Week One

First day - Grand Junction CO - Colorado Springs CO

After spending the morning doing last minute errands, Charlotte and I got the van loaded up, and once again, hit the road for another adventure! Three months ago, the ride was really in jeopardy because of my health issues, but it was very clear that again we were lead by God to do another bicycle ride for HD.

The drive from Grand Junction to Colo. Springs was a beautiful one, through Blue Mesa and the Currecanti National Recreational Area, over Monarch Pass, along the Arkansas River, and along Hwy 115 into Colo. Spgs. and to the home of our good friend Amanda Adams. Amanda was one of our riders on the 2001 ride, "Border War on HD" from Canada to Mexico. Charlotte hadn't seen Amanda since then, so that was a special reunion. Amanda's parents, Ed and Connie, were visiting from Ft. Myers FL. We had a wonderful time visiting and eating pizza before turning in, with 300 miles under our belts.

Second day - Colorado Springs CO - Lee's Summit MO

A day of reminiscence ... Early in the morning, after fond farewells with Amanda and her mother, we headed out of Colorado Springs on Hwy 24, towards Limon. Amanda and I did many training rides on Hwy 24, for the Border War on HD ride in 2001. Also, in 2000, Amanda, Ron, and I rode with Charlote and Dodie on their Habitat ride. We passed through Calhan, home of the El Paso County Fairground but more impressively Calhan is the highest non-mountain incorporated town in the US (elevation is 6507 ft there on the Eastern Plains.)

Got on the I-70 at Limon, passed through a few small towns and into Kansas. The ever-present grain elevators dot the horizon. I love the kicknames associated: "Goodland, home of the Flatlander Fall Festival" and WaKeeney, the Christmas City of the High Plains." We found the High Plains rather verdant. I found it interesting that Salina, Chapman, and Topeka (along the I-70 in Kansas) are all home towns to astronauts.

We drove the full width of Kansas, all 420 miles, then seamlessly into Missouri. With good directions, we arrived at the home of Ted and Lona Hatfield, in Lee's Summit. This is Ted's third year to be involved with "Bike for the Cure." In 2000, he was part of the send-off from Santa Monica CA, then he and his family met Scott and me close to Clinton LA. Ted and his family also met up with us on Route 66, near Joplin MO, in 2004. Great dinner and fun visiting with Ted, Lona, Sean (12) and Caleb (9).

I was pretty tired after driving over 600 miles, and slept real well. Two days down, two more days of driving.

With love from mid-America, Marie Nemec & Charlotte Reicks

Third Day - Lee's Summit MO - Columbus OH

Lona fixed us a wonderful breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast) before we shoved off. Being well rested makes the driving easier

Across MO on the I-70, under a hazy sky. Passed signs for so many places we had visited on prior rides: Waverly, Sedalia and the KATY Trail, Boonville, Arrow Rock, New Franklin, Rocheport, Centrailia, St. Charles and of course St. Louis. We could see the Chain of Rocks Bridge as we drove on the I-270 across the Mississippi River into Illinois.

In Effingham IL we drove past a very large roadside cross somewhat similar to the one in Groom TX, but smaller. It startled Charlotte so much that she got confused as to where we were!

In Southern Indiana, the question of the day was "What time is it?" Apparently much of Indiana is on Standard Time, so although it's in the Eastern Time Zone, in effect the time was the same as Central Daylight time. Finally in Ohio, we got on Eastern Daylight, again "losing" an hour, like we did yesterday in changing from Mountain to Central time.

The overcast sky didn't dampen our spirits as we continued driving towards Columbus OH, where the Nash family is hosting us. Gary and Mary Ann were featured speakers, along with Shana Martin, at a general session at the HDSA Convention in 2002. Gary and Mary Ann have 3 daughters who are active in the Chapter. Sherry and her husband have adopted 4 daughters, ranging in age from 13 to 5 months.

After a wonderful lasagna dinner, topped off with apple pie, I enjoyed the king sized bed with 5 pillows.

Mary Ann and Gary slept in, since we were leaving so early. We wended our way back to the I-70 Eastbound. It rained off and on all day, occasionally more heavily, but always at least a drizzle.

