Today Tom begins his ride across America! I dropped him off at his hotel yesterday afternoon where he was meeting the rest of the riders and the group leaders. He was excited and maybe a little nervous about the whole thing! But he is ready to go. He has put in lots of hard work getting ready and now it is here.
We flew to California last week to attend a 50th Wedding Anniversary party for Jerry and Arlene Hitchman. Tom also spoke at Westgate Church in San Jose. We had a great time visiting with friends. Tom continued to ride each day he could. One day he tackled the mountains between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. He said that he was surprised because he hadn’t remembered that ride being easy before. Goes to show you how good his biking is going! He also took one nice ride with the pastor of Westgate, Steve Clifford. We also spent an afternoon in San Francisco with my brother, Don, his wife, Diane, and my two nephews, Konrad and Evan. Tom couldn’t imagine climbing some of those hills on his bike. The mountains of Santa Cruz were easier looking!
Our next stop was at Bob and Peggy Gilder’s in Corvallis, Oregon. Tom took two beautiful rides there and just had a great time. The air was cool and we had beautiful sunny days. The ride there was over rolling hills and alongside stands of huge fir trees. Mt Hood was beautiful!
Then finally on Sunday Al and Andy Egg of Portland drove us to the coast where Tom would be dropped off. We drove to the ocean and saw the famous landmark, Haystack. Then on to Astoria where the Column is. It’s a tall column you can normally walk up a spiral staircase in and see the view of the Columbia River and into the state of Washington from the top. Breathtaking views!
We dropped Tom and all his gear at the hotel in Astoria, said a few tearful farewells (me) and waved goodbye. The next time I see Tom will be when he rides into Rochester, MN! Al and Andy took me back to Portland where I caught an afternoon flight to Oklahoma City. The route we followed back was exactly where Tom will be riding today. It follows the Columbia River all day just about. Parts are quite hilly with lots of trees on both sides of the road. At one point the road opens up and you see Mt. St. Helens just in front of you and just to the side is Mt. Hood, both still snow covered.
Thank you so much for praying for Tom! Pray for the whole group while you are at it, ok? Pray for strength to make each day’s ride, for alertness on the road, for the new friends he will make, and for his safety. He is praying for you. He has around 80 3 x 5 cards hooked together with information about you that he will carry each day so he can be reminded to pray for you and your family.
Karen, for Tom
We flew to California last week to attend a 50th Wedding Anniversary party for Jerry and Arlene Hitchman. Tom also spoke at Westgate Church in San Jose. We had a great time visiting with friends. Tom continued to ride each day he could. One day he tackled the mountains between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. He said that he was surprised because he hadn’t remembered that ride being easy before. Goes to show you how good his biking is going! He also took one nice ride with the pastor of Westgate, Steve Clifford. We also spent an afternoon in San Francisco with my brother, Don, his wife, Diane, and my two nephews, Konrad and Evan. Tom couldn’t imagine climbing some of those hills on his bike. The mountains of Santa Cruz were easier looking!
Our next stop was at Bob and Peggy Gilder’s in Corvallis, Oregon. Tom took two beautiful rides there and just had a great time. The air was cool and we had beautiful sunny days. The ride there was over rolling hills and alongside stands of huge fir trees. Mt Hood was beautiful!
Then finally on Sunday Al and Andy Egg of Portland drove us to the coast where Tom would be dropped off. We drove to the ocean and saw the famous landmark, Haystack. Then on to Astoria where the Column is. It’s a tall column you can normally walk up a spiral staircase in and see the view of the Columbia River and into the state of Washington from the top. Breathtaking views!
We dropped Tom and all his gear at the hotel in Astoria, said a few tearful farewells (me) and waved goodbye. The next time I see Tom will be when he rides into Rochester, MN! Al and Andy took me back to Portland where I caught an afternoon flight to Oklahoma City. The route we followed back was exactly where Tom will be riding today. It follows the Columbia River all day just about. Parts are quite hilly with lots of trees on both sides of the road. At one point the road opens up and you see Mt. St. Helens just in front of you and just to the side is Mt. Hood, both still snow covered.
Thank you so much for praying for Tom! Pray for the whole group while you are at it, ok? Pray for strength to make each day’s ride, for alertness on the road, for the new friends he will make, and for his safety. He is praying for you. He has around 80 3 x 5 cards hooked together with information about you that he will carry each day so he can be reminded to pray for you and your family.
Karen, for Tom
1 comment:
Hey Tom,
We are praying for you to have a safe ride today. We are sure you are enjoying God's beauty in that state. Love the Bike4kids shirt. Steve had it on yesterday at church. Enjoy yourself and be safe.
Lynn and Craig Fraser
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