Day 4 Needles, CA to Peach Springs, AZ

DAY 4 Needles, CA to Peach Springs, AZ
Miles today - 103
Casinos I counted - 1
Not Hot at all today

We left Needles California a little later than schedule. The guys were still gearing up.

Today was a ride straight on Route 66. No questions as to where to go. The first 1.5 hours, it was pretty much level. And then the route went straight up. I mean up. I don’t know how the did it.

Next stop was in a western small town of Oatman, just at the top of the hill. Neil stopped and talked with 3 people here. Again, I don’t know their story, but after this bearded guy on his bicycle, Neil talked with 2 motorcyclists who were all decked out in their black biker gear. Oatman was a good stop for a potty stop. And some folks got ice cream to go.

After Oatman, it was downhill. The riders loved it!

We had lunch at In and Out in Kingman, AZ. Jeff and I had picked out a local Route 66 diner but it was over-ruled by the guys. That's ok. They had seen a HUGE sign while on the service road of I 40 advertising In and Out. It was hot and crowded. I think we stayed there about 45 minutes and the guys continued on. Neil had a conversation with Ron at the Texaco store a few miles down the road.

After Kingman, it was Hackberry - a small touristy town that had lots of Route 66 stuff.

We continued on to Peach Springs, AZ, which is where the Hualapai Lodge (Indian reservation). This was one long day, but a good day. Good day of conversations. No one got lost

Day 3 Barstow California to Needles, California

DAY 3 Barstow - Needles California

Average miles for today - 118 miles
Rail road trains that I counted - 14
HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!

There are several times during the day where the camera car crew will stop and set up an opportunity to film while the bikers are going along on the lonely stretch of Route 66 road. And then they'll stop and move on ahead about 20 miles and wait for the cyclists to come breezing by. Its always fun to see how this evolves and how it will turn out. I like the drone going ahead and doing the arial shots.

Today was very dusty and hot. There was no shade anywhere. The sun was beaming down. The ride for the cyclists was steady uphill climb. We were in the middle of the Mohave Desert!

We stopped along a deserted Route 66 road for a picnic. As soon as we arrive, we jump out and start setting up. Glenn digs through the first row of seats and pulls out the blue dufflebag that houses the sheets, some towels, and the Bolivian blanket. Glenn rugs up the blanket for shade. 

We pull out sandwiches supply. And our makeshift table was used as folks make their ham, turkey, and cheese sandwiches. Two of the bicyclist made their own sandwhiches. They were sitting in the van to keep cool.

My dad is enjoying following us moment by moment on the Find My Friends app.  And this is a quote we got from him as we were parked in the middle of the desert having our picnic lunch.

Mother and I drove over that same road in 1952 in a car with our airconditioning with one bottle of water - it was hot hot hot.  Never forget - we were right there where you are right now!!! but we made it, I hope you do!!!

Day 2 San Bernardino, California to Barstow, California

Day 2 

San Bernardino to Barstow - approx 80 miles

Major Conversations - 3

Lazy Boy Chairs discarded along the Hiway - 3

Total 169 miles

Sunny Blue sky temperatures all day

We had a little bit later start this morning, however I got up and took a shower at 4:30 am and I was sitting outside on a little bench at 5:30am watching the sunrise. I was able to get on my computer and update my blog.

Then I went with Glenn to get the pick up order for breakfast. That worked just fine to have breakfast brought to the wigwams.

After breakfast, we headed out towards Barstow. We made several stops along the way. At one point, Neil stopped and talked with 2 motorcycle guys. They talked and filmed for about 30 minutes, while they were talking, Vela and I got out of the van and walked to exercise. We also prayed along for Neil and his conversations.

We rode into Hisperia and had lunch at a local hamburger place. What can you do in an 1/2 hour stop?  Glenn ran next door and got a MetroPCS plan so we could have more data. No contract, 30 day plan.  Now I can use "Find my Friends" and "RidewithGPS"

Neil had several opportunities to have conversations with people.  The second opportunity Neil had was a young family that were curious to us all tromping into the hamburger joint in Hisperia, California.  Neil sat and engaged them for a long time.  And the last time was when they ran across 2 fellows working on their car in the front yard on an old dusty road towards Barstow.  When the mechanics waved and had a smile on their faces, the bikers turned around and engaged in conversations with them.  While they were filming, I made a call into Jeannie and discussed the stuff we left at their house.

