SOME DISAPPOINTMENT BUT WE ADAPT

Well it's really hard for me to write this one and not feel like a complete failure.  We started out Monday evening from Bay City around 5pm to ride at night in order to avoid the heat due to my heat stroke and rode all night.  The ride was a rough one with crazy drivers and bad shoulders and good part of the way and not many places to stop.  We did meet a nice unusual man with at least a dozen dogs as his main source of company.  I wish I could recall his full name but all I can remember at this moment is that his first name was Leslie.  He approached us while we rested by a bridge and was the type some might have judged as a bit "scary" but he really was a nice man...very talkative and kind enough to allow me to use his modest bathroom.  He even offered for us to set up our tent on his property buuuuuut we had a long ways to ride yet ;) .  We also stopped at a church as it was letting out and brfly met a small group of the congregation who were all very kind.  The kids were fascinated with our bikes and the adults were very compassionate and prayed with/for me concerning Andy as well as our ride.  It may not be something that everyone will understand but that really brought me a great deal of peace.  Perhaps that's why Satan thru everything he had at us in the near future....

The bulk of the ride had it's ups and downs.  Mainly we started running into the rudest people we have encountered during our entire time in Texas.  People trying to run us off the road when the entire road was empty to them, cussing at us etc.  But when the road was all ours it was nice.

Then we got to Freeport.....the shoulders were littered with, well everything including a lot of glass.  I got my first flat and my gears decided they did not want to go below 3rd which make crossing bridges very difficult. So what do we find we have to cross to enter Freeport?  TWO LARGE bridges.  I have to walk my bike up and am somewhat looking forward to the cruise down but as I'm riding down my light flies off into the highway (it busted all apart but those buggers are tough...it still works!) my cooling towel went flying another way, and my hat was hanging on only by my ponytail and I'm trying to control my bike...and did I mention I'm terrified of bridges?  Yeah, I was not a happy camper.  Our directions and the road signs didn't jive up, the city is just plain ugly industrial, we stopped at the only restaurant open before noon and the owner was a rude nut case to customers and his only employee.  I went off on him when he tried to refuse us our salad when the sign says free salad with any pasta order...he said "you have to ask for it".  WHAT?  Since when does a customer have to go in and guess what is available and ask rather than have the server take their order?  I made it clear who I was and what I was doing and that I was definitely going to tell all of you about Krisvics in Freeport and that got him to throw together some lettuce, onions and olives and throw it at me and tell me "here you got your salad"  If I could tell the poor boy who works for him anything now I'd tell him GO FIND A DIFFERENT JOB YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE YELLED AT LIKE YOU ARE BY THAT MAN!  They over charge and then they over charge. (charge more than it's worth then charge more than the menu says.) 

Moving on...it's getting very hot and we can't find a free camp beach or any beach for that matter or a hotel..nothing..no open place to cool off and a LOT of bridges.  Can you guess what this leads too???  You got it...another heat stroke..my temp went up to 104, I was throwing up and cramping ...the works.  and everyone just drove on past us INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS.  Shawn tried and tried to flag someone down but not one person would stop.  They sure honked and yelled but nobody would stop.  So we had to call the police hoping they like the police in all other places would be helpful and help us get to a hotel.  NOPE...they brought an ambulance and said our choice was I go to the hospital or we make it on our own.  They wouldn't even help Shawn when I went to the hospital..him having two expensive recumbent bikes and a trailer , worried about me and over heating himself.  As for me, I basically went to the hospital to be a pin cushion...I got stuck so many times because none of the nurses could get an iv in me (and I'm terrified of needles) .  I look like a druggie now...and one finally insists he got it when I told him he didn't because it burned...luckily they NEVER STARTED FLUIDS THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS IN THERE...I got stuck for nothing..even though the whole point was "I desperately needed fluids",  they don't believe my illness' are real illness', they did xrays without  ever asking if I could possibly be pregnant. (I'm not but that's not the point) and I sat on a gurney in a hallway starving and thirsty got refused water when I asked all evening...then they wanted to keep me all night!!!!  I checked myself out.  It doesn't end there.  We had to call a cab for me to get home...she never came but when I called she said she did and to come back she was going to have to charge me doubke,,,I said I'd walk.  Thankfully a nice nurse agreed when I asked to drive me to the hotel and refused to take any payment from me.  There are a few nice people here!

