McFerrin Family Blog

Cycling the St. Lawrence Seaway, Montreal to Quebec

2011-12-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

Tarn's Journal:
August 18, 2011 Today we rode sixty-five km. Dad is making dinner. A freighter went by. There is another freighter anchored down just sitting there. I am writing in the sand right now. There is a freighter going by right now. I lost an eraser in the sand and now I found it. Here come two freighters. I have seen six freighters today. There are ducks and seagulls on the lake. I can see a giant building.

August 19, 2011 Today we saw windsurfing and kite surfing on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today we met these two guys named Simon and Pierre. One of them, Pierre, was from Quebec and the other was from England. Mon and I are eating macaroni. We are camping in someone's back yard.

Sampson's Journal:
August 19th, 2011 Friday
Right now I am sitting in a hanging blue chair that is hung by a tree. Markos is setting up tents with Mom and Tarn is looking for his journal. We are camped out in this woman's backyard who has four kids but they are away for the weekend. We got here because this guy named Pierre was not able to host us on "Warmshowers" so he let us camp in his friend's backyard. In her backyard there is a trampoline and a table and lounging chairs. Today we met this guy named Simon and he was from England. He was biking the same direction as us and we had a tailwind. Tarn is asking Mom ideas for his journal.

Markos' Journal
Aug 19th, 2011
Today we saw some kite surfers on a beach and a person was coming in. Sampson just read his journal to us. In this back yard they have a trampoline. When I finish my journal Sampson and I will go out front to play hockey, shooting on their goal. There is a marmot living under the garage. He came out to see us.

Sherbrooke to Montreal

2011-11-28T12:49:00.001-08:00

The mom and Markos outfit - Tarn takes a break at a park. Cattail in front right pannier travels with us for three-day leg to Montreal.

The World Expo site on Isle St. Helene, originally each triangular structure held a solid panel until a fire altered its image.

While enjoying the old town of Montreal, Tarn joins this street magician to entertain the crowd.

The ride from Sherbrooke to Montreal took us three days. Camping seemed easy enough, given a little creativity and awareness of options. Some excerpts from the boys' journals:

Tarn: Aug 14 Today was our first day on our trip. Sampson and Markos are eating plums. There is an apple tree nearby our camp. We are camping near a hotel. I like eating the plums. We are about to have dinner. There is a Santa House by our camping place. I am very hungry.

Markos: Aug. 15: We have red lentils for dinner. Today we had a very flat day because there were no hills. We asked some people to camp and they said we could camp in their back yard. I saw a bunch of bikes go by because we are next to a bike path. The fastest we went was 27 kilometres per hour and we biked for 4 hours and a half.

Tarn: Aug 16. We are camped at a cool camping place. For breakfast we had egg sandwiches. Right now we are at a library. Today we went seventy-two km. Today we got a cool kind of lemonade. The lemonade is a funny name in French "Limonade"

Making it Happen - Quebec Here We Come

2011-11-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

Sampson's bike on top and the tandems on the back rack.

Heading out a little different style than our 2009-2010 North American Family Bicycle Tour, this past summer we planned a two week bike tour on La Route Verte - an extensive bike route network connecting Montreal to Quebec. We loaded up our 2003 Westfalia (took a pitstop in Minnesota, USA, for a canoe trip) and landed in Sherbrooke, Quebec on August 14. We load our tandem bikes: Tarn (6yrs) rides with Rick and Sampson (10 yrs) pedals his own touring bike - a Norco rigid frame. Tanya and Markos (8 yrs) slide back into their comfortable groove, sharing a tandem and toting those humongous tandem panniers - still a necessity to carry even our bare minimum supplies.

Wonder why that middle guy has such a big grin? A gift from Dad that morning, a bicycle calculator, now mounted on his front handle bars. Hmmmm, maybe not such a good idea.
"AGHHHHH!" I hear screaming from Sampson behind me. Markos and I pull off the cycle path-turned black top highway and I reel around running towards Sampson who sits gripping his knees in the scrappy grass shoulder of the road. I swipe his bike, twisted sideways, off the black top and cradle him in my arms, "It's ok, it's ok..." 34 kilometres per hour, the speed he reached before speed wobbles took him careening into the gravel - didn't think to use the breaks. Why would you if you are trying to max out your speed on your new calculator? Two hours later we're back on the road and ride a second day of 70+ kilometres. Bike back in action, panniers removed from Sampson's bike, and Sampson re-educated about brake use. All hills will be taken in control.

Calgary Here We Come!

2010-08-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

These folks are pretty excited! We're traveling the third to the last day of our journey, from Pincher Creek to Maycroft Camp, HWY 22. Biking with us are Edwin and Nancy, their dog, and Curtis, helping us celebrate the final days.

The "stats" of our arrival home. 4:32 p.m. August 23, 2009, 5 hours 17 minutes of ride time that day, 85.81 km, and a trip total of 14,206.6 km ridden.

All the clothes we carried washed and drying in the sun. Edwin and Alice Knox hosted us for a wonderful evening and ride out the next morning from their home in Pincher Creek, AB. We'd met them on the road 9 months earlier as we both traveled down the salt plains of southern California near Barstow.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. We certainly didn't rush our ride home, but took in the beauty on the way. Our day off in Waterton, included hikes to waterfalls and campfires, hosted by a fun household of park interpreters. We were rested and ready for the 3 day ride into Calgary.

Our friend, the cricket, tickles Tarn's arm.

Haircuts for all, schools starting soon after all! We stop in Geraldine, Montana for a swim and a shortened day. As we approach the end of the trip, we savour each day.

Another game of cards, a light game packed with hours of enjoyment.

14,000 KM
6 birthdays (Tanya x2)
17 USA States
2 Canadian Provinces
6 Mexican States
innumberable thumbs up
multiple friendly homes
three sets of tires
three sets of chains
several switch-outs of tent poles
same Thermarests - one new patch
4 pairs shoes - Tarn
3 pairs of shoes Markos and Sampson
2 pairs of shoes Rick
1 pair of shoes Tanya

one year (July 15, 2009 to August 23, 2010)
five people - healthy, happy and home

We're back in Calgary. Bags and boxes are in various states of dispersal. Sampson, Markos and Tarn are off playing with their friends. School starts day after tomorrow. We've been back a week, yet it feels like yesterday that we rode into town. Every day is a new day. We're enjoying a relaxed immersion into a different, yet familiar way of life. Things that haven't changed: we're eating well, we're spending lots of time with each other, our bikes are still integral to our lives. Instead of talking with new friends every day, we're catching up with old ones. We sleep on beds, but keep the windows open to feel the cool of the night. I can sense that the impact of the past year effects our every decision and move. I feel the success of imparting upon my children an experience that will effect who they will become. They are strong, open minded, world-wise, yet trusting and fun loving. Sampson, Markos and Tarn know that working hard and playing hard equal a great life. The variety of the extreme, the constant of the unknown, the oddity of fun surprises and the constant of family - these joint experiences have created within our family unit a bond of respect and trust for each other which will forever be with us.

Last night of the journey journal entries, Aug 22, 2010:
Sampson: Tomorrow is going to be our last day of our trip and I am going to go to William's house when we get back. I liked La Paz (Baja California Sur) as the best place we went because there was a "Serpentario" (reptile zoo in Spanish) and I got to hold a corn snake. I also liked biking down the Baja Penensula through the desert and green. We did a longer day (today), we went 90 km - Maycroft campground to Longview. In Longview we got some of the "Best Beef Jerky in Alberta". Last night Tazman and Kadin and Diane and Peter came out and so did Tom and Mo (friends from Calgary who camped with us.) We are about 80 km from Calgary and we will probably make it there tomorrow if we have tail wind. We are going to meet a newspaper man from the Calgary Herald. He is going to bring out some TimBits for us. We did 14,120 km on this trip.
Markos: Today is the last day on the trip. I liked biking down the Baja because we saw lots of cactus and lizards. I liked La Paz too because we stayed in a hotel for a week. In that week we rode our bikes with Lanier to La Ventana to see Joe. This is the last day of the trip and I am writing in my journal for the last time.
Tarn: I liked Dad making pancakes.

For those of you who have followed our blog, thank you for your energy and support. As you have read, we have met so many amazing people who have been integral to the success, learning, comfort and fun of our journey. Thank you!!! The journey is done, we are back. Of course the boys have already dreamt up our next bicycle expedition, but you can wait a few years for that! We're enjoying the friends and community of Calgary, a wonderful place to call home.

Wheat Fields and Wild Weather

2010-08-09T10:46:00.001-07:00

The Mosby rest area offers us shelter from a wild storm that blew up. North Dakota and Montana plains stir up some crazy systems. Thankfully we've found shelter and met some great people in the process.

The wheat harvest means lots of combines and plenty of bales of hay.

Echinachea is one of the beautiful native flowers that line the roadsides.

The oil boom in North Dakota is "work wonderland but not wonderful" according to Dale, the pastor's wife who offered us the shelter of their Lutheran church basement. "It's hard work and long days." On the road we've been treated considerately by the multitude of oil industry service vehicles and met many workers on our travels.

We've made friends with wandering salamanders, grasshoppers and more. Prong horn/antelope watch us from the fields and hawks from the skies. We've got a whole lot of time to take it all in - westerly headwinds have meant 8mph travel and six hour ride days between tiny wisps of towns.

Tarn's journal:
July 29 - I played with a bottle at the swimming pool.
July 31 - I just sorted out my bag.
August 1 - I weighed myself on the scale.
August 4 - The grasshoppers went nuts today.
August 5 - I found a fake grape in the park.

Markos' journal:
August 2 - Today we woke up and got dressed. After we got dressed we got out of the tent to have breakfast. For breakfast we had oatmeal with craisins in it, on top we had granola. When we were done with breakfast we talked to Scotty for a little bit. He drove the earthmover to make a dirt road flat. When we were done talking to Scotty we got our helmets on and got on the bikes and rode away. In an hour we stopped to have a break. It was a view(point) and we could see the layers of dirt (in the Badlands butte formations).
August 4 - Today we woke up and got dressed. After we got dressed we got out of the tent to have breakfast. When we got out of the tent we went into RaeDeen's house to have breakfast. For breakfast we had pancakes. RaeDeen made us hot cocoa with lots of marshmallows that were not from the box. We are camped out in Brockway. Brockway is not much of a town. All it had was a post office and a bar. We are camped at a park.

Sampson's journal:
August 1 - Today we went through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We went to the visitor center to see if they had a Jr. Ranger Program and they did. The Jr. Ranger Program is a little book you get that has things you find out in the park. After that we went on a hike about a mile down the road called Buckhorn Trail. We just went through the North Unit. Dad told me there would be lots of rattlesnakes in the park so we watched out for them. The ranger recommended the trail closest to the front (of the park) because the buffalo were in the other part. The male wanted the females for themselves and wanted to protect them so they would charge at us (if we rode our bikes in that area.) I bought four post cards and a patch at the visitor center. We camped in Arnegard in the church.
August 5 - Today I woke up pretty early and then I went outside and I helped Dad make hot chocolate for breakfast. We had a really long day and we did fifty-eight miles. In the afternoon we bought some cold drinks cause it was hot. We haven't been having cold drinks for a long time. Now we are in Montana and it is getting to look like the Badlands more. There was not many towns today, only the start and end towns. I drank a lot of water today. We have been having more drink mix than normal now. Tarn found a "pet grape" today ( a little fake grape) in the park of Jordan. There is lots of yucca plant on the side of the road in the Badlands. Dad is making spaghetti dinner right now.

Riding the Plains, Small Towns / Big Sky

2010-07-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Small towns have become tiny towns in North Dakota, huge farms of 12,000 acres have replaced 1,000 acre farms. The populations that remain support maybe one small business per town. However there is always a city park where we find a great place to tent for the night.

Who is this bright creature? Markos, Sampson and Tarn went on to find many more at our roadside break stop.

Markos, Sampson and Tarn try on leathers and Harleys for size. They decided to give these rides back to Kojo, Marty and Jill, our Minneapolis friends who joined us in Fargo, North Dakota to help celebrate Tanya's 41st birthday.

Fargo - the biggest city we'd see in a while!

Giant combines and barns of past times. The story of farming in North Dakota.

Markos journal:
July 18 - Today we had eggs for breakfast. After breakfast Dad and Mom packed up the bikes so we could ride. Right now Dad is chopping the onion and mom is washing the broccoli for dinner. Before dinner we found some frogs jumping and we caught some of them and we put them in the water and they swam away. We are camped out at a city park and Dad is helping Tarn with his ABC's and Mom is writing our math pages for the bike.
July 28 - Today I wore a long sleeve t-shirt. For breakfast we had eggs and bacon. After breakfast we packed up and got on the bikes and rode off. In a hour we stopped to have a break and we had snack bars, I had a Clif Bar. After that we got on the bikes and rode for another hour... Today our stats were: Fastest Speed - 32 mph. Average was 10.2 mph. Distance was 4o mph, On-The-Bike time was 4 hours and 10 minutes. Dad made lentils and pork. We camped by the Missouri River. The mosquitoes were bad. I was hot today.

