Sailing Takes Me Away - plus pictures....

These people represent only a small percentage of the welcome we have gotten in Canada. Picture this times hundreds and add some small children waving at us and clapping.
This is the light house at the Saint Claire River where we took a ferry into Canada. The border crossing went very smoothly thanks to Ed and Jen- the tour organizers. They didn't even ask us to take off our helmets.
Sandy and I met a funny man working for his wife who owns a deli. He was also the funeral director for this little town and had his hearse parked out front. Can you tell we were ready to be done with the 95 mile day on Tuesday. This was going to be our SAG wagon if we didn't make it - of course, not making it was not an option.
Tent city - this is what most days end like looking. Try walking through that tent stake maze at night to go to the bathroom....
This is us on Monday morning geared up and ready to take off from Calvin College. I feel like a twin again.
Sandy and I on Saturday afternoon after our 4 hour bike safety course in front of the gear truck that carries our tents and stuff from place to place. We carry sunscreen, camera, food for the day, and Sea to Sea business cards on our bike - the cards we give out to people who ask about what we are doing.


The weather here has been great for sailing with winds from the East - yes that is a headwind for us - at 6 - 16 mph. Why didn't I sign up for a regata tour. Even with the flat landscape, a heavy and constant headwind does wear on you, actually on me. Today, Sandy had sweep team which means she had to stay till all riders were gone from camp and help pack the gear truck after serving breakfast. The good friend that I am, I ditched her. Actually, that is me being a good friend cause otherwise poor Sandy would have me breathing down her neck asking, "Can you leave yet?"

Both of us had good days. I rode with a fast crowd(John from GR, Stephanie from Canada) going 18mph into the wind. It helped that the 3 of us were following a fast couple on a tandem bike - a very big wind breaker - ridden by Marijo and James (last name I do not remember). Last names would be easier if they were not all Dutch sounding - I hear one and think, "Oh, that sounds familiar and then the next one sounds familiar and on down the line." What happened to some Smiths or Jones or Rybackis?

The route took us on 76 miles today through corn fields, horse country (my favorite), a bike path through a very large park, and the city of London, Ontario. They have bike lanes here on city streets - this just adds to the welcome we bikers feel here in Canada. The hospitality and food were endless - lunch at a church part way, welcoming committee in the park with food, and people waving from there sidewalks.
Oops, gotta go for awhile - guess who is on sweep tonight and tomorrow morning - me! I will try to return if they keep open the computer room at the school here long enough. Adios for now.

I'm back and in only 10 minutes - it turns out the Canandians here in London are going to cook and serve us dinner tonight and my sweep team has nothing to do - just the way I like it. I downloaded some pictures off Sandy's camera for you to enjoy. I forgot to bring my camera cable for the computer. I hope I have enough storage space. Gotta go again - people are waiting for the computer. Love to my family.