July 5
Today was sure something!
I started in Manila UT where I had spent the night under the bleacher stands at the rodeo ground.
There were fireworks going till all hours of the night.
So it seems.
But then I was quite tired and maybe a little sleep deprived.
All in all the night was good.
Talked with Michal.
Then Kacia called and told me all about the wedding she was a special part.
Saw a couple walking and introduced myself.
Told them I was silently going to sleep under the bleachers.
She agreed with what was written on the card.
They told me no one in town would mind.
After all, it is the fourth of July!
So for a ground cover I used the tent.
It was warm enough out that I did not actually set it up but simply laid it down and then the sleeping bag on top.
So what about today you are asking yourself?
Is he going to tell us about today?
Well sure I am.
Are you ready!
Here we go.....
The start of the day was very nice.
Sunny.
Warm.
Beautiful time of talking with the Lord.
Singing.
Praying.
All of this happening while on the bike, of course.
And going up Flaming Gorge was intensely beautiful.
The deep reds and oranges.
The burnt colors in the rocks.
The ride up was not too difficult.
Some short steep climbs.
Some long slow ones also.
As I was slowly, yet steadily, making my way up one of those climbs, over the twenty miles of undulating ups and downs, I could see on the other side of the road, maybe a hundred yards away, a vehicle pulling off onto the shoulder.
And a lady getting out and taking pics as I came up the grade.
I looked in the mirror attached to my steering, saw there was no one coming up behind, and no one coming down the hill toward me, and eased my way over to the other side of the road, parking my bike in front of her small pickup.
Her name is Madeline and she has been traveling with her little dog, seeing the country, since her husband died of Parkinson's.
We started to talk.
And talk....
yes, and talk.
We both basically told our life stories in the time we stood on the side of the road.
Talking.
Her husband was a strong believer in Christ, and had traveled and lived in the Philippines
She talked. I listened.
I talked. She listened.
She is the first one who has pulled off the road and waited for me.
All so I could share about this journey.
Was wonderful to prayer for and over her the Lord's protection as she went on her journey of travels.
Not five miles down the road after this divine appointment from the Lord, I had another one.
This time was different.
This time was with...
Rain.
Drenched and cold, I took cover at a rest area where I stood under the little bit of shelter.
The loo.
The toilet.
The commode.
Whatever name you want to give, it gave shelter from the storm.
There were people there who had been having a picnic by the pond.
They too, got caught in the deluge.
After waiting for an opportune time to make my escape, it looked as if it had cleared enough to try and get a few miles.
Asked one of the men who had been fishing, how far it was to the nearest campgrounds.
He told me and also told me of a lodge not too far down the road.
Five miles.
I made it there.
Completely soaked.
As were others who were also caught unawares.
Decided it was worth it to spend the night.
Clothes strewn about trying to get dry.
Shaving.
Getting a hot shower.
And eating a delightfully tasty chicken sandwich and hot tea.
I was so cold and chilled I ripped open the crackers for my soup with my teeth.
Not very gentlemanly, but it works.
Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
Sharing a few texts with family and friends.
Still no wifi.
So will have plenty of posts to put on the blog when I do get to a place that has some.
What else to say about this day?
It was, as I said at the beginning of this post, truly something.
The Lord had my back the whole way.
Even while waiting out the weather, He knew what would happen next.
Where He would direct me.
That makes the whole day, rain, cold and all, completely worthwhile.
Continuing to joy in the journey,
D.
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