4:50 ST
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I apologize for yesterday's post being so disjointed. I was so tired that I couldn't think straight, let alone try to write. Let's see how tonight goes.
Another way I know I was tired is that I slept through the thunder/lightning storm during the night. Gerry said that some of the lightning strikes were very close. We were quite thankful that we had decided against camping.
We started a little later than normal, finally rolling out at 8:35. It was cool enough that we started with long sleeved shirts, a first for the trip. The predicted north breezes were already blowing, not a good sign for the day. But, there was a nice cloud cover which we welcomed, especially after the past several days of constant sun.
It was a tough day, riding 64.5 miles into a headwind through rolling hills. The energy output is probably equal to about 80-85 miles. Coming on the heels of 97 miles yesterday, it wore us out.
God gave us some encouraging moments today to keep us going:
Remember the pictures I posted earlier in the trip of the murky reddish rivers/creeks? Over the days and miles the murky red has changed to murky brown. But today.... ahhh, finally clear water like we see at home.
We rode by several lakes; one of them was a good size. It had a causeway that was over two miles long.
This is the approach to it.
Even though the wind was still pushing back at us, we so enjoyed the sights as we rode across.
I decided that we're almost "north" again. Right now we're fairly even with the southern border of Montana, so when we reach North Dakota it will be official. ;o)
We are very spent tonight so have decided to take tomorrow off to recover. The winds are still going to be from the north tomorrow, but are supposed to change in a couple days.
It will most likely take a couple days to reach Fargo, where we'll find a bike shop to replace the front chain. Today we passed 1500 miles on the trip and the chain has about 1700 on it. After 1500 miles of all the weight and grinding hills, it has stretched so that it has fallen off a couple times in the last few days.
We were able to Skype with our WA grandkids for a few minutes this evening. Oh, how I miss them - all of them, MT and WA!
While we were pushing back against the wind today I was praying for God to give me some extra physical strength and He gave me these verses:
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
After we got here, Gerry was texting with Bill who gave him these same verses. Cool.
My mom just told me that her mom was born in Watertown. I've come back to my roots.
In the words of one of my granddaughter's oft-requested songs: "Jesus, I am resting, resting..",
Pat
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