Feet For Hope-Journey Across America

7/22/09-LAX

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:25:26 +0000

We made it! We completed our cross country journey despite all the little roadblocks we encountered. Angie and I traveled 3,466 miles-originally calculated at 2,854 miles but because of rerouting, road construction, and unexpected detours, we did it.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for our safety and the strength to continue on.

Thank you to everyone who made financial contributions to our journey.

Thank you to those who helped us find our way when we were off course.

Thank you to everyone who pledged donations to the HMI building projects.
Thank you to every single person who listened as we spoke about the children of Mathare.

Thank you to our friends in the media for taking an interest in making life better for children in the Nairobi slums.

Thank you to all our Christian brothers and sisters at churches we visited.

Thank you to our friends and family for encouraging us as we grew weary.

Thank you to everyone who supports the efforts and work of Hope Missions International.

May GOD continue to bless everyone who learned of our journey and inspire them to go beyond to do something to make the world a better place for those who have nothing except hope.

7/21/09-Los Angeles, CA

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:12:13 +0000

Rode the bikes to the airport. Amazingly, we weren’t stopped or told we couldn’t ride bikes through the terminals. We found continental pier 6-where Angie would fly home from tomorrow and cycled back to the hotel. Spent the rest of the day working out at the hotel fitness center and packing Angie’s bags for the flight home.

7/20/09-Carlsbad to Santa Monica, CA

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:10:48 +0000

Stopped in to visit a business owner friend of mine to talk with him about the journey and ask for a donation to the HMI building projects. He agreed the cause was worthy and would send a check directly to them. [my friend prefers to remain anonymous] After leaving his office in Santa Monica we rode over to the studios of LAInk. As we approached the location we observed a long line of folks waiting to enter so we went around back. Walked up to the six, heavily tattooed men standing at the door and introduced ourselves. I pulled the poster of the Mathare baby crawling on the filthy path and explained the purpose of our journey. To my surprise, every man was genuinely interested. They suggested I share the information with the guys inside. The door was opened for us-we entered. Spoke to the man at the front desk about our mission. His reaction was unexpected, considering the way he looked and his profession, he said he wished more people would take time to notice those beyond our country and then do something to help them. After all, we live in the greatest country in the world where everything is handed to us, all anyone has to do is ask for it. People in third world countries have nothing but corrupt governments and little hope that things will change unless we get involved. How profound. I was touched by his sincerity. I asked if he would share the information in the package with the rest of the crew. He said he would. We left and ventured over to another friends office to talk with him about auctioning my hair to raise funds.

7/18/09-to San Diego, CA

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:09:47 +0000

No cycling today. Had to drive 200 + miles on the wild California freeway to get to San Diego for a meeting. Amazing phenomenon how the temperature changed from more than 100, to 70 degrees; a welcome relief. Arrived around 2pm looked for a hotel, found one, unpacked the car, pulled the bikes down and headed over to Mission Bay area. A lovely place to visit.

7/17/09-Palm Desert, CA

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:30:58 +0000

OK, the bad news: the heat is extreme! The roads ablaze. Sweat soaks my clothes in less than 2 minutes. Hotel rooms are ridiculously expensive. Fuel consumption of a loaded down support vehicle makes me angry. The good news: the people we’re meeting are amazingly friendly, considerate and encouraging; and they freely offer prayers and advice. Thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way. The genuine kindness of strangers continues to astound me. Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for being with us, leading us, protecting us, and saving us from danger every minute of this journey.

7/16/09-Surprise, Arizona

diana — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:10:59 +0000

What a day! Started out early because the midday temp was reported to reach 115 degrees-difficult cycling in that kind of heat. We left the hotel with the intent of arriving in Wickenburg; 12 miles down the road I saw a sign that read: “welcome to Peoria”. Peoria? Achem, I just boogied 12 miles in the wrong direction. Grrr….

