After having enjoyed Tallahassee, we left for High Springs, FL. For lunch we stopped to eat our gruel at Itchetucknee State Park. The area was humid and swampy, but inside the park were crystal-clear springs that maintain a constant temperature of 72 degrees. Wonderfully bizarre.
In High Springs, we stayed with Lys Burden. Of her many accolades (including a feature article in National Geographic), she and her husband were founders of the organization Adventure Cycling in Missoula, MT. (Adventure Cycling created our cycling route!) She could fit in well with the Teton Science crew. Her ways are natural, organic, local and very inspirational. She is devoted to making communities thrive by cultivating local gardens. I am open to sampling just about any food, but I was wary about her raw milk (perhaps it was the warning on the packaging). She assured me that I wouldn’t die and I enjoyed the cup of milk I poured over my granola. Marina would have been proud.
From High Springs, we traveled to Gainesville and stayed with Alex, a PhD student at the University of Florida. This couchsurfing dude took us to the Butterfly Rainforest, an art museum, out for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, to the movie “The Kite Runner,” and we ended our eventful night at the local rock climbing gym. It was fun, but I’m really bad at rock climbing.
In the morning, we made our way to Palatka, FL. We arrived in the city in time for the local Azalea Festival, but were surprised to discover that there were not ANY azaleas at their Azalea Festival. When we were in High Springs, Lys Burden suggested we stay with her close friend, Linda Crider. I had called Linda Crider to confirm this, but she was out canoeing and didn’t get my message. So…my Dad and I just showed up at her house. We were delighted that she was home when we arrived. Her home sits on the banks of the St. Johns River and it looks like it could belong on Summit Avenue. Linda organizes Bike Florida (a bicycle tour of the state) and she and her friend Mike entertained us with a salmon dinner and good conversation. In addition to our breakfast, we drank fresh squeezed orange juice from Florida oranges.
We left Palatka for our ride into St. Augustine. To be honest, it was sort of anticlimactic. We faced a strong, strong headwind and sat on the beach with strangers. I didn’t expect any pomp and circumstance, but the completion of our journey was so quiet. After leaving the beach, we hoped to celebrate our feat with a beer. However, when we checked the local pub we learned that a pint of beer was seven dollars. That’s ridiculous; do you know how much ice cream you can buy for seven dollars?
We spent the next day in St. Augustine where we encountered the historic sites of our nation’s oldest city and we conversed with a few waitresses who had recently been sick. Dinner-waitress Emily, breakfast-coffee-girl and pancake-lunch-lady all volunteered information about their illnesses and diseases. Unsettling.
Since we had the time, we decided to bike down the coast toward Orlando. With Linda’s handy route, we headed toward Daytona Beach’s Bike Week. Along with thousands of other bikers, we biked down Daytona’s main drag amid the deafening sound of motorcycle engines. We joked that we had ridden 3,300 miles to get to Bike Week only to discover that we rode the “wrong” type of bikes. We stayed in Daytona with a guy named Chris who gave us for a tour of the local NASCAR sites that he loves very dearly.
Much to our surprise and delight, my Uncle Curt and Aunt Faye were vacationing at their timeshare in Orlando. Curt met us at a bike shop in Titusville and enabled us to join their family fun. We also got to spend time with Jen, Roman, Brennan, Luke and Ross (my cousin & family). Their youngest, Ross became thoroughly enamored with my flashing bike lights and headlamps and was ready to hop in my suitcase (bike trailer bag) when we left for the airport. At one point, Faye told us that Ross could be a very stubborn child. I turned to Ross and asked him, “Are you a strong-willed child?” He responded, “NO!!!!!” Haha.
Between a bicycle crash and a stroke, my Mom and Faye have endured serious physical hardship for the past couple years. Both my Dad and my Uncle Curt provide me with a model for what it will mean to promise “in sickness and in health.” For the loves of their lives, they have patiently toted wheelchairs and canes, made hospital visits, opened doors, pulled up the car, etc. That’s real love.
We have received such a warm reception at home! Kathy Beenen poetically wrote, “From sea to shining sea” – We were inspired by the adventure you shared. Thank you for letting us “travel with you” through your blog. We are inspired by dad and daughter- the physical, emotional, mental feat of a cross-country ride; and by Sandy, who has traveled her own multi-marathon in the past 2 1/2 years and her support for your adventure. We are inspired by your lives and celebrate your accomplishments.
