
On the road from Dublin, 4/30/10
Friend (Joe) - You decide to take a break from the road and vacation in Ireland?
PR - There's a thought. It's Dublin, Indiana a small farming community 17 miles west of Richmond, IN. Was passing by saw the sign for the local library and here I am.
F - Where you staying tonight?
PR - As usual camped out somewhere probably short of Richmond, IN. I've got miles to make yet today.
F - Where did you stay last night?
PR - I was in the clover, literally, about ten miles west of Indianapolis. Found a nice place out of the way on the edge of forest and field. red ringed black birds were serenading me this morning.
F - How was Highway 40 going through the City?
PR - As is happened I went around on quieter streets, mostly. But it's huge. I didn't put it behind me until early afternoon.
F - I'll let you go.
PR - Catch you later.
PR - There's a thought. It's Dublin, Indiana a small farming community 17 miles west of Richmond, IN. Was passing by saw the sign for the local library and here I am.
F - Where you staying tonight?
PR - As usual camped out somewhere probably short of Richmond, IN. I've got miles to make yet today.
F - Where did you stay last night?
PR - I was in the clover, literally, about ten miles west of Indianapolis. Found a nice place out of the way on the edge of forest and field. red ringed black birds were serenading me this morning.
F - How was Highway 40 going through the City?
PR - As is happened I went around on quieter streets, mostly. But it's huge. I didn't put it behind me until early afternoon.
F - I'll let you go.
PR - Catch you later.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
On the Road from Terre Haute, IN 4/29/10
Friend (Joe) - You must be smokin' to be in Terre Haute already.
PR - Yeah, I made good time, 180 miles in three days. Must be the new tires.
F - How was Earth day in St Louis?
PR - It was great! There was a big crowd in Forest Park in spite of the rain and wind; many booths and three sound stages. I got my five minutes of "fame" on the main stage where most were distracted or doing other things. A few were listening and asked questions afterwards. Made some good contacts though.
F - Where'd you stay?
PR - I left Bill Davis' place in Wentzville and stayed with Jason and Maddie McClelland on Sunday night after Earth Day events. They were closer into town for me leaving the next day. They run a small local foods Harvest cafe and grocery not far from where they live. Jason also teaches high school math. I was well taken care of.
F - You have any problems leaving town?
PR - No, thanks to good directions Jason wrote out for me. He also bikes around town. I got turned around a bit on the other side of the Mississippi River after crossing McKinley bridge. But I got that sorted out after asking directions and found the MCT Nature trail, at least part of which is a rails to trails road bed, easy, fast going and flat.
F - What are your plans now?
PR - Head out of here today and keep on booking east on Highway 40 to Pittsburgh, hang a right on the Allegheny Passage Trail and into DC on the C&O Towpath. Maybe get there sometime between May 10 and 15. But maybe I'm repeating myself?
F - How is Highway 40?
PR - I'm enjoying it. The traffic is light which is good because the shoulders are mostly non-existent. It was the old historic national highway westward before the railroads arrived. It parallels Interstate 70.
A big thank you to my hosts in Terra Haute, Grace and Pat Walker, for taking good care of me.
F - See you down the road.
Don - Peace Rider
Sunday, April 25, 2010
On the Road from Smith Center, Kansas 4/6/10
(Note: This blog post was trapped in a time vortex somewhere between Kansas and Alaska and only just arrived today.)
Friend - (Joe) You make it to church Easter Sunday?
PR - You know I rolled into St Francis, Kansas the day before. On a simulated white capsule it said home of Tom Evans, Apollo 17 astronaut. Alright! Saw that across the street on my way to a dairy queen like place for ice cream. It was closed but a sign said go to the bowling alley on the side. I decided to wait.
F - It was a simple question?
PR - Patience amigo. I've got an Easter story to tell.
A man driving a van pulls out onto the highway just as I was turning off the main road. At the DQ he pulls up along side me. He had turned around. I recognized him. He says if you go behind the museum across the street there's a camp ground where you can take a shower. I needed a shower bad. This was welcome news.
I say thanks but I don't have a towel, then think again, yes I do have a small one. It would work but no soap. I'm thinking out loud. Is there any soap there I ask? No he says but look on the women's side. I needed to buy alcohol for my stove and ask directions to a hardware store which normally carries the stuff. He gives me directions to a place in downtown St. Francis north of the highway a few blocks.
F - I'm with you.
PR - I find the hardware store, buy a quart of stove fuel then cross the street to the grocery store to get soap among other things. A woman had fallen outside the store and paramedics had her in a neck brace lying on a stretcher awaiting transport when I went in. That's where Neal found me, the man who told me about the shower.
F- He tracked you down?
PR - Yes he did. I'm not hard to miss. You know he said he put a towel and soap in the shower for me. Wow! Kindness. Neal told me earlier that he took care of the camp ground for the city. It was a part time job for him. He was retired. Manna from heaven. Then he says tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I wish him Happy Easter.
F - Then what?
PR - I headed back to the DQ, the bowling alley part that was open. An ice cream cone treat was calling. After that I checked out the campground and took a shower. Man did that feel goooood!
F - I bet.
PR - Yeah it was great! I was all set to leave town. It was early enough yet to make miles. I'd parked my bike outside the restroom/shower. I loaded up and was on my way. I wasn't out of the campground when I noticed my rear tire was low.
F- You had a flat?
PR - Sort of. Turns out the valve stem was leaking. I didn't think to check that first before taking the wheel off and removing the tube. It hadn't happened before. And I didn't have a tool or an old style pronged cap that would loosen the valve.
F - What'd you do?
PR - I left my bike in the campground and went looking for an old valve cap, wheel in hand. A lot of places that might have something were closed for Easter. I tell you, I looked at a lot of old cars and trucks but they all had new style flat caps. I finally found one on an old wheel barrow lying upside down in tall grass behind a repair garage. That fixed the leak after I found a place with an air hose and re inflated the tire. Air cost a dollar at that place.
I took the valve cap and replaced it with mine intending to keep it. Thought about it later. It may have been a small thing but I put the old one back.
F - A guilty conscience?
PR - Maybe, putting it back was liberating. I didn't have to think about it one way or the other anymore.
F - You left town then?
PR - No, by this time I was getting the message stick around. It was well into the afternoon by this time besides. I set my tent up in a nice grassy spot, out of the wind behind a bushy Juniper tree. There was water and electricity where I could charge my cell phone. It was free. Not many campgrounds like that anymore.
F - The rest of the story, please.
PR - The next morning I'm awake early and hear church chimes playing, an Easter sunrise service beginning somewhere. I lay there wondering, should I get up and go or not? Okay, I'm awake it's Easter Sunday, a special time to celebrate and honor Jesus. I get up still bleary eyed and walk out of the campground. It's not the church near the campground as I thought. It was closed and there's none in sight. Oh well, I tried. I head east, maybe the restaurant I'd seen the day before was open, treat myself to breakfast. It was closed.
Just past the restaurant I see a sign up ahead on the right. In bold letters it says Peace Lutheran Church eight blocks north. I hang a left at the arrow and keep walking. Should have ridden my bike. I'll be late.
F - You made it to church then?
PR - Yeah, I was late but just in time for communion I was told on entering? I missed the sermon. Could this be Neal's church I wondered? Naw, what are the chances of that?
I could have been in my old church. The pastor was way up front. Rows of empty pews separated him from a small crowd of early risers. They're all sitting back in the middle and rear pews me included. The really humble sit way back I guess.
The pastor announces the final hymn. It begins. You couldn't hear the singing for the organ playing. It wasn't up from the grave he arose either. What verse was everyone on? It didn't matter no one could tell. It blessedly ends. All this brought a smile. No one I knew there.
F - You left then?
PR - Heck no! Easter Breakfast was next man. I was invited to stay You don't walk out the door when free food's being dished up. No oatmeal breakfast for me this day. It was a treat really.
Young women from their youth group, I assume, were serving up a familiar fare of scrambled eggs and bacon. Sweet breads, juice and mixed fruit were there to round it out. It was great!
It was mostly an older crowd. I sit down and start eating. About that time Neal walks in. He missed the early service but not the breakfast.
F - Surprised?
PR - Amazed would be more like it. Not the first time on this trip but still --- .
Neal didn't recognize me at first with different clothes on until I said something. He and his wife sit down beside me. He says he should have thought to invite me to church. Not a problem I say.
Turns out he's also an airplane "nut." He tells me they have a small antique air show in St. Francis every year, old Stearman biplanes and others show up. We talk airplanes.
On the way out the door we have a conversation with the pastor's wife about why I'm riding. I begin talking about climate change, a mistake I think later.
Neal asks if I'm an Al Gore fan? I let that slide. The pastor's wife diplomatically says she doesn't talk politics, all are welcome here, Republican and Democrats. She agrees climate change is happening but the cause is the question.
F - Did you respond to that?
PR - No I didn't. Maybe I should have. I was on my way out the door. I've realized you need to tailor what you say to the audience. I thought later this was one where I should have begun with the inspiration first, not the action. The Way to Peace is the Way of Love - for all living things. I'm learning.
F - It's a challenge to wake people up?
