Daily Page 9

Hi Everyone! This day was a real upper. I had been so discouraged because of all the hills and dangerous roads that were keeping us from making our goals. Today we pedaled 75 miles which was a huge milestone! We had 433 I think from yesterday, my odometer broke so it owed me 4 miles plus the 75 we did today so the total is 512 miles and 888 to go! For friends in California, I have ridden from Los Angeles to San Francisco. To my Nebraska friends, that's pedaling from Omaha to Denver! It even makes me excited writing about it. My body parts are actually doing fine except my left hand. I got a water blister the second day riding on a really rocky bike path and have to baby it every day so it doesn't break and get infected. That hand has to live in a stinky bicycle glove for the next couple of weeks. Tony puts band aids and moleskin over it and wraps gauze wrap around my hand before the glove goes on.

Today was an adventure getting across the Mississippi into Illinois. The locals know how to do it but we inexperienced ones get the "run around". We finally found a ferry landing, asked someone what the deal was and the person responded that the ferry wasn't running today. So, we wound our way up into the town again, talked to a nice policeman who said it was and to go back down and wait for it. We ended up wasting time so didn't get on bikes until almost 10.30. I was concerned it would be another unproductive day but as we drove off the ferry in Illinois, it was flat farmland instead of all the hills and trees we had come from. We took off riding and only stopped long enough for a quick sandwich. This was another "Mom and Pop" type business and the owners, Julie and Robbie had just returned from their honeymoon. Julie is a fiddle player and organizes blue grass festivals in Missouri--such a nice couple. We love all the special people we run in to during our daily adventure.

None of you are probably crazy enough to go to the gym and spend 8 hours on an exercycle--that's exactly what I did today except I had some beautiful farmland I

scenery to look at. Bye for now--Love, Patricia

A note from Gabriel,

As for me I was really lost this morning shot off 60 miles in the wrong direction just not paying attention. On a good note the weather was great and our morning Church group I attend every day if I am in Santa Barbara, I turned on the cell line to Tony & I We listened to, God grant me the serrinty to eccept the things I can not change ,the courage to change the things I can & the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you Cheryl for thinking about us & our group. This is tough out here and our spirits really drop sometimes. That really got us lifted.

There is no way or time for us to get to our church so our group has come to us and we really feel it out here, the love from there in Santa Barbara. Tony & I are feeling this woman of mine in a non stop mode. She is truly amazing, we all forget she is 71. How in the world can a 71 year old woman do this. Tony and I are excited, she is getting stronger we are here to support her and you all are supporting us. With that is a great big hug. and a big thank you from our hearts. It is a big world out here and it takes us full days and all we got to do this! We miss you all!

And a big thank you to our friend from Wahoo Nancy Shannon as she sagging Patricia and Tony today so I could take care of the things I need to do like keeping up with the web sight and communicating with people all around the U.S.

Gabriel