Passed through Muskingum County, the home of those wonderful Longabarger Baskets. We drove through Wheeling (where West Virginia is only 14 miles wide) and on into Pennsylvania. We surprised ourselves when the I-70 became the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a toll road. I could have routed us differently and avoided the toll road, but it was too late to make that adjustment. At Somerset, we saw a 6 propellor wind farm. We exited the turnpike at the divergence of the I-70 and I-76, and dropped down in elevation from the Allegheny Mountains to the piedmont of Maryland.

I had arranged to meet a new Internet friend, Terry, for a late lunch in Frederick. I met Terry through the scrunchie website. We had a nice meal at Applebee's before braving the North Baltimore Traffic. The I-70 ends at the I-695 (I-70 runs from Cove Fort UT to Baltimore MD). It was a real gridlock on the North part of the I-695, impacted by Friday rush hour traffic, and the upcoming NASCAR race in Dover DE. It was a moment of levity in all this traffic to read a sign announcing "Aggressive Driver Imaging" (whatever that means).

We hit another toll road - the JFK Expressway. $5 for 22 miles, then another $2 toll for driving the I-95 in Delaware.

Marsha Miller's good directions brought us to her mother Vivian's home in Wilmington. Vivian had hosted John/Marie Elsner and me during the 2002 ride. So wonderful to be with Vivian - such a sweet lady! Marsha's daughter Allison had arranged for a taped radio interview. Ben Walker was waiting patiently for us so he could do a taped interview for a Community Spotlight show. Ben asked some great questions, and the interview flowed well. Afterwards, we all enjoyed the wonderful meal which Vivian prepared.

I felt blessed to be able to sleep in the same bedroom I used in 2002. I loved the retro sheets on the bed - large paisleys, mosaiced with pink, green, yellow and blue.

With anticipation of tomorrow,
Marie Nemec & Charlotte Reicks

The Delmarva Peninsula. Since we will be on it riding and touring for five days, a note of explanation seems in order, to set the scene in this special hideaway of the Mid-Atlantic.

The Delmarva Peninsula begins about 15 miles south of Philadelphia, and pushes southward for more than 200 miles. Bounded on the west by the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the full length of the Chesapeake Bay, and on the east by the mouth of the Delaware River, the Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, it includes all of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, taking its name from these 3 states. The Peninsula gradually widens as it proceeds south, reaching a breadth of almost 70 miles before receding to a long, narrow neck that finally ends with the confluence of bay and Ocean at Cape Charles. In the extreme north, piedmont meets coastal plain along a line extending from the mouth of the Susquehanna to Wilmington, DE. South of the fall line, only an occasional hill interrupts the flatness of the land.

It was from Wilmington that Charlotte and I began this year's ride, Vivian, Marsha Miller's mother, lead us out, followed by Emily Mann from HDSA in Baltimore, and Stephanie Belzer from HDSA in Philadelphia, driving our support van. We caravanned a little over 3 miles to the I-495, where we bid fond good-byes to Vivian. The bikes were loaded into the van for a brief stint on the I-495, then unloaded on the road we followed for most of the day, Hwy. 9. Hwy 9 begins in Newcastle, which dates to 1651!!

Stephanie and Emily guided us for 10 miles. It was great to feel the support of HDSA reps in this area.

Charlotte and I then forged out on our own, after gassing up the van. We again are using our "leap frog" system from the previous two rides.

In my first stint, I rode past refineries and a power plant, and then rode over a pretty high bridge over a canal. Charlotte was riding when we came through Port Penn, site of an early 19th century cannery. I spotted a blimp, which was probably over the NASCAR race at Dover Downs.

We had lunch under a steel girder type lighthouse near Taylor's Bridge. It seemed a bit out of place, since we were fairly far inland, but with the flat terrain, it seemed plausible, too.

We also passed an Aquatic Resources Education Center (Delaware seems very environmentally dedicated) on the way to Leipsic (founded in 1720), and again I spotted the blimp. We passed Dover Air Force Base Gate 5, and during this time I saw a couple of large planes landing. There was an Air Mobility Command Museum to tour, but our time frame didn't allow it.

