Zihuatanejo

Hey everybody! I'm back in Zihuatanejo. It's crazy! Seems like I finished a month ago up in Oklahoma City, or it feels like it never happened. I've had no time to even process the ride. I rested one day, ran errands the next and started the two-day drive back home to Zihuatanejo early Saturday morning because I have too much to do!

I know I left you hanging the other day. Sorry about that. You deserve more information than that. I was just exhausted and busy or vice versa and couldn't bring myself to write. I wasn't even sure WHAT to write. "It's over" seemed appropriate enough. That's all I wanted at the time - for it to be over with. Now I know it has just begun. Maybe the riding is over, but there's still more to do. For one, I rode 2,050 miles and so far through Be The Change, I've only sold 345. My sister-in-law handed me $100 for four more miles right before I left so make that 349 miles sold. I'm hoping some people were just waiting to see if I finished before they would send in their mile money or buy online. I'm seeing a preference for sending it in sooooo....here's what you do:

Make a check or Money Order payable to:

Be The Change

Make sure you write "Z to OKC" in the memo part.

Then send it to:

Be The Change, Inc.

P.O. Box 61238

Oklahoma City, OK 73146

And remember that your charitable contributions are tax-deductible. If you've already given, I thank you. I will eventually get around to personally thanking all who have donated through Be The Change. If you left a way to contact you, I'll send you something. Only give me a couple of weeks because I have two different groups visiting these two weeks. Please help me cover the miles!!!!

You'll also be able to order a t-shirt online soon. Jon is working on that.

We've learned a lot this trip. I personally have learned some things. I'll be writing for the next few weeks about that so don't go away. I'll try to throw together some statistics about the ride as well.

By the way, we're dreaming of connecting this trip to our supporters in the north and northwest, so some of you who were so faithful in your prayers and encouragement might be getting a visit within 12 months. We're dreaming anyway.

More later....meanwhile, buy miles, please!!!!!!

Día 33 - OKC

¡Misión cumplida! Más después...

Day 33 - OKC

Mission accomplished!!!!! More later!

Día 32 - Prague, OK

Rodamos en clima de otoño unos 100 kms. Un recorrido hermoso por los arboles y campo del este del estado de Oklahoma. Nada de viento. Solamente una mañana fresca con mucho sol. Hermoso.

Fue facil a comparación a otros días. Ya mero llego a la meta.

De por si, hoy (30 de septiembre), si Dios quiere, llego a la meta. Debe ser unos 80 kms de Prague al centro de Oklahoma City. Nos estarán esperando muchos amigos para un evento al final del camino. Estoy emocionada.

Ya tengo mis 3,200 kms. Pasé la marca ayer durante el recorrido, pero quiero llegar a la meta final.

YA MERO!!!!

Day 32 - Prague

After breakfast at Julie and Randy Weatherford's, we rode 58 miles today over some pretty country in some very fall-like weather. Finished at around 1:30 p.m. in Prague and had lunch with my high school math teacher and senior year basketball coach, Rick Ruckman. I haven't seen him in probably more than 20 years. We had reconnected through Facebook and then he found out about Z to OKC and was following the trip. When he saw that it was going through Prague, which is only 10 miles from where he lives and works as a superintendent, he said he didn't want to let me go by without seeing me. We ate and talked for more than two hours at the local hamburger joint. It was good!

Ok, folks, today (Sept. 30) is the last day! I've got about 45 miles to ride from Prague into Oklahoma City. I'll be entering OKC on the old highway and then down 23rd to The Paseo, more specifically to Sauced. I should be there around 6 p.m. Jonathan Roberts, founder of Be The Change, will be riding as well.

By the way, I broke the 2,000-mile mark yesterday - 2,006 at the end of yesterday's ride. It's all over but the shoutin'!

Día 31 - Okmulgee (28 de septiembre)

No pude dormir mucho la noche antes de este recorrido porque habia visto en el prognóstico que el viento iba a correr desde la dirección en que rodaba y tenía 190 kms para rodar.

