May 24th Fort Collins, CO What a fun day – the storm danced around us all day, so John and I decided to head to Home Depot and work on his garden. I love to get my hands dirty and the little plot he had set up looked great. We moved some hay around after stacking some protective layering down then added a stone walkway. We built a step and then hung out and rested like tired old men through a cloudy and peaceful day. Once again we passed out on the two couches watching the NBA tournament and I felt like a piece of home. May 25th                                            Last Chance, CO I left around 9:30am in the morning after getting some coffee and breakfast plus I wanted to say goodbye. The weather was calling for two more days of rain, but I needed to keep moving and I believe it is your heart and gut one needs to follow and that was telling me it was time even though I wanted to hang some more. John was an amazing host and his dogs were great too! It was so nice seeing each other after such a long time. The clouds were looming around but the wind was to my side and I was now in the grass lands. With thunder in the distance, I stopped under a super nice bridge after about 115 miles and it started pouring soon after. I have to say with a smile that bridges are such nice shelters and this one even had planks to set up a nice bed. May 26th Limon, CO I woke up to so much rain this morning – … [Read more...]

May 20th                                         Steamboat Springs, CO Today was a very productive day with a lemon slither of sadness. I was leaving a new favorite town and I was planning to finish the Rockies for the last time with two climbs and then a fifty mile downhill I had heard so much about. The first climb was long but tame and then after so much beauty I failed to realize that the second pass was much shorter. I ended the day chasing a rain storm and completing about 130 miles only to know that I would never see my favorite sign of a truck flying down a steep hill. The Rocky Mountain range had been tamed. I was happy but knew not to be too excited for the flatlands will have many problems and will in no means be easy but I was through a tough section of the trip. I camped by a farm and had a short lived rain shower. The night was calm and I slept well. May 21st                                         Fort Collins, CO I had done so much the day before, I only had 44 miles to go into Fort Collins, Colorado. I was moved out of my bed early for I saw the most beautiful yellow bird ever. It must have been a sign to move and as a storm set in, it made me glad to be heading into town. I was in by 10:30am and found a breakfast spot. John was working but he brought me into where he lived because out west the doors remain unlocked which I love and I chilled … [Read more...]

May 13th                                   Jackson, Wyoming Today started off as a beautiful day. Dan’s mother wanted to take me through Teton Park at sunrise to see the light hit the majestic mountain. Dan also surprised us all with a delicious breakfast that lured me out of bed at like six o’clock. The food was awakening and the park was stunning, but I needed to get ready to ride and the wind was for once my friend. At 8am I was off with spring blowing in my hair. It’s cool to be able to see the pollen at work and the flowers growing day after day and the rivers were literally humming with power as I pedaled down the road. I stopped for a moment and talked with a man just sitting in his truck. He gave me the advice to live my dreams even harder – then I plan and I promise to him and inside myself to double my efforts to live and really mean it. Then I head up a hill to get just one of the many climbs I had out of the way. It was sunny but cold and I think about another layer when I begin the descent. I was rocking about 30mph when out of my left eye a dog comes at an upward angle toward my bike. I’m just guessing it will be like all the others, but low and behold expectations once again lead to a disappointment. This “suicide bomber dog” goes right for my back tire and I almost fly over the handlebars just in time to fall over allowing my bags to take most the damage. I look up from the dust and I see … [Read more...]

May 9th                                     Rexburg, ID So after having a wonderful time with Jourdan and her family I had to ask if I could stay one more day. I also overheard them talking about seeing Star Wars and wanted in because the show used to spark my imagination when I was younger and I wanted to see what they had done with it. Anything to keep those neurons firing and blending together seems to be a good idea in my book. They were happy to have me once again which I was thankful for and I knew that they were planting a garden in front of the house so I offered my help with loading up the dirt because even though I may not be good at many things, moving heavy stuff is a forte of mine. Plus after all my leg work with riding all day it was nice to use the upper body for once and to get outside on a farm – landscaping is always fun too. Bridgette and I hauled about 17 loads of dirt and worked throughout the day. It was so much fun and we had a lot of time to talk about how being yourself and loving yourself opens doors for ways to help others and be a positive presence in their lives. I was going to help with the planting once we were done with the dirt but then I asked how the movie Mama Mia was and ended up being told to watch it. I really loved it. IT WAS FUN FROM BEGINNING TO END AND I TRULY WONDER WHY GUYS CAN’T LOOK PAST THE MACHO-NISE AND APPRECIATE A HAPPY STORY ABOUT A SINGLE MOTHER AND HER … [Read more...]

First look at this http://www.greentortoise.com/ May 4th Lewiston, ID to some campsite It was time to head off into the heart of the Pacific Northwest and see what these mountains are really all about. It was hard to leave Dani and Damien behind, but Dani were so nice and wrapped up my hummus she made from scratch and I lazily left around 9:30am. I like how there is so much light into the evening because I can leave later and that’s good. I was heading on the 12 which when I stopped at my first store and met a guy who gave me a lot of insight into Idaho. The first thing I thought was really funny was how many people from Idaho find Californians a little different and also how the 12 is not only one of the most beautiful rides in the country through the valley but the third most dangerous rides. I was not to concur though, because I truly don’t find any road dangerous as long as I am not dangerously riding my bike. There are always two people involved in a situation or conflict and well, I just do not allow my half to ever start – for most dangerous situations seem to miss me. One has the right to deny conversation and if done the other must respect that. It’s those that have to have the last words that find themselves in bad situations. This trip is about humility and I have no room for that type of ego – plus I am a minimalist and the ego is really heavy. SO the clerk sent me off with some valuable info and I even got to see some crazy … [Read more...]

April 30th                                       Walla Walla, WA This was a special day. I woke up early because I wanted to see Eli and Sam off to school. I was just amazed that two kids their age were responsible enough to get up and do all that they do on a regular basis - plus I was excited to find out if I could speak to Eli’s 5th grade class that day. Sure enough the teacher was happy to have me and once again to my amazement, I was allowed to go share my love of talking to people about living their dreams. I was reading a great book about the irrational decisions we make everyday as consumers across this country – like research explaining why we buy things. At noon I stopped reading and headed for the school. I think that my long hair and bad facial hair scared the secretary just a little (or at least she was not sure what to do with me) and then I was once again in a classroom of smart smiling kids not sure what to do with me either. I find it best to go over briefly who I am to get them warmed up and to let them know what I am doing. Then I opened the floor to their questions because that encourages the flow of conversation into where it needs to go. I love the questions the kids ask – they are so pure and simplistic and always lead me into realizations about who I am and new ways to open their minds into staying creative. Hopefully, they are reassured that their dreams are as possible as mine. … [Read more...]