Trek Recovery and Gearing up for the Fall

We got back to our home that has a roof on Thursday nite August 15. Living out of a van and tents for two months was a challenge. We had a chance to rest and recover some at Karen's mother's Wildwood house for a few days after finishing the Trek last Thursday. Now comes the recovery at home and the gearing up for school. I was able to go into my classroom on Friday and see what all I will need to do to be ready for students. Teacher days start on Monday. We have a lot of extra 'cleanup' to do related to the robbery in St. Luis; getting driver licenses, changing bank accounts, replacing items etc. What a hassle but God blessed in so many ways. I think we need to step out of our normal, our comfort zones sometimes to be reminded and to be able to see once again how amazing God is and how He does take care of us. We are not big enough to handle life. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, He created it all, He is big enough!!!!! I added a slideshow short of the Trek. Just 50 pictures to highlite the trip. You can't see Him physically but God is there all over the place. More to come.

Trek-a-Cross completed! Day 53 August 8, 2013

3465 miles, ocean to ocean in 53 days. As the days go by we will add to this blog and fill in details. Praise God, He got us thru!! He is so amazing.

Some interesting data: 45 days riding out of 53, 14.1 average speed, 245.5 hours of riding time at 5.5 hours per day, 77 average miles per day, with breaks 7.8 hours on the road/ day (average on the road miles 10mph), 28,000 tire miles with 17 flats and 3 tires replaced, 3 broken spokes (all on Don's rear tire), no cable or chain breaks, no brake changes, 4 minor accidents with no serious mechanical damage and no ride stopping injuries, we biked thru 14 states.

Most important: many many Gospel contacts. Our prayer is that Jesus Christ was shared and glorified in all we did. And the many Gospels of John given, we pray people will read and come to know Christ personally.

Trek52 Wednesday August 7

82 mile day. Stayed at Homestead campground, Georgetown, DE.

Trek51 Tuesday August 6

88 mile day. Stayed at Millersville, MD KOA.

Trek50 Monday August 5

88 mile day on C&O canal. Stay at Harpers Ferry KOA.

Trek49 Sunday August 4

Trek48 Saturday August 3

45 mile day. Stayed at Rocky pond  campground.

Trek47 Friday August 2

80 mile day. Stayed at Outflow campground. We left the Washington KOA and had about 28 miles to get to the GAP. The PA hills where rediculous. We worked really hard riding up and down and up and down on steep hills but we finally got the Great Allegheny Passage. We were so relieved to get to the GAP that we needed to celebrate with a Mt. Dew. We realized that we had made it pass the high mountains on our trip, the rest should be fairly level; the GAP, C&O, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. We still had over 50 miles but we were excited and got to camp in good time. Vicki, Ken, and Chey came out to find us. I broke another spoke. Karen had found a great site at the camp ground after much hassle. We swam in the lake and Nate and Jess Brubaker showed up about 9:30 PM. So great to have familiar faces again.

Trek45 Wednesday July 31

88 mile day. Piedmont Inn such a blessing. We rode hard up and down, up and down all day. We were tired. I always worried about Karen as she navigated finding a place to stay for the nite. God provided a whole lounge and kitchen to work out of for the nite. One of the few nites we actually had a roof over our heads. No worry about rain, chocolate chip cookies from an oven, showers at the manager's home, a great final nite in Ohio.

Trek46 Thursday August 1

70 mile day. Stayed at KOA in Washington, PA. Finished Ohio and traveled thru West Virginia and finished in PA. 10 states down and 4 to go.

Trek44 Tuesday July 30

77 mile day (2.5 of route to camp) Back to just the 4 of us riding again. More hilly terrain but we go thru the miles in good time to have chance to swim in the lake at the Lakeview RV park near Lancaster, OH. In Lancaster, OH the say Lancaster as we do in PA but I would take our streets paving. Rough riding on a bicycle.

Trek43 Monday July 29

92 mile day. We finished up Indiana and headed into Ohio. What a challenge getting thru another city, Cincinnati. I thought we could go thru on 50 the whole way but one road said no pedestrians or bicycles. We got off at the next exit. Now to find a way thru. Yea for Google maps on smart phones. We made it thru but I hate the inability to plan ahead in cities. Luke's brother rode with us for the day. Great job David!!!! Great camp site at Rocky Fork State Park.

Trek41/42 Sat/Sun July 27-28

Day's off from riding to explore the Creation Museum. Amazing time exploring the evidence for creation. A statement that especially stuck out to me was this, 'God's world agrees with God's word.' What a great time, Luke's parents, my brother and family came and enjoyed the experience with the team. We also had some great worship and teaching at First Baptist Church of Rising Sun, IN.

Trek40 - Friday - July 26

84 mile day ending near Aurora, IN camping at the Little Farm by the River. What a fun day with my brother Jay joining us in our ride for the day. Other brother Leon and family join us at camp. All three brother reunion, yea !!!

Trek39 - Thursday - July 25

111 mile day, second century ride, longest day yet. Camp near Brownstown, IN. Starve Hollow Recreational Park.