Sampson's journal:
July 25th - Today I woke up and I got out and Dad started making egg sandwiches for breakfast. We camped at the city park of Carrington. In the city park there is a pool but we only got to be in for five minutes so we just took a dip. Right now Markos and I are doing our journals and Dad is making dinner and Tarn and Mom are reading. Today we buried Tarn in the hay at one of the breaks. We are camped right by a big baseball diamond and practice pitching net. We went 50 miles today and we had side wind. We are having pasta with sauce and meatballs for dinner. We went off route today because the Adventure Cycling route goes on Highway 2.

July 26th - Today we woke up and I went outside and Dad had make hot chocolate for breakfast with grits. After breakfast we did school and then Dad called about Argo (our cat) because she is living at my friend's house. They have three cats and a dog (which is not what she was used to.) So they let her out and one day she went away and she has been gone for eight weeks but we know that she is not at the pound. We called the pound and she wasn't there so she is walking somewhere around our house and Henri's house. We camped at the city park of Bowdon. Today we had a side wind all day and we only went 30 miles.

We're scouring the maps and planning our route. Choosing the quietest and most scenic roads means we aren't bee lining it back to Calgary. We predict we'll ride into town in the last week of August. May the wind be at our back at least some of the time!!!

Cabin Living and Canoe Trips

2010-07-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

One, two, three, go! This time by canoe. Our seven day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota was outstanding. After being on the road for almost a year now, we've never had such easy packing and travel on a canoe trip - these guys truck over the portages and are ready for more!

Big sky and towering clouds, the ample rain and sun in the canoe country has brought the blueberries out early - unbelievably we got to pick a quart of blueberries and enjoy a pie before we left our three week stay at Grandpa Dan's cabin on July 6.

This one is for you, Dad, the true mushroomer.

Father's Day banana cake - we came the the cabin prepared to bake and grill and cook and relax. We love "playing house". The refrigerator is a cherished appliance when you are accustomed to travel on the road!

Markos' Journal
June 24
Today we had yogurt and granola for breakfast and Dad had granola and milk for breakfast. After breakfast Sampson and I went fishing in the canoe and Sampson caught a Northern so we paddled back to the dock and we put it on the stringer so it wouldn't get away. Then we fished off the dock and we saw a Bass but we didn't catch it. Then we filleted the Northern to have for lunch. Then we went up to the cabin to cook the fish for lunch. It was good. Sampson caught the Northern.
July 7
Today we had cold cereal for breakfast. After breakfast we played some games. Before Mom and Dad were awake Sampson and I played Monopoly. It was fun. Right now we are at the library and I am writing my journal and Sampson is reading books. Dad is at a meeting on the phone for the a Two Wheel View bike trip. I have a half a page more to write. This morning we were at Tanner and Wyatt's house. Then they left to go to camp and their mom went to work.

Sampson's Journal
June 23 Today I drew the Dome of the Rock, a log cabin, a castle and a zombie. Right now Markos is reading and Mom and Dad are down on the dock and Tarn is having quiet time and I am doing my journal. Today Mom baked some honey bread and we packed for the canoe trip. Markos and Dad went fishing today and Markos caught a Northern that he filleted and we had it for lunch. A minute ago Mom got the bread out of the oven and they were huge. We are going to go swimming this afternoon. Today I played UNO with Markos and Markos played Cribbage with Mom. Last night we scrubbed the canoe in the water and now it's all shiny and clean. Dad went swimming at quiet time because he ran into a bush with lots of ticks and he had them all over his body. After the canoe trip we are going to see Uncle Parnell and Aunt Becky and Grandpa Dan and Grandma Ann.
July 5 Today we woke up and we read and played Monopoly 'til Grandpa Dan and Grandma Ann woke up at eight o'clock. Later Uncle Parnell and Aunt Becky and Eden woke up and we had steel cut oats for breakfast. After breakfast I drew some air planes and then we went swimming. Uncle Parnell and Aunt Becky and Eden all took a soapy before they left. After they left we dug out some"Blue Clay" (from under the water near the dock) that we sculpted into shapes so it could dry. I made Fluffy (my stuffed animal) a big ball to write Fluffy on and a big ball and a medium ball and a small ball. Later we went up and Markos and I played Monopoly and I won because he landed on Pennsylvania Avenue and it had four houses on it. After that we had jam and cheese for lunch. After lunch I went to the screen house and I played Monopoly by myself and then I went back to the cabin and I did my journal. Tomorrow we are going and we will drive back to Minneapolis. Last night Uncle Parnell gave us some little fire crackers and a big long sparkler and a small bomb that made different colors of smoke.

Our Minnesota vacation is winding down, one week left for a family reunion at our great grandparent's cabin in northwestern Iowa. By next Friday we'll be back on the bikes and heading west, the 1500 mile final stretch to Calgary.

Old Home Minnesota

2010-06-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

Snowbank Lake - home to Grandpa Dan's cabin and three weeks of off-the-grid living. We get our drinking water right out of the lake.

Dinner - northwoods style. It's been three days and four fish meals.

This eagle has been heckling the loon family in our bay, we hearing the loon calls every night as we go to sleep.

Our returns to Minnesota always include a visit to Camp Mishawaka - where Tanya and Rick met how many years ago? (24! She first spied him when he was eating chicken at the Co-ed Barbecue.)

Though we left our Minnesota home six years ago, and love our life now in Calgary, old friends are always with us. It's great to catch up.

ANOTHER POEM BY TANYA

Lakes and trees
Mosquitoes, ticks, flies and bees.
Friends of gold
Good times not old.
Time to relax, reflect and ask.
To what next do we go?
Our past lives we know.
Yet experience and time
Will bring change we shall find.
We follow our hearts, know how we fit in
It's knowing we'll awake to another stage
Of the life we were in.
Just a little bit richer
More peace felt and serene.
Now capable of more - untold/unforeseen.

Wisconsin, Land of Cheese, Supper Clubs and Small Towns

2010-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Cousin Sali gives Rick a much needed haircut - good times and lots of laughs.

Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, lots of boats. It's been fun to be near big water again. We took a different ship, a ferry, to cross Lake Michigan from Ludington, MI to Wisconsin.

A different type of cart at the grocery cart return.

Loren heard them first, "Ride by on the other side of the road - there's a problem up here." -What he heard was a lot of hissing, by the time we caught up we just saw the sweet faces of two little siblings.

Try some? The Union Star was the first of many cheese factory stops - we even got to tag onto a school field trip at one in Rudolph, WI. Did you know that a dairy cow requires three acres of land a year to produce the food it needs (an acre is about the size of a football field.) That's 90 pounds of feed and 50 gallons of water everyday!

Our travels through Wisconsin were a special treat - our friend Loren Madison, who we met biking on the Natchez Trace in Mississippi, joined us for the ride. Not only was Sampson, Markos and Tarn's experience enriched by the perspective of another adult, but Rick and Tanya got to let someone else answer the twenty-questions-a-minute barrage that occurs periodically throughout each day. Thanks for being such a positive and fun travel companion Loren!

We've reached St. Paul, Minnesota - another guidepost on our route. Sampson, Markos and Tarn were born in Minneapolis and Rick and Tanya lived there for twelve years. Having left six years ago via a moving truck, it felt special to arrive back by bicycle - the two flat tires and continuous rain showers did little to dampen our mood!

The next month will be a break from the bikes and the summer vacation we've envisioned over the last two months - living off the grid, but this time at Tanya's dad's cabin on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Fishing, canoeing and reading books. We'll be back on the bikes mid July for the return cycle to Calgary.

Markos writes:
May 31 Today we had cream of wheat with syrup for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and we were out at 7:45. We didn't do our math because there were too many mosquitoes. Then we put on our helmets and we rode our bikes away. We said goodbye to the guy that let us camp in his back yard. In his back yard there was lots of goose poos that were very stinky. Today we stayed at a couch surfers. Today we thought it was June 1st but it turned out to be May 31st.
June 2 Today we had egg sandwiches for breakfast. After breakfast we kicked the ball around and it went in the water a few times. The egg sandwiches for breakfast were very good. Today was different because Loren was biking with us. It was fun. We camped in someone's back yard.
Sampson writes:
June 3 Today we camped at a city park that had a tether ball and pole game, and a volley ball net. There is also a big red slide and a metal play structure. Today I sent a letter to Grandma Susan because she sent me a letter. We went to a town called Rudolph. There was a cheese factory and I got Mint Zanzibar ice cream that was green and dark brown. We bought lots of cheese: Swiss cheese and string cheese, cheddar cheese and ricotta cheese. Right now Markos is doing his journal and Tarn is writing and Dad is cooking. This morning we had French Toast and played with Lego and Play Mobile. Then I walked on the tight rope and took a picture with Patrick, Laura and us and Karen. We are going to have homemade Mac and Cheese that Dad made. Today Karen biked (us) to the cheese factory and biked back (to her house) without us. Today we saw two baby raccoons that were really, really cute and we didn't see the mom.

June 4 Today we camped at a county park and there was a playground and a shelter at the park. It was raining on and off all day but at the park it got sunny. Today we saw a Bald Eagle flying above the memorial park after lunch. Tomorrow we are going to see Dad's cousin Sali and her kids Jordan and Kyli. The last time I saw them was when I was three or four and they had a little pink jeep. Right now it is really windy and Tarn is playing at the park and Dad is working on the bikes and Markos and I are doing our journals. We are right by a lake with lots of geese. Today we went through a town named Neilsville and we went to the IGA (grocery). We are in Humberg, Wisconsin and in the park.

Michigan, The "High Five" State

2010-05-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Tarn seeks relief from the heat at the Millenium Splashpark, Grand Rapids, MI.

We visit the US headquarters of Velocity rims, a company that has helped us out immensely on our trip - including an invitation for a landing spot for a few nights! Thanks!!!

Sampson's journal: Today we saw a Woolly Mammoth that was being dug up by a scientist. When we saw him he was digging up the clavicle or the scapula. He had dug up a tool a couple of weeks ago so he had proof that there were people in the time of the ice age. The Woolly Mammoth was found by a creek in the golf course we camped in. Tomorrow morning the owner is making pancakes for breakfast for us.

Sampson's journal: Today we went from Sandusky to Lindsey. We camped at an old farm where some people were plowing farms with horses like in the olden days. We are going to have burritos for dinner.

Are you as excited as I am? The pattern on this new shirt of mine will disguise the salt/sweat stains and looks classy too! Markos kindly gave the "deep 6" to my old biking shirt, Goodwill re-sale shops are an important support system for this crew!

We've just been riding through this state a few days, but true to form, Michigan has it's own unique characteristics as each of the other States has had. For us, Michigan is lots of green. Big trees, blooming peonies, fragrant air and another style of farmhouse architecture. Lots of brick, huge barns and fields of emerging with corn and soy bean plants. Heat, humidity and mosquitoes are a sharp contrast to the cold snap accompanied by wind and thundershowers that we'd ridden through in Northwestern Ohio.

Markos' journal
May 24
Average Speed: 10 miles per hour
Ride Time: 4 hours and 7 minutes
Starting Place: Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Ending Place: Morrison Lake Country Club, Michigan
Temperature: 90 degrees Fahrenheit
Maximum Speed: 23.9 miles per hour
Today we had some cereal and egg dish for breakfast. After breakfast I helped take down the tents and there was a bee in one of the tents. Then we said good-bye (to Warm Showers hosts Mike and Cindy) and we got on the bikes and rode away and the road was dirt for a little bit. The we stopped to put some sun screen on.
May 21 Today we had yogurt with granola for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up. Today we saw some mushrooms growing in a circle and they were white. Today we camped out in some one's back yard...then we set up the yellow tarp to dry and we set up to dry too. For lunch we went to a hamburger place and I had a grilled cheese with apple sauce and some milk. It came with a tootsie roll pop.

oHIo - Farmland, Industry, and Family

2010-05-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Black River rushes towards Lake Erie, just west of Cleveland, Ohio.

Tarn selects only the finest of fresh greens for a tasty feast from Lisa and Ken's garden, Oberlin, Ohio.

Saddlebreds race by at a fast clip clop, a common occurrence at the county fairgrounds where we often camp.

"Look who I found in my shoe!" Morning wake-up at Meramec State Park, Missouri.

Bill and five of his step-great grandchildren, can you believe this healthy young guy turned 100 years old? Bella Vista, Arkansas

Sampson, Markos and Tarn get the "royal" treatment, Mormor and Grandad take us all to a Kansas City Royals game. American baseball at it's best.

Yes, these pictures show quite diverse locations - not really reachable by bike. Sometimes a lot happens in just a few weeks! The 100th birthday party of Bill Wanamaker, Rick's step grandad is a celebration we were honored to attend. The location: Bella Vista, Arkansas. We left our bikes and gear with friends in Cincinnati. The ten hour one-way rental car experience was a rude reminder of the zooming fast pace of life we generally are able to avoid. Fortunately, visits to several of Rick's family were part of our car-trip excursion. Then back to Cincinnati for an excellent send off by way of 70 miles of park land path - the Little Miami River Rails to Trails route. We cycled north/northeast through the back roads of Ohio, arriving near Cleveland, at my sister's home. We head out tomorrow, this time traveling west, making the turn onto a direction that will eventually guide us home to Calgary by mid August.

oHIo

Small farms, white barns, little roads and trails.
Honeysuckle, darting birds, water drained from fields.
Cool weather, dish gloves, county fairground shelters.
Lightning bolts, thunder claps, cold fronts moving through.

Warm hosts, tasty feasts, comfy beds and showers.
Steel mills, "brown fields"- industry revealed.

