Day 26-Mon. Nov. 16, St. Augustine, FL--36 miles

Praise the Lord! I'm finished! I've crossed America on bicycle in 24.5 days of riding after five weeks being on the road! God is so good!
I got a call this morning from Janine that she was called off, so she was going to be able to come down a day early to see me do the last day. Otherwise I was going to take today off and just visit St. Augustine with Dave and Faith. But it was a nice change of plans. Since there was only 31 miles to go to St. Augustine and 36 miles to St. Augustine Beach, there was no rush to get going. So I left around 8:55 on my final ride to St. Augustine. I left Palatka after crossing the bridge over the St. Johns River. I was so elated and I felt so light on that bike that I effortlessly pedaled the last remaining miles to St. Augustine, and got there in what seemed like no time at all--at 10:30. The bike route maps I bought ended at the bay of Matanza right by the market square in front of the old Lions Bridge. But I thought," That doesn't look like the Atlantic to me". So wanted to continue on across the bridge to the wide, vast ocean. So I waited for Dave and Faith to catch up with me about 40 min. later and we went to the old fort called Castillo De San Marcos, built back in 1627 and made of coquina--seashells and sand. Then after lunch Faith went shopping in the quaint historic downtown while Dave and I checked out my final route to St. Augustine Beach--about 5 miles away, then we went to the motel to unload our stuff for the final time in another motel room. By the time we finished that, Janine had arrived at the St. Augustine exit off I95 around 3:30 (She left at 7 am). So we met her at the motel and drove to the point where I left off and to pick up Faith from her shopping spree.
It was a gorgeous day, sunny and 77, and by 4:15 I was off riding for the final time to my final destination--St. Augustine Beach. I rode the bridge over the bay and went down past Anastasia State Park to where there was a public parking lot to the beach. I carried my bike across the sandy parking lot and down on to the sandy Florida beach to dip my tires in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. And yes, the waters were warm as they came up over my ankles. It felt so good! Praise God! He enabled me to accomplish this goal that I've had since I was a boy.
After several pictures, I wanted Janine to take my bike for a quick ride to see what it was like. We went out to the rode and she pedaled off a short way, but the seat was too high, so she found it to be rather uncomfortable. Then we went back to our motel room for me to shower and change, so I could look (and smell) presentable as we went out to eat at a nice Italian restaurant.
I finished just before my 44th birthday, which is tomorrow, Nov. 17. , which was my goal to be able to finish on that day. But having Janine come early was the best birthday gift of all! I love her so much, and even more now after being apart for so long. We will stay here for a short vacation until Thursday, when we'll drive back home. Dave and Faith will problably drive our van back on Tues.
Thank you so much David and Faith for coming along on this trek with me and putting up with me for so long. Thank you David for all your packing and unloading of the van everyday, and keeping track of me on the roads, and doing all that stop and go driving across America. And thank you so much Faith for all your planning and preparing of wonderful meals in the motel rooms, and out of the back of the van each day for lunch, wherever we could find a place to stop and eat. You kept me well fed and nourished to be able to do this ride with no sickness, loss of energy, and probably not any weight loss either. I know I ate more calories per day on this trip than before, well, since I was a growing teenager, at least.
It's been amazing. Despite all the dangers out there on the roads every day, God has been so good and had His angels constantly watching out for me. I came through with no accidents--although I had some very close calls. The people all along the route have been very friendly and helpful. I haven't had a flat tire for the whole second half of the trip, since the middle of Texas. The weather has been great! Only one day of rain (and sleet-in Texas); the other time it rained it was in MS, but I had already planned to stop for those two days anyways, to slow myself down from finishing too early, so that rain from Ida didn't affect my riding schedule. No hazardous incidents with dogs or other animals. No breakdowns with the bike, except six flat tires. Each Sabbath was not only a blessing to stop and rest, but to fellowship with "family" all across the country.
I was able to ride nearly 2700 miles, averaging about 108 miles per day. The highest mileage day was 142, and lowest was today, at 36. My average speed was around 17 mph.
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me in this endeavor, and for everyone's prayers. They have definitely been answered!
I look forward now to coming home and not having to live out of different motel rooms each night. I'm sure Dave and Faith are just as anxious to be going home and go back into retirement---at least for a little bit--not for long I'm sure.
And next week Caleb gets to come home for Thanksgiving break. Yeah! Can hardly wait to have him home. Too bad Josh won't be able to come home, as he'll be on a trip with his gymnastic team to the Virgin Islands during break. But I look forward to Christmas break when we can all be together as a family!
This is my last blog. And I'm glad its over, however, I'm so glad I did it. I would definitely do it again. Its been a great growing and learning experience, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
I plan to continue to keep up with biking when I get back, as it is good exercise. Anyone willing to join me on bike rides in the future would be most welcome.
God bless you all!

