Monday, August 23, 2010
Final Trip Thoughts
Right now I am sitting at a coffee shop, downtown Grand Haven after a wonderful conversation with an old friend. During most of which I gushed about Bike & Build. This has been fairly typical of the past week and a half that I have been home. My time has been spent catching up with friends and family and attempting to explain what was the MOST AMAZING SUMMER OF MY LIFE: Bike & Build CUS 2010. This has proven to be difficult! How do you put an experience like this into words?
The best way I have come up with is just describing my emotions this summer. I have never felt more loved, happy, joyful, thankful, encouraged, encouraging, inspired, inspiring, brave, proud, confident, strong, blessed, adventurous, helpful, empowered and SO MUCH MORE in my life than on Bike & Build CUS '10. This summer I have certainly lived life to the fullest-in every sense of the phrase. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally-I have grown and helped others grow...and there is no better feeling in the world.
Looking back over the map, the entire country that we crossed, has been unreal. I did that, we did that. Biked across the entire country, ocean to ocean, helping and educating people along the way. As often as I say it, it still seems like a dream. Frequently (daily!) along the trip there would be moments when we would say to each other “Is this real, what we are seeing right now? What we are doing? Is this really happening” Making it to the top of a mountain, biking through canyons, raising roofs, building walls, witnessing insanely beautiful sunsets and stary skies. MOUNTAINS! This country is so so beautiful-and we were able to experience it in a way that many don't. We saw every foot of the road, smelt the wildflowers, felt the breeze, appreciated every little hill, dry desert and high mountain, we were one with the bike, our team, and nature. It was beautiful. And it did happen, we did do that. There are pictures, videos and memories to last a lifetime.
When asked, what made it so amazing? What was your favorite part about the trip? My first answer all summer, and now even afterward is always people. People. I love people! Specifically 5 groups.
The first is my team. A group filled with passionate, caring, intelligent, funny, creative, talented, and just generally amazing people. From all over the country. They are not just friends, they are family now-we've laughed, cried, biked over mountains and through deserts, eaten, slept, shared our lives, built houses, and so much more together. We biked across the country together, as a team not as individuals. I love them all very dearly and miss them terribly.
The second group would have to be our hosts across the country. The churches and schools who not only gave us a place to sleep and food to eat, but also a certain amount of soul nourishing that is hard to explain if you haven't experienced it. Congregation members would come to encourage us, bring us snacks, root beer floats, bring in massage therapists and chiropractors, but more importantly shower us with love. We truly experienced the generosity of Americans all across the country. Which brings me to the third group…
People along the way, on the road, people we meet in passing. SO generous and encouraging! Affordable housing is a cause that everyone (with the exception of a few crazies in Eastern Colorado…) will get behind and want to help. Because of their interest in the cause and what we were doing, they would do WHATEVER they could do to help. This ranged from monetary donations, to water and sports drinks, to candy bars, to cake, to fruit, to their bus tickets they received from the unemployment office to prayers and words of encouragement. It was phenomenal. Honestly, before this trip I had been somewhat disappointed in Americans, in our selfishness and greed. But now that I have experienced this immense amount of love and support from strangers along every mile of our trip, I have a renewed faith in the goodness and generosity of the American people. I am proud to be an American.
The fourth group consists of the Habitat for Humanity and ReBuilding Together affiliates that we worked with. Volunteer coordinators, construction site leaders, and other volunteers were GREAT. I feel we all learned a lot from them, about construction but also about the cause. Their passion for providing adequate, affordable housing always gave us a renewed energy to continue on our journey. Very inspiring.
And finally, the fifth group of people is…YOU! Support from back home. Earlier in this post I mentioned that I’ve never felt more loved or encouraged than on this trip. Prior to leaving it was my family, friends, 1st Allendale CRC church family, His House Church family, Isabella County Habitat Family, Tri-Cities Area Habitat family and strangers who heard about the trip who supported me and this cause. SO ENCOURAGING! Wow, I really cannot thank you enough. And then, while on the trip, each and every maildrop was overflowing with letters and care packages-I could feel your love from hundreds and thousands of miles away. I knew I had people back home who were praying for me and following along with my journey. You are all amazing. I like to take the time to mention a couple people in particular: 1. my parents-they trust and support my every decision and have given me the base layer of LOVE that allowed me to take this on. They believe in me, 2. my roommates and friends: Kelly, Summer, Maeghan, Virginia and Monique. These girls helped me train and fundraise pre-trip, drove me to the beginning in Virginia Beach, sent me mail and other goodies all along the way (there was not a single mail drop that where I didn’t have a piece of mail from my friends), called me with encouraging words, AND drove all the way to Cannon Beach, OR to surprise me at the end, so that I could have someone from home there with me during the greatest moment of my life thus far. I am truly blessed with absolutely incredible friends. 3. my aunt Dianne, who has been a HUGE source of support and encouragement from the very beginning, who followed me all the way through, sending just the right words and treats along the way. Indeed, this trip would not have been possible without YOU, and you have influenced me in a massive way.
