8-22

Left Garden City and was on my way to Syracuse.  I passed a sign informing me that I just crossed into the next time zone.  I was so excited, an extra hour of sleep......than my back tire went flat.  And there went my hour.  I walked almost all day from the wind so it wasn't till 10:30 that I got to the wildlife preserve where I was going to camp.  Completely exhausted I just laid my tarp out and slept on the ground.


8-23

Left Kansas and entered into Colorado.  If you have never been to eastern Colorado there is no difference between it and Kansas.  It's still flat and it's still windy.  


8-24

Today was super windy, the news said it got up to 30 mph gusts.  The rear tire of my cart went flat and than the front tire of bike.  Fortunately I was near an overpass for the front tire so I could work on it in the shade.  I reached a campsite and didn't feel like re-enacting a three stooges routine fighting my tent in the wind so I decided to sleep on top of a picnic table.  I did open my map in the 30 mph wind which as you can imagine didn't end well.   Now there is one downside to sleeping on a picnic table, you can roll off, which I accomplished in the middle of the night.

8-25

Reaching Las Animas I got a call from Ron, the Grand Knight in Pueblo.  He said I would be picked up in the morning and be brought into Pueblo.  My bike is down to only one gear, actually it's been that way since the beginning, and its been tough to even walk in the wind.

8-26

I was picked up in the morning by C.J., the Grand Knight in La Junta and brother knight Leroy.  They took me into La Junta where I was interviewed by the local paper.  It was my first interview and I hope in the picture they got my good side....if I have one.  They were both great guys and wish I could have spent more time getting to know them but Ron was meeting us to drive me the rest of the way to Pueblo.  Getting into Pueblo we dropped my bike off at the bike shop.

8-27

Went to lunch with Ron and his wife Rose and stopped by the bike shop to see if it was finished.  It wasn't yet so Ron drove me out to Florence where Joe, a district deputy lives.  I would like to thank Ron for all he did for me.  He made many phone calls and truly went out of his way to assist me in any way he could.  Joe and his wonderful family live in a beautiful home surrounded by mountains.  Every window gives a postcard view.  Joe didn't come home till the evening from visiting his brother in Alabama, but I was made very welcome by his family until he got home.  Joe is a great and very generous person.

One last thing, my Friend Travis in Kansas informed me that his 5th grade class is reading my blog.  Now he really shouldn't have told me this since I could tell some really embarrassing stories about him.  Like the time..........  but I would like to give a shout out to his class at St. Andrews.

When was the last time you saw a phone booth?  There can only be one logical reason....superman.

At the Shrine of the Little Flower in Pueblo CO

 One of the views from Joe's home

Outside of St. Benedict's in Florence CO

8-19

Mailed home my laptop to cut some weight for the Rockies.  First half the day I walked my bike, the wind was so bad there was no way I could ride.  The wind would stop me going down hill.  Getting into Dodge City I got a hold of the Grand Knight Dan who said I could camp behind the hall.  He met me there and took me on a tour of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.


8-20

We say, 'There is a person who is not good, and yet everything goes well with him; but with me, it is of no use doing my best; everything goes wrong'. It is because we do not understand the value and the happiness of crosses. We say sometimes that God chastises those whom He loves. That is not true. Trials are not chastisements; they are graces to those whom God loves. . . . We must not consider the labor, but the recompense. A merchant does not consider the trouble he undergoes in his commerce, but the profit he gains by it. . . . What are twenty years, thirty years, compared to eternity? What, then, have we to suffer? A few humiliations, a few annoyances, a few sharp words; that will not kill us. - Cure de Ars

