Day 15, May 26th

Got up and hauled the house out of the ditch and started walking. The road to Vernal is "up." Somebody was concerned and asked the police to make sure I was alright. She was a state trooper who used to work in Logan. Nice lady. After an endless walk, I got to the view area above Vernal. There I met a fellow who was from Finland. Nice fellow that does research at one of the colleges, I believe. I cleaned up the view area before I left.
Made it to town just in time to receive $20 from a lady. I went to a restaurant and the owner brought me a water. Later he charged me half price for my meal. I cleaned his tables off and swept the restaurant.
I arrived at the bike shop, which is closed, and out came KP. He gave me a place to park and went right to work on my house wheels. He will put a bike together tomorrow. The Lord looks after me.

Day 14, May 25th

We have a day with little sun. Nice and cloudy with a gentle breeze. It was a good day for my rear wheel to self destruct. It works fine for walking, but the spokes have given up the ghost. Got about 20 more miles of walking into Vernal. There is a bike shop there called the Altitude Bike Shop. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, but maybe they will be open.

I'm having a siesta at the moment. Had a nice peanut butter and honey sandwich and some cool water. How can you beat that?

I found 35 cents on the road today and a fellow pulled over and gave me $20. He gave me the news that I had a 15 mile walk ahead of me. Oh well. One step at a time and I'll get there. Saw another lizard. This desert is a zoo. I'm going to go crawl under a bull dozer and take a nap.

Lofty thought:

I have a lot of time to consider life's perplexities as I put one foot in front of another all day long. Consider the case of the itch. The average itch does not require immediate scratching. If ignored some screaming and flailing of the limbs may occur but mental illness will not occur. No permanent damage may be expected. A major itch however, one that will throw a person on the ground and cause gnashing of teeth much like those in the Bible that had devils cast out, if one even considers postponement is still a question to me. I am forced on a daily basis to ignore the average itch. I fear what might occur if a major itch cometh. Will I just leap off the mountain? I hope this information is helpful.

The rains came and this little pig got his house onto a flat spot and got inside as fast as he could. I changed into dry clothes and made a sandwich for dinner. Nice to hear the rain on the roof and the thunder over yonder. Eight more miles to Vernal.

10:10pm comes around and there is a call from outside, "Are you in there bud?" I open up and it's a fellow named Rex. "I just thought you'd like a hot dinner. Jesus does love us." He had a pizza for me. this journey is turning out to be so good for so many people. I feel so privileged to be making it.

Day 13, May 24th

Had a good nights sleep. Got up and had a hose bath and did my laundry. Ate the two eggs that Steve brought me. Sacked out the rest of the day. I'll leave tonight when it cools down. Heat is going to be a big factor on this journey.

Having trouble deciding how best to go over the Colorado Rockies. a wrong decision could mean a week of pushing. 

I'll call Reed Baldwin and see if he has family in Vernal, Utah. Maybe I could get on their computer and learn something.

There is a little ground squirrel that peeks at me from behind things. I found a little cup laying about and filled it with water for him. What will he think when he discovers "Lake Cup?" 

I'm tempted to go this evening but my body is still tired. Believe I'll go in the morning. The Deseret News called a while ago. It would be good for the meaning of my journey if they did a story.

Tomorrow is Sunday. I doubt I'll make 25 miles in time for church.

I went through my things and decided I needed only 2 pair of pants and shirts and 3 pair of socks. The rest I will leave behind.

I fixed my hat so it won't blow off. Used a shoestring. I put Vaseline on and between my toes. Seems to help.

Steve has a bunch of animals I've enjoyed visiting with them during my stay. Spent some time cleaning up trash in the yard today during which time I saw a lizard. A lizard sighting is a pleasant event for me. There is a humming bird that is fascinated with the disks that hang from my flags. Maybe they are flying saucers to him.

Just had a visit from two little kids (6-7). Very polite and full of questions.

It's 9:00pm and Steve's people just brought me dinner. The world's a great place.

Day 12, May 23rd

Woke up to rain on the roof. That's a great sound. It quit after a few minutes, so I probably won't be running in the rain. I'm going to get breakfast and get on the road.
I did 14 miles before I realized I needed a rest. I looked down a dirt driveway and I could see chickens. There was a llama in a far pen. Wondering if there was a place for me, I went down and met Steve. He gave me a banana an some sunscreen and a place in an open hay barn out of the sun. He said he'd bring me some farm fresh eggs later. I'm parked and have found an arm chair and an old container that when upside down makes a nice table. I already have a friendly dog for my companion. I'm way off the highway so it's quiet.
Steve rides a big motorcycle and is covered with tattoos. He gave me everything he could.
When I went to the grocery store earlier, a Christian lady with two of her grandchildren came and the little boy offered a stick of gun. The little girl (7 years old about) offered a candy. The lady gave me $30.
When I woke up this morning, there was $5 on my bike. When I came out of the library there was an orange on my bike. The world is full of fine folk.
Steve just returned with an Arby's sandwich for me. Steve's place has many treasures. He sees value in most everything like me. It's an interesting place to wander in. Fire ants are the main predator here. They are not in my immediate area however.
When I was traveling today, I came across a prairie dog town. I haven't seen one of those for years. I stopped and watched for a while. I was tempted to get out my string and catch one. I resisted. It would be more of a pain for the prairie dog than it would be fun for me.
It is interesting to me how I've changed over the years. As a youngster I had no idea about animals and their feeling. I killed what I could kill. Now I rescue bugs and don't kill flies. To me, every life enjoys a warm day just like I do. Everything wants to see their tomorrows. I wish they understood I will not harm them. It would be fun to pet the deer and hold the prairie dogs.
Steve just returned with some fruit for me. "What ye do for the least of these you do for me."
It is about 6:30 and very peaceful here. Steve is moving about the place feeding his animals. He asked that I respect them. He doesn't kill anything he doesn't have to. I'm looking forward to talking with him tomorrow. Such a charitable fellow.
I wanted to mention that a Christian motorcycle rider by the name of Jimmy O'Lexy stopped and offered help and encouragement a few days ago.