PR - Very much. Some don't believe it's happening and others don't believe it's human caused. The negative vibes from talk radio doesn't help. People don't know what or whom to believe.
But there is a new consciousness arising, a growing awareness that all things are connected, that we can't keep doing what we're doing to the planet. I'm hopeful.
The "Universe" is on our side.
F - Your Easter Sunday was pretty special, sounds like.
PR - Way cool. I walked back to camp another way. The birds were singing! I hit the road after that. That's my story.
F - Later!
Don - Peace Rider
Friend - (Joe) You make it to church Easter Sunday?
PR - You know I rolled into St Francis, Kansas the day before. On a simulated white capsule it said home of Tom Evans, Apollo 17 astronaut. Alright! Saw that across the street on my way to a dairy queen like place for ice cream. It was closed but a sign said go to the bowling alley on the side. I decided to wait.
F - It was a simple question?
PR - Patience amigo. I've got an Easter story to tell.
A man driving a van pulls out onto the highway just as I was turning off the main road. At the DQ he pulls up along side me. He had turned around. I recognized him. He says if you go behind the museum across the street there's a camp ground where you can take a shower. I needed a shower bad. This was welcome news.
I say thanks but I don't have a towel, then think again, yes I do have a small one. It would work but no soap. I'm thinking out loud. Is there any soap there I ask? No he says but look on the women's side. I needed to buy alcohol for my stove and ask directions to a hardware store which normally carries the stuff. He gives me directions to a place in downtown St. Francis north of the highway a few blocks.
F - I'm with you.
PR - I find the hardware store, buy a quart of stove fuel then cross the street to the grocery store to get soap among other things. A woman had fallen outside the store and paramedics had her in a neck brace lying on a stretcher awaiting transport when I went in. That's where Neal found me, the man who told me about the shower.
F- He tracked you down?
PR - Yes he did. I'm not hard to miss. You know he said he put a towel and soap in the shower for me. Wow! Kindness. Neal told me earlier that he took care of the camp ground for the city. It was a part time job for him. He was retired. Manna from heaven. Then he says tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I wish him Happy Easter.
F - Then what?
PR - I headed back to the DQ, the bowling alley part that was open. An ice cream cone treat was calling. After that I checked out the campground and took a shower. Man did that feel goooood!
F - I bet.
PR - Yeah it was great! I was all set to leave town. It was early enough yet to make miles. I'd parked my bike outside the restroom/shower. I loaded up and was on my way. I wasn't out of the campground when I noticed my rear tire was low.
F- You had a flat?
PR - Sort of. Turns out the valve stem was leaking. I didn't think to check that first before taking the wheel off and removing the tube. It hadn't happened before. And I didn't have a tool or an old style pronged cap that would loosen the valve.
F - What'd you do?
PR - I left my bike in the campground and went looking for an old valve cap, wheel in hand. A lot of places that might have something were closed for Easter. I tell you, I looked at a lot of old cars and trucks but they all had new style flat caps. I finally found one on an old wheel barrow lying upside down in tall grass behind a repair garage. That fixed the leak after I found a place with an air hose and re inflated the tire. Air cost a dollar at that place.
I took the valve cap and replaced it with mine intending to keep it. Thought about it later. It may have been a small thing but I put the old one back.
F - A guilty conscience?
PR - Maybe, putting it back was liberating. I didn't have to think about it one way or the other anymore.
F - You left town then?
PR - No, by this time I was getting the message stick around. It was well into the afternoon by this time besides. I set my tent up in a nice grassy spot, out of the wind behind a bushy Juniper tree. There was water and electricity where I could charge my cell phone. It was free. Not many campgrounds like that anymore.
F - The rest of the story, please.
PR - The next morning I'm awake early and hear church chimes playing, an Easter sunrise service beginning somewhere. I lay there wondering, should I get up and go or not? Okay, I'm awake it's Easter Sunday, a special time to celebrate and honor Jesus. I get up still bleary eyed and walk out of the campground. It's not the church near the campground as I thought. It was closed and there's none in sight. Oh well, I tried. I head east, maybe the restaurant I'd seen the day before was open, treat myself to breakfast. It was closed.
Just past the restaurant I see a sign up ahead on the right. In bold letters it says Peace Lutheran Church eight blocks north. I hang a left at the arrow and keep walking. Should have ridden my bike. I'll be late.
F - You made it to church then?
PR - Yeah, I was late but just in time for communion I was told on entering? I missed the sermon. Could this be Neal's church I wondered? Naw, what are the chances of that?
I could have been in my old church. The pastor was way up front. Rows of empty pews separated him from a small crowd of early risers. They're all sitting back in the middle and rear pews me included. The really humble sit way back I guess.
The pastor announces the final hymn. It begins. You couldn't hear the singing for the organ playing. It wasn't up from the grave he arose either. What verse was everyone on? It didn't matter no one could tell. It blessedly ends. All this brought a smile. No one I knew there.
F - You left then?
PR - Heck no! Easter Breakfast was next man. I was invited to stay You don't walk out the door when free food's being dished up. No oatmeal breakfast for me this day. It was a treat really.
Young women from their youth group, I assume, were serving up a familiar fare of scrambled eggs and bacon. Sweet breads, juice and mixed fruit were there to round it out. It was great!
It was mostly an older crowd. I sit down and start eating. About that time Neal walks in. He missed the early service but not the breakfast.
F - Surprised?
PR - Amazed would be more like it. Not the first time on this trip but still --- .
Neal didn't recognize me at first with different clothes on until I said something. He and his wife sit down beside me. He says he should have thought to invite me to church. Not a problem I say.
Turns out he's also an airplane "nut." He tells me they have a small antique air show in St. Francis every year, old Stearman biplanes and others show up. We talk airplanes.
On the way out the door we have a conversation with the pastor's wife about why I'm riding. I begin talking about climate change, a mistake I think later.
Neal asks if I'm an Al Gore fan? I let that slide. The pastor's wife diplomatically says she doesn't talk politics, all are welcome here, Republican and Democrats. She agrees climate change is happening but the cause is the question.
F - Did you respond to that?
PR - No I didn't. Maybe I should have. I was on my way out the door. I've realized you need to tailor what you say to the audience. I thought later this was one where I should have begun with the inspiration first, not the action. The Way to Peace is the Way of Love - for all living things. I'm learning.
F - It's a challenge to wake people up?
PR - Very much. Some don't believe it's happening and others don't believe it's human caused. The negative vibes from talk radio doesn't help. People don't know what or whom to believe.
But there is a new consciousness arising, a growing awareness that all things are connected, that we can't keep doing what we're doing to the planet. I'm hopeful.
The "Universe" is on our side.
F - Your Easter Sunday was pretty special, sounds like.
PR - Way cool. I walked back to camp another way. The birds were singing! I hit the road after that. That's my story.
F - Later!
Don - Peace Rider
Thursday, April 22, 2010
On the road from St. Charles, MO 4/22/10
Friend (Joe) - Lost track of you for awhile, you get lost?
PR - No, just away from a computer on the road. I also stopped for a few days at my cousin's place in Urich not far from Clinton where the trail begins. He only had a slow dial up connection.
Before I say much more I just wanted to wish all of my friends a Happy Earth Day. It is with a hope that all of you will do something that reminds us of our connectedness to each other, the Earth and that which is Greater than self in whatever terms you understand it.
This is our decade to create anew and change from takers and plunderers to careful stewards of what has been entrusted into our care for the benefit of everyone. It is ours to lose or to heal and restore for our children's sake.
I regret that I am not able to send each of you very special people a personal note of thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing on behalf of the planet and to bring peace on earth and peace with the earth. But you should also know that there are many of you out there trying your very best against often daunting odds to make a difference, to live more simply and sustainably on the planet. I'm greatly encouraged by that and the example you've set. It is time to come together.
The challenge remains to move to a green energy future and break our addiction to fossil fuels while a sliver of time remains to do so, to stop the contamination of our atmosphere with pollutants of all kinds. Waiting longer invites the very real possibility that changes already occurring now will reinforce one another and become irreversible
Good luck and my very best to all of you on this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Let's make it one to remember.
Check out what 350.org is doing and also another ride for the planet day to take place later in the year.
F - Thought you were supposed to be in DC on Earth Day?
PR - That was a goal I had to set aside as you may recall.
F - So where are you planning to be on Earth Day?
PR - In St. Louis's Forest Park. But they're not celebrating Earth Day until Sunday the 25th.
I got connected with the St. Louis Regional Bike Association and will help them out on Sunday at their booth. And I may get a chance to say a few words on stage thanks to Cassie Phillips, the principal organizer of this year's Earth Day events here. I was a late arrival on the scene and really appreciated being fitted in.
I arrived yesterday in St Charles at the end of the KATY trail staying with friends of friends, Viet Nam era veterans as it happens.
F - That should give you enough time to rest up for the dash to the finish, eh?
PR - Yeah, the KATY trail, short for Missouri, Kansas, Texas RR, was great! If you get a chance to bike it it's well worth the time, especially the part along the Missouri River with its historical markers and descriptions of the Lewis and Clark expedition's camps on their way upriver from St. Charles in late May and early June of 1804. I really enjoyed reading again about one of my favorite times and event of American history.