Salí a las 6:30 a.m. y aún a esa hora estaba corriendo el aire. No estaba feliz, pero iba como podía unos 120 kms por la carretera 75 de Durant hacia el noreste. No sabía como iba a recorrer los 70 kms mas para terminar. En este momento llegó Marie Harris. Ella y su esposo visitan Guerrero cada año con un grupo de su iglesia para apoyar a las iglesias en su trabajo. Llegó para acompañarme en el resto del viaje. Su llegada cambió todo. Me jaló el resto del recorrido, rompiendo el aire para que pudiera rodar mas facilmente atrás de ella. Los próximos 70 kms pasaron rápidos para mí porque ella estaba haciendo la mayoria del trabajo en contra el viento. Gracias, Marie!

Antes de terminar, nos paramos en un pueblito que se llama Weleetka. Allí conocí a Norman. Él me vio estirando mi cuello y dijo: "Si vienes 1,900 millas hay de ser algo mal contigo." Estaba refiriendo a todos mis dolores, creo, pero a lo mejor a mi cabeza también. Ya estoy aceptando la idea que estoy medía loca por aventarme así en este viaje. Fue mas dificil que cualquier otro viaje así, pero ya mero termino, entonces si estoy loquita, está bien.

Norman también dijo: "Has tenido un camino bendecido."

Él tenía toda la razón. Lo que dijo fue un golpe para mi porque había estado quejando sobre el viento y las circunstancias que no me estaban ayudando avanzar. Pues, no he estado enferma en ningún momento del viaje; no he pasado por mucha lluvia y en Oklahoma estaba lloviendo mucho una semana antes de llegar para acá y creo que va a empezar a llover de nuevo el jueves, después de llegar; no he tenido ningún problema en el camino aunque un señor me lo juró que me iba a pasar algo en las carreteras de México porque, según él, los mexicanos no saben manejar (él era mexicano). Además he podido ver amigos y conocer mas.

Y precisamente este día cuando pensaba que no podía mas, llegó alguién para jalarme el resto del camino. Dios no calmó el viento, pero proveyó la ayuda necesaria.

Sí, Norman, tienes razón. Me camino ha sido bendecido. Muy bendecido.

Terminando recorrer estabamos con los hermanos de la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Okmulgee, otros amigos que nos visitan en Guerrero. Pasamos la tarde y noche muy bien en su compañia. Sentía en casa con ellos, como siempre cuando este con ellos.

Day 31 - Okmulgee (Sept. 28)

I couldn't sleep much the night before this ride because I had seen the weather report and knew the wind would be coming out of the northeast. I kept waking up thinking about and praying that God would turn it around. I was going to be heading northeast and it would be another day of more than 100 miles. That combination didn't make me happy.

The plan was to get up at 5 a.m. and be on the road by 6 a.m. to beat some of the wind, but as soon as I walked outside, I realized the wind had been up for a while already. Bummer!

I trudged along for 70 miles over the rolling hills up Hwy 75. I had been on the bike more than six hours and I was getting nowhere fast. I had no idea how I was going to cover 40 more miles to the stopping point. That's when Marie Harris showed up. Her husband brought her out from Del City to join me or, more precisely, to pull me in. I drafted behind her the next 40 miles and I was a very happy person!

Before the day's ride was over, however, we made a pit stop in Weleetka. That's where we met Norman. I only talked with him maybe 15 minutes, but I'll probably never forget two things he said.

First, he saw me stretching my neck and said, "Anybody that's ridden 1,900 miles is bound to have something wrong with them." I'm assuming he was talking about aches and pains, but it's probably true on another level as well. I've almost convinced myself through this trip that I'm a bit crazy, but I hope it's still a good crazy.

Norman also said, "Your road has really been blessed."

I started the day mad at the wind and my circumstances, but Marie arrived at just the right time, and really we couldn't have arrived in Oklahoma at a better time because a week or so ago it was raining everyday and Thursday more cold weather and rain is coming, so yeah, it has been blessed. Also I haven't been sick not even one day of the trip. With all the energy expended, my defenses have probably been down somewhat, but not even stomach problems or a sniffle.

And we had no trouble. The guy that swore that something would happen to me if I rode on Mexican roads was proven wrong. Mexican drivers treated me well. Most Texans were pleasant and Oklahoma has been wonderful.

And I even got to see old friends and make new ones on the way. Yes, Norman, my road has been blessed. You couldn't have said it more accurately.

