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It's a dog's life... August 27, 2008Leave a comment  View More Images Imagine your owner decides to move one day and you, as a dog, think... "Great!! I get to hang my head out the window and let my tongue flap in the breeze! Oh boy, how fun is this?" Then you owner shows up with a Burley cart (pull behind trailer for a bicycle). And your owner says, "Hop in. Were moving to Hood River, OR from Billings, MT and I am going to pull this cart with my bicycle ALL THE WAY THERE. Oh yeah, you need to share the cart with some of my personal stuff!" You, as the dog, can turn tail and run or sit there and do as your master commands! Which, by the way, Patty, an 80 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback did with her owner, Ron. I found Rob and Patty slowly pedaling up Hwy 12 out of Lolo, MT. All 400 pounds of them. Bike, cart, dog and personal stuff! I kid you not!!! Rob, you see, was moving to Hood River and since he already had a car there, why not pedal? Rob, you are my hero!! I chatted with Rob, not knowing what was in the cart behind him. I was flabbergasted! "A dog? Get out of here! No kidding? Wow! Oh wow, how cool is that?" In all of the excitement, I forgot to take a picture of the dog! I did get Rob, his coffee cup holder and cowboy hat, but not the dog. I am going to stop by Adventure Cycling here in Missoula next week and see if they have any pictures of him and post those as well. Rob, if you get this, awesome job! Patty deserves a huge treat when you get her there!! Which brings me to my math problem of the day. If Patty weighs 80 pounds and the total weight of Rob, his stuff and Patty comes to 400 pounds, what percentage of the total weight is Patty? Whatever it is, she is a pretty special dog! I was chuckling all the way down into Lolo and most of the way into Missoula. It wasn't until Don Lange came pedaling up the opposite side of road and met for a ride into town. Don works as a substitute teacher at Hellgate Elementary (A NASA Explorer School). He is a veteran transcontinental cyclist having worked for Adventure Cycling leading tours across the country and up into Canada. Once, he even pedaled his 13 month old daughter from Rapid City, SD to Missoula, MT in a Burley cart. We pedaled directly to the school and met some of the teachers that I will work with next week. I answered some questions from the students and toured their school. From there Don and I pedaled to his house and I met his three sons. Super family and very cordial to me. I left my bike there for the weekend since I have to depart tomorrow for a speech I will be giving in Durango, CO at Fort Lewis College. I will return on Monday and then have plans to speak on the Flathead Reservation on Tuesday, followed by my talk at Hellgate on Wednesday. From here I will head toward Helena (hopefully not hot) and then on to Lodge Grass, MT. The rain was coming down this morning and I took my time leaving the hot springs. I had a great conversation for four guys on their motorcycles. Two going east and two going west. The ride was mostly down hill and the miles just flew by. This was the first place I have ever seen with electric fence around the bee hives that line the road! Makes you wonder just who is in search of honey! Bet a few bears have had their noses zapped a few times. It amazes me when I can pedal 40 miles and it seems effortless. Even with the down hill run, just getting on the bike and going is like putting on a well worn pair of jeans! They just fit and are comfortable! Oh yeah, I had fun with the Moose Crossing sign! Still haven't see a moose though. I will be off the blog until next Tuesday in case anyone wonders where I disappeared to over the weekend. My daughter Amanda is celebrating her 14th birthday and I AM GOING TO BE THERE!!! In case anyone is wondering, I don't have Trek statistic for my trip as I left the computer on my bike at Don's house. I'll get those next week. Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for riding along... More Images:        16 Comments
Sep 3, 2008 9:48 am - Kay Kidder wrote : John--Laverne awesome lady to meet. I feel good knowing my friend is doing good work with wellbriety with the movement led by Don Coyhis with White Bison and wise old fellers like my dad. Laverne--HELLO...good to hear from you. See you down the road when time for us to meet again. K_Seven
Sep 2, 2008 2:42 pm - Rebekah wrote : Thanks so much for stopping here at Two Eagle River School in Pablo, Montana. Our students benefit so much from gaining strong Native American role models. What an inspiring story you have to share. Happy riding!
Sep 2, 2008 9:40 am - Dan wrote : Our 4th grade class had the pleasure of hearing your talk this morning. Thank you for the inspiration and the realization that dreams come true. You have created a "buzz" with our school and we will keep updated on your journey.
