April 19 - Rest Day

Today was a good rest day.  We did some RV cleaning, laundry and eating in the morning and then kicked back the rest of the day.  Dad and Bill took Jerry Hogg to the airport.....and dare I say a tear or two was shed.  Jer had been with us since the start and is the first support team member to head home.  Personally, I will miss his smile and his humor.  I learned during our drive to Florida why Jer, Kyle and I get along so well.  Jer can explain the physcology if you are interested.  It is actually very enlightening.

While at the airport, Dad and Bill picked up Dad's cousin Les Stutzman.  Les will be with us for the next couple of weeks.  Good Times.

Kyle, Shannon and I walked "up town" to get some lunch and found it at the Valero on the corner.  We had Po Boy sandwiches.  On our way back to the Inn we saw a Jeep Wrangler with blue flashing lights....like a Police Jeep.  It was the Constable's Jeep and it was sweet (Kyle posted a picture on FB).  So the Contstable gets to drive a Jeep (he only had the bikini top on today), has a sweet badge (like a Texas Ranger) and carries a gun.  Kyle found his perfect job!

Here are a couple of pictures.

  The entrance to the Wildflower Inn.

Like the cat, we had a lazy afternoon.  NIIICE.

Here is Les.  Chillin' already.

April 18 - Ride Day

Today was cloudy and humid.  We were rained on some, more like drizzle I guess.  Not enough to need to pull out the rain gear thankfully as that would have been incredibly hot.  Jer and Bill re-routed us some to cut a few miles off which was much appreciated given the humidity.

Tonight we are staying at the Wildflower Inn in Clinton, LA.  As the hostess described the town, we are in the middle of no where.  lol...we already knew that.  How no where are we?  Verizon doesn't even service this area so all of our phones are useless.

Today was Jerry Hogg's last day of driving for POP's Ride.  Thank you Jer for helping me drive the Mother Ship and Flex to Florida and sticking around for another 10 days.  Your support and MacGyveristic talents have been a great benefit.  We'll see you in San Diego in May.  Mrs. H, thanks for lending us Jer!

Today we saw more roadkill, a big bull, some cool old buildings, a really old church and some cool artwork.  See below.

I'm thinking this is one grocery store I will not be visiting.

 yummmm, armadillo!

 We were thinking of driving back to see how rockin' this place gets.....

since 1863?  WOW.  That is incredible.

Sunday, April 17 - Ride Day

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here are a few thousand words of what I saw and experienced during our 113 miles today.  Enjoy.

Below Sea Level - April 17

Well, today was my first day back on the bike after four days of mandatory rest.  I felt good during the ride and feel good tonight.  Hopefully, I will feel good tomorrow and Monday and then we have another rest day on Tuesday.

We are out of Florida and into Alabama.  We are 1/5 of the way to San Diego!  One week done and four to go.

Today was spent riding into the wind along the Gulf Coast.  The temperature was great but the wind was a tad monotonous.  Plus, I spent most of the day riding below sea level even though I was within site of the ocean.  Not sure I understand how that works or want to know but the GPS showed I was anywhere from 4 to 17 feet below sea level.  My guess is, today was the closest I have come to understanding what it is like to live with PD.  The wind was restricting my movements and there wasn't a dang thing I could do about it but try harder and that just tired me out.  Then, my GPS said I should have been under water so I was wondering what in today's adventure would go out on me next.  For the PD patient, the thoughts are will it be my speech, my memory, my arms, my legs....my body.  I definitely better understand the challenges my Dad faces every day.

The ferry ride to Dauphin Island was great.  We met a Dr from Birmingham who had actually heard of POP's Ride before.  Hmmmm, I wonder how he heard of us?  He took one of our posters to hang in his office and he was going to encourage his PD patients to donate and spread the word about Our Ride.  While on the ferry, we had a few more people come up and ask us to "Tell us what you are doing."  They were amazed at what we are attempting and excited about Our Ride.  The picture above is the bridge from the Island to back to the Mainland.  It was a big hill.

Towards the end of the ride today I took out my ear buds and just listened to the sounds around me.  I heard a lawn mower and smelled the fresh cut grass.  I looked and there was a teenager riding an old rider, nothing new and fancy but it sure did get the job done.  I heard the birds singing and didn't hear a single siren or car horn...that was nice!  I smelled the fresh air with a hint of something sweet blooming.  The slower pace of life with wide open spaces and star filled nights.  Makes me miss the years I spent growing up in Nebraska.  Some will probably say its a sign I'm getting older.  For me, its a reality check that I need to make changes and find a place which has the surroundings I enjoy.....regardless of the income.

