To Kingston, TN then Kingstree, SC

Catching up with friends has become one of the big benefits of this trip. Not only have I ridden an epic journey across the US, but I have continued to connect with folks that I haven't seen in years. These aren't just anybody... At one time in my life, these were my best friends. The ride on Thursday 8/17 took me to Kingston, TN were I had a chance to catch up with Tracy Hanson. Tracy and I went to Frederick Military Academy together c/o '85. We were even lab partners in Chemistry class. It was fun to swap stories (she showed up with year books!) and meet her husband, Don. We enjoyed dinner at the historic "downtown" Jackson Square of the once "secret city" of Oak Ridge, TN. Tracy and I haven't seen each other in 32 years.
From Kingston, I headed southeast and stayed overnight in Spartanburg, SC on my way to Kingstree, SC. I arrived in Kingstree this afternoon at the home of my best friend at the Citadel, Mark Whetsel. Mark and I were the class of '89 and withdrew from the Citadel about the same time. Mark & Lee Anne and I have been friend for more than 30 years. I haven't seen them in 27 years. It was wonderful to catch up, laugh, and be around Mark & Lee Anne and their family. Their oldest and my oldest are just months apart. Like I have said before, the conversation just continues. It's almost like one of you just left the room for a few minutes (if you take out the fact that we are a little older, a little greyer, and hopefully a little wiser. Lee Anne spoiled me with her wonderful cooking, as she always had. It was fantastic to see them again and I hope to see them again soon!
The rides from Kingston, TN to Spartanburg to Kingstree, SC were beautiful. It was a little wet going to Kingston from Sewanee, TN but nothing like the hail in Colorado (so it's all relative!). As I was coming through mountians of Western North Carolina, I took I-40 (I know, Interstate = bad), but I knew that I would get plenty of great back road time when I meet up with Kelly in Boone on April 26th. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!

I wish I could see everyone everywhere, but the weather has kept me to the north of my original intended route. Originally, I was going to drop down through Texas and go into New Orleans and then dip into Florida. The flooding rains convinced me that it may not be a great idea. I apologize to those who I was not able to visit this trip, and I promise that I will see you all soon.

Diverting plans is not an easy thing to do, but I have remained flexible enough on this journey to do that. If I wasn't flexible, I probably would have ended up in an area that was facing severe weather and flooding. Flexibility is something that the church needs to continue learn. Being able to go in another direction to deal directly with a crisis situation or respond to an emergent need would serve the church well. I read a recent article about flexibility in church (Found Here). It basically says that in order to prosper, the church must be flexible to accommodate growth so it isn't hampered. 




Challenge to Self: Remember that in order to grow, you must remain flexible. Don't compromise who you are or the mission that God has given you, but let go of the things that need to be let go of and adopt the things that need to be adopted.

Challenge to Trinity: How flexible are you? Are you willing to change / adapt to further the mission of the church? Are you willing to open up and try something that may be life-giving? Are you willing to stay steadfast in the mission that Jesus has given us?

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This Week!

Missouri on Route 66

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Today (Friday) I road across the state of Missouri, from St. Louis to Joplin. Yesterday evening in St. Louis, it was nice to have dinner with a friend (Kelly Saveika) that I haven't seen since we were in high school. We have know each other since elementary school. Life has taken us in different directions, and we keep up on Facebook, but for a couple of hours it was good to connect in person. Tomorrow I get to meet up with my former college roommate, Bill Fankhauser. Bill and I went to the Citadel together (Regimental Band - Class of 89). He and his wife have invited me to spend the weekend with them. So I ride tomorrow from Joplin, MO, through the little corner of Kansas to Oklahoma City, OK. Connecting with friends from years ago really enlightens the journey. It's not just the road that I am on... It's not just the old towns and the interesting countryside of things from what was once the "mother road." It's the people... the lives of those who make up my
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Ohio!

