June 20, 2011, I had a flight leaving from Detroit (where I was able to visit my sister and her family-extremely great to see them!) up to Anchorage. I would meet back up with Ryan to begin our ride from Anchorage down to San Diego. Our initial thoughts going into this bike touring lifestyle were to truly embrace the no destination, no agenda, no timeline motto. These next few months were a true testament of our words.
Ryan's mom has not been feeling well since back in March. June 19 she was told she needed invasive surgery to remove a section of her intestines. Our luxury in life of not having a job, rent, or any real have-to's, we completely changed gears and both made last minute plans to head to Ohio. It worked out very well and we both feel so fortunate that we were at a point in our lives where we could be there for them and help.
The past 2 1/2 months have been spent in Ohio helping Patty (Ryan's mom) prepare for surgery, help with her recovery, and simply be support for his parents at the hospital and at home. During Patty's surgery, the doctor discovered a tumor and the pathology reports confirmed his cancer diagnosis. Any thoughts and/or prayers to her for productive chemo and a quick second surgery recovery would be greatly appreciated. She is back home and trying to prepare for the months ahead.
Our days were fairly routine; morning runs down in the stunning Cuyahoga Valley National Park (such a hidden gem that we didn't take advantage of before this visit), quick shower at home before hours spent at the hospital keeping Patty company, home to keep the house in tact and make dinner for us and Don (Ryan's dad), head to bed to wake and repeat the following day. Growing up in this area, I was able to spend time with my childhood friend Steffany who is also pregnant and let me borrow her clothes while in Ohio. Now, you are probably thinking, "What is the big deal about that? They are just clothes." Under normal circumstance I would agree. However, only buying myself a pair of flip flops, one shirt and a bathing suit since before we even left Boulder, her clothes were greatly appreciated and worn every day. I already miss them as I am back to my typial attire. Ryan worked on the house and up on their boat that resides on lake Erie....not a bad way to spend a night either. Our days were filled but our priority was a constant of doing our best to help Patty recover. I think it went ok:-)
Although it was difficult to leave Ohio, it was time for us to get back on our bikes. Today, September 5, we are in Bozeman, MT, currently in the airport getting our gear and bikes ready for another adventure. Frontier Airlines recently started allowing bikes to be checked as oversize bags. Yippee!!! Having an airline make this change is extremely beneficial. The excessive amounts charged to check bikes is ridiculous, giving us just another reason to fly Frontier. We had couplers installed to break down the bikes to the dimensions of a checked bag and when asked what was in the boxes we would have to lie and say, "Camera equipment." Although I do not condone lying in anyway, being charged anywhere from $100-$350 each way for a bike is just not fair. Combine the cost along with the time it takes to break the bikes aparts and put them back together, well, this is just wonderful.
6:15am this morning we boarded a plane to beautiful Bozeman. With loaded bikes, we will start our ride heading a few miles east to experience a bit of this eccentric town. Our home will of course be our tent, probably in a campground that is close to downtown.
From Bozeman, we will ride north through Glacier National Park, taking locals advice whenever possible. Always chasing the sun and good weather, we will either head to Seattle or Portland before making our way south to our final destination on this leg, San Diego. Visiting friends and family along our ride, we are very excited to see people that we have neglected since leaving in April 2010 (sorry it has taken us so long Shane, Stacy, Joey, dad and Gina!). We plan to spend 2-3 months (mid November through February) in San Diego helping my two brothers with their Lights and Ladders business and spending much needed quality time with them. From there.....well, who knows? We will go whichever the wind takes us.
Ryan's mom has not been feeling well since back in March. June 19 she was told she needed invasive surgery to remove a section of her intestines. Our luxury in life of not having a job, rent, or any real have-to's, we completely changed gears and both made last minute plans to head to Ohio. It worked out very well and we both feel so fortunate that we were at a point in our lives where we could be there for them and help.
The past 2 1/2 months have been spent in Ohio helping Patty (Ryan's mom) prepare for surgery, help with her recovery, and simply be support for his parents at the hospital and at home. During Patty's surgery, the doctor discovered a tumor and the pathology reports confirmed his cancer diagnosis. Any thoughts and/or prayers to her for productive chemo and a quick second surgery recovery would be greatly appreciated. She is back home and trying to prepare for the months ahead.
Our days were fairly routine; morning runs down in the stunning Cuyahoga Valley National Park (such a hidden gem that we didn't take advantage of before this visit), quick shower at home before hours spent at the hospital keeping Patty company, home to keep the house in tact and make dinner for us and Don (Ryan's dad), head to bed to wake and repeat the following day. Growing up in this area, I was able to spend time with my childhood friend Steffany who is also pregnant and let me borrow her clothes while in Ohio. Now, you are probably thinking, "What is the big deal about that? They are just clothes." Under normal circumstance I would agree. However, only buying myself a pair of flip flops, one shirt and a bathing suit since before we even left Boulder, her clothes were greatly appreciated and worn every day. I already miss them as I am back to my typial attire. Ryan worked on the house and up on their boat that resides on lake Erie....not a bad way to spend a night either. Our days were filled but our priority was a constant of doing our best to help Patty recover. I think it went ok:-)
Although it was difficult to leave Ohio, it was time for us to get back on our bikes. Today, September 5, we are in Bozeman, MT, currently in the airport getting our gear and bikes ready for another adventure. Frontier Airlines recently started allowing bikes to be checked as oversize bags. Yippee!!! Having an airline make this change is extremely beneficial. The excessive amounts charged to check bikes is ridiculous, giving us just another reason to fly Frontier. We had couplers installed to break down the bikes to the dimensions of a checked bag and when asked what was in the boxes we would have to lie and say, "Camera equipment." Although I do not condone lying in anyway, being charged anywhere from $100-$350 each way for a bike is just not fair. Combine the cost along with the time it takes to break the bikes aparts and put them back together, well, this is just wonderful.
6:15am this morning we boarded a plane to beautiful Bozeman. With loaded bikes, we will start our ride heading a few miles east to experience a bit of this eccentric town. Our home will of course be our tent, probably in a campground that is close to downtown.
From Bozeman, we will ride north through Glacier National Park, taking locals advice whenever possible. Always chasing the sun and good weather, we will either head to Seattle or Portland before making our way south to our final destination on this leg, San Diego. Visiting friends and family along our ride, we are very excited to see people that we have neglected since leaving in April 2010 (sorry it has taken us so long Shane, Stacy, Joey, dad and Gina!). We plan to spend 2-3 months (mid November through February) in San Diego helping my two brothers with their Lights and Ladders business and spending much needed quality time with them. From there.....well, who knows? We will go whichever the wind takes us.
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