We're setting up this journal to allow us to record our bicycle trip across America. We will be starting June 4th to drive to the state of Washington to begin our trip. You will be hearing about the experiences of Logan, Shawn and Jim on the bikes and Jessica, Charlotte Elizabeth and Jo in the camper. See you soon.

Well, almost ready! Jim is out riding the hills around the area as I am preparing this journal entry. After riding over 1400 miles in training he feels he is "almost ready." Our pre-ride meeting yesterday helped all of us feel a little better about our preparations. It is such a busy time for Shawn and on top of that she is ill. (However, she is getting better.) In spite of that she and Logan have been training, although they wish it could have been more. Our plans for this journal didn't go quite as expected and we may be making some changes later, but we will let you all know if that occurs. One thing I am told to do today is to thank Dave, Don, Lance and all the other great workers at Central Park for going out of their way to help get us on the road. The extra hours in repairing an unexpected bicycle problem as well as putting in extra merchandise orders to get what we needed in a timely manner has been greatly appreciated. What a wonderful crew! Thank you Central Park Bicycles! Six more days and we start the long drive to Anacortes, Washington. Way up there in the upper left hand corner of your map.

Where would we be without all the behind the scenes people who help get us going? And how could I have left out Al from Central Park in my list yesterday? Blame it on the heat and overload! Anyway, a big thank you to Al for all the help he has given to each rider!

Also a huge thanks to Randy for all he has done, and is doing, to see that the new camper trailer is ready, complete with new bicycle rack attached! Because his Mom is such a novice at the camper he has taken time to train and instruct each step of the way. I literally don't know what we would have done without his expertise in so many areas.

Well, here are the three main bike riders who plan to go the whole distance. Washington to Maine! Are they crazy? Left to right we have Jim, Shawn and Logan. With a little over twenty years between each rider who do you think put the most in on training? Was it wisdom that comes with age, or fear? Most of the bike gear is ready and will hopefully all be packed by morning. This includes eight extra tires and at least eighteen spare tubes. The bike map directions are all typed up so that they can be read by the eyes of the older riders as well as by the one who will be flying so fast that he needs large print to be able read the map! Most of the supplies are packed in the camper and if we can stop long enough for a picture you might see the support staff tomorrow. There is also a family wedding that takes place tomorrow. Cake baking, decorating etc. has had to be sandwiched in also. School responsibilities are about over so it looks like all systems will be go in about 38 hours. Whew!

We're ready! In minutes we are leaving for the big car drive for the next four days. We'll be in Iowa tonight. Then later, nearly 1600 miles on route 90. I told you yesterday that there might be a picture of the three support person's today. Well, there just wasn't time for a picture until Shantell's wedding so here that one is. Not exactly biking clothes. Actually not exactly normal wedding clothes either, but who said anything about normal? It was a fun wedding with a Renaisance theme. The picture left to right: Jessica, Charlotte Elizabeth and Jo. Here are three of the four generations that will be on the ride. Actually Jessica and Charlotte Elizabeth are planning on doing some riding in each of the states we cross. See you!

We made it to Iowa last night in time to have pizza with the Iowa Collins family. What a treat! Never enough time, but we are thankful for what we get. We traveled a whopping 640 miles today! We did have time to make a quick stop at the Little Brown Church in the Wildwood. The church where the song was written and first sung. By the way Randy, Jim says you were right, he should have taken the extra bungee cords you offerred! It was a good thing we had skim milk in the refrigerator because we would have had butter otherwise! The wind in South Dakota was really something. We quickly learned about swaying campers and how to pull them out of the fishtailing. Being nature lovers we were glad to see that the road signs in Minnesota had bird houses on the back side! Nice touch. Hey, kids, remember when we went to Wall Drugstore? Well we did it again. We stayed in Wall and had just enough time to visit Wall drugstore before they closed. More later!