Hmmm, well I have talked A LOT about people, but this is ok, because people are very important to me. My second favorite part about the trip were the MOUNTAINS! I’m sure by now you have realized my complete adoration of mountains. The challenge of biking up them, the view as you make it to the top, the feeling of accomplishment and empowerment, the view, seeing how far you have come, the team cheering you on, you cheering the team on, the view, the descent down the mountain, the rush of adrenaline and endorphins, looking back to see how high you came from and most importantly, the self confidence that you can do anything you set your mind to. Anything. Biking up mountains is a very mental task, and having conquered that I am confident that I am able to accomplish great things for good. “Define your limitations and sure enough, they’re yours” (thanks for the quote Sharif). Mountains remind me of this and I am saddened by the flatness of Michigan and lack of mountains. But this is ok, it only means that I must look harder to find my mountain.
The ten weeks of Bike & Build were the best ten weeks of my life. I have never lived life more, grown more or was more inspired. I know I have done something big, and meaningful, that I have inspired a lot of people and that others were able to see love and service through my every word and action. This is something I will never forget. I biked across America this summer, from sea to shining sea. To help people. To love people. And I was helped and loved.
peace & love
bike & build
kristen
I finished this blog post on the first day back in the “real world” class and work at CMU are beginning for one more semester. I am looking forward to continually spew Bike & Build to anyone who will listen, and recruit participants for next year! Thank you all for reading, and for allowing me to share this experience with you. Let me know if you want more details and we can grab coffee or something!
The best way I have come up with is just describing my emotions this summer. I have never felt more loved, happy, joyful, thankful, encouraged, encouraging, inspired, inspiring, brave, proud, confident, strong, blessed, adventurous, helpful, empowered and SO MUCH MORE in my life than on Bike & Build CUS '10. This summer I have certainly lived life to the fullest-in every sense of the phrase. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally-I have grown and helped others grow...and there is no better feeling in the world.
Looking back over the map, the entire country that we crossed, has been unreal. I did that, we did that. Biked across the entire country, ocean to ocean, helping and educating people along the way. As often as I say it, it still seems like a dream. Frequently (daily!) along the trip there would be moments when we would say to each other “Is this real, what we are seeing right now? What we are doing? Is this really happening” Making it to the top of a mountain, biking through canyons, raising roofs, building walls, witnessing insanely beautiful sunsets and stary skies. MOUNTAINS! This country is so so beautiful-and we were able to experience it in a way that many don't. We saw every foot of the road, smelt the wildflowers, felt the breeze, appreciated every little hill, dry desert and high mountain, we were one with the bike, our team, and nature. It was beautiful. And it did happen, we did do that. There are pictures, videos and memories to last a lifetime.
When asked, what made it so amazing? What was your favorite part about the trip? My first answer all summer, and now even afterward is always people. People. I love people! Specifically 5 groups.
The first is my team. A group filled with passionate, caring, intelligent, funny, creative, talented, and just generally amazing people. From all over the country. They are not just friends, they are family now-we've laughed, cried, biked over mountains and through deserts, eaten, slept, shared our lives, built houses, and so much more together. We biked across the country together, as a team not as individuals. I love them all very dearly and miss them terribly.
The second group would have to be our hosts across the country. The churches and schools who not only gave us a place to sleep and food to eat, but also a certain amount of soul nourishing that is hard to explain if you haven't experienced it. Congregation members would come to encourage us, bring us snacks, root beer floats, bring in massage therapists and chiropractors, but more importantly shower us with love. We truly experienced the generosity of Americans all across the country. Which brings me to the third group…
People along the way, on the road, people we meet in passing. SO generous and encouraging! Affordable housing is a cause that everyone (with the exception of a few crazies in Eastern Colorado…) will get behind and want to help. Because of their interest in the cause and what we were doing, they would do WHATEVER they could do to help. This ranged from monetary donations, to water and sports drinks, to candy bars, to cake, to fruit, to their bus tickets they received from the unemployment office to prayers and words of encouragement. It was phenomenal. Honestly, before this trip I had been somewhat disappointed in Americans, in our selfishness and greed. But now that I have experienced this immense amount of love and support from strangers along every mile of our trip, I have a renewed faith in the goodness and generosity of the American people. I am proud to be an American.