F - What are your plans after St. Louis.
PR - I'm hoping to be in DC no later than May 15th. It's a tight schedule from here on out since I made advance reservations to leave Toronto by train on 20 May. Will see how it comes together.
F - Do you have a route east in mind?
PR - Just a tentative one at this point. I've changed it slightly. I want to connect with friends in Pittsburgh to ride the relatively new Allegheny Passage Trail that connects with the C&O towpath into DC. It will be a great way to come in to the capitol.
To get there it looks like Hwy. 40 east may be the best choice. More research is needed on it at this point.
F - Catch up with you down the road. Stay in touch. Watch your back side.
PR - Do my best! Thanks amigo.
Viajero por la Paz
PR - No, just away from a computer on the road. I also stopped for a few days at my cousin's place in Urich not far from Clinton where the trail begins. He only had a slow dial up connection.
Before I say much more I just wanted to wish all of my friends a Happy Earth Day. It is with a hope that all of you will do something that reminds us of our connectedness to each other, the Earth and that which is Greater than self in whatever terms you understand it.
This is our decade to create anew and change from takers and plunderers to careful stewards of what has been entrusted into our care for the benefit of everyone. It is ours to lose or to heal and restore for our children's sake.
I regret that I am not able to send each of you very special people a personal note of thanks and appreciation for all that you are doing on behalf of the planet and to bring peace on earth and peace with the earth. But you should also know that there are many of you out there trying your very best against often daunting odds to make a difference, to live more simply and sustainably on the planet. I'm greatly encouraged by that and the example you've set. It is time to come together.
The challenge remains to move to a green energy future and break our addiction to fossil fuels while a sliver of time remains to do so, to stop the contamination of our atmosphere with pollutants of all kinds. Waiting longer invites the very real possibility that changes already occurring now will reinforce one another and become irreversible
Good luck and my very best to all of you on this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Let's make it one to remember.
Check out what 350.org is doing and also
F - Thought you were supposed to be in DC on Earth Day?
PR - That was a goal I had to set aside as you may recall.
F - So where are you planning to be on Earth Day?
PR - In St. Louis's Forest Park. But they're not celebrating Earth Day until Sunday the 25th.
I got connected with the St. Louis Regional Bike Association and will help them out on Sunday at their booth. And I may get a chance to say a few words on stage thanks to Cassie Phillips, the principal organizer of this year's Earth Day events here. I was a late arrival on the scene and really appreciated being fitted in.
I arrived yesterday in St Charles at the end of the KATY trail staying with friends of friends, Viet Nam era veterans as it happens.
F - That should give you enough time to rest up for the dash to the finish, eh?
PR - Yeah, the KATY trail, short for Missouri, Kansas, Texas RR, was great! If you get a chance to bike it it's well worth the time, especially the part along the Missouri River with its historical markers and descriptions of the Lewis and Clark expedition's camps on their way upriver from St. Charles in late May and early June of 1804. I really enjoyed reading again about one of my favorite times and event of American history.
F - What are your plans after St. Louis.
PR - I'm hoping to be in DC no later than May 15th. It's a tight schedule from here on out since I made advance reservations to leave Toronto by train on 20 May. Will see how it comes together.
F - Do you have a route east in mind?
PR - Just a tentative one at this point. I've changed it slightly. I want to connect with friends in Pittsburgh to ride the relatively new Allegheny Passage Trail that connects with the C&O towpath into DC. It will be a great way to come in to the capitol.
To get there it looks like Hwy. 40 east may be the best choice. More research is needed on it at this point.
F - Catch up with you down the road. Stay in touch. Watch your back side.
PR - Do my best! Thanks amigo.
Viajero por la Paz
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
On the road near Ottawa, KS 4/12/10
I arrived in Ottawa, KS one weary hombre after beating into the wind to reach Herrington, KS a day earlier.
The Flint Hills Nature Trail it turns out is a work in progress, some sections of the old rail bed aren't yet surfaced for bicycles. That it exists at all is thanks to the efforts of volunteers like my gracious host Owen Harbison.
Kansas, he explained to me, is not a welcoming place for trails like this. Fear of the unknown is at the root of it. It's a shame because it has so much potential to benefit communities along its hundred mile plus length.
One of the more interesting sections to travel was suggested by Owen. He told me there are indian ruins near the trail that would be worth visiting if I had time. I decided to check them out.
From Council Grove where it begins, near the old Santa Fe Trail, the FHNT heads southeast. This roughly four mile section of gravel trail was challenging, rutted by vehicles using it when it was wet and soft. It's supposed to be for non-motorized travel only. Four wild turkeys galloped away into the forest ahead of me in one part.
The "improved" section ended at the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park. Beyond that it was still rough railroad ballast.
This 158 acre tall grass prairie landscape was purchased by the Kaw nation to honor their great Kanza chief Allegawaho. It was he who made an eloquent protest against his peoples being forced once again to move from their beloved homeland in June 1872.
Who of us now can make an eloquent protest and mobilize action against what we are collectively doing to planet earth? In this Memorial Park words etched on the outside edge of a flat, circular monument spoke to me. "Wakanda - Bless all who walk here. May we know and respect all your creation and what you have taught our people, Wiblaha."
It's that sense of the sacred in ourselves and in nature we need to connect with and help others reconnect with if we are to heal and restore right relationships.
On a hill nearby was a obelisk like, older stone monument to an unknown warrior chief. From below the painted north south arms of the newer memorial are perfectly aligned with the older, acknowledging and honoring a deeper, lasting connection. The east west arms align with the rising and setting sun much like life's sacred journey.
A circle is a symbol of unity. In a circle within a circle was a bronze plaque honoring the Kaw people of Kanza.
I'll leave Owen and Michelle's home near Ottawa, KS tomorrow morning. Owen will bike with me to Osawatamie if he doesn't get a call from the Union Pacific RR to take a train somewhere. He also rides the rails as an engineer.
Osawatamie is at the eastern end of the FHNT, home of John Brown of Civil War notoriety I learned from Owen.
And so where may I be this coming weekend? I should be on the Katy Trail closing in on Jefferson City. I will leave my cousin's place near Urich, MO for the trail head in Clinton, MO on Friday most likely. I plan to ride the trail to the end at St Charles, cross the Mississippi River at Alton north of St. Louis, then connect to Hwy 50 and continue east bound. I'll spend a couple of days with other friends in Rochester, Ill.
If there was a reason to spend time in the St. Louis vicinity or the Springfield/Rochester, Ill. area on Earth Day I would be willing to do that.
Peace Rider Don
The Flint Hills Nature Trail it turns out is a work in progress, some sections of the old rail bed aren't yet surfaced for bicycles. That it exists at all is thanks to the efforts of volunteers like my gracious host Owen Harbison.
Kansas, he explained to me, is not a welcoming place for trails like this. Fear of the unknown is at the root of it. It's a shame because it has so much potential to benefit communities along its hundred mile plus length.
One of the more interesting sections to travel was suggested by Owen. He told me there are indian ruins near the trail that would be worth visiting if I had time. I decided to check them out.
From Council Grove where it begins, near the old Santa Fe Trail, the FHNT heads southeast. This roughly four mile section of gravel trail was challenging, rutted by vehicles using it when it was wet and soft. It's supposed to be for non-motorized travel only. Four wild turkeys galloped away into the forest ahead of me in one part.
The "improved" section ended at the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park. Beyond that it was still rough railroad ballast.
This 158 acre tall grass prairie landscape was purchased by the Kaw nation to honor their great Kanza chief Allegawaho. It was he who made an eloquent protest against his peoples being forced once again to move from their beloved homeland in June 1872.
Who of us now can make an eloquent protest and mobilize action against what we are collectively doing to planet earth? In this Memorial Park words etched on the outside edge of a flat, circular monument spoke to me. "Wakanda - Bless all who walk here. May we know and respect all your creation and what you have taught our people, Wiblaha."
It's that sense of the sacred in ourselves and in nature we need to connect with and help others reconnect with if we are to heal and restore right relationships.
On a hill nearby was a obelisk like, older stone monument to an unknown warrior chief. From below the painted north south arms of the newer memorial are perfectly aligned with the older, acknowledging and honoring a deeper, lasting connection. The east west arms align with the rising and setting sun much like life's sacred journey.
A circle is a symbol of unity. In a circle within a circle was a bronze plaque honoring the Kaw people of Kanza.
I'll leave Owen and Michelle's home near Ottawa, KS tomorrow morning. Owen will bike with me to Osawatamie if he doesn't get a call from the Union Pacific RR to take a train somewhere. He also rides the rails as an engineer.
Osawatamie is at the eastern end of the FHNT, home of John Brown of Civil War notoriety I learned from Owen.
And so where may I be this coming weekend? I should be on the Katy Trail closing in on Jefferson City. I will leave my cousin's place near Urich, MO for the trail head in Clinton, MO on Friday most likely. I plan to ride the trail to the end at St Charles, cross the Mississippi River at Alton north of St. Louis, then connect to Hwy 50 and continue east bound. I'll spend a couple of days with other friends in Rochester, Ill.
