TravelByBike

unexpected joy....

June 17

Six days since I have journaled about this ride for the Lord!

Where does the time go?

Much of what I had to say was on Facebook. 

Having a grand time of fellowship with the men in Spokane.

Some really incredible things happened on the way to George and DeeDee's place up between Diamond Lake and Newport.

First of all was when I was creeping ever so slowly up a hill....

A road biker slowed down his pace and pedaled up the hill with me. He was pedaling from Spokane to Sandpoint, if I remember right.

He had recently done a mission trip to a country in South America. 

Don and I had a nice short visit and then he and his friend Josh, took off leaving me in their wake of dust from the road. 😀

They were averaging 19 to 20 miles an hour.

I was doing six!

The other truly incredible point of the day was the back tire of the recumbent.

I could feel a thump, da-thump, but the tire was not flat. 

It was not even a slow leak.

I stopped a number of times along the side of the road to check.

I did not want to take everything apart, so I kept on pedaling.

Made it to George's.

Was to tired to mess with it that night.

Had a really wonderful meal and a great sleep.

The next morning took everything apart and found the culprit to the problem.

The tire had blown. 

Literally!

But the tube never blew!

Was a pretty good slice in the tire itself. 

I know the Lord was in the whole situation.

Can I get an "amen?"

So all that occurred on the 14th.

The 15th was when I found the slit in the tire.

And began pedaling down the road to Clark Fork.

I met Linda, who was pedaling from Spokane to Sandpoint area.

In Sandpoint I pulled into Paul Bunyan Burger.

I am always hungry when I am riding.

Met a couple Mike and Beth Ann Williams who are believers in the Lord. 

They know people from MAF.

Invited me to stay with them on the return trip.

What a great couple!

When I arrived in Clark Fork, I had no idea where to stay for the night. 

Almost out of town, and a pickup with a family pulls up. 

They own Clark Fork Lodge.

Gave me a rate I could not refuse.

Another wonderful divine appointment.

Hot shower.

A scraping of the stubble.

And also...

I was just getting ready to leave the lodge in the morning.

Had given the keys to the owner, and was just making one more check of the bags and all on the bike, when...

A man comes by asking about the bike.

He is a doctor from Minnesota.

I told him some about our having lived in Papua New Guinea and his eyes lit up.

He knows the Fugelstads who were at Camp Kalina. 

The YWAM base up above Mt Hagen.

And he and his wife know Marti Ahlquist who used to teach at Ukarumpa and is now in Texas.

Trying to remember if she taught any of our children.

There is no way man could orchestrate these meetings.

These God appointments.

I am so encouraged by his leading.

It is hard to pedal every day.

Yet, I told the Lord I would.

And I will.

The 16th I rode from Clark Fork to a campground. 

Went thirty miles.

Did not actually feel too well all day long.

Eating throughout the day.

Snacking on fruit.

Making sure I get off the bike every ten to fifteen miles which forces me to drink and eat.

It is a good thing.

So when I stopped, for the night, I set up the tent, had some food, took a little walk and crashed.

It was around 7.30 when I got into my sleeping bag. 

I only remember turning once during the night. 

Guess I needed sleep. 😯

The 17th, today, was so much better.

Got twenty miles in e morning.

And another 25 in the afternoon.

Stopped in Plain Montana.

Would like to have gone further, but the next major town is sixty miles away.

That will be a ride for tomorrow.

As I pulled into where I am camping for the night, there was a young man, Eric, and we started up a conversation.

What the Lord does in these situations is absolutely mind blowing.

The talk very quickly turned to the Lord and our relationship with Him.

Went out for a burger with him. 

My treat.

This young man has a lot of life ahead of him.

Many question.

Few answers.

Lord let his mind, spirit and body be filled and molded for you!

And to top it all off...

Got invited to a fellowship potluck with some older folk.

Horseshoes.

Food.

Horseshoes.

Did I mention food?

And just a lovely time of sharing and being in the Word.

What will tomorrow bring?

Wait and see.

Come back to this same channel for more stories from the ride.

Continuing to joy on the journey,

D.