Hwy 9 ended at Hwy 1 & 13, the spine of the peninsula. Lots of traffic on this 4 lane divided road. Wish we could have toured the Barratt Chapel. Delmarva is cited as being "The Garden of American Methodism." Two centuries ago, approximately 1 out of 3 American Methodists lived on the Delmarva Peninsula. More than 500 Methodist churches dot the countryside and mark the skyline of Delmarva's towns and hamlets.

How apropos that we are being hosted tonight by a wonderful couple, Gerald & Joanne Burbage, from Avenue Methodist Church in Milford DE.

I drove the van the last few miles, leading Charlotte in. We found the Avenue Methodist Church just as I got a call on my cell phone from Margie Farver, a friend from the 1999 ride. She had driven her Toyota Hybrid car over from Easton, MD, about 50 miles away. Margie had her cute little long-haired Chihuahua Pixie with her! Margie joined us at the church, then took us to find a pay phone so Charlotte could use her Pocketmail Composer to check for E-mails from the Pastor, since we didn't have his home or cell phone numbers.

After contact was made, we went back to the church, where we rendezvoused with the Pastor, and the host family, Gerald and Joanne Burbage. We caravaned behind the Burbages and Margie to a lovely new home in the Hidden Meadows community Mostly light oak hardwood floors, two stories.

After I freshened up with a shower, Margie and I left to have dinner together. We reminisced about 1999 and how we met (through Ardie Newbold from the Hunt-Dis list), quilting, and our lives and the turns they have taken.

Margie got me back to the Burbages by the "curfew" set humorously by Gerald. Margie found that her path would probably cross again with Joanne's, with their common quilting interest.

Fond farewells to Margie (and Pixie).

Visited a bit more with our hosts, then up to bed. Long day riding, my furthest all year.

We're "on the road again, Coastin' for HD." Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Miles ridden:
Marie - 38
Charlotte - 51.5
Road Change - 18 cents

With love,
Marie & Charlotte

With today being Sunday, it didn't take too much convincing to accept the Pastor Baker's invitation to attend church service at the Avenue United Methodist Church. Joanne had a wonderful egg casserole for us, along with fruit and toast, waiting for us at 7:00 am. Yum!

We followed Joanne back into Milford for the 8:00 am Traditional service. Pastor Baker introduced Charlotte and me, and Charlotte gave an excellent little explanatory talk about the ride. After the service, a lady walked up to us and pressed a $20 bill into Charlotte's palm, saying that she never learned to ride a bike.

Drove out to Hwy 1, which we followed all the way today. Charlotte rode first, and then I put in 11.75 miles before we met up again. We passed the turnoff for Lewes, the first town in the first state. Wish I could have taken the ferry from Lewes to Cape May NJ, but that will have to wait.

At Dewey Beach, Hwy 1 went onto the long isthmus/barrier island. Hwy 1 seemed to be a favorite with bicyclists with its smooth shoulders and flat terrain.

The most exciting part of today's ride was getting up close to the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. It is located adjacent to the Transpeninsular Line stone monument which was erected April 26, 1751. This line established the East & West boundaries between Pennsylvania's 3 Lower Counties (now Delaware and the Colony of Maryland.

The lighthouse is white painted brick, 75 ft high, surmounted by a lantern 10 ft high. The focal plane of 86 feet above sea level emits a light visible for 15 nautical miles. It is now owned by "Friends of Fenwick Island Lighthouse"and it operates as a private aid to navigation. It's powered by solar energy.

146th St., nearest the lighthouse, is a boundary street. The North side is in Delaware, and the South side in Maryland.

We arrived in Ocean City about 3:00 pm at the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, which is right across from huge 20-some story high rise hotels across the street, on the Ocean side. This place is really set up for travelers like us, with a room full of air mattresses, showers, access to a phone, a refrigerator & freezer, bathrooms, etc. We are in the perfect place, with perfect timing.

