south haven, michigan

The harbor at Grand Haven, Michigan was very quiet this morning.

Tomorrow night, Lord willing, we'll be in LaPorte, Indiana. There, we will make a left turn, head east, and pedal to Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. Somewhere around 10 July, we will pick up two extra riders, Sarah and Barry. I'm looking forward to that.

This is Day 39 of our journey and we've pedaled 2,445.15 miles with approximately 1.118.85 miles to the ocean! We've had six flat tires, no serious dog threats, and neither of us had been attacked by a bear. I'm really looking forward to entering Indiana because at LaPorte, we make one left turn and we'll be headed toward the sun, Maine, and the Atlantic. I am caught up on my license plates and even found an Iowa plate. (I'm not going to ride in Iowa just because I found the plate!) 

Today, a later start than usual and off to the bike trail, U. S. Bike Route 35, which I followed most of the way to South Haven. Green signs are used to mark the route but I often miss them because they are used sparingly and often mounted lower than other signs. (Well, that's my excuse.) I did lose the signs in Holland, Michigan today but, thanks to two college students, was directed back to the trail and continued on to South Haven. The 35 trail is a good ride but when you ride it through residential areas careful attention is needed at driveways and intersecting streets and roads. You have to pay attention to where tree roots have grown under the paving because they can create some very bumpy surfaces. Still, this route is very reliable, not too hard to follow, and lightly traveled. The vehicles passing me were driven by very courteous and kind drivers for which I am certainly grateful.

After supper at Three Blondes Brewery, we went to Sherman's Ice Cream, got ice cream for Phil and Gale, and delivered it to the SnackWagon. It was kind of . . . a get-well gift. Phil may not be riding for a week or so. He took a spill yesterday and hurt his knee. After a visit with an E.R. doctor this morning, it looks like he and Gale will find a campsite where they will stay a week and then, after mending properly, he will continue his ride to Maine. In the meantime, I will go on so Margaret doesn't have to cancel and reschedule two weeks worth of motel reservations. We didn't plan it this way and we'd rather not have it be this way but, right now, it is. In the meantime, we want Phil's knee to heal and riding on it as it is may just make things worse. We may still finish this ride together. We're just not sure how to work that out yet. We will see what happens and I'll let you know. We will finish, that much I know.

One of my favorite misquotes is, "Slow and steady wins the race." Well, that is just not true. Slow and steady will not win anything, but . . . it will finish the race. Whoever said, "Slow and steady wins the race," has never raced. My goal in life is to finish my race. It's already been won. Hebrews 12:1-2 sums it up for me, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." 

As I said, the race has already been won. Jesus did that on the cross. He is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God because he finished, as well. The race that is set before each of us requires only a finish. With patience and endurance we can all do that as long as we keep looking to Jesus. That means hanging out with him on a daily basis as we read his word, pray, and do the Bible . . . live it!

Know your race. Know your pace. And finish well.