Enjoy the Ride

Tandem Vacation: Day 1
Tuesday, September 11

It was closer to noon than 10 a.m. when we left a week ago on 9/11. Try as we may it is impossible to leave on time, always one more thing to take care of or find or pack or do.

Almost as difficult as packing everything we will need to survive and enjoy four days on the road.

One last minute purchase kept us entertained over many miles, an audio book from Cracker Barrell which Mike downloaded to his MP3 player.

We also caught up on Daily Audio Bible readings. Coincidentally the first segment was from the Song of Solomon and started out, "Come away with me, my love."

The tiny player was in the right back pocket of  Mike's jersey. Each of us used one ear bud and quickly got the hang of listening, pedaling, taking in the landscape, conversing at times, and thinking our own thoughts! Talk about multitasking!

The occasional "Stand!" was good for climbing any incline or hill, and also for rear-end relief.

Getting off the bike regularly helps too.

We rode past my wheel-chair-bound friend's house and I commented that I hadn't been able to visit her in a long time, so Mike turned around and we walked in and surprised her. She has been confined to her bed for a few weeks due to her machine malfunction. It used to be the Scooter Store would send out a repairman without delay. What's happened?

We stopped next at a trailhead and I read the history of the truck industry in Marion.

We continued on the Greenway all the way to Sweetzer where we ate at a Subway and sighted another Garfield statue.

Mike saw a path he wanted to explore so we took a detour from the marked route. I protested and explained that I am always looking at the cyclocomputer checking off the miles, anticipating the time of arrival when I can get off the bike.

First lesson: Enjoy the ride!

The payoff for the extra six miles was the beautiful view at the end.

After that I teased Michael about having to add on up to 10 miles to his estimated trip length.

We arrived at the campsite around 5:30 p.m. and rode around looking for the perfect spot among so many.

Near a CS (Comfort Station) was one requirement, and also a level spot for the tent.

We ate Ramen Noodles and crackers with strawberry cream cheese spread and a Recover drink.

An avid bicyclist stopped by and chatted for awhile. The only thing on his bucket list is to bike across the US. This little three or four day trek through the Indiana portion of the American Discovery Trail was a test  toward that goal. Said he'd been married 44 years and they used to ride a tandem.

Later we met the campsite host and his daughter and family of five children including two adopted sisters from Ethiopia. By then it was too dark for photos. The air was becoming chilly and we lit a fire.

I was soon ready to call it a day. Mike wanted to stay up so he would not wake up in the night.
I did. He did.

To be continued...

Tandem Vacation

Most of the week we were away enjoying nature, the Indiana countryside, and one another.

Monday was spent wrapping things up here, packing, and preparing for our trip.

I surveyed the condition of the small vegetable garden and concluded it is messy and not very productive.

I experimented with these inverted hanging contraptions with very little success.

Tuesday was departure day, bright and beautiful.

 45 miles and 5+ hours later we arrived at our first campsite.

Evenings and mornings were chilly.

On the road again, Wednesday, for 42.2 miles.

That night we stayed in a Super 8 in Rochester.

  Thursday was our longest ride--58 miles. Ouch!

Michael planned and prepared the campsite for the cold rainy front coming.

It came in the night. 

The next morning we lay in 'bed' waiting for it to pass and listening to a John Grisham audio book.

We arrived home mid afternoon.

There is so much more I want to share about our experience, but not in this post.

Today, Saturday, has been a long day.

It is past midnight, so technically it is Sunday already. 

Mike just got back from working all day at Sam and Kristie's helping them take up carpet and lay new flooring to take care of mold issues and have the house ready for baby # 4 due in October.

My role was to entertain Elijah and Zion. 

We went to the Muncie Children's Museum.

I wasn't able to bake Kristie's birthday cake, clean up the kitchen, nor write this post, till they were in bed.

Festivals!

It so happens that two neighboring towns have their annual festivals only a few days apart and we were involved in both.

Many of our town's Labor Day Weekend events were cancelled Sunday due to the heavy rain. I do believe my camera took a break as well.

Monday the rain held off long enough for all the morning activities: the first annual (I hope) 5K and Fun Run; and the parade. Interestingly, our small town desfile (parade) draws crowds of out-of-town visitors--people who grew up here, relatives, and many from the surrounding area.

Mike made the airplane for the float promoting one of the children's ministries and it won

“Best Local Float” for the 66^th Annual Festival 2012 Upland Labor Day Parade.

I won a medal in my age category for showing up for the 5K run. Young friend David ran his first 5K. (Photos are courtesy of his mom, Gina.)

