Day 6 and Finale - Oct. 3, 2013

Sorry for the delay in posting my finale.  It's been very emotional and surreal for me!!  I wanted to eat, get home and relax.

I covered 43 miles today for a total of 420 miles!!!  Lots of traffic today and some very bumpy roads and I had to stop for a train crossing but some beautiful scenery.  I ended my big ride at a place called Washington Crossing at the Delaware River and the border is actually in the middle of the river.  That's why the pictures below are on the bridge.  I can't explain all my feelings of joy and happiness.  With tears coming, my Dad says why are you so upset, I said they're tears of joy.  If I would have been allowed, I would have went swimming in the river.  I am just overwhelmed that I accomplished my goal and everything went so well.  God certainly gave me the strength to complete this journey because I am so tired and sore now, I am amazed I could continue everyday.  And again, the weather couldn't have been any better for my last day!

We ate a late lunch right there at the Bridge at the Washington Crossing Inn to celebrate and it was incredible.  Wonderful meal and beautiful place if you're ever in that area.  We got in the van to head home and I passed out within 15 min.  When I woke up, we were at King of Prussia so I asked my Dad if we could stop at a store that I like and we don't have in our area.  He patiently said he didn't mind.  While there, I forgot I was supposed to call the FRC radio to give them an update and they reminded me.  I called in while in the store then and just was so happy to tell them that I was able to complete my ride and hopefully raise awareness for "Faith, Marriage and Family" and the work they do. 

This whole journey has been such a BLESSING to me and I pray to many others!!!  I can't thank everyone enough for their support and prayers.  Especially my Father for giving up a week of his time to be there for me and his encouragement every day!  It would have been hard to do this without him.  You can still make donations on the site www.frc.org/acrosspenn.  There is still lots of work to be done and mountains to climb (or ride) for God and Family.  Let's stand together and do everything we can to love one another and make a positive difference!!!

Day 5 - Oct. 2, 2013

I know I am repeating myself but things just couldn't be going any better.  The weather was a little hot today but still very beautiful!!  And besides being a little sore, I really do feel good!

It was really nice to sleep in my own bed last night since I was so close to home:)  Today, I started at the Wrightsville Bridge in Columbia where I ended yesterday.  I do not like the city areas because of construction and bumpy roads. Drivers also have a lot to pay attention to so I just have my Dad drive behind me with hazards on just to be safe.  Headed down Columbia Ave., I passed WGAL and decided to stop in and ask if they would be interested in my ride and they interviewed me.  I was thrilled that they took the time.  It was really cool!!

Went further down Rt. 462 into King St. in Lancaster City and decided to stop in at Gibbel, Kraybill and Hess law firm on Orange St. (I used to work there) to say Hi and thank them for helping to sponsor my ride.  It was nice to see some friends that I haven't seen in awhile!!  I headed back out to King St., then Rt. 340 and eventually to Rt. 23.  I ran into the New Holland Fair which I didn't expect so I had to ride down the sidewalk because the street was packed at 12 noon.  There was a sidewalk that didn't have a "ramp" so I swerved to stop and I did bang up my leg a little with a nice big bump but I was fine.  My Dad and I stopped for lunch and I iced it right away. 

Going some back roads again, I ended up back on Rt. 23 for a long time thru Morgantown, then we ended up in Valley Forge.  Found a Hampton Inn 1/2 mile away which is awesome.  We got a AAA discount, free supper and free breakfast and the room actually smells good!!  Plus the check-in clerk was really nice and thought my ride was really cool.  I gave her a flier and she was excited!  It has just been so exciting to watch everything fall in to place so well, the people we have met and just to see God working!!  I rode 68 miles today and after recalculating my "map" mileage, I have about 44 miles left.  How Awesome!!!    I didn't stop to take any pictures today since it was mostly farm fields, horses and cows and of course the cities.   Check-in tomorrow for the finale!!

Day 4 - Oct. 1, 2013

I started off the day talking live on WJTL if anyone was able to listen.  I hope I sounded ok and got my message across ok.  I don't like doing that stuff but I was honored for the opportunity to try to get the message out!

I'm just going to continue to praise God for the awesome weather - it again was just perfect!  We did have a few black clouds today at one point but no rain and it ended up being very hot.  Well, I out did my expectation today, I made it 86 miles and stopped in Columbia after crossing the old Wrightsville Bridge.  It really was a good ride even though I'm sore.  When you look at some of the hills coming up, they look so steep but they weren't too bad. If it continues to go so well, I will ride for 2 more days which will be the 6 day total I had wanted to do.

I am just so grateful for making it this far already and especially not having any bike part issues too.  It just has been a wonderful experience and journey!!  I hope that many lives are touched in some way.  Let's all stand up and make a difference in God's name!!!

Day 3 - Sept. 30, 2013

Started off the day a little late because we visited with the lady (the husband went to work early) that we stayed with (John Gibbel's cousin).  She prayed for us, made us breakfast and we had some delightful fellowship!!  It was a great relaxing way to start the day especially when I had an idea of what I was in for today. 

Wow - HILLS - I think I'm passed the really nasty ones now but who knows.  Today was a challenge!! On a positive note, God has definitely blessed me with just beautiful weather!!!  I can't say enough about how perfect it's been.  I actually made good time today somehow and covered 74 miles to just down the mountain from Cowans Gap State Park Campground.  The park ranger directed us to a really cute little cottage on Rt. 75.  Very cozy and priced just right.  We were excited to see how everything worked out again today.  And the owners of the cottage are considering giving me a donation just like I received from the wonderful couple last night. 