Today we took it a little easier and did some sight seeing. Shawn said that if we rode 1.5 more miles every day of the bike ride we could gain a day and allow us to travel in a more leisurely manner. It was quickly agreed to do this. So today we took in sights like Mt. Rushmore and the Bad Lands. Such interesting scenery. Oh, by the way Larry, Jim said to tell you that you were right about the lug nuts. They were tight even though he forgot to check them several times. We made it to the camp in time to cook out tonight. Great hamburgers made by Logan! More tomorrow. It's getting late tonight here in Montana. Not used to the time changes yet.

We've arrived in Washington--our starting point for the ride. Our riders will begin day 1 tomorrow morning. We have seen an abundance of wild life, antelope, buffalo, a moose, and some prairie dogs tried to share our lunch with us yesterday. They tried a little too hard and we had to shoo them off, however, Charlotte Elizabeth thought they were really neat. We are all gaining the experience we need to make this trip work. We just learned that adding water to our storage tank will give us added weight over the axle and help with the swaying in high winds problem. We have the put up and take down of the camper down to 20 minutes or less. Charlotte Elizabeth wakes us up every morning all smiles and starts our day out happy. We stopped at Missoula headquarters of the Adventure Cycling offices (formerly Bike Centennial). This is the group whose bicycle maps we are using. Their web site has a link to us. We do not have ability to leave messages on our journal site, but please feel free to email us with any message you want to leave. Thanks to those we sent those already. Oh, by the way, Jim has had his first bike flat! And the bike isn't even off the rack yet!

Picture at the beginning of the ride dipping bike wheels in the Bay at the start of the ride on Friday. Riders rode 74 miles the first day. Today was more rugged and they are all asleep so guess I'd better get the lights out and since we will be staying here at Winthorp again tomorrow and porting them back to where they left off I will have more time to catch you up on the ride. Lots of beauty out there!

All is quiet on the homefront. Jessica is taking the riders to the spot they left off riding yesterday. Quite a busy day yesterday. Jess and I got about three miles out of camp and stopped for gas only to discover that a camper tire looked soft. Putting air in only made the whoosing noise louder and we discovered a nail in the tire. Our first Washington hero pleasantly changed it for us and even refused the offer of a cold drink. He pointed us in the direction of a station 8 miles away where we could get it plugged quickly and be on our way. At that station they only charged the 5.99 for the plug material kit and plugged it for free. Second hero. I went on ahead and caught up with our riders to give them water and met up with Jessica again at Rainy Pass. Aptly named. The snow was very deep and we saw several snowmobilers riding the trails. The scenery was breathtaking, and so was the ride around the curves and ups and downs. Once we saw a 60 mile an hour speed limit and really laughed at that one. Jessica wanted to ride one pass so we unloaded her bike and Baby Girl and I cheered her on. She rode between Mt. Washington and Rainy Pass. The ride was definitely more challenging today and our mighty riders rode 50 hard miles. Back at the camp as Jessica and I put up the camper the carbon monoxide detector went off and we were not happy campers as it was pouring buckets throughout. Apparently the gas knob got turned a little bit as we got the spare tire out for the camper which stores directly under the gas tank. We tightened it hard and waited a half hour and everything was fine. We are in a nice KOA, probably the last of its kind for the rest of Washington. More later.

It hailed! It rained! It thundered and lighteninged (is that a word?) and so the riders got picked up and brought down off the mountain after only 17 miles. Cold! Very cold and very wet. After long hot showers and a hot meal they felt better. Then the sun came out and what a beautiful day it turned out to be. So around 3:00 out they went again to complete the days ride. Since it was mostly down the mountain by this time they were back by 5:45. Must have flown.

No picture today. The library where we are trying to update is having trouble with their wireless. I am having to use their computer and can't get to my pictures. We have not had access to the internet for the last two days so feel out of touch. Our riders have now completed all five passes in the Cascade Mountains. First was Rainy Pass, then Loup Loup, followed by the highest, Washington Pass. Yesterday was Wauconda and today Sherman. Today seemed easier for Jim. Is he getting more conditioned? There are seven more passes somewhere on the ride and Jim is sure that some of them are going to be more difficult. We have a couple of more days in the state of Washington. It gets more beautiful every day and it is difficult not to be taking pictures continually. As we were leaving Rockport Jessica visited a Smoke Jump site near there. They told her that their response time to the end of the runway is seven minutes. They parachute out with five gallons of water and their personal supplies. They fight the fire with brooms and shovels etc., and when the fire is under control port out. The following day they return to retrieve their supplies. Today we saw the area affected by the 1988 fire in the White Mountain area. Thank goodness for fire fighters! Jessica and are are getting quite good at putting up and taking down the camper and can do it in fifteen to twenty minutes usually. Today Jessica even backed into a camp site as there were no pull throughs available. Dorothy, Jim says to tell you that we crossed the Columbia River today, no time for fishing, though. We are camping near there in a small town called Kettle Falls. More later and hopefully we will have pictures.

