Monday, April 30, 2007
Bykered & Co.
We pulled out about eleven and had a very uneventful trip to Sturgis, Kentucky. A Food Giant supermarket gave us permission to stay in a corner of their lot. We napped and read this afternoon.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab seats, etc. to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow.
This afternoon they had what could be called a miracle. They stopped at a Texaco station to gas-up the bike – well, no not exactly, it was to ask directions to the bike shop. The clerk said oh it is at least five miles on the other side of town. Someone else in the station said that is a great shop. A woman customer overheard and said he is my brother and I’ll give him a call. She promptly announced that her brother the owner will be right over. He was there in 10 minutes and loaded up the bike. He said I’ll take you to my house which is near here because he also has equipment at the house. At the house he repaired the broken spoke and trued the both front and back wheels. He also checked the tires, shifting and brakes. He loves working at bikes. He worked three years in a factory making bike wheels. And then he said there is no charge but Ed gave him thirty dollars which he did not refuse. Then he said he would take them part way out of town past the traffic but just kept going. Ed asked what he was doing. He said he was just going to take them right to their camp. What a blessing he was. We estimated that he was not much older than 25. What an angel.
Today several times we passed under or over what looked a bit like a conveyor belt which ran for miles across the beautiful fields. When I got to what appeared to be a farm supply store I pulled in. When I walked in the man at the door queried, “You want Propane?” I had parked beside the propane tank. When I said no the half dozen other guys laughed and kidded the first man. I asked how big a bet they had. They joked some more. I told them I was a former farmer and curious about what the were growing in this community. They said primarily corn and soybeans with some tobacco. Then I asked about the conveyor like thing snaking across the country. One man said it is a coal tipple bringing coal from the fields quite some distance and taking it to the barges on the Ohio River. Another said no, it is taking it from the barges to the power plant. At least I learned it is moving coal to one place or another and truly a conveyor.
Some interesting comments along the way; In Mobile a man told Ed, I have a good psychiatrist you should see for riding that far. At a McDonalds there were a number of older guys one of whom bikes a bit who said about the trip, “You have more d… nerve than sense.”
So here we are relaxing this evening at Diamond Lake Resort [camp]. We plan to take two nights here so the bikers can have a day off. When we arrived I soon got on the computer with their good WiFi service, down and uploading email and adding more to the Blog.
They did about 70 miles today. The total miles finished to date are about 850 with about 1200 to go.
There was a restaurant here at this campground and we decided to enjoy their fish buffet this evening. It was very good with tilapia, shrimp, catfish and frog legs and a lot of other goodies.
Back at the mh we played several games of Rummikub. Ed and Miriam are quite competitive and Rhoda and I enjoy laughing at them. We finally called it a day at ten and hit the sack.
Saturday 28. When we could have laid in we all got up at our usual time of six. This is a day off for the bikers and we kept the breakfast to good cold cereal and hot coffee.
Ed went to the main office to download and respond to his enormous backlog of email. He was there several hours. Miriam and I listened to Cartalk and then walked around this rather large campground. There are quite a number of little lakes with many campers fishing. They are charged a fee. The owner told us he dumped 500 pound of fish in it last night. Laughing, he said he hoped each fisher caught one to keep them interested but no more.
Rhoda did her laundry and hung it out next door then vacuumed the MH. Miriam and Rhoda have been making a crock-pot of bean and ham soup. It is a day of clear blue skies and we were out enjoying it. This afternoon Ed washed the MH and Miriam and I did our needle work while chatting with the Longeneckers. What a beautiful day. By evening it began to get rather cool. Ed reminded us that it will likely be this way the entire trip as we move along with spring moving north. We noticed that the tulips are about finished here. It is a continuous change of vegetation.
At six we listened to a great Prairie Home Companion from Columbus, GA.
After supper outside we decided to have our worship by ourselves since we will not be attending worship anywhere tomorrow. We sang a lot of great hymns and often shared what their messages meant to each other – sang until my voice had had it. Then I shared the message I gave in West Bethany on Palm Sunday and we talked about it. This was the one John Kraybill said was the best he ever heard me preach. We sacked out at 10:30; a nice relaxing day, change of pace.
Sunday 29. We had our breakfast and were on the road by 7:30 taking bike and bikers with us the some 10 miles from camp to the east side of Owensboro, KY. We then shopped at a Wal*Mart. It seemed exceptionally large and new. But the Pharmacy was still closed.
On we went following Miss Annie of GPS over some beautiful scenic back roads off and on beside the Great Ohio River. We stopped several places to watch locks and tugboats. What a waterway.
I felt disappointed going past many churches and not having that larger shared worship experience.
This vehicle is a honey to operate. It is a Winnebago model View. It is mounted on a Dodge Sprinter Chassis with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine. It has been getting about 18 MPG. It handles just great.
About 11:30 when we turned a corner I told Miriam that building with those many full size vans looks like an Old Order Mennonite church. A couple miles down the road we became confused about the road and turned right, and right there was a mailbox with “Burkholder” on it. No one was home so I left a little card with my name and where we would be. Then we retraced our steps. When we arrived at the corner again there was a sign with Mennonite Church on it. Some folks were coming out and identified myself to a man and told him I had seen the name Burkholder on the mailbox. I was informed he was there and would be glad to see me. This individual’s name was Gehman and his folks moved to Paraguay from Lancaster County when he was about five. He married a woman of Russian Mennonite origin. I asked if he knew Aquila Reihl. He said he does and he his well and sharp as a tack. He invited us for lunch but we decided we had better head for the campsite. I told this man that it was a joy to see Mennonites here. I further said that even though we may have our differences there is a deep sense in which we feel part of one another. He feebly agreed.
This time we found it. No services. So this will be “boon docking.” For those not in the know, that is when an RV parks at a site where no water, sewer or electric are available and a generator and tanked water are used as needed.
Soon after we parked the Burkholder family arrived. We already had a sandwich lunch. His father moved to Goshen, IN when he was a boy. However, he wanted to know if we knew a John Rudy? Sure, we both go to Forest Hills. He said John’s wife Lucy’s sister was is mother – if I have it straight. He invited us to a hymn sing tonight. Later when Ed called, he said, sure lets do it.
We had the delicious salmon chowder that Miriam makes, sacked out a bit and then hiked a bit in the woods thinking we would soon reach the mighty Ohio River. It turned out to be much farther away than the tug boats sounded.
We tried to dress as appropriately as we knew how for this evening’s service with this conservative Mennonite group. We arrived about 7:15 and they warmly welcomed us in. Inside the door the woman took us in all the ladies were standing and the men on the other side of the room. They soon got caught up in trying to make various kinds of family connections. One man and woman were bother and sister to the man who runs Akron Pretzel Bakery and there were other scattered persons we knew in common with them.
The women all clustered on the one side should have been our cue, but I did not get it until this brother offered to find seats for Ed and I – separate from the women. Haven’t had that experience since Stumptown did it for old time’s sake at their anniversary.
There hymnals were the blue Church Hymnal, The Mennonite Hymnery and Zion’s praises. The second is produced by the Church of Christ Mennonite, known as the Haldemans, a bit like Beachy Amish. The latter is published by and Aaron weaver from Ephrata. The latter two are mostly gospel songs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The young man opening the service said they would primarily be using Zion’s Praises. He chose and led the first three songs and then another young man who appeared Hispanic led three and another brother led three. Next there was an intermission in which another brother talked about and illustrated how some hymns or parts would go on being sung in heaven and others would no longer be appropriate. Interesting!
After that various it was opened for the congregation to select songs. Usually the selector would say something like, “Will someone please lead number…..” Occasionally the individually would lead it themselves. The songs were led without much zest. Many of these were songs that needed to have some zip added to them. They used the traditional pitch pipe, and mostly looked down at his book with little eye contact with the audience. Rhoda and I were both dying to get up and lead them, but of course we knew that could never work. But it was a joy to sing with them. We even learned a few new ones. Some were old ones we had not heard for perhaps 50 years. However, all were Gospel songs. Not one Wesley, Watts, Luther or john Newton hymns were sung, nor any Mennonite hymns.
Neither Rhoda nor Miriam had any dresses along – anathema. Ed and I would not have appeared too far out of line – I guess. All the men wore white shirts and dark colored pants. I never was in group/congregation where everyone was dressed so identical. Some of the older women wore solid light grey dresses. Others wore a light blue with a small figure. Even the young girls with out coverings wore cape dresses. And each of these had two braids hanging down the back. Back in our more conservative years there were different styles with some pushing clothing patterns to the edge of our regulations. Here, everyone seemed to be in line. Even the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of Lancaster County are not that cookie cutter patterned. Their rules seem to be tightly held to.
Afterwards all of us were surrounded, women on their side and men with Ed and I. We discovered that over half of these people had migrated from Lancaster County to Paraquay in the early sixties. Many of them moved back to this Kentucky area about ten years ago because some of the women told Rhoda and Miriam it was becoming dangerous to live there because of crime. Others have chosen to remain. Some of these people have intermarried with Mennonites of Russian descent.
It did not go long until the Burkholder brother wanted to know if my theology has changed through the years. I said I was not clear what he meant. Do you believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures? That was not difficult to respond to. Then he wanted to know how I felt about homosexuality. I said I did not think that is appropriate behavior. He seemed pleased and I was grateful to be pushed no further. Next he wanted to know my feelings about women in leadership in the church. I told him I believe women should be allowed to do whatever they have gifts to do. He shook his head and looked sad.
Then the Martin brother wanted to know if I knew John Ruth. I told him we were on an Anabaptist tour of Europe with him in 1984. “Then you would call yourself an Anabaptist?” Wow! Very much so I replied. Well how do you deal with not being conformed to the world, he asked? I said it is important to dress simply but I see no need to have that legislated to a certain pattern. He said no more about that but mentioned something about the covering but asked no more about it, thankfully. Next he wanted to know whether I approved of divorce. Well no. But he wasn’t finished. Do you have divorced and remarried persons in your congregation? Yes. Then he pulled up his Bible and wondered how we could do that when Jesus said that is adultery. I was now over my head. I indicated that we need to accept and take people where they are at. It went a few more rounds.
Ed was tested and tried too but not quite as harshly as I. They had learned I was a pastor because of association with Aquila Reihl years ago in NYC whom they knew. So they socked it to me.
The women were not pushed on anything. They just had nice friendly conversations. Obviously women have little if any observable part in the church. Not one woman selected a hymn. However, the men were poor leaders and as soon as they had started it the women seemed to be the ones carrying it along.
As we were leaving on couple came to the MH and expressed appreciation for our presence. Rhoda noted how many songs about heaven were sung. The women quickly noted that those were important to them as they had a ten year daughter in heaven from a freak swing accident two years ago on a visit to PA for a reunion. They both shared their pain. I noted that the figures showed that 80-90% of couples losing young children divorce. They shared tat it was tough on their marriage but hey leaned on the Lord. I told them that the strength of the Mennonite understanding of faith in Christ is that the church is a community who lean on Jesus in each other. They seemed to resonate with that. This was one of the better touches with this group.
On the way home we had a lot of discussion. Even though it was late we decided to have our usual nightly bowl of popcorn – a nice Longenecker tradition – to further process the evening’s events. Wow!
Lord may you deliver me from trying to set people straight as these folks tried to do to us tonight. Certainly if corrections are needed in others lives the Holy Spirit can be depended on to do that with little of my aid. At least meaningful relationships should be established before such correcting. I guess they honestly believe that God is calling them to do this. I’m sure they see us as an embarrassment to the name Mennonite and perhaps I view them similarly. I want our churches to be welcoming communities to all people, even to sinners like me who have so often missed the boat. Let the sinners come in. Jesus can cope with them. He did/does with me.
Well, this experience will provide many more hours of discussion and digesting as we roll along.
Monday 30. It was after six when we got up today and soon after 7:30 when the bikers hit the road. We pulled out about 45 minutes later and soon passed them. We shopped for groceries and Miriam’s prescription at a Wal*Mart, arriving at our campground right in downtown Corydon, Indiana. We are now back on Eastern Time for the remainder of the tour.
It is a hot day and the campground has little shade, so for the first time we are running the AC.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab seats, etc. to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow.
This afternoon they had what could be called a miracle. They stopped at a Texaco station to gas-up the bike – well, no not exactly, it was to ask directions to the bike shop. The clerk said oh it is at least five miles on the other side of town. Someone else in the station said that is a great shop. A woman customer overheard and said he is my brother and I’ll give him a call. She promptly announced that her brother the owner will be right over. He was there in 10 minutes and loaded up the bike. He said I’ll take you to my house which is near here because he also has equipment at the house. At the house he repaired the broken spoke and trued the both front and back wheels. He also checked the tires, shifting and brakes. He loves working at bikes. He worked three years in a factory making bike wheels. And then he said there is no charge but Ed gave him thirty dollars which he did not refuse. Then he said he would take them part way out of town past the traffic but just kept going. Ed asked what he was doing. He said he was just going to take them right to their camp. What a blessing he was. We estimated that he was not much older than 25. What an angel.
Today several times we passed under or over what looked a bit like a conveyor belt which ran for miles across the beautiful fields. When I got to what appeared to be a farm supply store I pulled in. When I walked in the man at the door queried, “You want Propane?” I had parked beside the propane tank. When I said no the half dozen other guys laughed and kidded the first man. I asked how big a bet they had. They joked some more. I told them I was a former farmer and curious about what the were growing in this community. They said primarily corn and soybeans with some tobacco. Then I asked about the conveyor like thing snaking across the country. One man said it is a coal tipple bringing coal from the fields quite some distance and taking it to the barges on the Ohio River. Another said no, it is taking it from the barges to the power plant. At least I learned it is moving coal to one place or another and truly a conveyor.
