Today we met the hills.
It began innocently enough. We set off on our carefully planned route and re-encountered our acquaintance with flexibility. Road construction and a washed-out bridge didn’t just divert us onto unanticipated roads—we found ourselves in an entirely unexpected STATE.
The back roads of eastern Wisconsin afforded striking beauty, but their designers didn’t have my weenie arms in mind. In Wisconsin we met the hills.
Hills—plural. One after another after another. Big, long, hills. Today was the longest, toughest day of cycling I’ve ever done. It took more than five hours to cover forty miles.
As I crept slowly to the top of one difficult climb, Becky waited at the top and asked, “How was it?”
“It was tough.” Then I smiled. “And I’m really glad we’re here.”
This is why we came. We didn’t prepare and scheme and train to do easy, flat trails. There’s plenty of that at home.
I could be sitting in an office, or staring at a ball game on TV. This is exactly where I want to be.
I feel great. We’ve been blessed with wonderful weather—though I wouldn’t mind if the wind blew a little more from the north. We’re working hard at something we believe in. We’re touching hearts.
When you’re fortunate enough to be in the middle of something like that, you don’t mind a few hills.
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Wednesday we’ll speak to students at Luther High School in Onalaska, Wi. Then we’ll backtrack and ride in the afternoon from Lake City into Winona. The chance to meet with kids makes the extra driving worth it.
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Yay team!!! You made it to the next destination.
Singing words of encouragement to you along the way, I hear:
“The hills are alive with the sound of music!”
It’s Divine Guidance using Nature to keep you on
your chosen path. Hope you hear it too
Blessings,
Your weenie arms are stronger than my weenie arms…GO RICH!!
Hi Rich And Becky
Great to here you are enjoying your journey. We were the couple blessed to have been with you at the start of your trip, at the headwaters of the Mississippi. I have to say i think God brought us there for that moment, at least that is how we felt. We had no intention of going there that day, but just started riding from our campsite. I have to say you were a great inspiration for us. You see we have been going through some life changing challenges recently, and seeing you and what you are doing puts it all into perspective. Thank you for including us in your send off prayer. After you started on your way ,with tears in our eyes, we silently went and sat on the rocks crossing the great river. The morning was a beautiful start to the day. It was a great place to be at that moment. Thank you for your inspiration and good luck.
Deb and Bruce From Waseca