Epic Thankfulness!

People made this trip happen and people along the way contributed to the epic-ness of the adventure!  These are the ones that I remember, but so many others contributed as well.

I am thankful for my co-conspirator and love of my life, Pete for agreeing to this epic adventure and going the extra mile (pun intended) to plan, direct, map-out, cook, and otherwise support the entire undertaking. 

Thankful for:

Sue and Lesli for giving up a great portion of their summer to drive, ride, cook, play cards, and otherwise support us along the way.

The riders, Stephanie, Lisa, Lauran, and Sue B. for the laughter, support, companionship, cooking, laughter, perseverance, individual strengths and gifts, and did I mention laughter?

Friends and family who prayed for our safety.

Georgena Terry, who created the beautiful bicycle.

Noah, an organic farmer at Rainshadow Organics outside of Sisters Oregon who explained his work and offered to take a group photo.

The guy delivering 3 Redbulls to a ranch in eastern Oregon.

Wim, a dutchman cross-country rider who we met in the shoulder along the way and who shared a meal with us in Mitchell Oregon

The bike repair guys at The Trailhead in Baker City Oregon who agreed to fix Sue Sister's bike within 24 hours!

The overworked waitress in Richland Oregon who was so busy it took 40 minutes to get 2 slices of toast. 

The owner of the ice cream shop in Dayville who introduced us to "Concealed Carry" magazine.

The young cashier in Council Idaho who was so friendly and welcoming.  She told us where to buy the best sandwiches in town (not at her store!)

Kate of Kate's Cattlemen's Restaurant in Riggins Idaho, who made us breakfast, showed us what it means to get things done, and made us laugh!

Byron Seely the crazy potter in Jeffrey City Idaho who made beautiful art reflective of his natural surroundings

The man in Wisdom Montana who's dog could say "I love you".

The pick-up truck driver who stopped us outside of Dillon Montana to let us know he had just redirected one of our riders (Lisa) who was going the wrong way.

The airbnb hosts in Hamilton Montana who found us enroute to the house and escorted us in.  They left the refrigerator full of cold beverages!

The waitress at Yellowstone Lake Lodge who looked aghast when I asked whether she was sure that it was coffee in the pot.

The woman at the Yellowstone Lodge who carried the creepy doll.  Her husband who tried to get her to put it down.

The man riding out of DuBois on a hot afternoon on an old bicycle loaded with all his worldly belongings and his dog in tow.

The airbnb host in Lander Wyoming who offered to let us all stay an extra day for free!

The 85 year old man in Lander WY who had walked across the United States five years ago.  And his wife who massaged his feet!

The couple at a restaurant in Rawlins Wyoming who turned out to be former neighbors of our friends who were staying with Chris (small world).

The owner of the Copperline Lodge in Saratoga Colorado who made us feel welcome, played guitar with our group and provided an awesome breakfast!

Mark Dalton, a cross country rider from Illinois who accompanied us to Walden Colorado and gave Pete a bit of male companionship (finally).

Charlie, the AAA guy who changed a flat on the SAG truck, in the rain, on the highway, with the trailer attached.

The airbnb housekeeper in Pueblo Colorado who brought us a whole new set of flatware because we were missing one fork.

Mr. Drach who failed to help me get up or ask if I was OK when I fell in his driveway.

Mrs Drach who welcomed us to her orchard and gave us free apples and ice cold water.  We purchased a couple of delicious peaches and sat and chatted for awhile.

The people along the road who left a cooler of ice- cold water for bikers.....free!

The German couple at Quivera state park who shared stories from their travels.

The guy in Toronto Kansas who said "you gotta take what you get in Kansas" while picking a dead mouse off the hood of his car.

The couple in Toots drive-in who shared stories of their life in Howard Kansas.

Patsy, our airbnb host in Chanute Kansas at the historic Stone Summit Hill Schoolhouse.  

The woman at the Eastside Cafe in Girard Kansas who, after hearing our story, bought our breakfast for us!

Johnny, a young man on his road bike, who met us in the shoulder of the highway outside of Girard Kansas.  He lead us to the route and chatted with us about cycling and life in Kansas for a few miles before turning back to his own life.

The guys in the Mennonite peloton.

Jerry, our B&B host in Pilot Grove who made us frozen cocktails, and told us everything.

The young homeless man and his two puppies along the Katy trail who was kicked out of the convenience store for trying to charge his cell phone.

The flamboyant waiter at the BBQ in St. Charles Missouri.

Friends Janet and Tina who drove all the way to St. Louis to SAG for us so that we could all cross the Mississippi together. They brought us smiles and cookies.

Nanci and Stan Wood-Huels who graciously shared their lake house with us for overnight lodging in Effingham Illinois.

The young man at the college-stay in Terre Haute who had great faith and a welcoming heart.  He took us on a brief tour of the little museum and invited us to a Taize worship that evening.

Friends Peter and Ann Vaden who treated us to drinks and pizza in Cincinnati.

The young waitress in Waynesville Ohio who negotiated a free dinner for all of us and shared some wine (disguised in a styrofoam cup) with us.  

Nanette and cousin Jen who sang the Hallelujah chorus when we returned the fanny pack that she had forgotten at the hotel in Waynesville Ohio.

Matt Hazard, a young friend in Columbus Ohio who showed us some of the fun restaurants and entertained us with stories from his life and job.

The airbnb host at the farm outside of Xenia Ohio who chatted with us while the sun set.

The guys from San Diego who were all riding the Great Allegheny Passage together.  They've been friends since college and ride together every year.

Lance Franke and Stephanie Chaufournier (yes, our Stephanie) who took the train up from Virginia to meet us for our last 4 days of the journey.  We could not have completed the trip before the onslaught of storm Ian if it had not been for Lance's patience and expert SAG duties.

The man on a bicycle in Cumberland who was towing a lawnmower and going uphill!

The "tandem people", Rob and Evelyn who popped up on the trail over several days and shared our last B&B with us.  

Mitch, a frustrated rider on the C&O who wouldn't have been able to make it around the Pawpaw detour if it had not been for Lance's role as trail angel.

The young man in Brunswick Maryland who told us that the world's most awesome hamburgers could be found at Boxcar Burgers.......he was right.  He joined us after purchasing a camera to take pictures of locomotives.  

These are certainly not all of the people who put their own individual marks on our trip.  They and many others contributed to the richness of the journey and helped us understand the fabric of our country.