Some interesting comments along the way; In Mobile a man told Ed, I have a good psychiatrist you should see for riding that far. At a McDonalds there were a number of older guys one of whom bikes a bit who said about the trip, “You have more d… nerve than sense.”
So here we are relaxing this evening at Diamond Lake Resort [camp]. We plan to take two nights here so the bikers can have a day off. When we arrived I soon got on the computer with their good WiFi service, down and uploading email and adding more to the Blog.
They did about 70 miles today. The total miles finished to date are about 850 with about 1200 to go.
There was a restaurant here at this campground and we decided to enjoy their fish buffet this evening. It was very good with tilapia, shrimp, catfish and frog legs and a lot of other goodies.
Back at the mh we played several games of Rummikub. Ed and Miriam are quite competitive and Rhoda and I enjoy laughing at them. We finally called it a day at ten and hit the sack.
Saturday 28. When we could have laid in we all got up at our usual time of six. This is a day off for the bikers and we kept the breakfast to good cold cereal and hot coffee.
Ed went to the main office to download and respond to his enormous backlog of email. He was there several hours. Miriam and I listened to Cartalk and then walked around this rather large campground. There are quite a number of little lakes with many campers fishing. They are charged a fee. The owner told us he dumped 500 pound of fish in it last night. Laughing, he said he hoped each fisher caught one to keep them interested but no more.
Rhoda did her laundry and hung it out next door then vacuumed the MH. Miriam and Rhoda have been making a crock-pot of bean and ham soup. It is a day of clear blue skies and we were out enjoying it. This afternoon Ed washed the MH and Miriam and I did our needle work while chatting with the Longeneckers. What a beautiful day. By evening it began to get rather cool. Ed reminded us that it will likely be this way the entire trip as we move along with spring moving north. We noticed that the tulips are about finished here. It is a continuous change of vegetation.
At six we listened to a great Prairie Home Companion from Columbus, GA.
After supper outside we decided to have our worship by ourselves since we will not be attending worship anywhere tomorrow. We sang a lot of great hymns and often shared what their messages meant to each other – sang until my voice had had it. Then I shared the message I gave in West Bethany on Palm Sunday and we talked about it. This was the one John Kraybill said was the best he ever heard me preach. We sacked out at 10:30; a nice relaxing day, change of pace.
Sunday 29. We had our breakfast and were on the road by 7:30 taking bike and bikers with us the some 10 miles from camp to the east side of Owensboro, KY. We then shopped at a Wal*Mart. It seemed exceptionally large and new. But the Pharmacy was still closed.
On we went following Miss Annie of GPS over some beautiful scenic back roads off and on beside the Great Ohio River. We stopped several places to watch locks and tugboats. What a waterway.
I felt disappointed going past many churches and not having that larger shared worship experience.
This vehicle is a honey to operate. It is a Winnebago model View. It is mounted on a Dodge Sprinter Chassis with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine. It has been getting about 18 MPG. It handles just great.
About 11:30 when we turned a corner I told Miriam that building with those many full size vans looks like an Old Order Mennonite church. A couple miles down the road we became confused about the road and turned right, and right there was a mailbox with “Burkholder” on it. No one was home so I left a little card with my name and where we would be. Then we retraced our steps. When we arrived at the corner again there was a sign with Mennonite Church on it. Some folks were coming out and identified myself to a man and told him I had seen the name Burkholder on the mailbox. I was informed he was there and would be glad to see me. This individual’s name was Gehman and his folks moved to Paraguay from Lancaster County when he was about five. He married a woman of Russian Mennonite origin. I asked if he knew Aquila Reihl. He said he does and he his well and sharp as a tack. He invited us for lunch but we decided we had better head for the campsite. I told this man that it was a joy to see Mennonites here. I further said that even though we may have our differences there is a deep sense in which we feel part of one another. He feebly agreed.
This time we found it. No services. So this will be “boon docking.” For those not in the know, that is when an RV parks at a site where no water, sewer or electric are available and a generator and tanked water are used as needed.
Soon after we parked the Burkholder family arrived. We already had a sandwich lunch. His father moved to Goshen, IN when he was a boy. However, he wanted to know if we knew a John Rudy? Sure, we both go to Forest Hills. He said John’s wife Lucy’s sister was is mother – if I have it straight. He invited us to a hymn sing tonight. Later when Ed called, he said, sure lets do it.
We had the delicious salmon chowder that Miriam makes, sacked out a bit and then hiked a bit in the woods thinking we would soon reach the mighty Ohio River. It turned out to be much farther away than the tug boats sounded.
We tried to dress as appropriately as we knew how for this evening’s service with this conservative Mennonite group. We arrived about 7:15 and they warmly welcomed us in. Inside the door the woman took us in all the ladies were standing and the men on the other side of the room. They soon got caught up in trying to make various kinds of family connections. One man and woman were bother and sister to the man who runs Akron Pretzel Bakery and there were other scattered persons we knew in common with them.
The women all clustered on the one side should have been our cue, but I did not get it until this brother offered to find seats for Ed and I – separate from the women. Haven’t had that experience since Stumptown did it for old time’s sake at their anniversary.
There hymnals were the blue Church Hymnal, The Mennonite Hymnery and Zion’s praises. The second is produced by the Church of Christ Mennonite, known as the Haldemans, a bit like Beachy Amish. The latter is published by and Aaron weaver from Ephrata. The latter two are mostly gospel songs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The young man opening the service said they would primarily be using Zion’s Praises. He chose and led the first three songs and then another young man who appeared Hispanic led three and another brother led three. Next there was an intermission in which another brother talked about and illustrated how some hymns or parts would go on being sung in heaven and others would no longer be appropriate. Interesting!
After that various it was opened for the congregation to select songs. Usually the selector would say something like, “Will someone please lead number…..” Occasionally the individually would lead it themselves. The songs were led without much zest. Many of these were songs that needed to have some zip added to them. They used the traditional pitch pipe, and mostly looked down at his book with little eye contact with the audience. Rhoda and I were both dying to get up and lead them, but of course we knew that could never work. But it was a joy to sing with them. We even learned a few new ones. Some were old ones we had not heard for perhaps 50 years. However, all were Gospel songs. Not one Wesley, Watts, Luther or john Newton hymns were sung, nor any Mennonite hymns.
Neither Rhoda nor Miriam had any dresses along – anathema. Ed and I would not have appeared too far out of line – I guess. All the men wore white shirts and dark colored pants. I never was in group/congregation where everyone was dressed so identical. Some of the older women wore solid light grey dresses. Others wore a light blue with a small figure. Even the young girls with out coverings wore cape dresses. And each of these had two braids hanging down the back. Back in our more conservative years there were different styles with some pushing clothing patterns to the edge of our regulations. Here, everyone seemed to be in line. Even the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of Lancaster County are not that cookie cutter patterned. Their rules seem to be tightly held to.
Afterwards all of us were surrounded, women on their side and men with Ed and I. We discovered that over half of these people had migrated from Lancaster County to Paraquay in the early sixties. Many of them moved back to this Kentucky area about ten years ago because some of the women told Rhoda and Miriam it was becoming dangerous to live there because of crime. Others have chosen to remain. Some of these people have intermarried with Mennonites of Russian descent.
It did not go long until the Burkholder brother wanted to know if my theology has changed through the years. I said I was not clear what he meant. Do you believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures? That was not difficult to respond to. Then he wanted to know how I felt about homosexuality. I said I did not think that is appropriate behavior. He seemed pleased and I was grateful to be pushed no further. Next he wanted to know my feelings about women in leadership in the church. I told him I believe women should be allowed to do whatever they have gifts to do. He shook his head and looked sad.
Then the Martin brother wanted to know if I knew John Ruth. I told him we were on an Anabaptist tour of Europe with him in 1984. “Then you would call yourself an Anabaptist?” Wow! Very much so I replied. Well how do you deal with not being conformed to the world, he asked? I said it is important to dress simply but I see no need to have that legislated to a certain pattern. He said no more about that but mentioned something about the covering but asked no more about it, thankfully. Next he wanted to know whether I approved of divorce. Well no. But he wasn’t finished. Do you have divorced and remarried persons in your congregation? Yes. Then he pulled up his Bible and wondered how we could do that when Jesus said that is adultery. I was now over my head. I indicated that we need to accept and take people where they are at. It went a few more rounds.
Ed was tested and tried too but not quite as harshly as I. They had learned I was a pastor because of association with Aquila Reihl years ago in NYC whom they knew. So they socked it to me.
The women were not pushed on anything. They just had nice friendly conversations. Obviously women have little if any observable part in the church. Not one woman selected a hymn. However, the men were poor leaders and as soon as they had started it the women seemed to be the ones carrying it along.
As we were leaving on couple came to the MH and expressed appreciation for our presence. Rhoda noted how many songs about heaven were sung. The women quickly noted that those were important to them as they had a ten year daughter in heaven from a freak swing accident two years ago on a visit to PA for a reunion. They both shared their pain. I noted that the figures showed that 80-90% of couples losing young children divorce. They shared tat it was tough on their marriage but hey leaned on the Lord. I told them that the strength of the Mennonite understanding of faith in Christ is that the church is a community who lean on Jesus in each other. They seemed to resonate with that. This was one of the better touches with this group.
On the way home we had a lot of discussion. Even though it was late we decided to have our usual nightly bowl of popcorn – a nice Longenecker tradition – to further process the evening’s events. Wow!
Lord may you deliver me from trying to set people straight as these folks tried to do to us tonight. Certainly if corrections are needed in others lives the Holy Spirit can be depended on to do that with little of my aid. At least meaningful relationships should be established before such correcting. I guess they honestly believe that God is calling them to do this. I’m sure they see us as an embarrassment to the name Mennonite and perhaps I view them similarly. I want our churches to be welcoming communities to all people, even to sinners like me who have so often missed the boat. Let the sinners come in. Jesus can cope with them. He did/does with me.
Well, this experience will provide many more hours of discussion and digesting as we roll along.
Monday 30. It was after six when we got up today and soon after 7:30 when the bikers hit the road. We pulled out about 45 minutes later and soon passed them. We shopped for groceries and Miriam’s prescription at a Wal*Mart, arriving at our campground right in downtown Corydon, Indiana. We are now back on Eastern Time for the remainder of the tour.
It is a hot day and the campground has little shade, so for the first time we are running the AC.
Bykered & Co.
We pulled out about eleven and had a very uneventful trip to Sturgis, Kentucky. A Food Giant supermarket gave us permission to stay in a corner of their lot. We napped and read this afternoon.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab seats, etc. to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow.
This afternoon they had what could be called a miracle. They stopped at a Texaco station to gas-up the bike – well, no not exactly, it was to ask directions to the bike shop. The clerk said oh it is at least five miles on the other side of town. Someone else in the station said that is a great shop. A woman customer overheard and said he is my brother and I’ll give him a call. She promptly announced that her brother the owner will be right over. He was there in 10 minutes and loaded up the bike. He said I’ll take you to my house which is near here because he also has equipment at the house. At the house he repaired the broken spoke and trued the both front and back wheels. He also checked the tires, shifting and brakes. He loves working at bikes. He worked three years in a factory making bike wheels. And then he said there is no charge but Ed gave him thirty dollars which he did not refuse. Then he said he would take them part way out of town past the traffic but just kept going. Ed asked what he was doing. He said he was just going to take them right to their camp. What a blessing he was. We estimated that he was not much older than 25. What an angel.
Today several times we passed under or over what looked a bit like a conveyor belt which ran for miles across the beautiful fields. When I got to what appeared to be a farm supply store I pulled in. When I walked in the man at the door queried, “You want Propane?” I had parked beside the propane tank. When I said no the half dozen other guys laughed and kidded the first man. I asked how big a bet they had. They joked some more. I told them I was a former farmer and curious about what the were growing in this community. They said primarily corn and soybeans with some tobacco. Then I asked about the conveyor like thing snaking across the country. One man said it is a coal tipple bringing coal from the fields quite some distance and taking it to the barges on the Ohio River. Another said no, it is taking it from the barges to the power plant. At least I learned it is moving coal to one place or another and truly a conveyor.
Some interesting comments along the way; In Mobile a man told Ed, I have a good psychiatrist you should see for riding that far. At a McDonalds there were a number of older guys one of whom bikes a bit who said about the trip, “You have more d… nerve than sense.”
So here we are relaxing this evening at Diamond Lake Resort [camp]. We plan to take two nights here so the bikers can have a day off. When we arrived I soon got on the computer with their good WiFi service, down and uploading email and adding more to the Blog.
They did about 70 miles today. The total miles finished to date are about 850 with about 1200 to go.
There was a restaurant here at this campground and we decided to enjoy their fish buffet this evening. It was very good with tilapia, shrimp, catfish and frog legs and a lot of other goodies.
Back at the mh we played several games of Rummikub. Ed and Miriam are quite competitive and Rhoda and I enjoy laughing at them. We finally called it a day at ten and hit the sack.
Saturday 28. When we could have laid in we all got up at our usual time of six. This is a day off for the bikers and we kept the breakfast to good cold cereal and hot coffee.
Ed went to the main office to download and respond to his enormous backlog of email. He was there several hours. Miriam and I listened to Cartalk and then walked around this rather large campground. There are quite a number of little lakes with many campers fishing. They are charged a fee. The owner told us he dumped 500 pound of fish in it last night. Laughing, he said he hoped each fisher caught one to keep them interested but no more.
Rhoda did her laundry and hung it out next door then vacuumed the MH. Miriam and Rhoda have been making a crock-pot of bean and ham soup. It is a day of clear blue skies and we were out enjoying it. This afternoon Ed washed the MH and Miriam and I did our needle work while chatting with the Longeneckers. What a beautiful day. By evening it began to get rather cool. Ed reminded us that it will likely be this way the entire trip as we move along with spring moving north. We noticed that the tulips are about finished here. It is a continuous change of vegetation.