Before

After (as red-faced as the watermelon)

It was a full day as we also celebrated Diane's upcoming birthday. Friend Rosie stopped by to surprise her.

Diane and Rosie

This week was rather overwhelming. We had an event or significant appointment every single day.

Simple pleasures like a freshly picked bouquet brighten my busy days.

Why do hydrangeas turn pink and green?

It's always fun to see the newly fired pieces lined up on the counter.

  

A morning ride to breakfast relieves stress too.

Foggy morning

Thursday was set-up day for the Cumberland Covered Bridge Festival. 

I carefully packed the pottery while Michael went to Matthews to set up the tent. 

In the afternoon we both went over to unpack and arrange the display.

On the way home I saw the most beautiful sunset, although there were some very ominous clouds as well.

Friday attendance was low. A severe weather warning was issued around noon. The radar showed it headed our way. We secured the tent and contents as best we could and waited out the storm in the truck. Thankfully the winds never reached 60 miles/hour. The rain did continue with heavy downpours that night. The vendor across from us lost her tent. We suffered no damage.

The next two days were beautiful and the people kept coming and coming. 

Grandson and buddies

 The attractions in our tent also kept growing. 

In addition to all the new unique artistic pieces, Mike has a new line of UPLAND souvenirs.

Daughter Leah brought her painted ornaments, little boxes, tiny clay figures and graffiti art.

Son Stephan came Sunday afternoon and carved a pumpkin.

What  would you name it?

One of the more advanced Red Barn pottery students was there throwing on the wheel.

As you can see, we've had way too much fun and it's time to settle down OR get away for a few days!

Actually that is the plan. Si Dios quiere (Lord willing) we leave Tuesday on our annual tandem vacation.

Friends!

The highlight of the week was the visit of friends we met through this blog.
Yes, our Project 365 hostess, has been here three times this year, yet it feels like we've known one another a long time!
Sara and Steve left their youngest behind at Anderson University this week.
I feel I should punctuate each of the above sentences with the Psalmist's expression Selah--i.e. imagine that, think on that.

Here's our week:

Sunday after church we took Diane out to lunch and stopped at Leah's to see what they'd done with the huge limb that split down the middle. I think the summer drought has affected a lot of trees in the area.

 Can you see the clean cut where the very heavy branch used to be?

After Monday dinner at Chef-son's, the kids rushed out to play in the church parking lot next door. I had to go out there to get my hug from Zion.

Malachi and friend David show off their matching orthodontics-filled mouths.

Tuesday I stopped by to see how Diane was doing after her very painful balloon sinus dilation procedure the day before. She was finally able to eat.

Bowyers arrived in the evening. We were so busy talking and they were tired, so no photos.
However, Wednesday breakfast here they are still waking up and chatting with Stephan, our oldest, who happened to be in the neighborhood.

Jared asked to go to Ivanhoe's  for lunch.

Then they were off to settle him into his new home-for-a-season.

That evening we played euchre. As good hosts we let them win to cheer them up and get their mind off Jared's first most likely sleepless night in the dorm.
No, seriously, I am just learning and, though they are very competitive experienced, they coached me graciously.
Just now I looked up the game online and realized that they have so much more to teach me. The terminology list alone is unending!

We had Thursday morning to do something together. Steve hadn't seen Taylor so that's where we headed. What a gorgeous day to walk the campus! We remembered that when we were given a tour in February, it had been so cold and blustery.
We toured the new science building which opened this semester and were all duly impressed. Here is one feature:

The heliostat--a huge rotating mirror.

Reflected sun light plays with mosaic patterns

Friday it was time to say Hasta pronto. We know we will see our friends again soon.

Saying goodbye to Jared was not that easy for them.

Today, Saturday of Labor Day weekend, should have been the busiest day all year in little Upland--the town rummage. Usually we are overrun by out-of-towners hitting the choicest yard sales. Streets are crowded. ATV's are allowed on the roads. The entire community is buzzing!
Not so much today due to threatening weather reports. It didn't really rain until late afternoon.
Some of us, the more regular supporters of the new farmer's market, set up our wares in the gazebo at the park.

I spent most of my time talking to people and knitting. I tried out one of Mike's new creations, a yarn bowl, but my skein was a bit too big.

I was able to get away for a few minutes to take a picture of the sign Mike made and put up on the piece of land the DNR is donating for the trailhead of the future greenway which will connect our town with other stretches of trail making the total 77 miles long.

Mike is on the Upland Area Greenways committee. If weather permits they will be carrying the banner in the parade on Monday.