Today is Thursday July 3rd the day before our big holiday and tomorrow is our day off in Colorado Springs CO. We rode from Buena Vista CO to Colorado Springs. The ride started out uneventful and we took a rest stop at Florisant CO where we found a wonderful coffee shop and stopped there for a cup of java and a bite to eat. We then drove on to the Crystola Inn to hook up with one of the riders (Bev) from the Ascension Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs where we would be staying for the nite. Meanwhile most of the riders were still in Divide CO waiting out a lightening/thunder storm. Meanwhile back at the Crystola Inn where we were hanging out, we met the owner of the place Daryl who looked a lot like Kinkie Friedman who ran for governor of Texas. Anyway we got to talking to Daryl about our bike trip and he invited us in to his place for a bite to eat on the house. We had the best huevos rancheros (eggs, tortillas and chiles) I've ever had and the price was right. We felt bad for the rest of our colleagues waiting out the rain in Divide while we were high and dry and eating well, but heck somebody's got to drive the sag wagon.

The team then cycled down to hook up with us (Doug, Katherine and Chris) and Bev and then went on to the church in Colorado Springs. We were also greeted by David Snell the VP of Programs for the Fuller Center and he and his wife Sheila hosted us to some well deserved showers and a lovely dinner. Bev and his wife Carol also joined us for some good food and bike tales. David spoke with us about his vast experience with Habitat and his many travels internationally where he oversees international Fuller Center covenant partners. We got to sleep in late on Friday and have breakfast at the Snell's home. a BBQ at a parishioner's house (Mrs. Keys) and then some fireworks for the holiday. With today's ride we did back to back centuries (rides of 100 miles). We're off to Rocky Ford CO on Saturday.

As a wiser man once said "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" and if it does by chance kill you - well it's all over anyway! As someone also recalled "Adventure is hardship remembered" and this has indeed been an adventure so far!

Happy trails,

Doug