Monthly Archives: May 2015

Ride the USA-Day 7: Be Still

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Sunday, May 31—Sanderson, TX to San Marcos, TX

Last night was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a week. I woke up ready to go, proceeded to the office to check out, rang the bell, and unknowingly woke up Dany. He was very polite and insisted I wait for him to prepare a cup of Chai tea for me. I tried to decline, but had a sense that it would be rude to do so. So I told him I’d hang around for a few minutes. He asked if I wanted the tea sweetened, or with a little milk. I responded, somewhat impatiently, that a little milk would be great. Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 6: Big Bend National Park

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Saturday, May 30—Van Horn, TX to Sanderson, TX

New flash! It’s raining in Texas!

I rose early this morning in hopes of making a correspondingly early departure. Unfortunately, there was a thunder and lighting strike alert notification on my weather app, so it made sense to wait out this relatively small storm for an hour. When I left clouds filled the sky and the road exhumed the smell of dampness that one can only associate with a downpour. I was undecided about taking the short or long route to Big Bend National Park. The decision didn’t come until I literally hit the fork in the road. Based on the direction of the storm, I decided on the long route to get as far away as possible from any chance of a lighting strike. It rained for about ten minutes, then the clouds moved on. Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 5: White Sands

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Friday, May 29—Las Cruces, NM to Van Horn, TX

Approaching White Sands Missile Range

Approaching White Sands Missile Range

It was a short ride over the Organ Mountains into the White Sands area. I hadn’t planned on it specifically, but decided to go to the White Sands Missile Range. Two young men with smiling faces calling me, “Sir”, greeted me! They then escorted me into a visitors clearing center, did a quick background check, and issued me a visitor’s pass. One of their colleagues was wearing a hat declaring, “I love Jesus,” and a shirt defining “Sacred Heart” on the back. He was all-in! Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 4: Coronado Trail Scenic Byway

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Thursday, May 28— Eagar, AZ to Las Cruces, NM

Today was another beautiful day with clear skies and temperatures in the mid 50s when I headed south on the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway. I appreciate the weather over the past four days. I know I will likely face several rainy days as I move into Texas tomorrow.

You know it’s going to be a good day riding when the music starts with Feeling Groovy by Simon and Garfunkel followed by Go by MercyMe. Most everyone knows the first song. For those who don’t know the second song, here are its main lyrics: Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park

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Wednesday, May 27— Seligman, AZ to Eagar, AZ

I met Jim, a fellow Harley rider from Pennsylvania, this morning. He and his wife had flown to Phoenix and rented a Harley to enjoy a little touring in the warm, dry climate. We had a nice chat about the bike he owns, the one he rented, and mine. As is typical in front of the cheap motels, the discussion ended in a man-hug and good wishes as though we’d know each other for years. Jim was headed back to Phoenix where he will meet up with his son’s family and go Grand Canyon National Park.

Speaking of the Grand Canyon, as I planned the routes for this trip I scheduled a short day today to create space for a much windier ride tomorrow. I thought about going to the Grand Canyon with the extra time I had in the schedule. Bit a new and good friend of mine, Chris, is a pastor in Flagstaff and I decided it would be more meaningful to connect with Chris. Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 2: Mohave National Preserve

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Tuesday, May 26—Lone Pine, CA to Seligman, AZ

We rose to a beautiful morning in Lone Pine. The Sierra Nevada Range is literally across the street, with the East side of Mount Whitney best viewed just south of Lone Pine.

Eric Freeman was staying a few doors down from us. We made the typical, roadside motel morning connection. We learned Eric and Debbie have a fascination with Highway 395, to the extent that he has developed a website, Eat and Drive Highway 395—Travel Guide, to help other learn about and explore this historical stretch of highway. Continue reading →

Ride the USA-Day 1: Yosemite National Park

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Monday, May 25—Novato, CA to Lone Pine, CA

I was excited when I woke up this morning about beginning a perimeter-of-the-country ride. My Harley was already packed and ready to roll. Three weeks ago I’d prepared, reviewed and cut a long list of what I needed to take with me, and loaded it all up for a ride to Los Angeles, taking advantage of a planned trip to visit my sister, Janet, and daughter, Jessica. It was a fun ride, complete with rainy weather to test my new rain gear. There’s not a lot of room for luggage on a motorcycle, so packing right is critical to a successful, long-range ride.

I flipped on the starter switch this morning and turned on the iPod connected to the sound system. There was an error message on the screen—“No connection to the iPod”. I tried making a few quick adjustments to no avail. In spite of preparing several days of music for the ride, it was going to start in silence. No worries. The route planned for the first day didn’t really require musical entertainment. God’s creation on the route to Yosemite National Park is stunning. Continue reading →

Where Have I Been?

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Just over a year ago I described How God Gets Control of Our Game, concluding, “I believe our best response to the many challenges of life is to reflect the everlasting forgiveness of our own sins and love one another. And when we stumble, once again, trust that God will get control of our game!”

At that time our immediate family was facing a crisis, one that has been very difficult to process emotionally. Through faith and a little help from Al-Anon, we gained a new footing in life. We also determined that surrendering to the inevitable passing on of sinful behavior from generation to generation is not an appropriate response. So we press on, in faith, towards the ultimate goal of our calling as individuals and a married couple in Christ Jesus. Continue reading →