Florida!
Mood:  happy
I'm now in Florida with three days to go to St. Augustine!  It's been a fabulous journey and what an experience!  I've kind of lost track of the days I wanted to blog about but will hopefully remember the really fun stuff and funny things that happened:  yesterday was a rest day with Wakulla Springs State Park close, so off we went to see the alligators in the wild via river boat;  one old gator didn't think too much of our sight-seeing at his expense, so as the boat got closer to him he started "growling", baring his teeth, and looking quite unhappy:  about the time the guide was telling us how the alligators could jump, this old guy flipped his body around and attacked the boat!  I really thought he was coming in the boat, and I was sitting on the side closest to him!  Don't think I will forget that one very soon.   Today's ride was not very long but it was really raining and we got drenched......supposed to be nice sunny weather for the rest of the week, and especially on Thursday when we ride into St. Augustine!!

Mississippi!
It's been awhile since I "blogged", and this one will be short too, but am now out of Louisiana which was beautiful, laid back and wonderful folks: southern hospitality;  stopped at Fred's Place in Mamou known for the Zydeco music and radio broadcast but only on Saturday, and we were through there on a Sunday;  stayed in a fabulous bed and breakfast at St. Francesville, small cottages on plantation grounds....arrived just ahead of a pretty serious storm last night, but beautful morning today.....on to Alabama tomorrow, then Florida:  about 600 + miles to go to St. Augustine:  can you believe it?  Had a couple of dog bites yesterday which sent two ladies to hospital for tetanus shots, but they are out riding again today.  I'm sagging today, body needs a rest!  More later......

Navasota, TX
Mood:  chillin'

A very welcome rest day!  Last four days have been filled with beautiful sights of rolling hills with wildflowers in bloom:  fields of yellow, pink, orange, & blue!  No way to capture with a camera, but in my mind's eye a forever memory.  The hills are not as steep, and we are due in Louisiana by Friday of this week;  storms are threatening, but so far we've had cloud cover for most of the day, then some heat and humidity;  understand it's probably safe to send the fleece clothing home, but not the rain gear.  We got the scales out this morning: some lost as much as 18 pounds (not me), and all are feeling and looking svelte!   Last Saturday in Blanco, Scott & Debbie, Kyle and Josh came to give me the "high five", and we had a great visit with supper at DQ (my new favorite place)!  We did find a Starbucks in Balstrop, then rode through a beautiful park (15 miles of tree covered roads, almost no traffic) then on to LeGrange;  had some wonderful mexican food in LeGrange: small place, family affair.  Having a great time:  the amazing part is that I'm doing it, and certainly enjoying the experience!   

Rest day Kerrville
Mood:  a-ok

We have now passed the half-way mark!!  Yesterday and the day before we experienced (!) the hill country of Texas: Camp Wood, Vanderpool, and into Kerrville:  I did not know that Texas had such Texas-sized HILLS;  now we are told that it's all down-hill from here to Florida:  really?  Staying in a nice hotel Y.O. Ranch:  Jeff (my nephew) and Sheila came over from Universal City to have supper with me last night:  was so nice to see them and had a great visit! I think we are just barely avoiding the storms, and weather is forecast to be nice for next week.  P.S.  In Leakey, TX I had the best BBQ beef sandwich at the HogPen cafe;  and at Medina, TX the best apple pie!  You'd think all I'm doing is eating my way across country.  Next stop for lay-over day is Navasota, so we're back on the bikes tomorrow. Will send more news of the adventure later.......

Corrections to blog
David's last name is Mitchell, not Mithell;  and VanHorn, not Vanderpool.......

Saturday March 29th
Mood:  celebratory
WOW you-all from  Sanderson, TX!  Let me see if I can re-cap the last several days:  Emory Pass was incredible, both in the climb and the awesome view from the top! We stayed in a "bed and breakfast" in Kingston, then a long down=hill to LasCruces which was welcome indeed!  Passed thru the chili pepper captial, both green and red, saw the Pima cotton fields, the Pecan tree orchards, into El Paso with a very strong head-wind (Easter Sunday):  my friend David Mithell who lives in El Paso had big signs waiting at the hotel welcoming me and the other cyclyists to El Paso, and he gave me an Easter basket from he and Nanette!  I'll let you guess what was in the basket:  what fun!  The most difficult ride of the tour was from Vanderpool to Fort Davis, up to the McDonald Observatory and down the other side:  90 miles, and I had three (3) flats that day!  UGH.....we were at Marathon yesterday, stayed in a great hotel, the Gage, met some interesting fellows in the cantina, then on to Sanderson today.  Saw some antelope, deer, and buffalo in last several days, some Home, Home on the Range!   Miss you all, will write more when I can prevail on one of the ladies with a computer, and if there is internet access...have passed the 1000 mile mark and closing in on the half-way mark!  Party time.....Jan

Thursday 3/20
Mood:  lucky
Hey everyone:  I am in SilverCity New Mexico today for a much-deserved rest day!  Last Sunday we tried to rideto Globe, AZ but it was snowing on the pass so we shuttled from Superior up to Globe: next day it was raining and cold in the morning (35), but made it to Safford (another wide space in the road), then on to Lordsburg, NM (a really nice ride that day because of a strong tailwind), but yesterday's ride UP to Silver City was incredible:  long climbs at about 7% grade, and beautiful scenery!  This is really a wonderful experience:  great group of women and all very supportive of each other.  Word has it that a local newspaper reporter is going to meet with us on Friday and do a story!  Probably be a couple of days before I will have access to another computer:  we climb over Emory Pass (8200+) tomorrow, which will be our highest point of this tour, and we stay in a rustic lodge tomorrow night.  P.S.  Yesterday we rode over the Continental Divide (6600)!  Will write again when I can, thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers!  

Saturday 3/15
Mood:  a-ok
Now at Apache Junction, AZ and ready to go over the pass to Globe tomorrow:  rain and possibly snow is forecast, so may have to shuttle!  Last several days have been just beautiful: desert in bloom, lots of cactus and vast scenery:  we really live in a great land!  The wind has been somewhat daunting, especially on the long rides, but am taking one day at a time!  We left Blythe, got to Salome (wide space in the road), then to Wickenburg (lovely place), then to Phoenix (big city), and now in Apache Junction;  suspect there will be more small towns than big ones in the next several weeks!  Having a ball, think of you often, more later.....

lst rest day
Mood:  lazy
OK so we are resting in Blythe!  Yesterday's ride was mostly WINDY, hot & long, but we all arrived safely, and looking forward to today's rest.  Actually had a Starbuck's this morning:  might be the last one for awhile;  on to Salome, Arizona tomorrow: 64 miles across mostly desert.  Still trying to figure out how to post photos, but will work on it.  More in a day or so....

3rd day of riding
Mood:  special
The first day was awesome!  Lots of climbing, traffic, & heat, but we got to Alpine just fine!  Yesterday the climbs were many, but the downhills, scenery, stops at diner for pie and coffee were super!  Today's ride started with a 6 mile steady climb, then a 10 mile downhill on I8 that was a little dicey to say the least, then a lot of WIND for the next 50+ miles!  We are in Brawley tonite and off to
Blythe tomorrow:  long, hard, and hot day  90 miles.....Keep the positive thoughts coming my way:  I can hear all of you in my head!  This really is a wonderful adverture!