At six we listened to a great Prairie Home Companion from Columbus, GA.
After supper outside we decided to have our worship by ourselves since we will not be attending worship anywhere tomorrow. We sang a lot of great hymns and often shared what their messages meant to each other – sang until my voice had had it. Then I shared the message I gave in West Bethany on Palm Sunday and we talked about it. This was the one John Kraybill said was the best he ever heard me preach. We sacked out at 10:30; a nice relaxing day, change of pace.
Sunday 29. We had our breakfast and were on the road by 7:30 taking bike and bikers with us the some 10 miles from camp to the east side of Owensboro, KY. We then shopped at a Wal*Mart. It seemed exceptionally large and new. But the Pharmacy was still closed.
On we went following Miss Annie of GPS over some beautiful scenic back roads off and on beside the Great Ohio River. We stopped several places to watch locks and tugboats. What a waterway.
I felt disappointed going past many churches and not having that larger shared worship experience.
This vehicle is a honey to operate. It is a Winnebago model View. It is mounted on a Dodge Sprinter Chassis with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine. It has been getting about 18 MPG. It handles just great.
About 11:30 when we turned a corner I told Miriam that building with those many full size vans looks like an Old Order Mennonite church. A couple miles down the road we became confused about the road and turned right, and right there was a mailbox with “Burkholder” on it. No one was home so I left a little card with my name and where we would be. Then we retraced our steps. When we arrived at the corner again there was a sign with Mennonite Church on it. Some folks were coming out and identified myself to a man and told him I had seen the name Burkholder on the mailbox. I was informed he was there and would be glad to see me. This individual’s name was Gehman and his folks moved to Paraguay from Lancaster County when he was about five. He married a woman of Russian Mennonite origin. I asked if he knew Aquila Reihl. He said he does and he his well and sharp as a tack. He invited us for lunch but we decided we had better head for the campsite. I told this man that it was a joy to see Mennonites here. I further said that even though we may have our differences there is a deep sense in which we feel part of one another. He feebly agreed.
This time we found it. No services. So this will be “boon docking.” For those not in the know, that is when an RV parks at a site where no water, sewer or electric are available and a generator and tanked water are used as needed.
Soon after we parked the Burkholder family arrived. We already had a sandwich lunch. His father moved to Goshen, IN when he was a boy. However, he wanted to know if we knew a John Rudy? Sure, we both go to Forest Hills. He said John’s wife Lucy’s sister was is mother – if I have it straight. He invited us to a hymn sing tonight. Later when Ed called, he said, sure lets do it.
We had the delicious salmon chowder that Miriam makes, sacked out a bit and then hiked a bit in the woods thinking we would soon reach the mighty Ohio River. It turned out to be much farther away than the tug boats sounded.
We tried to dress as appropriately as we knew how for this evening’s service with this conservative Mennonite group. We arrived about 7:15 and they warmly welcomed us in. Inside the door the woman took us in all the ladies were standing and the men on the other side of the room. They soon got caught up in trying to make various kinds of family connections. One man and woman were bother and sister to the man who runs Akron Pretzel Bakery and there were other scattered persons we knew in common with them.
The women all clustered on the one side should have been our cue, but I did not get it until this brother offered to find seats for Ed and I – separate from the women. Haven’t had that experience since Stumptown did it for old time’s sake at their anniversary.
There hymnals were the blue Church Hymnal, The Mennonite Hymnery and Zion’s praises. The second is produced by the Church of Christ Mennonite, known as the Haldemans, a bit like Beachy Amish. The latter is published by and Aaron weaver from Ephrata. The latter two are mostly gospel songs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The young man opening the service said they would primarily be using Zion’s Praises. He chose and led the first three songs and then another young man who appeared Hispanic led three and another brother led three. Next there was an intermission in which another brother talked about and illustrated how some hymns or parts would go on being sung in heaven and others would no longer be appropriate. Interesting!
After that various it was opened for the congregation to select songs. Usually the selector would say something like, “Will someone please lead number…..” Occasionally the individually would lead it themselves. The songs were led without much zest. Many of these were songs that needed to have some zip added to them. They used the traditional pitch pipe, and mostly looked down at his book with little eye contact with the audience. Rhoda and I were both dying to get up and lead them, but of course we knew that could never work. But it was a joy to sing with them. We even learned a few new ones. Some were old ones we had not heard for perhaps 50 years. However, all were Gospel songs. Not one Wesley, Watts, Luther or john Newton hymns were sung, nor any Mennonite hymns.
Neither Rhoda nor Miriam had any dresses along – anathema. Ed and I would not have appeared too far out of line – I guess. All the men wore white shirts and dark colored pants. I never was in group/congregation where everyone was dressed so identical. Some of the older women wore solid light grey dresses. Others wore a light blue with a small figure. Even the young girls with out coverings wore cape dresses. And each of these had two braids hanging down the back. Back in our more conservative years there were different styles with some pushing clothing patterns to the edge of our regulations. Here, everyone seemed to be in line. Even the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of Lancaster County are not that cookie cutter patterned. Their rules seem to be tightly held to.
Afterwards all of us were surrounded, women on their side and men with Ed and I. We discovered that over half of these people had migrated from Lancaster County to Paraquay in the early sixties. Many of them moved back to this Kentucky area about ten years ago because some of the women told Rhoda and Miriam it was becoming dangerous to live there because of crime. Others have chosen to remain. Some of these people have intermarried with Mennonites of Russian descent.
It did not go long until the Burkholder brother wanted to know if my theology has changed through the years. I said I was not clear what he meant. Do you believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures? That was not difficult to respond to. Then he wanted to know how I felt about homosexuality. I said I did not think that is appropriate behavior. He seemed pleased and I was grateful to be pushed no further. Next he wanted to know my feelings about women in leadership in the church. I told him I believe women should be allowed to do whatever they have gifts to do. He shook his head and looked sad.
Then the Martin brother wanted to know if I knew John Ruth. I told him we were on an Anabaptist tour of Europe with him in 1984. “Then you would call yourself an Anabaptist?” Wow! Very much so I replied. Well how do you deal with not being conformed to the world, he asked? I said it is important to dress simply but I see no need to have that legislated to a certain pattern. He said no more about that but mentioned something about the covering but asked no more about it, thankfully. Next he wanted to know whether I approved of divorce. Well no. But he wasn’t finished. Do you have divorced and remarried persons in your congregation? Yes. Then he pulled up his Bible and wondered how we could do that when Jesus said that is adultery. I was now over my head. I indicated that we need to accept and take people where they are at. It went a few more rounds.
Ed was tested and tried too but not quite as harshly as I. They had learned I was a pastor because of association with Aquila Reihl years ago in NYC whom they knew. So they socked it to me.
The women were not pushed on anything. They just had nice friendly conversations. Obviously women have little if any observable part in the church. Not one woman selected a hymn. However, the men were poor leaders and as soon as they had started it the women seemed to be the ones carrying it along.
As we were leaving on couple came to the MH and expressed appreciation for our presence. Rhoda noted how many songs about heaven were sung. The women quickly noted that those were important to them as they had a ten year daughter in heaven from a freak swing accident two years ago on a visit to PA for a reunion. They both shared their pain. I noted that the figures showed that 80-90% of couples losing young children divorce. They shared tat it was tough on their marriage but hey leaned on the Lord. I told them that the strength of the Mennonite understanding of faith in Christ is that the church is a community who lean on Jesus in each other. They seemed to resonate with that. This was one of the better touches with this group.
On the way home we had a lot of discussion. Even though it was late we decided to have our usual nightly bowl of popcorn – a nice Longenecker tradition – to further process the evening’s events. Wow!
Lord may you deliver me from trying to set people straight as these folks tried to do to us tonight. Certainly if corrections are needed in others lives the Holy Spirit can be depended on to do that with little of my aid. At least meaningful relationships should be established before such correcting. I guess they honestly believe that God is calling them to do this. I’m sure they see us as an embarrassment to the name Mennonite and perhaps I view them similarly. I want our churches to be welcoming communities to all people, even to sinners like me who have so often missed the boat. Let the sinners come in. Jesus can cope with them. He did/does with me.
Well, this experience will provide many more hours of discussion and digesting as we roll along.
Monday 30. It was after six when we got up today and soon after 7:30 when the bikers hit the road. We pulled out about 45 minutes later and soon passed them. We shopped for groceries and Miriam’s prescription at a Wal*Mart, arriving at our campground right in downtown Corydon, Indiana. We are now back on Eastern Time for the remainder of the tour.
It is a hot day and the campground has little shade, so for the first time we are running the AC.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab seats, etc. to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow.
This afternoon they had what could be called a miracle. They stopped at a Texaco station to gas-up the bike – well, no not exactly, it was to ask directions to the bike shop. The clerk said oh it is at least five miles on the other side of town. Someone else in the station said that is a great shop. A woman customer overheard and said he is my brother and I’ll give him a call. She promptly announced that her brother the owner will be right over. He was there in 10 minutes and loaded up the bike. He said I’ll take you to my house which is near here because he also has equipment at the house. At the house he repaired the broken spoke and trued the both front and back wheels. He also checked the tires, shifting and brakes. He loves working at bikes. He worked three years in a factory making bike wheels. And then he said there is no charge but Ed gave him thirty dollars which he did not refuse. Then he said he would take them part way out of town past the traffic but just kept going. Ed asked what he was doing. He said he was just going to take them right to their camp. What a blessing he was. We estimated that he was not much older than 25. What an angel.
Today several times we passed under or over what looked a bit like a conveyor belt which ran for miles across the beautiful fields. When I got to what appeared to be a farm supply store I pulled in. When I walked in the man at the door queried, “You want Propane?” I had parked beside the propane tank. When I said no the half dozen other guys laughed and kidded the first man. I asked how big a bet they had. They joked some more. I told them I was a former farmer and curious about what the were growing in this community. They said primarily corn and soybeans with some tobacco. Then I asked about the conveyor like thing snaking across the country. One man said it is a coal tipple bringing coal from the fields quite some distance and taking it to the barges on the Ohio River. Another said no, it is taking it from the barges to the power plant. At least I learned it is moving coal to one place or another and truly a conveyor.
Some interesting comments along the way; In Mobile a man told Ed, I have a good psychiatrist you should see for riding that far. At a McDonalds there were a number of older guys one of whom bikes a bit who said about the trip, “You have more d… nerve than sense.”
So here we are relaxing this evening at Diamond Lake Resort [camp]. We plan to take two nights here so the bikers can have a day off. When we arrived I soon got on the computer with their good WiFi service, down and uploading email and adding more to the Blog.
They did about 70 miles today. The total miles finished to date are about 850 with about 1200 to go.
There was a restaurant here at this campground and we decided to enjoy their fish buffet this evening. It was very good with tilapia, shrimp, catfish and frog legs and a lot of other goodies.
Back at the mh we played several games of Rummikub. Ed and Miriam are quite competitive and Rhoda and I enjoy laughing at them. We finally called it a day at ten and hit the sack.
Saturday 28. When we could have laid in we all got up at our usual time of six. This is a day off for the bikers and we kept the breakfast to good cold cereal and hot coffee.
Ed went to the main office to download and respond to his enormous backlog of email. He was there several hours. Miriam and I listened to Cartalk and then walked around this rather large campground. There are quite a number of little lakes with many campers fishing. They are charged a fee. The owner told us he dumped 500 pound of fish in it last night. Laughing, he said he hoped each fisher caught one to keep them interested but no more.
Rhoda did her laundry and hung it out next door then vacuumed the MH. Miriam and Rhoda have been making a crock-pot of bean and ham soup. It is a day of clear blue skies and we were out enjoying it. This afternoon Ed washed the MH and Miriam and I did our needle work while chatting with the Longeneckers. What a beautiful day. By evening it began to get rather cool. Ed reminded us that it will likely be this way the entire trip as we move along with spring moving north. We noticed that the tulips are about finished here. It is a continuous change of vegetation.
At six we listened to a great Prairie Home Companion from Columbus, GA.
After supper outside we decided to have our worship by ourselves since we will not be attending worship anywhere tomorrow. We sang a lot of great hymns and often shared what their messages meant to each other – sang until my voice had had it. Then I shared the message I gave in West Bethany on Palm Sunday and we talked about it. This was the one John Kraybill said was the best he ever heard me preach. We sacked out at 10:30; a nice relaxing day, change of pace.
Sunday 29. We had our breakfast and were on the road by 7:30 taking bike and bikers with us the some 10 miles from camp to the east side of Owensboro, KY. We then shopped at a Wal*Mart. It seemed exceptionally large and new. But the Pharmacy was still closed.
On we went following Miss Annie of GPS over some beautiful scenic back roads off and on beside the Great Ohio River. We stopped several places to watch locks and tugboats. What a waterway.
I felt disappointed going past many churches and not having that larger shared worship experience.
This vehicle is a honey to operate. It is a Winnebago model View. It is mounted on a Dodge Sprinter Chassis with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine. It has been getting about 18 MPG. It handles just great.
About 11:30 when we turned a corner I told Miriam that building with those many full size vans looks like an Old Order Mennonite church. A couple miles down the road we became confused about the road and turned right, and right there was a mailbox with “Burkholder” on it. No one was home so I left a little card with my name and where we would be. Then we retraced our steps. When we arrived at the corner again there was a sign with Mennonite Church on it. Some folks were coming out and identified myself to a man and told him I had seen the name Burkholder on the mailbox. I was informed he was there and would be glad to see me. This individual’s name was Gehman and his folks moved to Paraguay from Lancaster County when he was about five. He married a woman of Russian Mennonite origin. I asked if he knew Aquila Reihl. He said he does and he his well and sharp as a tack. He invited us for lunch but we decided we had better head for the campsite. I told this man that it was a joy to see Mennonites here. I further said that even though we may have our differences there is a deep sense in which we feel part of one another. He feebly agreed.