Organ pipes, piano parts, a destination reached.
Cousins and fun, and finally, the emergence of the sun.

My Old Kentucky Home

2010-04-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

These large black barns had long hinged vertical openings along the sides to allow air to pass through and cure the tobacco. Quilt patterns painted on their sides preserve the heritage of the region.

Sampson, Markos and Tarn love to share their experience. In Springfield, KY they had the opportunity to speak to a gym packed with students full of questions.

Stormy skies are beautiful to watch, and often lead us to seek out new friends and shelter. Our experience is enriched by the wonderful people who welcome us into their lives.

The interior of a 200 year old southern church. The congregation - close knit families, a community support system.

Spring "killer" lambs and their mother.

"We've crossed the Mississippi (River), the Tennessee River, the Ohio River..." actually Tarn went on to list three or four more rivers too - his grasp of our adventure is baffling.

There's always something to look at and wonder as we travel along the road.

The waitresses of the Corner Cafe, Westmoreland, KY, treated us to an amazing spread of Southern comfort food and hospitality!

Another of Sampson's many animal friends along the way, this time at the Nashville Zoo.

Hollers (hollows) and backbone ridges - Kentucky's built us into steel machines. The tiny rural roads guide us to warm and heartfelt people. The land of Daniel Boone and Abraham Lincoln - dulcimers and American Saddle Bred horses.

Tanya's Song of the South

Texas mesquite, cattle, Black's BBQ
Friends and cousins
The wind always blew.

Louisiana crawfish, the Cotton Gin
Dollar General, levies and bayous
Baptist/Pentecostal/Catholicism.

Mississippi Dogwood, Red Bud,
Cypress trees
The road, RVs and wild turkeys.

Alabama- Markos lost his second tooth
Learned of journeys and stones
A history unearthed.

Tennessee hills, biscuits
more barbecue,
Cousin Keri and Mike, a trip to the Nashville Zoo.

Kentucky is families that go way back
The quilt trail, two entry houses
and 'baccy (tobacco) barns of black.

We're still headed north - one more stop to make
then westward bound is the road we'll take.

Sampson's journal
April 22 Greenville, KY (guests of the city in the Canoe Trail cabins)
Today we woke up and I read my "Harry Potter" book and then I got dressed. Later Dad made eggs and salty ham for breakfast. After breakfast we did school and the Bobby came over and gave us our (business) cards that we ordered. (Bobby was the man that Dad had asked to make the cards.) Then we played in the rocks and water and then left. An hour later we got to Cambelleville and went to the CVS and had a granola bar for snack there. Then we went to a grocery store and Markos and Dad went in and Tarn and I and Mom read some. Later we got to a little country store and got some fresh hamburgers and onion rings for lunch. After lunch we played a little bit of pool at the country store. Later we biked to Springville and a guy invited us to stay in his little community center. It had a mural of Barak Obama and Moses on the side, it read, "The leaders may change, but the rules stay the same." (The Ten Commandments where written between the two leaders.) Later we took a walk around town and then did our journals. We had vegetable soup for dinner.

Markos journal
April 23 (Steve and Marianne's, Springfield, KY) Today we had french toast for breakfast and I helped Mom make french toast. After breakfast we did our math work, then we had a muffin outside. Then, we walked to the horse stable and we saw a horse pulling a buggy with a man in it. Today we saw some big horses that were called Saddlebred.
April 26 (Steve and Donna's, a family dinner, a dry cozy home and a ride into Cincinnati) Today we had jelly on bread and fruit for a little something to eat before breakfast. Then Donna made eggs and bacon for breakfast. After breakfast we played a little game of hang man and it was fun. Then we went outside in the garage and we put our stuff in the trunk (of the car.)

Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, Ain't No Place I'd Rather Be

2010-04-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

As we entered Tennessee, waterways flowed over rocks and formed cool pools, quite a contrast to the sloughs further south in Mississippi.

Markos holds a meteorite, one of the hundreds of thousands of individual stones in Tom's Wall, a monument to women, honoring his great, great, great grandmother and her journey on the "Trail of Tears" and return to her former home. The Indian removal from areas east of the Mississippi River to the "Indian Nations" area west of the Mississippi occurred in the 1830's.

Birds, bees and butterflies, quite a few topics of conversation as you travel along by tandem bicycle.

The diverse hardwood forest of Mississippi and Tennessee.

Wisteria vines take over the skeleton of this giant roadside tree.

Beavers and turtles command the waterways here.

A Lunar Moth pays a visit to the Holdiness household, a cool sighting on a warm evening!

No worries, this one is dead. My first up close viewing of a Copperhead!

444 miles of beauty, wildlife and history. Wonderful people and an amazing National Park. The Natchez Trace Parkway gets a solid four stars for bike tour-ability!

Sampson's journal:
April 9 Tupelo Visitor Centre Bike Campground - Today we woke up and I read a chapter from Narnia and did my math in the tent. Later I got out and Dad was making coffee and muesli for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and went on a hike to "Little Mountain" (Jeff Busby Campground) and it was a half a mile. At the top we looked around and read ...(the information boards). Then we hiked back down the hill and left. An hour later we met some bicycles and two were going south and one north. We had a break there. An hour later we got to a historic site and had lunch with Loren (the biker traveling north). After lunch we kept biking and saw a dead water moccasin on the road. It's head was smashed but not it's body. It was black with yellow spots. Later we had some oranges at a bridge. Next we got to Bynum Indian Mounds and walked around. Then we got to Witch Dance and camped there. Loren gave us a science lesson on (how) planes (fly).
April 7 Meriwether Lewis Campground - Today I woke up and read some of my book, "Wayside School is Falling Down". Later I got out of the tent and Dad was making egg sandwiches for breakfast. After breakfast we played at the park and then did math. Then we went to the Welcome Center and took a shower. Later we left and we met some bicyclists that were biking the opposite way. Later we stopped at a picnic spot and had a granola bar and built a rock bridge across the creek. After break we biked to a historic site. We had jam and cheese and we waded across the creek. An hour later we got to Meriwether Lewis campground. There was a big monument where Meriwether Lewis was buried.

Markos' journal
April 14 Garrison Creek Picnic Area - Today we had pancakes with butter for breakfast. After breakfast we said good-bye to Carol. Then we took a picture. After that we got on the bikes and we rode out of the campground and went back to the main road.
April 15 Yesterday when we were biking we saw a big black snake that was alive and the big black snake turned out to be a Water Moccasin. Yesterday too, Mom saw something moving on the side of the road. Then it ran across the road and it was a bobcat. We also saw a wild turkey with a blue head. We had a grasshopper stay on the bike the whole day.
April 16 Cousin Keri and Mike's - Today we had eggs and cantaloupe for breakfast. After breakfast we fed the birds and we put some corn on the ground for the turkeys to eat and we put some seeds on the little table for the squirrels and the deer to eat. Then we put some peanuts in a metal cage on the tree for the squirrels to open the top and eat the peanuts.

Traveling the Trace

2010-04-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

Sampson, Markos and Tarn learn how the cotton seed is separated from the lint with a cotton gin, Frogmore Plantation, LA.

Sampson tries his hand at picking cotton.

A Cypress swamp. We hear there are lots of alligators, water moccasins and snapping turtles! I think we'll be staying on the pavement!

A wash basin in the family bedroom, Kent Plantation, Alexandria, LA, mid 1800's.

Sampson, Markos and Tarn stand dwarfed beneath a giant two hundred plus - year-old oak.

The McFerrin boys size up dinner - crawfish boiled with Cajun spices, corn on the cob and potatoes. Shipley's donuts for dessert.

The Natchez Trace is 444miles of National Park parkway connecting Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It follows the path taken by Native Americans, Kaintuck boatmen returning home to Ohio after selling their wares in Natchez and New Orleans, and Civil War soldiers, both Union and Confederate. The parkway traverses cypress swamps, hardwood forests and meadow lands. We've hit the Trace at prime Spring flowering - the white dogwood and red bud trees stand out amongst the dark greens of pines and fresh new leaves of oak and sweet gums. Roadside flowers vary in color: yellow asters, purple vinca, little red "strawberry cone" flowers, we call them, and white English daisies. The pink and red woodland azaleas are just starting to pop out.

It's time to be heading in the northward direction we are now taking - days are getting warmer, 80's and 90's Fahrenheit, 85% humidity. It's pleasant on a bike with the breeze and in the shade of trees when we stop.

Markos' journal:
March 31 Alexandria, LA Today we had donuts for breakfast. After breakfast we got a picture with the people that invited us into their house for one night. Then we got on the bikes and rode to a Goodwill and bought a long sleeve and a hoody for me. We left behind my old long sleeve and hoody. Then we got on the road again.

April 4 Today we had grits with honey for breakfast. After breakfast we played Lego and we built lots of things and each set was in a different bag. We did lots of different sets and they had lots of people and some sets had horses and some sets had little boats. There was a bag of sharks.

Sampson's journal:

April 1 (camped behind a Baptist church) Today we woke up and I read a chapter of my Narnia book. Later Dad made grits for breakfast with pineapples and strawberries. Before breakfast we did math. After breakfast we packed up and a sheriff came by and said, "Hi". Then we left and an hour later we got to Jonesville. In Jonesville we went to Family Dollar and bought pipe cleaners (to decorate Easter Baskets) and toilet paper and coffee. The manager let us have lunch at a restaurant across the street for free. So we went there and I got some nachos for lunch. After lunch we biked to the Frogmore Plantation and learned about cotton and how it's made. The we went to Will's (parents') house. (Will is the local newspaper reporter who interviewed us that morning.) We went in their pool. They have two grandsons, Milt and Jace. Later we did journals and Dad made egg dish for dinner. Today is April 1st, (April) Fools Day.

April 2 Ferriday, LA Today I woke up and read a chapter from "The Last Battle", Narnia. Then we fed the baby calf milk. Next Dad made pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast we dug in the dirt and took down the tents, then we went and checked on the cows and said goodbye. Later we got to Ferriday and asked for water at a gas station but they didn't have any. Then we got some trail mix out for snack. Later we went across the Mississippi River and got to Natchez. In Natchez we went to the visitor center and got some maps of Mississippi. Next we went to"Fat Mama's" and got lunch. I got six tamales. After lunch we went to the Longwood House (an 1860 antebellum southern mansion) and went on a tour. Later we got to the Natchez Trace. The Natchez Trace was really beautiful. Then we went up and down to Natchez State Park and camped there. Dad made chili for dinner.

Tin Roofs and Bayous, Eastern Texas to Louisiana

2010-03-29T05:39:00.000-07:00

Sampson turns #9, luckily the birthday jersey Rick has carried from Mexico still fits!

Neat and up kept, the architecture of the southern USA speaks of times past.

The boys making breakfast, a cozy day off in Carol's farm kitchen/barn apartment.

"...the bluebonnets will be out in a couple of weeks..." but for now, Indian Paint Brush and other roadside flowers aren't too bad!

Buttercup decided to visit our camp, "Gentle as a kitten", but a heavy breather when she's standing outside your tent in the middle of the night!

Carol's Pan-fried Garden Chard

Wash Chard, slice and toss while slightly wet into iron skillet. Cook over a hot flame with a bit of olive oil and oyster sauce. Delicious!

Markos' Journal
March 17 Robin and Eric's, Austin, TX Today we had bagels with butter for breakfast. After breakfast my brothers played outside and I sewed a little bag to put my marbles in. Dad went away to fix his tooth, then we had lunch. For lunch we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
March 21 Jody and Susan's, New Waverly, TX Today we had an omelet for breakfast. After breakfast we did our math work. When we were done doing our math work we made some fishing poles out of a stick and some fishing line and a hook and I put a little alive fish on my hook. Then we had to make two more for Tarn and Simon. When we were done making those two fishing poles we went down to the lake to fish. I did not catch any but my fish got a little nibbled.

Sampson's Journal
March 24 Browder's Marina Campground, Livingston Reservoir Today I woke up and I read a chapter from Narnia and then we did math and dad made blueberry pancakes for breakfast and they were really hard to flip. Later we packed up and went to the public library and read books and mom sent some e-mails and went on the computer. Dad read us some "Ranger Rick" magazines. Later we went to the super market and bought some fruit and vegetables and meat. Then we went to a restaurant called "The Hop" and we went there for lunch and got an "Everything" pizza and dad got a burger. After lunch we rode down a road for about ten miles and got to a turn off to a lake and we went there. Next we asked at a store for a pass to an RV park and we bought one. Then we went to the RV park and set up the big yellow tarp and took showers and built roads (in a sand pile) and did journals. Dad made fajitas for dinner.
March 25 Hilda and Donald's yard, Hortense Today I woke up and it was raining and I could hear thunder and see lightning flashing above the tent so I read a chapter of "Narnia". Later I got out of the tent and got packed up and went over to the shelter and dad made boiled eggs for breakfast that were hard to peel. After breakfast we packed up the kitchen bag and went. Later we got to Livingston and went to a book store and gave some books and got some books. Then we went birthday shopping for my birthday and mom got one thing. Next we went to another store and got some party plates and a banner and candles for my birthday and Markos and Tarn got a present. Later we went to get a BBQ slab of ribs. After lunch we kept biking and got into a forest and went up and down. Later we asked to camp at a person's house and she said she would ask her husband and he said yes. We had egg scramble for dinner

Blown by the Northerlies up Texas

2010-03-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Spring flowers are emerging along the roadside, early March, southern Texas.

