Thanks Jane!

 

Jane and Riley

Our thanks to Jane whose watching over Riley our Golden Retriever. It was sad leaving him however we're sure he'll have a great summer. Jane lives right on on the water and gives Riley plenty of exercise. She's also a dog trainer who was instrumental in helping us with Riley. Riley was rescued and nursed back to health after being found abandoned in the woods. When he came to live with us he needed to learn some manners. That's where Jane came in - now he's such a good boy who we'll miss dearly during this adventure.

 

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Prayer

Prayed over at EABC

Our departure date is rapidly coming upon us! We leave for Oregon in only three days. Wow! We are looking so much forward to this grand adventure but we have also realized how important being covered in prayer is. Last night at church service our pastor and church prayed over us - how wonderful and humbling. For those of you who pray, please do so for us...

• Our safety as we travel.
• Our response to "God moments" as we travel. God has brought so many different people across our path on each of our earlier tours that we have no doubt that there will be plenty more on this one. We pray for sensitivity and a willingness to be used of God as we travel.
• Us as a couple - that our love for each other will grow even deeper. God has given me a fantastic wife and life mate. There aren't many women that would look forward to 3 months on a bicycle with only one set of street clothes to choose from when we are not riding (among other things). I even had the nerve to ask her if she really needed a towel. You can guess her answer.

 

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5 weeks and counting!

We leave for Oregon in 5 weeks from today. The weather finally broke last week and spring is here. It feels so good to be outdoors getting chores done that need to be done before we leave. This picture shows our trailer full of fire wood before loading into the barn for storage. We now have 8 chord stacked - 2 more to go! It's rewarding and hard work from the tree to the barn. Such is the life of leisure in retirement! The orchard is pruned and the prunnings are picked up. We are also riding outdoors which feels so good after a winter in the gym! The reality of this trip is sinking in. Can't wait!

 

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Its cold outside but we still dream

Here's our planned route for this summer. It's just shy of 4400 miles as it's laid out. We can't wait to start pedaling! We dream of warm, sunny and dry pavement. Winter continues to hang on. It's cold and windy outside as I write this.

Route for 2015 bicycle trip

 

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Cold and snowy!

 

Marcia and Riley

Today we are 4 weeks away from calendar spring. As you can see - it doesn't look much like spring is coming anytime soon. As a matter of fact we haven't seen freezing since sometime in December. As this picture was taken it had warmed up to 15 deg F from -15 deg F earlier this morning. We are looking forward to doing Spring stuff.W Snow shoeing and working out at the gym continues however running outdoors hasn't - it's been way to cold and snowy. We can't wait to get on our bike!

 

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Map planning

Steve has been doing one of his favorite things - looking over maps and dreaming about our summer bike trip. Most of the map work is spent figuring out good bike routes through cities that are off Adventure Cycling routes. Thankfully most cities have a good network of recommended routes courtesy of local bike clubs and bike coalition efforts. The snow was blowing outside in this picture - our first real snow storm of the season. Steve and Riley (golden retriever) went snow shoeing later. It was great!

 

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At the Gym

Today we went to our local gym again. It's been a life saver this winter. So far we have had very little snow and cold. Not a good combination for much snowshoeing or cross country skiing. The gym has allowed us to get some good and consistent exercise that will hopefully pay off on our ride next summer. Our time at the gym has been a good mix between treadmills, cycle & rowing machines, and weight machines. We've been going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week.

Marcia on the inversion table

Steve at a weight machine

 

 

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