There’s No Such Thing as Coincidence

Karma ? Manifest destiny? Spiritual intervention? Did you ever wonder why some things happen? It’s cool, sometimes kind of freaky, but you know it just can’t be coincidence, right? Faith I tell you, you gotta have faith and let it take you where it leads you. Well today was one of those days. Do you remember yesterday, Ben and I were cruisin’, I mean we did the 75 miles from Chadron to Merriman in record time. We aver aged 16.6 mph, but the last 4 mile we ran into a strong headwind that knocked us down from 17+ mph. Remember we then went to the rodeo back in Chadron and had a great time? Well, jump back to the ride to Merriman. About 10 miles outside Merriman we pass this young guy walking and pushing a kart on the other side of the road and I yell out a friendly “hello” and keep pedaling along on my merry way. Ben catches up to me and I ask, “What do you think that guy’s doing walking way out here?” Ben answers, “Maybe he’s walking across the country.” Yeah, right, I think sarcastically to myself, walking across the country. Probably picking up cans and garbage I think. How dumb am I? Who would be walking in the middle of Nebraska picking up garbage? So now we’re driving back to Chadron and we pass this guy walking and again I’m friendly and toot the horn and wave. After our big night out at rodeo, we get back to the camper about 11:30, dead tire and we still have to set it up before we can crash for the night. Guess who’s camping out in the city park? You’re right, it’s the walking dude, he set up camp under the pavilion, a pretty sweet set up.
In the morning I’m up early and getting ready to bike out of camp before anyone else gets up like; wait, did I tell you the new arrangement Ben came up with? Because I’ve been kind of anal about getting an early start, Ben and Sabrina figure that I should just get up and go and then once they arise in their own sweet time, have breakfast and packed up the camper, they can just catch up to me and whoever wants to ride, can join on the ride wherever! Now, back to the story. Sabrina wakes and is so considerate, she has to feed me breakfast before I leave. Who am I to refuse a free meal? So, next thing I know, she’s cooking, Ben’s up and I’m repairing a flat tire on Sabrina’s bike. NOW the good part, remember the coincidence thing from the beginning? Come on now, stay with the story. The walking dude is up and moving about, so I’m feeling neighborly and go over to introduce myself and ask if he wants some breakfast. Francis, I learn IS walking coast-to-coast! OMG! And he’s going from Oregon to Boston! Seventy-two days on the road and not due into Boston until October. He’s worn out 4 pair of shoes and can’t wait to get the next care package from his Mom with new sneakers. This young man is quite amazing and has had many life experiences that hit home with us and our perspective on helping other people in need. He has work with Habitat for Humanity in Botswana and done volunteer work in Haiti. We exchange contact info, take pictures and share 2 oranges with him for his trip (he wouldn’t take any more). Francis is a very special walking dude on a spiritual journey.
So, now it’s 10:45 before I’m on the bike heading for Valentine. Again, the best laid plans of mice and men. But, today the delay was worth it and I’m learning that somethings are just meant to happen. I know Francis will show up again somewhere in our future. The ride to Valentine (60 miles) is pretty easy with only a slight headwind to slow me. Sabrina and Ben pass me and drop off a sandwich, explaining that they are travelling on to Valentine to meet Bob, another Rotarian, and set up at camp. Sabrina returns later in the day to finish the last 25 miles with me and we have a great time reminiscing about Francis. Earlier in the day I came across 2 other bikers riding from Chicago to San Francisco. They were both named Ryan, and were relocating Ryan1 to a new job in S.F. while Ryan2 will be flying back to Chicago after the trip; he’s just along for the ride. They, like us, were fundraising. Their project is a cycling project that is funding solar panels for schools. I explain that I went solar last year and explained the CT Solar Lease Program. We had a nice chat, exchanged info. And I told them where they could meet Francis (he was staying put in Merriman for a rest day) and use the restroom facilities or maybe even camp in the city park. Just another amazing day in journey for a better world and meeting more wonderful people along the way.
Check out Francis’ story on: http://www.mywalkhome.com/
Keep Them Wheels a Rollin’
Paul

