Bing!

June 24, 2017

I woke up feeling so much better this morning.

No nose bleeding.

No sweating.

Refreshed.

Thankfully, hungry and thirsty as well.

I knew, from looking at the map, and talking with others, that getting over Hwy 14 East from Cedar City to where it meets 89 South at Long Valley Junction would make for a long day.

And I was not disappointed!

But first I ate.

More substantially than I had in a few days.

And all the food tasted good!

I saw Franklin again.

And then another man started talking with me.

Well, maybe I initiated the conversation.

Has been known to happen!

So there went my plans for leaving early.

My plans.

Realizing, they are just dust which vanishes in the wind.

The Lord, these last few days has really been teaching me.

Think I have said this before in an earlier post.

Forget your plan.

Focus on people.

That is God's plan.

So, I did.

We talked while I was getting the panniers, water bottles, and other items all back on the bike.

How I wish I had written this man's name down in my notes.

He rode around the parking lot.

If he reads this blog and comes across this post, I hope he adds a comment with his name!

Finally got on the road about eight.

Wanted to make sure the tires were set into the rims properly, so road around town a couple miles before getting onto 14 East.

One of the first signs I saw said this:

Eight percent grades

next fifteen miles.

Reduced speeds.

That sign was not lying.

It was completely uphill the first fifteen miles.

Maybe a bit more.

Oh, the most wonderful views as I got closer to the summit.

God's creation.

The earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!

When I got to the top there is a scenic overview of the area.

That is where I met Santos and Annie.

They live north of Salt Lake City.

I love meeting new people and learning more about different ideas, values, and convictions.

There may be many different "gods" but there is only one "I AM."

They took pictures sitting on the bike, of Santos and I together, of the two of them...

A great time!

And then he slipped a twenty into my hand.

I know what it is for.

Will have to see if artistic Shanon can help me with a project while I am in Phoenix.

Once to the top the ride was almost all downhill.

I say that for there are a few little rises where you need to gear down and pedal.

Stopped at Long Valley Junction.

Filled up my water bottles, bought a Sobe drink and a corn dog.

Certainly not the healthiest of foods to fuel up the body.

At this point just needed something to keep me going.

Kanab was forty miles away.

Already this day I had gone forty-one.

I knew there would be some places along side the road where I could lay my head and sleep.

After talking with some of the local firemen about the Bryce fire, I got on the way.

Did not pedal more than a couple times in the next twenty miles.

I love downhills.

I also enjoy uphills.

The workout adds something to the journey.

There is a person walking across the road.

As I get closer, he takes the classic pose of a hitch-hiker.

Thumb out, a bit of a lean towards me and a smile on his face.

Gotta stop and talk to this guy!

Jerry turns out to be a man of many trades.

Jerry is quite a lively and strong follower of Christ.

What a joy to meet him!

Talk about divine appointments.

Just like the two from Cedar City!

Jerry invited me into their home, had a shower, fed me soup, bread and ice cream, then allowed me to sleep in his van.

Had a great conversation with him before closing my eyes for the night.

He used to help tours with Second Chapter of Acts and other groups from that era.

Their cat, Bing, is quite social.