If there was a reason to spend time in the St. Louis vicinity or the Springfield/Rochester, Ill. area on Earth Day I would be willing to do that.
Peace Rider Don
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
On the Road in Cawker City, KA 4/07/10
Friend (Joe) - Hey Peace Rider where you at? Haven't heard from you in awhile.
PR - Yeah, makin' miles. I had some really good mileage days out of Denver. This will be just a brief update.
F - How come?
PR - Got a late start today. A storm front passed through last night. Holed up in my tent until about noon. Wind still pretty stiff out of the north but sun came out after overcast and rain this morning.
F - Where you at now?
PR - I was passing through Cawker City, KA saw the sign for Library on the main drag and decided to stop to post an update. Cawker City is on Highway 24. I headed south off Hgy 36 at Smith Center for about 20 miles then east on 24. Been on 36 since Denver.
F - Why didn't you just stay on 36, looks shorter to me heading east?
PR - I'm headed for Herrington, KA, the beginning of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. I'm still several days away and won't make many miles today. It's gravel so will see if my skinny tired bike can make it. If not I'll detour onto a hard surface.
F - You find "Toto" anywhere?
PR - Lots of Auntie Emms but no Dorthy or Toto, this is pheasant country man!
F - So you better hit the road if you're going to make DC by the end of the month.
PR - Yeah, I suppose so. An interesting tidbit. Cawker City is home to the largest ball of sisal twine, sits outside under a roof along the main street. Started in 1953 by Frank Stober, 40" in circumference, thrift plus patience = success the sign says. Also home to a lot of rusting autos of 40's vintage and earlier.
Got to go.
F - Catch you down the road.
Peace Rider
PR - Yeah, makin' miles. I had some really good mileage days out of Denver. This will be just a brief update.
F - How come?
PR - Got a late start today. A storm front passed through last night. Holed up in my tent until about noon. Wind still pretty stiff out of the north but sun came out after overcast and rain this morning.
F - Where you at now?
PR - I was passing through Cawker City, KA saw the sign for Library on the main drag and decided to stop to post an update. Cawker City is on Highway 24. I headed south off Hgy 36 at Smith Center for about 20 miles then east on 24. Been on 36 since Denver.
F - Why didn't you just stay on 36, looks shorter to me heading east?
PR - I'm headed for Herrington, KA, the beginning of the Flint Hills Nature Trail. I'm still several days away and won't make many miles today. It's gravel so will see if my skinny tired bike can make it. If not I'll detour onto a hard surface.
F - You find "Toto" anywhere?
PR - Lots of Auntie Emms but no Dorthy or Toto, this is pheasant country man!
F - So you better hit the road if you're going to make DC by the end of the month.
PR - Yeah, I suppose so. An interesting tidbit. Cawker City is home to the largest ball of sisal twine, sits outside under a roof along the main street. Started in 1953 by Frank Stober, 40" in circumference, thrift plus patience = success the sign says. Also home to a lot of rusting autos of 40's vintage and earlier.
Got to go.
F - Catch you down the road.
Peace Rider
Thursday, April 1, 2010
On the Road from Denver (again) 3/30/10
Friend (Joe) - Hey, Peace Rider what's with this again from Denver business?
PR - To maintain the integrity of my ride I returned to Alma, five miles south of Hoosier Pass. It's where I last left off bike riding before a big snow storm.
F - It's important to you then to not have any breaks in your bike ride?
PR - Yeah, it is. I may be the only one who cares but that's okay. It's something I decided early on to do. I could have taken advantage of other ride offers over the course of this trip. But then it wouldn't be the same bike trip any longer, would it?
F - I suppose not, something different. But how do you get around using more fossil fuel to start at the place you last left off? A bit hypocritical isn't it?
PR - Some might say so I suppose. But I've only had to do this a couple of times throughout the trip. In this instance Tim Bicknell was returning to his home near Dillion from Kansan City so it wasn't hugely out of his way to drop me off in Alma. I stayed with him and his wife Laura earlier in the trip as you may recall? As it turned out another snow storm intervened after he picked me up in Denver. I stayed with them a couple of more days before he dropped me off in Alma.
F - How did the rest of your ride go from there?
PR - Well, South Park is notorious for being a windy place. I hit it on a clear windy day. It was a nice tail wind speeding me south to Fairplay. After turning east from there towards Red Hill and Kenosha Passes it was a bear, a strong crosswind and blowing snow piling up drifts in exposed places across Hgy 285.
F - Doesn't sound like a lot of fun?
PR - Yeah, it wasn't. I'd get off my bike only to lose my balance trying to get back on. The BOB trailer is handy but it is also devilish to balance and keep upright when not rolling down the road The plows were out, the sky was clear and the snow was melting in places. But I was struggling not altogether in a place of repose or peace of mind.
F - But you made it?
PR - Yes, eventually but not without some help and a detour. Near the turn off to Como, an old mining town about eight miles east of Fairplay, a van stopped. A man got out and walked across the road to talk to me. He said he had read about me in the paper and saw me having trouble earlier. That's how I met Andrew Zimmerman aka Hector, and his friend Michael. He said they were going to Denver but he had a cabin in Como I could stay in if I wanted to. It was up to me. He had a more colorful way of putting it.
F - So what'd you do?
PR - I bagged it for the day especially since Andrew said it was drifting bad ahead of me.
I'd already seen two cars off the road in a snow bank at the bottom of Red Hill Pass.
F - So you took a chance the wind would die down over night, did it?
PR - It was still windy in the morning but not as bad as the day before. It was also another warm sunny day. The snow was melting off the road. That helped. Not surprisingly, huge snow drifts where piled up behind the snow fences paralleling the road.
F - And how was the cabin?
PR - It was a pretty funky place, the "blue house" in Como. Part of it was an old railroad car. Andrew's parents had bought the place because they liked the view from Como. It was a scenic spot. I'm no stranger to an outhouse and wood stove which came with the place having had similar "amenities" in my early years in Alaska.
The wood burning cook stove was in the kitchen. I closed one door and hung a blanket over the other entrance. I didn't have to heat the whole house that way. I'm used to sleeping in the cold. An unheated bedroom was just right for me. The closed off kitchen got comfortable in short order. In a back room was a hand operated well pump. I brought enough water with me so didn't have to use it. On a living room table were WW II era news papers that Andrew had found. Wall posters of an artistic nature adorned the walls of house and outhouse. The furniture was from another era.
I introduced myself to the next door neighbors Greg and Bonnie at Andrew's suggestion. Later Greg stopped by to give me some tortillas and chili. That was nice and appreciated.
F - Did you make it to Denver that day?
PR - Yes, it was a long day. The grade up Kenosha Pass was not long or very steep. After that it was mostly downhill for a long way, nearly to Bailey. From there it was a grind up Crown Hill. It reminded me of Rabbit Ears Pass, not quite a 7% grade. Beyond it was up and down to nearly Conifer then a long downhill again. Turned out be my longest mileage day yet, 69 miles maybe. Closer in I got on the Bear Creek bike trail that connected to a trail along the South Platte River. I left it nearing Chris Crosby's place close to Cherry Creek Center. I really like these river trails. Ducks were hanging out on the shore or in the water. The bikeway went under bridge crossings so you didn't have to cross any streets. It was great!
There was just a little bit of daylight left when I pulled into his driveway. I was tired but a very welcome dinner and a shower were waiting.
F - What's next?
PR - Well, there's a public event downtown today sponsored by the environmental community. I'll get a chance to speak. Ride my bike there from Chris' place. After that I'll stay the night with my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman. Chris went skiing today with his grandkids. Thursday, head em up, move em out, east bound on my two wheeled pony, 1700 miles or so from the "Dragon's" lair.
F - Stay safe, see you down the road?
PR - Thanks, Viajero por la Paz!
PR - To maintain the integrity of my ride I returned to Alma, five miles south of Hoosier Pass. It's where I last left off bike riding before a big snow storm.
F - It's important to you then to not have any breaks in your bike ride?
PR - Yeah, it is. I may be the only one who cares but that's okay. It's something I decided early on to do. I could have taken advantage of other ride offers over the course of this trip. But then it wouldn't be the same bike trip any longer, would it?
F - I suppose not, something different. But how do you get around using more fossil fuel to start at the place you last left off? A bit hypocritical isn't it?
PR - Some might say so I suppose. But I've only had to do this a couple of times throughout the trip. In this instance Tim Bicknell was returning to his home near Dillion from Kansan City so it wasn't hugely out of his way to drop me off in Alma. I stayed with him and his wife Laura earlier in the trip as you may recall? As it turned out another snow storm intervened after he picked me up in Denver. I stayed with them a couple of more days before he dropped me off in Alma.
F - How did the rest of your ride go from there?
PR - Well, South Park is notorious for being a windy place. I hit it on a clear windy day. It was a nice tail wind speeding me south to Fairplay. After turning east from there towards Red Hill and Kenosha Passes it was a bear, a strong crosswind and blowing snow piling up drifts in exposed places across Hgy 285.
F - Doesn't sound like a lot of fun?