Day 25-Sun. Nov. 15, Palatka, FL-142 miles

Today was my highest mileage day ever, biking 142 miles from Perry to Palatka, FL., a historic town on the St. Johns River. Our motel room, in fact, is overlooking the river. Very beautiful. I felt great during and after todays ride. Not sore or exhausted. I was even able to average a 17.5 mph. I also rode through areas where there are many springs. Beautiful clear, cold water springs. I even saw a dead alligator on the side of the road--about 4 ft. long.
I rode through High Springs, Alachua, Gaineville, Hawthorne and many other smaller towns.
The Lord was with me again protecting me on the road. The roads in Florida have been very good, but today there was a 10 mi. section I didn't have any shoulder and was a little curvy. A semi truck came up behind me and passed me as other cars were going in the other direction, so the truck couldn't move over and I was riding the white line, knowing what was about to pass me. As it did so I was within about a foot of the tractor-trailor, and even felt like I was being sucked in toward the trailer. Was a very close call, and I praise the Lord for His guardian angels that are always with me.
I only have about 46 miles to go to the Atlantic in St. Augustine. I wasn't going to ride tomorrow, because I was going to ride my last leg when Janine could come down on Tues. But I just received a call from Janine and she may be called off tomorrow because of low census on her floor in the hospital. So if she is called off she will come tomorrow, and I'll go ahead and finish tomorrow. I'll know for sure in the morning.
It's hard to believe its almost over. God has been so good to me in keeping me safe and giving me strength to complete this life-long goal I've had.
I appreciate every ones interest in my trip and following my blog. Thank you to all for your support and prayers.
When I get back I have to go see my oncologist for lab work and more treatment on Monday. I'm anxious to see what the results will be. I feel so good and feel like there is nothing wrong with me physically. Maybe all this biking knocked the cancer out of me?! Whatever the case may be I will praise God for the work He has done in my life and know it is only by His Spirit and strength that I have been able to accomplish this arduous journey. And He will be with me just as well through the battle I have to fight against this disease, just like He has been with me day by day during this biking experience.

Day 24-Fri. Nov. 13, Perry, FL--97 miles

What a beautiful, scenic ride it was today. I rode about 20 miles through the Apalachicola National Forest. Then rode through many miles of swampland and many rivers and creeks. The forests were very beautiful. It was neat to see all the various sizes of palmettos growing among the huge live oaks with spanish moss hanging from their branches. I thought this is what it must have looked like many years ago when settlers first arrived.
Quit early today, around 2:40, only putting in 97 miles to spend Sabbath in Perry, FL. There is a small church here which we will attend tomorrow. Faith is hoping for a potluck so she won't have to cook in the motel.
I only have about 175 miles left to go, and three days to do it in. So Sun-Tues will be even shorter riding days. It will seem like a breeze after doing over 100 miles each day for most of the trip.
While riding today I came upon something on shoulder of the road I thought was just some road trash. After riding by this supposed trash, I noticed it was a snake. It was coiled up sunning itself. It looked like 4-5 ft. long copperhead, and I had just rolled past it within 4-6 inches. It didn't even flinch, for which I was thankful. I'd hate to have my journey end by a snake bite to the ankle or leg.
Today I rode out of the panhandle of Florida. Florida is the second longest state I have to ride through, about 450 miles.
Sorry, no pictures were taken today. Maybe will get some tomorrow when we go to some park in the afternoon.
Happy Sabbath to everyone! Really looking forward to seeing many of you next Sabbath, when I'm finally back home in Dunlap, TN.