Sunrise along a bay of the gulf coast, Bayside, Texas.

Tarn, the monkey, is typically found in trees. He found this disguise on Padre Island, Texas.

Markos demonstrates that not only are his legs strong, but his arms too.

A pile of day packs left behind by illegal immigrants traveling north from Mexico. They follow the oil pipeline that traverses Keith's land, Riviera, TX.

Weather/terrain report: southern Texas had an unusually cold, wet winter. Cotton and grain fields remain wet, farmers hope for winds and sun to dry fields by March 15, a government subsidy deadline for planting in this region. Winds blow strong everyday, fortunately mostly tail and side winds. Days in the sixties and seventies Fahrenheit. Mostly cloudy. Trees are just beginning to leaf out. High Mesquite brush lands ease into huge damp, flat but furrowed fields around Corpus Cristi. Agriculture trades off with ranch land of long horn Texas cattle and curious horses. We've reached the land of southern BBQ, smoked ribs, turkey, sausages and brisket. Barbecue sauce and bread. Sides of beans, coleslaw, corn muffins and berry cobbler.

Sampson's journal:
Feb. 27 (Riviera, TX) Today we woke up and mom made french toast for breakfast. While she was doing that I squashed some oranges into orange juice. Later we had breakfast. After breakfast we had a tour around Keith's land and learned what he was doing with it. Later we dug some holes and did morning work. We found one egg in the chicken coop. Keith had thirteen dogs and two of them are really fat because they eat a lot. Later we had soup for lunch with crackers, it was mostly vegetables and carrots. After lunch we had quiet time. I did my journal and drew some in my book for quiet time. After quiet time we made hamburgers for dinner. We are staying with a Warm Showers guy but he was asleep most of the day because he worked all night. Today dad fixed the tent poles. We might watch Santa Buddies tonight. It just came out and is brand new. There is a cold front coming in tomorrow so if it's really rainy tomorrow we will stay here at Keith's house.

Markos journal:
March 3 (Mustang Island State Park, near Corpus Cristi, Texas) Today we had banana bread and yogurt for breakfast. After breakfast mom and dad got on the bikes and rode and I walked. We went to a (camp)site that had a lot of bikes and we talked together. Then we got on the bikes at 10:06 a.m. Then we rode for an hour. Then we stopped on the side of the road to have a snack break at 11:06 a.m.
March 4 (camped out in an empty seaside lot next to Lori's house, Bayside, Texas) Today we had raisin bread and some cheese and fruit for breakfast. After breakfast I did my math work. After I did my math work we went out to a long dock that at the end here was some stairs down to a platform. We went fishing.
March 5 (Goliad, TX) Today we had cream of wheat for breakfast. After breakfast we rode and we saw the court house. Then we went to the store and Tarn and dad went in. Yesterday we rang the bell in the bell tower. (Mission Santo Espirito) After that we got on the bikes and rode.
March 6, 2010 (camped out in Joe's cattle field) Today we had oatmeal for breakfast. After breakfast dad found a dried up turtle shell upside down with nothing inside. Today we crossed a river called San Marcos River. When dad was riding on the bike the turtle shell fell off and cracked.
March 9 (Robin and Eric's house, Austin, TX) Today we had pancakes and strawberries for breakfast. After breakfast we went outside and played on the trampoline. When we were done we played on the swing for a while. Then I came to my room and did my math, then I wrote in my journal.

March 9 journal work for Tarn
Find the rhyming words from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
short "e" sound
1. pets
2. Zeds
3. heads
long "a" sound
1. say
2. day
3. they
Good Morning Tarn! How many Zeds got a haircut? (1)
How many Zeds need a haircut? (48)

Traveling Tamaulipas, MX

2010-02-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

How would you like to have your dad own a pastry shop? Graham and Katia treated our boys to royal treats as we passed by on a rainy day. "Pick anything you want, come on! What would you like?"

Just the beginning of the day, Victor took us for a circuit of the town and we ended up in front of a bunch of news cameras - a bit much for this family of five!

The yellow cathedral in Tampico.

Markos sips down a Manzana Escuus.

A old woman prepares lunch for us in her tiny, yet packed kitchen, Tampico.

Markos tries on a wooden mask at Sandra and Ernesto's in Tempoal, part of the festivities of the four day Day of the Dead celebration in this town.

A Brahma bull stares us down, one of many in pastures beneath the purple-hued coastal range.

Camped out in the pasture next to Rojilio's race horse stable, nine or ten of his neighbour children came to make sure our tents were erected properly.

What happened to the "p" in Sampson?

Just another day at school, thanks to the generosity of Ejido Carmen, we had a dry home in an empty unused school room.

We did our normal research when charting a route through unknown territory, talking to locals, referring to travel guides like Lonely Planet, and sending out inquiries to our travel friends by e-mail. What came back concerning the area of Mexico adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico was inconclusive. What we discovered was natural beauty, good roads, easy riding, warm and gracious families, plenty of medium size towns to meet our daily necessities, and unfortunately, a lot of foggy, misty and sometimes rain-drenching days.

We crossed the border from Reynosa, Tamaulipas to McAllen, Texas yesterday. We said good-bye to Mexico, a country our friend Lanier describes as "a carnival every day" and look forward with interest to Texas. Fortunately the panaderias (bakeries) and cautious, interested and protective drivers will continue north with us. Mexico's influence on this part of the United States is clear. One thing Sampson knows for sure, "it'll be nice to have toilets that have seats, and the back part attached, and a door that shuts and toilet paper" as we travel through the USA.

Markos writes:
Feb 13. Today we had cereal and yogurt for breakfast. After breakfast we watched a little cartoon, then we left the hotel and biked 30 kilometres to get out of town. Then we stopped at a gas station to have a break and we had a cheese bread and dad filled up the fuel (we use diesel to fuel our cook stove) and I went to the washroom. Then we got on the bikes and rode an hour more. Then we stopped on the side of the road to have lunch and a two layer cow truck came and dropped off all of them and it was really noisy.
Feb 17. Today we had pancakes with syrup for breakfast. After breakfast we took the table back to their house and threw our trash bag in the deep hole to burn. Then we went back and got on the road and rode for an hour. Then we had a snack break and had a banana.

Sampson writes:
Feb. 17 Happy #9 Birthday Mason! Today we woke up and had pancakes for breakfast. While we were having breakfast a dog peed on mom's pack and while we were doing that (cleaning it up) dad put the frying pan on the frisbee that was keeping the pancakes warm and the frying pan stuck on the plastic frisbee and broke the frisbee. After breakfast we said good-bye and went. An hour later we had bananas for snack. Later we got to a little town that we bought some snack bars at. An half an hour later we had a snack bar. Later we had lunch. After lunch we road 15 km to a town called Soto La Marina. We got some water there and we looked at the back of a couple hotels (for a place to camp) but we didn't find any. Then we kept riding on and we saw a place just down a road with a palapa and grill and grass. We looked around and said, "Let's camp here." So we camped there. We had chicken and beans and rice for dinner.
Feb. 18 Today we woke up and it was raining. I read a chapter in my book "The Silver Chair" Narnia. Later we had oatmeal and granola for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and did school and went. An hour later we had a snack bar for snack. It was still raining. That hour we talked about wives' tales and about holidays. Later we had a snack bar and now the road was big and nice. It is still raining. A couple hours later we had lunch. We had peanut butter and jelly and apples for lunch. After lunch we kept riding and checked out a couple dirt roads. Later we had a chocolate for snack. Next we got to a little store where we got water and asked if we could camp at the school in town and they said sure. So we went to look, it had a giant shelter and a washroom and dry space. Later we set up tents and made a concoction for dinner. It rained all day but we went 70 km today.

Pachuga to Tampico, Mountains to the Sea

2010-02-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Markos and Tarn join the men fishing on Laguna Meztitlan.

Flowing water...finally, and green, "Mom, is this a forest? It smells like moss." Our days in the desert have been replaced by a very different ecosystem.

A view out the window of comedor "Pesca Ilde", "Si! Yes, I am Ilde and you may camp on that island there, if anyone asks, tell them Ilde said it is okay. Have the girls in the kitchen fill up your water bottles."

A tree emerges from a rock on the valley floor near Meztitlan.

Sampson dries out, the sunny morning after a stay in a 500 year old church.

Morning studies next to 200 year old murals.

Snack break in the rain - how is it that this crew is oblivious to the fact that it's rained all day?

A change in climate,
A change in scene.

Mountain roads, granny gears or tight on the brakes.
An occasional tractor. Valley floors patchworked with fields of green and turned red soil.
Cactus walls. Grinding climbs.

Dense dripping forests, waterfalls and twittering birds.

Fushia bouganvilla, scarlet poinsetta, ancient root buttressed trees.
Adobe towns, local seniors walk down the road, old women with cardigan sweaters, old men carrying a sack, a machete.
Burros munch tall grass, staked by a long lead.

Old churches, claining bells.
Murals, barrel vaults, stonework. Ancient yet continuous. Local inhabitants filter in and out of the sanctury. Still, these buildings remain part of daily life.

Why did we leave the beaches and the sunshine? Change is good, there are roads to explore.

My favourite local reaction to the journey so far: "Que valiente!"

Markos' journal
Feb. 1 (leaving Mexico City) Today we had cereal and yogurt for breakfast. After breakfast we got a ride in a minivan to a big bus station and we got on a bus for an hour and a half and we got to another big bus station. I got a Hawaiian empanada and mom and Sampson got a meat and potato one.

Feb. 3 Yesterday it was raining. The rain was falling from the foggy clouds. Yesterday I saw lots of mud because it was raining the whole day. Yesterday we biked up lots of switch backs and on the otherside we went down a long down hill.

Sampson's journal
Feb. 7 Today we woke up and dad made oatmeal with dates and cinnamon and sugar on top. After breakfast we packed up and we got out of the fence and got riding to Molango. I heard cows running around our tents this morning. An hour later we had a fruit bar for a snack. We saw water falls and jungle all morning long. After a snack there was a fork in the road and they both went to the same place but one was muddy. We went on the other road. Later we got to Molango and dad bought some tamales and empanadas from an old lady for lunch, they were really good. I had two. After lunch we went down and then back up through the jungle. In towns there were people dressed up in costumes and asking for money for a carnival. I gave them a peso. It was a long, long afternoon because we had lunch at eleven thirty. Later we got to a trail to a big leafy, sluggy wet flat spot where we camped. We had vegetable scramble for dinner.

Feb. 11 Today we woke up and I read a chapter and got dressed before Tarn and Markos were awake. Lanier and I set up the stove and lit it for coffee. Later dad made oatmeal with raisins and granola in it. After breakfast we did school and played at the park a little bit and then we packed up and went. Later we had a snack bar. At that break there was a little road border where you pay for road improvements but we didn't have to pay. Later we had lunch at a river. We had avocado on tostidas for lunch and a candy after. After lunch we rode to Tampico. In Tampico we found a hotel that had one room with three queen size beds and another with two. I slept with Lanier in the two bed room and the others slept in the other. We're going out tonight and we might get some churros.

Tarn is reading ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH
His journal reads: hook, cook, book, nook ...ink, pink, wink, drink, think, yink

Mexico City, District Federal

2010-02-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Temple of the Sun, Tenochtilan, a birds-eye view down towards the Temple of the Moon

underground in the subways, Mexico City at 22 million inhabitants is truly accessible - if you can do stairs!

Sampson holds a snake at the Serpentario, La Paz, Baja California Sur

Wall of Skulls, Temple Mayor, Mexico City

a woodpecker outside the window at Rancho Viejo, while waiting to meet Brian in La Paz

a youth orchestra rehearsal, La Paz

Sampson's journal reads:
Jan. 26 Today we woke up and had oatmeal for breakfast. Later we went paddle boarding on calm waves and later on big ones. The paddle board had a window that we could see sea urchins and puffer fish and I saw one star fish. Later we had sandwiches and apples for lunch. After lunch we did some paddle boarding and Dad tried to find a place to stay in Mexico City (We're flying there and then biking up.) We had fish and shrimp and vegetables for dinner.
Jan. 27 Today we woke up and Dad and Kenny made oatmeal pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast we packed up and said goodbye to Kenny and Joe. Then we rode up the high mountain and had lunch at the top of the hill. Then we went down, down, down, down to La Paz and then we went to the Serpentario and I bought a wood snake.

Markos' journal reads:
Jan. 29 Today we had fried eggs and bakeries for breakfast. After breakfast we went on a walk and got some boxes and some packing tape for Dad. Then we got the laundry done. When we got home Dad made some boxes to put the tandem bikes in and we left the tagalong aside to roll up to the airport.
Feb. 1 Today Mom and I went to get some bakeries for breakfast because it was Lanier's birthday. (Happy Birthday!) After we had breakfast we got on a metro train and after the metro we got on a bus for an hour and we got to the temples and we went to the tallest one there.

Tarn's journal reads:
Today we will ride to go see Joe. Lanier will ride with us.
We found a puffer fish. The hot tub was burning.
I want to take off my water bottle holder.

Tanya's recipe for super quick fish soup.
Chop and brown a bit of garlic. Add pieces of fresh yellow tail, brown in one or two minutes and toss a bunch of bite-size broccoli. Pour in a bit of orange juice, steam two or three minutes. Turn off heat and stir in a chopped tomato. Serve immediately. Yum!