Well once you have heat stroke you are more vulnerable to it again and they are having heat warnings down here so we couldn't figure out how to get out of here.  We finally decided sadly to call home and come back to Indiana.  BUT we are not stopping!  We are going to ride up to Michigan!  COOL Michigan...and hope for generous people as well as get our miles in...we may also ride Southern Indiana...so keep your eyes open for us and something to drink on hand...if you see us please say hello!  I want to meet as many of you as I can!  I can't wait to get back on my bike and on the road again.....

Love to all...MamaBear45

Road to Freeport/Brazosport/Clute Texas (THE WORST PART EVER)

June 25 CANT TAKE THIS HEAT :(

We rode to Matagorda to trek along beach then I had throw a wrench in in the picture..had a heat stroke.....so its sit still for a few days.back in Bay City

A TEXAS SUNSET

The sun in Texas is both beautiful & deadly.

TUES JUNE 18-CUERO-EDNA TEXAS-LAKE TEXANA

Cuero Texas was wonderful.  We were welcomed to free camp in a beautiful municipal park that had everything-a pool, fishing and paddle boat pond, golfing,, volleyball, basketball...you name it...and I met these two wonderful ladies Nannette and Tammy who made it and even more enjoyable time. Nannette suggested we visit Rockport and we intended to until the last minute when we started calculating our time...now I will explain a bit later why we should have taken Nannette's advice afterall... 

 

If I had any complaints at all about Cuero it would be that the tent camping is up on a knoll that has NO Shade but to be honest I'm not sure where else they could put us and....it is free, and near the restrooms and pool and walmart and a Valero (VP type) and we didn't get in there til day break...if you haven't been to Texas this time of year, let me explain this to you, shortly after daybreak it gets HOT...VERY HOT.  So our first day we went and got a really really cheap hotel room to get some sleep.  People were nice enough and I met another very nice young mommy named Michelle.  (( thought I posted her pic too...if it doesn't show up I will try to remember to post it again)  She was there for to visit her husband for his first Father's Day.  I believe she said he works in the Oil Fields...so Happy First Father's Day to Michelle's Hubby!  You have one very Handsome young man there!  and a wonderful wife!

Shawn became addicted to the slides...they didn't get me on them til later in the day. (Okay...I will admit they were a blast!) 

 

Now...back to why we should have gone to Rockport...and why GOOGLE MAPS SUCK!!!!!!  As always our final day came and we had to pack up and head out of Cuero.  We are heading down hwy 98 in the blistering sun/heat when "nora the navigator" as we affectionately call her tells us to back up and turn right on a road called Verhell Rd and to take it for 6.5 miles to I think it was CR 110.  Then the problems began...first the road turned into a soft thick gravel (with hills) and second there were NO roads off of this road...no CR 110...no anything ...just beautiful rolling land on all sides...no houses, no gas stations, restrooms, restaraunts,....ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  I'm still not sure if it was Heaven or Hell.  We determined it was the road that never ends.  Eventually we called Edna Sherriff's Dept and a nice dispatcher by the name of Jennifer helped us patiently (several times) and sent out some help to find us.  Eventually Officer (and our Cajun angel) Mike Meaux found us and led us out of the "hell" part of VerHELL.  According to him they don't even like taking their vehicles down those roads they are so rough and  he was very impressed with both our bents and us and had to laugh at our GPS which took us over 10 hours out of our way. (Ummmm...I failed to see the humor in that at the time! lol)  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH OFFICER MIKE MEAUX OF VICTORIA COUNTY SHERRIFS DEPT!!!!!  Who also gave us permission to camp at a volunteer fire dept when we got out to hwy 77.