The day ended at the home of Dennis and Janet Taylor. He's pastor of Okmulgee First Baptist Church. A group has been visiting us in Guerrero for several years now. Many of the friends I've made from Okmulgee were there with us. It was a great reception and one of my favorite stops of the trip. I spent the night with Julie and Super Randy. That was cool!!!!

Día 30 - Durant, Oklahoma

Ya mero! Crucé el Rio Rojo, la frontera entre Texas y Oklahoma. 50 kms. Ahora, tengo que rodar 200 kms hasta Okmulgee. Pudiera estar en Oklahoma City, pero voy a hacer otra vuelta para acumular mas kilometros. El recorrido hasta Okmulgee va a ser dificil. El viento va a estar en contra. Oren por mí!!!!!

Day 30 - Durant, Oklahoma

I crossed the Red River into Oklahoma this afternoon. I'm getting close!

I barely got across, though.

It took us a long time to get out of Bonham, TX. After eating home cooking at Cappy's I wasn't going anywhere for a while. After a brief Sunday afternoon nap, we went over to Rex Ray's house and slid down the killer slide he built for his grandchildren. If I was going to be in Bonham, I had to do it. It was pretty thrilling to say the least. I went airborne at one point! Sweet! Finally, around 5 p.m. I got on the road. Thirty-four miles later I'm in Durant.

Tomorrow's going to be a long one. I could be in OKC in short order, but I'm heading northeast first to Okmulgee. I look forward to seeing my friends there.

Días 28 y 29 - Bonham, TX

Este es mi segundo día en Bonham, TX. Llegué anoche después del atardecer por los 200 kms de Wichita Falls sobre un superficie de carretera muy dificil. Quedamos el día por el evento "Autumn in Bonham" de diferentes recorridos de bici aquí en el área. Cuando estaba planeando el viaje, pensaba que podía rodar una de las distancias mas largas para aumentar mi kilometraje, pero después de rodar 500 kms en tres días, escogí el recorrido mas corto. Ya llevo 2,898 kms en el viaje. Realmente no necesito mas. Entonces, disfrutamos un recorrido corto y después sacamos las playeras y propaganda sobre Z to OKC para que la gente viera. Estuvo una mañana buena. Llegando a la casa donde estamos quedando, me dormí y quedé dormida unas tres horas. No sabía que estaba tan exhausta, pero después de rodar 500 kms en el frio, el viento, algo de lluvía, luego de sol en unas carreteras dificiles, claro que iba estar cansada. Ayer ibamos paralela con la frontera con Oklahoma y cada rato vimos letreros para pueblos en mi estado. Tuve que resistir la tentación de dar la vuelta a la izquierda. jaja. Si lo hubiera hecho, hubiera estado en Oklahoma City hoy.
Ahorita, estoy afuera en el patio viendo la salida del sol y todo lo bonito del campo del norte de Texas. Hoy parece mas como los últimos días de verano, pero ya hemos sentido el otoño. Los olores de las chimineas, de los pinos en este parte de Texas y las tardes y mañanas fresquecitas me tienen muy emocionadas. Me encanta esta estación en mi tierra.
Mañana, después de estar con los hermanos de New Zion Baptist Church en la mañana, vamos hacia el norte. Si Dios quiere, estaré en mi tierra natal antes de las 3 p.m.

Days 28 and 29 - Bonham, TX

Autumn in Bonham! Just what I needed.

I rolled into Bonham, TX last night (Friday, Sept. 25) after 122 miles of rolling hills, not exactly merciful wind and chip and seal highways. I was more than tired, but I got up at 5 a.m. and at 6 a.m. Jon and I headed to the Multi-Purpose Community Complex where the riders were gathering for the annual Autumn in Bonham Bicycle Rally. When I originally planned the trip route, I had thought that if I were lacking miles to get 2,000 for the trip, I could pick up at the most 64 miles at the Autumn in Bonham. Having ridden 309 miles in three days, I opted for the shortest event. Jon and I rode the 14-mile route together. As soon as we were finished, we set up a booth that the chamber was so gracious to provide for us. We got a few donations and sold a few t-shirts, but we also got the word out about the project. It was a good day.