I woke up early so I could attend Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Upon getting to the cathedral I realized my cell phone was missing so I pedaled back to my camp site, missing Mass.  (bad Shaun, missing Mass for a dumb phone).  Finding my phone I headed off towards Garden City KS.  About an hour into my trip I heard a noise behind me and looked back to see my brand new cell phone dragging along the ground.  I had it hooked to my solar panel so it was just dragging still connected to the charger.  Getting off my bike I picked up my phone to see the top of the phone all ground down, the back cover and battery missing and the screen with cracks in it.  Saying a quick "Deo Gratias" I hopped back on my bike to look for the battery.  As I was riding I hoped that if I found the battery my phone actually didn't work.  I had gotten too attached to the phone and wasted alot of time surfing the web on it.  About 3 miles back I found the battery and popped it in and it worked just fine. So turning back around I was on my way again.  I ended up meeting Peter, a fellow cyclist heading East to Florida.  We had a very pleasant conversation on the side of the road for about half an hour.  A little while later I got tired of being passed by cattle cars.  They stink horribly so I decided to take a back way into Garden City off the Highway.  This didn't go to well.  It turned into a dirt road that ended up being completely flooded.  After first trying to push through I got my feet, bike, and cart stuck in the mud.  Dragging everything out I had to get on the embankment which was full of thorny bushes.  Getting around the first obstacle I reached another flooded section.  After getting around this the dirt road turned into a beach, just loose sand.  So as I was walking my back I started to mumble to myself.  Than I remembered how I consecrated my life to Mary and my body and all I have is hers to do what she wants with.  If a tornado appeared before me, so be it.  If I got attacked by an armadillo, so be it.  If I had to drag my bike through this beach of a road, so be it.  I am hers.  Right after I said this the dirt road turned into pavement.  As I started riding again I remembered a few weeks back of a prayer I made.  I asked Mary to give me suffering to save a soul.  Well today she collected on it...and she wasn't done.  I of course had to change a flat tire.  (There were some more trials but they are my secret).  I finally got to Garden City which is 54 miles from Dodge City after being on the road for 14 hrs.  I called Fr. Ben and told him I had the best day of my pilgrimage, which it was.  And my phone, my dad asked if I had insurance on it which I do, but I'm going to keep it the way it is, battery duck taped and all.  I was so happy the day I got it, my new toy.  But as I looked at it before bed I was filled with joy, joy at realizing I can leave all things before they leave me.


"With what love does she in heaven watch over Jesus's spouses on earth.....how thoughtfully does she, their Mother in heaven, do her part, if they do what lies in their power". - From the book "The Loves which reign in the heart of Mary"


8-21

Took a rest day in Garden City Kansas.

 This is mainstreet in Greensburg the town that was leveled by a toronado in 2007.  The tornado went right down mainstreet.

There was one of these little figures I think for everyone in the town, they went on for awhile.

 

 The normal wind of Kansas

 

Welcome to Kansas.  Now imagine this for hours on end.  And there's also an added suprise...crickets.  Millions and millions of crickets that are like kamikazes and jump at you.

8/11

Said my fellow goodbyes to Travis and Nina and headed on down the road.  Just outside of town I got pulled over by the sheriff who wanted to know if I was hitchiking.  It was just after this I decided to get a bicycle.  No offense to Kansas but it is boring, and also it is far between towns.  Plus there is no where to camp, it is the most privately owned state in the U.S..  Less than 1% is publicly owned, it is just farmland for as far as the eye can see.  So I made it to the campground which was only about a 21 mile walk but I was hurting.  That almost two weeks off made a huge difference.  Travis said that evening if I wanted a ride to get a bike they would come pick me up, I said I would let them know in the morning.

8/12

Woke up and could barely walk to the bathroom.  So I texted Travis and Nina came and picked me up.  She took me to Augusta where there was a walmart.  We purchased my bike and I got a room since it was supposed to be a very bad storm later that evening.

8/13

Stayed in Augusta an extra day because of "supposed" bad storms.  I'm done watching the weather in Kansas.  They say over and over again theres going to be a storm and than theres nothing.


8/14

Headed out on my new bike.  I had dreams of competing in the tour de france as I left.  That didn't last long.  You use completely different muscles biking than walking, after 20 miles my legs were like jello.  I had to get a room at a flea bag motel, I couldnt pedal anymore.

8/15

Today is the feast of the Assumption, I rode into the neighboring town for Mass.  After Mass I left my gear behind the church and rode into Wichita to go to the Catholic store there.  Getting back I hooked mu gear back up and went to Lake Afton which is about 11 miles west of Wichita.  In the evening the storms finally hit.  The wind was so powerful it about blew me over with me inside.