Sep 1, 2008 5:11 pm - grace panther wrote : John. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. I mention your progress and your vision to everyone I meet. I just came back from the Schemitzun in CT this past week at the Foxwoods. What an experience! We are all thinking of you and wishing you safe travels. You our hero and role model. Take care. Grace
Sep 1, 2008 1:09 pm - bill k wrote : Glad to see you are having a fantastic trip - we check on you daily!! Ride safe. Bill K.
Sep 1, 2008 10:57 am - jody wrote : I am from the Makah Tribe, but live in North Carolina, and am honored to know that you started your journey from Neah Bay! Congratulations to you on your many accomplishments and thank you for your thoughtfulness on encouraging our younger generations to suceed as you have done! I will pray that you have a safe journey across country! Take Care & God Bless!
Aug 31, 2008 8:11 pm - George Antoine wrote : John - we heard you speak at Fort Lewis College in Durango and want to pass on to you how much you impressed the new freshman class, at least according to my daughter. Thanks and keep up the good work. George, Jackie, Sam and Natalie
Aug 29, 2008 11:59 pm - Don Lange wrote : John It was great to ride in with you. Makes me want to pack up the family and travel cross country. Wish your daughter Amanda a happy birthday. Amanda is my daughters name she is now 21. Look forward to seeing you when you get back to Montana. Thanks for all you are doing for children across the country. I would love to join you for your ride out of town. My family and I will enjoy following your trip on here.
Aug 29, 2008 7:26 pm - Jacquie wrote : John, This is awesome. We are a family of cyclists and my 8 year old Natime American daughter is planning to attend the Cincinnati Academy of Math and Science. We will follow your trek across the country and wish you well in your travels. Wish we were in your path. Jacquie and Winona
Aug 29, 2008 10:50 am - Laverne wrote : Hi John, Great to hear about your progress so far...do you know when you'll be in Colorado Springs and where? I am with a non-profit organization called White Bison, we are based out of Colorado Springs. The Nez Perce elder you met in Idaho, Horace Axtell, is on our advisory council, and his daughter Kay is an old friend of mine Hi Kay! . Next year we are organizing a cross-country relay bike ride for Native American youth. We'd like to share some info with you about the ride and put some pictures of you on our website, if possible. Thanks for your efforts to promote math and science among Native youth!!
Aug 29, 2008 8:22 am - Aunt Carolyn wrote : Enjoying your blog. What an exciting trip. Can't believe Amanda is going to 14....let's see how old were you when you had her? MMMMMM! Big birthday coming up! love you, Aunt Carolyn
Aug 28, 2008 9:05 pm - Drew Feustel wrote : John, Indi and I took a look at your BLOG and google map tonight and the trip looks great so far! Keep up the good work, we think it is a fantastic endeavour. Watch for us on October 8th. Safe travels. Drew and Indi
Aug 28, 2008 1:54 pm - Penny wrote : John, I so enjoy your blogs and it just getting more and more exciting knowing you'll be here on Tuesday. The Flathead Reservation is anxious to host you. I talked to you this a.m. before I read your blog and your right the guy and the dog and the 400 lbs are truely amazing. As we follow along with your trip we have become somewhat envious of the "little" things that are really big things you encounter on your trek that we miss traveling by car. Be safe. Happy Birthday to your daughter, 14 is a BIG one! Hmmm isn't there another birthday coming up soon? See you Tuesday.
Aug 28, 2008 11:58 am - Kay Kidder wrote : Great to see you made trip without incident with the four leggeds on trip through God's country leaving the heart of Kamiah to Lolo. Can you re-post blogs for days on August 21 and 22. I have enjoyed sharing your website with family/friends to view pictures while here on Nez Perce reservation. K_Seven
Aug 28, 2008 7:53 am - Don & Rubye Smith wrote : We are enjoying your daily blogs. Have a great trip to Durango and Colorado Springs. Happy birthday to Amanda. Uncle Don & Aunt Rubye Add a comment: |
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John, it was a pleasure and an honor meeting you and hearing your story while here on the Flathead Reservation. The People's Center was also honored to host you. Happy and safe travels.Thanks for encouraging our children and being a great role model.Be safe.