Day 11, May 22nd, Birthday (72 years)

Woke up to the birds singing and a nice day. Did my laundry and shaved. Breakfast is a banana and peanut butter and orange juice. Pat and Laurie were the nice ladies that put me up for the night somewhere near the junction of 87 and state road 35.
Came down into Duchesne from 35 on 87. All downhill, no shoulder, many trucks, scary.
When you start a journey, you have certain reasons. As you go along that number changes. If I succeed I hope the journey will be an encouragement to people. Life itself is a series of parts. When I look at the 3000+ miles to go it seems impossible. However, I can do a mile. Some people can't face tomorrow. Maybe it is best to put tomorrow off and deal with today. Let tomorrow take care of itself. There is a scripture that deals with this.
Another thought is that an act can change things. Maybe my journey will make some problem somebody has be more doable. So this journey is not just for me. It is for you too. An act can change things, any act.
I'm sitting in a field of dirt. I ran out of energy. I'll rest a spell and then go on. Maybe the wind will favor me later.
Got back on the road and stretched my distance to more than 30 miles. I'm learning to function in this traffic. I feel okay about being on 40.
Made it to Myton, a town about 15 miles out of Roosevelt. Had a nice talk with a police officer who was going to make sure I made it up the coming hill if I chose to do it at night. Said I was parked fine and could even have a fire if I wanted. I'm bushed, so I'm going right to bed.

Day 10, May 21st

Had a nice night. Time for breakfast. I'm told I have 10 miles of downhill into Hanna where my friend, Kevin Harrison, is working.
I made a drag for the grade to sort of get an idea of what a drag could do. That particular drag was to heavy to allow progress. Maybe next time. I adjusted the brakes a couple of times and had a nice 10 miles. Before I left I saw a really big porcupine.
Got into Hanna and Kevin fed me all I could eat. He made a birthday cookie with a candle. We had fun. Nice fellow.

Rode until about 8:00pm and then went to ask a lady if I could stay on some grass out by the road. She directed me to a gazebo with lights. I'm writing by those lights now. I'm parked on a lawn in what looks like the Garden of Eden. The Lord sure has placed some wonderful people in my path. I'm gonna just curl up and go to sleep.

Day 9, May 20th

Slept great last night. I spread one of those thin metal blankets over my sleeping bag and I was toasty. I'm ready to roll. 

Had some issues with my toes yesterday. They was arguing or something. Cleaned them up and trimmed them and put vaseline on them. I believe they will get along better today. 

The way I push the bike, one leg groweth, and the other does not. I'm going to look like a one legged popeye pretty soon.

I'd better get breakfast going and get on the road. Looks like my hand found scrambled eggs with ham. Ummm.

I'm stuck for the time being. The grade is steep and I've been fighting a head wind all day. The wind has picked up so that I cannot make progress. I've backed Laura off the road. I'll wait for the wind to diminish. She's a rocking, but I believe she's safe for now. Sitting here for a while, I'm glad I stopped. This wind would have blown me back down the hill. I'm sitting with my back to Laura, keeping her from twisting. I'm glad I stopped. I've made 3 miles in 4 1/2 hours so far. No riding, all pulling.

I was back at it for some time when a fellow (Lee) stopped. He offered to haul me over the summit. Instead I accepted a Milkyway candy and asked him to call my wife when he got to civilization. Such a nice fellow. He offered me gloves. We discussed the grade on the other side and decided I'd need a drag. Later his daughter and family arrived with two old tires for my drag.

Keven, who visited with me yesterday, arrived when I was 3 miles from the summit and was getting ready to call it a day. He was concerned about a series of tight curves ahead with no shoulder and tandem oil trucks descending. He took me to have a look and we decided I could easily cause an accident there. We put the bike in his truck and I held on to Laura from the tailgate and we got past the bad area.

Later, when I was a ways down the other side, Lee's kids arrived with the tires. What a great family.

A Mrs. Barns turned around and gave me some water. If I need anything, I'm to stop when I get to Hanna. Kevin brought me two bananas for potassium. We may celebrate my birthday together when I get to Hanna. 

I had a good meal and am ready to sleep. Nine hours of pushing today. I'm holding up well. Wish I could talk to my family. Still no phone service. Four or five feet of snow beside the road, but not very cold. Only partially froze the water.