Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The final day of the mission

The desk clerk started out our day on a good foot, he put out the cereal early so we could eat and be on the road by 6:30, about 40 minutes before sunrise. Doc and I blasted through the first two tanks of gas. Leaving Nebraska, we were in and out of Kansas quickly and Oklahoma was a blur. I always expect problems in OKC on Sundays as this has been my experience, but today God spared us any issues, and it was a smooth run home. Again, we were able to hand out some material thus allowing us to participate in the tract ministry every one of the 14 days. Home for a Christina's dinner and wow.......more reflections to follow

On the road again

My new mustang seat helped make this a good day in the saddle. The old Corbin fit my old body, but in this new temple Ggod has granted me, II clearly fit better in the new Mustang. This is the first time I have not had a stabbing back pain on this ride. I really love the ride from Sturgis to Grand Island. There are a couple of good routes and both are relaxing. As is my practice, i was able to pass out a couple of tracts in the course of the day. Riding with Guy is always a gas and we had the added pleasure of being with Rick and Stella. Dock came up from Dallas to meet us for dinner, so we had a bikerchaplain reunion of sorts the last night out at the local steak house, the only night I ate steak on this trip. Tomorrow will be a hot one.

To God be the glory

The Final day of Sturgis


I can't loose the camp analogies, but it was like the last day of camp. After church we packed up the sound equipment and said some early good bye's to folks leaving out. The day was most excellent and the ride to Deadwood was perfect. Then on to Sturgis for dinner and another concert and tract/bible distribution. I had several great discussions and handed out a reasonable number of tracts. Rode back to camp with a new friend from Western Missouri. The packing has begun, everything goes back on the bike for the 1150 mile journey home. It is my prayer that all my notes will help keep the number of God's truths revealed over the course of these days, fresh in my mind.

Praise God for His Grace

Friday, August 12, 2011

Downtown Strugis


Clearly this is experience for me is church camp-esk. Pastor G from Daytona preached yesterday and he encouraged us to wear the armor of God. Eric turner's music is spectacular, I have been a fan since I first heard him last year at lake irvine. With rain in the area, it was a short ride through Spearfish canyon. The full throttle band played in downtown sturgis and yes I actually went downtown at night. That was a first, we handed out tracts and listened to the band. God was good, as the storm front skirted
Us and I stayed dry all the way back to camp. Tomorrow is the last day of this, I have already received a notice that work has produced issues in my absence. We will have a crazy week next week, but for now am attempting to focus on the ride and mission. I hope to savor tomorrow.

To God be the glory.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sturgis a day of rest


Only at Wyatts Hideway in Belle Fourche, can the campground be full, and filled with respectful people that allows for great sleep.  I awoke refreshed and had coffee and breakfast with Guy, Ron, and Kent.  Broke camp in a flash and headed to Rapid for the BFC rally.  Church started at 9 am, and we had a sweet time of worship.  After lunch I went to service my bike, Pro-Pad stood solid behind their warranty, and I received a new horn.  Then, a new seat for the new body God has given me should make the ride home more comfortable.  Later it was back to Wyatts for a visit and dinner.  Wednesday was relaxing and full of the sights and sounds of Sturgis.  
  
God is awesome!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Glacier Park


Glacier National Park

Prayed and Broke camp then headed to the harley shop, arriving there by 9:04.  God made himself real from the very beginning of the day as the screw held and the tire made it to the shop.  We road with flashers on at 50, as I expected a blow out all the way in.

The fella's at the harley shop were friendly and busy on this particular Sunday morning.  They got my bike right in and 1.5 hours later we were rolling.  A short day but an exceptional ride through the park.  We made camp early and had a great dinner.  

In the course of the day we had the opportunity to have several significant conversations and pass along a number of tracks.  We have also had the chance to pray with several who needed prayer.  

What a blessing to travel and get to know Chaplain rich, as well as the long and meaningful conversations with Chaplain, Mike.  

Sturgis at last

The morning was perfect as were the first 100 miles.  The ride through the big belts was as predicted ....remote and spectacular views.  Bars and fruit for breakfast, but a nice lunch in Billings. Made it home to Wyatts by dinner time.  Sweet fellowship with Guy, Kent, Ron and the crew.  