This time we found it. No services. So this will be “boon docking.” For those not in the know, that is when an RV parks at a site where no water, sewer or electric are available and a generator and tanked water are used as needed.
Soon after we parked the Burkholder family arrived. We already had a sandwich lunch. His father moved to Goshen, IN when he was a boy. However, he wanted to know if we knew a John Rudy? Sure, we both go to Forest Hills. He said John’s wife Lucy’s sister was is mother – if I have it straight. He invited us to a hymn sing tonight. Later when Ed called, he said, sure lets do it.
We had the delicious salmon chowder that Miriam makes, sacked out a bit and then hiked a bit in the woods thinking we would soon reach the mighty Ohio River. It turned out to be much farther away than the tug boats sounded.
We tried to dress as appropriately as we knew how for this evening’s service with this conservative Mennonite group. We arrived about 7:15 and they warmly welcomed us in. Inside the door the woman took us in all the ladies were standing and the men on the other side of the room. They soon got caught up in trying to make various kinds of family connections. One man and woman were bother and sister to the man who runs Akron Pretzel Bakery and there were other scattered persons we knew in common with them.
The women all clustered on the one side should have been our cue, but I did not get it until this brother offered to find seats for Ed and I – separate from the women. Haven’t had that experience since Stumptown did it for old time’s sake at their anniversary.
There hymnals were the blue Church Hymnal, The Mennonite Hymnery and Zion’s praises. The second is produced by the Church of Christ Mennonite, known as the Haldemans, a bit like Beachy Amish. The latter is published by and Aaron weaver from Ephrata. The latter two are mostly gospel songs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The young man opening the service said they would primarily be using Zion’s Praises. He chose and led the first three songs and then another young man who appeared Hispanic led three and another brother led three. Next there was an intermission in which another brother talked about and illustrated how some hymns or parts would go on being sung in heaven and others would no longer be appropriate. Interesting!
After that various it was opened for the congregation to select songs. Usually the selector would say something like, “Will someone please lead number…..” Occasionally the individually would lead it themselves. The songs were led without much zest. Many of these were songs that needed to have some zip added to them. They used the traditional pitch pipe, and mostly looked down at his book with little eye contact with the audience. Rhoda and I were both dying to get up and lead them, but of course we knew that could never work. But it was a joy to sing with them. We even learned a few new ones. Some were old ones we had not heard for perhaps 50 years. However, all were Gospel songs. Not one Wesley, Watts, Luther or john Newton hymns were sung, nor any Mennonite hymns.
Neither Rhoda nor Miriam had any dresses along – anathema. Ed and I would not have appeared too far out of line – I guess. All the men wore white shirts and dark colored pants. I never was in group/congregation where everyone was dressed so identical. Some of the older women wore solid light grey dresses. Others wore a light blue with a small figure. Even the young girls with out coverings wore cape dresses. And each of these had two braids hanging down the back. Back in our more conservative years there were different styles with some pushing clothing patterns to the edge of our regulations. Here, everyone seemed to be in line. Even the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of Lancaster County are not that cookie cutter patterned. Their rules seem to be tightly held to.
Afterwards all of us were surrounded, women on their side and men with Ed and I. We discovered that over half of these people had migrated from Lancaster County to Paraquay in the early sixties. Many of them moved back to this Kentucky area about ten years ago because some of the women told Rhoda and Miriam it was becoming dangerous to live there because of crime. Others have chosen to remain. Some of these people have intermarried with Mennonites of Russian descent.
It did not go long until the Burkholder brother wanted to know if my theology has changed through the years. I said I was not clear what he meant. Do you believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures? That was not difficult to respond to. Then he wanted to know how I felt about homosexuality. I said I did not think that is appropriate behavior. He seemed pleased and I was grateful to be pushed no further. Next he wanted to know my feelings about women in leadership in the church. I told him I believe women should be allowed to do whatever they have gifts to do. He shook his head and looked sad.
Then the Martin brother wanted to know if I knew John Ruth. I told him we were on an Anabaptist tour of Europe with him in 1984. “Then you would call yourself an Anabaptist?” Wow! Very much so I replied. Well how do you deal with not being conformed to the world, he asked? I said it is important to dress simply but I see no need to have that legislated to a certain pattern. He said no more about that but mentioned something about the covering but asked no more about it, thankfully. Next he wanted to know whether I approved of divorce. Well no. But he wasn’t finished. Do you have divorced and remarried persons in your congregation? Yes. Then he pulled up his Bible and wondered how we could do that when Jesus said that is adultery. I was now over my head. I indicated that we need to accept and take people where they are at. It went a few more rounds.
Ed was tested and tried too but not quite as harshly as I. They had learned I was a pastor because of association with Aquila Reihl years ago in NYC whom they knew. So they socked it to me.
The women were not pushed on anything. They just had nice friendly conversations. Obviously women have little if any observable part in the church. Not one woman selected a hymn. However, the men were poor leaders and as soon as they had started it the women seemed to be the ones carrying it along.
As we were leaving on couple came to the MH and expressed appreciation for our presence. Rhoda noted how many songs about heaven were sung. The women quickly noted that those were important to them as they had a ten year daughter in heaven from a freak swing accident two years ago on a visit to PA for a reunion. They both shared their pain. I noted that the figures showed that 80-90% of couples losing young children divorce. They shared tat it was tough on their marriage but hey leaned on the Lord. I told them that the strength of the Mennonite understanding of faith in Christ is that the church is a community who lean on Jesus in each other. They seemed to resonate with that. This was one of the better touches with this group.
On the way home we had a lot of discussion. Even though it was late we decided to have our usual nightly bowl of popcorn – a nice Longenecker tradition – to further process the evening’s events. Wow!
Lord may you deliver me from trying to set people straight as these folks tried to do to us tonight. Certainly if corrections are needed in others lives the Holy Spirit can be depended on to do that with little of my aid. At least meaningful relationships should be established before such correcting. I guess they honestly believe that God is calling them to do this. I’m sure they see us as an embarrassment to the name Mennonite and perhaps I view them similarly. I want our churches to be welcoming communities to all people, even to sinners like me who have so often missed the boat. Let the sinners come in. Jesus can cope with them. He did/does with me.
Well, this experience will provide many more hours of discussion and digesting as we roll along.
Monday 30. It was after six when we got up today and soon after 7:30 when the bikers hit the road. We pulled out about 45 minutes later and soon passed them. We shopped for groceries and Miriam’s prescription at a Wal*Mart, arriving at our campground right in downtown Corydon, Indiana. We are now back on Eastern Time for the remainder of the tour.
It is a hot day and the campground has little shade, so for the first time we are running the AC.
Friday, April 27, 2007
April 27
After down-loading the email and answering several, off we went through the National Forest system’s Land Between the Lakes on the Trace Highway in South Western Kentucky which we entered today. It is much like the Blue Ridge Parkway. It runs between these two major waterways that converge here; the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Both are dammed and have locks to provide a commercial waterway busy with tug boats pushing many barges. Some we saw go by at earlier campgrounds with sand, woodchips and who knows what. Several places we watched them operate at night using powerful floodlights to see the many bends in the waterway. They link Mobile, Alabama to cities in the north, and on to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. One local told us that former powerful Senator John Stennis provided Billions of federal dollars through pork barrel to accomplish the job.
All along these river waterways are locks, Corp of Engineer (COE) Campgrounds and lots of places to fish. We met persons who moved or are moving from Watertown, NY, Michigan and other states just to have good fishing. I suppose it is all good for business. We were told that they did not strictly follow the rivers and left the former river stand as lakes. It would be interesting to know the social and environmental impact.
About noon we pulled into the Grand Rivers COE at the above mentioned convergence. These waterways are enormous. The one we are sitting by, the Cumberland is at least a mile and a half wide and a half mile or less west of us is the other, the Tennessee, just as larger, maybe larger.
When we called, E&R were in the “nice little town” of Grand Rivers shopping. They had no more than 45 miles today first because the COE campground is here and the next one was too far and secondly because the past several days were longer than they wanted, 75-95 miles with some stiff hills. So it is a bit of a break today.
We showered and did a load of wash. It continues to give periods of sun and showers. So it is a relaxing evening. We continued reading our UR books.
Earlier today at a farm museum along the way they met a bus load of Amish Mennonites from Cropton, KY. They appeared to be dressed like Beachy Amish. They discovered one was a Mast. Rhoda indicated her maiden name was mast so that back some generations they had the same ancestor. E&R returned to camp about five after a delightful day in the quaint little town of Grand River. They found a great restaurant, a quilt show in process and a bicycle shop where Ed found a replacement mirror. The bike shop was closed but invited them in when he saw them.
Thursday 26. At 5:05 Ed announced there is a tug boat with barges out there. That was our alarm. We had already been awake and this was the signal to make it official. It is amazing how each morning we get up within a few minutes of six, more or less. The tug was probably a mile from us out across the waterway.
This is a neat camp site right down along the water. Yesterday several men in little boats were sitting here in the backwater fishing. I saw them catch one little fish and toss it back. I have no patience to fish. Give me a book.
Here’s a bit about our morning routine. Ed & Rhoda sleep in the bed over the cab and we in the rear bed by the bathroom – important for old people like us to have that access at night. Our capacity is no longer that of the kids up front. There is a dividing curtain. When they are appropriately attired they head for the bath house. We use the bathroom and wash bowl in the mh right by us. By the time they are out, Miriam begins cooking up the morning vitals – oatmeal, eggs or eggs & grits with sausage, etc. Rhoda & Miriam do not want their men to have the latter too often. Paul sets the table, slices the grapefruit, makes the coffee and the toast. By then E&R are ready for the works.
There is a prayer of thanks for our food and for the safety of each of us on the road. We do not want to take that for granted – so easy to do. How very good God has been to us on the road these weeks and past years.
Sometimes we sing a hymn before breakfast sometimes after. While we often sing “I Owe the Lord a Morning Song,” it is not a regular this trip. In memory of the slave days and trade we frequently sing John Newton’s “Amazing Grace.” This morning it was raining off and on and that is the forecast for the day, so they decided to sing a bit after the reading of Psalms 34 and the Rejoice reading – “Hark Ten Thousand Harps…”, “Holy God We Praise Thy Name,” and “My Life Flows On.” Oh the great joy of singing!!! Lord, I thank you for bringing me up in a tradition and family/Father that loved to praise you in song. And we don’t even need to pack and instrument with us to do it.
They finally decided to pull out about eight. The moment they began pushing the bike up the hill the rain came pelting down. They ran for the bathrooms/laundry. We did not see when they left.
We pulled out about eleven and had a very uneventful trip to Sturgis, Kentucky. A Food Giant supermarket gave us permission to stay in a corner of their lot. We napped and read this afternoon.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab and seats to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel today making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow. They will hope to get to the bike shop in Owensboro, KY tomorrow to have it repaired. If not then, Saturday. We will take two days at the camp to get a day’s break since we are ahead of schedule.
All along these river waterways are locks, Corp of Engineer (COE) Campgrounds and lots of places to fish. We met persons who moved or are moving from Watertown, NY, Michigan and other states just to have good fishing. I suppose it is all good for business. We were told that they did not strictly follow the rivers and left the former river stand as lakes. It would be interesting to know the social and environmental impact.
About noon we pulled into the Grand Rivers COE at the above mentioned convergence. These waterways are enormous. The one we are sitting by, the Cumberland is at least a mile and a half wide and a half mile or less west of us is the other, the Tennessee, just as larger, maybe larger.
When we called, E&R were in the “nice little town” of Grand Rivers shopping. They had no more than 45 miles today first because the COE campground is here and the next one was too far and secondly because the past several days were longer than they wanted, 75-95 miles with some stiff hills. So it is a bit of a break today.
We showered and did a load of wash. It continues to give periods of sun and showers. So it is a relaxing evening. We continued reading our UR books.
Earlier today at a farm museum along the way they met a bus load of Amish Mennonites from Cropton, KY. They appeared to be dressed like Beachy Amish. They discovered one was a Mast. Rhoda indicated her maiden name was mast so that back some generations they had the same ancestor. E&R returned to camp about five after a delightful day in the quaint little town of Grand River. They found a great restaurant, a quilt show in process and a bicycle shop where Ed found a replacement mirror. The bike shop was closed but invited them in when he saw them.
Thursday 26. At 5:05 Ed announced there is a tug boat with barges out there. That was our alarm. We had already been awake and this was the signal to make it official. It is amazing how each morning we get up within a few minutes of six, more or less. The tug was probably a mile from us out across the waterway.
This is a neat camp site right down along the water. Yesterday several men in little boats were sitting here in the backwater fishing. I saw them catch one little fish and toss it back. I have no patience to fish. Give me a book.
Here’s a bit about our morning routine. Ed & Rhoda sleep in the bed over the cab and we in the rear bed by the bathroom – important for old people like us to have that access at night. Our capacity is no longer that of the kids up front. There is a dividing curtain. When they are appropriately attired they head for the bath house. We use the bathroom and wash bowl in the mh right by us. By the time they are out, Miriam begins cooking up the morning vitals – oatmeal, eggs or eggs & grits with sausage, etc. Rhoda & Miriam do not want their men to have the latter too often. Paul sets the table, slices the grapefruit, makes the coffee and the toast. By then E&R are ready for the works.
There is a prayer of thanks for our food and for the safety of each of us on the road. We do not want to take that for granted – so easy to do. How very good God has been to us on the road these weeks and past years.
