About 12 more days

Now that Ed's had a chance to go to the Adventure Cycling group and get routes, maps and advice, he's listed the places he will be for the next few weeks:
Butte [Continental Divide]
Bozeman
almost but not quite Billings
Lovel Wy
Worland
Thermopolis
Shoshoni
Casper
Medicine Bow
Laramie
Fort Collins Co




For now, he's uploading pictures in Missoula and enjoying the college atmosphere.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP LINK, YA BIG FREAKS


And a few pictures to take us out:

Raising awareness

Yesterday, a woman asked me if Ed was riding to "raise awareness" of anything. He has said before that the Cause is "freedom from wage slavery" or "my sanity" but riding to make people more aware of something is a bit different.

Personally, I would think people could be more aware of a lot of things:

• Energy use
• Slow vacations
• Biking for fun and profit
• Deliberate living
• Making something happen rather than just talking about it

All of these things are exemplified by Ed's mancation ride extravaganza.

Energy use: For years when we first moved to Alaska, we only had one car. Ed rode his bike most days and one winter he commuted via bike every day. That's right- in the ALASKA winter, he rode his bike. And, he wasn't the only one!

Slow vacations: Take your time. Don't worry about seeing a lot, but seeing deeply. You can do this on a bike. Or in a car or boat or whatever. It's not about the mode of transport, it's about what you do when you get there.

Biking for fun and profit: This one we're still working on, but I think Ed would be a good bike rep / bike parts inventor or something. Or a beta-tester for bicycle-based inventions like self-charging head lamps or bike-powered toaster ovens - I'm just saying...

Deliberate living: This was actually part of our wedding vows because we both believe so strongly about it. Do things ON PURPOSE and WITH PURPOSE whenever you can. Riding your bike through the Yukon qualifies for deliberate. No one does that by accident.

Make something happen: Ed survived cancer a long time ago - 10-1/2 years ago to be exact. To say that it doesn't color every decision we make now would be a lie. We both support each other in what sometimes seem like rash decisions or jumping on gut instincts. Why? Because you never know. As my friend Shirley said at her 60th birthday party, "Growing old is a privilege denied to many." What are you waiting for?

HERE'S THE MAP LINK, YA BIG FREAKS

For my Hebrew peeps, have an easy fast tomorrow.

Back at it

Did anyone notice he stayed at El Diablo (that's Spanish for fighting chicken or something) Lake yesterday and today he's at Twisp? The weird place names are back and I think he's found a theme.

At left is an "owl on a stick" - love that picture. Please be assured that Ed is respectful of wildlife, but if they get in his way before a big football game, he will charge (see the post about Boomer and the Bear). Since this weekend is OU-Texas, I'm just giving fair warning to those animals in the Pacific Northwest who have internet access - MOVE!!!

The ride from Cascades Park to Twisp was fraught with headwinds (another theme) and a lot of mountain passes. He's encountering snow again but not on the roads too much. Today he heads to Grand Coulee Dam (about 100 miles away). He is at the fork in the road, so he will take it.



Here's a plug for our sponsor (pay up, already!) with logo on the Alaska ferry.


HERE'S THE MAP LINK, YA BIG FREAKS

Gotta go- early start today.