Day 6: Flagstaff to Tonalea, AZ
We'd love to extend another special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Blue who showered us with incredible hospitality in allowing us to stay at their house just outside of Flagstaff. Because we know you two will probably be following up on our blog, at least for a little while, we wanted to thank you publicly and let you know that you made a huge difference in two weary, but optimistically excited travelers!
Les, our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Blue, and Aaron
Our day began just north of Flagstaff around Sunset Crater National Monument. We took the road up for approximately one mile and then enjoyed a sweet 6-7 mile descent into the antelope valley down below.
A sweet descent into the valley
We stopped and stretched at the first "trading post" (in Navajo Nation everything is called a trading post...even gas stations!). Les and I were feeling really good. We were energized, clean!, and well-fed, and I think we both knew we had a good ride ahead of us through Tuba City and into Tonalea.
One of 4,000,000 trading posts
About halfway to Tuba City there is a small town called "Cameron" (and if Cameron Staff is reading this, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!), so les and I decided we'd stop off and rest and re-load our systems. In route to looking for a place to lay down we thought it was funny that we could knock out both "no" rules in one shot... though we spared them our riding around on the grass!
Breaking the law...kinda
This is what we call Stealth Napping
After we rested we filmed a couple videos (we're trying to get videos on here but blogger is giving us a really hard time doing so, but give us time and we'll have some for you!) and then hit the road. It was 26 miles to Tuba City, and another 20 to Tonalea.
We thought the layers on this mountain were really interesting.
This is a typical Arizona desert "hill."
They call the area les and I are about to ride through the "painted deserts" and certainly they are extremely colorful and picturesque. After refueling at a local, cheap fast food establishment, as well as resting, using their free wifi, and drinking a ton of their free refill powerade, les and I are about to set out for our last leg of the day, Tonalea. We figured their wouldn't be wifi there so we're doing all of our posting here.
We appreciate your prayers, because we need them!
Videos are coming soon, we promise!
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10 comments:
I gave a speech about your adventure in my speech class on Tuesday. Not only did I interest and entertain my audience with my super cool topic, but I got a good grade as well. Also, it was a neat opportunity to share about Christ since I was talking about you guys. :)
peace, safety, adventure, and blessings!
wow, guys. reading about your trip literally brought be to tears. I am so excited for you and proud to know you. what an amazing experience. I cannot wait to read more. God bless you both. I WILL be praying for you.
Courtney
ok ok maybe i havent been wearing the yellow shirt EVERYDAY, but maybe 3 times.... thats a lot for city time.... but i guess you guys arnt used too that. oh ya aaron your beard is looking very good on you.... and you know im not just saying that. have you ran into indeans yet....have you traded guns for food with them.... ok anyways it looks really cool, everything..... and your not missing any thing here! (well probably, but keep it up!)
-CARL
love the pics
BE strong
be encouraged
Maybe we could get you trip TV or the news or something like that?
I think the most amazing thing so far is that you've actually blogged. I'm not going to lie, when I got your letter saying you're blogging I didn't believe it would happen. When I was walking the last thing I wanted to do was use a computer, then again, we didn't have one and were dependant on the rare coffee shop or library with one for public use.
In your previous post you made what appeared to be a self-realization/confession about being open to the idea of taking a bus should the situation arise. On our journey we accepted that notion about a week in. My one friend had shin splints and couldn't walk and Brittany's feet were killing her. We just finished our first 20 mile walk (the walker's equivalent of a 100 mile ride, although a tail wind didn't help us reach our goal as it does you), and splurged on a hotel in Lompoc. The next morning it was either stay in the hotel an extra night, dropping unnecessary dollars, or hop on a bus because there was no way Dan could walk. It was an easy choice. Unfortunately, Pismo Beach was a terrible place for vagrants so we caught another bus to SLO and Gretchen Becher was our trail angel for a few days.
The point is, we don't go on adventures like these to accomplish a feat that we can brag to others about. And if you truly are out for the sake of a trip, you've got to let the trip take you where IT wants. Plus, you don't want to kill yourself in the process or focus so much of your attention on reaching a goal that you miss all the beauty every single day brings your way. You will see this country and get to know it in ways that some of us can barely imagine. You'll get to know the shape of the road, the way the rocks and other debris on the pavement looks from your saddle, you'll see the same mountain for hours without passing it, and you'll feel the desolation of a road and a whole way of life that exists regardless of whether or not anybody is there to marvel at is beauty. And that is why you put yourself through the rigors of biking in otherworldly temperatures. Because if you didn't, you'd be sipping starbucks in brea wishing you could get away. Yearning for what you're doing now. Don't lose sight of that.
I'm looking forward to following your trip on your blog. But don't get discouraged if you fall behind in updating. Its your trip, if we who follow it really want to know what its like, we'll get on our bikes and ride...
peace and happy trails.
Drew
By the way, I just looked at your tentative route. You'll be going through my hometown outside of Lancaster, PA. Are you traveling along Rt. 30? If so, you'll go near Strasburg, PA, where I was born and my brother lives. If you want a place to stay and a shower, or at least a place to pitch a tent, I could let him know. It might be off your path a bit, but he also drives a big van to just outside Philly for his job. Let me know.
Bloganga.
IBS waits for you.
Schthugen.
I have your blog subscribed in my Mail on my mac! Every time i go to my computer i open up mail and check to see if there is anything new. I think it is really amazing what you guys are doing. I know you already know this, but i wish i was there somehow, mostly in a VW Bus with a camcorder, hehe. Can't wait to hear more.....
Hey guys! Luke and I just drove back from CO yesterday, and though we knew we were too far north to see you, we were definitely on the look out.
I'm glad you're starting to get out of the desert areas!
East of Eden is awesome, but quite a thick book to pack on a bike! Have you heard of Steinbeck's "Travels With Charlie"? It might be an appropriate book to read next, if you're looking for another.
Enjoy America!
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