Praise the Lord
  

God is good all the time

God is good all the time

Little Belt Mountians
We had a chance to pray before breakfast with one of our fellow campers at the St Mary's KOA.  Please pray for Kim's son Mike that  his spiritual  will conclude at. The foot of the cross of Christ.  Of course, we prayed with breakfast and ater breakfast, we had Dean from N.D. Join us for prayer as we hit the road.  We made decent time as we headed to Great Falls to hook up with Rich's friend David. We had an excellent visit and nice late lunch David.  Then off on a short ride to the Littlebelt Mountians.  This is my 3rd time through and I am really liking this ride and area. Yes Jane I am looking for a cabin here too! This is the ideal camping night, perfect weather, cool temp's and a sparsely populated campground in the woods on a stream at the foot of a mountain.  In the am it will be out as early as possible and off to Wyatts, a place I call church camp for adults, I can't wait to see Kent, Marta, the kids, Guy and some of the Wyatt regulars!

To God be the Glory

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Miracles


It is easy to say that there are no miracles. Many times it is indeed easy to say it is luck or coincidence. But today God drove home to me He is indeed still in the miracle business.
When I got up this am I did my bible study, and prayed for those who are on my daily remembrance.
When we started out this am we prayed as a group of 3 men, and dedicated our day to the lord
When we got an hour down the road, we happened into a cafe owned by a Christian lady who was blessed by our business
When we received our meal we prayed thanks for the food and the folks we would meet on the road
When we met several on the road we passed tracts with a message for them from God, and blessed them
When we turned the corner this afternoon and found a biker down in the middle of the road, we picked him up, administered first aid, and
knew God had spared his life, and provided minor injuries when it could have been far more serious.
When we reached the gas stop, we were greeted by Christians from another ministry
When we parted from our new friends we prayed
When we were tired and needed to stop ....we paused and prayed for an open campsite
When we got to the campground and it was full, we knew God had a plan
When we met a nice family in the campground, and they shared their site with 3 old bikers, we new God had answered our prayers
When the day was over and I looked down and there was a massive screw in my rear tire, the tire that had been running mountain roads all
day on at high speeds......I Knew God Had Saved My Life!
Chance? Luck? Coincidence ? I think not.
Oh yea, the scenery was spectacular!
3200 miles into my journey, I will be looking for the Harley Shop in the morning to get a new tire

God loves you and me and has a wondful plan for our lives

Sidecar

Friday, August 5, 2011

Gateway to the mountains

Glacier National Park

Prayed and Broke camp then headed to the harley shop, arriving there by 9:04.  God made himself real from the very beginning of the day as the screw held and the tire made it to the shop.  We road with flashers on at 50, as I expected a blow out all the way in.

The fella's at the harley shop were friendly and busy on this particular Sunday morning.  They got my bike right in and 1.5 hours later we were rolling.  A short day but an exceptional ride through the park.  We made camp early and had a great dinner.  

In the course of the day we had the opportunity to have several significant conversations and pass along a number of tracks.  We have also had the chance to pray with several who needed prayer.  

What a blessing to travel and get to know Chaplain rich, as well as the long and meaningful conversations with Chaplain, Mike.  

Praise the Lord

Sidecar

Gateway to the mountains

After prayer with the Palmers, I met the fellas at the restaurant for breakfast. Then the fun began, the ride up the Columbia river valley and gorge was breathtaking. We followed the river for a couple hundred miles from the forests to the rolling hills. Made it to Idaho this evening. Tomorrow will have even better scenery. Had the opportunity to deliver several tracts today, i have prayed for the individuals who accepted the tracts today. I am now traveling with two other ministers. Fun and clearly a departure from riding the long solo days on the way up here.

