Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

A touch from the Lord, one year later ... "Slept in" (but not really, because of the time change), and left our wonderful hosts Judge Donnie and Melanie Allred. We rode out to Hwy 385, which is runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. It is a route I am considering riding next year as "Border War Against HD" (Charlotte, it's the Hwy which is in the brochure I gave you).

The scenery was great; wildflowers of many varieties and hues, verdant fields with cattle. But once the sun came out, so did the wind. We rode up and down many hills "The Breaks" and across the Canadian River, and up past Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. It's a ranch for troubled youth, close to 300, a self contained community where food is grown, processed, cattle are raised, processed, etc.

Finally we reached Channing, a small town of about 300. Scott had already arrived and was eating "the Daily Special" (pork chop, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad) when I arrived, tired and windblown.

After I ordered, I was looking out the window and saw an 18 wheeler from Coolige KS, where the BG's, Ron, and I had ridden through on last year's ride, along Hwy. 50 and the Santa Fe Trail. Charlotte had sung the BG song in the Pink Coyote Cafe. I figured out who the driver of the truck was, and asked him if he'd ever eaten in the Pink Coyote. He said about twice a week! I told him of last year's ride, and gave him a brochure to give to Barbara, one of the owners. We were pretty beat after 38 miles of hills and a headwind, so I asked the trucker what he was hauling. An answer to prayer - his trailer was empty, except for a little bit of remains from the alfalfa hay he'd hauled, to Farwell TX (I think). So ... I asked Scott what he thought about a SAG, and he said it'd be OK. So I asked the trucker if he was going to Dalhart, and he said "Yes," just what we needed!.

Just as we were going outside to load the bikes, my attention was drawn to a community bulletin board. An article with a photo of a young cowboy was posted. I looked and read more closely, and my heart rose to my throat. It was Colby Jay Goodwin, who used to carpool with our sons Kevin and Justin, and Dino and Adonia Clathis, back in the early 1980's, Grand Junction CO! 

Scanning the article, I found out he sustained massive head injuries in a rodeo event accident, and died in late October 1999. He was buried in Channing, where his widow Amy and infant son Gunner are now living, on Amy's father's ranch.

It was Day 25 of last year's ride where "Encounter at Pawnee Rock" took place. E-mail me if you want to know that story, and I'll have Ron send it to you. It's a story of a touch from the Lord on Day 25, too.

The contact with the trucker was no coincidence, either. He's a Christian, who does outreach with the Gideons, besides his truck driving and wheat farming. He was just the person that the Lord provided. (ABEFC folks, the prayer request was answered in a mighty way.)

The miles flew by, with FLAT, green farming land on both sides of the Hwy. Soon we arrived in Dalhart, where he dropped us off at the Shamrock Truck Stop. A wonderful encounter again!

Scott and I rode to the post office, then to look for a big cowboy belt buckle for Scott (unsuccessful), then rode to the Lakeview Methodist Church, where we were greeted by Pastor John Baird, a former serious bicyclist! He's married to Mimi, who's from Persia. He met her 20 some years ago while attending the Univ. of Houston. She was an exchange student in a PhD program.

Since we got into Dalhart so early, I was able to get caught up on the daily messages. I also made a phone call to the HDSA Chapter President in Oklahoma, and found out that apparently the van support vehicle "all across Oklahoma" has evaporated and it's ONE day,-from Oklahoma City to Okemah, birthplace of Woody Guthrie. Pray for SAG!

Love, Marie (& Scott)

Wednesday

With the time change and being so close to the Mountain Time Zone, the sun doesn't come up until about 6:45 am. Rev. John Baird, our host and former bicycle hard core rider, accompanied us about 2.5 miles, before he returned to the parsonage and we rode north on Hwy 385. A mist hovered above the fields until the sun burned it off. Hwy 385 is undergoing widening and re-surfacing. We were able to ride on the "wrong" side of the highway, the W side, which had periodic barriers to prevent vehicular traffic. While we were riding along there, one of the trucks servicing that area stopped to refill our water bottles. Thanks to Jett and his co-worker. 

Our last infamous Texas "picnic area" (not rest area, since there were no bathrooms or running water, only shelters) afforded a place to take a break. We passed about 4 of these picnic areas, but nary a rest area. Texas would do well to follow the example of Arizona (ex. Texas Canyon) and New Mexico (Las Cruces).

Across the state line into Oklahoma - "Native America." Our 5th state! The scenery didn't change much: farms irrigated with movable above ground mechanisms. Cattle grazing; when they'd spot us rolling along, they'd run away!

No litle towns between Dalhart and Boise City. Pretty flat, too. We had a slight tailwind which aided us, since for the first time in BFTC2K we were riding with al our gear. Scott pulled his gear on the BOB trailer Charlotte Reicks loaned, and I had all my panniers (saddlebags) hung on my bike.