Day 23, Thurs. Nov. 12, Bristol, FL--124 miles

After riding through Fort Walton Beach and Destin along the gulf coast, I took a turn north to go inland a few miles and rode the rest of the day on hwy 20 through Freeport and Blountstown and ended up in Bristol after crossing the Apalachicola River and riding 124 miles. We also just entered the eastern time zone. I am so far ahead now that I am going to have to take another day off next week. So that leaves me with just three days left of riding. I'll ride Friday to Perry, then Sunday ride to Hawthorne (just east of Gainesville). Then will take Monday off. Then Tuesday I'll only have 65 miles left to go to St. Augustine, as I wait for Janine to come down Tues to join me for the last day of riding. Can't wait!! Five weeks is way too long to apart from ones spouse! But at least with my cell phone I've been able to call her everyday. What a blessing that is.
Well when I first started out I never imagined I would have this problem of arriving too early. I think if I wasn't holding back so I could finish when Janine could come, I could have finished within three weeks--21 days--of riding. But thats fine with me. I'd much rather have my honey be with me as I finish this grand adventure.

USS Alabama and Beauvoir--Nov. 9&10

(Written by Faith Kneller)
Hurricane Ida provided us a good reason to hole up in Super 8 motel in Pascagoula, MS, almost to the Alabama line. Fortunately Hurricane Ida had decreased to a tropical storm when it hit MS and AL. Nov. 9 the rain began early afternoon and the wind and rain intensified by late afternoon and was heavy all night long. By Tues. no rain, just wind, but not real high winds.
Mon. we drove to Mobile, AL and went to Battleship Memorial Park where we toured the WWII battleship USS Alabama and the submarine Drum.
The battleship would have 2500 troops aboard to man all the battle stations. When the danger signal sounded the sailors had 3 min. to get to their battle stations. A volunteer told us one sailor had just stepped out of the shower and grabbed his helmet and a towel as he ran up the ladder to his battle station, he lost his towel, and only had his helmet on. The ship could have been in the North Atlantic with temp -10 degrees and he have been out there for a battle that might last 1 1/2 hrs. It would take 140 troops to man one rotating turret that guided the guns.
We saw one of the many mess kitchens for the enlisted men. I was especially interested in the gigantic ten kettles for cooking, 2 huge coffee pots, one at each end of the 10 kettles, several ovens and grills. The bakery wasn't all that large. They made all the bread, rolls, muffins, and desserts for 2500. The volunteer understood my surprise at how small it was, but the bakery was manned 24 hres a day.
Their bunks were 4 tiers high. The officers were 1-2 in a room-tiny-with a small desk, but much better than the enlisted men had.
We toured the air museum of fighter planes. Hurrican Katrina flooded the museum with 10 ft. of water and smashed the planes against the far well and did a great deal of damage that isn't all repaired yet.
Tues. we went to Biloxi, MS to visit "Beauvoir", the home of Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederacy. Hurricane Katrina did considerable damage as it had 1 ft of water even though it was 10 ft. off the ground. They did alot to restore and repair the damage done. The original furniture is still there. The kitchen which was separate from the house no longer stands, but the pantry, children's dining room and adult dining room are still there. The home overlooks the gulf and has massive live oaks shading it and 2 identical guest houses, one on either side of the main house.
Jefferson Davis was quite poor after the war, for one reason because he put his money into confederate dollars and lost them all after the war. Not too long after his death, his wife and daughter sold Beauvoir for $10,000 to the MS division, United Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and terms of the sale required the home be maintained as a memorial to Jefferson Davis. The 51 acres soon became a confederate veteran soldier's home and during its 54 yr. existence the facility cared for close to 1800 individuals--wives included.
Jefferson Davis wrote his memoirs at Beauvoir. He loved its serenity and beauty and loved to read his Bible under the beautiful live oaks. In addition he also took a great interest in the raising of citrus and grapes on the property. As you can tell we enjoyed our visit to Beauvoir.

