Soo's Scribbles Day 14

Layover in Eureka.   Archimedes anyone?  

Nearly every morning we wake up in a new city.  Been on the road for 14 days.  Something like 280 miles to go.    Wonder if this is how truckers or rock star groupies feel, disoriented, turned around.  Tucked the Oregon map away yesterday, pulled out the California road map. While tracking  the next leg of our journey, I keep stealing furtive, longing glances over towards Concord, the Altizer's home.  Just 7 more days.  

Parts of this trip have been great, parts of it crappy.  Kinda like life.  But still, when I take stock of the overall picture, the overwhelming sense is one of thanks.   Thanks for our health and safety.  Thanks for how each day has fallen into place, somehow worked out ok.  Thanks for wi-fi connections.  Thanks for the weather--no rain so far.  Thanks for moments of serendipity--wonderful people we've met along the way; the 'coincidence' of Jordan and Marty running into the Johans, Steve, Mary and their three sons at Patricks Point State Park of all places;  the waitress at Marie Calendar's bringing Jordan two pieces of pie when he couldn't decide between banana cream or chocolate pie; good coffee places springing up out of nowhere. Try the Jittery Bean Coffee House the next time you cruise through Arcata, CA.   Thankful for His faithfulness--and your prayers for us.  Okay, I know this sounds corny, but thankful for the times we run across a Safeway or Fred Meyers.  That sense of familiarity, of 'home' in the midst of the day to day unknown.

Wonderful people.   Marty and Jordan met three gentlemen in their 60s.  They are biking from Canada down to Mexico.  Marty and Jordan also met a husband/wife duo, also in their 60s who were biking down the coast then cutting over to Louisiana then up to Colorado? then back home. Marty had an unearthly gleam in his eyes while sharing these encounters.   At dinner tonight over pizza, my three guys were planning the next big epic Adventure for when Martin turns 13.  Something about kayaking through to Canada and beyond.  Y'all familiar with Munch's "The Scream"?

Martin and I met some nice people as we walked through the Trees of Mystery the other day. Going up the sky tram shared the cable car with an older couple and their daughter who will be a freshman at San Francisco State in the fall, most likely studying education or creative writing.  The mom hopes the daughter pursues a law degree.  Like us, the man and his wife met at a church.   On the way down, another nice older couple visiting from England.  Since they retired, they travel all over the world each summer.  This year's trek started in Arizona, then up the coast to Seattle.    Met another Brit this morning in the workout room.  A lady from London on holiday with her friend.   She wished us a "happy Independence day -- from us!"  Pretty funny.  Talked some more, then we parted, wished her well and said I would pray for her travels here in the U.S.  

Funny how easy it is to meet people on this trip.  We even share and exchange personal bits and pieces of who we are, yet we rarely exchange names.  We can still remain safely hidden behind nameless faces,  still keep our anonymity, even while sharing our lives.  

We met an older couple tonight out near the waterfront while waiting for the fireworks display.  We know they are long-time residents in Eureka.  They have children up in Portland.  He has knee trouble that prevents him from active adventures.  She helped take care of a burn victim last year.  They used to live near the bike road the dynamic duo will take tomorrow.  All that, yet we never got their names.  Interesting.  

Tomorrow we head out to Humboldt Redwoods State Park.  Two night camping.  It's supposed to be in the 90s.  Yuk.  Not looking forward to driving through all the curvy, winding roads with lunatic CA drivers breathing down my neck.  Why is everyone in such a hurry on the roads around here?  A little anxious here.  Hope Martin has a strong stomach.

Please continue to pray for us.  Safety, protection, drawing closer to Him, one another.  That we understand what it is each of us are meant to learn on this trip.

Marty.  He had a really strong day going 92 miles yesterday.  Think he's hit his stride.  His hamstring still bothering him.

Jordan.  To have His inner strength in him.

Martin.  Sense of peace as each day is new, unexpected things pop up.

Soo.   Those windy, curving roads coming up, continuing Martin's RDI.  Starting to feel a little weary of traveling.   Taking one day at a time.

Thanks again, see you in Ft. Bragg on Day 16.

Soo