Blessings to all

Sidecar

Re-charge

Day 5 was a slow and relaxing day. Haveing adveraged 4 - 600 mile days and reachingna destination stop, I.took a day off. My friend Les and wife Ruth are wonderful people and have hosted me for 2 nights. It has been a real treat to meet their lovely family. We went by the harley shop to get the necessary pins and. Parts to effect my needed field repair. Yes my horns fell off my bike again. This makes about 6 different brackets that have sheered offf because of the vibration in as many years. Thankfully this company will be bat sturgus and will supply new one. A cut up old inter tube and some electrical tape and everything will hang on for the next 1000 moles to sturgus. Lunch in town with business friend of 24 years and then simply getting ready to hook up with a couple ministry buddies for the next leg of the journey tomorrow. I have enjoyed my time in God's word today. Extra time off means extra time with the Master and looking for what he may say to me through the Bible. It is in these quite moments when I am away on these missions that I especially appreciate the principle of being alone with God. I am praying today for Mike in Hospice care.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

2400

Day 4 into the mission and I have covered 2400 miles. I ate lunch today on the beach in Florence, Or, probably as far away from home i will be this time around. The ride today was awesome and totally unexpected. Had a great morning visit with Mike and Elane. I just wanted to buy the house next door so I could be their neighbor and see them all the time. Then it was off for a chilly morning ride to the sisters and another fapymous Oregon senic byway. I rode through Snow fields still full from winters gift. Next was the rang of mountains that join the sea, and of course a run on 101. After a couple hours sampling of the Oregon coast, it was off to Vancouver and a wonderful dinner with Les and Ruth. More about Portland tomorrow. I am beat and need to sleep fast.

Sidecar

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Dances with wolves

Day 3 of this mission was unique in so many ways. The onle dilemma in riding so many 600'mile days back to back is there is to much senery for my brainnto process. Leaving Salt Lake in the cool of the early morning, the mountains on my right stood guard as I headed north. Hit some rain on the south side of Boise, the best part of the ride was leaving 84 at Ontario and taking 26 across to pineville. This is a must do! One of the best rides in America, you heard it here first. Mountains , gorges, twisties, lakes , forests, high plains, farm lands all in the space of a 4 hour ride. Met a BFC bro on the road and had a lovely visit with Mike and elaine his evening. The ride just keeps getting better as do the experiences. This has been an exceedingly blesses day!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Back in the saddle

One of the biggest blessings in my view is friendship. God in His Devine plan allows us a glimpz of the unity we will experience in the heavenly chorus we will join someday in Gloryland. After spending the evening with my sister, brother n law, and niece and nephew ( in Christ), we had a splended breakfast and morning visit, I hit the road-again. I love Colorado , it is a second home to me. A quick run out 70 was pleasant, the canyons on the west side of grand junction are awe inspiring, and the mountains of Utah changed character as I headed west and then north to Provo. The twists up hwy 6 were excellent. It only seemed like a 500 mile day on 15 from Provo to Salt Lake. It is under construction and a real mess. God answered prayers and though heavy traffic, I had no issues. I must sleep fast, it's about 600 miles tomorrow to Prineville, Or. BTW next time you are in Green River, Ut-try the green meat cantelopes ......pretty yummy......I bought one at a fruit stand, cut it up and put it in my cooler wow!

To God be the glory!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Up at 4am and on the road by 4:39. About 1 hour into the trip the old familiar friend called "the road" was my friend once again. In the darkness the sky looked like a planetarium. The cool morning was spectacular. A world away from the daily 106 d Dallas has been delivering these days. I reached the mountains before the heat of the day... Yea. 785 miles in 14 hours , and spent an hour at lunch with a new friend- Bryan, I am praying for Zach. Now in Highlands Ranch, God bless Marsha and Harry, Sleep will be easy tonight
Sidecar

Saturday, July 30, 2011

The night before the ride

How come no matter how much time I have to get ready it is never enough? So many things have comenup this week to keep me focused on business and the matters of home....Getting ready this time was kinda like craming for mid-term exams......Yes, so I know how to pack light and felt like I was taking less "stuff", by when it came time to load the bike, oops it didn't seem to work out correctly? Ayway it is getting late and 4 am is just around the corner.....I know God will go before me and I am excited about the possibilities. To God be the glory, I will soon be back no the road again

Sidecar

Friday, July 29, 2011

2011 here we go again

It is Friday afternoon, I am prepared to get prepared to ride another 5,000 journey. This time, about 1/2 on my own. Each time I begin to pack the bike for one of these marathons, I feel like a salmon looking up the long river getting ready for the challenge ahead. I love it! there is some challenge involved, knowing every day will be enjoyable even though there will be some measure of discomfort for the miles that exceed 600 each day. No worries, the wind and the view of America are well worth it. So......as a good pal said to me today....Let the games begin.....

More to follow