Sometimes we sing a hymn before breakfast sometimes after. While we often sing “I Owe the Lord a Morning Song,” it is not a regular this trip. In memory of the slave days and trade we frequently sing John Newton’s “Amazing Grace.” This morning it was raining off and on and that is the forecast for the day, so they decided to sing a bit after the reading of Psalms 34 and the Rejoice reading – “Hark Ten Thousand Harps…”, “Holy God We Praise Thy Name,” and “My Life Flows On.” Oh the great joy of singing!!! Lord, I thank you for bringing me up in a tradition and family/Father that loved to praise you in song. And we don’t even need to pack and instrument with us to do it.
They finally decided to pull out about eight. The moment they began pushing the bike up the hill the rain came pelting down. They ran for the bathrooms/laundry. We did not see when they left.
We pulled out about eleven and had a very uneventful trip to Sturgis, Kentucky. A Food Giant supermarket gave us permission to stay in a corner of their lot. We napped and read this afternoon.
E&R arrived about 4:30 quite tired from the worst of hills. Yesterday they needed to use their Granny (lowest) gear for the first time. Today it was worse, they needed to walk. But the worst was yet to come.
When Ed opened the big back door to stash things away he discovered that the wet role of outdoor carpet had leaked water over everything. Unfortunately their important papers bag had been placed back there and everything was soaked. We now have papers lying all over the front of the cab and seats to dry. If only I had double bagged that carpet. What a mess. We draped the carpet over a lamp post and the water RAN, not dripped, out of the corner.
After supper we chatted about where to meet tomorrow. Also a spoke broke on the rear wheel today making it a bit out of line. Ed released the brake a bit so that they now only have brakes on the front. He says it is not a serious problem as it is flat land tomorrow. They will hope to get to the bike shop in Owensboro, KY tomorrow to have it repaired. If not then, Saturday. We will take two days at the camp to get a day’s break since we are ahead of schedule.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Roling Along
Thursday 19 – 78th Birthday. Miriam wanted to get up to make pancakes for Longeneckers at 5:30 but I insisted she wait until six. They were very satisfied. Miriam used Rhoda’s recipe from More With Less. They were some of the best I’ve eaten.
Our reading was in Zechariah this morning. It is important to accept others where they are even though we may not agree. God takes us where we are at and works with us from there. That is a hard lesson. I need to keep learning again and again through life.
Ed & Rhoda were on the road about 7:30 with a police escort to the correct route at the end of town. They did that with each biker or group. This town certainly made a big deal of these bikers.
This town also gave us one sad perspective of race relations. When integrated education arrived the whites all opted for private or church schools. There is only one, that’s right just one white student in the towns public schools. At supper we had chatted with a professional black woman across the table. She said Ralph Abernathy was her uncle. Things are somewhat better than they were. To myself I wondered how. Both those black and white students need each other to help bring about better understanding. Well, it is still better that slavery – somewhat.
We left the school about half an hour after Ed & Rhoda (E&R). They were one of the last to leave and we soon passed them and the others tooting as we passed each one. One man became ill yesterday. He was doing a lot of coughing. He rode in the truck all day.
We stopped at a crossroads called Epps and wanted for E&R. It was called a grocery and restaurant and had gas pumps. We went in for salad dressing and olives. I told Miriam that she likely has more groceries in our house than they have to sell. E&R did get a nice chicken and biscuit, etc. Miriam had a salad ready from the left over spaghetti. It was delicious. That is good coming from a guy who is not big on spaghetti.
We found another Army Corp of Engineer’s camp ground for half price of $7 for our Golden Eagle Card. These are lovely camps. This one is also besides the Tenntom waterway that the other one was. We arrived about two and had nice showers and then sacked out for 45 minutes. It felt so good. I was awakened by E&R pulling in on their bikes singing “Happy Birthday.”
This evening E&R took us out for dinner for my 78th birthday to the Plantation Restaurant in Aliceville about tem mile south of camp. We had a wonderful black waitress. E&R told her what we are doing. We asked her about integration in Aliceville schools. She said they are fully integrated. She was surprised that the Linden schools had only one white. She was a fun person. It was a great seafood meal.
I helped Ed pack away his dried out tent.We drove around town to try to find WiFi without success. I helped Ed pack away his dried out tent. We sacked out about ten after several rounds of Password which was the first time for Ed.
Friday 20. Up at six again and had them on the road by eight after doing some work on his horse.
We did the laundry and did not leave until 10:45, the latest ever. As I pulled up to the laundry a man standing there asked if we were leaving. I told him we were as soon as we loaded the wash. He then informed me that the TV antenna was still up. I had walked all around checking before pulling out but had not looked up; unaware that anyone had watched TV. I was so grateful for that dear man.
The vegetation is interesting, especially at this time of year. When we left home the several warm days had made a few trees push buds a bit and the forsythia bloom, otherwise the trees are still bare.
In Mobile everything was green and the Azalea were finished blooming. Today we began seeing them in full bloom here in central and northern Alabama and Mississippi, the latter of which we crossed into today.
We have discovered that the Corp of Engineers parks are wonderful with electric and water hookups but no onsite dump station. There is of course a place to dump. By using our Golden Eagle National Parks card it usually costs $7 per night and $8 tonight. Wonderful! Tonight we are near Aberdeen, Mississippi. We have one more day in Mississippi then it is Tennessee.
Today was a rough day. The first 40 miles were all right. But we and many of the bikers had very difficult times following the route. Numerous times we met and asked them. Once Joy, one of leaders who earlier drove and planned the route was convinced of another way which was incorrect. Most of the confusion was in and around Columbus, MS. It was a maze. Early on when we got fuel one of the leaders was there on the phone. She said a biker had a flat and Alvin, the other leader was helping him repair it. This woman leader was calling to locate parts for Joy’s bike. Her one de-railer had broken. When she finally arrived at the park this evening she said she rode all day in one gear – Wow! The bikers came straggling in this evening from 3 p.m. to just now, 8:15 and one may still be out there.
The area we traveled through today was not nearly as desolate as the past days, with more towns and homes along the way. The previous days we sometimes drove for miles without seeing a residence or human activity other than the road.
This will apparently be our last day seeing the biker group. I will miss them. They are taking a day off tomorrow. E&R will ride and likely take off at least Sunday morning for worship at some church or perhaps we will have our own. I believe the group takes a day off per week – nice. But they may need that time for getting the de-railer part. Also we need to keep moving because of our need to be home before May 31so we have time to get to Grandson David’s June 1 HS Graduation.
E&R are spending a lot of time this evening talking to the other bikers.
Today I got the fever to have a motor home again. That cannot likely be reality. It is a great life.
We caught up with E&R about one where they and we were stymied about the directions. We arrived at Tishomingo State Park in NW Mississippi about two and had time to nap and relax. E&R arrived at four as we anticipated.
I noticed today that the trees here are not nearly as fully leafed out as further south.
Miriam made a big supper and used the barbecued pork shoulder we purchased earlier plus potatoes, green beans, and lime Jell-O with crushed pineapple. This evening it was more difficult to plan for tomorrow’s rendezvous than usual and some aspects are and will be hazy. The camp ground is iffy. Afterwards we laughed together at the DVD “My Big Fat Greek Wedding and hit the sack about ten a bit later than usual.
Sunday 22. We would not need to have gotten up so early but we are accustomed to six and were up soon after. The reading in Rejoice was quite meaningful.
We attended the 8:30 campground worship service. It was led by a Baptist brother, not surprising where at least 75 % of churches are Baptist of some sort. The next major group is the Methodists. He seemed to indicate at one point that he was using the SS Lesson. He did well with a typical warning at the end that we are headed for either heaven or hell and we need to make a decision. The Baptist services that we’ve been in through the years always close with an invitation.
After he had a closing prayer and told us we were dismissed, some nervy old white bearded guy said “We have a morning hymn that is meaningful to us and would be glad to sing it.” He apologized and said he usually asks at the beginning if anyone has something to share. So we gave our usual fine rendition of “I Owe The Lord A Morning Song.” There were sure many words of appreciation and persons wanting to know where they could get a copy of such a fine hymn. Later on the way to showers more people commented about the song.
E&R soon got their act together and were on the road by 9:15, 45 minutes earlier than expected. The service was only a half hour not and hour.
I showered; we packed up, cleaned up, unplugged, had our tea and were on the road by eleven.
We caught up with E&R about noon. Ed had a beef sandwich and both some grapes, then on they went. We had a difficult time following the bike path and finally gave up taking a shorter more direct route. We finally located a little campground right in the crossroads town of Shiloh, which left a lot to be desired. It only has 20 amp services. That is the lowest of the trip to date. He did tell us that the larger group of bikers is also coming here.
Miriam made a cake and we had time to sack out.
E&R arrived about 3:30 after a good day of travel. It was a lovely evening and we sat out after supper and called all our kids but Kevin. The service was pretty good. E&R got a kick out of listening to the conversation with Jim. After reading in my book, “Singer Paul’s Boy,” how Dean & Becky had been so helpful and kind when Miriam had her cancer he called Dean and thanked him. Neat! We also called Dan & Catherine with E&R chipping in.
The ladies walked a block to the convenience store for milk while had and I chatted. There were a lot of gold finches, blue birds and a hummingbird here. The showers and bathrooms were deplorable, especially the men’s.
WE played about three rounds of Rummikub and hit the sack at ten.
Monday 23. The beginning of week two of pedaling. It gave a couple light showers but off they went by 7:30. We did the dishes, disconnected and were on our way by 8:30. I drove up the road a block hoping that the WiFi signal would be better. No such luck. It has been a week since we have had service.
We followed their rout for some distance and then took another direction to the larger town of Parsons where we found a nice little supermarket.
From here on we were in trouble trying to follow or get back on the route. We must have gone miles out of the way today. This is really out in Appalachia. The roads were something else; twisting and turning through mountains, way up one time. At least six times we asked directions and it all seemed right for a few turns and then we messed again. We even missed the campground entrance. This is another campground that leaves much o be desired. It is hot and dry, no grass just crude rock/gravel and un-level sites, constant noise of I-40 and too expensive. The shower stalls have no place to sit to dress. Oh well, I guess there will be more days like this.
We sacked out a bit until E&R showed up at 4 p.m. They had some hard hills today and a lot of problems with dogs. Rhoda used a lot of their drinking water squirting them which really works. It was comforting to us to discover that they had a dreadful time finding the routes and asked many times also. Ed actually considered calling Alvin, leader of the other group and warning him about the need to be very careful as the routes are not well marked at all.
The weather was excellent to ride today. It was sunny, about 80.
For supper Miriam made the omelet special. She set out separate dishes of tomatoes, salsa, onions, green peppers, ham, etc. Then each of us was given a Ziploc bag with two eggs. These we squeezed and shook up. Then each one could choose form the dishes what they wanted to put in their omelet. All the air was then squeezed from the bags and placed in boiling water for 13 minutes. Un-zipped each one’s omelet tumbled right out and they were delicious. It was fun.
We watched about 90 minutes of a six hour DVD we purchased in Mobile about the history of slavery in the US. It is excellent. I learned a LOT that we never knew or heard before. It was an American Experience thing from PBS. Ed and especially Miriam had trouble staying awake. We hit the sack about 10:30.
Tuesday 24. We were up at our usual six. We never need an alarm clock. It was grits, eggs and sausages for breakfast.
They were on the road at their usual 7:30. About half an hour out Ed called and said he did not have his mirror. Would we search where he loaded the bags on the bike? We searched unsuccessfully and hoped that he might yet find it in his bag or somewhere here in the MH. However he recalled seeing it lying on the ground near the MH and planned to pick it up when his hands were free and forgot it.
Last night Ed showed me how to set the GPS and suggested we do not follow the bike route today but go directly to the campground. That worked so well today with that GPS woman telling and showing us every turn and right (actually left) into the campground. Miriam is convinced we need one for our west coast trip this summer. Perhaps! The cost is nearly $500, a lot for us.
We found a nice Wal*Mart Supercenter right on out route and had my glasses repaired. Miriam got a little rope to hang out wash.
Again, we found this another disappointing campground. There was a for sale sign on it and we needed to go to one of the campers to sign up. She took the $25 and told us to go park in any site we wished. There was not one level one. We used the plastic blocks to drive on and as expected, on the gravel the broke. The washrooms were above what we expected. We like those to be nice because a good shower after a day of pedaling is such a high priority for the bikers.
It was 79.8 miles to this campground. When we followed them to Florida in 2002 we always had fewer miles than they did on the bikes but it appears this was perhaps ten miles further.
We had a little lunch about one and sacked out for a half hour and then I did this journal. Miriam is reading the great book about the Christiana Riot; “Resistance At Christiana.” I caught up on reading the excellent material on the back of the bike maps.
Ed & Rhoda arrived about 4:30.It was some hilly riding today AND several drenching downpours. Once when it was lightening and thundering they parked the bike and headed for an open horsebarn. In the rain with a stick Ed held down one of the electrified fence wires so they could crawl through. In the barn one of the three horses, a stallion came over and began nibbling at Ed’s sleeve. He then stroke his head which the horse seemed to enjoy. They were holed up in the barn for 20-25 minutes and then on they went.
We also experienced a thunderstorm at the campground.
Since it was a week ago we decided to have dinner out tonight at the Catfish Diner next door. It was a buffet for $6:75. We are not so big on the fried stuff but the salad bar was great. It was nice to eat out again. And there was a lot of fun interaction with the waitress and a patron who enjoyed telling us his life’s story.
We had a quiet evening together with no games and no popcorn tonight. Rhoda was exhausted and wanted to go to bed so we all did. In such close quarters when one goes to bed, all do. We have reading lamps so Miriam and I read awhile. When we pulled back our bed covers SURPRISE, attached to each of our pillows were little bags of sugar free chocolates with thank you notes from Rhoda. These are two of the most thankful, grateful people we’ve ever met. How gracious of them to allow us to join them in this venture.
