Day 1 - September 22nd

 Today would have been my dad's 70th birthday. He has been gone for 15 years this year (the anniversary for that happens during the ride as well). I was sure that was the thing that would make me cry as I set off on my journey. It was quite a day from getting up at 4:30am and getting to Buckingham Fountain in time for my 7am step off to finally resting in our hotel in Normal, IL. We are exhausted but happy.

We had a number of short lived moments from navigation on my phone acting up but then coming through and getting me to all of my destinations to the radios we use for communication not being turned up high enough at first so even though we were ultimately able to connect we had to laugh at the obvious solution. But as we reached every new rest stop or meal location we got better and faster at preparing for the stop and the restart. The lunch restaurant we went to was adorable and we met a very sweet man at the Gemini Giant in Wilmington. He actually played a role in our day twice.

While I intend to be brief, we are kind of tired from the day, there is a story I have to share. My chase car was ahead of me, heading to our next rendezvous spot when I got stopped up by a red light. I was waiting for it to turn when a man in the truck next to me yelled out, "Oh my God, it's you!" 

I was completely taken aback. I asked him if he was sure I was the person he thought he knew and he said yes. It turns out he knew about my ride because his ex wife lives in Las Vegas, like I do, and saw me on the news. When she heard I was riding in honor of those battling and lost to PTSD she shared the news story with him. His brother was a veteran who struggled and lost his battle earlier this year. He knew the ride started today and made a couple stops in the area, including the Gemini Giant where he encountered the nice man mentioned previously. When he found out he just missed us he set off trying to find us. He thanked me for what I was doing and told me about his brother and how he knew about the ride. I wish he had been able to get out of the vehicle, I would have given him the wristband I always wear with the name of the ride on it. 

He did stay behind me for about a mile after we left the light because there were areas of that road with no shoulder so he stayed close and waved other vehicles around to protect me while riding in the street. I got to my mom and told her to hold up because I had to share the story. It was heartwarming through and through and I am honored to be able to represent people so loved. 

I was protected a few times as I rode. The man I just shared about, my mom of course as she kept me safe all day, and at one point I had to ride through a long construction area on a very narrow shoulder. There were a number of semis and a school bus that pushed past me but toward the end, when it may have been becoming clear how stressed I was going through that section, another school bus who had just watched a semi get by me, stayed behind and kept all other cars traveling the single lane back behind it so I could get clear. I am speechless at the amount of support I has been shown and cannot wait to get back out on the road!

The Final Countdown

 Now that the song is stuck in your head, I can tell you about a very quick moving but slow paced day. I planned to get up at 5:30 this morning to get a good, hard workout in then grab breakfast from the free buffet offered by the hotel. After that there were a number of last minute tasks planned such as laundry, double checking the tires on the car, putting some items back in the car and staging the remaining stuff in the room for easy exit in the morning. We also needed to charge everything and practice with my bike computer to make sure the routes would load correctly. But just like the train plan yesterday, things went awry.

I woke up this morning just after 2am with a screaming migraine. My head felt swollen and even the tiniest crack of moonlight coming in through the curtains felt like a stab into my brain. I took some medication and went back to bed but when the alarm went off at 5:30 I was not capable of getting up. If it had been an official day of the ride I would have forced myself but because I knew I could rest I stayed in bed and buried my face in the pillows. When my mom got up to get food I was still too nauseous to eat. There was only ten minutes left of the buffet when I was finally able to get up and go grab a little something. Once I ate and took a second dose of the medicine I began to feel a little better. But several productive hours I hoped to have were now gone for good.

I still managed to get a workout in, charge everything up, load what I could and stage the rest. The car has been checked out and gassed up. We are now in bed hoping for sleep because that 4:30am alarm is going to come way too fast. I am shaking with nerves for tomorrow but I am also looking forward to putting this long time planning into action. I will be sharing pictures when I have meal breaks and finish for the day but I may be quieter on social media and these updates will probably be shorter like this one once I am riding and in the zone each day. Thank you to everyone that has been following me and seeing our adventure so far. The real journey begins in less that 12 hours. See you on the other side!

Mission: Tourist

 One of the things I promised my mom as a thank you for everything she has done and will be doing to help me on this ride was that we would have a fun tourist day in Chicago before we left. We had it all planned out. We found the closest train station to the hotel and confirmed there was a parking lot next to the station. We checked the maps online to see how far of a walk it would be between each stop of the day. I also reached out to a wonderful high school friend who lives in the city to confirm lunch plans. We were ready.

