St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Tom at the new SJN Church

Tom's Route

Click here for specific  funding needs for the new church.

Donations can be made by writing a check to St. John Neumann Catholic Church and entering "New Church Fund" in the memo space.  Checks can be mailed to the church office address at the top of this page.  Pledges can be made by calling the Church office at 865-966-4540.  There you can pledge by the mile (trip is expected to be about 4200 miles).  Staff will get information from you and follow up at completion of Tom's ride across the country.  

Tom's Trip Log  and Photos

8-04-08. Day 72, Buchanan, VA after 65 miles. Five days to Yorktown and finishing this trip. Tomorrow I camp at base of Vesuvious and the toughest climb of the trip the next day. It will be sunny and hot. I feel good and strong, and I am loving the trip, but ready to get back home to family and friends. 'Til then, God bless! --Tom

Day 62, 73 miles to Bardstown, Ky. Update since Day 58, 7-22: 59: First nautical century, 103 miles from Carbondale, IL to Marion, KY, crossing the Ohio River by Ferry Boat. I knew the group of five (Gary, the middle school teacher from Warrenton, VA, riding home from Astoria, OR; sisters, Blair and Austa riding San Francisco to Yorktown; and Mark and John riding from Arizona to Yorktown) was two hours ahead of me and I decided to bridge the gap with the century ride. We all stayed at the Marion city park. 60: We went from Marion, to Utica and spent the night in a fire hall there. I supplemented lunch that day with a large coke and two milkshakes, that finally satisfied my weeks long craving. 61: We pedaled 72 miles to intersection of state routes 84 and 291 (no town) and camped behind Lucy and Arnold Lucas' gas station/country store (no name). They were wonderful hosts, feeding us and allowing us to camp there. 62: 73 miles to Bardstown and a happy meeting with wife, Kathy at the AIR CONDITIONED Comfort Inn. Ahhh!!! We attended Mass at beautiful St. Joseph's Basilica, and then had dinner at the Old Talbot Tavern. Nice! The Sunday morning decision will be whether to push on to Berea (90 miles) to catch the group of five again or to ease off and let Jim Craven catch up by tomorrow. We'll see what the day brings and let you know at a later posting. Total miles to date. 3619!!! About two weeks to go. Time in the saddle has started to be time reflecting on the trip and looking to what the future holds in store. It's been a great ride! God Bless. --Tom

7-22-08, Day 58 - 48 miles between storms from Chester, IL to Carbondale, IL. Awakened to thunder and heavy rain/wind. Got up and had breakfast and then went back to bed w/o any guilt! Got up again an hour later when the rain stopped and hit the road at 8:45 with overcast sky and cooler temperature. First 8 miles were a continuation of residual challenging hills. The Missouri Ozarks had some of the toughest climbs yet. It was like someone had been ordered to make roads straight - regardless of terrain. I used my lowest gear (granny gear) and had to stand on most of my climbs to make headway. I simply couldn't muscle my way up otherwise. Normally I sit through virtually all my climbs, until recent days with the straight, steep, unrelenting up and down, in-your-face climbs,that are now behind me. Enough about that. After the first 8 miles, Illinois has delivered gently rolling hills that only require pleasant sit-down climbs. Thanks again to Chris for your visit. For those following the blog, Chris offered (and I accepted) to swap bikes for parts of the two days we traveled together. I felt that Chris needed the experience; and the triathlon power training for his September IronMan race in Wisconsin. Also, with the swap, our combined average speed increased allowing Chris to get back home sooner on Sunday. It also reduced the MO misery index. The weather is expected to improve tomorrow, and I hope to make greater distance. --Tom

July 21, Day 57, 58 miles from Farmington, MO to Chester, IL  --yes, a new state!  Summary since last post.  July 18, 64 miles; July 19, 53; July 20, 93; and July 21, 58.  Total miles to date: 3256.  Recent highlights have been more about people.  Gene Vogel met me in Houston, MO for a dinner at the Horse Creek Inn, and a very nice visit.  The next day, Saturday, I was totally surprised by my son Chris peddaling towards me near Emminence, MO.  He had come out to join me for the weekend, parking down the road, peddalling to meet me and then riding with me.  We had a great steak buffet dinner in Emminence and then went to Mass at St. Sylvester.  On Sunday, I caught up with 5 cyclists before seeing Chris again.  One of the group was Gary, a Virginia teacher that I first met in West Yellowstone.  The hills in middle MO were tougher than any I saw in all the Rockies.  Very steep and tiring in the hot and humid conditions.  After two hot nights camping, I checked into a Best Western in Chester, where I am typing this update.  Should reach KY by Wed morning.  That's all for now.  God Bless!  --Tom