I was able to have a roll of film developed at a 1 Hour Photo Dept. of a drug store. We got a salad bar dinner, came back to the church, showered, and tried to get caught up on our E-mail and journals. There doesn't seem to be enough time and energy left after riding today, much of which was into a headwind.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte - 25.5
Marie - 21
Road Change - 11 cents

With love from the Delmarva Peninsula,
Marie Nemec & Charlotte Reicks

Up bright and early, and left our host church by 7:10 am. Drove to and parked near the South end of the Boardwalk. In the tourist season, bicycles can only be ridden on the Boardwalk from 2 am - 10 am. So we had a nice early morning easy ride! I took a couple of photos of the East terminus of U.S. Hwy. 50. It runs from Sacramento CA, across Nevada, Utah, Colorado (passing just 1/2 mile South of our home in Grand Junction) and all the way across Mid-America to Ocean City!

Our next stop was the Assateague Island National Seashore. Assateague is a barrier island built by sand that persistent waves have raised from the ocean's gently sloping floor. I was thrilled when we spotted a small grouping of "ponies" at the Old Ferry Landing. About half the adult mares were pintos, a couple of buckskins, including a younger pony, and a chocolate brown stallion. The origin of these ponies on Assateague is unclear. Some have postulated they survived from the wreck of a Spanish galleon, and others say they are descended from domesticated stock that was grazed on the island as early as the 17th century by Eastern Shore planters. The ponies were grazed here to avoid the mainland taxes and fencing requirements. Slightly smaller than other horses, these shaggy, sturdy animals are well adapted to their harsh seashore environment. Marsh and dune grasses supply the bulk of their food. They get water from the natural fresh-water ponds. These beautiful creatures appear docile, but they are prone to unpredictable behavior.

After watching two videos in the Visitor Center, it was close to noon, and we had about 50 more miles to cover. The whole way South, we had headwind, which slowed us. We rode some on Hwy 113, one of the spines of the Peninsula, and some on back roads that are part of the Viewtrail 100, a well-signed bicycle route around the circumference of Worcester County MD.

Crossing the Maryland-Virginia line was seamless. No big sign saying "Welcome to the Commonwealth of VIrginia"; just a small green reflective sign saying "Virginia."

Last leg of the ride was Hwy 175, which leads East to Chincoteague. It passes through a NASA station on the way to the coast. Ina Rae Adams, the Church Secretary from Island Baptist Church, met us at the church and escorted us to her home. She is a native of Chincoteague, and a lovely lady. She had a meal of ham, yams, bread, and a broccoli/cheese/rice casserole waiting for us. She and her husband George had a Kindergarten graduation to attend; the older daughter of the church Pastor was "graduating." I had met Ina Rae 6 years ago while in Chincoteague towards the end of the first Bike For The Cure ride.

I really enjoy re-visiting places I have been on other rides. I think this small island of Chincoteague (6 miles by 3 miles) is my favorite, with real-life memories and those from the children's book "Misty of Chincoteague."

Miles ridden:
Charlotte - 39
Marie - 32
Road Change: 1 cent

With love,
Marie & Charlotte

Busy day from morning to night in one of my favorite places ...

Slept in, had breakfast, then got ready to tour the island. Just as I was getting ready to go to the Chamber of Commerce for maps and brochures, my good friend from California, Dede Duly, called on the cell phone to tell me that she, her daughter Kim, and Kim's two children (Kaleigh and Caden) were just 1/2 hour away from Chincoteague. Dede had flown to VA to visit, and we had pre-arranged to meet up and tour.

We caravanned out to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. After checking out the exhibits at the new Bateman Visitors Center, we took a short trail to the Assateague Lighthouse. When the lighthouse was built, it was close to the sea, on the South end of the island. Since then, the island has moved around it, but the lighthouse has remained in its original location. Built in 1867 and standing 142 ft. tall, it was brick in color until 1963 when the four red and 3 white wide stripes were painted.

Next we hiked on the Woodland Trail, hoping to get a glimpse of the ponies, but alas, they weren't out. But the mosquitoes were.

A little more about the ponies. To keep the herd to a manageable size (150), ponies are examined by vets who screen out ponies who would have trouble making the swim from Assateague to Chincoteague. After that process, the 'Saltwater cowboys" from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Dept. round up the healthy ponies and herd them across the channel. The ponies are then herded along the road, to the rodeo grounds. They are put up for viewing and auction during the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July, during Pony Penning Days.

