Day 9
Mi = 65
Short of Ione, WA to Priest River, Idaho
Weather = FREEEEEEEZZZZZZIIINGG COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (in the am) High 70s by the end of the day.
Staying by the lake means it is very cold at night. This we know well now. We all were tossing and turning by early morning and around 5:15am we made a unanomous decision to get up and make some hot tea or coffee (well, the coffee is actually what we call coffee-flavored water made by boiling a hotel coffee pod in a pot of water). Either way, we were freezing and would’ve had anything to warm us up. Matt turns on the mini-stove and …….. out of propane. So we decided to get up and push on in the cold in hopes of warmer weather at the lower altitute we were planning on reaching that day. Good idea, right? Wrong–moving to a lower altitude means going DOWNHILL a few thousand feet. Going downhill means the wind makes you FREEZE. Frozen fingers, frozen toes, and chattering teeth. Is that ice on the lake??? We finally felt warm after 20 miles and 1.5 hours went by and in the middle of no where a little “cafe” appeared. Finally we had some warmth and the most important meal of the day, as well as the most important part of the most important meal of the day…coffee! Oh, and because we are in Idaho, we had fresh Idaho potato home fries! Later down the road we stopped in a fishing and hunting store, complete with 15 dead species’ heads on the wall. Their eyes watched us as we danced in the store when we found the propane we needed for tonight’s luxurious meal of ramen noodles and tomorrow morning’s oatmeal and coffee-flavored water.
Tonight we are in a site designed by the Army Corps just for bicyclists. There are places to work on your bike and for many cyclists to stay, which means a chance for comradeship around the fire. Unfortunately none of our friends showed up that night.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I continue to be amazed by your dedication! I love hearing all about your adventures and can’t wait to read tomorrow’s blog. Keep up the good work and let me know if you would like something different for dinner before I send out the next supply box. Love you guys.
June 27th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Hi, Matt & Laureen,
I had no idea you were going to keep us updated like this. It’s great. My muscles are aching just reading about your daily rides!
Be careful and take care. You are in my prayers.
God bless,
Ruth
June 27th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Thank you so much for sending me the link to your page. I promise you’ll have great refuge from the hills once you get through Glacier National Park. It’s pretty flat where you’re headed. The locals joke you could watch your dog run away for days. Look forward to hosting you soon! ~ Heather
June 28th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Hi Laureen and Matt
The daily notes of your trip are inspiring! Guess packing and moving boxes around at the school does not qualify as exercise for a cause!! I did however, enjoy some oatmeal this morning….however…it will hit the 90 degree mark in NJ today…and you were freezing just a few days ago! Happy 1st Anniversary on the 30th….you certainly know how to celebrate!! Stay safe…sending hugs!
June 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hi Laureen and Matt
The daily notes of your trip are inspiring! Guess packing and moving boxes around at the school does not qualify as exercise for a cause!! I did however enjoy some oatmeal this morning….but it will hit the 90 degree mark in NJ today…and you were freezing just a few days ago! Happy 1st Anniversary on the 30th…you certainly know how to celebrate! Stay safe…sending hugs!
June 28th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi Guys!
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate called us the other day and asked for Laureen’s cell number. Mother Mary Theresa (the world wide head of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate) wants to call you all (she is in central Kenya) to tell you how much the Sisters appreciate what you are doing, that they are praying for you and how important your sacrifice is to the children there in East Africa! Don’t know when she will call you … we’ll tell her to aim for after 6:00 p.m. in the U.S. (which will be about 2:00 am.m for her). Keep up the great work!!!
June 28th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hi Guys!
The Sisters of Mary Immaculate called us the other day and asked for Laureen’s cell number. Mother Mary Theresa (the world wide head of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate) wants to call you all (she is in central Kenya) to tell you how much the Sisters appreciate what you are doing, that they are praying for you and how important your sacrifice is to the children there in East Africa! Don’t know when she will call you … we’ll tell her to aim for after 6:00 p.m. in the U.S. (which will be about 2:00 a.m. for her). Keep up the great work!!!
June 29th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Hi dear,Hope everything is still good. HAVE A GREAT ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW! Miss and love you. Talk to you soon.Ps bet you didn’t expect to see this. love, mom
June 29th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Sending some of our hot weather in Jersey your way! Keep warm guys and stay positive. We love you!!
June 29th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Dear Bikers,
Wow, I am just in awe of your experience so far!! Stay healthy! Are you eating enough calories and staying well hydrated? Just know that we are all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as you trek across country!
Love you guys!
Carol Riggs
June 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
We have been thinking about you two, so I checked the blog today. It’s great to be able to hear about your experiences and to know that you are safe.
Ed Williams asked about you at RCIA on Sunday. He is now a “bicycle cop” in Cherry Hill.
Happy Trails
July 4th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
hello mrs. sparacio-
we have been following your trip on the computer. sorry about your accidents. i hope you are ok. i miss you. keep up the good work and take care of yourselves. my grandmother cut out a picture of your brother- in law jon. i will save it for you. hugs and kisses, holly!