July 17, Day 53, 46 miles from Pittsburg, KS to Marshfield, MO and a short day; but it's HOT and humid.  Went about 60 miles yesterday from Chanute, KS to Pittsburg.  While going past Our Lady of Lourdes yesterday, I noticed Mass started in 15 minutes at 8:00, so I wnent. Afterwards, caught up with another east bounder, Jim Craven, on a recumbent bike.  We spent yesterday and today riding together.  He met his wife today and will be laying over for a day.  The hills are not that high, but quite steep and irregularly spaced.  Plan to move on in the morning for Houston, MO and dinner with Gene Vogel. That's it for now.  God bless.  --Tom

July 15, Day 51, Taking a lunch break in Girard, KS, and plan to reach at least Pittsburg, Missouri this afternoon.  Light traffic and moderate winds.  Humidity is creeping up as I proceed east - the temp is already high and staying there.  No complaints about the heat, though.  Met a young man, Daniel, from New Zeland yesterday, heading west.  I referred him tto Gillian's place in Ordway, CO.   Had dinner with fellow campers and westbounders, Jan and Cootje, from the Netherlands.  Spoke to Gene Vogel (formerly of SJN) yesterday, and plan to meet him in eastern Missouri, later in the week.  That's all for now.  God bless!  --Tom

July 13, Day 49, Waking up to sunshine in Newton, KS. Attended Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe last evening. It was a very good ending to an "interesting" day. A cold front came through with rain and strong winds from north east. (I'm heading east, of course.) I had my first flat, too, after more than 2600 miles. Up 'til yesterday, it's been hot and very windy - almost totally a headwind. (Where are the fabled Kansas "westerlies?") Eastern CO and Western KS have a lot of emptiness. I tried capturing "emptiness" with a picture. The vast plains As I proceed east, I see much more agriculture, both cattle and enormous wheat and corn fields -- very fertile land to the east. Kathy and I parted back in Pueblo, CO, and I have been re-adjusting to solo riding. Wind and people have dominated this part of the trip, so far. People are wonderful and very generous. I have already told you about Gillian. I have stayed in motels, camped by noisy duck ponds in town, and stayed in a Lutheran Church basement, alone, Simpson Univ riders who helped me cheat the wind until six late arriving cyclists awakened me near midnight. Variety really is the spice of life, but I savored a big dinner last night and a quiet, restful motel stay last night. Today, I'll clean my drive train after all the rain and truck spray from yesterday, and take a light day (about 38 miles) to a campsite in a town park down the road. Direct internet access has been spotty for me since Kathy left, and she is not very comfortable with the format for the SJN site. She had a lap top computer with her during her two-week visit. She also helps summarize daily reports via phone. That's it for now. God bless! --Tom

About Gillian and the Ordway, CO Fire -- I mentioned in an earlier posting staying Resilient Gillian with her dog at Gillian's place in Ordway, CO, a small rural community in eastern Colorado. She is a strong, proud, independent woman. A new Zelander of English extract, she has sailed and cycled different parts of the world and knows the basic cyclist's needs - cold water to drink, a shower, shelter, a place to do laundry, and (these days) a computer for internet access. Gillian Hoggard runs a small farm with a menagerie of animal - ducks, geese, turkeys, goats, sheep, and horses. She works a forty hour job in the county. she has two grown sons. She graciously opens her home for any passing cylist and asks for nothing in return. The only thing she doesn't offer is food; she "has seen how much food cyclists can eat!" In April, this year, a fire swept through the Ordway area and took about 25 homes including Gillian's place. Two fire fire fighter were killed and lots of livestock succumbed to smoke and flames. Gillian's neighbors helped her rebuild, and she has been in her new home for less than two weeks. She had not planned to host cyclists this year, but they started showing up and she graciously resumed allowing them to stay as well as encouraging them to spread the word by the riders' grapevine that they were welcome. In fact she was still in a FEMA trailer and allowed riders to stay in the new house before it was completed. Most of Gillian's animals survived in a relatively untouched corner of her farm. Gillian's spirits survived as well, but I think she is still a bit numb from the total loss and adjusting to the unique role of a person receiving aid and assistance. She got out with the clothes she had on and her purse, but lost everything else in the house as well as her barns and ample supply of hay. She has taken to displaying cooled, molten puddles of metal as art work, displaying one piece on the side of a replaced barn. I know Gillian is resillient and will rebound, but she seems most at a loss with the trees taken by the fire. One of her most urgent needs is for hay. I saw great hope and excitement when during the morning animal rounds, she found a newly hatched duckling that was not expected. Gillian never asked for anything and probably wouldn't. I asked what her greatest need was and she indicated actual help rebuilding. She had the idea (typical of her giving mindset) of people helping by "surrogate" means. In other words, look at other peoples' needs (particularly disaster related) closer to home, and help them in lieu of trying to get to her. She has such a big heart for others (and for her animals), it just seems that there ought to be a way for people to reach out and maybe help her and the others loosing their homes in this recent fire. I'm thinking about it and hope to come up with something. Any ideas? For me, Gilian has really put a face on a distant disater. I'm touched by it. I may have more to relate about this in a later posting. --Tom