The fourth group consists of the Habitat for Humanity and ReBuilding Together affiliates that we worked with. Volunteer coordinators, construction site leaders, and other volunteers were GREAT. I feel we all learned a lot from them, about construction but also about the cause. Their passion for providing adequate, affordable housing always gave us a renewed energy to continue on our journey. Very inspiring.
And finally, the fifth group of people is…YOU! Support from back home. Earlier in this post I mentioned that I’ve never felt more loved or encouraged than on this trip. Prior to leaving it was my family, friends, 1st Allendale CRC church family, His House Church family, Isabella County Habitat Family, Tri-Cities Area Habitat family and strangers who heard about the trip who supported me and this cause. SO ENCOURAGING! Wow, I really cannot thank you enough. And then, while on the trip, each and every maildrop was overflowing with letters and care packages-I could feel your love from hundreds and thousands of miles away. I knew I had people back home who were praying for me and following along with my journey. You are all amazing. I like to take the time to mention a couple people in particular: 1. my parents-they trust and support my every decision and have given me the base layer of LOVE that allowed me to take this on. They believe in me, 2. my roommates and friends: Kelly, Summer, Maeghan, Virginia and Monique. These girls helped me train and fundraise pre-trip, drove me to the beginning in Virginia Beach, sent me mail and other goodies all along the way (there was not a single mail drop that where I didn’t have a piece of mail from my friends), called me with encouraging words, AND drove all the way to Cannon Beach, OR to surprise me at the end, so that I could have someone from home there with me during the greatest moment of my life thus far. I am truly blessed with absolutely incredible friends. 3. my aunt Dianne, who has been a HUGE source of support and encouragement from the very beginning, who followed me all the way through, sending just the right words and treats along the way. Indeed, this trip would not have been possible without YOU, and you have influenced me in a massive way.
Hmmm, well I have talked A LOT about people, but this is ok, because people are very important to me. My second favorite part about the trip were the MOUNTAINS! I’m sure by now you have realized my complete adoration of mountains. The challenge of biking up them, the view as you make it to the top, the feeling of accomplishment and empowerment, the view, seeing how far you have come, the team cheering you on, you cheering the team on, the view, the descent down the mountain, the rush of adrenaline and endorphins, looking back to see how high you came from and most importantly, the self confidence that you can do anything you set your mind to. Anything. Biking up mountains is a very mental task, and having conquered that I am confident that I am able to accomplish great things for good. “Define your limitations and sure enough, they’re yours” (thanks for the quote Sharif). Mountains remind me of this and I am saddened by the flatness of Michigan and lack of mountains. But this is ok, it only means that I must look harder to find my mountain.
The ten weeks of Bike & Build were the best ten weeks of my life. I have never lived life more, grown more or was more inspired. I know I have done something big, and meaningful, that I have inspired a lot of people and that others were able to see love and service through my every word and action. This is something I will never forget. I biked across America this summer, from sea to shining sea. To help people. To love people. And I was helped and loved.
peace & love
bike & build
kristen
I finished this blog post on the first day back in the “real world” class and work at CMU are beginning for one more semester. I am looking forward to continually spew Bike & Build to anyone who will listen, and recruit participants for next year! Thank you all for reading, and for allowing me to share this experience with you. Let me know if you want more details and we can grab coffee or something!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Portland, Build day, Vernonia, CANNON BEACH/ PACIFIC OCEAN!!
Portland/Greshem 85 miles
We didn't actually stay in Portland but in a town about 12 miles east. This was Mt. Hood day, and we were all very excited and nervous, this being our last BIG mountain day. I myself had saved up about 10 packages of shot blocks to give to people today, expecting it to be difficult. It was hard, don't get me wrong, but certainly not the mountain we were expecting. We would go up and up and then down and then up a little and then down. After lunch we went up just a little more and there it was: "Next 6.5 miles steep downgrade"...that was it? Mount Hood, really? that's all you got? In all fairness we just went over the southwest portion, but it was a disappointment for many of our team. Now that my rant about Mt. Hood is over, our church host was great. They provided us with snacks! After a great dinner and a night on the town we had a good night's sleep to prepare us for our last build day!!
