Pedal Day 20 - Thanks!

"The world makes way for a man who knows where he is going."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson, texted to me by Ericka Warren

"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it."

-Proverbs 22:6

"For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examines every path he takes."

-Proverbs 5:21

We arrived at Roughrider Campground at 1:30 P.M. after a short 51.41 miles ride from Stanley. Margaret came and met us there. We're not sure what we'll do this evening but all three of us are happy about not packing everything and moving out again in the morning. We pedal again Monday morning. Tomorrow we rest and all we can say is "whooopee!"

We had a mixture of winds this morning with most coming out of the southwest. The temperature, when we got into the Explorer was 36 degrees. When we started pedaling the temperature was 44 degrees. It was cool for a while but still has been a beautiful day with smooth roads (for the most part) and courteous drivers.

Our ride today was on Route 2 which is now four-lane. The closer we got to Minot the worse the road became, especially the shoulders. We went from the almost ten foot wide, smooth shoulders in Stanley to no shoulders as we neared Minot. If we had shoulders near Minot, they were gravel. Riding on those shoulders for us would have been like riding in a car in the median! So we rode in the right lane, close to the edge, and every vehicle, but one, pulled over into the passing lane to go by. We are blessed and thankful!

As you can tell by the photos, we rode through farmland all the way today! Beautiful country. From what I saw a lot of roast beef sandwiches (wheat bread) come from North Dakota. I'm reminded of a billboard I saw in Georgia once: "If you're gonna complain about farmers, don't do it with your mouth full." Out here farming is big! The equipment is big too. I am amazed!

We are now at 1,285 miles! That means we have about 3,010 miles to go to Bar Harbor. Monday our numbers will slide into the 1,200 range. Soon another state will be finished and we'll move on through Minnesota and cross the Mighty Mississippi! When I look at our United States map and the red line we've pedaled, it blows my mind how far we've come. We are closing in on the target and it's a great feeling. We even found a North Dakota license plate yesterday!

Most of you who know me know my favorite passage of Scripture is Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." 

This ride makes me think of that passage more and more. The three of us are being watched by what we consider a huge crowd of witnesses. From the comments you have written I have been constantly encouraged and reminded that I'm not riding alone. There's a bunch of you that are pedaling with me as you pray, encourage, and remind me that you are there pulling for all three of us. Many of you have said that you feel like you're with me as I ride. That makes us a team. Because of that, I plan to pedal with endurance the ride (we're certainly not racing) that God has set before me keeping my eyes on Jesus, on whom my faith depends from start to finish. 

I can ride the race with patience (endurance) because it's fixed!

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left its crimson stain

He washed it white as snow.