Day 41, July 5, 49 easy miles from Canon (pronounced "Canyon") City to Pueblo, despite a thousand-foot climb. The day began with enjoyable breakfast conversation with Wagner family (Mark, Sandy, and Melinda from North Dakota) vacationing at the Royal Gorge, and about to go rafting through it. The short ride was uneventful and gave me time to think about the good time during the past two weeks with Kathy along. Phase II of the trip is ending and phase III is beginnig. As I leave the mountains behind and head for Kansas, conditions will be changing, most notably the temperature. Reportedly it reached 102 by late afternoon. However, after all the cold and rain early on, I hope not to complain about the heat - humidity would be a different matter, though. Winter gear goes home with Kathy. I hope I don't loose my climbing legs, earned from riding for weeks through the mountains; I might need them again when I get to the Appalachians. We spent the afternoon doing odd jobs - changing van oil, doing laundry, and sorting out supplies and gear for phase III. We went to Mass at St. Pius X, and capped the day with a big dinner at an Olive Garden. Total Mielage to date: 2248. God bless! Tom

Celebrating Independence Day July 4, Day 40, 94 miles from Breckenridge to Canon City, Colorado. Up early and on the road at 6:30 to beat traffic to Hoosier Pass 11 miles up the road. Tremendous feeling reaching the high point of the trip at 11,542 feet on Independence Day! Last three miles were moderately challenging, but no problem. There was ice in one of the puddles near the top. Fingers were cold, even with winter gloves on. Later in the day it was in the upper 90s, and from Pueblo, Co (tomorrow), the winter gear heads home with Kathy. Buffalo on the top of the Rockies The heat will be on from here on out as I leave the Rockies after more than a thousand miles. We saw two heards of buffalo each at about 100 head. The scene looked like one from the movie, "Dances With Wolves." We ate out tonight and had a wonderful meal - soon I will be back to my Spartan meals and life on the road. These two weeks have been good! The past two days, I have stopped for a second breakfast. So Hungry!!! Total miles to date: 2200. That's it for now! God bless! -- Tom

Wednesday, July 2 - early 7:00 departure to dodge the pop-up afternoon thundershowers. Yesterdays lighting bolts were dramatic and a little scary. Went 59 miles to Hot Sulphur Springs, 2,037 total miles. Broke the 2,000-mile barrier! We are seeing millions of acres of pine beetle damaged trees reminiscent of East Tennessee losses. Pine trees are red, brown, and dying. Found out why we had one room left in Walden last nite - FBI has reportedly 52 agents in town related to possible serial murder investigation nearby in Jackson County. Today I saw antelope and a couple of jack rabbits while Kathy got the grand prize for seeing a bear and a deer. Checked into the Canyon Motel about 1:00 and took my first nap in 6 weeks. The rest felt great. That's it for now! -- Tom

Tuesday, July 1, Day 37, ending the day with 48 miles in Walden, Colorodo. St. Ignatius in Walden, WY It was dodge 'em thunder heads today. Finally finished crossing the Great Divide Basin with one unintended century ride on Sunday. There was nothing at Jeffery City, WY, where we had intended to stay. Aside from a small bar, it was all boarded up and ready to blow away. Kathy had mentioned staying at a KOA in Rawlins, but I thought a Comfort Inn with cold air conditioning sounded better after the 123 hot miles that day! We saw 93 antelope yesterday as well as an eagle, osprey, pelicans, and plenty of other birds. We overnighted at a campsite by the Encampment River (full and swift) and cooked a great steak dinner on the grill. All is well in Walden, and serious climbing begins tomorrow leading up to 11,000-foot plus Hoosier Pass on Thursday. Thanks, Walt for helping get pics posted. More another time. Library time is about up. God bless all! --Tom