Day 22-Wed. Nov. 11, Navarre, FL--100 miles

Happy Veteran's Day! It was neat to see all the flags flying as I rode through town after town. Even saw some veterans outside participating in ceremonies. I am very proud to be an American and am so thankful to all who have served and sacrificed to secure and protect our freedoms.
The wind was very strong today, blowing against me most of the time at 20-30 mph. But was still able to get in 100 miles. Was planning on taking the toll ferry from Dauphin Island to Ft. Morgan across Mobile Bay, and rode down there only to find out they were closed due to the high winds. I should have called first. So I had David drive me around to the other side to pick it up in Gulf Shores. Then rode the rest of the way across AL to FL and through Pensacola on to Navarre along US hwy 98. Driving into FL we did not find a Florida welcome sign. So just took a picture of the Navarre Beach sign to show that we have finally arrived in Florida, the last state through which I have to ride on my to the Atlantic Ocean. I'm still so far ahead, even after taking two days off this weeks because of Ida. So will probably take another day off next week, so I don't finish before Janine comes down on Tues. Less than a week to go, yeah!!
Started biking at 7:15 am and finished by 3:15 pm. Keeping it short so as not get too many miles in.
Along the ride today we met another cyclist with paniers and towing a trailer. He also started in San Diego and is headed to St. Augustine. He's retired from the military.
My bike is holding up very well. Although it is very dirty. Will give it a good cleaning when I get home.
The roads were great in Alabama, and so far they have been good in Florida. Makes me really appreicate good roads and shoulders and bridges after having ridden through Louisiana.
My cyclocomputer I started out with has failed and so had to put on my old one. Fortunately I brought it along as a backup.
Again, to any veterans and all servicemen reading this blog, I want to say a great big thank you for your service and all that you gave so unselfishly, and continue to give. We owe you all so much. God bless you all!!

Rain Delay

Just waiting out tropical storm Ida here in Pascagoula, MS. Went to see the USS Alabama in Mobile today, then afterwards ate out at Olive Garden. It is getting much more windy and heavier rain this evening. Should be done by tomorrow afternoon, so hope to be riding again Wednesday. Still plan to finish by Nov. 17.

Day 21-Sun. Nov. 8, Pascagula, MS---107 miles

Today I rode from Mandeville, LA to Pascagula, MS (10 miles from the Alabama border)--107 miles. From Mandeville to Slidell I rode 16 miles on the Tammany Trace, a bike and jogging trail. The best riding I've had in Louisiana. Then just a few miles later I crossed into Mississippi, after crossing the honey creek swamp. However, it was difficult to get above 14 mph average because of riding against a headwind all day from 15-25 mph. I think it must be from the approaching hurrican Ida, now cat. 2 in the southern gulf of Mexico. Right now we are under a hurricane watch. Tomorrow and Tues it is going to be heavy wind and rain. So will take off the next two days from riding. Will proabably ride again Wed. Fortunately, I'm ahead of schedule, and was planning to take off a couple of days anyways. I rode along the gulf for most of the day. Saw a lot of windsurfers taking advantage of a very windy day.
The roads in Mississippi are so much better, and all the bridges I crossed today have shoulders, or some even had a separate bike route. And all the roads had shoulders. What a difference!
Rode through several areas hit hard by hurricane Katrina, like Waveland, Ms, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, and Biloxi. But a lot has been done to repair the damage and rebuild.
David and Faith are a great support team. Couldn't have done this trip without them. But I'm sure they are getting tired of staying in different motels every night, and having pack and unpack everyday, and cook out of boxes and on a small stove. It'll be nice for us all to get back. This experience will definitely make us much more appreciative of the comforts of home.