After a nice restaurant lunch, we returned to Assateague to go to the Atlantic Ocean at Tom's Cove. By then Caden (age 2) had fallen asleep, but Kaleigh (almost 6) was able to romp around at ocean's edge, playing in the surf. I waded in myself, as did Dede and Kim. (We took turns one of us staying with Caden in Kim's SUV).

We then went back to Chincoteague, and found the bronze statue of "Misty" and the actual marshy spot where the ponies emerge after their swim.

Dede and family were tired out, so they went to their motel room. So Charlotte and I returned to Ina Rae's to freshen up before dinner. A friend of Ina Rae and George's, Mabel Heider, from Frederick MD, had invited us out to dinner. We drove back across Hwy 175 to the "Mainland," and had a yummy dinner. The other ladies had flounder, I had a grilled pork chop, and George had shrimp.

Back to Chincoteague for a driving tour from George, who is a 4th generation island resident. We saw the rodeo grounds, the schools, and a beautiful sunset before heading to the Island Creamery ice cream parlor, for dessert.

I walked down maybe 1/2 block to visit the wonderful artist Nancy Hogan Armour, who I had become friends with on my first trip to Chincoteague in 1999. Again, down memory lane. Nancy has a website HYPERLINK "www.islandgallery.com"www.islandgallery.com for those who would like to see her paintings.

Tragedy again. Got a cell phone call from Gerleine Schoonover telling me that Tom Caldwell in Tucson had died. Tom hosted Scott and me during Bike for the Cure 2000. Wilma, the HD community has lost a great man, your beloved husband.

Wish we could remain here longer. Hope to return some day with Ron.

With love,
Marie (& Charlotte)

We met up with Kim Shortridge, Dede's daughter, at 6:45 am. Kim is quite an accomplished bicyclist. We were blessed to have her as a guest rider all day!

We exited Chincoteague on the John Whealton Causeway (Ina Rae's daughter is married to a Whealton) and then rode South on Hwy. 13. Nice wide shoulder. For a change, we didn't have a headwind, just a crosswind, and our speeds were above average.

Passed a Tyson Chicken Hatchery Complex in Temperance, and further South a similar Perdue facility. The Delmarva peninsula produces the 4th largest amount of chicken in the US.

The Northern county of Eastern Shore VA is Accomac, and the Southern county is Northhampton. Virginia is preparing for its 400th anniversary in 2007.

My favorite town name was Nassawaddox, meaning "the land between two waters." This, of course, was a Native American name, as are many others on the peninsula, like Wachapreague, Machipongo, Pungoteague, and Onancock.

We arrived in Cape Charles about 12:30 pm, making today the earliest we have reached any of our destinations. Cape Charles, the first planned community on the Eastern Shore, owes its existence to the presence of the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad, which extended to the lower Eastern Shore in the 1880's. We are being hosted in the Cape Charles House B&B. Bruce and Carol Evans are the third owners of this Colonial Revival frame house built in 1912. This is one of the largest houses in town.

We are staying in the Alexander Cassatt Guest Room. Cassatt, along with Wm. Scott, used his own personal fortune to revive a dream of having a new rail route between North and South. He also designed the rail ferry from Cape Charles to Norfolk. His sister Mary was a world-renowned Impressionist painter considered to be one of the most important female artists in the world. She was noted for the depiction of the gentle nature between mother and child. Our room has several reproductions displayed, including a self portrait and a portrait of Alexander and his son.

Miles ridden:
Charlotte - 38
Kim - 50
Marie - 29
Route distance - 67 miles
Road change - 6 cents

With love from the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula,
Marie & Charlotte

We couldn't wait until 9:00 am to have the full gourmet breakfast which Carol prepares for guests, but she kindly left cut-up cantaloupe topped with a thin slice of apple and a dollop of yogurt, plus wonderful banana nut muffins. Marie had scheduled an appointment to renew acquaintances with Rita Rock, a secretary at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Administration Bldg (at Northern Terminus), who had aided her in crossing 6 years ago while riding solo at the end of "Bike For The Cure 1999."

Rita is a very vivacious young woman. She shared with us that she is recovering from a bout with breast cancer. I gave her an HD blue silicon bracelet to go with her pink breast cancer one.

