Oh My Goodness...Did someone turn up the heat in here?

   Team Awesome is back and Texas is Tough! Okay, maybe I spoke too soon when I raved on the roads, Shogan and I are now in East Texas (Tyler at the moment) and my wide bike lane is gone. The traffic has increased and the temps are through the roof! With thermometer readings in the mid 90s, the roads we are travelling heat into the low 100s. I am unclear on the humidity but we are wet and sweaty all day, from our 5:30 wake up till we retire after sunset. It has become increasingly clear why most folks spend their time indoors. I am also wondering if this has contributed to the southern accent, perhaps it just takes a little longer to get your words out, no hurry people, take your time!    

(On this memorial day I will be thinking of the Dear People in my life who have passed on to their next journey, how blessed we all our for the contributions and sacrifices of others in our lives!)

 We continue to enjoy the overwhelming Texas hospitality that is a hallmark of this part of the country. When we stop on the side of the road for our frequent water and nourishment breaks it is not uncommon for passers by to pull over and ask if we need anything. Most always welcome except for the rare times (yesterday afternoon for example) when Team Awesome (Sans Davey) is not feeling so Awesome and nerves are frayed and my temper short (sorry Shogan, not my best day for sure). The further east we ride the more astonished people are when they ask "How long ya ridin for"? Followed by "why on earth would you do that"? Of course not everyone responds that way, so many of our well wishers also express their own desires to take an epic journey of their own, whatever that may be. I do hope that our journey has inspired at least a few people to "dream big and go for it". This journey, though challenging and extremely difficult at times has also given me a treasure trove of memories and a new resiliency to believe in my own personal power to accomplish anything I desire.

 

 Dave is in Houston visiting with his Navy buddy Travis after having spent an Awesome time in Austin with another friend. He is awaiting our arrival near the Louisiana border, just 200 miles and Team Awesome will be together again, on our way to the 'Big Easy' where we will take a few days to soak in the sounds and tastes and sights of this special place. 

This sign in Albany Texas actually says, "Ladies Try God's Beauty Plan, Charm is Deceptive Beauty is Fleeting- A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED"

Albany is a prime example of a charming Texas town but oh so different than where I come from!

We enjoy horses and cattle and cicadas and goats and frogs and turtles and dogs and cats and, let's just say many, many... Awesome creatures and animals on our Texas ride. 

YAY Kyle Williams! Our Awesome host in Fort Worth Texas. We stayed at his place in the quaint and beautiful Fairmount District. He is a keeper friend for sure and will be visiting us in Eugene in August as he makes his way from BC to Mexico. Looking forward to reciprocate his hospitality!

Kyle works at the Spiral Diner. A Ft. Worth Vegan GEM that gets it right on all the points.

Special Daddy-Daughter time at the BBall Hall of Fame!

 I would like to send a special shout out, Whoop-Whoop, to our Awesome daughter Natasha. We took a weeks hiatus to celebrate her graduation from Mt. Holyoke College in western Massachusetts. She is an Amazing young lady who inspires me everyday! TEAM AWESOME LOVES NATASHA:)

Not your average college commencement. Mt, Holyoke celebrates their girls over 3 days with tradition and pomp and circumstance I had never experienced. AWESOME! 

Nice to be out of my biking clothes for a spell. 

And even nicer for the Naidoos to be together again! 

So many Thank yous to everyone who was able to attend. What a treat to have my Mom and Dad, my Step-Mom (WSM) my Sister and my Niece all together. I was missing my brothers Tony and Nathan, and also Shogan's family. His mom Oatsie, his sister Vanosie, and his brother Avinesh. I thought of you all at different times throughout the weekend and hope our travels bring us close again someday soon! An extra special shout out to Shogan's father Jaya. Now deceased he would have been so proud of Natasha's accomplishments as he relished his granddaughter!  

MJ and "Nashie" as she likes to call her.

Forever grateful for the education and launching pad this institution provided. Congratulations Baby Girl!

6:00 AM sunrise, Gots to get on the road early to take advantage of the heat. 

I would have brought her with me if I could have. She found us while wandering the park in Mesquite TX. 

I do hope she has found her "forever home"!

Best Donuts I have ever eaten, PERFECTION, in Mesquite.