But, as we all know, best laid plans and all. We ate breakfast and got some waters in a backpack to help stay hydrated since it was supposed to be hot and humid. The weather lived up to expectations and the water did it's job but there were definitely bumps in the road. We got in the car and made the slow two mile trek to the train station and its accompanying parking lot. There were spaces but they were reserved for monthly customers only. There was nowhere else close to park so we decided we would have to drive into the city but figured it would be a chance to check out the parking area we planned to use on Thursday near the fountain. 

It should have taken us fifty-four minutes if the maps had been correct but because of heavier than expected traffic on side streets, a parking lot of a highway, and more construction than should have been possible in such a short distance, it took us over and hour and a half to get to the parking garage. Then we had to keep circling down to lower levels in the underground spot in order to find a place to park. We finally did on the bottom level and I was slightly apprehensive about leaving the car there. It was a popular spot though and there were security cameras so we set off for our first stop of the day. 

Once back on street level we made our way along Michigan Ave. passing sights we would return to later. It still took us close to half an hour to make the walk to the dock where we boarded a river boat for a ninety minute architecture tour along the Chicago river. It was very informative and our guide was great. He was funny and even had a literary reference thrown into the trip. We enjoyed ourselves and I made sure we got a picture with him as we got off the ship. I definitely got pictures of a number of the buildings we saw and heard about which I will be posting on the Facebook page for the ride. It was extremely warm on the top deck of the ship but that offered the best view so we sat and sweated it out, praying for clouds or buildings to give us a break from the sun. I am truly happy we remembered sunscreen this morning.

After we left the boat we had almost and hour until we met my friend for lunch and with only a half mile to cover we knew we had some time to kill. Right on the corner where we got off the boat we found a Ghirardelli store. The chocolate would have melted and neither of us wanted ice cream with lunch coming shortly but the building was air conditioned and my mom found a fun Halloween themed bag to get as a souvenir. 

Lunch was a breakfast and lunch spot nearby where we spent time with a friend I haven't seen in probably close to twenty years. She is an incredible person though, and for those who have read my blog before, she is the one who created Affirmation Of Life Day and has been a huge inspiration to me with her strength and resolve. I am thrilled we got to see her and enjoy catching up a little today. She made sure we knew where we were going when we left the restaurant then she returned to work and we set off on the next part of our tourist adventure. 

Our next destination was my favorite place in the entire city, Millennium Park. I adore The Bean, or Cloud Gate as it is officially named, and I love The Crown Fountain, or as I call it the face towers. If you are following me on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok you have seen the video I made while there. It is just a purely happy place and reminder of being a child to me. It didn't exist when I was that small but I always feel a young child energy when I get to go check it out. We stayed with parks after that and made our way to Grant Park with a quick run across the street at Michigan and Adams for a picture with the beginning of Route 66 sign, and got pictures of Buckingham Fountain. That is where I will be beginning my ride Thursday morning.

After leaving the fountain we walked along the lake, making our way to Shedd Aquarium. We were able to check out dozens of exhibits with different kinds of fish, turtles, insects, and reptiles from all around the world. She loved the beluga whales, dolphins, and we tried to see the otters but their habitat was being worked on so they were elsewhere. We scanned the offerings at the gift shop and she purchased a fun souvenir before we headed back outside. It had already rained and was threatening to again. I hoped we would make it the slightly over one mile walk back to the parking garage before the sky really opened up but the rolling thunder and strobes of lightning told me our chances weren't good. It did sprinkle some on us as we made our way back along the lake and past the fountain but it wasn't anything hard. Just as I thought we would make it, it began to come down much harder, soaking several parts of me as we searched for the nearly hidden stairway back into the parking garage.

We ducked inside and smiled as the heat of the stairwell embraced us. We descended to the bottom level to find my car ready and waiting where we had left it nearly nine hours earlier. After dropping our bags in the back I jumped in the car and we climbed back up to street level. We hit rush hour traffic for the second time today but thankfully Google maps recognized a faster route and pulled me off the highway, getting us back to our hotel in one third the time it took to get into to town this morning. We ate and showered the day away and are now preparing for an early night to make sure we are energized tomorrow for the last day of preparation before our very early rise on Thursday.

As always if you would like more information about the ride you can check out my website www.writingforces.com where there are links to my route sheets as well as to the gofundme for the charities. You can also follow along on the Ride 22 On 66 page on Facebook to see the pictures, videos, and progress reports we share as we make our way each day.

Mission: Recon

 Six o'clock came way too early today after a fitful night sleep. I tossed and turned, woke up several times, and felt disoriented from a series of odd and stress filled dreams. The bed was comfortable, the room is homey, I just couldn't calm my mind enough to rest. I knew today would be a challenge and it lived up to that idea quite well.