Day 20-Fri. Nov. 6, Covington, LA--102 miles

Today was my most dangerous day of riding ever! But praise God, He had his angels guarding me on all sides.
First of all the first hurdle was to get through Baton Rouge. Along the way there were a couple of fairly long bridges to cross, with no shoulder. I looked behind me for a break in traffic and then prayed and crossed as quickly as I could. All went well. This is on US 190. Then I came to the "big bridge" that crosses the Mississippi River into Baton Rouge. I rode up to it, took get a closer look at it, then looked at all the traffic with big trucks crossing, and again there is no shoulder, not even a little sidewalk, and this bridge is at least 5 times as long as any I've crossed yet. So I decided to look for a better way across. I turned around and went south, knowing from looking at the map earlier that the only other bridge in the areas was the interstate. I thought surely that bridge has got to be better and have a shoulder. So I finally got to I-10. I got on the interstate (no signs posted saying no bikes allowed) but couldn't see the bridge yet. Just before the bridge was merging traffic from another big highway. After merging and riding on the narrow shoulder a ways I could now see the Mississippi and this huge long bridge (over a mile long). I could see there was no shoulder here either, but decided to give it a go. I started to ride across the bridge, but soon came upon these drainage grates with wide openings that if I ran over would surely cause front bike tire to disappear in the grate . So I stopped to get off and move over to this raised concrete wall on the side, about 18-24" wide. I picked up my bike and walked on that awhile with cars and trucks (3 lanes) whizzing by me. The traffic was very heavy. I'm sure many drivers were wondering what is this idiot doing trying to cross this river on this bridge with his bicycle. This was by far the most dangerous thing I had experienced yet on my trip. Once I got to the top of this bridge I had a fantastic view of the city and the river. I wanted a picture, so took out my cell phone and snapped a few (poor quality). Then I continued walking down the other side. With about three-fourths of the way across, up behind me I heard this loud siren/horn noise, like a police car, but is was one of those highway emergency vehicles to help stranded motorists. He told me to put my bike in the back of his van and get in. He then took me off the bridge. He was concerned for my safety and wanted to get me off to some place safer. I told him what I was doing and where I was going. I said I needed to get back on US 190. Thinking he was just going to take me to the nearest exit and drop me off, but instead he brought me all the back to 190 where I had left off, except this time on the other side of the river. So I had do ride back down through the city again, this time on the other side of the river. I called Dave and Faith to see where they were and they weren't far away, so we met up soon, and I had them drive me ahead about 10 miles out of the city, since I had been left off about 10 miles back to where I decided to abandon the first bridge attempt.
Now I would spend the next 40 or so miles riding on roads with no shoulder at all. And just to the right of the white line is this soft, loose, deep gravel, that if I went off in would most likely cause me to lose control at the speed I was traveling. One time I almost went off, in fact, I don't know how I didn't, except my angel must have pushed me back on the road. You have to constantly alert to riding that white line as big trucks and cars are passing you from both directions. No time to be looking around. When approaching a town I would finally have a little shoulder I was so thankful and could relax some. But not for long, as they could disappear at any moment, as happened one time and I didn't notice it turned into just loose gravel. I ran into that at about 16 mph and swerved around for awhile in until I could get myself out of it back on to the road. Then another time there was this wide load approaching behind me, which I knew (no I didn't look back) because the pilot truck in front drove by with his wide load sign, and I could see the approaching traffic all moving way over. But I had no where to go. I wasn't going to ride off into that gravel pit. So finally I came upon a small driveway to pull over in and stop. And just as I did so the wide load passed me with about a foot to spare. The truck was carrying a piece of machinery that took up nearly two lanes.
Well I could go on and on about many other incidents of where I had many close calls, like one time getting ready to cross an intersection, I looked behind me to see if any cars were turning, none had their blinkers on, but I am still cautious, after noticing they were all going straight I started to cross, when all of a sudden this car turns right in front of me, she did not have her turn signal on, so assumed she was going straight. I was able to stop just in time before almost colliding into her. Another evidence of God's protection!
It's amazing that I haven't had a flat yet in Louisiana, with all the debris on the shoulders I been running over, riding through several gravel piles at intersection and driveways, and few potholes I've not been able to avoid. God is so good!
After riding only 102 miles we stopped for Sabbath in Covington, LA --just north of New Orleans. Very heavy traffic here. But only have about 30 miles to go to Mississippi, and should cross that section of the state in a day and be in Alabama by the end of Sunday, just outside of Mobile. Then I'll take the ferry from Dauphin Island over to Ft. Morgan.