We've played house in La Paz, BCS for a week, cycled a steep hill to La Ventana to play with Joe and climbed that steep hill back to build some boxes, take a flight, enjoy the art and life of Mexico City and we're ready to ride off into adventure tomorrow. Our friend Lanier has joined us on the road for three weeks. - It's super to have him travel with us.

The Sixth Month Landmark, La Paz, Baja California Sur

2010-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

Rick's nightly concoction...tonight vegetable soup.

Emergency numbers posted at Las Palmas hotel, La Paz - is Domino's Pizza on your emergency number list?

Ciudad Constitucion RV campground, not bad! Worth stopping early!

Afternoon snack break and water bag fill-up at a roadside restaurant, traveling throuth the Gigante Range of Baja Sur.

Sunset at Juncalito, a short ride out of Loreto.

The Sunday market in Loreto.

Jan 15 - our 6 month travel anniversary
6 months past, 6 months ahead

A chance meeting with travel friends led to our rental of a seaside apartment in La Paz for one week.
Two bedrooms, a rooftop terrace with a grill and sunset views over the Sea of Cortez,
A kind and efficient landlady, travel friends Debra and Pacifica living next door
Minutes from fish, carne asado and adobada tacos.

The Malecon, the seaside city walk just out the doorstep.
What a place to regroup, firm up plans and play house!

Contents of bicycle food bags for our family of five's several days continuous cycle travel/wild camping through Baja deserts, hot days, no refridgeration:

breakfasts: oatmeal with raisins, cream of wheat with honey, hard boiled eggs
snacks: fruit bars, oranges and dates, peanuts in the shell
lunches: bread rolls, peanut butter and marmelade on flour tortillas, carrots, avocados and chips, cheese and canned tuna
dinners:
1)basic dry soup mix with three potatoes, two zucchini, two carrots, an onion several tomatoes and a poblano pepper
2) machaca (dried, dehydrated shredded meat) a can of beans, chopped poblano pepper, onion inside flour tortillas with fresh chopped tomatoes, jalepenos, cheese
3) pasta, two small boxes tomato sauce, chayote (a squash type vegetable that travels well in heat), an onion

Locate and tote 19 liters of water for 24 hour period.

That's a lot of weight! No wonder the blue waters of La Paz looked so amazing as we crested the hill to this capital of Baja California Sur.

And the plan ahead - we'll save South America for a future year of travel. This year we'll continue our travel through Mexico by flying from La Paz, Baja Sur to Mexico City. From there we'll cycle to the Gulf of Mexico and head north through the mainland. We'll re-enter the States in Texas and cycle with the destination of Minnesota, canoe travel in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, train travel to White Fish, Montana and cycle home to Calgary in time for school to start.

Our travel is guided by our senses. Sunshine, roads, the Earth and the friends and experiences we encounter along the way.

Onwards To The Sea of Cortez

2010-01-10T13:35:00.001-08:00

Markos loses his first tooth!

Tanya, observations from the window of Linda's guest RV trailer, Loreto
a.m.: I glance up from breakfast to see a pick up drive by, a long legged dog rides a top a large water tank in the back
p.m., view out the same window: on a cement veranda two kids play ball while their older brother plays an 80's style stand up video game

Learning about culture by observation - it's fun.

Tarn's journal:
Dec 30 Today we saw cave paintings.
Jan 2 Today we got lost on a dusty road but it ended up ok.

Markos' journal:
Dec 30 Today we had pancakes for breakfast and we had syrup on the pancakes and it was very good. After breakfast we went on a mule trip and a tree brushed my hat off and dad picked my hat off the floor and the mules kept walking. I had a white mule and Sampson had a brown one. Tarn had a brown one too.
Jan 1 Today was a short day. We biked up a hill then we went down a hill then it was flat into the town. Mom bought two Tecate beers, then we went to a tube fixing place and we tried to fix our ball but we couldn't. We went down a dirt road to an RV Park but mom didn't like it so we went somewhere else.
Jan 2 Yesterday we had oatmeal with prunes. After breakfast we started to pack up. Then a person offered us to use their kayak and first Sampson and I went in it. Then Sampson and Tarn and I went in it. Then I went in it by myself. Then Sampson went in it by himself. When we were done we went.

Sampson's journal:
Jan 5 Today we woke up and got dressed while Kathy (we were the guests of Chuck and Kathy at Playa Santispac) was making pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast we went kayaking in the ocean and Dad and Tarn shared a kayak and Markos and I had our own. We paddled all the way to the sandy beach and back. Then we went on a boat ride to go to the islands. Later we had quiet time. After quiet time Kathy took us to the beach and mom and dad went sailing.
Jan 6 Today we woke up and Kathy made eggs and bacon for breakfast. After breakfast we took a walk up a mountain and by the beach and picked up trash. Then we did our math while Dad made a picnic lunch for the beach. At the beach we made sandcastles and played frisbee and had a picnic lunch. Then we walked home and I carried a big piece of rock with a starfish, seaweed, a pearl oyster and coral. Then we went home and had carne asada for dinner.
Jan 8. Today we woke up and Dad made cream of wheat for breakfast. After breakfast we fed the seagulls corn tortillas and there was lots of them. The we packed up and went. Later we had lunch at a beach called "Buenaventura". We had lunch under a little palapa and after lunch Dad and I went to the restaurant and got some cervesas and we met a girl we could stay at with in Loreto that had four dogs, three ducks, two parakeets, two desert tortoises and one cockatoo. Then we rode to a sandy beach and camped out there. We made lots of sand castles.
Jan 9 Today we woke up and had oatmeal for breakfast. After breakfast Dad packed up while we did school. Later we biked for a bit and then we had a break. An hour later we had peanut butter and jelly tortillas for lunch and apple. After lunch we biked 40 km and then asked for some water at a restaurant and they filled up our water bag. Not much after that. We found a dirt road and we went down it and camped and we played with Tarn's trucks.

Celebrating the Holidays in San Ignacio

2009-12-23T15:42:00.000-08:00

San Ignacio

A palm oasis
Quiet dammed river waters, darting coots,
Gliding over the cement causeway to the mellow plaza, ancient mission
A seemingly slower lifestyle, historical from the pictures of old times similar to present times.

Product packed mini stores, boys select gifts, "cinquenta pesos or less"
Now wrap them up, hide them - just a day more to go.

Down time.
Muscles gently unwind.
Appetites still ravenous, no worries. A break of a week - indulgence never felt better.

We rode hard and receive the reward.
Dust from the desert, spines and cactus green await our return to the road.

Christmas in San Ignacio was a special time. While unwinding, we experienced the joys of the Baja Sur, an outdoor kitchen, hikes in the desert, watching buzzards soar, and the warmth and hospitality of George and Jery at the "El Faro", Christmas dinner hosted by Juanita the local historian and the fun of sharing burria with tortillas and lobster salad and soccer in the street with a local family the morning after Christmas.

We're rested and ready to move down the road - out to the coast of the Sea of Cortez. Colonial towns and adventures await. It's good that the Baja is a long peninsula, and that we've finally reached a pace of travel we've been seeking - take it as it goes, living without a time frame.

Baja California Only Gets Better

2009-12-19T09:29:00.001-08:00

A most tasty lunch...desert style. No dishes to wash, no extra water needed.
Slice an avocado in half - toss the pit. Mince up the avocado with a knife. Add salt, chopped jalapeno and your favorite hot sauce. Right now we're carrying "Guacamaya". Mash up. Spread on a sliced bilote (bakery bun/bread), add slices of cheese, tomato and some canned tuna. Que rico!

Excerpts from journals:
Sampson:
"Dogs in the Morning" Today we woke up and a dog was on the side of my tent on my side. Then I got dressed and got out of the tent and I picked him up and made him warm. Then Dad made bread and cheese and jam for breakfast. After breakfast I found seven more pups and a mom. I sat down in a chair and the mom jumped up on me. That was a fun winery.

"Hot Springs in the Afternoon": Today we got off on a dirt road that said, "Three Km Hot Springs". So we went down that road and we turned left and then right. Finally we got to a little building with lots of washing machines and people washing their shoes all with warm water. Then we waited until a family hot tub was open. When it was open we went in and filled it up and then we got in. It felt really good.

"Today": Today we woke up in the desert in Baja and there were lots and lots of cactus. Then Dad started cooking up some egg sandwiches, I had two, they were good. After breakfast we took down the tents and walked back up the dirt road and we rode 18 km and then we had a snack. An hour later we had ham and cheese sandwiches. Then we rode on a little more and we got to a place where there were lots of trees and we camped there.

Markos:
Today we had pancakes and oatmeal for breakfast. It was good because we had syrup on it. After breakfast I did my math work. After I did my math work I did two excellent spelling sentences with a picture. It was fun doing my school work.
Yesterday it was raining and we saw a tall upside-down carrot tree and it looked like a big pitchfork. Today it was sunny and we went up and down and there was not much traffic. We camped behind an old school. Tomorrow it will be a sunny day and there will be more hills and it will be fun. We will get to Catavina.

Dec. 15 Today we woke up and we had rice with jelly, raisins and mango in it. It was good. After breakfast Dad and Mom packed the bags and we left and it was so windy that Mom put a bandana over her ears and I put my hoody under my helmet. When a truck passed us it blew us.

...today we had eggs and jelly on bread and hot cheese sandwiches for breakfast. After breakfast Dad noticed he had a flat tire. Then Dad fixed it. After Dad fixed it we got on the bike and we left camp and we found the dirt trail that lead to the main road and we had a side wind.

Tarn writes:
Today I was hapy.

It is going to be nine more days until Kristmas.

Today I fownd a rock.

December 17 There are eight more days until Kristmas.

Rolling Across the Border, Mexico At Last

2009-12-06T12:53:00.001-08:00

Markos' journal, Dec. 3
Today we started our day going to the post office and sending two notes. Then we went flat for a while and then went down hill and it was very windy. And then we turned left and went uphill and we saw Tecate from the top and we went down into Tecate.

Sampson's journal, Dec. 3
Today we woke up in Potrero with Mo and Tom. Then we had oatmeal with syrup. It was really good. Later we played ball while dad and mom packed up. When we were ready to go Mo and Tom said, "Goodbye!" and we rode up and down to Tecate. Before we went to Tecate we had to get a visa for 180 days. In Tecate we went to the bakery and got some fresh goodies. Then we went to a taco shop and I got a taco. Later we rode out of town. We found a big water park that was closed and we waited until a truck came up and said we could camp there. We had a good night.

Tarn writes, Dec. 4
We are camping at a winery and there is a zip-line next to us and it has a swing on it.

Waiting/watching the bikes at the border, Tanya writes:
"I Think I Know Why I Like Mexico"

It's being yet disappearing within a realm of hustle and noise
It's bits and pieces of words - a pleasant mixture of sound and meaning
Dry, dusty brown - healthy green, vibrant red, growing in a pot or can.

Roadworks, gravel, chunks of broken cement
Uneven sidewalks, wandering dogs, chained gnashing teeth scoundrels

Chipped paint, graffiti block-letter signed walls
Bent rebar, miscellaneous barbed wire.

Warm sunlight through haze
Uniformed vests, short sleeves on muscled chests
Identification name cards hanging on neck bands, slicked, styled hair.

Walking people - bags/purses.

Brown skin, black hair, hues of magenta, orange, red
Faces of nationalities - light to dark, striking to over-looked.

Refuse, piles of mixed debris
Plant matter, crushed plastic bottles, and muddy wrinkled up plastic bags

A greeting, time taken to spend the time, seemingly siempre agradable
Laughter, smiles or a smoke to share.

Zip-Tie Rims Along the Salton Sea to Markos' Birthday We Go!

2009-11-23T13:44:00.001-08:00

"We are in a Holding Pattern until we get our rims"...echoes the phone in the other room. Logistics once again. Our second set of rims cracked, this time Rick alias McGyver used duct tape and an assortment of zip ties, enabling our family to travel several more days through the desert to the town of Brawley, CA. Here, "The Rock" coffee shop took care of us. Connections to a home for the night, fresh cookies, smoothies and storage of our bikes until our new rims come in...hopefully before the Thanksgiving/Christmas rush on the mail system. The rim manufacturer is standing by their product, apparently the rim problem for both sets was a factory defect. They are sending us the heartiest rims, built up as complete wheels, from Australia. In the mean time...a rental car back to San Diego, a gracious invitation from Mormor and Grandad K.O. to see family in Kansas City, and now... still waiting for those rims.

Sampson's spelling sentences:
1. We are going to be biking on our bicycles down the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is a long, oval lake.
2. In Joshua Tree National Park we walked through the cholla garden and where we walked there were little broken off pieces.
3. There are Creasote bushes in canyons in the Colorado Desert.

Markos journal:
Nov. 16 Today we went down a twenty mile down hill and crossed over the interstate and went up a gradual climb. Then we went down a gradual down hill and went through a canyon that was twelve miles long. The canyon was called Box Canyon and when we came out we saw the Salton Sea.
Nov. 17 Today Dad broke four zip ties and he replaced them with fatter ones. While Dad was working we were playing and using rocks to ply up sand pieces and put dirt on top and made sand pizza.