We are staying currently at a Holiday Inn Express so we get to indulge in the free breakfast buffet each morning. I am grateful for that because it allows us to save on our daily food budget. We also packed snacks to have as lunch, another money saver, before we hit the road. Our first stop was in Chicago. It took almost forty-five minutes to reach our destination of Buckingham Fountain which will be where I start riding from in just a couple days. I sat in awe briefly as we slowly cruised past and smiled to myself as I pictured taking off with such a beautiful sight as my background. We weren't able to check out the start of the ride because I was supposed to be on a bike trail. I told my mom we would have to check that part out online when we got back. 

We reached what will be my first rest stop at Imperial Oak Brewing about a half hour after we left the fountain. It was a quiet and scenic place along a small river. Right across the water from the patio was the start of the bike trail I planned to take toward my second stop. However when we got to the entrance we found out the entire path is under construction and completely closed. I was devastated because there is no other legal bike path right in that area. but my mom suggested we could load the bike and take it to the second stop where I would resume riding. I agreed eventually though I am struggling with already feeling like I am failing. She keeps telling me that this is something beyond my control and I am still pushing through to ride every bit of every mile available to me.

When we got to the second stop, Dick's Towing, we saw a small wooden box filled with bricks and a sign stating they were from the original Route 66. We took pictures standing on them of course, and a few of the cars displayed by the original building. The business it still there but now located next door in a much larger facility. From there we traced the route to Silver Dollar Restaurant where we will be stopping for lunch and then drove on to the Gemini Giant. The statue was very cool and we took a picture in front of a sign saying Route 66. 

Unfortunately while in the gift shop I was met with a very terse woman whose attitude and curtness got to me. She asked me, rudely, why I was doing my ride and when I said for charity she dismissed me saying there were other ways to give back. She is absolutely entitled to her opinion, and I know my lack of restful sleep and stress played a large role, but I snapped and had to walk out before I said something I would regret. She made me feel stupid for attempting this journey and I broke down for a few minutes and cried. I am glad I didn't say or do anything in front of her because she has a right to feel and say what she wants, it was just too much for me in the moment.

As we left there I was having a little trouble with Google Maps and it all felt overwhelming. Thankfully my mom was a calming force and we started talking about funny memories and plans for the ride to make me smile again. We made our way to Dwight, Il where I was supposed to visit a now defunct hot dog stand but it no longer exists even as a landmark so we had to modify my rest stop point. We moved on to Pontiac, Il and the Fiesta Motel also making a brief stop at the Route 66 museum and getting the Route 66 passport my mom picked up stamped. With one final stop we were thrilled by our progress. We drove to Chenoa, Il in search of an old mural but time had faded and washed it away so we changed my final stopping point to a pretty gazebo across the street.

I am proud of the ability to think on our feet and know it will be a handy attribute as we get through the next 3 weeks on the bike. There are so many things I am looking forward to and several things I am beyond stressed over. I appreciate everyone that has reached out to show support on social media such as the ride Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 and through my website www.writingforces.com as well as those who have checked out the gofundme link on the Facebook page and donated to the charities. Everything you have done is making it possible for me to show these organizations just how meaningful they are.

Temporary Home

 Early this morning we packed up, loaded the car, and left Omaha, NE on our way to Chicago. There were a few frustrating moments as we loaded things as items would shift and slide, the bikes wobbled while we moved them, and our patience ran thin. We also filled up the gas tank for the highest amount we have seen so far this trip and with the MPGs continuing to decline it is difficult to see the higher amounts. I admit, I was not in the best mood as we began the last leg of the roadtrip portion of this journey. 

Once on the road though, things quickly improved. After such a long and exhausting day yesterday, the miles seemed to fly by and even though the scenery was reminiscent of yesterday with endless fields of corn, it was still pretty to drive through. We stopped for gas and to top off the gas tank near the University of Iowa and then as we drove I pointed out a few other places I had seen on previous road trips through the area. We listened to music and some standup comedy as we drove but eventually conversation took over and we reflected on my dad. 

My father was a wonderful but difficult man. He kept a lot to himself emotionally which made having any kind of relationship with him a struggle. He rarely discussed things he felt or thought and he was blunt when he did have something to say. When I was growing up he would tell me to "walk it off" or "suck it up" if I was injured or upset about something. He wasn't cruel, it was just his way of trying to encourage me to push through the obstacle in front of me. With the ride starting on his birthday, the anniversary of his death coming around the middle of the trip, and the fact I carry a memorial urn of his ashes with me on my bike, I can't help but hear his voice in my head. I know he would think I was crazy for trying this but I also hope he would be proud. 

