Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Pedal Day 16 - Century.









 













































"It is so awesome when your dreams are bigger than your memories."
-Deborah Ingram, Pedal Day 15 comments.

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
-Lucille Ball, texted to me by Ericka Warren.

Today was something else. I'm not sure I have room enough to share it all.
Jonathan and I rode our first century of the trip. A century, for those of you who do not pedal, is a one day hundred mile or more ride. We, even though we had to back-track to make up miles, pedaled 101.8 miles of Montana today. We are now 121 miles from North Dakota! Yipee! We pedaled through Dodson, Wagner, Malta, Saco, Hinsdale, and into Glasgow. The truck drivers once again get our "Good Bike-Keeping Seal of Approval." They have shown kindness, respect, and courtesy all along the road. Somewhere along the way I hope I find a way to personally thank some of them.
In Montana, the state erects white crosses at the site of every accident where lives have been lost. We pedaled by one site where seven white crosses were erected, wondering if an entire family went out into eternity from that one location. There are too many white crosses out here. It's a reminder!
In Dodson, Jonathan and I stopped at Raiders Quick Stop where we met Mrs. Linda Arnold. Linda is a delightful lady who talked with us as we sipped ice cold drinks in the Quick Stop. She told us about the abandoned Indian Catholic Church we passed yesterday, the almost complete dinosaur found near Malta, how she and her husband had moved to Dodson from the Chicago area almost forty years ago and stayed, about the town's high school track stars, and about Eugene's Pizza in Glasgow. She is another of God's blessings on this trip.
Eugene's Pizza! Remember Jim from Simms? He the guy who told us that Eugene's Pizza is the best in the world. Some people may disagree but even if it's not the best it's very close. One thing's for sure, you will not find a friendlier bunch of people anywhere. We met Sam Knodel, one of the owners. His brother, Jeff, is the other owner. Eugene's Pizza has been around since 1962, Sam and Jeff bought it from their parents, and they still run it in the same 1962 location in Glasgow! Their pizza is so good they even ship it to Alaska and who knows where else! Sam came to our table and talked with us like we were family. As we were leaving he gave us cup holders, note pads, and t-shirts from Eugene's Pizza. Of course, we had to get a photo so you could meet Sam (yellow t-shirt, back row) and his crew. More friendly blessings from the Father.
Thinking back over today I have an overwhelming sense of joy. Joy is based on what's inside a person while happiness is based on what's outside. We've experienced both today. I've had a whole day to hang out with the Father in the midst of some of his unbelievable creation. Jonathan and I pedaled 101 miles closer to Bar Harbor. I have met some wonderful new friends and I've been encouraged. I've also been encouraged by your comments. I have seen more of the greatest country on the face of the earth. I have laughed a lot and that's healthy (Proverbs 17:22). And . . . there are still numbers on my heart monitor!
The song in my mind almost all day has been "The Joy of the Lord is My Strength." "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10b).
Jan, the barns are for you! Enjoy!

14 comments:

  1. Someone said the person we will be five years from now will depend on the books we read and the people we meet. Sounds like you have a bright future with all the nice people you are meeting. I look forward to mentally riding with on your adventures each day. Love you man. We leave for vacation Sat but will take my laptop to keep up with you. Dwaine & Sarah

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  2. You are the best Dad ever, and I hope I can make an impact on the lives of others like you have done! You meet no strangers and are friendly to all who cross your path! I love reading your blog and texting you everyday, because I would be lost without you! The bunnies and chickens are doing well, but I do plan on getting another bunny to add to the family soon and she already has a name! PEDALS! In memory of your trip! When I get her I will send a picture! When you do talk to a trucker tell him thanks for me too! Love you Dad!!!!

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  3. Sounds like you had a great day and I am so glad! I love all of the pictures of these people you are meeting and the little stories about them. You are making an impact on these people in a way that nobody else will be able to. I am so looking forward to joining you in a week and a half! Praying the wind will be on your back today pushing you to North Dakota. Did you ever think that Montana was such a WIDE state? Probably not until now. Miss you guys terribly but I know that you are having the time of your life. Give mom a big hug and tell Jonathan hi!

