It's Monday morning and we're on the road again after a very relaxing weekend. Two nights at the Prince Conference Center in a king size bed and with our own shower and a hot breakfast provided, man, that's luxury! Everything we see and experience makes us realize over and over how well off we are, and how much reason we have to be grateful to God for all his good gifts. And everything we see and experience on this journey makes us realize that if we have much, there's a reason for that: that we give much.
Yesterday's celebration service in Grand Rapids was held in Fifth Third Baseball Park, home of the Single A Grand Rapids Whitecaps baseball team. The pictures below were taken about an hour before the service began. The speaker at the service, whom you can barely see below, was Shane Claibourne, author of the books The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President. He was very dynamic and challenging, with a definite Southern Tennessee accent.
At the service we ran into a number people we knew but did not expect to be there: Leanne Doornbos (formerly of Abbotsford, then Lacombe, now teaching at Calvin), Albert & Freda Snippe (Georgetown, our former congregation a lifetime ago), the Wisselinks from Abbotsford (here to visit their Kevin and family). In the evening we spent time with brother Peter & Marja and their daughter Christy and family.
Today 60 new people joined us, including another old family friend: Herb Goodhoofd (and thanks for your card and note, Pete & Joan). All in all, the day went pretty well. A large group of us did miss one turn, so we had to take a long block around to get back on track. For the most part the roads were straight and flat, and my average speed today reflects that. It sounds terrible to say that there was nothing worth taking a picture of along the way, but there was certainly nothing that stood out. You can only take so many pictures of cornfields and trees.
There was one refreshment stop in Lowell, courtesy of the Calvary CRC in that town, and as usual there were loads of baked goods. Your intrepid and dieting (but not seriously) reporter was able to stick to fruit only. There were also a few individuals and small groups cheering us on along the roads, including Beverly Weeks, former fellow Board of Trustee member, sitting by herself with a sign assuring us of her family’s prayers for us (and was I smart enough to take her picture – noooo!).
The early group, including myself, arrived at Sleepy Hollow State Park by 12:30 already, and our large group is now scattered all over the campsite. Diane is swimming in the shallow and murky water – my description gives you the reason I’m not swimming but showered instead – with other members of the kitchen crew.
On a not so happy note, two more people have had to leave the tour because of injuries: Lynn, who fell off her bike onto her kneecap last week and tried to return but couldn’t because of water under her knee, and Jim, who was staying in a hotel this past weekend and cracked a couple of ribs when he slipped in the shower there.
Tomorrow is our last full day in the U.S. before we enter our home and native land. We will be crossing the border on a ferry, which is something we've never experienced before, and we're looking forward to seeing old friends along the way.
Today’s stats:
Distance: 113.32 kms
Average speed: 27.5 kph
Maximum speed: 54.3 ph
Time in saddle: 4.06.23
# of flat tires on tour: 9
It's Tuesday afternoon and a hard day is behind us, unlike the wind, which was blowing hard in our faces for 153 kms. There's not much to say except that you put your head down and pedalled. I pulled Claire Elgersma pretty much the whole day, and it was the two of us for most of that time, although we joined and were joined by others off and on. I did not get lost and I had no flat tires. The weather was sunny but cool, and the temperature tonight is supposed to go down to 8 degrees C.
Diane spent the day with Erinn Swett and they goofed around in Lansing, meaning I had to set up the tent and blow up the air mattress. I think she planned that on purpose! We are looking forward to crossing the border tomorrow and using the Timmy card that Joel and Marsha sent us, and also visiting with Diane's brother Art and sister-in-law Sue (Ridgetown) who are picking us up for dinner and sleeping at their place.
Sorry about no pictures again. I'll do better tomorrow. Today no one took any pictures, we just put our heads down and pedalled.
Today's stats:
Distance: 153.72
Average speed: 24.2 kph
Maximum speed: 50.9 kph
Time in saddle: 6.19.57
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