Back to Chadron we go, FOR THE RODEO

Since I would be the support driver for the day I decided to support the local Rotary club by running in their annual race. It started at 8 so Paul dropped me off to go back to break camp. It was a walk, 5k and 10 k race that was called the Colter Run, named after a famous trapper, John Colter. One of the fur traders in costume sang the story of Colter, a great story. He was a trapper and member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who was caught by the Blackfeet Indians, stripped naked and was given a head start to out run them, which he did. He was also the first white man to set eyes on Yellowstone Park, then called Colter’s Hell because nobody believe what he said he saw there. It was a hot and hilly run but I managed to place 1st for 50 year olds in the 10k and will proudly wear my t-shirt and medal. Ben and Paul had a fast ride to Merriman, our next stop. The scenic by-way has rolling hills and long stretches of road that you can see for miles. The first corn fields I saw in Nebraska so far, most notable are the many windmills throughout the fields. Paul and Ben finished in record time so we decided to finally catch a rodeo, back to Chadron we go. We found a town park to camp for the night in Merriman, toilet and showers, we are all set. The rodeo was all that you would expect, barrel racing, bareback bucking, saddle bronc, kids stick horse racing and calf chase and of course, bull riding. One cowboy got his hand stuck and was dragged around the fence, face bleeding but sent away with applause as he left in the ambulance. That was our cue to call it a night, catch a bite to eat at McDonald’s(internet) and back to Merriman.

Wanna Throw some tomahawks?

Ben was looking for some company(we are REALLY missing Wayne and Mom) so we decided to have Paul ride solo so Ben and I could take part of the Fur Trade Days Celebration in Chadron. Once again the plans to get an early start were interrupted by a friendly camper from Nebraska who noticed we were from CT. He and his wife stayed in CT for 9 months in Strattford while he worked as a private contractor. We had a nice long chat and would have talked more but his wife didn’t know he stopped by. Later as they passed in their truck she yelled a “hello” and said if she was with him they would have stayed even longer, nice people, we hope to see them when they visit Ct again. At the bath house I met another friendly camper, Bev, visiting from Minnesota for a school reunion. We saw that they were camped across from us so I HAD to show her some Chikumbuso bags, of which she purchased 2 for her computer. So a morning start turned into about 1:15 for Paul. Ben and I went into town and asked where we could find the Fur Trader’s Rendezvous. We turned onto a dirt road (all the side roads in Nebraska seem to be dirt) and traveled 3 miles when we got the call from Paul, he was done. Well we were curious how much longer we had to travel so we told Paul to wait at the Fur trader’s Museum. Five more miles, onto roads just a bit better than Ng’ombe, we were deep in the woods. W here else would you find fur trappers? The camp was very similar to the camps of the 5th CT, a civil war group that Paul and Wayne belonged to 15 years ago. There were 20 or so tents and teepees and a “store” where the trappers could get supplies. In front I noticed bags that looked like they came from Africa. Yup, the merchant’s wife purchased them to help support a women’s project there. Just when we were about to leave, Ben was approached by a young boy of 9 in full costume (accept for his shorts). He was carrying 2 tomahawks and asked Ben, “Wanna throw some tomahawks?” Ben declined but, Isaac was happy to show us his skill. He also offered me a rock (sandstone or limestone) which I graciously accepted and another one he offered which I will give to Wayne. An hour later we met Paul and back to the campground where Ben prepared his first campfire dinner, steak, potatoes, beans and cornbread. Yum!

