No Borders Trip and Finally Back Home

Recently returned from a long ride and a good trip, but have never been happier to be back home. As mentioned in the earlier post, we rode a long way to the town of International Falls, Minnesota on the Canadian Border. It was a very good ride with really nice weather on my new KLR. The CMA No Border Rally was a good event and was good to see some old friends. Mike Holder and I hung out for most of the event and really had some good laughs. Here are some pics from the CMA Parade in downtown International Falls.

While I was gone Jen and the kids started school and had some good times as well. Here is a pic of Jen holding Eden (Mika and Jeremy's newest). Also the girls had a great time at Bethany's (one of their friends birthday tea party).

The ride home was one of those days that you won't forget. I woke up a little before 5 and decided to get rolling. The night before I had made my arrangements to leave by myself. I was on the road by 5:30. When I left it was 40 degrees and I had not planned for that cold of a ride. I rode for more than an hour to the first little town and stopped at a McDonald's for coffee. I sat there in that McDonald's in full gear and held onto a cup of coffee completely shaking. But I didn't sit long, and I kept rolling and once it warmed up a little, I really made good time. By late afternoon, I was in Kansas City and contemplating going all the way home. I hadn't stopped too much and the weather was great and so I kept rolling. By dark, I was in Neosho Missouri and within 200 miles of home. So I decided to go all the way home. I made 1100 miles in one day, and slept in my own bed that night. I had alot to come home to.

There are also some pics here from a recent chapter meeting in McAlester Oklahoma. The Dipsticks are a Youth Movement Chapter for CMA and are doing a great job in involving students in ministry.

Riding...

Spent the entire day from sun up to sun down with my head inside my helmet. On my way to the CMA No Borders Rally in International Falls, Minnesota. The weather was fantastic and we made great time. There is something special about all that time alone with your own thoughts. I thought about everything that is going on in our family, with our friends and with our work. Best of all, I always feel like I can hear the voice of God inside that smelly old Icon. Anyway, lots more riding this week and lots more time alone. I miss my jenny and my family so bad.

Back from the Dead!

I am a very bad person. I have not blogged since March. I am so terribly sorry. Perhaps you can leave a comment and suggest a suitable penance for someone as horribly lax as I have been.

Anyway, here are a bunch of pics from the summer travels. We have really had such a great time with the family traveling. The summer started with a very fun weekend at Jen's Mom and Dad's for a family reunion. From there it was hurry home for the CMA National Rally on Iron Mountain. It was absolutely incredible. It was a great week of ministry and fun. (As well as alot of work). In a very interesting few days, I located and went to get a new 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650. (A bike that I have been enjoying ever since.) After that, we had a week of meetings and a memorable summer send-off/birthday party for my friend, Jeremy. (There are no pictures available from this party.)

Then it was off to the races. We headed up to North Dakota and stopped along the way to visit some friends and CMA leaders in Sterling, Kansas. Once in North Dakota we enjoyed ourselves at the North Dakota State Rally and in the small town of Garrison, known for the world record walleye. We have many friends from this state and the rally was a great time to see them again.

From North Dakota, we beat it over to Boise, Idaho, where I had some finishing pieces put on the bike. CMA member and friend Tim Barnard, owner of Happy Trails did a great job on the bike, if you are ever in Boise, or need anything for your Dual Sport, Happy Trails is the place. From there, we shot over to Logan, Utah. It was an incredible ride. Very beautiful. In Logan, we spent a few days and hung out at the CMA Tri-States State Rally. The whole family had some fun.

When we left Logan, My Mom and Dad had flown to meet us in West Yellowstone, MT. We spent most of a week together in Big Sky Montana and visited Yellowstone and Bozeman. It was so fun. The majority of the pictures in this slide show are from these few days. It was great to be able to be with family and spend a few minutes relaxing. Made me really want to come back and go skiing sometime soon.

From Montana, it was on to Wyoming. On our way to the Wyoming State Rally in Douglas, WY, we spent a great night in Cody, Wyoming. It was a really neat western town and we had a good time walking the streets that night. The Wyoming State Rally was also fun, the town had an IHOP so we were happy to get a late night pancake or two. While at this rally our friends Hiram and Sharon introduced us to a very interesting little book. The Shack, was a quick but moving read and we have both been talking about it for a while now.

After we left Wyoming we headed down to Denver to spend a few days goofing off. We really loved it there even though we had a small repair on the Van. While in Denver we found the best malls, the best food, and even the best waterpark. Loads of fun in a pretty neat city. After leaving Denver, we drove through some of the most amazing roads we have ever seen toward Gunnison Colorado. The Rockies we simply amazing. When we arrived at Gunnison, we spent some fun times with friends John and Holly and their girls. I also had the fun of going on a sweet Dual Sport ride in the Rockies all around Gunnison and Crested Butte.

From Colorado, we beat it back home. The boys had to get physicals for the start of football practice and I had to get over to the AMA Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn's. The races were great as usually, even though there were some tragic accidents while we were there. CMA did a great job being present and serving at the event. I am always amazed at the things that God has me involved in. Very cool and often very different.

Once we were all home together, we spent a week doing some long overdue spring cleaning. It was great to clear out alot of the clutter. That week finished with our very own tradition of "Kin Thegither" (Family Together). We once again went to the mattresses and had a really fun time together.

As I write this, we are back in the groove of life. Football practices, work and of course lots of playing and goofing around. Please write and comment and let me know how you are doing.