With three cheers,
A sigh of relief,
And all our love,
Kathy & Kelly
Congratulations (and love to Jill, whose accomplishments will be celebrated in another card, another day)
What a nice card! When we were in Gainesville, Alex made some comment about how my Dad and I are “hardcore” cyclists. Logically I know this journey is rather “hardcore,” but I just think of myself as a girl who really loves to ride her bike.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Final words from the Dad
Yesterday I was pressed back into my seat as our plane raced down the runway heading toward home. As this was happening the enormity of this adventure began to sink in for the first time. The trip for Ann and I was done one day at a time, one mile at a time, with a simple resolve to complete the daily journeys. The sight of the Atlantic ocean and completing the last of 107 maps to get there seemed almost anti-climatic. The story of this trip has been about the people we have met and the time I have had the honor and privilege to spend with Ann. The other story is of the people who supported us directly and indirectly to make this adventure possible. I cannot even begin to name everyone that had a part in making this possible. Today I am sitting in my kitchen preparing to re-enter real life again. I will be re-entering as a slightly different person than the one who was sitting here on Jan 8th 2008. So, here's my old guy advice to you all (that's what old guys do). Pick your own adventure, whatever that adventure may be, and do it. You will not regret it....
Home in MN
Here are a few frequently asked questions:
1. How was the weather?
When I got off the plane and felt the MN temperature, it reminded me of the time we spent in southern Arizona and New Mexico. Cold. All in all, the weather was cooperative and the cool days made for comfortable bike rides. We did have a few rainy days, but we were able to bike through them and sufficiently coat ourselves with a thick layer of road grime.
2. Even though your bike trip is done, are you going to continue to blog?
Yes. I’ll never stop adventuring.
3. Did you lose weight?
No. We ate tons and tons of delicious, spicy and flavorful food.
4. Did you ever get sick?
Thankfully, we did not.
5. What inspired you to want to bike this far?
I don’t know. I could make up a really great story about what got this “bug in my bonnet.” Truth be told, I just thought it sounded like fun. And it was…
6. Will you do more bike tours in the future?
Yes! Dale and I are making plans for some mini tours this summer.
7. How many hours a day did you bike?
Approximately six hours a day.
8. How many miles did you average per day?
Approximately 75 miles per day.
9. What was your average speed?
We toured at about 15mph.
10. Did your body get sore?
Yes. The initial mountains in California left my legs feeling shredded. As can be expected, we got stronger and stronger as the trip progressed. Overall, we felt great. We also took a day off every week to let our legs rest.
11. Did you ever have flat tires?
Yes! We had three tires die and we lost count of the number of tubes that went flat. Probably around 30? Even my sleeping pad went flat! While all this left me feeling very deflated, I was thankful we had the tools to repair all our mechanical failures. My Dad and I have attained NASCAR efficiency.
12. What weapon did you carry?
None. I did carry a leatherman which came in very handy for pulling tire tread wires out of bike tires, spreading peanut butter and opening a coconut. We never felt in danger.
13. Were you nervous about connecting with people via the Internet?
Yes, the whole concept is very strange. However, the individuals that we contacted were willing hosts and were VERY hospitable. Meeting these individuals was the best part of our trip.
14. Did you ever want to quit?
Never.
15. When will you be back in Jackson?
Probably Wednesday (March 19th). I have lots of details to figure out…I also plan to spend the following weekend (Easter) with Dale’s family in Twin Falls, Idaho.
17. You liked Texas?
Liked is an understatement. “King of the Hill” is not my new favorite show, but we met such great people that it would be hard not to like the state.
18. Did you and your Dad really get along?
Yes. We didn’t have any conflicts of any kind. I just asked him why we got along so well and he responded, “because I agreed with everything you said.” Perhaps that is true. I do have to say that he is VERY easy to get along with and he was never critical of me.
19. What was your least favorite part of the trip?
Missing loved ones, especially Dale!
20. What was the best part of your trip?
Meeting people and seeing how they live their lives.
21. Did any of the dogs bite you?
No.
22. Why are you wearing the same clothes in all your pictures?
If you pull your clothes in a bike trailer for 3,300 miles, I guarantee you would not bring a closet of clothes. Many of our hosts let us do our laundry so I assure you that our clothes were clean at least some of the time.
23. What are you doing now that you are home?
First, I gave my Mom a big hug. Shortly thereafter, I showered and put on different clothes. It was very exciting. We went to church and returned to my Mom’s homemade dinner of butternut squash soup, salad, ribs and rum cake. MMMMMmmmm…. After dinner, I put on the bridesmaid's dress I'm going to wear for Katie's wedding, bedazzled myself with my Mom's matching costume jewelry and pranced around the house feeling very girly. It was great. I could go on and on about the ironed bed sheets I slept in, the Swedish pancakes I ate for breakfast, etc., but I won’t bore you. When Sandy Klosterman is your mom, life is grand.