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The last couple of days have been interesting! I left Niagara Falls on Thursday 6/29 and rode to central Ohio where I stayed at Lake Wapusun Campground in Shreve, OH that is run by my wife's cousins, Mark & Lisa Everitt. The night there was rough!! Right after I made camp, a storm front came through about 8:30pm and it RAINED and THUNDERED until 7:00am. My little 2 person REI tent is a CHAMP! I emerged nice and dry. However, I had to pack wet again. (It seems like it's becoming routine!) -  see the reflection on packing wet       Nonetheless, the ride to Toledo on 6/30 was outstanding! The weather was not too hot, not too cool, not raining. I rode to Signature Harley Davidson, where I met up with General Manager, Kris Friar (another of Kelly's cousins). I was able to spend the evening with Kris and she took me to Tony Packo's, a famous Hungarian Food place in Toledo, OH. I stayed over at Kris' and left the next morning. Guess what... another storm came th
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Weekend in Port Angeles (Turning Point)

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I have experienced a great weekend! I rode to Port Angeles from Seattle on Friday (7/28) because I was invited to stay with Doug and Gail Wheatley. The ride was beautiful across the Puget Sound on the ferry over to Bainbridge Island, up 305 and then 3 to 101. I can't get over the wonderful scenery along the way... The mountains, the water, ahhh... Gail was my neighbor in seminary my Junior year (we shared a wall!). She graduated in 2005, so it was wonderful to catch up with Gail after 12 years. Like other schools I have attended, the filial relationships that form in the setting at Sewanee, it was like picking up a familiar conversation. Doug and I went on an excursion on Saturday (7/29) up to Blue Mountain and to the Elwah River. He scared me to death on the road up to Blue Mountain - definitely pushed my boundary for "fear of the edge" - pay attention to that portion of the video. We had  Dungeness crab and steak  dinner and an awesome Sunset on Saturday eve
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God's Paintbrush!

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Today, I experienced the unexpected! I knew that the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert were in Arizona, but I didn't know where. Who knew they were on Route 66. In fact, I learned that Route 66 once went right through the Petrified Forest prior to it becoming a National Park and protected by the US Government. The ride in from Albuquerque, NM was great! I crossed the NM continental divide at 7200 feet.   I took a "detour" through the National Park and drove down to where 180 goes into Holbrook. It was beautiful. The pictures really don't do it justice. The colors were vivid. It really looked like God took out the paintbrush and said, "I think I will add some color here in the middle of nowhere!" I can really feel the climate changing. It's getting much warmer. I am looking forward to this weekend! I will be in Kingman, AZ and plan to see some folks that I haven't seen in a very long time! My thoughts for today are on the glimmers of grace
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Down to the South East Corner of Washington

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It's Tuesday (8/1) and I am officially 1/2 way (6 weeks) into my sabbatical. Today I rode from Winthrop, WA down to the South East Corner of the state, Clarkeston, WA. It was hazy, due to fire activity in Idaho. I also experienced some remnants of forest fires where it looks like 1000+ acres were burned. As the ride progressed, it got warmer and warmer, until I got to Clarkeston where it was 103 degrees! Glad I'm in for the night with AC! On the way out, I stopped for coffee at Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Whisp, WA. This was recommended by the young couple this morning as I was packing up camp. It was a very good choice!! Great cup of coffee. The ride took me along the Columbia River and finally crossing the Snake River into Idaho then back into Washington. It reminded me of the saying, "you can't get there from here!" If you're from South Carolina, you know what I am talking about. Today's thoughts and concerns are about fire and the devastati
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Getting Psyched! - Day 0

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May 1, 2022  It’s our first night. After church, Kelly took me at Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge, where we (Ken aka “Breadcrumbs,” and I) will spend the night. We hit the trail in the am after an 8 am breakfast. We decided to take a ride to the start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mt rather than do the approach trail. The lodge is nice. We both repacked our packs and did a double check of all our necessities.  I’m looking forward to the journey. I’m thankful that Ken and I are doing this together. We feel the prayers and support from everyone who knows about our trek.  I think about how we as humans are social creatures. We need each other. For me, part of what makes church a relevant part of life is the connection to other believers, helping care for one another. I pray that others feel the same way.  It’s getting late and the trail is going to be calling early. Happy Trails & Many Blessings! Ken+
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Seaside Monday!

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Today (7/24) I rode from Coos Bay, OR to Seaside, OR. Talk about a cold ride! This one was really cool with the cross winds and overcast. I don't think I saw the sun but twice. I tend to take more pictures when the sun is out, so the bulk of the pictures from today include sunshine. The ride up Hwy 101 and the coast of Oregon was great, even though it was cold and overcast. At one time, I felt wet from all the sea spray. So, not every day has been the bliss of sunshine! Hmmm... it reminds me of life. While the good days definitely outnumber the bad, I've had my share of clouds. I think that the clouds are what help us appreciate the sunshine. It's the gloomy pieces that make the bright pieces so much more enjoyable. Church life is not any different. Church is a messy place sometimes. It isn't all sunshine and daffodils. Sometimes there can be real challenge and real hardship for the community, but if the community is living for Christ, then it is possible to get thr
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