When I got back to the guest house where we're staying compliments of Jim and Raynell Glaser (Bonham residents and Ixtapa part-timers) I slept three hours. I don't think I realized how tired I was. I've ridden in the cold, some rain, some sun and all on rough roads for cycling. I thought my bike was more rigid than the one I used last time on a trip like this, but a guy at the ride today (Saturday, Sept. 26) told me the new chip and seal highways (I didn't know the terminology before today) were really hard to ride on. I thought I was just getting slower, but he said they slow you down by about two miles per hour. No wonder it took me so long to get to Bonham. (I arrived just after dark.) I'll take smooth Mexican roads any day.

Now I'm sitting out on the front porch with a view of the north Texas countryside. The sun is sinking, the horses are grazing in the pasture, the temperature is perfect and the cat is preening himself. Did I mention I was in a rocking chair? Not bad.

Also, I'm sitting here knowing that I only have four more days until I get to Oklahoma. Yesterday's ride was from Wichita Falls to Bonham, so I rode parallel with the Texas-Oklahoma border all day. Every few miles there was a sign for a town on the Oklahoma side. It was all I could do to keep going straight instead of turning left. I could have been in Oklahoma City today...but I still don't have my 2,000 miles. Right now I've logged 1,802.

I'm ready to finish this thing, but I'm also enjoying the visits over the last few stops. I got to see my aunt and uncle and cousins in Stephenville; I stayed with my cousin and his wife and family in Wichita Falls, and tomorrow here in Bonham I'll see members of New Zion Baptist Church, who visit us every year in the Zihuatanejo area.

After church tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 27), we head north. Our original destination was Tupelo, but we're not sure we're stopping there or not. We just want to get up the road a ways so the next day won't be so difficult getting to Okmulgee.

Día 27 - Wichita Falls, TX

Estaba demasiado cansada para escribir anoche. Rodé 220 kms ayer. Por eso estaba cansada. Nada mas quedé despierta para las noticias a las 10 p.m. donde el recorrido Z to OKC salió en un reportaje.

Hoy va a ser otro día dificil. Mas después.

Day 27 - Wichita Falls, TX

Too tired to write last night. Too much entertainment as well. We stayed with my cousin and his family. Three kids under 11 keep you very entertained.

I rode from Stephenville to Wichita Falls. 128.5 miles. I guess I was tired as well. I stayed up just long enough to watch the 10 p.m. news where the Z to OKC ride was the top story...then I went to bed. More later. I've got a long one today as well.

Día 26 - Stephenville, TX

Hoy fue mas como un día turistiando en vez de rodando por una causa. Solo tenía que rodar 95 kms y con tanto tiempo paramos varías veces en los pueblitos antes de Stephenville. De hecho, yo trabajaba para el periódico local en Stephenville en mi primer trabajo saliendo de la universidad. Ya no conozco nadie aquí. Ni reconocí el pueblo que ya está grande. Pude ver a mi familia - mis tios, mi prima y su esposo y dos sobrinas. Mis sobrinas están en la universidad en Stephenville y los demás vinieron desde Dallas para verme. Estuvo un tiempo muy chido y rodaría desde México otra vez solo para verlos a ellos. Ya se fueron ellos y ya voy a descansar. Mañana será un día dificil, especialmente si el tiempo vuelve mal otra vez. Voy hasta Wichita Falls, TX, 220 kms al norte. Oren por mí. Quedan siete días y ya!

Mientras tanto, checa el reportaje que salió en Nueva León. Ya está en su página de web de Hora Cero. Creo que salió en la tele el domingo. Gracias de nuevo a Moisés y Erick por ayudarnos promover el proyecto de Z to OKC!

www.horacero.com.mx/horacerotelevision/

Day 26 - Stephenville, TX

Today was more like a tourist ride than a charity ride. It was only 57 miles, the weather cooperated and there was a museum I just had to visit along the way!

We're in my old stompin' grounds, but I don't think I know anyone anymore. I worked at the Stephenville Empire-Tribune my first year out of college. In that whole time here, however, I never visited the Dublin Dr. Pepper Museum.

Dr. Pepper, sometimes known as Baptist beer, is my favorite American soft drink. Ha! We had plenty of time, so we decided to stop by Doc's Old Soda Shop, eat lunch, and take a tour of the bottling plant that's still in operation. It was so fun! Dublin Dr. Pepper is still made with cane sugar, so you can imagine how wonderful it is. I wanted to take a photo of the old Dr. Pepper poster that had a girl on a bicycle saying something like "Dr. Pepper gives you energy for cycling," but they didn't allow photos of memorabilia. Too bad. Instead I got a photo outside the bottling plant.