Sabrina

Hello Nebraska

Callie-Jean and Beth have to be in Washington by Friday night so they had to leave us in the morning. We also decided to not take our rest day in Lusk, but rather to continue on to Chadron, NE where Sabrina was scheduled to talk with the rotary at their 12:00 meeting . We packed up the camper fast, too fast actually, and we forgot to do a lot of the steps so we had to redo things before we could leave. C’est la vie, when you’re in a hurry. Consequently, we were running behind schedule as we drove to Chadron, NE. Half way there we practically had a coronary attach when we considered that there might be a time change involved and we might be rushing and still be one hour+ late ! OMG Sabrina jumped on the phone and called ahead to confirm the time and thank goodness, we had over reacted. The time change wasn’t until the middle of NE. So, 85 miles later we pull into the Country Kitchen only 10 minutes late, but right on time to step into the buffet line before the meeting started. Timing is everything. Sabrina kept it short and sweet because we were an addition to the scheduled meeting and since this was the 125th anniversary celebration weekend in Chadron, they had a lot to talk about. The Rotary was coordinating several events, teenage scavenger hunt, walking tours of the newly developed historic district walking trail and the Colter run, consisting of a 5K & 10K race and two mile walking race. Of course Sabrina’s eyes lit up and she registered for the 10K race. She must support the local Rotary, even if she’s dead tired from bike riding and not sleeping well. This is the Sabrina we all know and love. After the formal meeting adjourned, we got to meet and talk to some of the members. I was lucky enough to strike up a conversation with a fellow biker, one George Leadbetter, editor of the Chadron Record. We didn’t get much time to talk as he needed to leave but I think we have similar views on the importance of experiencing other cultures throughout the world to better understand them and foster global tolerance because we’re all people of the same world. After our talk it dawned on me that George was in a perfect position to help us raise awareness of the Chikumbuso project and WBR through his paper. I called him and suggested doing an article and he seemed supportive, so we e-mailed him all the information we had and hopefully it will get into his paper, although we’ll probably be In Illinois by then. After the meeting , Matt, the new president of Chadron Rotary, arranged for us to stay in the local state park and discussed making a donation from the club. After dropping off the trailer, it was back to Lusk to start the day’s ride, at 4:00! Ben stayed at the drop off point in Lusk and just chilled out until it was time to pick us up. Well it was really nice riding and we made good time, so Ben picked us up at about 7:45 and we’d covered 45 miles. Rt 20 is a great road with many historical points of interest. We passed the area where cattle were driven from Texas to WY and MT to replenish the dwindling buffalo herd. We followed the trains, with dozens of carts filled with coal from WY with friendly conductors honking a “hello.” Just before we crossed into Nebraska, we stopped at the first American Legion Post in Van Tassel. I’ll finish the last 40 into Chadron tomorrow. We made it back to camp around 9:30 to a dinner of toasted tuna sandwiches and the last of the corn chips and salsa. Thank God the Rotarians fed us a great lunch! It was another beautiful morning with lots of good memories and a few good contacts for the cause.

Riverton to Casper WY - Business Before Pleasure

July 5 - Sabrina is the consummate fundraiser. No matter what time of day or night, business comes before pleasure. We were all ready to hit the road, finally at 9:50 and as we rode out of the Kampground, the phone rings. Twenty minutes later, we did actually leave. About 1 mile later, Ben and Wayne drove by us, trailer packed and in tow.
What a hoot! Fourth of July in Riverton and we stayed at we stayed at Owl Creek Kampground, the second KOA ever, hence the K in Kampground. But, it's no longer KOA affiliated, so we got the whole story from the current owner. She's the hoot. She was a chef for Marriot in N.Y. and then they sent her to CA. She and her ex bought the Owl Creek after making a bundle in the property boom in CA. Her Harley still has CA plate although they may be expired! You get the picture. Nice place, definitely a basic clean campground, for campers not an RV park. The thing we liked best was that they have fire pits for open campfires. RV parks don't need those! DUMB! So, off we went for 80 miles of NOTHING but long gradual hills (who said it was downhill from Riverton to Casper?) and antelope. Meanwhile, Ben and Wayne were off to Thermopolis and a hot springs spa! So unfair!
Well, Sabrina and I pulled into this historical site, Hell's half acre, which we couldn't even see from road level on a bike, so I almost rode by it. Off the parking lot we see it, 320 acres of cavern that looks similar to the Bad Lands. But as you rode by on the road, you didn't even see it. Here, Sabrina received a follow up phone call confirming our Rotarian hosts for the night in Casper. Oh no, it's 5:00 and we still have 40 miles to Casper and dinner at Don and Hallie Harris' home. These Rotarian are simply marvelous, they treated us like family and after two nights in their home we feel like they are family. The most gracious and giving people you would ever think you could find in the whole world. They were the epitome of their motto, "Others before self."

God save the Queen, in drove Ben and Wayne. Our knights in shining armor. We just loaded up the bikes and drove to Casper and arrived at our host's in time for dinner. The next morning we drove back 42 miles and Wayne and I bucked 15 mph headwinds as we rode into Casper under threatening, gray cloud cover. Wayne was talked into riding Sabrina's bike instead of Ben's and boy did he regret it. Compared to Ben's Roubaix, Sabrina's bike is a tank. Oh well, making memories and sore butts. Well this half day ride gave Sabrina time to talk at a gathering of key people invited by the new Rotary president and also time for us time to see the National Trails Interpretive Center in Casper and boy was it worth it. It told us of the history of the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, the Overland Trail, and the Pony Express. Not only was the facility totally self explaining, but after the video presentation, we received a guided tour by a most knowledgeable guide, who was familiar with the history of the area. He was a retired history teacher of 28 years and he gave us the in depth info. That answered practically all our questions.
Sadly, that night we had to bid ado to Wayne. On the 11:00 Grayhound out of Casper, he left us to go back to work in CT.