I called Angie, she turned the car around and picked me up. We returned to the starting point, pulled the bike off the roof and realized the back tire was now flat! Angie pumped up the tire while I held the bike in the wind. Finally, ready to go again and along comes a semi whose draft knocks over my bike. It wasn’t the first time that happened and it won’t be the last I’m sure. I jump on the bike and start peddling in a race to beat the sun from crowning over top me. A few miles down the road [in the correct direction] and I glance down to check my speed and mileage count and I notice the cyclometer isn’t registering. I observed the magnet was missing from the crank. Evidently, the blow over caused the magnet to pop off. What else could happen today? I know, a police man could [and did] pull up and ask me what the heck I’m doing, then tell me I can’t ride on this road because it’s too dangerous. He’s right, it was, but there were no other roads to cycle on. I explained that I needed to search for the magnet and needed a bike store to fix my again flat tire. Officer/Trooper Mays directed me a repair shop and issued his professional advice as to which roads were safe to ride. We followed his advice, got the bike tire fixed and headed up 60. By this time the asphalt was sizzling. The temperature was holding steady at 114 degrees. My legs felt as if they were burning from the radiating road surface. Actually, the heat felt like when you bend down in front of, and open the oven door on thanksgiving day to check the turkey-only leave your face there for 45 minutes-extreme. We rode 45 miles then had to pack up because it was just too hot. We drove the rest of the way to Palm Desert. Entering California at 6pm [pacific time]

7/15/09-Tucson, AZ

diana — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:58:52 +0000

I exchanged a few emails last night with my friend and publicist Rita. She suggested I reveal a few more details other than the roads and distance we’re traveling. So here goes, my hair is a long, hot, sweaty, tangled, mess that I’m itchin to cut. For the first time in my life my feet are sweaty too-gross! Have one persistent blister which is finally peeling away to reveal new skin. My farmer-style shoulders and arms are the tannest they’ve ever been. I sometimes feel hungry but the heat is doing its job at curbing my appetite! Yay heat! My normally soft smooth skin has become very dry even though I’m consuming about 2 gallons of fluid each day. The muscles in my legs feel great-although I’ve noticed no matter how much cycling one does cellulite just doesn’t go away! Not funny-not fair.

Most everywhere we’ve been is beautiful but some areas have been littered with roadside trash. I’ve observed more varieties of road kill than I’ve seen in my entire life. So far, Rockwall Texas is our favorite place. Thoughtful, friendly, people who go out of their way to say hello or offer directions. My least favorite area was near the state line of Virginia and Tennessee but that’s only because it rained during our time there. The New Mexico and Arizona mountains take my breath away. Finally, I have proof GOD exists; because only creatures HE created could survive the arid, barren, desert we’ve traveled through the last three days.

Angie says, this journey is one I will remember when I’m old enough to recount it my grandchildren. I think a lot of people would like to make a cross country journey like our’s but most people my age would give up before the half way point. Not me I’m going all the way! I love it! America is amazing!

7/13/09-Roswell to Las Cruces, NM

diana — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:14:56 +0000

Somewhere…somehow, I rode over a “mesquite thorn” which killed my front tire. I’d never heard of or seen anything like this rubber invader. See photo gallery for pictures. Had to have the tire and tube repaired before we could go anywhere.

Left the hotel and headed toward Las Cruces. Gorgeous mountains, miles of dried brown shrubs, white sands, Indian reservations, and a low ceiling of stratus clouds decorated the landscape.

GOD is so awesome! What a breath taking view. Tried cycling through the mountains but the wind was so strong, each pedal forward felt as if I was being blown backward.

Very odd! Angie and I landed in Las Cruces at 7pm. Pulled the bikes off the roof and cycled around town stopping at two churches nearby. Heading west to Tucson today.

7/12/09-Abilene to Roswell, NM

diana — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:11:03 +0000

Started out at Abilene Christian University campus. The most beautiful place we’ve been so far. See photo gallery for pictures of the Garden. Longest and hottest day thus far. Had to drive to Roswell, New Mexico today to keep up with our schedule. Only cycled 31.7 miles because of the heat. 106 degrees by noon. Argh! Arrived in alien town at 730pm.

7/11/09-Fort Worth to Abilene, TX

diana — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:09:13 +0000

Even though it was incredibly hot, we had a productive day riding. Used the service roads instead of back streets. The hills near Ranger Texas were steep but manageable. TIP: Angie and I discovered if we soak a wash cloth in the ice filled cooler-wring it out and place it through a shoulder strap while cycling it tends to keeps our bodies a bit cooler. I HEART TEXAS!