Driving across the 17.6 miles between Virginia's Eastern Shore and Virginia Beach/Norfolk was fantastic. This vital link was traversed by ferry service until 1964, when the Bridge-Tunnel opened to traffic. It is considered the largest bridge-tunnel complex in the world. Construction required undertaking a project of more than 12 miles of parallel trestle roadways and bridges, two one-mile tunnels under the shipping channels, a pair of high-level bridges, almost 2 miles of causeway, four man-made islands, and 5 1/2 miles of approach. In 1999, the Bridge-Tunnel was augmented with parallel roadways and bridges, transforming the original two-lane bridge to four lanes, for safety and future traffic demands. Officially, in 1987, it was named the Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge Tunnel, to honor the prime mover in this project which was selected as one of the 7 Engineering Wonders of the Modern World.

We stopped in the Gift Shop, where I got two pressed coins. I discovered that the first documented pressed penny machine was in use at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. (How's that for trivia?)

For the past 6 years, bicycle traffic was only permitted at one specially designated event day per year, but as a result of security concerns, Rita had told us that the event would not be held this year.

Charlotte began riding on Shore Drive. We got to see both the old and the new Cape Henry Lighthouses. The original lighthouse was built in 1791, a brick octangular truncated pyramid of 8 sides, rising 90 ft. It was the first lighthouse authorized by the first U.S. Congress. The "newer" lighthouse was built in 1881, also octagonal, but painted black and white in two sets of alternating vertical stripes. They are on the grounds of Ft. Henry, a unique coastal terrain military facility which is used by Army, Navy, and Marines. It is positioned on both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and it provides challenging and varied maritime conditions for troop maneuvers.

Charlotte rode and I drove through Virginia Beach, then switched at the Museum of Science. A couple of rain showers passed through, but we were able to keep riding.

Our dear Ruth Hargrave came out to meet us and lead us across the Intercoastal Waterway and to her home in Currituck County NC, just over the border from VA. We were glad to be in a safe harbor after a somewhat hot, humid grueling day, against the wind.

Ruth's daughter Sue, granddaughter Tina, and great-grand children Michael and Brittany joined us for dinner (turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad, and roll). We also had a strawberry jell and cream cheese with pretzel crust dessert.

Looking forward to another "Rest Day" tomorrow.

Miles ridden:
Marie - 20
Charlotte - 35
Road Change - 6 cents

With love from the coast,
Marie & Charlotte

In yesterday's message, I neglected to describe some of what makes Ruth's home unique.

Ruth is an artist. When she had an addition built onto her home, to accommodate the needs of two of her adult children who have HD, she not only included three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage, but also a wonderful art room!

Two cats roam the addition. Fred has recently been groomed, and he looks like Simba in the "Lion King." His body, legs (down to his knees), and tail (except for a tuft on the end), have his fur cut short, and oh is it smooth and soft! The female, his sister, is black, orange, and white, but with regular fur. Both are well behaved and loveble.

It truly was a relaxing day. We slept in, had a late breakfast, did a load of wash, and then went to Chesapeake VA. Ruth had to go to her bank. I dropped off two rolls of film at the Rite-Aid 1 Hour Photo. We ate lunch at Wendy's, then went to the Post Office, then back to Rite-Aid to pick up the photos. Within a few days, the will be posted to the website.

We drove back to NC and went all the way to Barco, to visit Ruth's daughter Cindy, who is in a nursing home.

The CNA's who take care of her were so nice, and very loving towards Cindy. Cindy is in the later stages of HD. We didn't stay too long, but it was very poignant. A cure for this disease must be found !

Back to Ruth's, to freshen up, then back to VA, over the Pungo Ferry Road, to the famous Captain George's Seafood Buffet Restaurant. One of Ruth's granddaughters works there as a hostess.

The buffet was a spread for royalty, with so many seafood choices. I tried some fried baby shrimp and something else (I forgot what it was called). Charlotte sampled many seafood choices. Ruth enjoyed the red crabs especially. The desserts were opulent.

When we got back to Ruth's, we shared a small bottle of Bailey's, in honor of our now deceased friend Lou Wilkinson. Here's lookin' at you, Lou!!!

With love from Currituck County NC,

Marie and Charlotte