Into Idaho!

It's been a while since I've had interneto, so I'm just going to jump into the narrative where I am and fill in the gaps later (hopefully!). I took a side trip to Canada with my mom last week (in a car!) and resumed my bike ride in Republic, WA 3 days ago. I've been making 45-57 mile days thanks to a fairly heavy load and a grumpy right knee. I met some wonderful people at the Blue Slide Resort/rv park on the Pend Oreille river in north-eastern WA. I rolled in hoping to find someone to share a campsite with and just as I entered the driveway, Gina shook my hand and invited me to camp in the front yard of her family's rented cabin. They fed me dinner and invited me to listen to some live bluegrass! I felt so immediately and warmly welcomed! Turns out I arrived during the Blue Slide annual bluegrass festival. The music was so sweet I cried twice. Especially during Let the Circle Be Unbroken about someone who was burying their mom. My former partner Christopher lost his mom in June this year and the sadness is still very fresh. My heart goes out to Chris and Dale and Nick and Lynn and Jan's whole family. :(

I also met Dan and his wonderful family who were my camping neighbors. Dan's dad has had ALS for 15 years now! I have been amazed on this journey how many people I've met who have been touched by ALS. Seems like about half the people who ask me why I'm doing this ride have a relative or know someone who has or had ALS. I trust that the universe is connecting me with exactly the people I need to meet. I empower all I meet with inspiration and hope. Dan and his family invited me to pray with them before I set out on the road yesterday and I joyfully accepted. We circled up and placed arms around each other's shoulders and Dan led us in a beautiful spontaneous prayer of gratitude, celebration, and blessing. A beautiful start to a beautiful day.

One of my greatest joys spending 5-6 or more hours a day on my bicycle is the time I have to dedicate to prayer, gratitude, and meditation. Wonderful practice! Later that morning, I was saying my morning gathas from thich nhat hahn's tradition and an especially large group of grasshoppers flew along side me to accent my thoughts. It was a magical moment.

Yesterday, I rode across the WA-ID boarder on hwy 2 and I plan to arrive in Montana tomorrow eve or wednesday. I figure at 45-55 miles a day, I'll be in Glacier in about 7 days. Met a westbound cyclist who'd started in NY! Very cool to chat about the road ahead and receive a bit of encouragement from a fellow on the road. Only two other westbound guys (cousins!) have crossed my path since I started riding in WA. Haven't been passed by anyone eastbound yet. I average 8-9 mph (6-7 if there's a lot of climbing!) so I'm doubtful I'm going to pass anyone else!