Tarn writes:
Nov. 15 At the library we read one book. I only got a little time on the computer. (Mecca Public Library, California)
Nov. 16 We saw lots of fruit and the fruit were lemons. Red and green and yellow peppers and there were lots of grapes.
Nov. 17 We made sand pizzas today and we got orange Powerade.
Nov. 18 Tonight I held a white bird. In the morning we were at the library. I drew the most pictures. (Brawley Public Library, California)

Desert to Sea and back again

2009-11-13T11:05:00.001-08:00

It's been a time of creative logistics. After three days back in the land of dry deserts, toting several days of water and supplies and searching out shelter from the wind, I picked up an e-mail that my Grandfather Parnell had passed away. Thoughts of him filled my head as we pedaled through the desert and Rick and I formulated a plan for me to be able to attend his memorial service. Fortunately, we happened to be thirty miles from an interstate highway. Logistics involved a hitched ride, a rental truck, the stowage of our gear with the Hill family at their ranch, a home for the men of our family with Brad and Amy in San Diego, an airplane flight for me, a ride with my brother Parnell's family, and then all the same in reverse. It means a lot to me to have been able to participate in the celebration of an important mentor in my life.

We're back on the bikes, now headed into Joshua Tree National Park. Geometric stacks of tumbled boulders and Fall desert wild flowers decorate our view. Thanks to the National Park Service literature, we're finding the names for all our desert cactus finds.

Tarn writes (he really is writing now!!!) We got a big gourd. I drew on it. We went on a hike and I got lots of stickers in my shoe.

Markos: Yesterday we biked to a cafe and a guy was sweeping in front of it. We asked for some water. Then he asked us if we wanted a cold drink and we said, "Yes." Sampson and Dad went in and brought out two beers and one Gatorade that was lemon lime and we drank it in front of the store. When we were about to leave he gave mom a pink bandanna and us a black bandanna and the cafe was called Slash X Ranch. Today we had blue corn pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast Sampson got his cavity filled and after that we had lunch and one hour after nap time we went on a hike. I got a cholla cactus ball in my shoelace and I found dead cholla cactus too.

Sampson's journal entries continue to detail our Disneyland experience. I will be updating the Disneyland blog entry with his extensive documentation of our day at Disneyland.

Our Road Family Expands

2009-11-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

"Keep your expectations low, that way you'll always be happy," a joke Rick and I often make, actually the opposite of how we run our lives. We simply know things always work out. So Halloween is coming...where will we be?...for my sugar-starved children (especially Sampson), The thought of missing the bags of candy loot likely kept him up at night. Outwardly however, he appeared to be taking it in stride. We likely would be wild camping out in the desert when,.. Guess What! We pull up on a group of RV's out parked in public land. While we had just stopped in for some water, we find ourselves amongst a bunch of grandparents ready to take on our kids as their own. We scrape together some costumes from some miscellaneous desert debris (recycled remnants of a former mining camp) and three little goblins, or actually a ghoul, a monkey and a robot appear. Our RV friends have gathered all kinds of goodies: grapes, oranges, activity books, and of course the candy that anyone enjoying the good life seems to have around. Halloween happens whether you expect it or not. THANK YOU!!!

Markos writes: We went to a campground that had a pool that had a shower and when you swam under the shower it felt like rocks. Today we are camping in a big place that has lots of big trees all over like a tree fort and we found trees we could climb. It was fun. Tomorrow we will ride into Baker and get some food and water, then get on the bikes and ride through the Mojave Desert.

"Biscuit on a Stick" compliments of our RV family in Furnace Creek
Heat up the end of your stick in the fire and turn it round on a stick of butter. Firmly wrap a stretched out biscuit on the end of the stick, sealing up the end. Roast slowly and evenly over the fire until evenly golden and cooked. Slide the cooked biscuit off the end and fill the stick hole with jam, or cheese and bacon, or... whatever!

A side note...While formerly RV drivers had seemed to be rather anti-biker in general (as a whole RV's have given us the least amount of space on the road), our latest escapades with the seniors who inhabit them have been most enjoyable. Perhaps, like most things, getting to know the people and share experiences is the best education of all. RV's seem to be giving us more space already and perhaps the more RV drivers we meet, the more respect bikes will receive.

Death Valley - Only for the Hardiest of Souls

2009-10-30T13:59:00.001-07:00

Extremes ...Lowest place in the continental USA (282 feet below sea level), hottest recorded temperatures (124 degrees F, 48 degrees Celcius), known to humble the sturdiest of souls. And location of my personal greatest bicycle challenge...two days into incredible head winds, the first with winds so strong and grade so steep (9%) that three hours of individual bike pumps paced with straining by foot up the unbikeable gusty stretches settled us into a wind blown campsite just below the guard rails and out of sight of the road. The second day held the finish of the climb, then a pedal down hill into the wind and landing at Stovepipe Springs Village within the wraps of a near white-out sandstorm. Needless to say we got a room that night - our first of the bicycle journey. Quite a come back after our down time in LA.

Markos writes Oct 27th...Yesterday we climbed up a very high pass, it was so windy we had to walk for three hours. Today we woke up and it was still windy so we did our (school) work in the tent. Tomorrow we will go to Furnace Creek and go over a pass. Oct 29, It was very windy and sandy yesterday so we got a hotel. Today we walked in the sand dunes for two hours and got lots of prickers in our bare feet. We are going out of Death Valley tomorrow.

Tarn describes Death Valley...Oct 30 There was a big canyon and we didn't know what was in it. I thought there was lava in it. Dad told me there was not lava in it. My brother Markos thought there was water in it but there wasn't.

Cruising California by Cadillac Continued...

2009-10-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

We're at the tail end of almost three weeks off the bikes. We are READY to travel by two wheels again. The fast life of the freeway is not for this family of five. However, the desire to visit family "drove" us to the alternative transportation. As Rick said yesterday when we pulled back into Bishop, "now we don't have to get back in a car for the rest of the journey".

What we did and saw:
San Diego, Sam and Lars, Brad and Amy, Sea World
Los Angeles, Uncle Dan and Aunt Felina, Cousin Daniel, Santa Monica Beach, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Huntington Gardens, two stitches for Tarn (a coffee table incident), Disneyland with Grandaddy Mac
San Luis Obispo, Uncle Bill, Farmers Markets and new shoes for Tarn and Sampson

Thank you to all for the gracious welcomes and the fun times spent with you.

Now we really are planning to get back on the bikes tomorrow. Death Valley still awaits and maps for the Baja are in our pannier library. Back to the familiar...the unknown of travel by bicycle.

Sampson writes...Huntington Gardens Today we went to Huntington Gardens. First we went to park and then went to check in. After, we were walking to the Kids' Garden and there were statues of naked old long bearded people. Then we got to the Kids' Garden. In the Kids' Garden we went through a little door and under bamboo trees. Then we got to ta part where little water spouts were spraying out forming a little dome. We stuck our hands in and it wasn't wet inside. After the Childrens' Garden we went in the big glass garden. Inside the garden were trees, plants and a pond of fish. Then we went to the "cloud forest" that was in the glass garden. In the "cloud forest" it was more of a bog and wetlands place. First we went to the side of the door and tested how much acid was in a pitcher plant. It was around 2 and 3. Then we pressed a button and little helicopter seeds went up in circles. It was telling us how they traveled in the wind.

Sampson's Disneyland experience, as entered in numerous daily journal entries for weeks following the actual day:

"The Entering of Disneyland"

Today we went to Disneyland. We walked from our hotel to Disneyland and got tickets and a "First Time at Disneyland" pin. Then we went to the entrance and there were pumpkins shaped like Mickey and Donald Duck. Then we went in and went to the "Tiki Room" and heard about the gods of rain and wind and the weather. When we went in the "Tiki Room" the little parrots and toucans started singing a song, then the white parrots came in and sang a song. The birds looked like they were real but they were really puppets.

After we did the "Tiki Room" we went to the "Amazon" boat ride. First we got in line. Then we got in the boat and I was in front. Next the boat started and we were in the "Amazon Jungle" with hippos in the water and elephants in the jungle. There were also apes, one of them had a rifle and there was a flipped over tour jeep. And there were "head hunters". At the end of the boat tour little Paranas jumped out of the water. Then we got off the boat.

After the "Amazon River Tour" we went to "Tarzan's Tree House". First we went up long circle stairs on a tree trunk. At the top we went on a bridge over to another tree trunk. Then we saw a little house in the tree with "Tarzan" as a baby with a "gorilla" holding him. It said that he was raised by the gorilla and grew up to be a strong man. Then we went across another bridge and saw a table with pots and pans that were used a instruments. We banged on the pots and pans with metal bars.

After "Tarzan's Tree House" we went across a bridge and around and under the bridge into the line of "The Pirates of the Caribbean". Then we got in a dark room with lots of pirates and parrots singing. Later we got on a boat. Then the boat started and there was a pirate in a house in the water smoking a pipe. After we went down a long cave underground. Then there were skeletons with maps and brides dancing and laughing. Then we went to another room with pirates having fights with guns. The we went up and got out of the boat and walked out.

After "The Pirates of the Caribbean" we went to the "Haunted House". First we got in line for about ten minutes. Then we got in a little share seat. Then we started and there was a big dining table with a chandelier. Then there was Jack as Santa Claus laughing. Then we got out, I like that ride.

After the "Haunted House" we walked to "Splash Mountain" and got in line, (Tarn and Markos and Dad went on the Pooh Bear ride). Then we got in a "log" with seats in it. Next we went up a hill and went into the "Briar Patch" and lots of big birds were singing with Brer Bear and Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit all tied up on a stick. Then we went down and around then back up. Then we went straight down and around and got out. I really like that ride.

...As you can see, Sampson thoroughly enjoyed Disneyland. Time is limited at the moment, I will add the continuation of his documentation of the experience at a later time.

A Little Downtime in Southern California

2009-10-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

A little time off the bikes, the generous loan of Grandpa Jerry's classy car
Visits to friends and family.
TLC that we store away, for future times to drawn upon.

A time of tuning bikes
Baking treats : muffins, scones, pies and oven meals
A real down time.
When thoughts of where we'll rest our heads, or cleanse our bodies, or fill our water bottles
Are absent.

We've really had a time to let our hair down.
Ride a roller coaster
Eat burgers and bowl (the bumpers up for the kids certainly helped the adult scores!)
And...plan our next point of attack.
Death Valley to Joshua Tree

Tarn dictates, Oct 15
At Grandma Susan's I always stayed on the floor. Sampson always stayed on the bed. Markos always stayed in the closet. We always played with the Duplo blocks and we played with cement and rock blocks. We went apple picking and we went to the creek. We went bowling. It was fun. We went to somebody else's house and they stayed at home and we went to Sea World and we went on a roller coaster. I did not like it. I thought it was going to be fun but it wasn't. I do not want to go again.

Markos' journal, October 12
At The Beach: We played with Brad's beach toys and made tunnels for water to come through. We pored the water from the bucket. It was sunny and nice today. There were lots of surfers and some were using paddles. The big waves washed in lots of kelp.

Sampson writes, October 13
Sea World: Today we went to Sea World and our friend gave us free tickets. Then we went to park and boy was the parking lot big! After that we went by the ticket posts, the tickets were seventy dollars. I'm glad we got tickets for free. Then Dad got on the phone and we looked at the map. Later we went to a sea lion exhibit and watched a sea lion story/trick. It was really funny. Then we started walking to the killer whale exhibit. On the way we saw some dolphins and sea turtles. We almost got to touch them. After the dolphins we went to the Shamu exhibit and watched a Shamu show. It was cool because the people were really strong swimmers. They stood up on Shamu's nose and fed all the orca whales fish. The whales splashed the first sixteen rows. They did back flips and jumped out of the water all the way. Later we did a ride that was really fun, we went up and down and sideways. Tarn didn't like it. After the ride we went to the Wild Arctic. It was cold but we saw a giant walrus and penguins, also some other arctic animals.

The Road to Grandma Susan's

2009-10-06T21:03:00.001-07:00

...Don't worry, we were safe and warm inside with wonderful hosts, delicious food, and a hitch to Bishop the next day. All's well that ends well on the road to Grandmother's house.

Also on the way...

Lake Tahoe
Topaz Lake
Bridgeport Reservoir
Mono Lake

Sierraville Hot Springs
Travertine Hot Springs

Luther Pass 7740 ft
Moniter Pass 8314 ft
Conway Summit 8139 ft

brisk sunny days
frosty nights
gusty winds
sand storms
snow

SUCCESS!!!

Aunt Karen's Squash Soup (thanks Miguel for the calabaza!)

2T butter
2 cups chopped onion
2 med-sized butternut squash (about 4 lbs), peeled and seeded
4 granny smith apples, cored, peeled, and cut into small pieces (4 cups)
7 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper (or more)
1/2 cup plain yogurt, half and half or heavy cream

Melt butter, add onion, cook 10 min until softened. Add squash, apples, broth, salt, pepper. Bring to a boil over med heat. Cover, reduce heat to med-low, simmer 25 min until squash is tender. Remove the pan from heat. Let cool. Use a hand blender to process mixture until smooth. Add cream to taste. Apple pie a la mode for desert - of course, Mom's recipe.

The Sierra Nevadas of California

2009-09-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Markos writes: Sept 25 The Sugar Pine has huge pine cones. The sap feels like sugar on your hands. They are pokey and they have seeds. They are 11 - 20 inches long. Is that big or not? An oak tree has one inch acorns on it. They look like they have a hat on. White Spruce have one and one-half inch pine cones. They are very tiny. They are very easy to squish.