Bike and Gear

Thought I would take a few minutes and detail what sort of gear I take with me while I ride and what kind of bike I have, for those who are interested.
First of all, I have a Scott Addict R4 road bike, 20 speed, with dura ace components. The bike, all carbon frame, weighs approx. 16-17 lbs without saddle bag or water bottles. I use continental gatorskin tires with kevlar bead that have held up real well. The keep 100-11o lb psi in the tires, and check them daily for pressure. I put on a Brooks leather saddle, which is heavier than a racing saddle, but I find it to be quite comfortable for me, now that I have it broken in. Only bad thing is you don't want to get it wet. And I conditon it about every 500-1000 miles, depending on conditions. I use Shimano road bike shoes that clip in to Keo pedals. You turn your feet sideways to unclip out of the pedals, something I didn't know when I first tried it out, and had to get help from Josh and Caleb. I started the trip out with aerobars, but took them off after day 2, as I did not find them that helpful in my situation. I have a compact crank with a 50 tooth large chain ring and a 34 tooth small chain ring. The rear cassette ratio is 11-28 teeth. I've only had to use the lowest gear setting a couple of times on the trip. Attached to the seat stay is a rear blinking red light which I have used about six times as it gets dark. Going through Calif. and Ariz. I wore a camelbak hydration backpack which carried 3 liters of water in addition to the two water bottles that are always on my bike. Going through the hottest part of the desert I drank appox. 3 gal. of water and gatorade. Once into New Mexico I stopped using the backpack, and now only use water, no gatorade, in my waterbottles, as I am not sweating as much. But I still drink pleny of water. Anywhere from 1-2 gallons a day.
I have a medium size bag attached to my saddle. In it I carry a spare tube, co2 air cartridge for inflation, tools, cash, and a knife. I wear a jersey with 3 pockets in the back. In them I carry my cell phone (very essential), a credit card, chapstick, and at during the first third of the trip I would carry energy bars (cliffbars), and/or hammer gel packets. Now I find I don't them. I just stop for lunch around 12-1 and that is enough to keep me going and feeling good. Of course I eat a very hearty breakfast and a good supper. I find what refreshes me most and gives me a boost is orange juice--the fresh squeezed kind with lots of pulp. I love it! I go through almost a half gallon a day.
Also on my bike is a Cateye cyclocomputer, which gives me my speed, distance each day, total mileage, clock, timer, and cadence (rpm).
I wear nicely padded biking shorts, most with 8 panels. I wear a Giro atmos helmet. I wear Giro padded half-finger gloves. For those cold mornings or mountain rides, I have arm and leg warmers, and shoe covers, wool socks, warm gloves, balaclava (to keep head warm), long sleeve jersey, and rain coat if necessary (only rained once so far). I always wear my sunglasses with my contacts in so I can see.
Well, I guess that about does it. Don't know of how much interest this is for most of you, but thought some may like to know.

Day 19-Thurs. Nov. 5, Krotz Springs, LA- 112 miles

Well I need to make a correction. I said Texas had the worst roads. Wrong! The honor now goes to Louisiana. For 75 miles of the 112 miles I rode today, the road had no shoulders! Very dangerous considering the logging trucks whizzing by my in both directions. Thankfully never two of them passing me at the same time. Then when I finally did have some shoulder to ride on, they were littered with all sorts of debris. So as I'm riding I'm constantly on the alert and just about as often dodging the rocks, tire pieces, scrap metal, bolts, trash, wood, road kill, not to mention all the many cracks, bumps, and potholes. And then to top it all off, I'll be riding nicely on the shoulder, and up comes a bridge (and there are many of them) where the shoulder disappears, and you just hope and pray that you get across the bridge before both coming and going traffic has to pass you on that bridge. I praise the Lord for keeping me safe today! I know my guardian angel must have really been working overtime to keep me out of danger.
But there are many bright spots today as well. The weather was great--sunny and hi of 78, with light headwind. I can tell it is getting more humid now that I've entered into the deep south, because when I sweat it doesn't evaporate as quickly.
Also, we stopped for lunch in Ville Platte, LA. We parked in front of some shops/offices. One of them was Edward Jones. The financial advisor came out to inquire of Dave and Faith as to where they were from and what they were doing. Faith told of my biking across the country. He thought it would be great to get the local newspaper reporter over to do a story on it. This all happened before I got there. So when I rode up, he came out with the newspaper man to interview me and get my picture. We asked if we could get their picture as well. So below you see the man on the left of me is Edward Jones advisor, and on the right is the reporter.
The owner of the complex also came out, ( who has a barber shop next door), to inquire as to our whereabouts as well. Faith gave them both books of Desire of Ages, and Steps to Christ. They were very thankful for that.
Rode by many bayous today. The land is very flat now and mostly at or below sea level. Where we are staying in Livonia it is 5 ft. below sea level. Lots of swamp land, and standing water in the woods from all the rain they had earlier. In Ville Platte I saw some huge, old wide overspreading live oak trees in front of these old historic homes. Very beautiful. (sorry, no picture).
I also rode by many fields of rice and sugar cane.
Tomorrow I'll be riding through Baton Rouge, and north of New Orleans, and will stop just short of the Mississippi border.
Can't wait to see my family and all my friends back in Dunlap! Pastor Ryder may join me for the last few days of riding in FL. And Janine will do the last day of riding with me to St. Augustine, on Tues, Nov. 17.