Portland Build day
Our. last. build. day. We are having a lot of "lasts" and it's beginning to get hard to not think about the end. So we continue to live in the moment and enjoy every minute of this Bike & Build experience. At the Habitat build site we worked on painting, siding, porch roofs, cleaning and other tasks. For lunch we had the most delicious pulled pork EVER! That night Habitat for Humanity of Metro Portland threw a party for us at the Green Dragon Pub in downtown Portland with one free drink per person, door prizes, and lots of Habitat folks and Bike & Build alumni, it was great! Then several of us traveled to the Last Thursday's street fair, which is difficult to put into words. I'll just describe a couple of the things that were taking place: free advice booth, $1 clothes box, sewing machine powered by bike!, bike jewelry, LOTS of art, lavender flowers passed out everywhere, street musicians, a band playing a song titled "Let's Ride Bikes", Native American tribal drums and chanting, fire dancers, LOTS of awesome and unique people. Yeah, this one street that was closed down for an amazing street fair occurs on the last Thursday of the month all summer-this is something to check out if you are ever in Portland. It was epic and we loved it-very Bike & Build appropriate.
Vernonia, OR
Started the day by biking through downtown Portland and stopping at Voodoo Doughnuts (YUMMM-I had a cake doughnut with chocolate frosting with peanut butter and oreos!!!) and Stumptown Roasters coffee. We continued on Skyline Drive, which included LOTS of climbing, but it was very beautiful and worth it. Due to a large case of "we don't have much time left" I have been attempting the past several riding days to spend time with everyone on our team, and today was just perfect! Started out with a large group, then some smaller groups, then some one on one riding with several riders. It was perfect. Lots of different speeds, people, sights, conversations. This is our last night together and we are camping-which is very fitting because it is just us. We celebrated our time together by writing Sunshine notes for everybody-this is just a sheet of paper with your name on it that everyone writes something they like, value, admire, etc about you. Writing 30 heartfelt sunshine notes takes some time, but it is very much worth it. Then paper plate awards! I was awarded "Most likely to give you the shirt of her back, both kidneys, a lung, perhaps a cornea & an arm if needed" Some reminiscing around the fire ended a perfect evening before drifting to sleep.
Cannon Beach and the PACIFIC OCEAN
WOW. OUR. LAST. DAY. It's hard to believe that after ten weeks we have finally arrived. The day started very slowly. Leader speeches, lots of hugging, some tears, and we were off! Until we all stopped at the local coffee shop. We needed to completely take over an establishment for one last time, enjoy each other's company a little longer. And THEN we were off. Part of the day was spent biking over the Coastal Range. About two miles away from the beach everyone stopped so that we could all bike in together. This is also where we could see the Pacific Ocean for the first time! To say we are getting excited at this point is an understatement. The last two miles were filled with screaming, adrenaline and endorphins pumping, the sight and smell of the ocean adding to the emotional and sensational overload. As we came through the town and took over the road the streets were lined with people, it felt like a parade.
We walked our bikes down the stairs to the beach, stripped off our jerseys and gathered for the sprint into the ocean: the Pacific ocean which we biked to from the other ocean, the Atlantic ocean. WOW. At the count of three we full out sprinted and dove into the ocean (which we biked to from the other ocean). Not even realizing the freezing cold temperature, all emotions firing at once we were screaming, hugging, laughing, crying, jumping, splashing, hugging, CELEBRATING our accomplishment in the shadow of the magnificent Haystack Rock. We also did the Haka-a New Zealand rugby chant/dance thing that we have been working on all summer and wow does that make you feel powerful-especially doing it in the ocean after having biked there from the other ocean. More hugging, splashing, screaming, someone popped some champagne which was passed around, and we made our way out of the ocean.
You are probably thinking, "Could Kristen's life get any better?" because I was! I just biked across the entire United States of America, ocean to ocean! My whole soul was bursting with joy at our accomplishment. But it got even better! While I was walking out of the ocean arm in arm with Emily, I heard someone say "your friends Kristen, your friends" and then I hear my name, "Kristen!" Standing in front of me are Summer, Maeghan, Virgina, and Monique: four of my dearest friends from home!!!! I wasn't expecting anyone to be waiting for me at the end, Oregon is a long way from Michigan after all. 44 hours as I was told by my insanely ridiculous amazingly awesome friends who road tripped from Michigan to Cannon Beach, OR to surprise me. I completely lost it at this point and started sobbing/balling/laughing/hyperventilating. My. friends. came. Summer, Maeghan, and Kelly drove me to the beginning of the trip and now more came to meet me at the end! I know that Kelly was there in spirit :) Oh man, I'm crying again as write this blog post. I am TRULY blessed with great friends indeed. They arrived in Cannon Beach around 10am that morning, spent time chalking the streets and waiting for us to arrive. When we did arrive we went flying right past my friends and the group of parents they were with, so they had to sprint down the beach to make sure they didn't miss anything. THAT's dedication. We were able to spend a couple hours together after our group arrived at about 4 pm. My friends had to get back on the road at 8pm in order to arrive back in MI for Monique's class. MY FRIENDS DROVE THOUSANDS OF MILES TO SPEND A COUPLE HOURS CHEERING ME THROUGH THE FINISH OF MY BIKE AND BUILD TRIP AND THEN HAD TO TURN RIGHT BACK AROUND AND DRIVE THOUSANDS OF MILES BACK. And that's not all, they made and were wearing t-shirts saying "Peace Love Bike Build" and brought me a present. Normally I don't like to brag, but this blog post is going to be a little extra boastful: I am certain that I have THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. go ahead, try and find some better ones. I also need to mention that both Summer and Kelly have been sending me mail all summer, as a constant encouragement from home.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm still freaking out a little bit. I, little Kristen, have biked from Virginia Beach, VA to Cannon Beach, OR. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Across the entire country. Through 12 states, 3,835 miles, through mountains, plains, deserts, forests, small towns and large cities. I, WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
That evening we had a picnic celebration with all the family and friends that had come (my friends had to leave a little early). Good food and drink was followed by more sentimental and touching leader speeches, a campfire on the beach, fire lanterns sent up into the sky, memory sharing and the first of many goodbyes. This day has been a whirlwind of emotions, and bittersweet. We accomplished something HUGE together, for a great and worthy cause: adequate, affordable housing. And now we must part ways.