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  4. I think you should have them ship some of that pizza here! They will probably do it just for you. Sounds like you all are doing great! I'm glad the truckers are nice and hopefully will stay that way the rest of the ride. Don't leave Montana without meeting a cowboy for me. Maybe you can bring one home for me too! :)

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  5. Interestingly enough, I just pedaled 100 miles around our neighborhood yesterday - what a coincidence! What kind of pizza is that anyway? Can't tell from the pic. I of course would have to taste it to know for sure, but I don't know if it could compare with Brooklyn's Pizza here in Lexington. There's nothing better than New York style! Please ship some here today and I will do a taste test. And then please go to a state that is not all flat and looks the same in every picture. I'm assuming you did not run into Indiana Jones at the Raiders Quick Stop or you would have mentioned it.

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  6. PEDALS! That's a great name Carey!

    Know that you guys are loved and prayed for in Middle Georgia as you move closer to Bar Harbor and we all move closer to our REAL home in Heaven. Hebrews 12:1-2...I thought of you when I preached from that passage Sunday morning!

    "Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus."

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  7. Whoa! A hundred plus miles in one day! That is
    amazing.Congrats!!! Sounds like all is well.
    I pray that you have another good day today and
    God blesses you and continues to keep you safe.
    I am also praying for all the people God lets
    you meet. I have know doubt they will be blessed, but I am also praying for their salvation. Have a GREAT day...

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  8. I don't know if you plan to stay close to US2 as you ride east through North Dakota. If you do you will pass through the town of Devil's Lake and by a Southern Baptist church Vonnie & I helped get started. We were members of First Southern in Grand Forks (conveniently about 90 miles east). The church met for about 2 years in the community room of the only hotel in Devil's Lake at the time. We could never get more than 20 people to attend the service. We convinced the HMB that we had to build a real church building to attract the ND people. We got support underwritten from MS & TX. The Sunday we conducted the first service over 100 people attended. I'll share the long version with you some time.

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  9. Barry L! Does it mean I've read your blog too much if I start DREAMING about your bike ride? The other night I dreamed that Mom and Dad and Andy were going to go to see you in Maine (except Maine was really Florida) and they were conspiring to keep ME from going with them! It was awful! Dream Christy kept telling them that they couldn't keep me from going to Maine-Florida and I was going no matter what they said! The only thing that could've made it more realistic would've been if Todd had been there heckling you as you rode along!

    I've loved following along and can't wait to see you all when you get back! Love you all!

    Purple

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  10. Thanks for the barns, Barry! God has given you a gift of making people feel special...even if you do say they're weird sometimes:)
    Keep on pedaling, keep on pedaling! You and Jonathan will make it! Hey Margaret!!!

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  11. you are hard core papabur! We're thinking about you and praying for you Barry and cant wait to see the awesome things God does for you/with you on this crazy journey. love you!!

    Melissa "smufit" Pepin

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  12. We once had a conversation in which we were sharing prayer requests....you said, Bethany, you know how a ball team goes into the locker room at halftime and decides what to do at the second half? You said...I'm at halftime. Pray that I will know what to do during the second half. As if your first half were not amazing enough....look at the second. You inspire me. God Bless,
    Bethany Lee Carter

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  13. hey papa bur--congrats on ya'lls century! my dad was reading one of the pedal days, and he kept trying to comment that he bets you're ready for a 43 on wheat! :D

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  14. WAY TO GO BARRY AND JONATHAN!! WOW 100 MILES IN ONE DAY, NEARLY 2 MILES OVER THAT...I DON'T THINK MARGARET AND I EVER MADE IT THAT FAR!! BE CAREFUL AND KNOW I'M THINKING OF YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOUR SAFETY!
    CHERYL

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