June 12, 2013 35 Miles to Redcrest

My Turn!
Had some great 3-4 mph hills on this ride!  Yup, that's barely keeping the bike upright.  Did I say I was grateful for my "grannies"? Rode some back roads just off of Hwy 101.  Beautiful farm valleys down below.  Had our first "Trail Angel" stop and ask Rusty "Are you waiting for your wife?".  He then pulled over and got into a nice chat about the route and his cycling adventures.  Rusty met me earlier and had ridden two miles thru some dairy country. " Ahhh, smells so pretty" as Don used to say. 
Speaking of that, it is amazing how one's senses are enhanced when riding so close to nature.  One notices the smells of the trees, the flowers, fresh cut grass or hay, sweet cows, or just the moisture in the air.  It is one of the joys of bicycling!
We stopped in Rio Dell at the Assembly of God Church and ate our PB&J in the shade of the building.  As we finished three ladies drove up and I started to chat with them and they let me use the restroom in the church.  There inside the church I shared with them more details of our adventure and they were fascinated, flabbergasted and intrigued and asked if they could pray for us.  What a sweet thing.  Just one example of the wonderful people along the way who want to help in some way. The four of us went outside to be with Rusty and joined hands as two of the women shared their feelings in prayer and ask for our protection and care..  I was moved to verbally thank Heavenly Father for these sweet sisters and ask Him to bless them in their life's journey.  We all hugged and then one of the women said "Did you notice our new sign that calls our church The Journey?  We just recently put that up.  and you prayed to bless us in our journey."
 Sally, Lucy and Debbie are our newest Trail Angels.
We rode to the Avenue of the Giants.  This route  goes along a breath taking and absolutely magnificent area of the giant Redwood trees.  Over and over again we came upon trees and groves that were indescribable in their grandeur!  Some of these trees were here when our Savior was born and will be here when he returns.  Such amazing examples of the beauty of His creations!  They filled our souls as we strained to see them reach heaven ward.  As I rode along I sang my bike riding song "How Great Thou Art"......
At the end of the ride it was wonderful to see Rusty and Willie waiting for me.  It was a wonderful ride!  The beautiful country side, the sweet smelling cows, the 3 mph hills, Rocky Mtn granny gears, the gorgeous views, and the Avenue of The Giants!  This is why I ride!
Staying in  teeny town of Redcrest (pop 174 ) at a campsite ($26) with redwoods in the camp site.