This day was the official end of the Central US 2010 Bike & Build trip, but many of us stayed together for several more days, exploring Cannon Beach some more (Haystack Rock is AMAZING, there were starfish, sea anemone, and much more), spending a little more time in Portland together. Cherishing every last moment with each other. People slowly trickled away however, and my time came to go on the train Monday August 2nd at 4pm after saying many goodbyes in the beautiful Rose garden in Portland. The train took me from Portland to Chicago and lasted a little over 2 days, on the train I was able to share my story with many strangers and gather my thoughts about this life changing summer.
My fantastic family picked me up Wednesday in Chicago, where we spent the evening together at Navy Pier (and where I was able to see an old friend Sabrina!!). We came back to Michigan Thursday and now I am home. Very happily home, but missing my Bike & Build family very much.
The trip of a lifetime is now over, I will post one more blog hoping to share some final trip thoughts, how I grew and what I learned; attempting to explain and share in some way how Bike & Build CUS 2010 affected my life.
much peace and love
We didn't actually stay in Portland but in a town about 12 miles east. This was Mt. Hood day, and we were all very excited and nervous, this being our last BIG mountain day. I myself had saved up about 10 packages of shot blocks to give to people today, expecting it to be difficult. It was hard, don't get me wrong, but certainly not the mountain we were expecting. We would go up and up and then down and then up a little and then down. After lunch we went up just a little more and there it was: "Next 6.5 miles steep downgrade"...that was it? Mount Hood, really? that's all you got? In all fairness we just went over the southwest portion, but it was a disappointment for many of our team. Now that my rant about Mt. Hood is over, our church host was great. They provided us with snacks! After a great dinner and a night on the town we had a good night's sleep to prepare us for our last build day!!
Portland Build day
Our. last. build. day. We are having a lot of "lasts" and it's beginning to get hard to not think about the end. So we continue to live in the moment and enjoy every minute of this Bike & Build experience. At the Habitat build site we worked on painting, siding, porch roofs, cleaning and other tasks. For lunch we had the most delicious pulled pork EVER! That night Habitat for Humanity of Metro Portland threw a party for us at the Green Dragon Pub in downtown Portland with one free drink per person, door prizes, and lots of Habitat folks and Bike & Build alumni, it was great! Then several of us traveled to the Last Thursday's street fair, which is difficult to put into words. I'll just describe a couple of the things that were taking place: free advice booth, $1 clothes box, sewing machine powered by bike!, bike jewelry, LOTS of art, lavender flowers passed out everywhere, street musicians, a band playing a song titled "Let's Ride Bikes", Native American tribal drums and chanting, fire dancers, LOTS of awesome and unique people. Yeah, this one street that was closed down for an amazing street fair occurs on the last Thursday of the month all summer-this is something to check out if you are ever in Portland. It was epic and we loved it-very Bike & Build appropriate.
Vernonia, OR
Started the day by biking through downtown Portland and stopping at Voodoo Doughnuts (YUMMM-I had a cake doughnut with chocolate frosting with peanut butter and oreos!!!) and Stumptown Roasters coffee. We continued on Skyline Drive, which included LOTS of climbing, but it was very beautiful and worth it. Due to a large case of "we don't have much time left" I have been attempting the past several riding days to spend time with everyone on our team, and today was just perfect! Started out with a large group, then some smaller groups, then some one on one riding with several riders. It was perfect. Lots of different speeds, people, sights, conversations. This is our last night together and we are camping-which is very fitting because it is just us. We celebrated our time together by writing Sunshine notes for everybody-this is just a sheet of paper with your name on it that everyone writes something they like, value, admire, etc about you. Writing 30 heartfelt sunshine notes takes some time, but it is very much worth it. Then paper plate awards! I was awarded "Most likely to give you the shirt of her back, both kidneys, a lung, perhaps a cornea & an arm if needed" Some reminiscing around the fire ended a perfect evening before drifting to sleep.