....I wonder what else I will learn on this Ride?  I think Mike Magnusen was right, life is simpler on the bike and the bike can cure a bad day.

Thanks for letting me ramble and I hope you are all having a good day.

Until next time....God Bless.

Shane

Rest Day, April 15

Hello All,

Today was our first official rest day.  Not a lot of resting happening but we at least we didn't ride bikes!  We woke up later....8am to a good breakfast of eggs, pancakes and bacon.  We then divided up and conquered laundry and grocery shopping.  By the time we all got back it was time for lunch - grilled hot dogs.  Not fancy but they hit the spot. 

Then the guys headed to the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola.  We drove right on the base and the museum was entrance fee was $0.00.  Military aircraft amaze me.  They are so big I am amazed they fly.  Plus, the skills the early pilots had to fly the plans with limited creature comforts or technology.  We met an older gentleman who was about 80+ years old and was a Naval Aviator when he was young.  He explained how he loved being a gunner but did not like being a radio operator.  He shared with us some cool stories of flying in the older planes in WWII. 

We then saw the IMAX movie about the Navy Blue Angels.  IMAX is way cool.  We were in line getting ready to pay and the lady behind the counter asked about our group.  We explained what we were doing and she told all of the agents to stop and give us the special group rate.  She then looked at Dad and said, "my grandmother had Parkinson's.  I understand."  We continue to be amazed, like we have been for the last year about how many people know someone with PD.  I wish that wasn't the case as then PD wouldn't be such an issue. 

Our waitress, Bree (I spelled her name wrong last night, sorry Bree), sent me a couple of emails today and offered some help with lodging.  We live in an amazing Country and are truly blessed.

For dinner, Aunt Sharon made minute steak in the crock pot with cream of Celery and cream of Mushroom soup.  It cooked all day and tasted incredible tonight along with the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, fresh strawberries and salad.  Another great meal from our Aunt.

Today's picture is from the museum.  An incredible awkward looking airplane that serves a specific purpose.

Oh yeah, POP's Ride has gone INTERNATIONAL!  Yes, INTERNATIONAL!  Tony, the guy we bet from Britain yesterday blogged about us last night and one of his friends has already made a donation.  Incredible!  Here is Tony's website - http://www.jacksonvilleorbust.co.uk/. 

Thanks again all for your continued support and prayers.  Remember, this is OUR RIDE and YOU ALL are included!

Shane

April 14 - Ride Day

Today was my last day of mandatory recovery before I am released to ride.  Tomorrow is a rest day here in Pensacola.  We are staying at the Ensley Nazarene Church.  Tonight we went with the Pastor Brian and his wife Missy to Crabs for dinner.  Crabs is a non-chain local seafood place right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico.  You can actually eat right on the beach.  The sand is amazing.  Brian said it is approx 97% quartz from the Appalachians. 

Brian's uncle has PD....another connection.  Our waitress at dinner, Bri, saw our shirts/hats with Pedal Over Parkinson's and said her grandfather has PD.  You could tell her grandfather means a lot to her and his PD has an impact on her life.  We explained what we are doing and she made several supportive comments.  We shared with her some of the information we have learned about PD, some of which she was not aware of.  Hopefully, some of this information will help her grandfather.  We gave her one of our cards and encouraged her to contact us and we will share more about the resources we know about.

Kyle and Shannon finished the day strong.  They arrived a the Church about an hour before we expected them.  It helped that we cut about 17 miles off their ride today by "straightening" out the course a little.  As this was their fifth day, we felt it was important to get them off the bikes as soon as possible.

Tomorrow we will be running errands in the morning - laundry and groceries - and then go to the Naval Air Museum in the afternoon.  Missy is letting us use her Suburban tomorrow so we do not have to empty the Flex.  Another huge blessing. 

Well, it is late and it is time for bed.  The trip has been incredible and I am still amazed that we are actually doing this.  We are biking across the USA!!!!!!!  What a Country!.  Small town America is alive and well and going strong.

Here is an interesting picture from the day.  We also saw a wild land fire.  Good Night.

Wednesday, April 13

Well, another day recovering from my first two days of riding.  I promised my Mother I would not ride until after our rest day this week.  It appears everyone else who is along also promised her they would not let me ride.

Today, I was the navigator for Jer....that is until I fell asleep and Jer pulled the map book from me.  So, I went to take a nap on the bed in the back of the RV and there I tossed and turned and never fell asleep.  So, I went back to the front seat and fell asleep again.  I don't understand it.  Must be something about the front seat.  I may retest this hypothesis tomorrow.

We stopped at Wal..... to get some supplies. 

Other than that, I didn't do much today.

Kyle and Shannon did really well.  They looked a little rough at lunch but finished with power.

Later - Shane