Day 27 Day Off in Watertown, SD

Aaaahhh, day off. 

You may be thinking, "They just had a day off. What gives?" Yes, we did, 225 miles ago. Long, hot, windy miles. A day off does a lot to reframe our perspectives. And refresh our legs.

Another non-action-packed day off. Just how we like them. 

We started by sleeping in til 7:30, then had breakfast. Then a walk across the street to the dollar store and Wal-Mart for laundry detergent and food for two days. While doing laundry (we love it when the motel has laundry facilities, especially right across our hall.), we turned on some worship music and worked on our Scripture memory. Then we tried to do some route planning.

As we ride north to the border it looks like we will lose a good part of the 1700 feet of elevation gain we've made since the Gulf. Then when we turn back south we'll have to regain it.

Our bigger concern is finding places to stay. I don't know if you've ever really looked at a North Dakota map, but if you do you'll see that it's VERY sparsely populated. Sparsely populated means long distances between little towns and VERY few campgrounds or motels. This will be a challenge and we would very much appreciate your prayer for us in this matter.

Later in the afternoon we walked a couple blocks to the Terry Redlin art museum. Gerry had been reading about him in the Watertown magazine. It is a very nice museum filled with wildlife paintings that reminded me of Larry Zabel's art with a touch of Thomas Kincaid. His art has been on the covers of many outdoor magazines and has contributed much to Ducks Unlimited. 

You know what's really sad about this? Six years ago on our first bike trip we went to Cedar Point AMUSEMENT PARK and rode ROLLER COASTERS and played at the WATER SLIDE PARK. Now we're going to museums. Sigh. 

The north wind has blown all day and is supposed to continue tomorrow and Wednesday. Please pray for strength for us. We will probably leave hwy 81 and jump on I-29 for at least a couple days, maybe all the way to Canada. 

Now it's time to begin gathering our things back into Bob so we can get an early start. The farther we can get in the morning before the winds pick up speed, the better.

One of the worship songs we listened to this morning touched my heart anew. I hope it gives you new encouragement for your days ahead.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You hear me when I'm calling.

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are.

Blessed 

Pat and Gerry