Wednesday, July 1, 2009

So happy to be in Colorado!

For so many reasons really...mainly because my fam is here and I get to meet Nora so soon! Also because I'm so happy to be out of the plains...Texas did not treat me well and I am happy to move onto the mountains. I have a longer post describing what I've been up to, but I have a one hour time limit on this computer at the library, so I decided to just post a bunch of pics for people to look at until I can finish my written description of the past week. All in all: things are great, the weather has cooled down (thank god!) and we're all excited to start the BLITZ BUILD in Colorado Springs in a couple days...enjoy the pics, big hugs from "Colorful Colorado".

p.s. These pics are horribly out of order...sorry!
Riding some horses.

You'll read about this soon, but the pastor at the church in Trinidad has horses and let us invade his home to rid them.

Mine was Brownie, and her cutie colt (on the left) is Krystal.

Exploring in Trinidad

More exploring

I love horses

Roadside naps are great

Finally in Colorado! Yay! I'm a happy camper.

Train climbing

CO!

New Mexico (notice the bullet holes in the sign)

Turns out its not a good sign when there are giant windmills. Who knew it means you're going to be facing some killer headwinds?

My new friend the horse. I named him Jasper.

Feeding Jasper.

Amazing sunrise in Texas. I don't like waking up early, but seeing the sunrise makes it worth it.

Texas in a nutshell. Add some ridiculous wind and you pretty much get the idea.

Texas!
Rider at sunrise in Texas

We did a bike clinic for kids in Arnett, TX. Here we are pretending to be biking while we perfect the use of hand signals.

Little towns love us, and we love them!

Hard at work in Oklahoma City...

Here is what our build site in Oklahoma City looked like when we got there...
And here is was when we left!

Mmm, refreshing.

This is a gentleman from the news who played us a Native American flute, which he only does for people he really likes :)

Extremely important work. Okay, we are just holding up a wall until the one perpendicular gets done.

B&Bers working on their hand blisters.

Sometimes we have to be creative to find shade...Sarah found a Caterpillar.

Oklahoma, doesn't this looks like I was riding through the 50's?

Typical B&B lunch stop

The view from my office

We were supposed to look tough with our bikes (on the riverwalk in Little Rock) but I was dropping mine because I was laughing too hard.

Here is the storm where we had to take shelter on some woman's porch. The pic doesn't really do it justice, it was pretty amazing to watch.
Tupelo, MS: Birthplace of Elvis. Here a 13 year old Elvis and I are just doing some hand holding.

We didn't pass a Mississippi state sign when we crossed the border so we had to improvise...with a post office :)

Crossing the border into Alabama, this was our first century ride.

I can't really remember what this was, I think a gold rush muesum...






































5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Loved the pictures - mainly because I got to see YOU! I know that riding a horse in CO was something you've been wanting to do. What amazing people you're with and meeting along the way. Heard some song lyrics the other day that made me think of what you're doing. It was something to the effect that it's not about how fast you get there or what's waiting on the other side, it's the climb. Enjoy it!!
    We're planning a Skpe visit with you when you're with Shannon and Jeff so looking forward to that so much.

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  3. Claaaiiiree...Great photos! I just had to laugh outloud at my desk here at work. I can totally see (and hear) you along the way. Your journey is so impressive!

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  4. Claire, Love the pics. I can't say enought how proud everyone is of you and all that your're accomplished in your travels. Everyone at work can't wait to see and hear where you're going and doing next. take care love aunt marie

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  5. Hi Bella First customer this morning asked about you and your travels, it's been so much fun sharing you with my friends that shop here. Take care in the mountains and have too much fun. Love Aunt Sharon

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THE ROUTE:

05/26
Charleston - SC (0 miles)
05/27
Charleston - SC (0 miles)
05/28
BUILD DAY
05/29
Moncks Corner - SC (32 miles)
05/30
Orangeburg - SC (60 miles)
05/31
Columbia - SC (41 miles)
06/1
BUILD DAY

06/2
Newberry - SC (45 miles)
06/3
Greenville - SC (72 miles)
06/4
Hartwell - GA (54 miles)
06/5
Athens - GA (42 miles)
06/6
BUILD DAY
06/7
Marietta/Atlanta - GA (78 miles)
06/8
Oxford - AL (89 miles)

06/9
Birmingham - AL (67 miles)
06/10
BUILD DAY
06/11
Hamilton - AL (90 miles)
06/12
Tupelo - MS (64 miles)
06/13
Oxford - MS (51 miles)
06/14
Jonestown - MS (60 miles)
06/15
Clarendon - AR (67 miles)

06/16
Little Rock - AR (69 miles)
06/17
DAY OFF
06/18
Russellville - AR (78 miles)
06/19
Ft. Smith - AR (81 miles)
06/20
Henryetta - OK (99 miles)
06/21
Oklahoma City - OK (92 miles)
06/22
BUILD DAY

06/23
Watonga - OK (72 miles)
06/24
Arnett - OK (88 miles)
06/25
Spearman - TX (95 miles)
06/26
Dalhart - TX (86 miles)
06/27
Des Moines - NM (92 miles)
06/28
Trinidad - CO (74 miles)
06/29
BUILD DAY

06/30
Walsenburg - CO (81 miles)
07/1
Pueblo - CO (73 miles)
07/2
Colorado Springs - CO (64 miles)
07/3
BLITZ BUILD
07/4
BLITZ BUILD
07/5
BLITZ BUILD
07/6
DAY OFF!

07/7
BLITZ BUILD
07/8
BLITZ BUILD
07/9
BLITZ BUILD
07/10
BLITZ BUILD
07/11
BLITZ BUILD
07/12
Hartsel - CO (65 miles)
07/13
Twin Lakes - CO (55 miles)

07/14
Aspen - CO (40 miles)
07/15
DAY OFF!
07/16
Silt - CO (80 miles)
07/17
White River City - CO (65 miles)
07/18
Dinosaur - CO (58 miles)
07/19
Duchesne - CO (92 miles)
07/20
Heber City - UT (71 miles)

07/21
North Salt Lake City - UT (68 miles)
07/22
BUILD DAY
07/23
Tremonton - UT (72 miles)
07/24
Holbrook - ID (56 miles)
07/25
Burley - ID (89 miles)
07/26
Gooding - ID (73 miles)
07/27
Mountain Home - ID (63 miles)

07/28
Boise - ID (65 miles)
07/29
DAY OFF!
07/30
Vale - OR (72 miles)
07/31
Juntura - OR (55 miles)
08/1
Burns - OR (59 miles)
08/2
Frenchglen/ Steens Mtn - OR (75 miles)
08/3
Lakeview - OR (105 miles)

08/4
Alturas - CA (94 miles)
08/5
McArthur - CA (62 miles)
08/6
Lassen Volcanic NP - CA (60 miles)
08/7
DAY OFF!
08/8
Red Bluff - CA (72 miles)
08/9
Colusa - CA (75 miles)
08/10
Sacramento - CA (66 miles)

08/11
BUILD DAY
08/12
Byron - CA (71 miles)
08/13
Cupertino - CA (63 miles)
08/13
Santa Cruz - CA (40 miles)

Total Mileage: 4037