June 14 again

Back at camp. Surprise! Someone here has wireless and we hooked in. So here are three pictures we liked. The one of our three riders coming through the tunnel approaching Rainy Pass was taken by a touring group out for the weekend. The photographer thought they were part of their group and when we chatted at the top of the pass and she found out they weren't...she asked for our email and said she'd send the picture she took. See how nice these Washingtonians are? (Is that a word?) It is now! We also have a great camp site called the Miller's RV Camp 2 1/2 miles out of Republic. Beautiful setting, great facility and friendly helpful owner.We love Washington.

Good ride today. It finally quit raining this afternoon. It has rained at least 8 out of the last 11 days and today everything was wet when we arrived at our camping site. Luckily they had dryers so we got everything dry and are hoping that it stays that way for a few days. We are in Ione, Washington tonight. Another day in this state and we will be ready to go into Idaho. We hope it is as nice as this one has been. Terri, Jim says thanks for the tip on the Cliff bars. They have worked really well for him. Happy Father's Day to all of you out there that are Fathers.

Well, we're in Sandpoint, Idaho tonight. Bikers finished Washington by doing an 80+ day today. Jessica picked up Kevin and Scott at the Spokane airport this morning. They will be with us over Father's Day. The day started out sunny, but, you guessed it--rain! Actually it is mostly sunny. It has been so beautiful that we have been wondering if the people who live here ever get used to the beauty. We hope they don't take it for granted. The terrain has leveled out a bit now that they have crossed the Cascades and they hope for a little time off (tomorrow at least) before moving on and riding the Rockies. Logan can't wait to ride Logan Pass. I especially like picture two today! Sorry, Shawn! Thanks for all the notes of encouragement we've been receiving. Sometimes it is a couple of days in between finding computer access and especially wireless. And other days we are so busy it is hard to get to the computer and to make sense when we do! But all in all--we really are having a great experience.

We have all enjoyed our day off. Support staff even decided "no cooking" so we all went out for pizza. It was yummy and we have enough for lefwtovers. We have a small microwave with us and it has really been handy. We did a few mundane things like get the oil changed and buy a couple of dishpans. Jessica and Logan took the Dad's into the mountains to give them a feel for it here in Idaho. It continues to be beautiful as a couple of the pictures sort of show. Nothing like the real thing, though. The middle picture shows our little support person, Charlotte Elizabeth, entertaining us with her drum, which she dearly loves. After dinner music? We are staying at a Best Western with an RV Park attached. Not the best set up for us as we have to use the motel restroom and showers at the pool area which is across the road and at the end of the motel. Makes for a rush in the morning as they are actually locked up at 10:30 P.M. Jim conned them out of keys, though, so that helped a bit. Still, there is only one bathroom for Women and one for Men and the showers are in that one room so it makes it a little inconvenient. We are leaving today, our day off is over. Riders will be finishing up Idaho and ending up in Montana tonight. Jess will be taking the "father's" to the airport in Spokane so she has a full day of driving ahead of her. More when we reach Montana.

Welcome to Montana! We finished riding across the top of Idaho today and into Montana. The first picture is of a delightful Bakery along the route. Don't miss it if you are ever that way. Excellent pastries and owned and operated by a fellow biker. The decor is worth the price of the pastries! Across the street is the view you see in the second picture. The one with Kevin holding Charlotte Elizabeth. Then finally into camp at Cabinet Gorge in the foothills to the Cabinet Mountains. Will write more tomorrow or at least later, as the bicyclists just phoned and said they are waiting for the camper. We haven't made it to tonight's stopping point yet. We did some sight seeing today also..and bought groceries with a birthday cake for Shawn. Happy Birthday, Shawn!