Kenneth brought us a jug a frozen water and sat and visited with us in Kaufman Texas. A sweet and gentle soul we so appreciated his company and gesture. You're Awesome Kenneth. Also a shout out to Robert Elgin who allowed us to stay on his property for the evening:)

Tom Baum, a physicist, an aviator, a renascence nerd perhaps who retired to Texas yet still flies his plane all over the country to fix electron microscopes. I find people with unique niches live unique lives...

and finally, the water tower, when we view these in the distance this is how we know we are nearing a town... often a relieving sight.

That is it for now. Team Awesome is rolling forward and continues to appreciate all of your well wishes and support! And a special shout out to Earl St Saviour (not sure if I spelled that right) your navigation and assistance was much appreciated in MA, Shogs and I thank you!

Team Awesome Loves You!

~Michelle

Everything is BIGGER here...

Welcome to Texas!

  

 Texas drivers have been extremely courteous and their roads are huge! 

We have a bike lane the size of a car lane... WOO-HOO!

 Team Awesome has arrived in Texas where everything is BIGGER... Our first BIG Texas welcome was the unrelenting wind that we faced after leaving Bottomless Lakes State Park in New Mexico. Most everyone we spoke with assured us that the wind would be at our backs, we were hopeful, we were disappointed ... 70 miles to next stop it took us 10 grueling hours as we pushed and pedaled and tried to wrap our heads around the difficult task ahead of us. Alas, we arrived at our stop that night exhausted yet happy to be done with our ride for the day. The next morning we awoke from our tents to the same wind which was now prepping itself to become a storm. Long story short, 60 windy, cloudy miles later that day we were picked up by an AWESOME good Samaritan "Henry", a young Mennonite farmer who pulled over and said "you guys need a ride? I probably wouldn't be riding my bike in weather like this"...pause, Shogan and Dave agreed and we loaded our bikes onto his trailer and rode the final 9 miles to Seminole... 45 minutes later we were in our motel, our butts, our knees, our wrists, our necks, our backs, everything ached... yet we were ever so grateful to be there as we listened to the torrential rain and hail and wind pound down. As "Oregonians" we are now taking credit for bringing the Texas rain.

   

Very popular garden ornaments... or... hmmm...

We ended up staying 2 nights in Seminole to sit out the storm and take a much needed rest. The next morning we all said our goodbyes as Dave took the road going towards Austin and we headed on the 180 for Dallas. (We meet back up again in Western Texas on the 24th of May)

    Shogan and I had an amazing 75 mile ride that day, little wind, cooler temps and wide open land that goes on as far as the eye can see. We arrived late that afternoon in Gail TX, our first stop, the already closed Coyote Cafe. While we were assessing our camping options for the night a local (Clay Ham) stopped by and offered us some water and a place to stay for the evening. Initially I declined but he came back and insisted we take him up on his offer as it would be more comfortable and "he could use the company", a win -win for all of us. We thoroughly enjoyed the warm bed, laundry, shower, the dinner and breakfast Clay prepared for us, and his AWESOME company! The following morning we awoke to another Texas storm. Shogan and I stopped back in at the Coyote Cafe for a cup of coffee and some fun conversation with the locals as we sat and waited for the rain to dissipate. We learned that most Texans don't talk about religion in public however given that we were technically "out of staters" they gave us the "lo-down-hoe-down" on the influence of the Southern Baptist in the business of everyday Texans. Very interesting indeed...

   Realizing the rain was not stopping we made the decision to move forward once again. It rained and thundered and oh my...everything is bigger in Texas, we eventually made it to Snyder, riding our bikes through foot deep water as we entered the town. Soaked from head to toe, rain gear only works for so long, we have just stayed the in a motel and have awoken today to semi-sunny/cloudy skies and a stormy forecast. 

   Dave, who had ridden South the day before was awoken at 2:00 AM with a storm that soaked him and all of his gear. He was forced to pack up all of his wet stuff and pedal back to Big Springs and get a motel to sit out the storm. Our subsequent conversation started like this, OMG, OMG...we were all a little shocked by the raging water for sure!    

We met this AWESOME family, Greg, Becky and Alan Obregon at Bottomless Lakes.We thoroughly enjoyed hanging out and chatting with these hip and interesting people. They are all on my keeping in touch with list!

