Day 30/July 29th – Denver to Fort Morgan – 145km

So today we decided that 145km just wasn’t enough – 165km sounded better…… no I’m kidding – wrong turn – poopy.
We also had quite a head wind and it was hot hot hot, 40 derees today BUT depsite that all I was working with some awesome people and we had an amazing pace line going. It amazes me that no matter the conditions, the feeling of community and working together makes any situation way better. So guess what? I had a great day, wahoo!

July 27 – Sabbath in Denver

We had a great service today. We went to a football field that was filled with different tents that had information not only about CRWRC, CRWM, and Partners Worldwide – but all kinds, a lot of local organizations within Denver came to display how they are fighting poverty here in Denver and around the world. I bought a necklace made by women in Uganada – the beads are made of newspaper and other pieces of paper being thrown away.
The service was great too, we biked around the track – you can probably see that on utube or the sea to sea website, it was neat.
Theresa and I did some laundry today after the service (yes op zondag, please forgive us.) Next door there was a little Mexican restaurant so we headed inside. We ordered two MGDs and got complimentary nachos and salsa – so I ordered guacamole and let me tell you something – nothing hits the spot on a 40 degree Celsius day than those two beers…. Soooooo goet zo!
We had to say goodbye to 15 people this week, that was also really hard. We did that the night we were in Winter Park, it was pretty emotional, we’re getting really really close. We also had to say good bye to another cyclist unexpectedly. Yesterday while Tyler was biking he had a really bad fall and ended up breaking us collar bone in a few different places. Please pray for Tyler, I cannot imagine how devastating it would be to have to leave early.
I thank you all so much for your prayers thus far. Physically, Spiritually and Emotionally I’m doing awesome, and its because of all of your support! Thank you so very very much!
Hey momma guess what, ITS ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE!!!!
PS – I’ll add the pictures later to these last two blogs, it is taking too long!

Day 27/ July 26 – Winter Park to Denver – 129km

Just so you know, GPS was a bit wrong, it was more like 150km....... extra 20 km no big deal...... haha
Alright so, today was our last big climb, hallelujah!!! We climbed all the way up to 11,000 feet. The sad thing was there was no elevation sign! So we didn’t even have proof – well besides snow. So, we decided to make our own sign!
Then we went down, and down and down, and then we went up again (that was a super poopy climb, 1000 feet, steep incline and I just ate lunch, not so goet zo) Then we went up and down and around this canyon, which was beautiful but a bit scary because of traffic – don’t be sad momma, I was careful!
Finally we got into Denver and the people here welcomed us so warmly it was awesome! They baked cookies, gave us goody bags, let us keep our bike in the gym overnight and they let us use this great computer lab – hence the reason I’ve been able to blog my brains out!

Day 26/ July 25 – Kremmling to Winter Park - 55km

Well today felt like a walk in the park – all these long days and then bam, short day. I felt like we just started, and then we were half way done. It was nice to take it slow, there were lots of cities along the way so we felt like we were really “touring.” We went out for breakfast, stopped at a candy store, that also sold jewelry so haha, my favy baby! Then we stopped in another town for coffee, it was a good day.
Last night at peloton we were challenged to stay in one gear as if we were stuck in poverty. It was an interesting challange, and a good day to do it. I was able to do it (some people did it in a really hard gear – not I said the duck, I did it right smack in the middle.) It is so important for us to continue to remember the purpose of the tour. I’d say that we all are, but sometimes because we’re having such an awesome time we almost feel guilty. So, I would just ask that you would all pray that all of us will continue to be blessed on this tour, but that the purpose of the tour will continue to be lived out – both in our own hearts and in the overall community.

July 24/day 25 - Craig to Kremmling - 154km

We passed through so many sweet towns today - especially steamboat springs. They're all like 1930s, with saloons and such, so cute, so filled with character.We had another 3000 foot climb (good golly) but when we got to the top there were all kinds of meadows and beautiful flowers...... so guess what it reminded me of? The sound of music of course!! It was cool.After we coasted down the other side of the mountain (I'm so happy that "what goes up, must come down") there were rolling green hills, and the clouds were all dancing all over the sky. It was so incredibly beautiful! Before I went to bed that night, a local girl was going for a walk with her dog - and this was not just any dog, this was a St. Bernard! Roll over Beethoven! I love those dogs, they are my favy baby! I was just having all of him! We also had our worship service tonight - it was about Justice and Peace. Hans has done such an awesome job putting these services together. The benediction was incredible. I encourage you all to read this - it really marks the purpose or our tour, but I hope that all of you who read it will feel challanged and encouraged to seek Justice and Peace. "May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and explitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, startvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more.Amen.

July 23/Day 24 - Dinosaur to Craig - 142km

This morning was beautiful, it was a bit chilly and we even had a baby bit of rain. It felt so nice a refreshing! As we were biking this morning the sun was shining through the clouds, so beautiful. Whenever God does that, I always think of the hymn "Beams of Heaven as I go through the wilderness below......" how fitting.We stopped at one of the Sag Wagon stops that also had a gas station - the lady at the gas station had the sweetest earrings. Of course me being me, I commented on how much I liked them - she told me she got them at this sweet place in Craig. Well I was pumped to hear that, before my mind could register I said "where in Craig, what was the place called?" So, I got me some sweet earrings today - along with ice cream, and the school we stayed at had a piano that I got to play - what an awesome possum day!

July 22/Day 23 - Duschene to Dinosaur - 145km

Today I saw why the dinosaurs died. There is a reason this place was called Dinosaur. It was hot, and we climbed, and I sweated - Jenny saw my helmet and called me salty McSalterson (thanx krystal.) My helmet straps are usually white at the end of the day from sweat - is yuckiss. Anyways, enough about that - it was a hot day BUT right as we were entering dinosaur (such a funny name for the town, all the streets were named after dinosaurs.) there was an ice cream shop, need I say more? Mom - I thought I liked ice cream b4 but seriously, after a hot hot day of biking, man i didnt think ice cream could get better!