62.7 mi
4.04 st
15.4 avg
TTD-2475.43
Needless to say, we were a little groggy starting this morning. But we actually like these sort of things because they cause us to see God's power and strength working in us.
We rode south out of town on hwy 50, which then cut southeast toward Jackson. The riding has been good in Michigan; they have good roads and mostly good shoulders. And the roads rise almost imperceptibly. We know we're climbing because we can feel it, not so much because we can see it.
Three miles out of town we had probably the closest encounter ever on the bike. A little red car zoomed by us, missing us by 18" at the most. Of all the times for me to be gazing off and not watching behind... It scared the bejeebies out of me and I was shaking for quite a while. Then I started picturing our angels and how they protected us. They must've been smooshed right up against us and deflected that car as it went by. So don't anyone try to tell me that God isn't hearing all your prayer for our safety!!!
Coming into Jackson, we had to improvise on our route because the road turned into controlled access, which we aren't allowed to ride on. Jumping off onto some side roads, we managed to find ourselves in the middle of town in what might be described as a "sketchy" neighborhood. So what do you do in that situation? You stop and ask directions! The people we talked with were extremely friendly and fascinated with our trip. They wanted to know how much the bike cost, how much the shoes cost, "what are those things" (computers), "is that a mirror on your helmet" (yes), "you actually rode all this way?" (yes). "Wow, we've seen people like this on tv, but never in person." As we were leaving, they wanted to shake our hands and sent us on with "God bless you!" and "Travel safe!" Thanks, Romeo and Theodore for your help and big smiles!
We made our way out of town, found ourselves on a controlled access after all, and promptly got "scolded" by a highway patrolman who was stopping someone else. He didn't actually scold, but wasn't real friendly when he asked, "Don't you know you're not supposed to ride on the interstate?" Okay, okay.
About 11 miles out of town, we stopped at Napoleon for lunch. A man pulled into the parking lot at the little cafe and came over to us. "You look like you're on a serious trip." He then sat down with us and looked at the map and gave us help with what roads to take to Adrian. He even called a friend and arranged for us to pitch our tent in the friend's airplane hangar for tonight if we got down that way. But our friends, Joel and Nancy in Phoenix, who lived in Adrian about four years ago, gave us the gift of a night in a motel in town. What a blessing! Thank you, friends! (The bonus is that the library is only about 200 yards away and the laundromat is a few blocks down the street next to the grocery store. Yahoo, it doesn't get any better than this!)
The little cafe that we happened to stop by in Napoleon also had an ice cream shop. You know, when it's in the 80's and the humidity is close to 90%, who can resist? We went for the Raspberry Bomb sundae - ymmmm! Thanks, Mom.
My favorite names for the last few days: "Grampa John's Drive", "Skoogy's" and "Knuckles Malone" (motorcars).
Earlier this week, a special lady and the mother of dear friends went home to our Lord. Dear Florence Skinner is now safe in the arms of Jesus after battling a brain tumor. Though we all will miss her very much, we know we will see her again. God has promised it for those He calls His own, His saints. What a great hope! "In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore!"In His hands,
Gerry and Pat
By the way, something has happened to our camera since this morning. It won't take flash pictures. Beats me.
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