Saturday, June 28, Day 34, ending the day at Lander, WY (pop. 6867), after 72 miles today. Kathy in camp Those miles were hard gained with a steady head wind - in dramatic contrast to yesterday's, dreamy tail winds! It amazes me to see how much the topography can change day to day. We had mostly high desert plains as we passed through the Wind River [Shoshone] Indian Reservation. Some might describe the landscape as barren and desolate. I loved the raw beauty and muted colors. When stopped, the silence was profound. Saw two antelope and one deer, and a variety of interesting birds. I'm told there are wild horses in the area, and I may have seen some, but how do you know if the horses are wild or belong to the ranch ten miles back? Tidbits: Remember me losing my cell phone on the third day. I was talking to a bicycle touring couple on Monday at Flagg Ranch while waiting for Kathy. We were discussing one of the bigest challenges, that is staying organized and not misplacing/loosing things. Well, I mentioned loosing my cell phone and they said they had lost their phone on their third day out. Then they mentioned finding several cell phones along the road. Today I found my first cell phone on the side of the road, and ironically it was the same model as the one I had lost. At breakfast this morning I received the now standard "large pancake" warning, and I gave my standard reply, "Bring 'em on!" That's it for now. It's great to be "Back on the Road Again..." Mass tonight at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Total miles to date 1747. God bless! --Tom

Friday, June 27 - Total to date 1,675 miles. Finished at Dubois, WY, camping by the Wind River. Climbed through 9.658-foot Togwotee Pass. Plenty of snow remains. Good tail wind to Dubois. Saw 4 deer early on. Dinner at the Cowboy Cafe. Disclosure statement: some of you may be wondering if I am still riding a 105-pound rig or if I'm slack packing. I'm "letting" Kathy carry about 35 pounds of unnecessary gear leaving me pushing 70 pounds over the mountains. Truth is, next week when we part at Pubelo, I'm sending cold weather gear and other stuff back with her. So, I guess I'm pseudo slack-packing. That's it for today. God bless. --Tom

June 26, Thursday,  Day 32, Zero day - Waking at the Trapper Inn in Jackson, WY.  We have been out of internet access while in the Yellowstone area.  Phase II of this cycling adventure began on Monday with a kiss at 3:30, at Flagg Ranch, just outside of the south entrance of Yellowstone Park.  As planned, Kathy arrived to join me in visiting  Yellowstone and  Teton parks, and then traveling in parallel with me to Pueblo, CO, about two weeks away.  The business of pedaling 65-mile days resumes tomorrow, with a climb over 9600-foot Togwotee Pass.   Following is a brief summary of the past few days.  Kathy, too, will be adding updates to add information and perspective.  Day 27, 25.7 miles, arriving in West Yellowstone with Peter Bryant.   I ran into Karen Downer, formerly ESH Mgr. at ORNL and now at INEEL, at the park visitor center.  It's really a small world!  I also met east bound cyclist Gary Hicklin, who had been trying to catch me for two weeks.  See you down the road, Gary.  Day 28, 53 miles, deciding to stay over at Grant Village CG in the park, since Kathy would not arrive to south entrance until Monday afternoon.  Met Peter and his wife (also visiting) there and enjoyed a wonderful chili dinner.  Thanks, Linda!!!   Day 29, 24 miles to Flagg Ranch and rendezvous with Kathy!  Day 30, zero day, touring through Yellowstone, seeing eagles, buffalo, elk and of course the Old Faithful display!  We spent the night at the Ho Hum motel in West Yellowstone.  Day 31, 29 miles after another day of touring the other side of Yellowstone and seeing hundreds of buffalo, a gray wolf, and the spectacular, "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone."  The 29 mile ride was to avoid violating Larry Long's first rule of backpacking, never to back track.  When I resume on Friday, I'll pick up at the point of departure after the 29 miles.  There were so many other highlights, but I'll let them go for now and gradually catch up with the best, later.  We plan a second night at the very nice Trapper Inn, and then back to life on the road.  --Tom