He never knew about my diagnosis of PTSD and while he heard bits and pieces of things, I wasn't strong enough to share my real story, what I truly went through as a teenager, until after he was gone. It is such a huge part of me but I was ashamed I had let it happen and I was never able to share that side of myself with him. I regret that. 

The things I do now, writing my books, riding on this journey, and raising money for organizations that touch my heart are all for the living. I want to reach those who are here fighting this horrible disorder like me and show love and support to those left behind when someone loses that battle. But I want to make sure that I honor those lost and hope that somewhere out in the universe my dad is watching over me. I hope he is proud of me and sees how much this means as I work to "suck it up" and push through everyday. 

With three days left until I start riding I have a number of things to do but I will also be taking some time to play tourist in my incredible starting city and share some experiences with my mom as a small way of saying thank you for joining me on this adventure. If you want to check out pictures and updates as we make our way you can find them on the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 or read about the ride in more detail on my website www.writingforces.com.

Roadtrip Continues

 This morning started off with something I am not used to, wet and cold weather. It was just above fifty degrees as we made our way out of the hotel to load the bikes on my dripping car. Thankfully the manager had kept them in a locked safe room for us overnight so we just had to bring them out from the lobby after we put our bags away. It was a shock but felt great to have the refreshing chill kiss us good morning as we gathered ice for the coolers and got out on the road.

Clouds hung low and heavy with moisture, observing us as we wound through the mountain passes, enjoyed views of the Colorado river, disappeared into and reappeared from tunnels all along the scenic drive. At one point it dropped down to forty six and I asked my mom to stop for hot chocolate so I could warm up my hands. The cashier at the gas station we went to asked about my bikes and I told him about riding Route 66 for charity. He said he wished he could do more to help but he would at least like to give me the drink for free so I could comfortably continue on my drive. I thanked him and rushed back through the cool air to my car.

Just before we reached Denver the clouds broke up and the sun came out to dry the remaining drops on the car. We turned north, heading toward the I-80 and slowly progressed, making a couple stops along the way. We snacked on items we had with us in order to help our food budget stay down as well as begin to lighten the load in the car. We watched as the scenery turned from tree covered mountains to wheat filled fields then, upon entering Nebraska, the wheat fields became acres of corn. With the stops for gas and other needs it took us over twelve hours to reach our destination tonight and unlike the chill last night, tonight we stepped out into humid heat. With lightning cascading through the clouds overhead we quickly unloaded the bikes and bags and got settled into our room. Dinner was at a restaurant located in the same parking lot and now we are in, preparing to get some sleep and complete the first part of our journey to Chicago tomorrow.

We are grateful for all of the support we are getting, including a generous fifty dollar donation that came through this morning for the charities. Please remember you can find more information on my website www.writingforces.com or through the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66.

Beginning Of A Journey

 Today I set off on the first of many legs of the most intense challenge I have ever attempted. We traveled from Las Vegas, NV this morning, leaving around six thirty and made our way to the charming town of Parachute, CO. On our way here we attempted to stop in a town that was nothing more than shacks and trailers along with one gas station so small I couldn't get in because my bike on top of the car would have been damaged by the overhang of the building. We immediately turned around and found a much larger station to fill up and just down the road made our stop for sandwiches. 

Sustained from lunch we were back on the road and passed some of the amazing scenery this part of the country is known for. We made great time through Nevada and the fast pass through Arizona. Utah gave us some breathtaking sights such as Devil's Canyon where we stopped for a few pictures before heading on to Colorado. We made another stop in Palisade where I was fortunate enough to be interviewed over the phone by a reporter from the Las Vegas Sun. She talked to me and my mom about how we are feeling and preparing as well as what we are most nervous and excited about for the trip. Once that finished we set back out and got checked in for the night, even having the manager offer us a locked safe room for my bikes so we didn't have to drag them upstairs with us to our room on the third floor. 

I am looking forward to continuing on tomorrow and see more of Colorado as well as making our way across Nebraska. But as I lay here in my hotel bed tonight the main thing I keep thinking about is the surprise send off this morning. My wonderful husband called friends and had them come by my house at six in the morning, even though they live on the opposite side of town. They waved a purple flag, my brand color, and gave me hugs before my mom and I drove away. It was such a sweet gesture and it meant everything to me to have that kind of love and support. I am excited for him to join us later on in the journey and for my friends to hopefully be there to cross the finish line with me in a few weeks.

If you would like more information about the ride and charities you can head over to my website www.writingforces.com or visit the Facebook page Ride 22 On 66 for more updates.