PR - Yeah, it wasn't. I'd get off my bike only to lose my balance trying to get back on. The BOB trailer is handy but it is also devilish to balance and keep upright when not rolling down the road The plows were out, the sky was clear and the snow was melting in places. But I was struggling not altogether in a place of repose or peace of mind.
F - But you made it?
PR - Yes, eventually but not without some help and a detour. Near the turn off to Como, an old mining town about eight miles east of Fairplay, a van stopped. A man got out and walked across the road to talk to me. He said he had read about me in the paper and saw me having trouble earlier. That's how I met Andrew Zimmerman aka Hector, and his friend Michael. He said they were going to Denver but he had a cabin in Como I could stay in if I wanted to. It was up to me. He had a more colorful way of putting it.
F - So what'd you do?
PR - I bagged it for the day especially since Andrew said it was drifting bad ahead of me.
I'd already seen two cars off the road in a snow bank at the bottom of Red Hill Pass.
F - So you took a chance the wind would die down over night, did it?
PR - It was still windy in the morning but not as bad as the day before. It was also another warm sunny day. The snow was melting off the road. That helped. Not surprisingly, huge snow drifts where piled up behind the snow fences paralleling the road.
F - And how was the cabin?
PR - It was a pretty funky place, the "blue house" in Como. Part of it was an old railroad car. Andrew's parents had bought the place because they liked the view from Como. It was a scenic spot. I'm no stranger to an outhouse and wood stove which came with the place having had similar "amenities" in my early years in Alaska.
The wood burning cook stove was in the kitchen. I closed one door and hung a blanket over the other entrance. I didn't have to heat the whole house that way. I'm used to sleeping in the cold. An unheated bedroom was just right for me. The closed off kitchen got comfortable in short order. In a back room was a hand operated well pump. I brought enough water with me so didn't have to use it. On a living room table were WW II era news papers that Andrew had found. Wall posters of an artistic nature adorned the walls of house and outhouse. The furniture was from another era.
I introduced myself to the next door neighbors Greg and Bonnie at Andrew's suggestion. Later Greg stopped by to give me some tortillas and chili. That was nice and appreciated.
F - Did you make it to Denver that day?
PR - Yes, it was a long day. The grade up Kenosha Pass was not long or very steep. After that it was mostly downhill for a long way, nearly to Bailey. From there it was a grind up Crown Hill. It reminded me of Rabbit Ears Pass, not quite a 7% grade. Beyond it was up and down to nearly Conifer then a long downhill again. Turned out be my longest mileage day yet, 69 miles maybe. Closer in I got on the Bear Creek bike trail that connected to a trail along the South Platte River. I left it nearing Chris Crosby's place close to Cherry Creek Center. I really like these river trails. Ducks were hanging out on the shore or in the water. The bikeway went under bridge crossings so you didn't have to cross any streets. It was great!
There was just a little bit of daylight left when I pulled into his driveway. I was tired but a very welcome dinner and a shower were waiting.
F - What's next?
PR - Well, there's a public event downtown today sponsored by the environmental community. I'll get a chance to speak. Ride my bike there from Chris' place. After that I'll stay the night with my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman. Chris went skiing today with his grandkids. Thursday, head em up, move em out, east bound on my two wheeled pony, 1700 miles or so from the "Dragon's" lair.
F - Stay safe, see you down the road?
PR - Thanks, Viajero por la Paz!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
On the Road from Denver, CO 3/23/10
Friend (Joe) - Way to go Peace Rider, you made it to "Big D!"
PR - Yeah, but not without some help. It was a bit of a slog over parts of the route after I left Provo, Utah and reported in.
F - How so?
PR - Outside Vernal, Utah I stopped at Pizza Hut for water with the added "bonus" of getting slugged in the chest with a cold. I'm over the worst of it now.
After crossing into Colorado on my way to Maybell I had one day of just a little over 30 miles that seemed like twice that. I was hit with really strong cross winds, veering to a headwind in some of the highway cuts. It was probably 20 mph gusting higher, pushing me sideways, plus a lot of hills. I was on the verge of just saying to heck with it more than once but kept going. Not sure quite how I would have set up a tent in that kind of wind.
It was a weather front stirring up the wind. Fortunately, the temperature was above freezing. The last few miles into Maybell were downhill. One of the highlights was seeing gaggles of mule deer bounding off through the sage by the road, not quite sure what to make of the contraption speeding downhill at them. All were antlerless this time of year.
The other was a stop at Lou's Restaurant in Maybell, where a hot bowl of broccoli, cheddar soup with croissants was served up to warm these cold soaked bones. The bread was compliments of the ladies of the community who left assorted Safeway breads on a table in the entrance, free to anyone who needed it. It was a really nice touch. Lou, perhaps, I didn't get the cook's name, also filled my water jug.
Next door at the Sinclair gas station/old style market, a bag of hot atomic ball candy filled out the grocery list. The lady at the register said they stocked the old candies I'd found hard to find in other places.
F - So how was it after Maybell on your way into Craig?
PR - Great, for the most part! The wind was nearly calm the next morning, a slight headwind but what a relief after the slog of the day before. There was a sad note to this transit however.
F - How so?
PR - The carnage on the road was incredible. Between Maybell and Craig I counted 21 deer, two elk and a coyote carcass. I'm sure I missed some as well. The saddest was approaching Mile 66.9 (from the CO/UT border). I saw up ahead a dark shape lying in the road. Pulling even with it I could see it was a golden eagle, still alive but unable to move. It had evidently been feeding on a nearby deer carcass at the road edge and was hit by a passing vehicle.
Mindful of that powerful looking beak I put my loose sweater over its head, picked it up and set it down next to the deer carcass off the road. It was still alive when I left but it couldn't move at all and may have been too badly injured to survive.
F - Did you report it?
PR - Yeah, when I got to Craig a few hours later I did. Said they'd send a wildlife officer out to check on it.
F - So you don't know how it turned out then?
PR - No, and it's sad no one had stopped earlier.
F - So you took to the ski slopes when you hit Steamboat Springs, right?
PR - I took to the hills alright but it was trying to get over Rabbit Ears pass before dark.
F - Did you make it?
PR - Not quite. It was all uphill for eight miles, probably the longest grade I'd tackled on the trip topping out at over 9,000 feet.
F - How did you manage to do it?
PR - Well, head down and keep at it, dogged persistence I guess. I recite a mantra and keep cranking, my goal just the next reflector post up the hill. I'm not doing this totally under my own steam you know. I'm given strength to persevere. I recognize and honor that.
Oily king salmon strips, Cliff Bars and dried fruits and nuts fuel the "furnace." It was also a warm, sunny day with gorgeous views of the valley dropping away behind me. Hard work, but just a fine day to be alive on the road.
F - Where did you end up camping for the night?
PR On the West summit. But that was okay. I camped in a pullout for skiers just as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Three miles back I stopped to ask how far it was to the top. It was a Routt County Sheriff patrol car. Officer Tommie Belz was checking for speeders coming off the pass. She was interested in what I was doing and I told her.
You know, it made my day when she asked if she could put me on her prayer list. I said yes, please do, many people are praying for me and I really appreciate that. I gave her my blog address so she could follow my journey.
F - It must have been cold camped that high up eh?
PR - Well, it froze overnight but it wasn't subzero or anything like that. I found enough dry wood nearby. I was able to have a fire and cook on my tent stove. It was warm and comfortable inside.
By the time I left in the morning the sun was out and warming things up. There were just a few dips before I got to the East Summit. From there it was a long downhill to Kremmling and beyond.
F - Where did you end up hanging your hat for the night?
PR - That was special too, as it turned out. I'm days out of clean clothes and a shower mind you and nursing a cold.
An hour or so from quitting time and daylight fading fast I'm pedalling up a hill. Up ahead I see a flatbed truck parked on the opposite side of the road. A man gets out, waiting for me to draw even. I stop and he asks where I'm going to stay for the night. I don't know I said. He tells me where I can find a campground in the near vicinity. I usually don't camp in campgrounds but it was helpful information. I was near the south end of Green Mtn. reservoir south of Kremmling at the time.
He tells me that if I get another ten miles down the road I could stay at his place. He had a basement I could use . Whew, another ten miles! I wasn't sure I had that kind of mileage left in me at that point. I asked him if was pretty flat the rest of the way. I didn't have much up left in my "motor." He said it was and gave me directions to his place on Longs Road in case I made it. "Look for the flat bed truck parked in the yard," he said. Okay!
F - Well?
PR - You know a warm shower is like a spring to a desert traveler, motivation for the thirsty and dirty. I made it but probably wouldn't if Tim's report of a flat road hadn't been accurate. I was beat by the time I got to his place, a 60 mile plus day.
F - So you made some more friends?
PR - I did. That's one of the real joys of being on the road, the kindness of strangers and making new friends. Tim Bicknell is an out of work mason. He was still recovering from recent shoulder surgery. Laura his wife, teaches English as a second language in Frisco 10 miles or so down the road from their place. Laura and Melissa his teenage daughter came home later. Tim set me up in their downstairs basement, got a dinner going for me and put my dirty clothes in the washing machine, beforehand. It was wonderful to be cared for.