Grand Teton from Jenny Lake hike At the Continental Divide in Yellowstone

June 21, Day 27, West Yellowstone,  MT.  Today is a light day (25 miles) and the Library here closes in 8 minutes.  Tentative plans are to pass through Yellowstone tomorrow and meet wife, Kathy on South side.  She left home Friday and should make it in on Sunday eve or Mopnday morning.  Mass tonight at Our Lady of the Pines.  Been traveling the past couple of days with Peter Bryant (my age group), of Golden, CO, enroute from Seattle to Denver.  He to is meeting his wife in Yellowstone this weekend.  Weather has been fantastic.  I saw 16 antelope yesterday and half a dozen mule deeer.  Also continue to see abundant variety of bird, including loons today.  It is so nice to be in sunshine and out of the rain for a while!  Evenings are pretty chilly but days are into the 70s.  That's it for now.  God bless!  --Tom

Mary's Silo House near Alder Support for the Troops

June 19 Day 25, Virginia City, MT - It was an easy 56 miles today.  I saw a deer and fawn this morning, as well as the regular ducks, geese, hawks, swallows, magpies, and other birds. I have set up camp 3/4 of a mile east of town, and the ride there tells me that the next three miles in the morning will be grueling climb of about a thousand feet.  Serendipity is a pleasant, unexpected event, that some may call trail magic, or a God wink, or whatever. One such event occurred when I pulled over to a little, out of the way bakery near Alder, pop. ~116.  Grandma Janette was out front painting a post, assisted by her three little grandchildren. It happened to be around lunch time and I couldn't pass up buying six of her delicious oatmeal cookies. She gave me two slices of fresh potato bread and some homemade jelly to go with my dwindling peanut butter supply. I also had a granny smith apple purchased yesterday to cap the meal. We sat under a shade tree in the yard and talked as I ate. It was a pleasant, unexpected time that I'll remember. It turns out that she is a parishioner to the beautiful historic Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Laurin, about a mile down the road away from Alder. I told her about the church we are building in Farragut and the similarities in style. A few miles further down the road I had to stop and ask "Mary" if I could take a picture of her unique four story home. Her husband built the home out of a grain silo! It is beautifully decorated with planters and flowers. Remarkable. I promise a picture at a later time. I'm heading back into this historic town to take pictures and find a good meal; then its back to the camp site for a good sleep before the morning climb! That's it for now!  God bless!  --Tom

Grandma Janette and grandkids St Mary of the Assumption Church, Laurin, MT

June18, Day 23, Dillon MT.  I saw 5 antelope today during the crossing of several significant passes.  Yesterday was one of the major ones, Chief Joseph Pass, at 7241 ft.  I had 32 miles of ascending approach and then 3200 feet of steep climbing.  Last 22 miles of the day were down hill with a wonderful tailwind.  This was my first time to cross the continetal divide and made me feel somewhat triumphant.  My legs are getting stronger, and adapting to the mountains.  Lots and lots of wildlife and grand, expansive beauty to behold.  I feel priviledged!  God bless!  --Tom

June 16, Day 21, Missoula, MT.  Another glorious day with severe sunshine!  Started yesterday with a climb over Lolo Pass into Montana.  After the climb, most of the 55 miles was down hill, albeit with a headwind.  Arrived in Missoula and St. Francis XavierCatholic Church an hour and a half before the Sunday evening Mass.  Pastor is Fr. Rich Perry SJ, no relation.   After dispatching this update, I plan several resupply stops here before heading down the road towards Yellowstone to meet my lovely wife, Kathy.  At the moment, I am at Adventure Cycling Association HQ, where I ran into Mark Thurman of Farragut, TN!!!  I know both him and his dad, Bill from scouting days.  Mark is doing the Trans Am going from east to west, and making remarkably good time.  Saw a bald Eagle on the way out of Kooskia.  Abundant wildlife all around.  More later.  God bless!  --Tom

June13, Day 19.  Awakened  next to the Salmon River in White Bird, ID to severe clear weather - FINALLY!!   Not a cloud in the sky.  I immediately began a major climb of 2200 feet, with temperatures rising int the 70s.  What a day!  I have stopped after lunch at the Nez Perce Indian Reservation Library in Kooskia (Population 226) to update this log and to cool off after about 45 miles of riding.  Tomorrow I'll head onto a 66-mile strech of roads with no services, then the next day tackle Lolo Pass before heading into Missoula, MT on Sunday.   I have met more cyclists including three Tulane med students and an adventurous rider pedalling to Canada from Sacramento to start a bicycle race to MExico along the Continental Divide!  Can you imagine that?!  The beuty and grandeour  continue to unfold as the adventure continues.  More later.  God bless!  --Tom