Wednesday 25. My didn’t it rain! Yep, off and on all night and sometimes quite heavy. But on awaking the air seemed less heavy and the sun broke through. The Rejoice Reading and Scripture in Psalms 3 was refreshing. He noted that the Boa Constricter of fear can easily choke us – fear of the hills, of concern for our children. Jesus is the one who can lift our heads above the fears.
E&R were off at their usual 7:30. We quickly unhooked and pulled out, stopping first at the little restaurant where we had dinner last night. I forgot to leave a tip – that’s not nice. A neighboring camper told us last night that there is WiFi down the road at the PigglyWiggly Grocery store. Sure enough there was excellent coverage. The last we had service was 4/18 over a week
Our reading was in Zechariah this morning. It is important to accept others where they are even though we may not agree. God takes us where we are at and works with us from there. That is a hard lesson. I need to keep learning again and again through life.
Ed & Rhoda were on the road about 7:30 with a police escort to the correct route at the end of town. They did that with each biker or group. This town certainly made a big deal of these bikers.
This town also gave us one sad perspective of race relations. When integrated education arrived the whites all opted for private or church schools. There is only one, that’s right just one white student in the towns public schools. At supper we had chatted with a professional black woman across the table. She said Ralph Abernathy was her uncle. Things are somewhat better than they were. To myself I wondered how. Both those black and white students need each other to help bring about better understanding. Well, it is still better that slavery – somewhat.
We left the school about half an hour after Ed & Rhoda (E&R). They were one of the last to leave and we soon passed them and the others tooting as we passed each one. One man became ill yesterday. He was doing a lot of coughing. He rode in the truck all day.
We stopped at a crossroads called Epps and wanted for E&R. It was called a grocery and restaurant and had gas pumps. We went in for salad dressing and olives. I told Miriam that she likely has more groceries in our house than they have to sell. E&R did get a nice chicken and biscuit, etc. Miriam had a salad ready from the left over spaghetti. It was delicious. That is good coming from a guy who is not big on spaghetti.
We found another Army Corp of Engineer’s camp ground for half price of $7 for our Golden Eagle Card. These are lovely camps. This one is also besides the Tenntom waterway that the other one was. We arrived about two and had nice showers and then sacked out for 45 minutes. It felt so good. I was awakened by E&R pulling in on their bikes singing “Happy Birthday.”
This evening E&R took us out for dinner for my 78th birthday to the Plantation Restaurant in Aliceville about tem mile south of camp. We had a wonderful black waitress. E&R told her what we are doing. We asked her about integration in Aliceville schools. She said they are fully integrated. She was surprised that the Linden schools had only one white. She was a fun person. It was a great seafood meal.
I helped Ed pack away his dried out tent.We drove around town to try to find WiFi without success. I helped Ed pack away his dried out tent. We sacked out about ten after several rounds of Password which was the first time for Ed.
Friday 20. Up at six again and had them on the road by eight after doing some work on his horse.
We did the laundry and did not leave until 10:45, the latest ever. As I pulled up to the laundry a man standing there asked if we were leaving. I told him we were as soon as we loaded the wash. He then informed me that the TV antenna was still up. I had walked all around checking before pulling out but had not looked up; unaware that anyone had watched TV. I was so grateful for that dear man.
The vegetation is interesting, especially at this time of year. When we left home the several warm days had made a few trees push buds a bit and the forsythia bloom, otherwise the trees are still bare.
In Mobile everything was green and the Azalea were finished blooming. Today we began seeing them in full bloom here in central and northern Alabama and Mississippi, the latter of which we crossed into today.
We have discovered that the Corp of Engineers parks are wonderful with electric and water hookups but no onsite dump station. There is of course a place to dump. By using our Golden Eagle National Parks card it usually costs $7 per night and $8 tonight. Wonderful! Tonight we are near Aberdeen, Mississippi. We have one more day in Mississippi then it is Tennessee.
Today was a rough day. The first 40 miles were all right. But we and many of the bikers had very difficult times following the route. Numerous times we met and asked them. Once Joy, one of leaders who earlier drove and planned the route was convinced of another way which was incorrect. Most of the confusion was in and around Columbus, MS. It was a maze. Early on when we got fuel one of the leaders was there on the phone. She said a biker had a flat and Alvin, the other leader was helping him repair it. This woman leader was calling to locate parts for Joy’s bike. Her one de-railer had broken. When she finally arrived at the park this evening she said she rode all day in one gear – Wow! The bikers came straggling in this evening from 3 p.m. to just now, 8:15 and one may still be out there.
The area we traveled through today was not nearly as desolate as the past days, with more towns and homes along the way. The previous days we sometimes drove for miles without seeing a residence or human activity other than the road.
This will apparently be our last day seeing the biker group. I will miss them. They are taking a day off tomorrow. E&R will ride and likely take off at least Sunday morning for worship at some church or perhaps we will have our own. I believe the group takes a day off per week – nice. But they may need that time for getting the de-railer part. Also we need to keep moving because of our need to be home before May 31so we have time to get to Grandson David’s June 1 HS Graduation.
E&R are spending a lot of time this evening talking to the other bikers.
Today I got the fever to have a motor home again. That cannot likely be reality. It is a great life.
We caught up with E&R about one where they and we were stymied about the directions. We arrived at Tishomingo State Park in NW Mississippi about two and had time to nap and relax. E&R arrived at four as we anticipated.
I noticed today that the trees here are not nearly as fully leafed out as further south.
Miriam made a big supper and used the barbecued pork shoulder we purchased earlier plus potatoes, green beans, and lime Jell-O with crushed pineapple. This evening it was more difficult to plan for tomorrow’s rendezvous than usual and some aspects are and will be hazy. The camp ground is iffy. Afterwards we laughed together at the DVD “My Big Fat Greek Wedding and hit the sack about ten a bit later than usual.
Sunday 22. We would not need to have gotten up so early but we are accustomed to six and were up soon after. The reading in Rejoice was quite meaningful.
We attended the 8:30 campground worship service. It was led by a Baptist brother, not surprising where at least 75 % of churches are Baptist of some sort. The next major group is the Methodists. He seemed to indicate at one point that he was using the SS Lesson. He did well with a typical warning at the end that we are headed for either heaven or hell and we need to make a decision. The Baptist services that we’ve been in through the years always close with an invitation.
After he had a closing prayer and told us we were dismissed, some nervy old white bearded guy said “We have a morning hymn that is meaningful to us and would be glad to sing it.” He apologized and said he usually asks at the beginning if anyone has something to share. So we gave our usual fine rendition of “I Owe The Lord A Morning Song.” There were sure many words of appreciation and persons wanting to know where they could get a copy of such a fine hymn. Later on the way to showers more people commented about the song.
E&R soon got their act together and were on the road by 9:15, 45 minutes earlier than expected. The service was only a half hour not and hour.
I showered; we packed up, cleaned up, unplugged, had our tea and were on the road by eleven.
We caught up with E&R about noon. Ed had a beef sandwich and both some grapes, then on they went. We had a difficult time following the bike path and finally gave up taking a shorter more direct route. We finally located a little campground right in the crossroads town of Shiloh, which left a lot to be desired. It only has 20 amp services. That is the lowest of the trip to date. He did tell us that the larger group of bikers is also coming here.
Miriam made a cake and we had time to sack out.
E&R arrived about 3:30 after a good day of travel. It was a lovely evening and we sat out after supper and called all our kids but Kevin. The service was pretty good. E&R got a kick out of listening to the conversation with Jim. After reading in my book, “Singer Paul’s Boy,” how Dean & Becky had been so helpful and kind when Miriam had her cancer he called Dean and thanked him. Neat! We also called Dan & Catherine with E&R chipping in.
The ladies walked a block to the convenience store for milk while had and I chatted. There were a lot of gold finches, blue birds and a hummingbird here. The showers and bathrooms were deplorable, especially the men’s.
WE played about three rounds of Rummikub and hit the sack at ten.
Monday 23. The beginning of week two of pedaling. It gave a couple light showers but off they went by 7:30. We did the dishes, disconnected and were on our way by 8:30. I drove up the road a block hoping that the WiFi signal would be better. No such luck. It has been a week since we have had service.
We followed their rout for some distance and then took another direction to the larger town of Parsons where we found a nice little supermarket.
From here on we were in trouble trying to follow or get back on the route. We must have gone miles out of the way today. This is really out in Appalachia. The roads were something else; twisting and turning through mountains, way up one time. At least six times we asked directions and it all seemed right for a few turns and then we messed again. We even missed the campground entrance. This is another campground that leaves much o be desired. It is hot and dry, no grass just crude rock/gravel and un-level sites, constant noise of I-40 and too expensive. The shower stalls have no place to sit to dress. Oh well, I guess there will be more days like this.
We sacked out a bit until E&R showed up at 4 p.m. They had some hard hills today and a lot of problems with dogs. Rhoda used a lot of their drinking water squirting them which really works. It was comforting to us to discover that they had a dreadful time finding the routes and asked many times also. Ed actually considered calling Alvin, leader of the other group and warning him about the need to be very careful as the routes are not well marked at all.
The weather was excellent to ride today. It was sunny, about 80.
For supper Miriam made the omelet special. She set out separate dishes of tomatoes, salsa, onions, green peppers, ham, etc. Then each of us was given a Ziploc bag with two eggs. These we squeezed and shook up. Then each one could choose form the dishes what they wanted to put in their omelet. All the air was then squeezed from the bags and placed in boiling water for 13 minutes. Un-zipped each one’s omelet tumbled right out and they were delicious. It was fun.
We watched about 90 minutes of a six hour DVD we purchased in Mobile about the history of slavery in the US. It is excellent. I learned a LOT that we never knew or heard before. It was an American Experience thing from PBS. Ed and especially Miriam had trouble staying awake. We hit the sack about 10:30.
Tuesday 24. We were up at our usual six. We never need an alarm clock. It was grits, eggs and sausages for breakfast.
They were on the road at their usual 7:30. About half an hour out Ed called and said he did not have his mirror. Would we search where he loaded the bags on the bike? We searched unsuccessfully and hoped that he might yet find it in his bag or somewhere here in the MH. However he recalled seeing it lying on the ground near the MH and planned to pick it up when his hands were free and forgot it.
Last night Ed showed me how to set the GPS and suggested we do not follow the bike route today but go directly to the campground. That worked so well today with that GPS woman telling and showing us every turn and right (actually left) into the campground. Miriam is convinced we need one for our west coast trip this summer. Perhaps! The cost is nearly $500, a lot for us.
We found a nice Wal*Mart Supercenter right on out route and had my glasses repaired. Miriam got a little rope to hang out wash.
Again, we found this another disappointing campground. There was a for sale sign on it and we needed to go to one of the campers to sign up. She took the $25 and told us to go park in any site we wished. There was not one level one. We used the plastic blocks to drive on and as expected, on the gravel the broke. The washrooms were above what we expected. We like those to be nice because a good shower after a day of pedaling is such a high priority for the bikers.
It was 79.8 miles to this campground. When we followed them to Florida in 2002 we always had fewer miles than they did on the bikes but it appears this was perhaps ten miles further.
We had a little lunch about one and sacked out for a half hour and then I did this journal. Miriam is reading the great book about the Christiana Riot; “Resistance At Christiana.” I caught up on reading the excellent material on the back of the bike maps.
Ed & Rhoda arrived about 4:30.It was some hilly riding today AND several drenching downpours. Once when it was lightening and thundering they parked the bike and headed for an open horsebarn. In the rain with a stick Ed held down one of the electrified fence wires so they could crawl through. In the barn one of the three horses, a stallion came over and began nibbling at Ed’s sleeve. He then stroke his head which the horse seemed to enjoy. They were holed up in the barn for 20-25 minutes and then on they went.
We also experienced a thunderstorm at the campground.
Since it was a week ago we decided to have dinner out tonight at the Catfish Diner next door. It was a buffet for $6:75. We are not so big on the fried stuff but the salad bar was great. It was nice to eat out again. And there was a lot of fun interaction with the waitress and a patron who enjoyed telling us his life’s story.
We had a quiet evening together with no games and no popcorn tonight. Rhoda was exhausted and wanted to go to bed so we all did. In such close quarters when one goes to bed, all do. We have reading lamps so Miriam and I read awhile. When we pulled back our bed covers SURPRISE, attached to each of our pillows were little bags of sugar free chocolates with thank you notes from Rhoda. These are two of the most thankful, grateful people we’ve ever met. How gracious of them to allow us to join them in this venture.
Wednesday 25. My didn’t it rain! Yep, off and on all night and sometimes quite heavy. But on awaking the air seemed less heavy and the sun broke through. The Rejoice Reading and Scripture in Psalms 3 was refreshing. He noted that the Boa Constricter of fear can easily choke us – fear of the hills, of concern for our children. Jesus is the one who can lift our heads above the fears.
E&R were off at their usual 7:30. We quickly unhooked and pulled out, stopping first at the little restaurant where we had dinner last night. I forgot to leave a tip – that’s not nice. A neighboring camper told us last night that there is WiFi down the road at the PigglyWiggly Grocery store. Sure enough there was excellent coverage. The last we had service was 4/18 over a week
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
One Week
Thursday 12. THE BIG DAY. We were up at six had our breakfast and began getting things ready for Ed & Rhoda’s coming.
Ed & Rhoda arrived at 10:05. We had everything ready by nine. It did not take long to pack it in. We did not have too much stuff and there was still more room. We were on the road by 11. Hallelujah!