Keep Them Wheels a Rollin'
Paul

Rendezvous with Beth and Callie-Jean

Before we left Casper, we got a look at one of the Rotary’s projects. They were able to build an amazing playground in less than a week and it has been well loved ever since. Don guided us out of the city to start the morning ride and while we were in the car, Mom got a call from the rotary in Douglas. The word has been getting out and we were invited to speak for a couple of minutes because there was already a program set up. So about 30 miles up the road I waited for Mom and Dad to make their way on the bikes and Mom got in the truck so we wouldn’t be late. We really didn’t want to leave Dad alone to ride on the highway (again the only way between two places) so I found on the GPS the route he should take to most avoid 75mph traffic. We drove ahead to check the route, and good thing. The road I put dad on, the only other road besides the hwy, turned into a dirt road, then ended. That’s no good. We called Dad and told him there was no other choice but the highway. Before we go on the on ramp we saw a couple riding self sustained. We stopped and talked with them and see if they were also forced to ride on the interstate. They were from Norway and were traveling from Seattle to Boston, hoping to get there by Aug 1. Me and Mom said good luck and continued on to the Douglas rotary meeting. After the presentation, we met up with Dad, who had met the Norwegians on the hwy, and we planned out the remainder of our route to Lusk. Again we chose a county road to cut off miles on the 100+ day. And again the road turned to a 15 mile dirt road. But because Dad has a big bike with wide tires, he decided to continue on it. Neither mine nor Mom’s bikes could have withstood the road. We passed over gently rolling hills and saw scenery different from the Wyoming we have been experiencing. We got held up by a herd of cattle that were eventually kind enough to share the road with us, some pronghorn antelope and a few trucks. We eventually ended up back on a main road. Getting closer to Lusk we passed through Lost Springs, population 1. Wait, what? One person we turned around to snap a photo and there looked like there was more than one building for a town with pop 1. Anyways, we were meeting up with Callie-Jean and Beth so we got a hold of them and told them we were pulling into the campground. Mom got out to check out the bathrooms at the self-service campground and a sign on the door read “this door is locked, don’t even try.” I guess we aren’t going to stay here. We called the girls to say we’re going to the other campground in town and asking if we could pitch their tent by our popup. When we got there, they were all booked up. This weekend is the Legends of Rawhide in Lusk, an annual event that features all of the old west. When I googled Lusk, WY the only things that came up were Rawhide and that they have the only known monument to a prostitute, Lady Featherlegs. Beth had also read about her and told us all about how she died; she was killed by Dangerous Dan for the money and jewels she would hide for him and other outlaws. Beth and Callie-Jean stopped at a coffee shop where their claim to fame was that they served the last meal to a teenaged serial killer that was captured in Douglas. So we spent the night in the bathroom less campground, which didn’t have water for a good couple of hours, and made the best of it. Luckily there was a WY state rest area across the road that we could use. We read the sign outside and the rest area and a Fun Fact: Ladybird Johnson (one of Mary Fisher’s good friends, a Chikumbuso connection) wanted to make the highways more appealing, so the Highway Beautification Act was signed and this was the first rest area built in Wyoming.

Wayne finds Gold!

After the beautiful day of sights yesterday, Wayne and Ben decided to split the day biking. Wayne as usual was trying to get us moving for an early start but the couple from North Carolina visited us in the morning and Richard mentioned plastic litter so of course I had to show them the Chikumbuso bags. Norma bought one and Richard promptly put a World Bicycle Relief sticker on their truck. The delay gave Wayne the chance to look down on the ground for rocks and he found a small white pebble with a fleck of gold!?!

We left Ben still doosing in the camper, Wayne in the lead searching for more rocks. We followed the fast moving Wind River with the backdrop of the painted hills. The views continued for about 3 miles and yes Wayne found 2 more beautiful rocks each weighing about 5lbs each. He put one in his pocket and one in my front pouch and we travel 40 more miles in head winds and hilly terrain. Wayne was very happy to see Ben at the rest stop at the half way point. We traveled through the Wind River Indian Reservation and passed the Crowheart Butte were a battle took place between the Shoshoni and the Crow in the 1800's over land rights. We saw many horses along the way, one house had 2 standing next to the garage door, like parked cars. That would have been a great picture if I had the camera.

Ben decided to stay with Wayne to find the camp site and help with our 4th of July feast, fried chicken, corn on the cobb, macaroni salad and watermellon for dessert(no room) Since the fire was hot, they made some cornbread for the morning. Can't wait. Tomorrow 120 miles to Casper, we'll see how far we get after 87 miles today and 90 yesterday.

-Sabrina