Today was very restful. I enjoyed the hospitality of the Copper Queen. The day started with a hearty breakfast, then the grocerey, then a badly needed trip to the laundromat. I also made some phone calls and watched some TV. I feel well-rested and ready to go tomorrow.
Hey! I haven't had cell service or internet for the past few days. Now, I'm in Ely, texting to the blog. The landscape here is big and empty. Really empty. As in, I biked 80 miles today and saw maybe 3 houses between towns. Tonight, I'm staying at the Copper Queen. The owners (the parents of a member of Living Proof church in Williamsburg) have very generously given me refuge for two nights. I owe a big thanks to Del for helping of in this. Tomorrow, I plan to rest, do laundry, and get groceries. Thanks for everything! Also: Nathan is now in South Africa. Remember him and Christina.
Hey! I haven't had cell service or internet for the past few days. Now, I'm in Ely, texting to the blog. The landscape here is big and empty. Really empty. As in, I biked 80 miles today and saw maybe 3 houses between towns. Tonight, I'm staying at the Copper Queen. The owners (the parents of a member of Living Proof church in Williamsburg) have very generously given me refuge for two nights. I owe a big thanks to Del for helping of in this. Tomorrow, I plan to rest, do laundry, and get groceries. Thanks for everything! Also: Nathan is now in South Africa. Remember him and Christina.
Here I am in Fallon, Nevada
I'm in Fallon Nevada. From here on out, things should be better. Last night, I stayed at Faith Baptist Church in Silver Springs. Everyone there was very friendly. I attended a Wednesday night church service, which was really nice.
Last night I got lonely for a few minutes. It was the first time of the trip. I'd kind of been wondering when (or if) that would happen. It turns out it takes me a week to get lonely when separated from family and friends. Maybe less time if I don't have phone access, maybe more time if the conditions are less trying. I suppose further experimentation will be required.
This morning, I stopped at Mustache Mikes cafe for breakfast (Mike was a member of the church I stayed at) at he didn't charge me! And, it was really good food, too. I got to Fallon around lunchtime and decided to stop by the ATM to get some cash. Unfortunately, I put in the wrong PIN and the machine said it was "holding my card for security reasons". I went inside and the bank people told me that meant it had shredded my card. That was something of a disappointment, but at least I still have a credit card.
Tonight, I hope to make it to Middlegate. The weather could be a little iffy for the next day or so, thunderstorms and hail. I really hope to avoid getting caught in that.
Thanks again for all the support.
Last night I got lonely for a few minutes. It was the first time of the trip. I'd kind of been wondering when (or if) that would happen. It turns out it takes me a week to get lonely when separated from family and friends. Maybe less time if I don't have phone access, maybe more time if the conditions are less trying. I suppose further experimentation will be required.
This morning, I stopped at Mustache Mikes cafe for breakfast (Mike was a member of the church I stayed at) at he didn't charge me! And, it was really good food, too. I got to Fallon around lunchtime and decided to stop by the ATM to get some cash. Unfortunately, I put in the wrong PIN and the machine said it was "holding my card for security reasons". I went inside and the bank people told me that meant it had shredded my card. That was something of a disappointment, but at least I still have a credit card.
Tonight, I hope to make it to Middlegate. The weather could be a little iffy for the next day or so, thunderstorms and hail. I really hope to avoid getting caught in that.
Thanks again for all the support.
Going through the mountains was really hard. I don't know if I've ever truly been exhausted before, but I was on Monday and Tuesday. I couldn't even make it to my town and had to call for a ride. Last night I was pretty discouraged, but then I got a flood of text message affirmation. It was a real morale booster. Today I've felt much better. I took it easy, only about 35 miles, but they felt good. The rest of the trip should be less physically strenuous. Thanks again for all the prayers and support. It means a lot.
Day 3
So far, so good. I did about 50 miles yesterday and it was pretty tiring. Today, I hope I'll do more. Around 4:30 yesterday, I stopped at a greenhouse and asked if they knew of any local churches where I could spend the night. They directed to several that were nearby. The first church I stopped at pointed me towards Community Presbyterian Church. I asked if I could pitch my tent in their yard and they said: "Why don't you sleep in the sanctuary?" So, I did. They also let me help myself to whatever was in the kitchen (which was great). And then, this morning, they invited me to join the Promise Keepers for breakfast. They even invited me to stay for Bible study, but I figured I should probably get going. What a great blessing!
Hopefully, I'll be able to find another place to stay tonight. Please remember me in you prayers. And, also Christina (if you know Christina) because this is her first day in South Africa. Thanks.
Andy
Hopefully, I'll be able to find another place to stay tonight. Please remember me in you prayers. And, also Christina (if you know Christina) because this is her first day in South Africa. Thanks.
Andy
About to start riding
I made safely to San Francisco. Today, I'm actually leaving. I spent yesterday wandering around, waiting for my bike to be re-assembled. Now, I think I'm finally ready to go. I can't wait to leave. San Francisco is pretty to look at, but I'm not a fan of spending a lot of time in the big city.
In a few minutes, I'll collect my things, check out of the hostel, and take a taxi through town to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. Hurrah!
In a few minutes, I'll collect my things, check out of the hostel, and take a taxi through town to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. Hurrah!
Before Leaving
I'm leaving this afternoon. I fly out of Richmond at 4-ish, have an hour layover in Charlotte, NC, then fly to San Francisco (6 hours). I will arrive at about 9:00 pm, local time.
I packed all my stuff up last night. There was an almost-crisis when I realized the box I had to put the bike in was too big by three inches. The airport wouldn't take it as checked luggage, but one guy said I could take it as cargo. However, the cargo lady told me I couldn't carry cargo. Dad and I ended up cutting the box down to size, so now it should (just barely) pass. Fitting the bike inside the box was another ordeal in and of itself. The bike has now been almost completely disassembled. I'm going to find a bike shop to re-assemble it, to save myself from my own mechanical abilities.
When I arrive tonight, I'll head to a hostel. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and as planned. Thanks for all the support and prayers.
Andy
I packed all my stuff up last night. There was an almost-crisis when I realized the box I had to put the bike in was too big by three inches. The airport wouldn't take it as checked luggage, but one guy said I could take it as cargo. However, the cargo lady told me I couldn't carry cargo. Dad and I ended up cutting the box down to size, so now it should (just barely) pass. Fitting the bike inside the box was another ordeal in and of itself. The bike has now been almost completely disassembled. I'm going to find a bike shop to re-assemble it, to save myself from my own mechanical abilities.
When I arrive tonight, I'll head to a hostel. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and as planned. Thanks for all the support and prayers.
Andy
Getting emails when I make a post
It seems I was mistaken about "following the blog". If you want an email when I make a new post, you actually have to enter your email address into the box above the followers box. That should do it.
Following the blog
Hello. Thank you for your interest in the blog or in me or in my trip. If you would like to "follow" the blog, you can click the follow button on the right side of the page. From there, you can sign up to have posts emailed to you. William and Mary people can click the Google option and use their school email address. Others will need a Google, Yahoo, Twitter, or AIM.
Thanks again.
Andy
Thanks again.
Andy
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