I'll sign off here because I have a dinner date with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins here in Stephenville. I can't wait to see them. Meanwhile, you might enjoy watching the video news feature that came out on Hora Cero today (even if it is in Spanish). It's posted on their website: www.horacero.com.mx/horacerotelevision/. Check it out. They did a great job! Thanks again Moises and Erick for helping to get the word out!

Día 25 - Brownwood, TX

Lluvia, viento que corría 40 kms por hora y frío. Fue demasiado. En vez de rodar hasta Brownwood, regresamos la bici al carro y venimos en carro con la opción de rodar mas tarde si cambia el tiempo. Después de checar otra vez mi kilometraje hasta hoy y el mapa para los días que siguen, me di cuenta que aún sin rodar el tramo de hoy, voy a acumular mas que 3,300 kms - mas que la meta. Ese quiere decir que hoy tuve un día de descanso gracias al clima. Me va a servir bien porque tengo dos jornadas largas por venir. Estoy un poco triste por no estar rodando hoy, pero este viaje siempre se ha tratado de la distancia, no de rodar cada pedazo de tierra. Lo bueno es que he estado dando mucha vuelta en México para acumular mas kilometros y puesto que rodé 1,078 kms la semana pasada, debo poder rodar 840 kms antes del 30 de septiembre si el clima permite. Ya llevo 2,381 km.

Paradas en el resto del viaje:

Stephenville, TX - 23 de sept.

Wichita Falls, TX - 24 de sept.

Bonham, TX - 25 de sept.

Carrera Autumn in Bonham - 26 de sept. (puedo acumular hasta 100 kms si los necesito)

Tupelo, OK - 27 de sept.

Okmulgee - 28 de sept.

Prague - 29 de sept.

OKC - 30 de sept.

Hoy aprendí por experiencia que puedo empezar a confiar mucho en mi abilidad, en mi fuerza, pero solo logro lo que logro si Dios permite. No hubo mucho cambio en mis circunstancias y no avancé. Oren que Dios me de un tiempo favorable mañana. Necesito un viento del sur hasta el 30 de septiembre. Es todo que pido.

Day 25 - Brownwood, TX

Rain, 25 mph wind gusts from the north and cold. It was too much. Instead of riding the bike to Brownwood, we put it back in the car and drove here with the option open to ride later this afternoon if it warms up, but I double checked my mileage up until today and google mapped the rest of the trip and even without today's ride I'll have just over 2,100 miles. That means I get a weather-imposed rest day. Probably just as well. I've got a couple of long rides coming up to rival my longest in Mexico. I'm kind of bummed about not riding today, but this ride has been about the mileage, not about covering every inch of ground. Thankfully, I did enough zigzagging back and forth through Mexico to build up mileage and since I rolled nearly 670 miles last week alone, I should be able to get 521 before Sept. 30 if the weather gives me the chance. I have 1,479 right now.

Stops for the rest of the trip include:

Stephenville - Sept. 23

Wichita Falls - Sept. 24

Bonham - Sept. 25

Autumn in Bonham Bicycle Rally - Sept. 26 (I can get up to 64 miles there if I need them)

Tupelo - Sept. 27

Okmulgee - Sept. 28

Prague - Sept. 29

OKC - Sept. 30

Today has taught me that I can get to feeling pretty cocky about accomplishing something, but only if God permits. It didn't take much of a change in my circumstances to stop me today. Pray that I'll get some favorable weather tomorrow. A north wind would be devastating over the next couple of days. I just need south winds until Sept. 30. That's all I'm asking.

Día 24 - Menard

No fue mi destino final, pero por las noticias que escuchamos, supimos que un frente frio venía y yo quería aprovechar el día para avanzar mas. En vez de 102 kms, rodé 150 kms y terminamos en Menard, TX, un pueblito con un restaurant muy bueno! jaja. Hoy se trataba de comer. En el camino entre Leakey y Junction, donde ibamos a quedar, encontramos una tienda y gasolinera que vende unos sandwiches de "barbecue brisket." Eso con un "rootbeer" y ya estaba lista para otros 100 kms. Había encontrado el lugar hace cinco años cuando pasamos por este rumbo. Solo no recordaba exactamente donde estaba, pues la encontramos y estaba feliz. También venden mucha carne seca, entonces compramos para el camino.

