Day 29 - Sun. June 22- DAY OFF - Crow Wing State Park, MN

DAY 29, SUNDAY, JUNE 22, DAY OFF, CROW WING STATE PARK, MN

We woke up to sunshine and blue skies.We took the fly off the tent, took the sleeping bags out, put up the rope and put everything out in the sun and breeze to dry and air out.

We read again in Isaiah 40. Verses 10-20 magnifies the power and greatness of God. He holds the waters of the earth in His hand, the dust of the earth in a basket, yet He carries His own close to his heart. He is so great that there is not enough wood or animals for offerings to Him, yet man persists in trying to replace Him with weak, man-made idols. We concoct an idol (anything that comes before God or takes His place)[“a craftsman casts it”] then place false importance on it [“overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it”]. We think that if we do it right, it will stand [“an idol that will not topple”], but in the end it will not. That idol can be job, house, toys, prestige, people. Whatever we put before God in importance is an idol of the heart. Why not just worship the true God who is of utmost importance and will NEVER topple?!

I cleaned the bike up a bit, cleaned the chain, lubed everything, discovered a cable that is just beginning to fray, and Gerry’s computer sensor had a broken ziptie and could’ve been lost. So I replaced the ziptie and rewrapped the frayed wire.

We walked up to the park office, about ¾ mile, to pay for tonight. The ranger was very helpful in giving us tips on what roads to ride when we leave here, what’s newly paved, and when to ride to avoid traffic. He also let us check the weather online for the next few days.

Then we walked down to the river but didn’t stay long; neither of us enjoys mosquito-infested woods.

Most everyone has left the campground now so it’s nice and quiet. A few clouds coming here and there, a breeze now and then.

Some mental snapshots so far:

-The car full of young guys that pulled up to the diner at Coles Corner,WA; it had a LARGE (probably 2’) doll strapped to the top.
-The shadow of the strutting gull on our tent in the early morning at Coulee City, WA.
-The lady with the cigar tending her garden along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in Osburn, ID.
-The toothless grin of the elderly man on his bicycle at the intersection in Missoula, MT.
-The rivets and seams on the semi as it passed within two feet of us in the rain south of Townsend, MT.
-The welcome and friendly profile of Chuck and Susan’s tandem on their car as they caught up to us coming down the hill into Livingston, MT.
-BOB’s flag pointing toward us as we flew along at 25-30 mph going to Bowman, ND.
-The spotted fawn intent on nursing as his mother watched us intently to see if we were cause for alarm.
-Teresa’s smiling face as we drew near to them at exit 170 in ND.
-The older couple in the antique car as they passed us – his arm protectively around her shoulders as he drove.

I started putting things away into the tent in case a rainstorm blows in. When I opened the tent flap I noticed feathers. When we looked at Gerry’s sleeping bag, there was an L-shaped tear in it. It must’ve gotten caught on the picnic table when we had it airing out. I was glad I saw it now instead of after shaking it out!

We ate around 5:15, played cribbage, took showers, and it was only 7:15. With nothing else to do and the mosquitos intensifying, we went to bed. (We both felt a little guilty today for not riding. We know it’s not legitimate, but it’s there just the same.)

Some views from inside our tent:We’ve been asked how our bodies are holding up. Well, some days have their moments. It depends on what the riding challenge of the day is. Hills and passes strain our knees and lower backs. Some days there’s just no explanation for the “Pain du jour”. A calf muscle, a shin muscle, a groin muscle. They’re usually remedied by an appointment with Dr. Advil and/or Dr. Tylenol. If that fails, we can always get a second opinion from Dr. Motrin, although we haven’t had to resort to him yet.

I was lying here this morning listening to the birds, trying to count how many different songs I heard. Tonight when I looked back at yesterday’s Daily Bread, I was pleased to read:

“Why do birds sing? Because their Creator put a song in their hearts..They are reminders that He has given us a song that we may sing His praise..So when you hear God’s little hymn-birds singing their hearts out, remember to sing your own song of salvation. Lift up your voice – harmonious, hoarse, or harsh – and join with them in praise to our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord.” (That pretty much squashes my picture of the tipsy midnight singing bird.)

Gerry and Pat

Did you know…

In 1964, 50% of kids rode to school and the obesity rate was 12%...in 2004, 3% rode to school and the obesity rate was 45%.

Go by bike.