Cannon Beach and the PACIFIC OCEAN
WOW. OUR. LAST. DAY. It's hard to believe that after ten weeks we have finally arrived. The day started very slowly. Leader speeches, lots of hugging, some tears, and we were off! Until we all stopped at the local coffee shop. We needed to completely take over an establishment for one last time, enjoy each other's company a little longer. And THEN we were off. Part of the day was spent biking over the Coastal Range. About two miles away from the beach everyone stopped so that we could all bike in together. This is also where we could see the Pacific Ocean for the first time! To say we are getting excited at this point is an understatement. The last two miles were filled with screaming, adrenaline and endorphins pumping, the sight and smell of the ocean adding to the emotional and sensational overload. As we came through the town and took over the road the streets were lined with people, it felt like a parade.
We walked our bikes down the stairs to the beach, stripped off our jerseys and gathered for the sprint into the ocean: the Pacific ocean which we biked to from the other ocean, the Atlantic ocean. WOW. At the count of three we full out sprinted and dove into the ocean (which we biked to from the other ocean). Not even realizing the freezing cold temperature, all emotions firing at once we were screaming, hugging, laughing, crying, jumping, splashing, hugging, CELEBRATING our accomplishment in the shadow of the magnificent Haystack Rock. We also did the Haka-a New Zealand rugby chant/dance thing that we have been working on all summer and wow does that make you feel powerful-especially doing it in the ocean after having biked there from the other ocean. More hugging, splashing, screaming, someone popped some champagne which was passed around, and we made our way out of the ocean.
You are probably thinking, "Could Kristen's life get any better?" because I was! I just biked across the entire United States of America, ocean to ocean! My whole soul was bursting with joy at our accomplishment. But it got even better! While I was walking out of the ocean arm in arm with Emily, I heard someone say "your friends Kristen, your friends" and then I hear my name, "Kristen!" Standing in front of me are Summer, Maeghan, Virgina, and Monique: four of my dearest friends from home!!!! I wasn't expecting anyone to be waiting for me at the end, Oregon is a long way from Michigan after all. 44 hours as I was told by my insanely ridiculous amazingly awesome friends who road tripped from Michigan to Cannon Beach, OR to surprise me. I completely lost it at this point and started sobbing/balling/laughing/hyperventilating. My. friends. came. Summer, Maeghan, and Kelly drove me to the beginning of the trip and now more came to meet me at the end! I know that Kelly was there in spirit :) Oh man, I'm crying again as write this blog post. I am TRULY blessed with great friends indeed. They arrived in Cannon Beach around 10am that morning, spent time chalking the streets and waiting for us to arrive. When we did arrive we went flying right past my friends and the group of parents they were with, so they had to sprint down the beach to make sure they didn't miss anything. THAT's dedication. We were able to spend a couple hours together after our group arrived at about 4 pm. My friends had to get back on the road at 8pm in order to arrive back in MI for Monique's class. MY FRIENDS DROVE THOUSANDS OF MILES TO SPEND A COUPLE HOURS CHEERING ME THROUGH THE FINISH OF MY BIKE AND BUILD TRIP AND THEN HAD TO TURN RIGHT BACK AROUND AND DRIVE THOUSANDS OF MILES BACK. And that's not all, they made and were wearing t-shirts saying "Peace Love Bike Build" and brought me a present. Normally I don't like to brag, but this blog post is going to be a little extra boastful: I am certain that I have THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. go ahead, try and find some better ones. I also need to mention that both Summer and Kelly have been sending me mail all summer, as a constant encouragement from home.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm still freaking out a little bit. I, little Kristen, have biked from Virginia Beach, VA to Cannon Beach, OR. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Across the entire country. Through 12 states, 3,835 miles, through mountains, plains, deserts, forests, small towns and large cities. I, WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
That evening we had a picnic celebration with all the family and friends that had come (my friends had to leave a little early). Good food and drink was followed by more sentimental and touching leader speeches, a campfire on the beach, fire lanterns sent up into the sky, memory sharing and the first of many goodbyes. This day has been a whirlwind of emotions, and bittersweet. We accomplished something HUGE together, for a great and worthy cause: adequate, affordable housing. And now we must part ways.
