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.

Friends in AZ and CA

We  visited with new friend, Janet

Visiting with Glenn's first cousins in Phoenix!

We stayed with Shari and her family in Phoenix.  I enjoyed serving on the Moody Alumni board with Shari years back!

We had a short visit with Norma, whom we met on a cruise ship several years ago.  We hope to see her again in Springfield on the #conversationscoasttocoast.

Pulling into LA area, we stopped and had another visit with Tom and Kay.  They lived next door to us during our first term in Bolivia from 1986-1989!  Always good to connect with old and new friends.

And finally we enjoyed dinner with Renee and Raymond from San Diego!

They said California's the place ya'oughta be, so we loaded up the van and moved...

Glenn and I are a part of the #ConversationsCoasttoCoast Team.  Neil Tomba, along with a full time team of two more, will be bicycling from Santa Monica pier on Monday, May 27, traveling...

approximately 100 miles a day

3,000+ miles in 30+ days and... 

will be having hundreds of conversations

We spent Monday evening packing the van.  2 bicycles on the back of our van and packed about 3/4 full inside.  We are taking bedding for the few occasions we will be staying in camps and KOAs.  We have coolers, packs of bottled water, spare bike parts, tools, medical kit, medicine and my "junk drawer box" that houses scissors, pens, notebooks, rubber bands, stapler and anything you think of that would go in your junk drawer.

Pray with us on this adventure as we head to California. With stops in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

We are very careful to make sure we bring in the bicycles each night and the expensive gear that we are transporting!

The first of many Fill-ups!

Follow us on NeilTomba.com

#ConversationsCoasttoCoast

#CC2C

200 + miles in 1 Day

Last Friday, Glenn and I helped with the #ConversationsCoasttoCoast event for Neil.  It was an event to bring awareness about the upcoming Coast to Coast ride.  At one point there were 10 bicyclists riding with Neil.

Can you imagine riding 200+ miles in one day?

Glenn and I helped at the pavilion when the bicyclists and supporters would stop by for a visit and water/gatorade, breakfast, lunch and supper breaks.  

This is just a glimpse of what the coming weeks will look like - except the cycling team will be riding approximately 100 miles a day, 

day after day, 

day after day,

day after day,

and will be negotiating some climbs, especially going over several mountain ranges along the way.  

Then you add on the conversations that will happen!

Check out Neil's website:  NeilTomba.com

25 days and counting!