8 Days completed!

This picture was taken today, September 11, 2011! It's my eighth day of riding for a total of 421 miles! Stephen rode 39 of my last 45 miles with me...we had started out on a route he mapped out on Daily mile. We made it about 12 miles on that route and ended up on a mountain out in Beyden or something I've never heard of! It was beautiful out there...but after riding 55 miles yesterday, the hill kept going and going and going!! We got to something that was maybe close to the top and made a decision not to continue on that route, not knowing what was ahead of us! I was tired and Stephen hasn't ridden his bike in a long time!! We ended up on a familiar route that was pretty and still had a few small hills. We stopped at Dunkin Donuts and were able to watch some of the 9/11 ceremonies...it was nice to be there and be able to witness some of that and take those thoughts with us for the remainder of the ride.

These pictures are backing up to yesterday...we left Vermont at 7:15 a.m. and I got home around noon, and then we were busy all the rest of the day, so I didn't have time to blog at all! It was a little challenging the first 15 miles or so, but I expected that, and then it as just smooth sailing, so to speak! I decided I did not like riding through the towns/cities...Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke...towns that I have ridden through many times before, but after riding through the mountains and hills...it was very difficult to be with cars!

See....beautiful! This was up at the Vermont/Massachusettls line, Bernardston, MA.

So...I think I just might conclude this blog for today. I know there was more I had to say on the subject, but it has been a long day and a long week, and I want to get this posted. I don't know if I said it but I rode 421 miles total...short of my original goal of 500 miles, but I am not disappointed and do not have any regrets. We brought it a few more donations this week which we are very grateful for and I would love to do another ride like this next year! I enjoyed being out on the road and would love to share that and expand this fundraising effort for anyone who would be willing and able to particiapate! As I said before, I am grateful today to be an American and have the ability to give to others everywhere and anywhere who are in need. I know there are a lot of Americans who feel the same and that makes me proud as well!

God bless us all!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...FROM NH TO VT!!

So, the rain lasted a little longer than we thought it would...but that's ok - we worked it out!! Stephen and I got up at 4:15 a.m. this morning and got ready to continue (pretty much) where we left off. We started a little further along in New Hampshire than where we left off, but it was still two and a half hours from home! We took this picture on the way up...I hadn't yet started riding, but I don't think we got a picture on Tuesday when we entered New Hampshire the first time! On our way we drove through Northfield, MA and we saw two fawn(s) romping in someone's front yard! We thought they were dogs at first, but as we got closer realized they were just babies!! Very, very cute and playful!!

So, I started riding at 8:30 this morning! We started in Newport, NH and the first 2 and 1/2 miles I thought I was going to die! I was scheduled to ride 47 miles, and I hit a lot of steep hills right away and I was very nervous for the rest of the day. As the ride continued, the roads evened out some and it became a really beautiful ride. The difficult thing is, that when I'm riding, I see all kinds of scenery that I would love to photograph, but if I stop to do that I'll never reach my destination!! The GPS lost the road a little ways into the ride, so we had to stop a few times to check in with each other and coordinate the ride. The GPS really is great, when it works!! And actually, if I were by myself I would do things a little differently than this; Stephen and I have tried to stay together, so we have to make sure we are following the same route...

So, again, we entered Vermont without any notice or signage at all!! I was upset, because I love the photos! I do plan to get a picture tomorrow on the way OUT of Vermont...I'll cross the street and get the Welcome to Vermont picture that way...if there is a sign, that is!!

I have two more days of riding before completing this year's challenge to myself. I have been very grateful for the donations people have sent to support Educate Malawi and this event. I have learned a lot about myself and about this type of fundraiser. I would love to do another one next year and would love to have others join me (us) doing this!! It has been really beautiful and fun!! I am continuing to accept donations for this event: donations can be made on the website: http://www.educate-malawi.org/ or by sending a check made payable to Educate Malawi, Inc. at 86 Connecticut Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089.

I just want to say this last thought; it's one that has been with me since very early in this ride, and being September 9th, close to an important American 'memorial' day, I want to add a thought about America. I am doing this ride to raise money for another country, one that is significantly less well-off than we are here in America. I saw that first-hand on my first trip and was moved to start this organization. I have questioned myself and been questioned by others about giving money and raising money for another country. It is a difficult thing to explain and to even understand. An answer became clear to me this week and that is how I am proud to be an American, am grateful for all the opportunities we have here and our ability to help others. That is what I love about our country; I also believe that it is not who you help it's just that you do.

More tomorrow...I think the first 10 miles will be much like my last 10; hilly and difficult...but rewarding when I've done it! We'll see...

Break due to Rain!

So, we woke up in NH yesterday to the sound of pouring rain! Actually, I had listened to it all night long and watched the clock to see if it was stopping close to morning. It wasn't. We looked at the weather forecast and radar and it did not look good at all for the next 2 days in NH, VT and home! So, we decided to postpone the remaining 3 days of riding and continue when the weather cleared up.

We drove the route that I would have ridden that day and it was very beautiful but very hilly!! Also, it barely rained the whole time we were driving. I was not happy with that at all! Trying to make a safe decision by watching the weather is not an easy task...we did the best we could. I have some rain gear, but in addition to by getting wet I had to consider the conditions on the road (my tires are rather skinny ). Some of the downhills were very steep and I was thinking that my brakes might be challenged to slow down sufficiently. All in all I think we made the best decision we could!

I plan to continue on Thursday, riding 50 miles, then head back up to NH to ride into VT and then home. I do not think I will reach the 500 mile mark, but will ride for 8 days and will ride through 5 New England states as planned!!!

Thank you to those who have sent donations; it is greatly appeciated and will help us continue with completion of this project!

Karen