Day 18-Wed. Nov. 4, De Ridder, LA--118 miles

Yeah! I crossed into Louisiana today at 2:36. I am now two-thirds across the country, with only 1000 more miles to go. Should take me two days to go across Louisiana.
Rode 118 miles to De Ridder, LA. In the picture below you will see the TX/LA border river at above flood stage.
The road shoulder has gotten better, making for a much nicer day of riding. But still climbed appox. 2700 ft., because there were still plenty of hills.
Have been enjoying beautiful weather. Praise the Lord! But next week I hear there will be some thunderstorms. Being 3-4 days ahead of schedule, that shouldn't be a problem.
Well need to go to bed. Good night.

The Cause? To God Be the Glory

Several times people have asked me why I am doing this across the country bike trip. For what cause am I riding? And I've never had a very good answer. I would just say it has always been something I wanted to do. For those of you who have seen the movie "Bucket List", you will know what I'm talking about. There are these two men dying of cancer and both come up with a "bucket list", things they would like to do before they kick the bucket. So after watcing it I made my own "bucket list", and one of the things I put down was to bike across the country. But riding along day after day and having plenty of time to think and meditate, I think I have found my cause.
I ride to the praise and glory of God for what great things He has done in my life, and how He has prepared me to be able to do this grand adventure. I know it is only possible because the strength He gives me from day to day. After being diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer, with major surgery, radiation, three rounds of chemo and still in treatment with my tumors still growing, you would think I should be content enough to just stay home and survive one day at a time. But I refuse to be bound by my circumstances and allow them to control me. NO! By God's grace I choose to be a cancer thriver, not just a cancer survivor. I want to live each day to the fullest and plan big things, and know that with God all things are possible. I can overcome my circumstances and live life with purpose, passion, and all the potential that God has given me. So I praise God that He has given me this opportunity to show to all what God can do through someone even in my condition, who just took up biking this spring, and is able to bike across the country--3000 miles-- in less than a month, averaging over 100 miles per day.
God is good! I ride for HIM! He is my Inspiration, my Strength, my Protector, my Health, my Providor of all things good.
All through this trip I have continued to claim the promise of Zech. 4:6, which has also become my motto for this journey. For I know that it is not in my strength, or by my power, but only by His Spirit, which lives in me, that I am to accomplish any good and really live!

Day 17-Tues. Nov. 3, Livingston, TX--100 miles

Probably my roughest day of riding yet. The Texas road shoulders are so rough. Basically gravel loosely spread over tar with lots of cracks, bumbs, and debris. It about jarred me to death, and with a hard leather saddle it sure doesn't feel good. It also slowed me down considerably. The smoothness of your riding surface makes a huge difference. When I was able to ride some smooth pavement, I was able to go between 3-6 mph faster without any more effort. I also had so many more hills today. It's about as bad as doing a long mountain climb. Then I had a little head wind most of the day. So I decided to stop early, 3:45pm, and only put in 100 miles. Oh well, I know every day can't be a perfect riding condition day. So I guess I should stop complaining. On the positive side the weather was beautiful, sunny and 72-75. Had some great cooking to eat thanks to Faith, and the Lord kept me safe as the roads have more and more traffic as I go east.
Yesterday, I said goodbye to my last cactus I saw, and today I saw some Spanish moss hanging from trees, and some palmetto growing in the woods. They are a lot of pine trees now, and the woods are about as thick as back home in TN. Only difference is all the trees here are green. I've seen no fall colors. I guess I missed it this year. Too bad! I always look forward to the beautiful autumn colors each year back home.
We stopped for the night in Livingston, TX, only about 80 miles from the LA border! Yeah! Texas is a great state but I'll be glad to move on to another after seven and a half days of riding in Texas--about a 1000 miles. Hopefully the road shoulders will be better in Louisiana.

PS. Sorry I couldn't get any pictues to upload tonight. Sometimes it just won't work no matter how many times I try. To see the pictures go to my facebook page.