8/16
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Made my way to Kingsman Ks.  Just outside of town I met a man named Larry on the side of the road as I was walking my back (I walk the bike uphill and coast downhill) and he invited me in his house for some juice and conversation.  One thing I have noticed, people are more friendly when your on a bike than just walking.  I get more waves and honking horns by passerbys.  People walking are seen as vagabonds, but people on bikes are seen as on a journey.

8/17

Made it into Pratt Ks.  Attended Mass and afterwards asked Fr. if he knew a place I could camp or if could get me in contact with the knights.  He said I could stay at the rectory with him.  He had a Baptism after Mass so I was going to go get something to eat.  On my way out I met Patrice who said she would take me to get something to eat.  She took me to her home where I met her beautiful family.  I had a great steak dinner before being driven back to the rectory.

8/18

Getting my bike legs.  I did the last 10 miles in under an hour while pulling all my junk.  Tonight I stayed in Greensburg Ks.  This town was completely leveled in 2007 by a tornado.  So every building is brand new and I guess they built it all "green".  Discovery channel did a show as they were planning and beginning to rebuild.

8-2

Went to Nina's mothers house for some Kansas steaks and way able to go to adoration for an hour after we ate.

8-3

After breakfast we headed to Wichita.  Since we had some time to kill I accompanied them in some back to school shopping.  Unfortunately I got some news which may have put an end to my trip to Texas, my father got into a motorcycle accident and my sisters didn't know any of the details.  Fortunately he had just a broken thumb and some road rash.  He was fortunate he had his helmet on, I guess his head slammed twice against the pavement.  

8-4

Was picked up in the morning at the bus station by Ed and his brother Russ.  I got my "tour" of the Alamo which consisted of Ed dropping me off at the corner and running to the front so I could get a picture as he slowly drove towards me.  In Ed's defense the Alamo wasn't open yet and we had a full day ahead.  We picked up Russ's wife Phyllis and went to Mass and breakfast before heading to the convention.  I am so grateful for Russ and Phyllis allowing Ed and I to stay at their home and for allowing us to use their truck to get around town. It was long day since I did't get much sleep on the bus and we were busy all day.

8-5

Had real Mexican food for breakfast, not what us "yankees" call Mexican.  Ed took me to see two old Spanish missions before heading to the convention where we went to some hospitality rooms.  Hospitality rooms are hotel rooms which states host where they give out little gifts and drinks and in which you can meet members from that state.  Also you can trade pins.  Each state has a pin and so you try to find someone from a different state so you can trade with them.

8-6

Attended the opening Mass.  I never saw so many bishops together in one place.  It was a beautiful Mass.  Ed and I were able to get aisle seats which are what everyone wants.  After the Mass was the State of the Order address given by the Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.  This consisted of him explaining all the wonderful things the knights have done throughout the world.

8-7

The news said today south Texas is the hottest spot in the country today and I'm not going to argue with them.  Ed and I headed back to the Convention for Mass and sat in for part of the business meeting before heading back to Russ and Phyllis where Phyllis made us a great dinner.  Ed than drove me to the bus stop.

8-8

Road bus all night and got into Kansas at 3:30 PM.  I tried to get a little sleep.  I have lots of experience of riding charter buses from hockey.  The thing is you can never sleep in the same position twice.  You have to find that "sweet spot".  It's actually a complicated algorithm (bus speed + barometric pressure - the drivers age). And unfortunately the speed and pressure always changing so of course you wake up and have to recalculate your next position.  And than they change drivers......

8-9

Travis picked me up at the bus station.  Upon returning to the house they gave me my gift, Scattergories the Catholic edition. Scattergories  is a board game we played in which you have a list of questions and row a alphabet dice in which you have to answer with that letter.  It was so sweet of them and I look forward to playing it on the road.

8-10

Stayed one last day so I could attend Mass in the evening and will be heading out tomorrow morning.  I have really enjoyed my time here with Travis and Nina and their family but am ready to get back on the road.  I will always cherish my memories and will always keep this wonderful family in my prayers.  I am very happy to be able to call them my friends.  And yes I will even miss the Nova their dog who chews everything.  

 Procession of Bishops after the opening Mass.

 On the left is Darrell, past state deputy of West Virginia.  He orchestrated all the councils who took care of me in West Virginia.  And on the right is Peter, a true angel on my pilgrimage, he has been the one contacting all the past state deputies across the country for me.  I have talked many times with these wonderful men over the phone so it was great to actually meet them and thank them for all they have done for me.