Sampson's journal: Sept. 24 Remote Control Airplanes at Sierra Hot Springs
Today we went to the airstrip and made pancakes. While we were making pancakes a truck drove up and two guys with remote control airplanes got out. Their names were Nick and Tom. They built a yellow airplane and a red airplane. The yellow one was a stunt plane and it did flips and glides and lots of tricks. The red one did the same but it was a little bit different. Once the yellow one did a glide land and it landed on its nose and broke the nose and propeller.

Tarn talks: Sept 24 There are lots of birthdays in this year. Remember when I swam back and forth at that other pool. I swam at Sierra Hot Springs too. I had a life jacket before and at Sierra Hot Springs I had a noodle. I was going so fast backwards. Then I swam all by myself.

Tarn turned five years old Sept. 23. For his birthday celebration we went to Sierra Hot Springs...a few days after. On his special day we made it into Quincy for a huge pancake breakfast out after tenting at the county fairgrounds with hundreds of firefighters. They had gathered from all around to fight a fire in a neighbouring area.

another Tanya poem as per Al's request...

ON FALLEN LEAF LAKE
It's Monday.
Warm Fall Breezes rock
Continuous waves to the shore.
A tree-lined edge lies below jutting rock mountain tops,
Gravel screes fill the space in between.

We're holding on to the last days of warmth at
high elevations.

Old playful logs, worn with time and waves
Bobble in the shallows.
The remnants of huge stumps act as harbors to these boats.

It's just us on this pebble beach, 'cepting a young man and his dog
Perhaps a traveler too, with the day to his choice
He too sees the sun sparkles
Hears the windy pines
Knows his own voice.

and one more...not sure how soon we'll be back on the blog

MY HOME, A DOME
3 poles, netting
A floor and a fly.
A place of comfort
For star gazing the vast, broad sky.

Inside I have things that I need
A water bottle, a jar of bag balm
Chapstick, journal, book and sleeping sheet.
An open down sleeping bag over us two
A headlamp, a toque for over my hairdo.

When the road is desolate
The days hot and dry
Water scarce and maps untelling
of the days that before us lie...

My tent is a constant
I can handle what is before
For at night I'll rejuvinate
Upon its thin floor.

Lava Beds National Monument

2009-09-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

Markos' journal, Sept 17 - I will write about what I see. I see a bush. On the bush there are yellow flowers and lots of green little leaves. It has a skinny brown stem. I am writing about a bush. It is fun.

Sampson writes, Sept 17 - Today we biked to Lava Beds National Monument. At the lava caves we went in the visitor center and watched a video about the lava caves and the Modoc Indians. After that we went to the desk and rented some flashlights. Later we went to Mushpot Cave, an underground cave with a paved trail and lights. It also had some signs and buttons. After that we walked down the trail to the upper end of Sentinel Cave, it had no lights and a rocky trail. A little ways into it we all held hands and turned off our lights because we wanted to see how dark it was. When we were out we walked back and gave our lights back. Later we biked to the campground.

Tarn's thoughts...Sept 18- "Finding Snail Shells" I found snail shells in Eagle Lake. The ones in the water are alive and the ones out of the water were not alive. Some are big some are small. They are all white.

Ben's Freezer Fudge recipe...l

nut meats (fresh pecans from California, go in season and buy a big bag)
shredded coconut
cocoa (good stuff)
honey (more excellent, incredible stuff)
vanilla

Combine in a food processor, shape in balls and freeze overnight

Tanya's realizations
Concerns about the modern world? There have been only good people we've met, crazy amazing parents, keepers of the earth and real people.

Crater Lake National Park

2009-09-11T15:35:00.001-07:00

We did it. We climbed two full days to reach the brink of the deep crater that holds Crater Lake. We followed the roaring Umpqua River, enjoying old growth forests and numerous picnic spots by misty waterfalls. Pumice and scoria rock lined the forest floor. Sampson, Markos and Tarn enjoyed comparing pine cone sizes (what is the record for the world's largest pine cone?) and floated airy pumice rocks down the river. Now that we're down the volcano and have circuited Upper Klamath Lake we've got our eyes pealed for water and field birds. We've spotted grebes, pelicans, ducks, cormorants, red-tailed hawks, ibis and bald eagles, (to name the ones we know.)

Markos writes: Sept. 7 I am happy. I went for a dip today. Dad is making dinner today. I am doing my journal.

Sampson describes his Crater Lake experience: Sept. 9 Today we climbed up Mt. Mazama - Crater Lake and went to the visitor center. At the visitor center we listened to someone talk about Mt. Mazama-Crater Lake. I learned that Crater Lake was dormant but Wizard Island, an island that looks like a wizard hat in Crater Lake, is extinct. In the olden days some gold hunters went looking for gold on Mt. Mazama but didn't find any but saw a beautiful picture for a life time. One thing that was different was that there were no streams or rivers coming out of the crater and that almost no one touched it. It had really blue water.

Tarn's words: Sept 10 There are boats that go to Wizard Island. There are cliffs too. Wizard Island is on the side of Crater Lake. Before Crater Lake it was all lava and the top wasn't all broken off. The water is so deep and there are fish in it.

Rick's 42nd Birthday and Off the 101

2009-09-05T21:56:00.001-07:00

Menu for Rick's 42nd Birthday Dinner - Lincoln City, OR

Cedar Plank Chinook Salmon specially marinated and grilled by Dave Martin
Oven Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes
Mango Salad with Cilantro, Red Onions, Garlic, fresh Jalapenos, Black Pepper and Lime
Grilled Garden Vegies
Brownies served with fresh Strawberries

Gifts...
from Markos, a peach-coloured sea star
from Sampson, a Chinese Checker game
from Tarn, a colored sea lion picture
from Tanya, a giant artichoke

Two days off, our last weekend of tide pools, sea life and sand.

Good-bye to Hwy 101, the multitude of bikers we met and camped with, the skinny bridges without shoulders, the coastal views and the huge tree/lush forest coolness juxtaposed to the brown hot clear-cuts.

Florence, OR - afternoon off for Rick to rebuild Tanya's rear wheel, a faulty rim had split in numerous places
Sawyer Rapids RV park - Rick discovers the remaining three rims have cracks, three hours later and through extensive use of Rick's problem solving techniques a plan evolves. The result: we are back on the road with all rebuilt wheels the next day. How? Joe comes to the rescue and picks up/delivers three new re-built wheels thanks to coordination with Co-motion Chuck and Pete, and Dave the wheel builder (HUGE thanks Dave!!!) How did it happen that of all places in the trip so far, we happen at this time to be closest to Eugene, where the bikes were manufactured???

Upcoming Events: Climbing back over the Cascades, up to Crater Lake and on through the Lava Beds of Northern California.

The Oregon Coast

2009-08-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Markos writes: Aug 21 In the campsite I found lichen, mossy bark, and white bumpy bark and moss and dried-up fern.

Tarn at the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Aug 24 : The cheese factory is cool because all the cheese is moving all around. It was getting packaged.

Sampson writes about Lewis and Clark following a visit to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center:

In 1803 Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to explore the Northwest. The reason why was because they wanted to find out what was there. They traveled the Missouri River by boat, over the Montana Great Falls by horse, and down the Columbia River by canoe. They brought lots of food for their trip and they hunted and traded with the Indians for food and drank brandy on special occasions. Sometimes they didn't have any food so they killed a horse for stew. On the expedition 30 to 50 people came and 31 of them survived. Sacagewea and the Corps of Discovery came and so did Lewis and Clark.

Tanya's thoughts: Writing curricula packages for travel by bike would be a breeze. It's amazing how much incredibly cool stuff just happens across our path. I didn't set out on this journey as an "educational experience" for Sampson, Markos and Tarn, but more as a family adventure. However, given the variety and complete immersion of our experiences on the road, I would have no problem selling this adventure as a complete educational experience. For example, our brush with salmon: watching salmon sport fishing, salmon hatcheries (and camping by one), learning about hatchery salmon vs. wild salmon, the salmon life cycle, following salmon streams and watching the fish fight the current, a visit to the aquarium... to say nothing about the water system through the State of Washington, or what about the sea life and seashore of the Oregon Coast?

Exploring Seattle

2009-08-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

"When are we going to be in a city?" Markos asks from time to time. Finally we're in one. We approached Seattle by ferry and took in views of the skyline and seagulls as we pulled into the docks. Thankfully a easy, flat bike path led us along the waterfront and around the city to our friend Camille's home. As we rode along the bike path remnants of the "Hempfest" festival remained as interesting persons, including a older man wearing only orange underwear, picked up debris from the weekend's events. Seattle itself has tons of steep avenues throughout the downtown area. (Thanks to our friend Matt, our search for a lightweight non-stick wok was carried out in a motorized vehicle.)

Our Seattle experience included exploring the sculpture garden, visiting the aquarium, a chance meeting with my sister-in-law Felina and nephew Daniel (thanks Facebook!) and a up-close view of Jupiter - Camille pulled out her telescope and taught us how to dial in the planet. We saw three of its moons and the shadowed stripes across its surface.

Sampson's Journal Aug 20th - Today we woke up at Twanoh State Park and had mango and oatmeal for breakfast. After breakfast we biked to Shelton for lunch. Later we went on a road that we didn't know where it went so we asked at the fire station. They said there was a different road so we went on it. After a while we asked someone and they let us camp on their land.

Markos writes - Aug 16 We saw Alan. He was happy to see us again. He showed us a wooden boat. He wants to buy the boat. It is green and white with wood trim. We also took a ferry.

Tarn describes travel by ferry - I like to ride ferries. We ride our bikes onto the ferry. There are ropes that tie up to hooks on the ferry. My dad ties the ropes to the bikes. There are stairs up to the inside and there our doors to go out.

Games to play while riding bikes:
when it's hot: "ICE"
Name all the words you can think of that have "ice" in them. Players take turns. This game is quite effective to divert young minds on a hot afternoon. Sample game:
ice-cream
ice skates
ice cubes
black ice
icicle...
next game could be "SNOW" or "WATER" etc.

"Colours" Markos and I played/created this game on a slow climb up the Cascades
Name ten things that you see or can think of that are "yellow", (next "red", "orange", etc)
example: yellow leaf on a tree, yellow line on the road, yellow flower, yellow spray paint
This game can take a very long period of time.

"The Interview Game" source: Janine in Republic, WA Very effective when Tarn is nodding off.
One player poses questions and the other answers.
Who do you like better, Batman or Spiderman?
Do you prefer apples or bananas?
Do you like to sleep in a bed or a sleeping bag?
Etc.

Some delicious one burner meals:
Farm stand Fritata
Chard, eggs, potatoes, onion, garlic, mozzarella
Saute onion, garlic and thinly sliced potatoes. On the side beat a dozen eggs and toss in thinly sliced chard. Pore over the vegetables. Slow cook until eggs are done. Top with thinly sliced mozzarella. Cover. Serve. salt and pepper to taste

Brown Rice Dinner by the Shore
almonds, brown rice, broccoli, red onion, garlic, granny smith apple, mushrooms, carrots and cheddar cheese
Chop and toast almonds. Set aside. Cook brown rice, simmering 15 min. covered, then set aside to finish cooking off the burner. Chop up broccoli stems, red onion, garlic and carrots while rice is simmering. Saute in a little bit of water. Add chopped mushrooms, broccoli florets and chopped granny smith apple. Cook a little longer. Mix all vegies in with the brown rice and top with cheddar cheese and toasted almonds. Cover so that cheese melts. Serve. Flavour with curry powder, salt and pepper.

Making Friends and traveling: The Northern Cascades into the San Juan Islands

2009-08-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the way I'd heard of the Cascades, but it never really registered. Until I was in them. The Cascades of Northern Washington are to me, both incredible and unusual. Markos described the mountain peaks as "shark teeth". What appeared to be mini glaciers clung the sides of the rock peaks. The forests below are lush and deep green with rich reddish brown trunks. Once over Rainy Pass the vegetation turned ultra lush. Thick moss and ferns grew everywhere. Tree trunks were green with growth and supported tons of life.

We rode on to Anacortes and boarded the ferry to San Juan Island. Rob and his family had hosted us for some good times in Mazama and were now sending us on to his uncle John who lives in Friday Harbor. Here the kids are showing a musical side beyond what I've seen before. Between the drums, the piano, the trumpet and the shakers, Sampson, Markos and Tarn spent over an hour sounding amazingly good - and switching up the instruments in concordance too!

A power packed "homeschool" day included this musical session, several hours at the whale museum and an afternoon at the county fair. Tonight we go whale watching.

"PLAY"
So fun to watch
it's golden time.
Three great boys feeling fine.

The thrill of a ferry ride, who some might just take in stride.
Right from the start, when the day was fresh
"Today's the day, we're going on the ferry."
Check it out - each deck is new
The cormorants sat, the seagulls flew.

Another moment equally cool, this time in a living room.
A coronet, a drum, a shaker too.
The piano was opened, each boy knew what was best to do.

Markos at coronet
Samps at the keys
Tarn on percussion - drum then shaker as he pleased.

How long did it go on? It's enough to say
I watched from the side to prolong what may.

We're relaxed, we've time
To play and watch
For this years just begun, more moments to be caught.