We rolled into Boise City, and spotted a Methodist church. We stopped, and inquired if they could help with accommodations. The pastor was busy, so church secretary Kim told us to come back in an hour. We rode to Pizza Hut, had a great lunch of pizza and salad, then rode back to the church. Kim was gone, but the United Methodist Women's group was meeting (catch that, Jeanette), and they told us to ride to the sheriff's office in the Cimarron Co. Courthouse. They would issue us a voucher for a night at the Longhorn Motel.

The Courthouse is in the middle of a traffic circle, kind of like the circle in Fruita CO (but without the dinosaur) a neat brick building, so classic. Many highways come together in Boise City, including Hwy 287, which goes to Denver CO. Colorado Springs is less than 300 miles from here!

The dispatcher, Jo, issued us a "transient" voucher from the Ministerial Association. We had a nice visit about our ride and HD. On the way to the Longhorn Motel, we stopped to look for a cowboy belt buckle for Scott. The proprietor is also the Mayor. Didn't get the buckle then, but later on, Craig showed up with a buckle he GAVE to Scott! Got our room. Showers and catching up on journals and E-mail were most of the afternoon, since we checked in about 3:00 pm. I managed to take a nap, too.

We talked to Brad Musgrove, who will be riding with us tomorrow, confirmed the route, SAG, etc. Last year, Brad rode with the BG's and me from Lakin to Dodge City KS.

Long ride tomorrow, over 80 miles, but it will be SAGged by a friend of Brad's. Glad to be in Oklahoma. The days and miles are flying by. We've gone over 1200 miles now. 

Tired, ready for a good night's rest, anticipating a fun ride tomorrow, with Brad and another cyclist from Elkhart KS.

Faithfully from the road, still Biking For The Cure, your Road Warriors for HD,

Marie and Scott

Thursday

This morning, if anyone would have told me that I was going to ride my first
(and possibly only "century") I would have told that person "In your
dreams!" But truth is stranger than fiction ... read on!

Scott and I left Boise City in the dark, but experienced an awesome sunrise
as we headed East, Scott pulling the BOB trailer, and me with my panniers.
The sun came up so quickly, a red-orange glowing orb.

Soon Brad Musgrove, Mack Hudson and SAG driver Tad passed us on the road, parked up ahead, and started unloading Brad's and Mack's bikes. Brad rode with the BG's and me on last year's ride, from Lakin KS to Dodge City KS.
Mack is a biking friend of Brad's, a retired gentleman in his 60's, and
quite an accomplished rider (like Brad.)

It was great riding as a foursome. A few miles into the ride, Brad offered
Scott the opportunity to ride his ultra lightweight Trek 5200, and Scott
took him up on it. Scott rode really fast, while Brad rode Scott's 520
touring bike, which probably weighed 4X as much. Scott really enjoyed the
male companionship; that was one reason why the ride was routed what
appeared to be "out of the way."

We didn't ride much on Hwy 56; we avoided it wherever we could. We took some back roads into Keyes, where we ate at Grany's Restaurant, Scott's favorite kind of place, a typical roadside diner/cafe. Scott needs to eat a lot,
maybe 6 meals a day.

We rode over 50 miles before lunch, through farming country. Lots of
irrigation sprinklers.

Mack lives right along Hwy 56, just over the Kansas border from Oklahoma, in
Elkhart. His lovely wife Thyra had prepared a wonderful lunch, and Tracy, a
reporter from the newspaper was there for pictures and an informal
interview.

We rode Hwy 56 into Rolla KS, which had a sign boasting "Rolla - 7 exits"
and another sign depicting the "West Kansas Wind Guage." Distributed quite a
few brochures to folks at the convenience store, including a police officer.

From Rolla we headed N, with a tailwind, but had to turn E to Hugoton. The
wind was out of the SE and it made riding difficult. Part way along, a
roving reporter from the Hugoton newspaper met us and took photos. Further
along we met another of Brad and Mack's biking buddies, Lloyd. Scott was
really enjoying riding Brad's bike and the "male bonding." That made me
happy.

Finally arrived at Brad's home, and we had ridden 92 miles! Brad and Mack
had been suggesting we ride another 8 miles, to make 100. We thought, why
not? May be our only opportunity. So after a little rest at Brad's, he drove
us about 8 miles S of town, so we could ride back with a tailwind. That we
did, and that's how we rode 100 miles!

Tomorrow is a short riding day. Heading to Liberal KS.

Details of the Oklahoma leg of the ride are falling into place, thanks to
the hard work of Bob Mikes, the OK HDSA Chapter Pres. He's coordinating
everything for us. Looks like there will be some good media coverage, plus a
spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Heartland Care Center in Edmond.

Yours ready to find "the yellow brick road" in Liberal KS,

Still raising awareness and funds for HD,
Marie (and Scott)

------------------
P.S. by Ron
Marie has attempted many times to send us the missing entry for Day 24 but
it seems to just disappear in Cyberland. I will send it on as soon as soon
as we can figure out a way to get it to me.