We're at Whitefish, Montana tonight and will be going to Glacier National Park tomorrow. Today was a beautiful 66 mile ride through the countyside that looked liked what Jim expected in Montana. Grassy pastures with deer. Saw elk in the distance and was surprised at how many there were. Later learned it was an elk farm. Yesterday we hiked down to the falls. It was amazing at the powerful water that roared out of the Kootinai Falls. One resident said that he hadn't see the water that high since he moved here in the 60's. I told you it had rained a lot since we've been here! Shawn and Jim said to tell UPS Mike that they have been amazed at all the UPS trucks they see making delivery out in the middle of no where. Want to go back to work? The trees here remind us of the UP but nothing compares to the mountains! They call it the Big Sky and it is easy to see why. The mountains go clear up into the clouds. Well-time to get these bikers stoked up on some chicken and pasta so they can ride tomorrow.

What a day the support people had today. The camper wouldn't take down so we had to put it up four times before it finally clicked and let us take it all the way down. We both think it was the prayer that finally did it as the book with troubleshooting ideas didn't help a bit. Remember, when all else fails--pray! Well maybe pray anyway. Then we couldn't get the safety latch on the hitch to click in. We finally decided we were going to have to pull it as is down the "hill side" (everything in Montana is on a "hill side" and see if we could get some help with it when after pulling it forward a couple of feet, it finally clicked in also. Probably all due to how difficult it is to level anything here. Anyway, after only going about 50 miles we missed the campsite we had expected to stay at. The traffic was terrible in the tourist town and we just missed the sign. So we set up camp about 3 miles outside of town and went to find our bikers to tell them. Again going through the busy tourist town. We saw them, but couldn't stop and couldn't make them hear us, so we turned around, finally, and went after them. Where were they? At the RV site we were supposed to stay at! They found it! Anyway, we picked them up, loaded the bikes and took them to where the camper was already set up at a nice KOA. Tomorrow will be better!

What do bicyclists do on their day off? Picture one shows Shawn catching up on her journal writing and Logan cleaning his bike. Picture two, Jim cleaning his bike. However, the support staff had a day off and we had breakfast, dinner and supper out!

After getting into West Glacier yesterday we went to the Park. We could get as far as Avalanche and the bikers could go on up to the tunnel. It was closed above that as all the rain had caused avalanches, twelve we were told, and mud 9 feet high. The road crew were in there working and trying to get it ready for opening on Friday at 4. Well, as the bikers were traveling up other riders were coming back saying they were turning everyone back a mile up the road. They kept going. They made it to the tunnel. No one turned them back so they went through the tunnel. Still no one turned them back so they continued. They made it all the way to the top of Logan's Pass and back down! The first bicyclists of the season to reach the top! Meanwhile Jessica and Baby Girl and I are touring below and what beauty as you saw in yesterdays pictures. Today we took Jessica on her bike and Charlotte Elizabeth in bugger and they rode. They were scheduled to open the pass at 4 and by the time we got them unloaded there were so many cars behind us we couldn't move. At four o'clock the gates opened and we were the first car through. We all made it to the top and beyond. What beauty! Words can't describe it. Nor can pictures because it is so vast! The highlight of the whole tour, I am sure! Oh, and today was Jim's birthday! Happy Birthday Jim!