The wall hangings were pretty interesting inside Tim's place.
F - How so?
PR - Tim is an antiques collector. Over 20 years or so he had acquired a lot of Roy Rogers memorabilia and more. There was an original RR jacket, a couple of RR posters, and unrelated full length bear skin coat, saddles, guitars, an old style dial up telephone, a feast for the eyes, too much to take in at once.
He had expanded his home from the original, doing all the brick work. It was still a modest sized home compared to others nearby. He had two big dogs outside, as he called his horses which he hadn't ridden in awhile. Neby, the golden retriever, was part of the family and allowed inside, several cats remained outside.
F - Did you hang out there awhile?
PR - No, I left mid-morning the next day. Tim offered to carry my trailer south but with mostly flat terrain between his place and Dillon, I could manage. Laura had made calls on my behalf to see if there was media interest in Dillon for doing a story.
There was. Her calling set the stage. On my way into town Mark Fox caught me and took photos for an article in the Summit Daily News. I also met up with Bob Berwyn at Wendy's in Silverthorne. He interviewed me outside the Mountain Public Radio Station. An article he wrote that came out afterward was a good one. His site is www.summitvoice.org. Murray with MPR did a radio interview for later broadcast the same day.
It was a good day.
F - Did you make it over Hoosier Pass?
PR - I did, with help from my friend Eddie Kochman. He came up from Denver stopping at his cabin in Fairplay on the way. He dropped some things there first then drove over the pass to meet me in Silverthorne. He carried my trailer over the Pass to Alma. He also suggested we not linger in South Park after I got there with a big snow storm on its way. We didn't and that's how I ended up at his place in Denver.
F - What are your plans now?
PR - If the weather cooperates I'll start my bike trip from Alma where I left off before the last snow storm. As it happens Tim is going to Kansas City said he could pick me up in Denver and drop me off in Alma on his way home. If that works out, I'll do it but if not I'll continue on east from Denver. I don't want to have a break in the bike ride if there is no good reason for it. I didn't want anyone to make a special trip just so I could fill in a blank spot. Will see how it works out.
At the moment another snow storm has descended upon Denver so we'll see. The snow does go quick here once the weather breaks. It is forecast to improve by Thursday when Tim is supposed to return.
F - Any thing else to report?
PR - No, just a couple of big thank yous to Chris Crosby and my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman for all their help on my behalf.
See you down to the road.
PR - Yeah, but not without some help. It was a bit of a slog over parts of the route after I left Provo, Utah and reported in.
F - How so?
PR - Outside Vernal, Utah I stopped at Pizza Hut for water with the added "bonus" of getting slugged in the chest with a cold. I'm over the worst of it now.
After crossing into Colorado on my way to Maybell I had one day of just a little over 30 miles that seemed like twice that. I was hit with really strong cross winds, veering to a headwind in some of the highway cuts. It was probably 20 mph gusting higher, pushing me sideways, plus a lot of hills. I was on the verge of just saying to heck with it more than once but kept going. Not sure quite how I would have set up a tent in that kind of wind.
It was a weather front stirring up the wind. Fortunately, the temperature was above freezing. The last few miles into Maybell were downhill. One of the highlights was seeing gaggles of mule deer bounding off through the sage by the road, not quite sure what to make of the contraption speeding downhill at them. All were antlerless this time of year.
The other was a stop at Lou's Restaurant in Maybell, where a hot bowl of broccoli, cheddar soup with croissants was served up to warm these cold soaked bones. The bread was compliments of the ladies of the community who left assorted Safeway breads on a table in the entrance, free to anyone who needed it. It was a really nice touch. Lou, perhaps, I didn't get the cook's name, also filled my water jug.
Next door at the Sinclair gas station/old style market, a bag of hot atomic ball candy filled out the grocery list. The lady at the register said they stocked the old candies I'd found hard to find in other places.
F - So how was it after Maybell on your way into Craig?
PR - Great, for the most part! The wind was nearly calm the next morning, a slight headwind but what a relief after the slog of the day before. There was a sad note to this transit however.
F - How so?
PR - The carnage on the road was incredible. Between Maybell and Craig I counted 21 deer, two elk and a coyote carcass. I'm sure I missed some as well. The saddest was approaching Mile 66.9 (from the CO/UT border). I saw up ahead a dark shape lying in the road. Pulling even with it I could see it was a golden eagle, still alive but unable to move. It had evidently been feeding on a nearby deer carcass at the road edge and was hit by a passing vehicle.
Mindful of that powerful looking beak I put my loose sweater over its head, picked it up and set it down next to the deer carcass off the road. It was still alive when I left but it couldn't move at all and may have been too badly injured to survive.
F - Did you report it?
PR - Yeah, when I got to Craig a few hours later I did. Said they'd send a wildlife officer out to check on it.
F - So you don't know how it turned out then?
PR - No, and it's sad no one had stopped earlier.
F - So you took to the ski slopes when you hit Steamboat Springs, right?
PR - I took to the hills alright but it was trying to get over Rabbit Ears pass before dark.
F - Did you make it?
PR - Not quite. It was all uphill for eight miles, probably the longest grade I'd tackled on the trip topping out at over 9,000 feet.
F - How did you manage to do it?
PR - Well, head down and keep at it, dogged persistence I guess. I recite a mantra and keep cranking, my goal just the next reflector post up the hill. I'm not doing this totally under my own steam you know. I'm given strength to persevere. I recognize and honor that.
Oily king salmon strips, Cliff Bars and dried fruits and nuts fuel the "furnace." It was also a warm, sunny day with gorgeous views of the valley dropping away behind me. Hard work, but just a fine day to be alive on the road.
F - Where did you end up camping for the night?
PR On the West summit. But that was okay. I camped in a pullout for skiers just as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Three miles back I stopped to ask how far it was to the top. It was a Routt County Sheriff patrol car. Officer Tommie Belz was checking for speeders coming off the pass. She was interested in what I was doing and I told her.
You know, it made my day when she asked if she could put me on her prayer list. I said yes, please do, many people are praying for me and I really appreciate that. I gave her my blog address so she could follow my journey.
F - It must have been cold camped that high up eh?
PR - Well, it froze overnight but it wasn't subzero or anything like that. I found enough dry wood nearby. I was able to have a fire and cook on my tent stove. It was warm and comfortable inside.
By the time I left in the morning the sun was out and warming things up. There were just a few dips before I got to the East Summit. From there it was a long downhill to Kremmling and beyond.
F - Where did you end up hanging your hat for the night?
PR - That was special too, as it turned out. I'm days out of clean clothes and a shower mind you and nursing a cold.
An hour or so from quitting time and daylight fading fast I'm pedalling up a hill. Up ahead I see a flatbed truck parked on the opposite side of the road. A man gets out, waiting for me to draw even. I stop and he asks where I'm going to stay for the night. I don't know I said. He tells me where I can find a campground in the near vicinity. I usually don't camp in campgrounds but it was helpful information. I was near the south end of Green Mtn. reservoir south of Kremmling at the time.
He tells me that if I get another ten miles down the road I could stay at his place. He had a basement I could use . Whew, another ten miles! I wasn't sure I had that kind of mileage left in me at that point. I asked him if was pretty flat the rest of the way. I didn't have much up left in my "motor." He said it was and gave me directions to his place on Longs Road in case I made it. "Look for the flat bed truck parked in the yard," he said. Okay!
F - Well?
PR - You know a warm shower is like a spring to a desert traveler, motivation for the thirsty and dirty. I made it but probably wouldn't if Tim's report of a flat road hadn't been accurate. I was beat by the time I got to his place, a 60 mile plus day.
F - So you made some more friends?
PR - I did. That's one of the real joys of being on the road, the kindness of strangers and making new friends. Tim Bicknell is an out of work mason. He was still recovering from recent shoulder surgery. Laura his wife, teaches English as a second language in Frisco 10 miles or so down the road from their place. Laura and Melissa his teenage daughter came home later. Tim set me up in their downstairs basement, got a dinner going for me and put my dirty clothes in the washing machine, beforehand. It was wonderful to be cared for.
The wall hangings were pretty interesting inside Tim's place.
F - How so?
PR - Tim is an antiques collector. Over 20 years or so he had acquired a lot of Roy Rogers memorabilia and more. There was an original RR jacket, a couple of RR posters, and unrelated full length bear skin coat, saddles, guitars, an old style dial up telephone, a feast for the eyes, too much to take in at once.
He had expanded his home from the original, doing all the brick work. It was still a modest sized home compared to others nearby. He had two big dogs outside, as he called his horses which he hadn't ridden in awhile. Neby, the golden retriever, was part of the family and allowed inside, several cats remained outside.
F - Did you hang out there awhile?
PR - No, I left mid-morning the next day. Tim offered to carry my trailer south but with mostly flat terrain between his place and Dillon, I could manage. Laura had made calls on my behalf to see if there was media interest in Dillon for doing a story.
There was. Her calling set the stage. On my way into town Mark Fox caught me and took photos for an article in the Summit Daily News. I also met up with Bob Berwyn at Wendy's in Silverthorne. He interviewed me outside the Mountain Public Radio Station. An article he wrote that came out afterward was a good one. His site is www.summitvoice.org. Murray with MPR did a radio interview for later broadcast the same day.