Bottomless Lakes are caverns/sinkholes that have filled with groundwater from the 

Capitan and Sacramento mountains that lie to the West of here.

Hiding from the wind in Laguna New Mexico.

Statue of Liberty... okay folks, oil extraction stinks! This plant reeked of chemicals as we rode downwind...hmmm...

Team Awesome loves camping and hanging and riding and each other!

Nice campsite:)... again!

This is Jose Merlos, josemerlos.wordpress.com , he is riding 15,000 miles total through 48 states to raise money for a waterwell in Cameroon. AWESOME and Amazing!

Last Team Awesome pic before the split... see you soon Davey C:)

Clay Ham saves the day!

I love me some "old timers" Bertie and Leon at the Coyote Cafe in Gail TX.

Now we must ride... 

Team Awesome Loves You!

~Michelle

New Mexico... Land of Enchantment, "AWESOME" Friendly People, and Goat-heads...

   We have arrived in Roswell New Mexico, home to an apparent "Alien" invasion, and the first point in our journey where the ground has leveled out and there are no longer ANY mountains in view. We are all in need of some rest and perhaps some reflection as we have now been riding for 13 days without a break. 

   Our daily mileage has been a disappointing at 45-50 miles each day (we had predicted 60-70) however given the terrain, the weather (wind), and bumps in the road, ... goat-heads, thorns, glass, steel belted tread in the road, etc... we our doing our best to accept that we are exactly where we need to be. The upside for me has been that we have seen and experienced the AWESOME people and spectacular scenery of California, Arizona, and now New Mexico at ground level and by our own effort! This gives me a sense of satisfaction that is indescribable!  On a more personal note, my increase in overall physical stamina and endurance has given me the ability to  hopefully... finally... ignore the traffic at my side and enjoy each day of riding!

   The people of New Mexico have been warm and welcoming! Since arriving here from Window Rock nearly a week ago we have received honks and waves and cheers of support wherever we ride. We have been hosted nearly each night by people who have randomly offered us accommodation and hospitality and some excellent company! We continue to be grateful for this most excellent opportunity and I personally feel our departure from NM is a little bitter-sweet as we prepare to head out for Texas in the next few days.

   Shogan and I are on a bit of a time-line as we will be riding the 550 miles to Dallas to leave for a week to Massachusetts to attend our daughter Natasha's graduation from Mount Holyoke College. Dave will go his own way tomorrow and will meet back up with us in Houston on May 23rd. I will miss his company each day but am happy for him to have some "lone ranger" time. I anticipate many AWESOME stories when we reunite down the road!

Murals abound throughout New Mexico! This was at our campsite on the Continental Divide.

Team Awesome takes a pit stop before taking the 6 east and saying goodbye to the PAC 66 tour cyclists.

Mile post 100 on the 380. I recommend this ride to anyone who wants to experience 

 the solitude of a diverse and ever changing amazing New Mexico landscape. 

David and Ellen hosted us in the side yard of their pewter jewelry factory, the Annex in Hondo.

Jim and Eleanor, cyclists riding the 66 from Santa Monica to Amarillo.

 The average age of this group was 60...AMAZING!

Pictured here with Leroy, these two brothers hosted us in their trailer after I found them at their Temple in Limitar. Yes, I was completely surprised to find Hispanic Jewish Farmers at this stop... who new? I taught them a little Hebrew and they shared their background, hospitality and love of Yahweh!

Our campground in Belin next to the Rio Grand (maybe it should now be renamed the Rio Pequino)

We were plagued with flats, 12 in 2 days. Perhaps this was to purposely

slow us down so we could enjoy more of this amazing place.

OMGoodness! We LOVED Allison and Donnie Cameron from the Bingham Rock Shop. These two insisted we stay with them as we doubled the population of the town that night. Situated next to the White Sands Missile Range, these two are perhaps the most interesting couple I've met in some time! (Priceless)

D. Ray found us at the laundromat in Corizozo and offered us lodging for the night. He has recently moved there to take a job with the railroad, we all enjoyed the company and his hospitality!

Our first "REAL" cup o coffee in weeks...delicious!

And on and on we ride!

Team Awesome has experienced amazing landscapes throughout the state!

Team Awesome loves you!

Email us at OurGreatAmericanBikeRide@gmail.com if you'd like a commemorative Team Awesome postcard!

My Best ~Michelle