Once we got on the road, the guys decided to take a gravel road.  There was nothing out there.

Neil had a flat tire.  Wes slipped down while standing still and holding onto Glenn's side of the van.  We all regrouped at the famous Route66Motel in Barstow.  Vela and Neil had a surprise when they opened the door to their hotel room - a round bed!  She laughed so hard.  Check the place out!

Cute, Cute place!  After unpacking and cleaning up, we all went to Pizza Palace.  Local pizza joint here in town.  As we were driving into Barstow, Vela was reading the Yelp reviews.  Vela can be quite comical.  She just has a way of saying stuff that makes you laugh.  And as she was reading the Yelp review, it was just good old comic relief!

Pizza was delicious.  The atmosphere was even more entertaining.  There was an arcade section.  Vela enjoyed reliving some of her youth here.

Day 1 Santa Monica pier to San Bernardino approx 89 miles

DAY 1 Santa Monica pier to San Bernardino, California

Today was the official start of the #conversationsCoasttocoast from Santa Monica pier.  Glenn and I enjoyed the nice accommodations that were generously provided to the team.  We had a view that looked out to the Pacific Ocean.

We got up especially early so we could help with the preparations and loading of the van with everyone's gear.  The photographers, James and Jon had Neil miked and ready to go early so they could take some "shots" of Neil.

We're trying to figure out the of loading and unloading the van and where everone's gear is located.  It was quite comical as I was learning the "ropes" and "procedures" of the bicyclists.  For example, it was kinda cool on Monday morning but about 2 hours into the ride the bikers were shedding their jackets and changing their cloves.  

Footnote:  please excuse any error in my commentary, as I am new to this and my language  and bicycle terminology might be different that what is commonly used.

The 4 folks, Caroline, Neil, Wes and John were all at the pier at 6:45am.  Even before we began the kickoff, Neil was sharing the Gospel with a fellow.  I haven't heard of his life experiences or what the conversation was about, however, I do know that the Gospel is being shared.  I even went on "Facebook Live".

We gathered around the bikers and had a word of prayer.  Prayer for protection and wisdom on this 3,000+ mile journey over 30 days and hundred of conversations.  As soon as the prayer was finished, one guy that was walking along the pier, stopped and prayed for us also.  Neil had a chance to talk with him too.

I know there were many other occasions where Neil was sharing and stuff.  However, Glenn and I were occupied with other tasks such as packing the van, helping the bikers with miscellaneous stuff.

We putt putted along behind the 4 guys, weaving in and out of the famous Los Angeles landmarks, through the beautiful homes of Beverly Hills and along the famous Route 66 road.

We stopped in Monrovia for lunch at Mimi's.  4 folks sat out on the patio to "watch" the bikes, and the rest of us were inside.  We met up with Pamela and Gary and had lunch with them.  Good to see them.

We continued along Route 66 until arriving at the Wigwam Hotel.  How fun is that!  Official Wigwam.  The Motel configuration had me staying with Caroline for the night.  We unpacked, then went to a quaint mom and mom's place for supper.  Glenn and I shared our dinner, just like we did at lunch.  If we are going to be eating out every meal, we can't eat a full meal.

Yes, it was different going 15 miles an hour behind the bikers.  We kept ourselves interetained by joking.  One time, the guys were on a bike tail and we kinda "lost them". but we all caught up.  Again, we are still trying to work out the kinks of everything.  Monday was quite an unusual day where there were several photos stops, the also riding through the city, they guys had to stop at stop lights.  I am thankful that it was Memorial Day holiday as there was not much traffic on the streets which made it a easy to track the bikers.

Day 1 May 27, Monday

Approximately 89 miles

Beautiful Sunny California weather 

We have such a busy schedule, my blogs will not be proofread by Glenn this time.  So please excuse any gramical errors.