Last night we stayed in Cut Bank. The weather has changed from cold and rainy to very warm. Once our riders were on the road again I went to the library parking lot as I heard that they had wireless 24/7. I was able to add the pictures I wanted and upate a couple of days. It is no small feat to get this done as I either don't have the time or the wireless. It worked well today. I added a few of my favorites from Glacier National Park. Heaven's Pass in particular. It sends your thoughts heavenward in this beautiful area. The support staff then did the laundry and moved on. We watered our riders along the way and then met up with them in Chester. Due to the heat and the head winds they decided to accept a ride to Havre where we are camping tonight. They rode about 70 miles today in heat that was 84 degrees. It is expected to be in the 80's for the next few days and approaching 91 by Thursday. Feast or famine. We are staying at Havre in a camp site next to the Best Western. Since I will be porting our riders back to Chester in the morning that means we will be staying in Havre for two nights and the support staff will be able to spend some time by the pool at the Best Western tomorrow! Yippee! The riders said that they have resorted to counting the cars on trains that go along side the road they are riding (Route 2) as everything is pretty much the same for miles. We have been glad to see how many trains they use here as it seems we have been getting away from that kind of transport system in our area.This means fewer large trucks on the road which has to be better for the ecology. It is looking a lot like Montana! Horses on the hillside, a fox or a cyote running along the open fields and unusual bird flying overhead creating strange shadows on the road in front of the bicyclists. Rugged terrain that must require rugged people to work it. Interesting.

Well, the riders decided to ride back to Chester and be picked up there instead of bucking the wind from Chester here at Havre today. So shortly I will be going to pick them up and bring them back. Meanwhile I managed to get the camper cleaned the way I have been wanting to. Refrigerator cleaned out and cupboards cleaned and arranged. Even managed to pay a couple of bills. Now back to my support work. The riders were planning on the 60+ miles today and then a rest for tomorrow which is supposed to be more grueling and longer. Hard to find places to stay any closer here so it is requiring some porting back and forth. They are doing great! A couple more pictures of the wonderful Glacier National Park. I'm sure I took way too many pictures, but it is hard not too. I tried for a picture of the Weeping Wall, but am going to have to wait until Logan sends me some of his that he took when he went up on the bike. Couldn't stop in the car. There were about 5 or 6 waterfalls on the one wall and the riders called it the Sobbing Wall as the waterfalls had so much water in them from all the rains that they were gushing. The last picture shows one of them.

Hot today! We are staying in Malta tonight and possibly tomorrow night. Riders got out early today to try and beat some of the heat. They quit about 2 when the temperature reached 95 or so. They still got in a little over 60 miles. It is expected to be 100 tomorrow.We have been over a couple of different reservations. One was the Blackfeet and the other Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. I passed a Historical sign that told about the train robbery that occurred near that site. Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and Deaf Charlie made off with a bag of gold and 40,000 dollars in worthless signed bank notes. They retired shortly after that! We are staying near the track tonight. Well, it is off to DQ to try and beat some of this heat. Ice cream will do it every time and we all have earned it!

A hot couple of days. It reached 100 as promised! We visited the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge yesterday. I have a couple of pictures I will add when I am able. Today we reached GLASGOW! Imagine that! We're at the library but not able to go wireless here. We have a spot in the Shady Rest RV Park. The name alone sold us! This will be the first night without a train track (and all night trains) next to us. In Malta it was really right next to us! We're all wondering if we will be able to sleep. I saw buffalo on the way here today. One of the Historical Site signs said that a dogie (not a doggie) was a calf who had lost his mother and his father had run off with another cow. Whoever is doing the copy for their Historical Signs has a great sense of words. I'm really enjoying reading them. We also saw a Sleeping Buffalo that was a part of several sleeping buffalo rocks. Legend has it that the Indians thought it was magical and that this one particular rock was the leader. They worshiped it and this one was brought to this site. Many gifts have been left at the site. Usually they consist of ribbons (usually red) tied to the fence around the big rock. There were also cigarettes, some of them opened to present the tobacco in them as an offering. (The birds liked it, I noticed.) Our riders did between 50-65 miles, starting at 6:00 this morning to try and beat the heat a little. Jim was having such a good day with the wind at his back for the first time in days that he went an extra 15 miles! I met him and we had dinner and I brought him back to camp. Now we are "doing" Glasgow. I'm trying to see if there is any connection to "our" Glasgows, but no one seems to know how Glasgow got its name so probably not going to find out much. We may try a commercial spot to add pictures, so if you find some at the beginning of today you will know that we did. Otherwise, see you down the road.

This is getting pretty long ... I'm going to put July and August on another page to help with load times.

Continue here: Bike Across America - PART 2