This day was the official end of the Central US 2010 Bike & Build trip, but many of us stayed together for several more days, exploring Cannon Beach some more (Haystack Rock is AMAZING, there were starfish, sea anemone, and much more), spending a little more time in Portland together. Cherishing every last moment with each other. People slowly trickled away however, and my time came to go on the train Monday August 2nd at 4pm after saying many goodbyes in the beautiful Rose garden in Portland. The train took me from Portland to Chicago and lasted a little over 2 days, on the train I was able to share my story with many strangers and gather my thoughts about this life changing summer.
My fantastic family picked me up Wednesday in Chicago, where we spent the evening together at Navy Pier (and where I was able to see an old friend Sabrina!!). We came back to Michigan Thursday and now I am home. Very happily home, but missing my Bike & Build family very much.
The trip of a lifetime is now over, I will post one more blog hoping to share some final trip thoughts, how I grew and what I learned; attempting to explain and share in some way how Bike & Build CUS 2010 affected my life.
much peace and love
Beginning of the end
Sorry for the long long delay. The end of the trip has gotten crazy
busy and blogging got put on the back burner. I did it though!!! I
biked across America, sea to shining sea!! On the train ride home now
and will get you all caught up on the last week of my adventures.
busy and blogging got put on the back burner. I did it though!!! I
biked across America, sea to shining sea!! On the train ride home now
and will get you all caught up on the last week of my adventures.
Unity, John Day, Dayville, Fossil, Maupin, OR
Unity 85 miles: Hills, rolling hills (which are my favorite!) long
hot windy day, met two other people (Greg and Eli) who are biking
across America self supported! Crazy! The actually camped next to us
which was fun. Camped next to the Unity lake, went swimming, campfire,
stargazing.
John Day 50: rode sweep, stopped for Huckleberry ice cream, rode with
Greg and Eli again for a while, Great Majestic View of the Strawberry
Mountains, dairy queen, bike clinic-which went great for once, we had
about 10 kids show up!!! Great dinner, kayoke, sleep.
Dayville 31 miles: Woke up to the smell of a hot breakfast! A large
group of church men cooked it for us !! Dave and I stayed behind for
the church service and then a married couple from the church rode with
us to Dayville! It was so so hot, in the hundreds I'm sure. The wind
felt like a burst of air from the oven when you first open it. But we
made it. That evening we went to the sweet water hole in the middle of
the desert, there was a little water fall and stream attached and a
big rock/cliff for people to jump off. I did not jump. Today was also
Andy's 21st birthday, so in absence of a bar we celebrated with a
couple drinks down by the river, with an amazing sunset to our backs.
Sleeping was hard because this church didn't have air conditioning,
but a few wet bandanas helped a lot.
Fossil: Very pretty canyon ride through desert, piano playing and
fossil hunting around town, cookout at the pastors house, with live
bluegrass and gospel music which some of our team joined in, we were
split up into different houses for homestays, so Alyson and I went to
Elena's house. She is truly an amazing woman. Her property is five
miles outside of town at the highest point in the high deserts on 200
acres. It is so peaceful and serene up there. She is off the powere
grids so her house is run by solar and wind energy and she has a water
cistern. Elena drove us around her propety on her ATV and we watched
yet another astounding sunset over the desert and mountains, we could
even see Mt Hood from here. We have been blessed with so many amazing
sunsets on this trip!! Back at her house we ate ice cream that she
bought and then talked about her time and service work in Thailand and
Burma. I am inspired by her.
Maupin: some beautiful climbing, saw Mt Hood in its full glory for the
first time on the road, rolling hills, steep descent into town. We
were greeted at the church with root beer floats and snacks! Slept out
on the porch.
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
I made it!!!
So I know this is like skipping to the last page of a book before finishing it, but I just wanted to say.... I DID IT!!! I BIKED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SEA TO SHINING SEA!!!! that is all for now. Details of how I got from Unity, OR to Cannon Beach, OR and back home will be coming shortly. Love you all!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Boise, ID Day off Ontario, OR
Boise, ID Day off Ontario, OR
Ride to Boise was short and sweet, lots of downhill, 38 miles, avg mph
for everyone was pretty close to 20, and we arrived there by 10 am. So
it was like we had two days off really. I spent some time napping and
reading by the river and then we got some pizza after exploring
downtown Boise a little. It's a very cool town, the most civilization
we have seen in over a week or more. That night we recieved some very
sad news from the Bike & Build office. Paige Hicks, a leader on the
Providence to Seattle trip, was hit and killed by a truck earlier that
day. Now I don't know if you've picked up on this from reading my
blog, but Bike & Build is a family. Even though only two people from
our group actually were aquainted with her, we all felt as if we had
lost a sister. This is B &B love. We talked, cried, prayed, hugged,
cried more and attempted to comfort each other in our loss. I cannot
imagine what their team and her family is going through right now.