We went out US 30 and down US 15 until near Farmersville. On 15 North West of Washington, D.C. we stopped and ate a good soup that Rhoda had ready. Near Farmersville, Virginia we stopped at a nice little restaurant for supper.
Then it was back roads to Ed & Rhoda’s daughter Sharon & Marvin Fisher and their soon to be seven children. They are a delightful caring family. They home school and live on a large farm. Marvin has a dry-walling business in addition to his cattle raising.
We were in bed by 10. It was our first night sleeping in the motor home. It was a miserable night. I don’t know if we can adjust to this bed or not. By morning it became quite cold and I pulled down another blanket.
Friday 13TH.
The Fishers made us a huge breakfast. We said our warm goodbyes and were on the road by 8:30.
Our travels were uneventful. The little electronic GPS road guide showing us and telling us each turn is quite interesting. We had lunch of Rhoda’s sandwiches, etc. at a rest stop. This evening we are in a nice KOA campground near Anderson, S.C.
I was terribly tired this evening and wondered if I will be good for the trip. But after a little walk together around the camp I feel better.
I drove this afternoon for the first time. It drives nice. I was really tired by stopping time.
Ed and I sat side by side at the camp site working on our computers, downloading our email and scads of it there were. Miriam and Rhoda took photos of us. The wireless worked great.
The others all went to the showers and I am next. We might play a couple rounds of Rummikub. It is nice and warm tonight after a cold start this morning. We slept great last night trading back to our normal sides. It IS going to work.
Saturday 14. We were up at seven and on the road by nine. I read all day while riding backwards. I am really caught up in the book Don & Kathleen Ranck gave us about the Christiana Riot. This is the most interesting book I’ve read so far on the UR.
We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. Later this afternoon we got into heavy rains the remnant of some bad storms further north. It was only raining a bit when we pulled into the Mobile, Ala camp ground at six Central Time. Rhoda made dinner and we walked later and then sat outside and chatted. It was a beautiful warm southern evening.. I pulled down a lot of email. Bed 9:30.
Sunday 15. Another good night’s sleep. By morning it was quite cool and I needed to shut our window. We were up at seven and had our breakfast. We have been singing “Amazing Grace” before breakfast remembering Jesus setting John Newton free from slavery and a lot of other things. But this morning we returned to “I Owe The Morning A Morning Song.”
This morning we went to the Community Fellowship – Mennonite. We shook the Mennonite Tree and made several connections. We seriously missed Forest Hills.
After having lunch in the camper in the church parking lot, Ed & Rhoda drove us around Mobile where they spent the first year of their married life in Voluntary Service. A very interesting several hours was in the Mobile Museum where there is a special display about Slavery in America. Just a great way to begin this Underground Railroad tour.
Monday 16. We were up at six, had our breakfast, devotions and had them on the road by about 7:30. We kept following them and stopping and waiting for them every hour or so. When we stopped at a little Methodist Church about noon they caught up with us and had a little snack and on they went. Miriam lay down and slept for 1.5 hours and I fell asleep for about 10 minutes while reading at the table. I finished the book about the Christiana Riot. It is the most interesting book I’ve read but not the widest coverage of the UR.
About two we pulled into a nice little grassy spot by a cemetery to wait for them. The arrived about three and decided to hang it up for the day having gone 70 miles, more than they intended. They were tired from this first day. We sat out on chairs on the lawn and again after supper. Ed said he was hungry for spaghetti so that is what Miriam made with some help from Rhoda. Ed napped for an hour. He was tired.
While eating we called Bertha Hurst at Landis Homes who lives down the block from us to thank her for a bag of groceries and snacks that she donated to the trip which include the spaghetti. Yesterday we had a soup she gave. Bertha said, “You made my day.”
After it got too cool on the lawn we went inside and played several games of Golf with cards and then a game of scrabble. By the end I was so tired I felt I could not go anymore and we all sacked out. About 9:30.
Tuesday 17 We were up about six again as usual. Miriam made eggs and toast along with our grapefruit. In addition Ed had a large bowl of granola. He needs the energy and packs it away and stays nice and slim. Our meditation from Zecheriah today spoke of traveling, which seemed important for today and each of our days.
They were on the road by 7:30. We pulled out about half an hour later. The roads are excellent today but US 84 is quite busy and the shoulders are not that large. We went quite a distance on ahead to Jackson, AL passing them to grocery shop. This was a larger town and had a Wal*Mart where we got all we needed.
We wound up at Tombigbee State Park about Three. Since it was so nice they decided to knock off early and also because the group of 18 bikers are here. This is the first time we were with all of them. We will be seeing them off and on from here through Owen, Sound. It was neat chatting with them and learning about their experiences past and present. Ed and Rhoda are the only ones on a tandem and the only ones with a motor home following them. Ed & Rhoda are with the same Adventure Cyling but not part of this group of 18.
We are right along an enormous waterway with tugboats pushing 6 or more barges up and down the river. They go at least to Birmingham and perhaps further. It was a beautiful day and they did about 50 miles.
Wednesday 18th. At 4:30 a.m. we heard a few raindrops on the RV roof which soon ended. We slept in late this morning – 15 minutes. It was a southern breakfast of grits & eggs and Ed’s usual granola.
This morning we learned from the other group that they will meet at Linden for the night at an old school. They encouraged our joining them. Some State Representatives and other politicos will be there and share about the community and hopefully about the UR in this community. Also the media is to be there so I need to dig out my tails and black bow tie – Hmpf! These folks also plan to have a dinner for us. So cook Miriam may have a night off. They had hoped to ride further than this 40 miles but the events seemed valuable and the 18 seem eager for us to join them.
By the time the bikers hit the road it was showering gently.
I was amazed to find a wireless network here in the boonies where we had no Verizon service. Ed had service.
Ed & Rhoda arrived at 10:05. We had everything ready by nine. It did not take long to pack it in. We did not have too much stuff and there was still more room. We were on the road by 11. Hallelujah!
We went out US 30 and down US 15 until near Farmersville. On 15 North West of Washington, D.C. we stopped and ate a good soup that Rhoda had ready. Near Farmersville, Virginia we stopped at a nice little restaurant for supper.
Then it was back roads to Ed & Rhoda’s daughter Sharon & Marvin Fisher and their soon to be seven children. They are a delightful caring family. They home school and live on a large farm. Marvin has a dry-walling business in addition to his cattle raising.
We were in bed by 10. It was our first night sleeping in the motor home. It was a miserable night. I don’t know if we can adjust to this bed or not. By morning it became quite cold and I pulled down another blanket.
Friday 13TH.
The Fishers made us a huge breakfast. We said our warm goodbyes and were on the road by 8:30.
Our travels were uneventful. The little electronic GPS road guide showing us and telling us each turn is quite interesting. We had lunch of Rhoda’s sandwiches, etc. at a rest stop. This evening we are in a nice KOA campground near Anderson, S.C.
I was terribly tired this evening and wondered if I will be good for the trip. But after a little walk together around the camp I feel better.
I drove this afternoon for the first time. It drives nice. I was really tired by stopping time.
Ed and I sat side by side at the camp site working on our computers, downloading our email and scads of it there were. Miriam and Rhoda took photos of us. The wireless worked great.
The others all went to the showers and I am next. We might play a couple rounds of Rummikub. It is nice and warm tonight after a cold start this morning. We slept great last night trading back to our normal sides. It IS going to work.
Saturday 14. We were up at seven and on the road by nine. I read all day while riding backwards. I am really caught up in the book Don & Kathleen Ranck gave us about the Christiana Riot. This is the most interesting book I’ve read so far on the UR.
We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. Later this afternoon we got into heavy rains the remnant of some bad storms further north. It was only raining a bit when we pulled into the Mobile, Ala camp ground at six Central Time. Rhoda made dinner and we walked later and then sat outside and chatted. It was a beautiful warm southern evening.. I pulled down a lot of email. Bed 9:30.
Sunday 15. Another good night’s sleep. By morning it was quite cool and I needed to shut our window. We were up at seven and had our breakfast. We have been singing “Amazing Grace” before breakfast remembering Jesus setting John Newton free from slavery and a lot of other things. But this morning we returned to “I Owe The Morning A Morning Song.”
This morning we went to the Community Fellowship – Mennonite. We shook the Mennonite Tree and made several connections. We seriously missed Forest Hills.
After having lunch in the camper in the church parking lot, Ed & Rhoda drove us around Mobile where they spent the first year of their married life in Voluntary Service. A very interesting several hours was in the Mobile Museum where there is a special display about Slavery in America. Just a great way to begin this Underground Railroad tour.
Monday 16. We were up at six, had our breakfast, devotions and had them on the road by about 7:30. We kept following them and stopping and waiting for them every hour or so. When we stopped at a little Methodist Church about noon they caught up with us and had a little snack and on they went. Miriam lay down and slept for 1.5 hours and I fell asleep for about 10 minutes while reading at the table. I finished the book about the Christiana Riot. It is the most interesting book I’ve read but not the widest coverage of the UR.
About two we pulled into a nice little grassy spot by a cemetery to wait for them. The arrived about three and decided to hang it up for the day having gone 70 miles, more than they intended. They were tired from this first day. We sat out on chairs on the lawn and again after supper. Ed said he was hungry for spaghetti so that is what Miriam made with some help from Rhoda. Ed napped for an hour. He was tired.
While eating we called Bertha Hurst at Landis Homes who lives down the block from us to thank her for a bag of groceries and snacks that she donated to the trip which include the spaghetti. Yesterday we had a soup she gave. Bertha said, “You made my day.”
After it got too cool on the lawn we went inside and played several games of Golf with cards and then a game of scrabble. By the end I was so tired I felt I could not go anymore and we all sacked out. About 9:30.
Tuesday 17 We were up about six again as usual. Miriam made eggs and toast along with our grapefruit. In addition Ed had a large bowl of granola. He needs the energy and packs it away and stays nice and slim. Our meditation from Zecheriah today spoke of traveling, which seemed important for today and each of our days.
They were on the road by 7:30. We pulled out about half an hour later. The roads are excellent today but US 84 is quite busy and the shoulders are not that large. We went quite a distance on ahead to Jackson, AL passing them to grocery shop. This was a larger town and had a Wal*Mart where we got all we needed.
We wound up at Tombigbee State Park about Three. Since it was so nice they decided to knock off early and also because the group of 18 bikers are here. This is the first time we were with all of them. We will be seeing them off and on from here through Owen, Sound. It was neat chatting with them and learning about their experiences past and present. Ed and Rhoda are the only ones on a tandem and the only ones with a motor home following them. Ed & Rhoda are with the same Adventure Cyling but not part of this group of 18.
We are right along an enormous waterway with tugboats pushing 6 or more barges up and down the river. They go at least to Birmingham and perhaps further. It was a beautiful day and they did about 50 miles.
Wednesday 18th. At 4:30 a.m. we heard a few raindrops on the RV roof which soon ended. We slept in late this morning – 15 minutes. It was a southern breakfast of grits & eggs and Ed’s usual granola.
This morning we learned from the other group that they will meet at Linden for the night at an old school. They encouraged our joining them. Some State Representatives and other politicos will be there and share about the community and hopefully about the UR in this community. Also the media is to be there so I need to dig out my tails and black bow tie – Hmpf! These folks also plan to have a dinner for us. So cook Miriam may have a night off. They had hoped to ride further than this 40 miles but the events seemed valuable and the 18 seem eager for us to join them.
By the time the bikers hit the road it was showering gently.
I was amazed to find a wireless network here in the boonies where we had no Verizon service. Ed had service.
One Week
Thursday 12. THE BIG DAY. We were up at six had our breakfast and began getting things ready for Ed & Rhoda’s coming.
Ed & Rhoda arrived at 10:05. We had everything ready by nine. It did not take long to pack it in. We did not have too much stuff and there was still more room. We were on the road by 11. Hallelujah!
We went out US 30 and down US 15 until near Farmersville. On 15 North West of Washington, D.C. we stopped and ate a good soup that Rhoda had ready. Near Farmersville, Virginia we stopped at a nice little restaurant for supper.
Then it was back roads to Ed & Rhoda’s daughter Sharon & Marvin Fisher and their soon to be seven children. They are a delightful caring family. They home school and live on a large farm. Marvin has a dry-walling business in addition to his cattle raising.
We were in bed by 10. It was our first night sleeping in the motor home. It was a miserable night. I don’t know if we can adjust to this bed or not. By morning it became quite cold and I pulled down another blanket.
Friday 13TH.
The Fishers made us a huge breakfast. We said our warm goodbyes and were on the road by 8:30.
Our travels were uneventful. The little electronic GPS road guide showing us and telling us each turn is quite interesting. We had lunch of Rhoda’s sandwiches, etc. at a rest stop. This evening we are in a nice KOA campground near Anderson, S.C.
I was terribly tired this evening and wondered if I will be good for the trip. But after a little walk together around the camp I feel better.
I drove this afternoon for the first time. It drives nice. I was really tired by stopping time.
Ed and I sat side by side at the camp site working on our computers, downloading our email and scads of it there were. Miriam and Rhoda took photos of us. The wireless worked great.
The others all went to the showers and I am next. We might play a couple rounds of Rummikub. It is nice and warm tonight after a cold start this morning. We slept great last night trading back to our normal sides. It IS going to work.
Saturday 14. We were up at seven and on the road by nine. I read all day while riding backwards. I am really caught up in the book Don & Kathleen Ranck gave us about the Christiana Riot. This is the most interesting book I’ve read so far on the UR.
We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. Later this afternoon we got into heavy rains the remnant of some bad storms further north. It was only raining a bit when we pulled into the Mobile, Ala camp ground at six Central Time. Rhoda made dinner and we walked later and then sat outside and chatted. It was a beautiful warm southern evening.. I pulled down a lot of email. Bed 9:30.