It was a good day.
F - Did you make it over Hoosier Pass?
PR - I did, with help from my friend Eddie Kochman. He came up from Denver stopping at his cabin in Fairplay on the way. He dropped some things there first then drove over the pass to meet me in Silverthorne. He carried my trailer over the Pass to Alma. He also suggested we not linger in South Park after I got there with a big snow storm on its way. We didn't and that's how I ended up at his place in Denver.
F - What are your plans now?
PR - If the weather cooperates I'll start my bike trip from Alma where I left off before the last snow storm. As it happens Tim is going to Kansas City said he could pick me up in Denver and drop me off in Alma on his way home. If that works out, I'll do it but if not I'll continue on east from Denver. I don't want to have a break in the bike ride if there is no good reason for it. I didn't want anyone to make a special trip just so I could fill in a blank spot. Will see how it works out.
At the moment another snow storm has descended upon Denver so we'll see. The snow does go quick here once the weather breaks. It is forecast to improve by Thursday when Tim is supposed to return.
F - Any thing else to report?
PR - No, just a couple of big thank yous to Chris Crosby and my friends Eddie and Babbie Kochman for all their help on my behalf.
See you down to the road.
Friday, March 12, 2010
On the Road from Provo, Utah 3/9/10
Friend (Joe) - Glad to finally hear from you directly. Thought you might have gotten lost in the desert?
PR - Well, they don't call Highway 50 the Loneliest Highway in America for nothing.
F - I thought you were heading south into canyon country at some point?
PR - I was but after talking with friends in Denver I changed to a more northerly route that would take me into the Denver area on my bike.
F - How come?
PR - A lot of folks are mighty concerned about climate change there. It's important to make these contacts and speak where I can. I also want to see friends in the area.
F - Weren't you planning to go to Denver anyway, even on a more southerly route?
PR - I was but now I'm going to take a break from my ride there.
F - It's going to be tough to make Earth Day in Washington, DC doing that isn't it?
PR - Yeah, I had to let go of that. I'm learning the way of the cyclist, take each day as it comes, enjoy the journey. I get there when I get there. I'll celebrate Earth Day where ever I am.
F - How was your Great Basin crossing?
PR You know, I loved it, snow storms and all. I had some really exquisite camp sites. The temperatures were into the 40's during the day with some frosting at night where I camped at higher elevations.
And I found lots of dead wood for my tent stove. Dry sage burns hot and quick. There was lots of it in most places.
I'm not quite across all of it but more summits are behind me than ahead in Utah at least. Explorer John C. Fremont reported the Great Basin as covering 11 degrees of Latitude (660 nautical miles) and 10 degrees of Longitude. I read that on a BLM information sign at the Ron Bosso recreation site east of Sacramento Pass.
F - Any problems getting across?
PR - No, not really, I was held up briefly by snow storms in several places but I was already in camp. I just waited them out. The sun angle is higher now. The daytime temperatures are warm enough that the snow on the road melts off quickly. The snow plows were out right away which also helped.
On of the more annoying things was the nearly constant noise from overhead jet traffic. Closer to Fallon Naval Air Station it was from Navy fighter aircraft overhead, Further away it was from high altitude airline traffic.
I got boomed by a Navy fighter exceeding Mach l. Supersonic flight over the Continental USA is prohibited the last I knew. Shortly after that another fighter came screaming out of New Pass in the Edwards Valley, at low level, west bound. This was all outside any military restricted area shown on my map.
But you know, I may have been guilty of booming someone during my "go fast" days as a military pilot. These things happen unintentionally. This could have been turn about, me on the receiving end. It's startling and unpleasant, at best, to be boomed from shock waves hitting the ground. Nevada may be sparsely populated but it's not uninhabited.
I was not a happy camper in a very gracious mood afterward.
F - An irate letter to the base commander in the offing?
PR - I was tempted.
F - You had some long stretches between towns didn't you?
PR - Yeah, the longest was between the Nevada/Utah border and Delta Utah, an 89 mile stretch. I packed two gallons of water from the border to make it. At least this time of year with rain and snow there was some standing water in places.
But boy, in the summer this country has got to be a very dry oven. Early travellers had to know where the next watering hole was or they'd be in tough shape in tough country. I have a better appreciation of what early emigrants had to deal with.
F - Any stories to tell?
PR - A couple. I got a late start from Delta after picking up mail forwarded there. Snow overnight didn't help. I was only a few miles out of town when I hear a motorcycle coming behind me. Instead of passing he pulls along side me and asks. "Did you hear me coming." "Yes," I replied. "It wasn't loud was it." "Not as loud as a Harley, I responded.
That's how I met Frank "the high speed Ninja" Mann. I pulled into the turnoff to the Delta Airport and we had a conversation. He worked in the Red Rock Specialty cheese plant two miles back. It was on the other side of the road. I hadn't noticed.
He was on a yellow Kawasaki 600 crotch rocket. Said he bought it from a Provo pawn shop for $1700.
He did most of the talking aside from me telling him what I was up to. I make the best #@# Rigatto cheese in America he said. "We can't get enough whey, man." He proceeded to tell me the problems with supply. He said, "we have free samples at the cheese factory. Park your bike and I'll give you a ride. I don't go fast with passengers." Seemed like a reasonable thing to do. It was close. I had been impressed by the friendliness of people I met earlier at the PO and willingness to help a stranger.
Sure why not. I got on the back. "You all set he said." "Yeah," Not fast for Frank was an eye watering experience for me, and I had on sun glasses. The rain bonnet over my helmet stayed put to my surprise. Couldn't see the speedometer, probably a good thing. I could hear the inline, water cooled four wrapping up and me thinking this was not one of my brighter ideas. Frank had no helmet to cover his balding head of close cropped gray hair. It was no heat wave out either.
He wore a red and black Red Rock Cheese sweat. I had only a light shell on. I was starting to feel the chill when we decelerated and pulled into the factory. Whew!! I reminded myself to ask him to go slower returning.
Anita was behind the counter. I tried their goat and cow cheese samples. It was good stuff. They only make white cheeses she explained. I bought a small bag of jalapeno curds. Frank said they'd only been open five years. It was an old restaurant before. He was off for three days but could work more if they could get a steady supply of whey. His use of the English language was colorful, that of an exMarine but not out of place.
Frank held the speed down going back.
He told me how he met his wife Sylvia when she was working at Quality Foods in Delta years ago. He was as a young man with long hair passing through heading to the west coast with a friend. She was 17 years younger but something clicked. They married. He had a 10 year old son, Franky and Wyatt, 16 months. Wyatt was born with a heart defect. They didn't know it until he stopped eating he said. Franky was flown to Salt Lake City for emergency heart surgery. Frank said it was a repair and knew it when he saw the doctors face coming out of surgery. He had to have a second operation.
He told me about hitching back to Atlanta, his home town, when he was a young man. The ride dropped him off. This is where the narrative gets a bit fuzzy. He was walking on the side of the road back to the traffic holding up a destination sign. He said just in time God whirled him around to see what was coming and leap out of the way. A car had swerved over where he was and would have run him over. They were four old people he said. Those #@# were trying to kill me! They swerved back into the lane of traffic, didn't stop.
I had to get going. I offered him some nuts I was carrying. Oops, not very observant of me to see he didn't have any teeth. I gave him a fire ball to suck on instead. He took that. Off he went, said he'd see me on the way back. He did. The engine was still rapping up, getting louder, higher pitched as he accelerated, disappeared out of sight.
F - You liked him?
PR - I did. You had to look deeper than the language. He is one tough hombre, not to be messed with.
F - Anything else?
PR - One more. I tried to find a Warm Showers host in Provo before I arrived but without success. Friends had called several possibilities in the area but none returned calls.
I had a really nice ride around Utah Lake, through rural countryside on the way to Provo. People like their horses here. Not many homes were without a horse or two nearby. A couple of yards had rheas, I think, ostrich like birds.
I got into Provo in the early afternoon. I had to find a bike shop. That was the first priority. I need to replace a worn rear cassette, as it is called, and get a higher gear ratio low end sprocket if possible to make pulling the hills easier with a load. After that I hoped to find a place to stay in the near vicinity.
I hit Highway 6/89 into Provo on a Sunday. It was the right day to get into town, most places were closed with light street traffic. A good thing, not much for shoulders on this four lane thoroughfare.
I hit University south, crossed the street and was going to head north. There was a used car lot on the corner. Two men were by the sidewalk moving cars around. I thought I heard them speaking Spanish. I asked, they were. I also asked if they knew about one of the bike shops whose name I'd written down. No they hadn't but invited me to come inside and look in the phone book.
Turns out they were from Ascuncion, Paraguay. I could speak some Spanish and had traveled with a friend up the Rio Paraguay from Ascuncion the capital in '86. I told them about my bike trip and us building the Canoa Alaska on the riverbank in front of the Governors Palace. The dictator Stroessner had been booted a few years earlier.