Después de pelear con los traileros todo el tramo de Junction a Menard, pudimos descansar. Tengo que decir que nunca tuvimos tantos problemas en México con traileros que piensan que la carretera pertenece a ellos. Los traileros mexicanos nos aceptaban como parte del camino. No pasó nada ayer, pero estaban pitando mucho. Ni modo.

Hoy (22 de septiembre) amaneció mas frio. Llovió en la noche, pero ojalá pueda llegar a mi destino antes que llueva hoy. Son aproximadamente 130 kms. A ver que pasa.

Day 24 - Menard, TX

My final destination wasn't Menard, it was Junction, but with a tail wind and a possible cold front coming in, I decided to ride a little bit further. So instead of a 63-mile day, I rode a 94-mile day.

My grand total up until now is 1,479 miles. I'm almost there folks.

I had been considering it, but it was confirmed when I stopped on the edge of Junction and Jon told me the minister that was planning an event for us had a death in the family. We are very sorry for her loss. We were going to stay at the First United Methodist Church where we stayed last time we were on a similar journey. They were so wonderful to us and we were looking forward to the visit, but it was not to be, so I pedaled on to Menard up Hwy 83. I don't think the truck drivers liked the idea of a cyclist on their road. They honked a lot. I'm sure they're in a huge hurry and they resent someone traveling on a bicycle. We weren't in their way. They flew by at top speed. By their honks, however, we felt their displeasure. I guess I didn't realize the deed to the road had been given to them in my absence. They certainly acted as if they owned it. Ha!

Then we rolled into Menard, checked into the local hotel, took a bath and had dinner at Side Oats cafe and bakery and all was well. If you're ever in Menard or anywhere near, you'll have to check it out. Lots of choices of pie for dessert.

As a matter of fact, we were eating all day. On Hwy 83 between Leakey and Junction, there's a little place called Garven Store that we discovered on our last long-haul bike trip through Texas. They sell barbecue brisket sandwiches. Wow! I found it again yesterday and bought an IBC rootbeer to accompany it. Yum! We also stocked up on beef jerky, which they sell.

We supposedly weren't even hungry by the time we got to Menard, but we couldn't resist checking out Side Oats and once inside, couldn't resist the food.

I figured it out that I consumed just around 4,000 calories yesterday, which is probably what I'm consuming everyday. Thing is, I'm burning at least that much riding my bike, not to mention what I burn just to stay alive.

I checked outside this morning and the cool front did move in, but I'm hoping the wind won't be too bad and we can avoid the rain until we get to Brownwood.

Next stop - Brownwood, about 80 miles from here.

Día 23 - Leakey, TX

No escribí anoche porque estaba cansada como siempre. Rodé 150 kms ayer, unos 95 kms antes de las 11:15 a.m. para poder llegar al culto de la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Uvalde, TX y el resto después. Salimos de Eagle Pass antes de las 7 a.m. y llegamos bien al culto donde presentaron nuestro proyecto y recibimos algunos donativos. Fue un gesto bonito del parte de los hermanos de Uvalde.

Después fuimos a la casa de nuestro amiga de la universidad, Cheryl Newberry. No sabíamos que estaba en el mero Uvalde, pero sabíamos que nos ibamos a ver en el camino. Después supimos que ella también es miembra de la PIB de Uvalde, pero fue al primero de dos cultos el domingo, nosotros al segundo. Ha!

Ella nos acompañó hasta Leakey para que Jon pudiera rodar conmigo. Él me acompañó unos 25 kms de los 60 kms. Terminamos rápido el recorrido y regresamos a Uvalde donde estamos quedando con Cheryl. Hoy regresaremos hasta donde terminamos y seguiremos el camino.

Ya tenemos 500 playeras mas que tenemos que vender. Las recogimos en Eagle Pass y puesto que no hubo suficiente espacio dentro del carro, ya están en cajas amarradas arriba del carro. jaja. Solo las hemos perdido una vez cuando volaron en el regreso a Uvalde, pero creo que Jon y Cheryl los amarraron bien esta vez y no las vamos a perder. Ojalá que no.