Miles: 80.7 - Total Miles: 971.3 - Total Ascent: 31,261 ft.Well, there was power in my hotel room when I woke up this morning. And more good news...NO DOGS TODAY! That is a testimony of the power of prayer, truthfully. How about some more good news...I'M IN ILLINOIS !!! Wow! Slowly but surely, this journey is beginning to show progress.
I rode past the Illinois State Prison in Danville . Literally, right past it. I could see the guards in their towers. A slightly unsettling feeling riding 10-12 miles an hour, alone, through miles and miles of nothing but cornfields, and very slowly approaching and passing an ominous maximum security prison, all while waving a large 4x6 American Flag. Kind of wild.
The physical demands of this are ride are as to be expected. The knee was a bit more bothersome today. Had a lot to with flat, or slightly inclined, terrain accompanied with a good amount of a head wind. Although, the morning part of the ride was great. I rode 40 miles in three hours - that was pretty good! But the mental demands of hours upon hours of pedaling past long, straight roads lined on both sides with cornfields seem to be tougher to overcome. None the less…
“I CAN!”
I rode past the Illinois State Prison in Danville . Literally, right past it. I could see the guards in their towers. A slightly unsettling feeling riding 10-12 miles an hour, alone, through miles and miles of nothing but cornfields, and very slowly approaching and passing an ominous maximum security prison, all while waving a large 4x6 American Flag. Kind of wild.
The physical demands of this are ride are as to be expected. The knee was a bit more bothersome today. Had a lot to with flat, or slightly inclined, terrain accompanied with a good amount of a head wind. Although, the morning part of the ride was great. I rode 40 miles in three hours - that was pretty good! But the mental demands of hours upon hours of pedaling past long, straight roads lined on both sides with cornfields seem to be tougher to overcome. None the less…
“I CAN!”
16 comments:
way to go Chip--
the boys and I check on you every day and you are amazing..you make me tear up with many of your posts..while Drew just thinks you are a stud for riding accross the Country..
Great job and stay safe...and know you are in my prayers every night!
Well Chip my family is praying for and proud of you and your selfless gift to those that need our help. I emailed a gentelman i know through drum corps who is self proclaimed "Old Marine" his name is Tom Day and he has started an organization called "Bugle's Across America" which assists in getting people to play Taps at Military Funeral's and wherever else it is appropriate. I am hoping he can catch up with you at sometime. His devotion to the Men and Women that have and do serve our Country is like yours an inspiration to us all.
Good Luck and know that we Love You and your family and miss you guys and look forward to seeing you in October.
Calvin, Kathy, Lindsey, Melissa, Nathan (Elder Laub in the MTC) and Jenni. The Laubster's
Hey Chip:
Your one third of the way there.
Take care of that knee.
See you soon.
Dad
Your Dad and I are thinking alike. You are 1/3 of the way there! (Did the math twice to make sure I didn't embarrass myself in front of all your blog followers!) That is a good sized chunk out of your trip. In looking at a map I simply can't believe the progress you have made.
You bet you can!
Faye
Chip,
Ok, can I ask a dorky question? Or maybe we'll just politely refer to it as a "Holly-ism"? Do you bring your bike into your hotel room or just the hotel itself every night? Do they allow that for you? If not, do you take the flag out and down and carry that inside along with your yellow bag? I don't know WHY this question came to me after all this time - but seeing your picture today (with the flag there as it has been in every picture before) made me stop and think about that. Do you have a "routine" you follow every time you make it to the next hotel (besides eating, of course!) I'm really glad the knee is doing better; really, really glad you didn't have dog issues today; and really, really, REALLY glad you didn't encounter any "friends" by the side of the corn-fields today! :)
Chip,
Well, I know its late where you are at. So you probably wont get this until after tomorrow. I just wanted to give you some words of encourgement. I was remembering the times that we had in the corp. The times that we had to pick each other up to get thru that hill or any other crazy task that the Corp put in front of us. I remember fireman carrying you for about 100 yards or so and I really didnt think that I could do it, but i did. It seemed like we always had our group that always got us thru those hard times. You, me, Simon, Art, Goracke, chubby Lorentzen, you know the roudy boys in Washington. Then when we got to the stumps, it was You, me, Anderson J., Doc, Ohlenforst, Carvey, Fuller, and many more. I know that right now your knee is really bothering you. As it should. You are really working it hard. I know that none of us can be there physically to motivate you to get through that pain, but I hope that the memories that we have built are enough to take your mind off of your knee. I cant tell you how honored I am to have had the greatest 4 years of my life serving my country next to the "Second", greatest, most badass, hardchargin Devil Dog like yourselve. You have so much to feel proud of. To this day, I still cant believe that you and I went our entire 4 years together. I know that this ride is about those that have fallen before us and their families that have been left behind. But to me on a personal level, I feel that you are opening peoples eyes not just for the fallen, but for those of us that are still here to tell the stories. So thank you Chip. I just wanted to leave you with a verse from Deuteronomy 31:8
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged".