Friday

"Follow the yellow brick road ... We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful
Wizard of Oz" ...

After our "century" ride yesterday, we rewarded ourselves by sleeping in
until 5:30 am. Short day planned, 35 miles. Brad rode with us to Liberal. He
rode his friend Lloyd's bike, and Scott rode Brad's Trek 5200. Through the
heavy dew/mist and wind, we rolled along, albeit slowly (at least me!).
Seat-weary from yesterday, plus sidewind for 22 miles, and headwind for 9
miles. Some of the irrigation sprinklers we saw in this farm country were
1/2 mile long! Brad's dear wife Pam SAGged our gear to Liberal, where we are
being hosted by Grace Lutheran Church.

After lunch at Wendy's, Scott and I went separate ways. I went to check out
"The Land of Oz," with Dorothy's House, the yellow brick road, etc. while
Scott went to investigate the Liberal Air Museum.

"The Land of Oz" has 'Dorothy's House.' It is similar to what Dorothy, Uncle
Henry, and Auntie Em would have lived in, but it was moved there from 13
miles away. Furnished in the early 1900's vintage, it brings back nostalgic
memories of the days of ice boxes, hoosier cabinets, chamber pots, and rooms
without closets. The "Yellow Brick Road" has large cement blocks with
engraved names; even former President Ronald and Nancy Reagan have a block; they're only $65! The Land of Oz has a large building with "The Wizard of Oz" story, something like a Disneyland "It's a Small World" ride, without
the water, boats, and high technology. Three trivia questions. What was
Dorothy's (and Uncle Henry's and Auntie Em's) last name, how old was Judy
Garland when the movie was made, and what other famous movie was made that same year on the MGM studios? Send me your answers, and if you're right, you'll win a prize!

After touring "The Land of Oz,"I rode over to the Air Museum. Scott had
already returned to the Lutheran Church, so I looked around, being the only
tourist. Close to 100 planes are on display, making it the 4th largest
airplane display in the USA. (Dede, I think your Ron would really enjoy this
place!) Besides the planes, there were displays about Amelia Earhardt (who
was from Atchison KS) and the history of hot air ballooning (Barb Carlson,
you'd have enjoyed that!)

I returned to the church at 5:00 pm. Scott went home with Kent Krueger, the
Congregation President, and I went home with Daniel Fick and his two
children, Beau (5) and Shelisa (almost 2). Daniel's wife Sherry returned
from a Special Ed Olympics event in Great Bend KS just as dinner was ready.
After dinner, we went in the back yard, and played a little baseball with
Beau.

Daniel and Sherry Fick used to teach in Kim, CO. Daniel's a 5th grade
teacher and Sherry works in high school with the Special Ed "trainable"
kids. Nice young family.

Hard to believe that we have completed a full 4 weeks of BFTC2K.

Daily our thoughts and prayers are with so many of you. I hope everyone from
Hunt-Dis is doing OK. I have been in touch with Bob Mikes of the Oklahoma
Chapter of HDSA, and he is facilitating SAG, media, coordinating with the
Oklahoma Bicycle Club, entourage escorts, etc.

With love from the road,
Your Road Warriors for HD,
Marie (and Scott)

 Saturday

Liberal is just inside the Kansas state line, so within 4 miles we were back
in the OK panhandle, that 34 mile wide. 167 mile long strip called "No Man's
Land." It was our second time in Oklahoma this trup, since we passed through
Boise City 3 days ago. The panhandle area has 3 counties: Cimarron, Texas,
and Beaver Counties. This is where thr outlaws holed up, where the "Cherokee
Strip Land Rush"was in 1893. Oklahoma only became a state in 1907.

Today's ride was through farm country the whole time. Verdant pastures, some cattle.

Carried our own gear for 56 miles. We called our hosts Merle and Barbara
Swineford, and they came out to relieve us of our gear between Knowles and
Gate. Bless them; it made the riding so much easier w/o being laden down.

Gate stands for "Gateway to the Panhandle," the first village inside Beaver
County.

76 mile ride. Arrived in Laverne, home of Miss America 1967 Jane Jayroe. A
main street is named in her honor. Big arch across the main street. Our
hosts are lovely folks, the Swinefords. Merle was involved in the
Bicentennial Wagon train that went from Oklahoma to Valley Forge PA in 1976. Barbara was in the Air Force in the early 50's. She's now the District
Governor for the Lions in this area.

Steaks for dinner, plus salad and bread, pie with frozen yogurt on top! Yum!
Also showed the Generation 2000 HDSA video.

Got word from Bob Mikes, HDSA Oklahoma Chapter Pres., that he has lined up some SAG for us across Oklahoma! Praise God!

Know that this message is shorter, but I want to try to get caught up.

With love from the weary Road Warriors,
Marie (and Scott)