Getting Psyched! - Day 0

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. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=131GfkavpwqJtgma-OZC5Rheqqym5R-tZ
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. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OO5FBhajzrNz3IPLgPAoXXs-jTS5LNPg
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. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VcLy9lbTrGZIKzCGw_tihF-awH4QL2O4https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uEWCnli20utjQzN1Mj0N4-CdSAMtCdUb
It’s getting late and the trail is going to be calling early. Happy Trails & Many Blessings! Ken+

Comments

  1. QuiltPeaceMay 3, 2022 at 8:53 AM

    Scenery is beautiful. Good pic of the two Kens also. Keeping you both in prayer and "Bon Voyage " Barb and Glenn

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 3, 2022 at 9:14 PM

    Prayers for happy trails!

    ReplyDelete

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This Week!

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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Walking in Memphis (for the Weekend)

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But do I really feel the way I feel? 🎶 (thank you Marc Cohn - now I have that song stuck in my head!) Well, for me, it was more like "drying out in Memphis." Friday 8/11 was one of the most wet rides I have had. 250 miles in the POURING rain. I was soaked! Luckly the dry bag and the rain gear works. I was only going to stay in Memphis for the evening and head out to Sewanee on Saturday and spend the bulk of the weekend there. However, I was wet and tired, so I decided to stay for a couple of days - mostly to rest and dry out. I didn't take many pictures on the ride because it was so nasty. I spent Saturday sleeping in and not riding. I walked to the local IHOP resturant for brunch and I just chilled... much needed. No, I didn't go to Graceland and I didn't see the ghost of Elvis. Let the poor man Rest In Peace. On Sunday, I did attend worship at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. Big Place! Lots going on. They have just completed a capital cam
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Monday with the Mohegans

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Today instead of continuing west I went south, through Massachusetts into Connecticut to the Mohegan Tribe reservation in Uncasville. My Uncle Donald Tantaquidgeon lives in the senior housing complex. He is my maternal gradmother's sister's husband. So technically he is my Great Uncle by marriage, so unfortunately I am not Mohegan. I haven't seen him in many years and it was great to catch up with him. I also got to see his son, my cousin Lem.        My Uncle is among the elders of the Mohegan Tribe and refers to himself as "old school" with regard to tribal customs and cultures. He took me to the Tantaquidgeon homestead, which is now a museum that teaches about Native American and tribal culture. I saw recreations of the wigwam, fire circle, and canoe making. We also rode around the Mohegan Sun Resort Hotel and Casino. It is a beautiful facility. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my Uncle Don and learned more about him and his cultural heritage. I hope to r
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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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Day Two!

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Woke up wet!! There was a big rain storm last night so I had to pack wet. The tent kept me nice and dry. The morning I had to rig for rain, but ended up being a great riding day. The trip to NY was great. When I got to Gilbert Lake, I was excited that there was no rain in the forecast, so I opened up and hung everything out to dry. I decided to sleep under the stars... I bit nippy to do that at 51 degrees.     I have often said that it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. What we do on the journey, the people we encounter, the way we act, the lives we touch, the lives that touch us, the roads we travel, all have a formational piece to them. Our Christian life is about the journey (and sometimes we have to pack wet - knowing the soggy mess will be with us at the next destination.) So much for mixing metaphors. I have the versus in Exodus rolling around in my head every time I put up and take down a tent. The Israelites were a nomadic people when they l
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To Albuquerque, NM via the Santa Fe Loop

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Yesterday's ride was awesome. I reached a milestone! - made the 1/2 way (mid-point) at Adrian, TX. For Route 66, this means I'm 1/2 done (or 1/2 started the mother road!). Still not too warm, but I can tell the landscape terrain and the climate is changing, as well as the elevation. Lots of buttes and hills as well as flat stretches. Things are getting a bit dryer! I stayed overnight at Santa Rosa, NM and witnessed my first western sunset in a long time! It was absolutely beautiful. Today I contemplated going straight into Albuquerque, NM, weaving in and out of the frontage ways of I-40, on the post 1937 Route 66, but decided to trek into the old historic city of Santa Fe, NM. For Route 66, this is "the OLD ROAD" portion  the Old Route 66 (1926-1937) up through Sante Fe, New Mexico (aka the Santa Fe Loop) . Much of the original road is dirt, and impassable... and much of it runs on what is now private property. Nonetheless, the Route is still there (replaced by
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