Keep them in your prayers and thoughts. Paige's energy and legacy
lives in through us. We ride for Paige.
On our actual day off we slept in! In the morning everyone was still
quite somber, and we took it easy. I enjoyed expiring the local co-op
and then a picnic by the river. The Boise river and park in which we
ate was beautiful, and I spent a lot of time reading and journaling.
Then I was able to explore the Anne Frank memorial, which consisted of
quote walls! Including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-which
I love. I sincerely enjoyed the whole thing. Then coffee shop then
bakc to the church for dinner. After dinner we started discussing our
grant applications. This is going to be hard, selecting who get money
and who doesn't and how much and who can use it best but also who
needs it most and how it will make the biggest difference. I'm excited
though, this will be great.
Ontario, OR 62 miles
Our last state!!!! This is insane how far we have come. We biked here
from Virginia!! From the Atlantic ocean!!!! Crazy!!!! Anyway, it was
nice and flat all day with no headwind! Emma and I were rather unlucky
however and had to change 5 tires between the two if us before the
state line! And then, after a stop at McDonalds my rear tire was flat
again, but not very so I thought I could just pump it up and ride the
remaining .25. Wrong. My tire developed boils all over, it was the
strangest thing. Dime size bubbles appeared all over, bummer. I still
rode it to the church because we were so so close and didn't feel like
changing any more tires. The culprit of the many flat tires turned out
to be thorns, and almost everybody got flats today. No worries however-
I put on a differen tire and hopefully everything will be good as new
tomorrow. Mail day was today! Thank you to Aunt Dianne and Uncle Don
and Summer for your letters, they were very encouraging. Also we
finished up reviewing the grant applications and we start makin
decisions tomorrow evening. Oh boy! Only 9 days left!!!!!!! Eeeeeeek.
Sent from my iPod
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Challis, Stanley, Idaho City
mountains, going fast, mountains, biking, GRAND VIEW CANYON, headwinds, pizza, ranch/resort, babbling brook, beach, mountains, forest, pond, food, warm fuzzies, town hall, reviewing grant applications, stargazing, sleeping outside, cuddling,
21!!!!!, cold morning, decorated birthday bike, sweep, mountains, birthday pie at local restaurant, streams, Salmon river, desert, biking, mountains, Clayton, ID population 26 museum, natural hotsprings swimming and relaxing, SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS, rivers, streams, ice cream, 60 miles, camping-in the most BEAUTIFUL PLACE IMAGINABLE, running through sprinklers, slip n slide, mountains, fields, sun, wine, friends, conversations, peace, love, serenity, Stanley, ID population 100 bar, a couple birthday drinks, sleeeeeeeeeep.
FREEZING MORNING, 38 degrees, frost covered clothes, rough start, hot tea, big brother, biking, mountains, evergreen forests, 91 miles, two endless mountains, GREAT descents, 42 mph, mountains, lovely scenery, great conversations and biking group, cold shower, being able to bike 91 miles over 2.5 mountains the day after my 21st birthday, shower, food, sleep.
MOUNTAINS
i kind of really love mountains...a lot.
currently in Boise, ID-rest day tomorrow! short day today, only 38 miles and we arrived in town by 10am. Spent some time by the river, and at the coffee shop.
love you all
kristen
21!!!!!, cold morning, decorated birthday bike, sweep, mountains, birthday pie at local restaurant, streams, Salmon river, desert, biking, mountains, Clayton, ID population 26 museum, natural hotsprings swimming and relaxing, SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS, rivers, streams, ice cream, 60 miles, camping-in the most BEAUTIFUL PLACE IMAGINABLE, running through sprinklers, slip n slide, mountains, fields, sun, wine, friends, conversations, peace, love, serenity, Stanley, ID population 100 bar, a couple birthday drinks, sleeeeeeeeeep.
FREEZING MORNING, 38 degrees, frost covered clothes, rough start, hot tea, big brother, biking, mountains, evergreen forests, 91 miles, two endless mountains, GREAT descents, 42 mph, mountains, lovely scenery, great conversations and biking group, cold shower, being able to bike 91 miles over 2.5 mountains the day after my 21st birthday, shower, food, sleep.
MOUNTAINS
i kind of really love mountains...a lot.
currently in Boise, ID-rest day tomorrow! short day today, only 38 miles and we arrived in town by 10am. Spent some time by the river, and at the coffee shop.
love you all
kristen
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