 

This isn't the end of this story though...oh no...He has asked us if we had enough supplies.  Which at that time we did.  What we didn't take into consideration was the remainder of the ride into Edna...the nearly 30 mile ride into Edna...and our only 4 bottles of liquid between us.  We actually had to poor water out of our coolers (melted ice) to make it, stop at a church and find their outdoor water spicket and fill up Gatorade bottles....but we made it.

 

Now I'm going to turn this over to Shawn to see if he has anything to add that I have forgot and finish my lunch...my love to all...MamaBear45....

 

Also, the weather here permit's us to take a break as well and to get our blog updated some, when we can and if we're near a McDonald's or near a Wi-Fi hotspot... As of now, it is raining, which gave us the time to get this blog done... Our seat's will be a lil wet, but they will feel good compaired to it being hot without the comfort of the rain... this is Shawn Paul signing off and handing the laptop back to Lori. Have a great day and week everyone. Ttyl....

 

 

Cuero Texas- Father's Day Weekend

Hello from Cuero Texas!  I haven't got out to take any pictures yet.  I will tomorrow.  We're free camping in a beautiful town park but didn't get in and get our camp set up until day break.  It didn't take long for the heat to set in so there was no sleeping until evening...we were dragging and melting.

I think we will both be VERY happy to get out of hill country.  It's getting better, hills are getting less and easier but occasionally we still come upon a killer hill.  I personally am falling in love with Texas...well everything except for the heat but hey it sure beats snow any day! (I think? yeah...it beats snow...at least that's easy to say when it's not mid day with the sun beating down on us! lol) 

I still can't say enough about how kind the people are here.  We had to take a break due to the heat and a hill at one point and a little old lady came riding up on a 4wheeler to see if we were okay since we had stopped in front of her property.  Nice as could be, just concerned.  She chatted with us for a minute or so then was off back to her house which we never even saw.  The cattle, horses and donkeys will run along the fence rows with us as far as they can.  They seem to be totally fascinated with us.  OH!  I remembered the name of that Fox News commentator!  (told you I would! lol) Mike Huckabee...yes we rode right past his ranch.

We got our first donation in Gonzales Texas from a young couple.  I didn't get their names.  Typical of me...I really need to start getting names.  If you happen to read this we thank you GREATFULLY!

Next stop Brackenridge Recreation Center Edna Texas!

Love to everyone back home...MamaBear45

Thurs June 13th leaving Palmetto State Park heading for Cuero Texas (hopefully)

Hello from McDonalds in Gonzales, Texas!  Ahhhhhh....they have wonderful air conditioning!!!!  I have to give major Kudos to Shawn,   I'm barely making it up these hills in this heat with just my bike and  panniers in this heat and he's pulling the trailer with basically all of our gear, his panniers, he took on the cooler and backpack (my laptop) since I found out that these bents can indeed tip (forget that I said that).  And that is after making breakfast and packing up camp!

 

When Texans tell us Northerners that the heat down here is WAAAAAAAY different than back home....BELIEVE THEM!  Texas is the place where heaven and hell meet.  It's beauty is breath taking it's people are incredibly friendly.  (Note to self-need to start writing down names) We have met some of the nicest people who have shared some of the most interesting stories with us for instance I'm looking forward to hearing how Dewayne Meats from Long Beach, Ca likes his Bent!    Dewayne is a retired marine who also plans on riding for the wounded warrior project next year. Hopefully we will see each other again on the road!  (I'm jealous...he's getting a REALLY NICE Bent)  

Ha...I think I've got to be a bit more specific with God.  Each day we've rode I've asked him for some rain to cool things off and ...well I think He's mistaken me for a Texan because He's sent Bad Thunderstorms that have left us with time to spare in McD's.  The sky is black here now....at least it's  cooler after the rain/storms, until the sun come's back out and then it get's humid as heck and hot again...


Well, loks like now is out best bet to make a run for it....so say a prayer for us that we make it there without any bad storms...RAIN IS OKAY JUST NO STORMS!!!

