In the Beginning

After a brief stint in the Upper Peninsula Michigan collecting sap to make maple syrup I had the grand idea to bike to Mexico to meet up with my friend Matthew Drinkut to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. I set out from my homeland of Anderson, IN on April 4 via my bicycle that I recently acquired the day before. A ravishing red cannondale R200. I had not been on a bike in six months and rode to Champaign to stay with my uncle Todd. It was a pretty long and tiring 160 miles, but I made it. From there I rode seventy miles until my mom caught up with me, and I hopped in the car with her to get to Dubuque, IA for a celebration of my grandparents 50th anniversary and Easter. It was a great two days of rest and time with some of my family. After two days of saddle training and two days of relaxation, I headed out from Dubuque for Mexico. I made it to Iowa City to stay with my cousin Alyssa, but not until after the turmoil of a tiring 85 miles. With a strong head wind pretty much the whole day and a flat tire just before dark, it was not what I plan to be one of the better days of the trip. I made it safely; however, I did have to finish after dark. I don't want to have to bike after dark again. I headed out from Iowa City this morning, destination unknown. I battled some winds again today, but took as many southerly roads as I could. I plan to have the wind dictate the direction I head each day. I battled it too much today, but it was a lot better riding today that is for sure. I made it 80 miles to just northeast of Ottumwa. At about 1915 I started checking out people's houses and adjioning lands. I finally decided on a pretty nice little house with a lof of trees and buildings. I talked to the gentlemen and asked him if it was ok for me to sleep on their land or in one of the buildings. I will sleep tonight on the floor in a bee workshop shed deal after eating a pretty nice meal of leftovers that Pat invited me in to satiate myself.