 Remember the Alamo

 Altar at Mission Concepcion in San Antonio

 Mission Concepcion

 Mission San Jose in San Antonio

 Front door to Mission San Jose

 Altar in San Jose

Supreme chaplain of the knights of Colombus Archbishop William E. Lori

Ed and I outside the convention.

Me with my saints of Fredonia; Josiah, Travis, Abbie, and Nina.

7/17

Stayed an extra day at the rectory with Fr. Matthew.  Bought a new pair of shoes today and insoles.  Buying the insoles are a must from now on.  I had an expensive pair before and when those ran out I bought some Dr. Scholls at the drug store.  Nothing against Dr. Scholls but it was like putting a piece of cardboard in my shoes, they didn't do much.  It is worth it to spend the 40-60 dollars on some good insoles.  Went to the knights meeting in Nevada.

7/18

Butch, a knight of the Nevada council, offered to give me a ride to my next town, as we were driving he said he would just take me to Pittusburgh Kansas.  So I said goodbye to Missouri and hello to the rolling plains of Kansas.  As we pulled up to Our Lady of Lourdes church Fr. Chad was walking down the street so we asked if he had a place to set up my tent.  He showed me a spot behind the school where I spent the night


7/19

Left Pittsburgh and made walked to the small town of Cherokee where I spent the night in the town park.  Only downside to sleeping in parks are people coming to the park at night and waking you up asking if anyone is in there.

7/20 - 7/23

Left Cherokee, a few miles out of Parsons I got picked up by David and his family.  They drove me the rest of the way to the park in town.  I was going to leave the next day but the news was calling for bad thunder storms.  Well I've seen the Wizard of Oz and there are two things that scare me in this world.  Flying monkeys, and waking up with ruby slippers (once was enough....don't judge me).  So I ended up staying for 4 days.


7/24

I left Parsons and walked all day in the heat.  Eastern Kansas has a few trees but they are all away from the road, and it's all farmland, so there is absolutely no shade.  I think I'm going to have to start breaking out my umbrella when I take breaks.  It was about to get dark and their was a cow in the road, I flagged down an oncoming truck to see if he knew the owner of the property, he explained it was his land the sheriff had called about the cow, so I asked him if i could sleep somewhere on his property which/ he allowed.


7/25

As I was walking towards Fredonia a car pulled over and asked if I was walking across the U.S.  I said yes and he introduced himself as Travis, the Grand Knight of Fredonia.  He told me he had a camper, with air conditioning, behind his house and I was welcome to stay in it for the night.  I thanked him and told him I would see him in a few hours.  Along the way I was pulled over by the sheriff, someone had called saying I was pushing a baby along the highway.  Not soon after a Highway patrolman stopped me just to make sure I was doing OK.  I got to Travis house just as he and his wife Nina and their children were pulling up.  I took a much needed shower and we all went out to dinner.  Today was also my birthday so they had a birthday cake for me when we got back to their home which was so kind of them.

7/26

I was supposed to leave today but Travis and Nina told me there was a rodeo in town this weekend and asked if I wanted to stay.  Never attending a rodeo I gladly accepted the invitation.  One more check off the old bucket list.


7/27 - 8/1

Once again I was supposed to leave again and they asked what I had to do in Wichita.  I told them nothing, I was just going to wait till Saturday for my bus down to San Antonio for the knights convention.  They asked if I just wanted to stay with them which I gladly accepted, they are such a wonderful family.  Travis and Nina are actually younger than me, by a year or two, but far exceed me in charity.  Their extended family is also wonderful as well.  They are all very close and have made me feel so welcome.  I can not thank them enough and have truly enjoyed my time getting to know them, and it was also great to play some board games and pray the Rosary together.

 Stained Glass in Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburgh Kansas

Above the altar at St. Patricks in Parsons Kansas

 St. Therese prayed for the grace to "spend my heaven doing good on earth."  So as Fulton Sheen says, "Put her to work."

My protection from the storms

 I've never seen so much lightning in my life.  This was at 11:30 at night.  Fun fact, I was wearing a tin foil hat the whole time.

 At the rodeo