LOVE TO EVERYONE BACK HOME...AND PLEEEEEEAAAASE DONATE!!!!!!!....MAMABEAR45

June 10th-11th LOCKHART STATE PARK TEXAS

 

 



Left Lockhart State Park heading towards Palmetto Park.  Had to stop for a bit to let some storms pass.  Thanks to a local Sherriff for giving us a heads up on what we were heading into!  This is my first experience with Texas.  Shawn grew up here. Everyone keeps asking me what I think?  I have to say it's pretty nice.  The people here are really friendly.  Everywhere we go there are kind and friendly people.  The North has lost that IMO.  And the landscape has a unique beauty all it's own.  I hope the pictures I post capture it but I'm afraid they don't.  It really is beautiful so far , at least outside the big cities...I don't care too much for the big cities but I never have liked big cities anywhere.

Well, time to check the radar and try to get back on the road.  I hope those of you reading this are hitting that donate button and sending whatever you can to help those hit by the tornados on Oklahoma!  We'll keep riding...hope you challenge us!

Love from the road....MamaBear45



 



TEXAS (AUSTIN) HILL COUNTRY

Hello from Texas!  And so our journey begins and us right from the get go.  Getting to spend time with the kids and precious  Addie make all the obstacles much smaller though.  Honestly, the only real unexpected obstacle has been that what I was told I would have to work with financially this week was a pipedream and I get the challenge of starting off broke.  Thank G  Sod for family, compassionate people and free camping...we'll do fine. 

The people down here are so kind.  Funny, the north used to be known for their hospitality but there have been more people in our short time so far down here cheering us on and helping us out to make sure we reach our goal than we had back home.  Speaking of which, I wanted to thank Maggie in the Subway restaurant in Round Rock, Texas for buying us lunch yesterday.  That was so very kind of you and a great meal.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!   I didn't get a last name...but Maggie from Round Rock Subway you're a lifesaver!

I'm learning...I need to keep a small notebook with me to write down names.  For instance we had a wonderful time chatting with a retired marine the night before who,  my new friend, if you read this, I hope you have got your bike by now and would love to hear how you are liking it!  I'm going to nickname you "Sir".  Sir will be getting his new recumbent from the VA any day now. I have to admit, after hearing about his I'm a tiny bit jealous! ;) And like me, Sir is planning on riding for the Wounded Warrior Project.  Now had I not been so tired and been thinking more at the time I would have asked...if you would be interested in forming a group to ride from Saint Augustine to San Diego next year with me for the Project?  Sir also passed along a lot of information concerning VA benefits .  (My Dad was a WWII  Decorated Army)  Sir claims to have had the honor or meeting a survivor of the Spanish / American War, not just a survivor but a medal of honor survivor! 

After talking with Sir for quite a while we did something both fascinating and creepy...We rode through thousands of bats!  If I'm back over that way tonight I'm going to TRY to have the nerve to stand among them long enough to video tape them for y'all.

Well, I'm being called for lunch....Far be it from me to pass up a good home cooked meal!  Until later.....Peace!

Oh...where are those challenge donations??????  Come on...they're for a very good cause and don't have to be huge although a $3000 challenge would be EXCELLENT!!!!



ON OUR WAY...I CHALLENGE YOU!!!!

My team will ride for your donations to help the Oklahoma disaster victims.  Our maintenance is minimal.  All proceeds above will  go to Oklahoma disaster victims.  If you click on the donate button a d donate $20 we will ride 20 miles just for you, $50 we will ride 50 miles just for you...we will ride a mile for every dollar donated (and its HOT down here!)  You have the easy part of this challenge.... will you take it to help  your fellow Americans begin to pick up the pieces of their lives the tornados stole from them?  Imagine yourself in their shoes...together we can make a difference!

I'M GOING TO FLY LIKE AN EAGLE...TO THE SEA....



FLY LIKE AN EAGLE...LET GOD'S SPIRIT CARRY ME...

