Charlottesville, VA to Mineral, VA

[Thursday, July 29] We got out of Charlottesville in our customary late fashion headed towards Ashland. We were held up about 35 miles out by a severe thunderstorm so we ducked under an Awning at a country church to ride out the storm. Since we lost time due to the weather we were only able to make it to Mineral, VA where we stayed...get this...a fire station! We did our landry and slept upstairs of the fire trucks. We ate dinner at a local diner recommended by the fire fighters. While eating we shared our journey with several people and when we went to pay the bill, our waitress told us someone already paid our bill. God did it again. We read several chapters in Isaiah and crashed around 11:00. It was another great day in the Lord!

Blue Ridge Parkway to Charlottesville, VA

[Yesterday, July 28] We woke with joy knowing we are on top of the Blue Ridge Parkway and no more big climbs! We continued in Isaiah and prayed before we departed. We rode to Afton Mountain where we had the great pleasure of spending a couple of hours with June Curry, the "Cookie Lady." It was really a highlight of our day. During our descent we met Ben Golden and Jamie Grivas who left Yorktown six days ago on their way to SF. We shared with them our saga and tips for the ride. When we arrived in Charlottesville at First Baptist we discovered that they arranged a room at the Comfort Inn for us tonight. On trop of this, associate pastor Chester Yuan took us out for a wonderful buffet dinner. God is absolutely awesome...and so is His church. Tomorrow we ride towards Richmond. We love you all.

Troutville, VA to the Blue Ridge Parkway

[Yesterday, July 27] We had a great night at the Brethern church. Pastor Chris and also Wanda were wonderful hosts... thank you. We began reading in Isaiah this morning. Isaiah really brings the OT in perspective and helps us understand the NT. Then we began our journey east bound. We had an 81-mile day..including our last serious climb..up Afton Mountain. We made it up the summit but it got dark real quick. So we stayed on top of the Blue Ridge Parkway under the pavillion at Mountain View Christian Church. It was a great day with the Lord, in the Word, and on the bike. Thanks for your prayers!

Radford, VA to Troutville, VA

We really enjoyed our stay at Calvary Baptist Church in Radford. Pastor Brian Cockram and his son Jamison went out of their way to take care of us and we thank them!! While there we met Patrick Hatcher and his family who serve with New Tribes in Florida. We are reading Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul really brings together God's plan for salvation. Today we rode through Christiansburg and Daleville coming to Troustsville. While biking past the Church of the Brethern we met pastor Chris Foster in the parking lot. Chris was studying for his last class towards his M. Div and was about to leave. We asked him if we could crash on the church floor and not only did he welcome us but he gave us some cash towards dinner at the "Country Cooking" diner down the road. We had a fantastic dinner buffet! Thank you Chris for blessing us. Tomorrow we head towards Lexington and Afton Mountain. Keep us in your prayers... God hears you loud and clear.

Rural Retreat to Radford, VA

[Yesterday, July 25] We indeed attended worship service with the Martin family. The service had a "revival" feel to it, and because of this, we got at late (1:30 pm) start to our daily ride. We finished the gospels and we going back to the major prophets. We are in good health and better in spirit. Hope you are following us on a map and praying for us along the way. It is by God's grace that we live, move and have our being. Please also pray for the family of Randy and Ruth Reick who were in a fatal motorcycle crash back home in Wisconsin. We love them dearly.

Meadowview, VA to Rural Retreat

(Yesterday, July 24) After a wonderful night with the Wilson's at Harvest Fellowhip we continued on route. We stopped briefly in Damascus, VA for some bike adjustments. We then headed north towards Wytheville. We contacted a pastor in town when we were 12 miles from his church to secure a place to stay. He hooked us up with Ted and Kathi Martin who own Deer Trail Park and Campground. They are great! We arrived at 6:00 to a potluck dinner followed by "Cowboy Church." The evening included great singing by a professional singer named Nanette. To crown the night a couple arrived back at the campground around 10:30 with freshly grilled trout and green beans. Wow were they good! Tomorrow we will attend worship with Ted and his family before we continue to the beach. Please pray for us.

Elkhorn City, KY to Meadowview, VA

What an intestering day! We found ourselves under the stars last night because the church we were supposed to stay at didn't leave the side door opened. It was a great (though hot) evening. We woke and read from John's gospel, ate a little and departed before 8:00. We had only five miles to the Virginia line (see pic).

Shortly after the state line we stopped at Breaks Interstate Park, the "Grand Canyon with clothes on" (see second pic). The ride today was absolutely beautiful although very difficult. We rode only 71 miles but endured some serious elevation. We arrived at Horizon Fellowhip where pastor Tom Wilson and his wife are taking care of us tonight. Another good day, another God day! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.