1. How was the weather?
When I got off the plane and felt the MN temperature, it reminded me of the time we spent in southern Arizona and New Mexico. Cold. All in all, the weather was cooperative and the cool days made for comfortable bike rides. We did have a few rainy days, but we were able to bike through them and sufficiently coat ourselves with a thick layer of road grime.
2. Even though your bike trip is done, are you going to continue to blog?
Yes. I’ll never stop adventuring.
3. Did you lose weight?
No. We ate tons and tons of delicious, spicy and flavorful food.
4. Did you ever get sick?
Thankfully, we did not.
5. What inspired you to want to bike this far?
I don’t know. I could make up a really great story about what got this “bug in my bonnet.” Truth be told, I just thought it sounded like fun. And it was…
6. Will you do more bike tours in the future?
Yes! Dale and I are making plans for some mini tours this summer.
7. How many hours a day did you bike?
Approximately six hours a day.
8. How many miles did you average per day?
Approximately 75 miles per day.
9. What was your average speed?
We toured at about 15mph.
10. Did your body get sore?
Yes. The initial mountains in California left my legs feeling shredded. As can be expected, we got stronger and stronger as the trip progressed. Overall, we felt great. We also took a day off every week to let our legs rest.
11. Did you ever have flat tires?
Yes! We had three tires die and we lost count of the number of tubes that went flat. Probably around 30? Even my sleeping pad went flat! While all this left me feeling very deflated, I was thankful we had the tools to repair all our mechanical failures. My Dad and I have attained NASCAR efficiency.
12. What weapon did you carry?
None. I did carry a leatherman which came in very handy for pulling tire tread wires out of bike tires, spreading peanut butter and opening a coconut. We never felt in danger.
13. Were you nervous about connecting with people via the Internet?
Yes, the whole concept is very strange. However, the individuals that we contacted were willing hosts and were VERY hospitable. Meeting these individuals was the best part of our trip.
14. Did you ever want to quit?
Never.
15. When will you be back in Jackson?
Probably Wednesday (March 19th). I have lots of details to figure out…I also plan to spend the following weekend (Easter) with Dale’s family in Twin Falls, Idaho.
17. You liked Texas?
Liked is an understatement. “King of the Hill” is not my new favorite show, but we met such great people that it would be hard not to like the state.
18. Did you and your Dad really get along?
Yes. We didn’t have any conflicts of any kind. I just asked him why we got along so well and he responded, “because I agreed with everything you said.” Perhaps that is true. I do have to say that he is VERY easy to get along with and he was never critical of me.
19. What was your least favorite part of the trip?
Missing loved ones, especially Dale!
20. What was the best part of your trip?
Meeting people and seeing how they live their lives.
21. Did any of the dogs bite you?
No.
22. Why are you wearing the same clothes in all your pictures?
If you pull your clothes in a bike trailer for 3,300 miles, I guarantee you would not bring a closet of clothes. Many of our hosts let us do our laundry so I assure you that our clothes were clean at least some of the time.
23. What are you doing now that you are home?
First, I gave my Mom a big hug. Shortly thereafter, I showered and put on different clothes. It was very exciting. We went to church and returned to my Mom’s homemade dinner of butternut squash soup, salad, ribs and rum cake. MMMMMmmmm…. After dinner, I put on the bridesmaid's dress I'm going to wear for Katie's wedding, bedazzled myself with my Mom's matching costume jewelry and pranced around the house feeling very girly. It was great. I could go on and on about the ironed bed sheets I slept in, the Swedish pancakes I ate for breakfast, etc., but I won’t bore you. When Sandy Klosterman is your mom, life is grand.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
St. Augustine
It seems very surreal to say that my Dad and I have biked across the US. We arrived at the Atlantic Ocean yesterday afternoon. We dipped our front tires in the salty water, we clinked our water bottles and we celebrated this feat by eating granola bars on the beach. An appropriate end to the official journey if I do say so myself...
We are flying back to MSP on Saturday so we've decided to do some more biking since we have the time. Tomorrow we are headed down to Daytona and hopefully we will meet up with Curt & Faye (my Uncle & Aunt) once we get closer to Orlando.
In the meantime, we are exploring St. Augustine and planning our next adventures. Don't worry, our upcoming events will keep us closer to our loved ones.
Peace & love.
We are flying back to MSP on Saturday so we've decided to do some more biking since we have the time. Tomorrow we are headed down to Daytona and hopefully we will meet up with Curt & Faye (my Uncle & Aunt) once we get closer to Orlando.
In the meantime, we are exploring St. Augustine and planning our next adventures. Don't worry, our upcoming events will keep us closer to our loved ones.
Peace & love.
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