I made two new friends and they invited me to stay with them. Nelson Mouseques is the owner of Autocraft on the corner of University Ave. South. Ramon is his father and helping out. Both were a big help to me and gracious hosts. Claudia, Nelson's wife made a nice sack lunch for me to take on the road did my laundry and saw to it I was well fed. A big thank you to them!
I made two new friends and they invited me to stay with them. Nelson Mouseques is the owner of Autocraft on the corner of University Ave. South. Ramon is his father and helping out. Both were a big help to me and gracious hosts. Claudia, Nelson's wife made a nice sack lunch for me to take on the road did my laundry and saw to it I was well fed. A big thank you to them!
I made two new friends and they invited me to stay with them. Those of you who have kept up with this blog know that the kindness of strangers has been a recurring theme of my journey.
I recognize there is a greater hand in this than just me. The Universe wants us to succeed to turn aside from the disaster we will create if we don't get it right. It's time to break our addiction to fossil fuels and create a clean energy future for our children's sake.
F - Preach on bro!
PR - This is about growing up, becoming aware that we are a part of a greater whole, not separate from it. It is a higher state of consciousness that will bring an end to the madness, the hell we've created on Earth.
Everyone's needs can be me met in a world where there is balance and harmony, an understanding we are all in this together, including the voiceless many that enrich and make our lives possible.
This ride is about more than just climate change, it is about a great coming together of awakened people everywhere to avert an impending disaster. We will create it if we do nothing or do too little too late.
F - You haven't given up hope.
PR - Not at all. A lot of people are awake to the danger we're in. But we can't risk dragging this out over several decades. It's past time for this country to lead by example. It will be a rising up at the grass roots level that will impel our leaders to do what they should be doing anyway for the good of us all.
F - Where are you headed from Provo?
PR - I'll head straight up University Avenue out of Provo through the mountains to Heber City on Hgy. 6, connecting to Hgy. 40 into Colorado. In Colorado I will likely go south from Kremmling via Hgy 9 to Fairplay then east on 285 to Denver stopping to see friends along the way.
F - Stay safe!
PR - Thanks. I'm in good hands.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Report from Eureka, Nevada
I got a call from Don on Friday. He was in Eureka, Nevada, making good progress heading east. He will be continuing along Hwy 50, which then joins with Hwy 6 into Provo, Utah. From there he will be following Hwy 40 all the way into Denver. He's made some connections with people in Colorado and hopefully will be getting some support with hauling his gear. He'll be going over Berthoud Pass before descending into Denver. At over 11,000 feet, Berthoud Pass will be one of the greater challenges of Don's journey. I'm sure it will help physically and mentally to not be dragging a 60 pound trailer behind. Thanks to all those good folks along the way watching out for him.
Don should be able to get to a computer in the next couple days. I'll pass along a report as soon as I hear from him.
Don should be able to get to a computer in the next couple days. I'll pass along a report as soon as I hear from him.
Friday, February 26, 2010
On the Road from Fallon, Nevada 2/22/10
PR - Hey Joe you out there?
F - Yeah, always. What's up?
PR - A brief on the road report. The sun's out, the snow's melting, and I'm needing to make miles yet today.
F - When did you get there?
PR - Yesterday, but I spent most of Sunday waiting for a snow storm to pass. An appropriate day to be resting and me only 8 miles out of town. Then it snowed all night and into the next day. I could see it coming behind me and pedaled through a few flurries. It was a long day with darkness closing in on me.
F - How much snow did you have?
PR - Not that much really, maybe 4 inches but it was wet stuff. It didn't stick to the roads.
F - So you're heading down the road right after this, eh?
PR - Yeah, as heavy as I was out of Alaska. Stores are few and far between heading east on Hwy 50. The next "big" town is Ely about 250 miles away. I'm packing a weeks worth of food from here.
F - Lots of interesting history along your route.
PR - Yeah, stuff you don't pay a lot of attention to speeding by in a car.
Dayton just east of Carson City, the capital of Nevada, is on the Pony Express Trail as was part of my route across the Sierras. Night before I camped near so called Ragtown, not really a town but a place where emigrants stopped for water to do their laundry after a thirsty desert crossing. Ragtown from the laundry hanging on bushes.
The Carson River and some others flowing off the Sierras disappear into the desert sands.
F - What are you doing for water, by the way?
PR - I'm packing a jug of water from Fallon. Not quite sure I can make the next small town and water before sunset today with a late start.
One last piece of history. I passed a small stone monument by the roadside in Dayton honoring Paiute Chief Truckee. He helped and befriended emigrants heading west and died near this place in 1860; a town, a river, and valley, are named after him. John C. Fremont, the explorer, also honored this legendary Chief.
One of my first fishing trips with Charlie, my dad, was on the Truckee River with my aunt and uncle who lived in Reno. This is also for me a journey of remembrance.
Well, enough for now. More to say about sacred places down the road.
F - When will we hear from you again?
PR - Probably not until Cedar City, Utah, 5 or 6 days down the road. Passed Ely I'll probably head southeast bound into Utah on 21, more watering holes than the alternative.
F - Catch you down the road.
PRD
Sunday, February 21, 2010
On the road from South Lake Tahoe 2/19/10
Friend (Joe) - I see you made it over the Sierras. How was the crossing?
PR - You know, I couldn't have asked for nicer weather, sunny and warm for the two day climb to Echo Summit.
F - Which way did you go?
PR - I decided to keep going over Hgy. 50 from Placerville instead of Hgy 88. It was the most direct route from where I was at. You may recall I said I had to pick up winter gear I'd sent ahead there.
F - So you got everything okay?
PR - I did. I made it there from Sacramento before the Post Office closed and everything I'd sent ahead was there. I was most anxious to have my warmer sleeping bag and tent stove. It was all there waiting. My "just in case" new studded snow tires from Don's Cycles in Grants Pass were also there. I was a happy camper.
And you know the following night I fired up the stove. The last time was at Jackass Summit in BC. Heat, warm tent, it doesn't get much better than that cold camping.
F - So it got really cold on you.
PR - No, it wasn't below freezing but I had climbed up to 5000' by then. It was cooler and there was patchy snow on the ground. I was about six miles or so west of Twin Bridges on an old road grade above the main highway, in the pine forest.
F - So how was Hwy 50 for biking?
PR - Not great for cycling. In a lot of places there are no shoulders and even during the week plenty of traffic, but I made it, with help.
PR - So I'm sitting at my host families kitchen table writing this. I just looked up. Whoa baby! A black bear, big, just walked up on the back porch.
I yell at Jean, She's upstairs on the phone and runs down, gets a pan out and bangs on it. The bear ambles off, in no great hurry. It had a red ear tag.
This one is a known character, his name is George, Jean tells me later after a phone conversation with a friend. People aren't as careful with garbage here as they should be she says but George is apparently old, sometimes sleeps under a porch and hasn't broken into anything yet apparently.
The winter has been mild here Jean tells me. Still it's not normal for bears to be wandering around this time of year.
F - So a little excitement in the AM eh?
PR - I'll say. This one wasn't acting aggressive, but what a surprise, look up and there's a bear framed in the window, 10 feet away with only a couple of glass panes of separation.
F - Did you get a picture?
PR - No, in the excitement didn't think of it until after, of course.
PR - One more story from the road.
F - Let's hear it.
PR - I reached Echo Summit in the early afternoon, 7400' roughly. I didn't see a sign for Echo summit with the elevation on it on my side of the road but there was one on the other side. I cross the road to take a photo of my bike in front of the sign. I'm getting set to take a photo when a truck pulls in behind me. It's Mike in a California Transportation maintenance truck I find out after some conversation. He says I saw you back at Strawberry heading up the hill. You know there's a steep downgrade right after the next bend, the road is narrow with no shoulders. I didn't know. There was only a sign saying steep downgrade. Mike takes a picture of me, then I take his.
Cars have to swing into the other lane to pass you he tells me. I don't want anyone hurt on my road. I'll follow you down the hill to the bottom so cars can't pass. He tells me where there are a couple of turnouts I can pull into to let cars pass. I'll let you know where he says, it's only 4 1/2 miles long. He has a PA system in the truck.
Wow! Kindness and consideration for the welfare of others, so many times repeated on this journey. I thank him for that, grateful, humbled.
I tell Mike about the Warm Showers host family I'm going to stay with in Lake Tahoe south. A few minutes later an Outback Suburu pulls in front of me. I guess it might be Greg my warm showers host. He told me he was going to Placerville when I called the evening before. He said he might see me on the road. It was him. He said his wife Jean wasn't going to be home when I would arrive. He drew a map for me with directions to the house and the combination to the garage door.
F - So no problems getting down he hill.
PR - No, thanks to Mike. Just round the next bend from the summit, a stunning view of distant Lake Tahoe as the valley floor falls away to the north. Mike says pull over and take a photo if you want. We pull into the next turnout to let cars pass and I for a quick photo.
F - So what are your plans now?
PR - Head down the road and make a few more miles today.
Many thanks to Holly Wenger in Sacramento for hosting and riding part way with me to and from Sacramento and to Jean and Greg Bergner for letting me stay with them in their lovely home by a marsh with indroductions to George.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