Keep on keepin on Chip
Bach
Oh my gosh, that was was so great Bach! It gives me inspiration, I can only imagine what it will do for Chip.
Go Chip! (there is not much more I can say after that!)
Ditto on Jody and Bach's comments, well said and we all feel the same way................ One suggestion for you that always worked for the kids on a long drive....... try looking for different car license plate and writing them down until you get one from every state! This keeps your mind off the road and focused on something else............. Oh yeah, I forgot, it may slow you down to stop and write each state down........sorry, it was only an idea!
One mile at a time, one day at a time, one state at a time......keep on keeping on Chip, we're all behind you trying to balance out the head winds.
Ken (Gramps)
Hi Dad, it's me Taylor. I just got back from school, so I have the computer all to mysef! Already in Illinois?! Wow! That's awesome! Thank goodness no dogs chased you this time! I never thought that dogs would be a problem! It's good that your knee wasn't hurting that bad. Let's hope it will keep on getting better!I can't wait for October! I love looking at the map every night! Good Luck! I love You!!!
To All:
We must all never loose sight of Chip’s cause. We must understand Chip’s sacrifice to raise awareness of larger sacrifices made by our fallen heroes. Although Chip may be struggling at times, he will never give up. I think the spirit of thousands, now in God’s Battalion, are riding right along with him.
I think of the love and brotherhood developed by our servicemen and women when I see a wounded soldier who has lost both legs. He is crying, not because he lost his legs, he is crying because he can’t go back to Iraq to help support his brothers.
I think of the families and the strength it must take to endure the pain of there loss. Not long ago, I saw a young marine’s wife holding a little girl. The wife was crying because her husband was seriously wounded and not expected to live. The young marine has never had a chance to meet his daughter. Mother and daughter were flown to Germany for a family meeting before he died. The meeting never took place; he died 30 minutes before she arrived at the hospital. As I watched on TV, I found myself in tears. I can’t help but think; maybe, this little girl can go to college some day, because of Chip.
I was lucky; my son was in the Marine Corps for four years. He returned safely from Somalia. I was there when he came home and saw his daughter for the first time. I’ll never forget it and I’m sure he will hold that memory forever. This is a memory that many have sacrificed.
Please support Chip’s cause with a donation. Your donation will help determine the success of his mission.
Thank you,
Ron Schultz, Sr.
Holy moly! You are just picking off states like crazy! I think it is funny how you say that "Slowly but surely, this journey is beginning to show progress." My goodness, PROGRESS??? More like ACHIEVEMENTS! I think you are doing great. By the way...I never commented on the tooth thing... but seeing as how I work in the dental field I felt I ought to have recommended a mouthguard (but I can't help you when you are drinking...maybe a straw?) Oh well, what's a chipped tooth compared to your success?
WOW, Dad! Talk about a powerful message. You are GOOD! Looks like Chip really IS a CHIP off the ole block. :)
Carrie
you're doing such an amazing job keeping this blog updated in addition to peddaling your heart out! I don't know if you've heard of it or if anyone else has told you but randy swears by it. it's called Glucosamine. it's an over the counter joint medicine and he takes it every day for his knees. I hope it helps you. our hearts and prayers are with you and we'll see you in HB!
Keep up the amazing work, Chip. We think of you every day and night wondering where you are on your journey. We'll keep praying for the absence of dogs, the easy riding and a good knee.
Love,
Jeanette
PS Loved the news interview and seeing the pictures of the Atlantic dipping and we were there! That still blows my mind!
CHIP-MAN
You are my "SEVENS HERO"!!
Your interview rocked and I was proud to say "I am friends with that stud". I have had a number of people ask me at school about your trek across America. They are all very impressed.
Tonight I proudly wore my OMEH T-shirt to our young mens service project. I get excited when people ask about you and what you are doing. Although SOME already know it all.
Loved the Sunday Shoes - perfect for monitoring the halls.
At the football game the other night, the guys running the chain gang broke the down marker (that's the thing that tells the fans what down it is) - which made me think of you.
When you are bored on the road, drop me a call at work - I could use the break!
I miss hanging out, so hurry home!
TOL-MAN
Gillian,
You are too nice. Give my best to Dave and the boys.
Calvin,
Thank you! Tom sounds interesting.
Dad,
Check.
Faye,
Thanks.
Holly,
You are too funny. Yes, I take the bike and trailer inside the hotel room. The flag is a bit tall. So, routinely, I simply lift the flag pole out of it's base (before entering the lobby). Same deal every day: get in, unpack, undress, shower, get dressed (sweats), eat, blog, pack, sleep, get dressed (riding gear)), ride.
Bach,
You said it all. Thank you.
Semper Fi!
Thanks jody!
Ken,
Ken, Ken, Ken...again.
Taylor,
I love it when you comment on my blog. I can't wait for October either...to see you. I love you too.
Dad,
Wow! Thanks.
Katie,
Thanks. That was cute.
Kimmie,
Haven't head of it. But thanks.
Jeanette,
I couldn't have done this without you. Thanks!
Tol-Man,
Have I ever told you what a great friend you are? Thanks.
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