The Lord is so good! After last night's horrendous weather, I was afraid to open the shades on our motel room. When I did I was greeted with beautiful blue sky! Heading west, we were excited about the possibility of seeing the mountains. For about 100 miles we saw nothing but flat, somewhat desolate land. The cross winds where strong and blew the mc around a bit. After about 2 hours we thought we saw the mountains, but were not sure since the snow blended in with the clouds. By the time we arrived at Shachone(sp?), the mountinas stood out clearly. Snow covered and majestic. We left route 20 and picked up route 26 and headed a bit south to Riverton. Then headed back north west. Little did we know what lay ahead of us. Clouds had been buliding around the mountains. We began to climb. The temperature dropped to 41, the rain started, and as we we over the continental divide at 9200 feet, we were completely surrounded by snow! What and experience! We down the other side into a sun filled valley with the majestic Tetons in front of us. Words cannot describe what we saw! With the sun out, and fluffy clouds around their peaks, the mountains were breathtaking. the tallest one is over 13000 feet. We made our way to Jackson where we are presently. Will spend two nights here and will be poised to go to Yellowstone tomorrow. It has truly been an adventure of the first order. I can only imagine what it will be like when the weather will be the opposite (hot and dry) of what it has thus far been. Hope to give you an update in a few days when we arrive at my nephew's home just outside of Billings, Montana. If you are a cyclist, you really must fit a trip like this into your life.

We awoke in Sioux City to a perfectly blue sky! Thank you, Lord. After calling Sybil we headed out at 9 a.m. heading west. The clouds were already building but we felt we needed to press on! We were hoping to make it to Valentine, NE. As it turned out we made it all the way to Casper, Wyoming (about 500 miles) We determined to continue riding as long as the weather held! With the time change to Mountain time we gained an hour. Riding in a car is like watching a movie or TV. Riding a mc is like living life. The smells from cows, to pigs to who knows what, it was a smorgasboard of smells and sights. Northwestern Nebraska is absolutely beautiful. Rolling hills, national grasslands (the way it used to be!) cattle (mostlly black ones!), and absolutely nothing else. As we entered Ainsworth, NE the sign said "Welcome to Ainsworth, on the way to nowhere! We had planned on camping at Fort Robinson. However, the weather was holding so we pushed on. By the time we were well into Wyoming, the clouds became ominous. We experienced some rain. As we arrived in Casper the sky was frightening. The sirens went off. A tornado was sighted. We had a terrifying thunder and lightning storm. And were very glad to be in yet another motel. All in all, a surprising day In terms of travel, weather, and more weather. Thank you for praying.

We left Hastings on today in the Sunshine. A beautiful trip through southern Minnesota farmland. Arrived at route 20, had lunch in Webster City and then the next four hours were some of the most frightening of my life! Traveling on a two lane highway, we traveled in rain, crosswinds (Iowa is flat!) and 18 wheelers. There were moments I truly could not see. By God's grace and your prayers, we arrived in Sioux City wet, very tired and wondering if we really wanted to go on. The motel we stayed in was kind in washing and drying our wet clothes. Debbie was a real trouper! No complaints. Just excitement about our adventure. Went to be exhausted and thankful to have arrived. Forecast talks of more rain tomorrow throughout Nebraska. We'll see. If it is raining in the morning, we will stay in Sioux City for one more day! Good night!

For the past five days the whole family has been together here in Hastings, MN. A wonderful family time. Peter and Sybil flew back to Boston yesterday. Debbie and I took a run down the Mississippi River to Red Wing this morning. I think we are a 'go' for tomorrow morning. We will head down Route 46 to 35 into Iowa. Then take Route 20 west to Sioux City, Iowa where we will spend the night. (I's the same rte 20 that comes out of Boston!) Will follow that across Nebraska and well into Wyoming. Hope to arrive in Jackson, Wy. by Monday evening. Two days and two nights in Yellowstone, Will exit Yelowstone out of the northeast into Montana where we will spend Thursday evening with Sam Coulimore, my sister's son. I wll leave on Friday for Massoula. Debbie wll fly out of Billings on Saturday back to Minneapolis. I found this past Sunday (being my first out of the pulpit) to be quite emotional. I have much to process regarding retirement from pastoral ministry. I am eager to be on my way. Am looking forward to spending some father-daughter time with Debbie. I am not sure when I will get my hands on a computer again. I'll leave my cell phone on, however. Feel free to tract me at www.sprint.com/familylocator (978-210-1124 and password is deborah39). A beautiful day forecast for tomorrow. I'm ready to go.

Well, I arrived yesterday afternoon in Hastings, MN. having crossed the following rivers: Connecticut, Hudson, Erie Canal, and the Mississippi! You must go through La Crosse, WI.which is right on the Mississippi. It is beautiful. High bluffs (tree covered) on both sides of the Mississippi which extend almost up to Hastings. I discovered that it is easy to get dehydrated riding a mc all day. Felt rather faint coming across Indianaa until I got water in me. I also found that most drivers are quite courteous to mc. Good thing. It was a magnificant day yesterday as I drove through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Expansive fields, clear blue skies, puffy clouds, farmers in their fields working the land, the various smells that come with farming. Sybil is attending the national social work conference in St. Paul. I spent the night with her and Peter here at the motel. Will be picking up the girls at 11:30 this morning. Last day of school for them. I will be here in Minnesota until next Friday when Debbie and I leave for Yellowstone. I will not be blogging until next weekend. Thanks again for your interest and great send-off.