So I am over half way at 222 miles and just thrilled to have accomplished all this in 3 days!!!  Continued prayer for strength and just hoping that my message is reaching many, many people!!!  Thanks to all for your support!!!  Enjoy the pictures!!

 Old Turnpike trail in Breezewood, PA (over mile long tunnel)

Me overlooking lake at Cowans Gap State Park

 Dad supporting me with window art (right side says "Chase Car").  He was having fun!!

Cute cottage we're staying at tonight and my Dad out front.

Day 2 - Sept. 29, 2013

Wow, God is certainly blessing me with some AWESOME weather!!!  I actually accomplished more today than I expected because of my knee and back pain and just being tired.  I got back on the trail in Ohiopyle.  It was beautiful with leaves falling and again chipmunks everywhere.  One blended in to the leaves so well I almost ran over him.  I will say after 42 miles yesterday on the trail and another 29 today, I'm glad it was broken up.  Even though it's flat, it's a sandy gravel base to ride on and you can't really pick up much speed.  I decided to just take my time and enjoy it because I had some great views! 

I passed a town called Confluence and ended the trail at Rockwood.  Cute little Bed & Breakfast at the end of the trail that looked nice if anyone is interested sometime. After riding through Rockwood, the "fun" really started when I entered Somerset, just hill after hill.  I wasn't sure how far I could go but I did really well.  I got some MapQuest directions around some really nasty hills on Rt. 31 but unfortunately MapQuest doesn't account for dirt roads so we hit a snag with one and had to get around it.  At that point about 3 pm I decided to stop riding and find a place to rest and just relax.  It didn't all go as planned time wise but we ended up driving to Everett, PA and we are staying with a very kind relative of John Gibbel.  I'm very glad John's suggestion to me worked out with my riding schedule and we're very grateful for their generosity!!  I ended today with about 55 miles!!

Tomorrow I will drive back to where I stopped and then I will end up on Rt. 30 (business and regular) a little and I know there will be some more nasty hills here and there to get to and passed Breezewood.  Thanks for all your prayers and please continue to share my donation site to anyone you meet. www.frc.org/acrosspenn            

The first picture is me ending yesterday in Ohiopyle, the next 2 are from the trail today and the last one is me starting my ride yesterday at the WV border.  (That's just the order the pictures posted in)      

Time to finish up some things and get to bed!!

Day 1 of the Big Ride - Sept. 28, 2013

Yesterday (Friday) didn't go as planned since we didn't reach the hotel in Triadelphia, WV until 8 pm and still had to get supper.  So I had some anxiousness for the night and to get started so I didn't sleep very well.  One great thing yesterday is that I was on the FRC radio program and that was fun to do to talk about my ride!

Morning - What a Gorgeous Day to ride so I was very thankful for that!!!!  Little trouble finding the first road at the PA border but got there ok. I wanted to take a picture with the Welcome to PA sign but the route I was on didn't have one so the first picture you see is me starting.  Lots of deer and chipmunks and some other animals along the way.  Western PA certainly has it's hills so the start was a little rough and some other places but the day went well because I tackled 96 MILES and made it to Ohiopyle, Hallelujah!!!!  Unfortunately you can't plan for detours and bridges out so we had to deal with that once and some other unmarked roads.  Two places I will recommend if you're ever in western PA is Mingo Creek State Park and the Allegheny Passage Trail.

I am very grateful to have my Dad with me to help.  He is very encouraging and we have 3 GPS's to work with and of course a paper map.  To go from West Newton to Ohiopyle, I was on the Allegheny Passage Trail and that was awesome.  It's mostly flat and that part was almost 43 miles along the River.  My Dad of course can't drive on the trail so he went ahead to secure a "hotel" and we got blessed. He found a lodge up on the mountain with a hot tub and fireplaces and an incredible view!! Plus they gave us a $40 discount because of my ride!!

I will be on the trail again in the morning for another 30 miles then shortly after I will reach Somerset, PA.  It's going to be tough so I know I will not go as many miles.  Please pray for continued good weather, endurance and my knee.  Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers!!!!
Sorry PICTURES not working will try to post the tomorrow.

What a Beautiful Day for a 30 mile Ride - Sept. 24, 2013

It was a little cool to start at 40 degrees but just beautiful!!  I rode to Manheim for a nail appt. and my friend Karen put special stripes on my nails to match my bike. That was fun!  Then I headed over to Tropical Smoothie to meet another friend for lunch and prayers.  We sat outside in the sunshine and talked for over 2 hours catching up on everything.  It was great to sit and relax for a change.  I had already ridden 15 miles and wanted to put in 15 more.  I went out Oregon Rd. to Oregon Pike and back Landis Valley Rd. and around the airport.  It was a good ride and great for one of the last before I leave for the BIG ride! 

I'm pretty much packed - just trying to make sure I remember everything.  I got some names of people we can possibly stay with instead of hotels on my route too which I was excited about.  It just depends where I stop each night. The weather looks great at least for the first four days so I'm going to try to make good use of them. Only 3 days to go, God will sustain and protect!!!