Sunday 15. Another good night’s sleep. By morning it was quite cool and I needed to shut our window. We were up at seven and had our breakfast. We have been singing “Amazing Grace” before breakfast remembering Jesus setting John Newton free from slavery and a lot of other things. But this morning we returned to “I Owe The Morning A Morning Song.”
This morning we went to the Community Fellowship – Mennonite. We shook the Mennonite Tree and made several connections. We seriously missed Forest Hills.
After having lunch in the camper in the church parking lot, Ed & Rhoda drove us around Mobile where they spent the first year of their married life in Voluntary Service. A very interesting several hours was in the Mobile Museum where there is a special display about Slavery in America. Just a great way to begin this Underground Railroad tour.
Monday 16. We were up at six, had our breakfast, devotions and had them on the road by about 7:30. We kept following them and stopping and waiting for them every hour or so. When we stopped at a little Methodist Church about noon they caught up with us and had a little snack and on they went. Miriam lay down and slept for 1.5 hours and I fell asleep for about 10 minutes while reading at the table. I finished the book about the Christiana Riot. It is the most interesting book I’ve read but not the widest coverage of the UR.
About two we pulled into a nice little grassy spot by a cemetery to wait for them. The arrived about three and decided to hang it up for the day having gone 70 miles, more than they intended. They were tired from this first day. We sat out on chairs on the lawn and again after supper. Ed said he was hungry for spaghetti so that is what Miriam made with some help from Rhoda. Ed napped for an hour. He was tired.
While eating we called Bertha Hurst at Landis Homes who lives down the block from us to thank her for a bag of groceries and snacks that she donated to the trip which include the spaghetti. Yesterday we had a soup she gave. Bertha said, “You made my day.”
After it got too cool on the lawn we went inside and played several games of Golf with cards and then a game of scrabble. By the end I was so tired I felt I could not go anymore and we all sacked out. About 9:30.
Tuesday 17 We were up about six again as usual. Miriam made eggs and toast along with our grapefruit. In addition Ed had a large bowl of granola. He needs the energy and packs it away and stays nice and slim. Our meditation from Zecheriah today spoke of traveling, which seemed important for today and each of our days.
They were on the road by 7:30. We pulled out about half an hour later. The roads are excellent today but US 84 is quite busy and the shoulders are not that large. We went quite a distance on ahead to Jackson, AL passing them to grocery shop. This was a larger town and had a Wal*Mart where we got all we needed.
We wound up at Tombigbee State Park about Three. Since it was so nice they decided to knock off early and also because the group of 18 bikers are here. This is the first time we were with all of them. We will be seeing them off and on from here through Owen, Sound. It was neat chatting with them and learning about their experiences past and present. Ed and Rhoda are the only ones on a tandem and the only ones with a motor home following them. Ed & Rhoda are with the same Adventure Cyling but not part of this group of 18.
We are right along an enormous waterway with tugboats pushing 6 or more barges up and down the river. They go at least to Birmingham and perhaps further. It was a beautiful day and they did about 50 miles.
Wednesday 18th. At 4:30 a.m. we heard a few raindrops on the RV roof which soon ended. We slept in late this morning – 15 minutes. It was a southern breakfast of grits & eggs and Ed’s usual granola.
This morning we learned from the other group that they will meet at Linden for the night at an old school. They encouraged our joining them. Some State Representatives and other politicos will be there and share about the community and hopefully about the UR in this community. Also the media is to be there so I need to dig out my tails and black bow tie – Hmpf! These folks also plan to have a dinner for us. So cook Miriam may have a night off. They had hoped to ride further than this 40 miles but the events seemed valuable and the 18 seem eager for us to join them.
By the time the bikers hit the road it was showering gently.
I was amazed to find a wireless network here in the boonies where we had no Verizon service. Ed had service.
Ed & Rhoda arrived at 10:05. We had everything ready by nine. It did not take long to pack it in. We did not have too much stuff and there was still more room. We were on the road by 11. Hallelujah!
We went out US 30 and down US 15 until near Farmersville. On 15 North West of Washington, D.C. we stopped and ate a good soup that Rhoda had ready. Near Farmersville, Virginia we stopped at a nice little restaurant for supper.
Then it was back roads to Ed & Rhoda’s daughter Sharon & Marvin Fisher and their soon to be seven children. They are a delightful caring family. They home school and live on a large farm. Marvin has a dry-walling business in addition to his cattle raising.
We were in bed by 10. It was our first night sleeping in the motor home. It was a miserable night. I don’t know if we can adjust to this bed or not. By morning it became quite cold and I pulled down another blanket.
Friday 13TH.
The Fishers made us a huge breakfast. We said our warm goodbyes and were on the road by 8:30.
Our travels were uneventful. The little electronic GPS road guide showing us and telling us each turn is quite interesting. We had lunch of Rhoda’s sandwiches, etc. at a rest stop. This evening we are in a nice KOA campground near Anderson, S.C.
I was terribly tired this evening and wondered if I will be good for the trip. But after a little walk together around the camp I feel better.
I drove this afternoon for the first time. It drives nice. I was really tired by stopping time.
Ed and I sat side by side at the camp site working on our computers, downloading our email and scads of it there were. Miriam and Rhoda took photos of us. The wireless worked great.
The others all went to the showers and I am next. We might play a couple rounds of Rummikub. It is nice and warm tonight after a cold start this morning. We slept great last night trading back to our normal sides. It IS going to work.
Saturday 14. We were up at seven and on the road by nine. I read all day while riding backwards. I am really caught up in the book Don & Kathleen Ranck gave us about the Christiana Riot. This is the most interesting book I’ve read so far on the UR.
We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. Later this afternoon we got into heavy rains the remnant of some bad storms further north. It was only raining a bit when we pulled into the Mobile, Ala camp ground at six Central Time. Rhoda made dinner and we walked later and then sat outside and chatted. It was a beautiful warm southern evening.. I pulled down a lot of email. Bed 9:30.
Sunday 15. Another good night’s sleep. By morning it was quite cool and I needed to shut our window. We were up at seven and had our breakfast. We have been singing “Amazing Grace” before breakfast remembering Jesus setting John Newton free from slavery and a lot of other things. But this morning we returned to “I Owe The Morning A Morning Song.”
This morning we went to the Community Fellowship – Mennonite. We shook the Mennonite Tree and made several connections. We seriously missed Forest Hills.
After having lunch in the camper in the church parking lot, Ed & Rhoda drove us around Mobile where they spent the first year of their married life in Voluntary Service. A very interesting several hours was in the Mobile Museum where there is a special display about Slavery in America. Just a great way to begin this Underground Railroad tour.
Monday 16. We were up at six, had our breakfast, devotions and had them on the road by about 7:30. We kept following them and stopping and waiting for them every hour or so. When we stopped at a little Methodist Church about noon they caught up with us and had a little snack and on they went. Miriam lay down and slept for 1.5 hours and I fell asleep for about 10 minutes while reading at the table. I finished the book about the Christiana Riot. It is the most interesting book I’ve read but not the widest coverage of the UR.
About two we pulled into a nice little grassy spot by a cemetery to wait for them. The arrived about three and decided to hang it up for the day having gone 70 miles, more than they intended. They were tired from this first day. We sat out on chairs on the lawn and again after supper. Ed said he was hungry for spaghetti so that is what Miriam made with some help from Rhoda. Ed napped for an hour. He was tired.
While eating we called Bertha Hurst at Landis Homes who lives down the block from us to thank her for a bag of groceries and snacks that she donated to the trip which include the spaghetti. Yesterday we had a soup she gave. Bertha said, “You made my day.”
After it got too cool on the lawn we went inside and played several games of Golf with cards and then a game of scrabble. By the end I was so tired I felt I could not go anymore and we all sacked out. About 9:30.
Tuesday 17 We were up about six again as usual. Miriam made eggs and toast along with our grapefruit. In addition Ed had a large bowl of granola. He needs the energy and packs it away and stays nice and slim. Our meditation from Zecheriah today spoke of traveling, which seemed important for today and each of our days.
They were on the road by 7:30. We pulled out about half an hour later. The roads are excellent today but US 84 is quite busy and the shoulders are not that large. We went quite a distance on ahead to Jackson, AL passing them to grocery shop. This was a larger town and had a Wal*Mart where we got all we needed.
We wound up at Tombigbee State Park about Three. Since it was so nice they decided to knock off early and also because the group of 18 bikers are here. This is the first time we were with all of them. We will be seeing them off and on from here through Owen, Sound. It was neat chatting with them and learning about their experiences past and present. Ed and Rhoda are the only ones on a tandem and the only ones with a motor home following them. Ed & Rhoda are with the same Adventure Cyling but not part of this group of 18.
We are right along an enormous waterway with tugboats pushing 6 or more barges up and down the river. They go at least to Birmingham and perhaps further. It was a beautiful day and they did about 50 miles.
Wednesday 18th. At 4:30 a.m. we heard a few raindrops on the RV roof which soon ended. We slept in late this morning – 15 minutes. It was a southern breakfast of grits & eggs and Ed’s usual granola.
This morning we learned from the other group that they will meet at Linden for the night at an old school. They encouraged our joining them. Some State Representatives and other politicos will be there and share about the community and hopefully about the UR in this community. Also the media is to be there so I need to dig out my tails and black bow tie – Hmpf! These folks also plan to have a dinner for us. So cook Miriam may have a night off. They had hoped to ride further than this 40 miles but the events seemed valuable and the 18 seem eager for us to join them.
By the time the bikers hit the road it was showering gently.
I was amazed to find a wireless network here in the boonies where we had no Verizon service. Ed had service.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Final preparations
We spoke with Ed this morning and asked if is permissable to bring along our kitchen sink. He doesn't seem interested. Ed says they do not need too much more than two pair of biking shorts each. Miriam and I are both rather certain that we have too much stuff ready to go, so we will likely leave the sink here! How much clothes? How often do we want to stop at laundermats?
We have another farewell luncheon with Miriam's sisters right here at Landis Homes. It is a fried oyster day. Those who normally do not tke their meals here show up for those days. I like them but am not that great and enthusiast. But it will be good to be with them for this last time before leaving. Still need to return a library book. Bound For Canaan has been the most exhaustive and interesting of all the books we have poured over on the UR. Miriam finished it but I'm only half way. I'll note the page and perhaps but a copy to finishe later. Great Book!!! Have a good one!! Paul
We have another farewell luncheon with Miriam's sisters right here at Landis Homes. It is a fried oyster day. Those who normally do not tke their meals here show up for those days. I like them but am not that great and enthusiast. But it will be good to be with them for this last time before leaving. Still need to return a library book. Bound For Canaan has been the most exhaustive and interesting of all the books we have poured over on the UR. Miriam finished it but I'm only half way. I'll note the page and perhaps but a copy to finishe later. Great Book!!! Have a good one!! Paul
Friday, April 6, 2007
Traveling with Bikers Ed & Rhoda
Welcome to our Blogspot. For the past six months we have been dreaming about and looking forward to another trip following Ed & Rhoda Longenecker as the ride their Tandem Bike from Mobile, Alabama to owen Sound, Ontario, Canada following a trail of the Underground Railroad. We will be driving THEIR motor home(mh) as they bike the back roads. Well, actually we will seldom follow their back roads but meet them each evening at a campground for dinner together.
All four of us have been busily digesting books on the subject and deeply touched at the suffering we whites have purpetrated upon our dark skinned brothers and sisters. We will be stopping at sites along the way that have been indicated on the bike maps, where some of the painful events on the trail took place.
Lord Willing, we leave from our homes on Thursday Morning April 12 and expect to compplete the trip late May -- about six weeks. The bikers hope to average 50-60 miles daily, a relatively easy pace for this 65 and 66 year old couple. We the 76 and soon to 78 year olds will keep following after with the meals and bed and some great times together.
Several years ago we completed a simlar journey following them in our mh from Landis Homes to Sarasota FL. That trip they averaged 89 miles per day. This is a more relaxed trip. We are so ver grateful for their providing us this opportunity again. What a neat couple they are and such a joy to be with.
On the 4th we met to do some planning and they provided us with copies of the bike routes. The colored maps are laid out in approximately 25 mile segments. Beside it is a description of how far it is to the next turn and the name of the road or if no name a description of the location, such as; "A red barn on the near right corner." These are very detailed.
Spare tires etc. are carried in the mh and we can be in touch via cell phone if help is needed or a change of meeting place for the night is needed. Well, that is enough for now. Hopefully, this gets through.
Paul for Paul G. & Miriam T. Burkholder.
All four of us have been busily digesting books on the subject and deeply touched at the suffering we whites have purpetrated upon our dark skinned brothers and sisters. We will be stopping at sites along the way that have been indicated on the bike maps, where some of the painful events on the trail took place.
Lord Willing, we leave from our homes on Thursday Morning April 12 and expect to compplete the trip late May -- about six weeks. The bikers hope to average 50-60 miles daily, a relatively easy pace for this 65 and 66 year old couple. We the 76 and soon to 78 year olds will keep following after with the meals and bed and some great times together.
Several years ago we completed a simlar journey following them in our mh from Landis Homes to Sarasota FL. That trip they averaged 89 miles per day. This is a more relaxed trip. We are so ver grateful for their providing us this opportunity again. What a neat couple they are and such a joy to be with.
On the 4th we met to do some planning and they provided us with copies of the bike routes. The colored maps are laid out in approximately 25 mile segments. Beside it is a description of how far it is to the next turn and the name of the road or if no name a description of the location, such as; "A red barn on the near right corner." These are very detailed.
Spare tires etc. are carried in the mh and we can be in touch via cell phone if help is needed or a change of meeting place for the night is needed. Well, that is enough for now. Hopefully, this gets through.
Paul for Paul G. & Miriam T. Burkholder.
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