June 11, day 17. I'm in New Meadows, ID this afternoon, and plan to lay over in a motel. Population 533, elevation 4000 plus. I finally made it to another state, but not without passing through hell first - Hells Canyon, OR and ID, that is. I've heard about the heat wave back home, but have you heard about the cold and snow out this way?! Hells Canyon can have temps in the low 100s this time of year, but not this year! It was a long, cold, wet, arduous climb out of Hells Canyon, but at least this hell has an exit! The front last night dumped snow and made for a winter like scene in the surrounding hills. I had planned to go another 20 - 30 miles today, but saw the library and motel and decided I had enough for today at 46 miles. That's it for now. God Bless! --Tom

June 9, Day15.  I'm in Baker City, OR, running errands before heading into Idaho.  My top priority today had been to find a bike shop and purchase brakes.  With the long, steep descents and my 105-pound loaded bike, I learned that brakes don't last long -- and my rear brakes were at the limit.  Mission accomplished.  Weather has been sunny but chilly the past couple of days, a welcome relief from the rain that I've had almost daily.  Day 12 and 13 were a cyclist dream, with tail winds whisking me along for 90 miles, and 69 miles.  Yesterday was a 61-mile day with three significant passes to climb.  Attended Mass this weekend at St. Elizabeth's Church in John Day, OR.. Parishioners Mike and Sophie Cosgrove invited me to spend the night at their place and fed me as well.  Thanks, Mike and Sophie!  Fr. Bartholomew, newly installed pastor is from Nigeria, knows Fr. Bede from Knoxville diocese.  Thanks for the welcome!   Topography is varied and breathtaking --  mesas, buttes, mountain meadows, gorges.  What a vast and beautiful landscape to enjoy at 10 mph!  That's it for now.  God  bless!  --Tom

June 5, Day 11. I'm in Sisters OR, today, having crossed the first major pass (Santiam) yesterday in rain and some sleet on top. [McKenzie Pass was still closed with heavy snow.] Reward was a six - mile descent and sunshine on the other side! I finally feel as though I'm on a cross country tour. Today is a laundry and probable rest day. The Sisters Mountains are snow capped, rugged, and a beautiful backdrop to this small Oregon town. I think updates will be roughly once or twice a week as internet is not as accessible as I had hoped. Day 7: 52 mi.; 8: 54.7; 9: 60; and Day 10: 50 miles. Heading east and into more remote parts of Oregon. Going to try again to upload images. Not batting well yet in that department. God bless! --Tom

May 31, day 6, at Salem, OR.  Got new cell phone to replace one lost two days ago.  Got stove parts.  Got new tail light.  Got to Mass this evening.  Check out the responsorial hymn.  Lord, be my Rock of Safety.  Got motel for night and taking a down day.  330 miles to date Keeping this short.  Attempt to update yesterday failed.  Three minutes left.  More later.

May 28, Day 3, 3:30.  Summary: Day 1: Rain;  Portland to Vernonia: 52 miles.  Day 2: Vernonia to Astoria and then Fort Stevens: 78 miles.  The sun came out in Astoria.  I saw sea lions at the wharf!  Today May 28: 35 miles so far.  At Mazanita (Pop: 564) Library: 35 mi. so far.  The view of the ocean and "haystack" rock formations is stunning.  Plan to stay at Nehalem Bay State Park tonight, about 2 - 3 miles from here.  My stove pump failed at breakfast today.  I'm looking for an outdoor outfitter store, but may not find one 'til I get to Salem or Eugene.   It's been chilly, overcast, and misty all day.  Went through a tunnel and was terrified.  I walked my bike through on a narrow elevated sidewalk.  Safe but un-nerving.  It's nice to be in a warm library recording this summary.

May 24.  One day to go.  Doing a test using the local public library to upload report.  OK so far.  Fly to Portland, OR tomorrow; Start pedalling on Monday. Click on Church front rose.

May 23, 2008.  Zero miles.  Sunny in Knoxville.  Two days from departure.  Feeling anxious.  I'll periodically report date, days into the trip, mileage, conditions, location, and select highlights.  Look for occasional digital images along the way.  Happy trails!  --Tom