TRAVELING WITH GOD ON ANGEL'S WINGS

I love the movie THE HORSE WHISPERER. I know, what does that have to do with cycling? Not much. But that's how my summer has been. I've been sick and not got to do much of anything. It's been horrible. My family doctor retired from family practice and finding a new team of doctor's has been next to impossible, frustrating and humiliating. New legislation is making it difficult to get the medications that have allowed me to function somewhat normally. It's just generally sucked. Then there have been other storms on top of that. I really just wish for some happy smooth sailing for a change for a while. Normal would be wonderful!

That said there has always got to be some beauty out there or what would "life" be? My baby girl just started her senior year of High School! I'm so very proud of her and Wow...that empty nest is hitting! Long rides will likely be on hold til at least next summer. (I do hope to get one, maybe week long(?) trip in) but then..well, it will be an entirely new chapter in my life. It's my hope to get my daughter to embark on a long tour with me but not one that I've got high hopes will happen. Then will be the time to try to accomplish my dream of seeing as much of this world and meeting as many people out there, learning as much about different cultures etc as I possibly can. I truly believe our differences, what makes us unique, is what makes "us"/ humans so fascinating and beautiful. And I personally, am a Christian and so taught that we were all created in God's image. Can you imagine!? A God who is ALL of the amazing and wonderful traits we can see and experience in each other if we only choose to see and experience the good rather than fear and hide from the different. Or look for the bad. Have you noticed how often people do that, look for the bad? "I bet he/she..." and it's an assumption of the worst. Why do we do that? I promise you, take a long distance bike tour and you will see things with an entirely new perspective. (I NEED A NICE LONG BIKE TRIP RIGHT NOW!)

Anywho..I've got a little riding in this summer.,had some nice local rides (got severely sunburnt on one of those rides! WEAR SUNSCREEN!) It's my intentions to pick up the pace now that I'm starting to feel a bit stronger.

In the meantime I thought I'd share some pictures from the past few months...,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

We spend a lot of time at Missessinewa. The campground there is fairly nice. They could have better showers and could learn a few things about off hour check ins from Texas State Parks. Also if its a really nice weekend or a holiday weekend call ahead or go early. On weekends like those they fill up fast. And they're a big campground! Usually you can find a fairly private campsite, close enough to "neighbors" but not too close. They have hiking, swimming, fishing, Frisbee golf, and a nice campstore, picnic shelters with grills and some reasonable riding within the recreational premises. Most of the time we ride there from home, sometimes some of us ride while some will drive the gear, and occasionally we drive it all (bikes included).

There are lots of wildlife at the reservoir, from bird watching to deer, chipmunks, and raccoons...Watch out for the masked bandits! We stayed in a cabin one weekend and those critters tried to tear through the screen to get into our cabin! They are fearless and will come right up to your campsite, porch you name it and they WILL steal any loose food they can get their grubby little paws on. Just consider yourselves warned. That said, they are cute!

They drained the Heron pond (what I call it) this spring for some reason. It looked really bare. It's filled again now.

I equate the Nickleplate Trail with Mississinewa as we usually ride it about halfway then cut east to the park. The Nickleplate is a beautiful trail but be warned, it has little to no facilities. Your best stops are riding a short distance west at Bennett's Switch to a small convenience store/gas station on 31 or there is both a bar and a convenience store/deli in Bunker Hill (might be more? I do know that those are available) and then the next stop is Peru which has a large selection of just about anything before heading back into no-man's land. Someone really needs to add a few port-o-pots at very least. It is well kept though.

Another fairly local ride we typically begin from France Park..

France Park or "The cliffs" is west off of 24 out of Logansport. It's a nice park/campground although it is hilly and has LOTS of trees so finding a level tent camping spot isn't as easy. They have a nice camp store and plenty to do right in the park, with a descent area of fair day riding within the park as well. During the summer they have a beach, concessions, and a zipline, miniature golf, fishing. And nice although too few showers. And also can be completely packed on holidays and nice weekends which as big as it is and if you see it on "normal" days, is difficult to believe.

France Park is near the beginning of The Panhandle Trail. You can either ride to it or drive, It adds a few good miles to your ride to ride to the trail head. At least at this time. They are trying to arrange it to where the trail can be accessed from France Park. For now though it's probably a good 6 or 7 miles give or take to the trail head. I personally thought what we rode of the trail was beautiful and it was as pleasantly aromatic as it was beautiful. While once again they didn't have the needed facilities it wasn't that far from town to town and they seemed quite accustomed to cyclists. I'm anxious to return and ride the complete trail. Here's a few pictures from the trail head to Royal Center...

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Now come on, look back a few pictures! CROOKED CREEK! Really? Can you not figure out what comes next?????

If you build it he will climb....

How many bunnies do you see???

McGovern's is suppose to be really good. We didn't eat there though...we chose like several other cyclists to eat at the deli at the gas station. Well priced great value and not bad overall. (the pea salad needed some sugar. ;) )

We saw some interesting sights...like obviously not everything is bigger in Texas!