Day 16-Mon. Nov. 2, Bryan, TX--135 miles

Today was a good day! The weather was perfect, with the wind being calm, and not so many hills. I was able to get in 135 miles, riding all the way to Bryan, TX, near College Station, home of Texas A&M Univ., and also home to the George Bush presidential library and museum. You can't see it very well, but I took a picture of the eastern half of Texas with the point of the pen pointing to where we are now; just northwest of Houston. Should be in Louisiana by Wed. noon.

The picture of me at my computer shows me working on the blog in the motel room, as I do each evening.

Now I have a story to tell of how God is taking care of me and answers prayer. Remember in yesterday's post I told of my contact lens getting lost in my right eye. We tried several times to get it out and to no avail. I finally decided to just go to bed and see if in the morning it might drop and I could get it out. Well, I slept great, no discomfort in the eye, and I checked to see if I could find it again but couldn't. However, I felt no discomfort, and thought maybe it had come out during the night or I had gotten it out inadvertently. So I went ahead and put another contact lens in that eye and it felt normal. So I rode all day with no problem. During the very end of my ride with only 15 miles to go, I looked down at my leg for some reason, and as I did so I felt something move in my right eye. I looked up and and I eye was feeling uncomfortable and felt like something was in my eye that shouldn't be there. I thought maybe my contact had moved. And I was seeing double--with two white lines to follow. I rode awhile like that hoping it would correct itself. But after a couple of miles I stopped because it was just bothering my riding and making it too dangerous. I thought I would just take out my contact and ride with just one, as I have done before. But didn't want to throw it away, so thought where I could put it. I had two full water bottles on my bike. So decided to drink down one of the bottles to where it had just a little water in the bottom and I would put the contact in there until I got to the motel room. I took out the contact and dropped it in my water bottle. Then I looked up, and noticed I could still see good and clear. Wow! I must still have another contact in my eye. Sure enough, I had been riding all day with two contacts in my eye and didn't even notice it. I guess it had been lodged up hight in my eyelid, then dropped down and overlapped the other one when I looked down, and that's what made me see double. I praise God for helping me to find that other contact. I had just called Faith a little earlier to have her make an appt. for me with the optometrist to see if the contact was still in my eye and to get it out. Well, I called back and told her to cancel the appt. I am so happy and thankful to have this problem resolved and not to have to waste time out of my biking to go see a doctor.

The terrain is getting more flat and green, with lots more farmland. Looking forward to seeing the Gulf of Mexico next week. I'll be riding beside it for quite aways, going through Gulfport, Biloxi, Mobile, Gulf Shores, Panama City, Pensacola, and then across Florida.

Day 15-Sun. Nov. 1, Burnet, TX-123 miles

What a beautiful day it was! I started riding at 7:30 when it was quite cold-33 degress, but quickly warmed up in the full sunshine. We had to drive from our motel to where I left off Friday, about 50 miles. On the way we saw over 3 dozen deer, and many were 8 pt. bucks!
Even before I started biking, I felt my contact in my right eye go up into my eyelid. I tried several times to get it out but couldn't, so just rode with it like that all day. In the evening we tried flushing it out, using a q-tip, etc, but with no success. Will sleep on it and hope and pray it come out in the morning. If not, I'll have to see an optometrist to get it out.
I saw my first live snake today on the road while riding. Looked like a rattler . Rode within 2 ft. of it but it didn't move, too cold I think. And there were a lot of grasshoppers and caterpillars all along the road as I traveled. And like everything else in Texas, they huge!
About 10 miles into my ride I had another rear flat. I found two thorns in the tire and pulled them out.
I rode from Menard to Burnet, Tx on route 29 for 123 miles, and boy did I have to work hard for every one of those miles. The wind was against me for most of the day, and there were so many hills, one hill after another the whole way. My gps told me I had climbed 3000 ft. today.
Along the way you would see one ranch after another with these big gateways with their names over the entryway. It is getting greener the further we go into Texas. Its a nice change.
Burnet is just above Austin. And tomorrow I hope to make it to College Station, TX.
I tried to download some pictures , but couldn't get it to work. But I was able to load the pictures on my facebook page, so go there to see the pictures for today, in the album for Days 13-19.