 

 

I can't believe tomorrow we actually begin this trek!  I won't lie, I am feeling the cold feet today big time.  So many questions, "Have I covered everything?",  "What if I fail?"  "what if...what if...what if....????"  I was up all night last night just thinking about my baby girl (almost 17) up in her room fast asleep and how am I going to get past missing her so badly?  We do have a phone app that will allow us to video chat regularly but that's just not the same, even though when we're both home I barely see her. She's a teenager.  Almost a college student.  It's suppose to be that way.  She is testing her wings HER way.  Still I know she's there and safe.  Ha, now I'm soooo  tired I can't think to change the caption above the DONATE button to say that the profits are going to Oklahoma disaster survivors.  Our band could very much use the extra help and  I have posted the mailing address in one of my blogs, should anyone wish to help us out you can mail a donation to Mr Josh Huff at that address.  But the people of Oklahoma need this to LIVE. 

 

I want you to take a moment and think about all the sad times and loss in your life.  You don't have to visit there long, just remember the pain if you aren't still in the midst of it.  Now imagine if All the hurt you have experienced in your life happened in just the matter of a few minutes.  Your home, your car,  YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS....all gone just like that. Nobody to blame, nobody to be angry with.  It just happened.  One minute your life was normal the next it is turned completely upside down.  THAT MY FRIENDS IS WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE FACING.  Where does one even begin to keep moving forward from that?  I do know, like the Kid Rock song says "The least that I can do is CARE."  Please join me and click that donate button and donate something...anything to help me complete this journey and show them that we do care.

 

Also SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG!  and ask your friends and your friends friends...the more people we have the more we can help.  Our Government isn't going to be able to give them all they need, they are too busy saving the rest of the world!  My apologies for inserting my opinion there but seriously I do think we are spread too thin and  should be taking care of our own citizens before we try to "save" the world. (especially when some of them don't want us to "save" them.  Shouldn't they have that right to decide how they want to live?  Isn't THAT what FREEDOM truly is?). Further why are so many depending on the govt to decide who their money is going to help?  I'm telling you with each of my rides I make (counting on there being many more) exactly who you will be helping.  A MINIMAL amount may go to help us complete this journey, no more than absolutely needed.  In exchange I will be riding and sharing pictures and travel tips we pick up along the way. (like FREE camping!) and as many tips as I can learn myself to pass on that you can use perhaps to take your family on a vacation you thought was financially unaffordable.  If you are a business and offer your services you will get free advertisement. (another reason I need my readers to SUBSCRIBE PLEASE!...LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE HERE AND READING.)

 

I was thinking too, I've intended carry a flag with the names and any info the family wishes for those who we lost TOO SOON.  How fitting?  Those lost in Oklahoma were definitely GONE TOO SOON...  WILL YOU PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME HELP THEM??

 

I'd also love hearing about anything any of the rest of you decide to do to help your neighbor here.  Lord knows we could all use a leg up right now.  Maybe you have found a cool way of making life a little easier and more joyful for each other?  If so please share it?

 

 If you have any questions feel free to write.  I or a  member from my home base will answer asap.  Or call Derek Jones at 765-437-7343.  (He sleeps during the afternoon so if you need too leave him a voicemail or text and he will return your call)

 

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT CHANGE HAPPENS NOT FROM OUR GOVT BUT FROM INSIDE EACH AND EVERYONE OF OUR HEARTS.  THAT IT IS THE AVERAGE EVERDAY HERO THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.  WHY?  BECAUSE THIS KIND OF CHANGE IS NOT INFLUENCED BY THE POLITICAL NEED TO SATISFY ANOTHER GOVT SO THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SCRATCH OUR BACK AS WELL. THIS KIND OF CHANGE EXPECTS NOTHING IN RETURN, IT IS PURE GIVING FROM THE HEART.  IMAGINE THAT SPREADING AROUND THE WORLD!   WILL YOU PLEASE STEP UP AND BE A HERO TODAY????

 

okay...time to get off of here and get busy wrapping up all the lose ends.  Not much time left before we leave these comforts of home and are on our way.  If you see us say hello!  I want to meet as many of you as possible! :)

 

Love to all....