Aug 13 Sampson writes: Today we woke up and had KIX cereal for breakfast. Then we packed up and rode on some side roads and a big, long trestle bridge where we saw sea lions. In Anacortes we biked to the bike store and fixed Dad's back spoke. After that we went to Safeway. Later we went the the Rock Fish Brewery for lunch and had fish and chips. Later we went to the ferry. It was two hours long. Then we went to San Juan Island - Friday Harbour and went to John's house.

Aug 14 Some thoughts from Tarn: We played with a yellow slug and a brown slug. We tried to fish for fish but we didn't catch any fish. I found a quarter at the pizza restaurant. I found a penny too.

Aug 14 Markos painted some wild flowers a few weeks ago and decided to write about them today: we saw some flowers and I liked the orange one and mom liked the little yellow ones. they were on the roadside.

The State of Washington - apples, desert and mountain passes

2009-08-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

Tanya writes: I am an experiential learner. Cycling allows me to take in my surroundings and remember, through my experience, the world around me. Having never cycled Washington before I now know these things:
Northeastern Washington is a desert. Mountain passes lift you out of the heat of the desert floor. The waters from creeks are directed into pipes and held in mountain reservoirs. Canals and flumes then guide the water to the orchards of apples and cherries that line the desert floor. Rivers here cool your soul. Appreciate the warm wind when it's at your back.

Sampson's Journal reads: Aug.3 Today we had yogurt for breakfast. Then we went to the "Sanctuary". The Sanctuary is a place where the people recycled and they made their houses out of bottles and rocks. After that we went swimming at the river in the afternoon. Then we went back to Carin and Nakca's house and had dinner. Later we went to bed. We had a day off today.

Markos' Journal: (see photo above) Aug 6 This guy is going fishing today. I think he will catch a big one. He is putting his boat in the reservoir from the yellow trailer connected to the blue truck.

Tarn describes a lunch break: Aug 7 I saw one snake and Markos saw three snakes. They were at the river. Markos found a yellow one, and a red one, and a little one. Sampson found one too.

Recipe for Nature Nuggets (we created them completely effortlessly)
Ingredients:
One bag of nut/fruit/chocolate mix from the bulk section of grocery (chocolate must be plain - no candy coating)
Procedure:
Place energy mix in pannier and cycle over the period of a hot day. Do not mess with the mix. Allow to cool overnight. After an hour of cycling the next morning take out and refuel with the contents of the bag. Mix will have become nugget shaped masses of dried fruit and nuts glued together with chocolate. Delicious!

Current rhythm of the day:
Wake just after six
Rick makes coffee, Tanya packs up tent stuff and Sampson, Markos and Tarn emerge from their tent, Sampson has packed up his bag (clothes, special things and reading/writing materials)
Sampson and Markos take down their tent, Tarn explores, helps make breakfast or writes/draws, Rick and Tanya have a cup of coffee
Breakfast
Reading/ independent time for boys, completed pack up by Rick and Tanya
On the road just after 8 am
2 and 1/2 hours cycling in the morning with a fruit/nut/water refuel about every 45 - 60 minutes
Lunch in some form of shade, often by a local watering hole with swimming/playing the main focus
Cycle to day's destination.
Cool down at local water option (reservoir, river, public pool)
Set up camp, write in journals
Dinner
Bed

Lunch today: Fresh herb bread from the Cinnamon Twisp Bakery in Twisp, Washington. Sandwiches with tuna, Swiss cheese, sliced green apple, sweet yellow pepper, cilantro (some remained from last night's dinner of chicken catiatore) and mustard. Kids had peanut butter and honey bagels, sweet yellow pepper and green apple. Share a Chocolate Decadent Cupcake and a mini Raspberry/Rhubarb Pie. Swim in the river and cool off.

Life is rich. Work your body, relax your mind, and allow yourself to rejuvenate each day.

Heat Wave/ Visit to Grand Forks directs new routing

2009-08-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

1000 Kilometers of road from Calgary

We sit in a cool library in Republic, Washington. Not exactly on the route we thought we'd take. However, a series of events has led us in this direction and route changes will likely be common place in our year ahead. In Wasa Lake our friend Wayne encouraged us to journey to Grand Forks, British Columbia to meet his soul mate Carin. He would join us on the road and bike the four days it would take to journey from Sand Pointe, Idaho to Carin's farmstead near Grand Forks. Scenery was beautiful, camping excellent, but the weather remained a heat wave. We were pulling long days, over five hours on the bike each day. By the time we got to Carin's farm we were in dire need of a couple days off. Thoughts of ocean breezes swept our way and charted our next two weeks - we'll head for Seattle. Several friends live there and we've never explored the Northwest Coast of the United States. Sounds cooler to me!

from Tanya, a poem

Heat Wave

The heat of the sun the pavement absorbs
The air rising up can not be ignored.
A steady pace has been kept - for over two weeks
The heat wave has swept.

We'll head to the ocean - its breezes we seek
Seattle we're bound - in about two weeks.

So ride in the morning, rise before dawn
"India style" we call it, we've know that song.

From Sampson’s Journal, July 28, 2009

Today I woke up and had waffles for breakfast. Then we picked huckleberries on a hike. After we did that we went back to Jan and Paula’s to show mom how much we had found (she stayed home). Then we went to lunch at a Mexican place. After lunch we went to the shoe store to find some water shoes. I didn’t like any of the styles but Markos and Tarn did. Then we biked to the city beach and went swimming. After that we went back to Jan and Paula’s house and watched Sponge Bob Square Pants the movie. After that we had spaghetti for dinner. Then we went to bed. We had a day off today.

from Markos' journal July 29
I saw four deer today. I want to go on a boat ride and go fishing too.

Tarn’s addition:

I like my ice cream. After I went to the ice cream shop I went to Carin and Nakca’s house. I like picking raspberries at Carin’s house and I picked some peas to eat. And mom made me a necklace that has a heart on it. It was too short so mom made me a longer one. She made me a heart on the longer string.

Blueberry/Huckleberry Pie Recipe

1 C Half and Half

1/4 t salt

1/2 t cinnamon

2/3 c sugar

4 T flour

4 cups berries

Place berries in prepared pie crust. Mix dry ingredients and half and half and pour over berries. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

The Swanson's Go Home

2009-07-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

It’s been two and a half incredible weeks with the Swanson family. They leave tonight on the 2 a.m. train to return to St. Paul, MN and the rest of their summer. For our last day together we are staying at the home of Jan and Paula Lee. They have an upstairs garage apartment here in Sandpoint, Idaho and there is bed space for the nine of us. Last night we did our laundry, grilled delicious blue-cheese burgers and the kids watched the movie “Bear”. (I hoped none would have nightmares as indeed we have been deep in bear country for the whole of the past two weeks.)

Currently Jan has taken the troupe up huckleberry picking on Schwietzer Ski Hill and left me to the peace and quiet of more laundry and computer work – a pleasant option.

During the travels of the McFerrins and the Swansons, Sampson, Markos and Tarn, Claire and Adam have entertained each other for hours, co-living with another family proves the adage, “Many hands make light work.” We will miss Matt’s delicious single-burner concoctions and Renee’s calming, positive presence.

Trip tidbits:

Last three nights:
1. tenting at Moyie Lake Campground, overflow camping back in the woods, dinner at the lake picnic area, Matt’s Enchilada’s Espanolas (Potato omelet’s with basil and mushrooms or bacon and mushrooms, pan fried zucchini
2. tenting at Yahk River Provincial Park, bison burgers, quesadillas and chili at Two-Scoop Steve’s
3. tenting at Bonner Ferry’s county fairgrounds. Great play structure for the kids, corn soup with potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, etc, fresh salad and bread sticks, loud trains throughout the night and sprinkler system wake-up in the wee hours of the a.m.

Equipment decision: Keep toting the rain/sun shelter “wing”, though not used during the first week of the trip, and dragged over numerous mountain climbs, it has provided ultimate comfort in the past three days – shelter from the sun at the beach, luxurious dining during a wind/rain storm on Moyie Lake, and Uno playing rain shelter from the weather in Yahk. Tanya’s poem about the tarp:

“Sun Tarp”
A shade, a house
A place to rest
To catch your breath
To view the rest.
Though heavy (comparatively)
The thought of sun
In the future
Makes the case
For it’s place.

Tarns’ latest injury: Two good slivers in his left foot. “NO!!! Not the tweezers! The splinters will come out if I soak my foot for ten days.” (Tarn currently still has the splinters in his foot and is wearing socks and shoes.)

Sampson’s quote: “You have to get used to sitting on a seat all day and pedaling”
Q: Do you like that? “Yeah.”

From Markos’ journal:
July 25 Today I found hooks on an island right before we found our campsite. We got ice cream.
July 26 One day I saw a caterpillar. It had a brown body, a black head, like twelve black legs and six red in the front and it had white fur all over.

Traveling Down the Road, Feelin' Fine

2009-07-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

We left 7 days ago yesterday. We've had a thoughtful send-off, scenery-packed days, tons of bagels, cheese, jars of jam, jelly bellies (thanks Sharon!) hard sleeping nights and sun-shine filled mornings. Wonderful people. What more could you ask for? A day off!

Here at Wasa Lake, hosted by friend Shauna, we're resting our routine and bodies for a day. I've turned 40, surrounded by super friends, several who are traveling with us for a time and several who made the drive out to make it a special day for me (and to see how we're thriving.)

Up to today we've traveled as a group of up to 12. Our friends the Swansons (Matt, Renee, Adam - 5 and Clare - 3) are traveling the first 2 weeks of the journey with us. We will drop them off at the train station at Sand Point Idaho next Tuesday for their return home to St. Paul, MN. Shannon joined up with us our 2nd day in "Don't leave me behind" she said as she found someone to cover her work. Then her partner Josh joined us three days ago. Tonight they returned back to Calgary, hopefully to join us again later in the trip. Then Robert from Australia, biking from Alaska to San Francisco joined us to celebrate by b-day and partake in the kid-fest/food smorgasbord.

Highlights thus far? The ride into the mountains out from Ghost Reservoir - viewing the mountains and finding ourselves inside them. Taking on the dirt/gravel crawl up to the Goat Creek Trail cooling off in the reservoir at it's summit, flying down from Sinclair Pass and landing at Radium Hot Springs, turning 40 and being surrounded by incredible people.

An entry from Sampson's journal:

July 23, 2009
This morning we woke up and had bagels for breakfast. We went to the beach and kayaked and swam the morning. Then we had peanut butter and jam for lunch. Then we swam and kayaked the afternoon. Then we went to Shauna's house and had pasta for dinner. After dinner we went to bed. We had a day off today.

2009-07-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

11:20 pm July 14
Kids are asleep. Bags are pretty much packed. Neighbours continue to drop in. Had a big shindig last night, thinking we'd focus on packing tonight. Clearly it'll somehow all come together. We've been pampered by Matt and Renee, who've traveled out from St. Paul, Minnesota to travel with us the first two and a half weeks. Their kids Adam, 5, and Claire, 3, are great company for our guys. While we've been packing they've been serving up the food from our now cleared out fridge and cleaning up after us too. Tomorrow four bicycles/tamdems, five kids, and four adults will head out.

We're excited, we were born mentally ready and whatever we forget, we either don't need or experience will provide. The next posts should be from the boys. Ride on.

Trial Run

2009-05-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Over Mother's Day weekend we thought we'd load up the gear and do a trial run at what might be the route we take out of Calgary. Sunshine, hail, railroad ties and clay clad tires. We had happy boys throughout and decided the Bear's Paw Dam route is an unlikely repeat. It was an adventure though! We did make it to Cochrane, our destination. And the return trip Sunday was an alternate route which proved much easier. As for our bikes...Rick will be adding a bigger granny gear and we'll put on skinnier tires that don't rub on the frame. And...I've an hour or so of cleaning to get the grit and clay off my bike.

Creating a calendar/to do list

2009-04-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

It's two and a half weeks into the calendar we created and we are on course. Rick and I set down a Sunday evening and charted out the time we have left until we leave and what needs to get done before that. Homeschooling, information retrieval, the maintenance and growth of Two Wheel View - Rick's charity while we're gone, etc. Mentally, we could set out tomorrow. Physically, well, we're counting on our bodies pulling through those first days and becoming stronger as the miles pass by us. But the tasks to complete before July15th are a few. We've been focusing on completing house projects in these past two weeks. Why pack away things that have been waiting to be installed in the house? We've finally replaced some light fixtures that we've been wanting to, and sealed up drafty windows. Motivation definitely helps tie the knot on some of these projects. With many things to think about, a time line of when we are focusing on what helps us achieve peace of mind that we indeed will be ready and prepared for our journey.

almost Easter

2009-04-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Rick met up with the board of TWV this week to begin putting in place support systems allowing TWV programs to continue to function and grow during our journey. The charity is ready to move beyond just "Rick", we have amazing people on board to carry out his vision.

Preparations

2009-04-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

Rick and Tanya are currently focusing on their daily lives. Rick is a dad and founder and director of Two Wheel View, a charitable organization that provides leadership, environmental and cultural education programs to young people through their participation in bicycle education and expedition programs. Tanya is a mom and a dayhome provider/teacher to several wonderful children.

Together they are organizing the next few months to accomplish the many small and big tasks that comprise a smooth and prepared exit from Calgary and readiness for their year's travel ahead.

Tonight's plan: creating a calendar of what remains to be done, and when that should happen.