Joshua - I had fun playing in the dirt at our beautiful lunch site today. We were right on a cliff overlooking the pacific ocean. Everyone pitched in to help remind me not to go close to the edge of the cliff, so I just layed down and played in the dirt. Life is good.

Jesse – I have not written in a while. Since the last time I wrote, last Thursday (10/4) we rode through San Francisco (which had a few steep hills – which I expected). We also went over the Golden Gate bridge. That was neat, but again, very high. Once I got to the middle of the bridge – which we rode on a sidewalk, which was nice – I very hurriedly got to the end of the bridge. From there we went to Santa Cruz, and to the Western Advent Christian Association tri-ennial conference that many of were attended. The best parts about the conference were 1) I stayed in a hotel, and it had a hot tub – which I used. 2) we had 2 days of rest, no riding on Friday and Saturday. As a bonus, I got to see game 2 of the ALDS of Boston Vs. Cleveland. Though I didn’t see the 9^th inning, and Manny winning the game in the bottom of the 9^th with a homerun, I saw the highlight later. I stopped watching the game after the eighth inning, in order to sit in the hot tub.

Yesterday, Sunday we only rode 50 miles – although it was supposed to be  40. It was a nice ride going through downtown Monterey, CA. WE gained 3 more riders for the week, and Tim Behrens joined us for the day. Thanks Tim.

Today, we rode 107 miles. It originally was supposed to 61 if you look at the website, but the camp had no showers and WE NEED SHOWERS. So the next campground that had them, was 46 miles further. It was very hilly today, and some of the new riders were kinda surprised, but they made it through. We also got to ride by Pebble Beach golf course today, which was beautiful. I was excited to see it. On our last day, we will also ride by Torrey Pines on the last day. Both are very famous golf courses that have been home to the US PGA Golf Open – Torrey Pines will host it again in ’08. Any rate, because we went so far today, we will be able to sleep in tomorrow until 8am, and et breakfast at camp, and only have to ride 50-60 miles tomorrow. Praise the Lord. By the way, thank you all for praying for us, we really need it, keep it up. 

Jeff - For the past few days we’ve ridden a lot and seen a lot. We’ve ridden over the Golden Gate Bridge, then from there we went to Santa Cruz and spent 3 nights in a real bed in a hotel. We went out to eat at the Brewery, and had great food. After church Sunday we rode only 50 miles. This morning we rode thru pebble beach. Our journey today was only 107 miles. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little shorter.

Mary – Wow, a lot has happened in the last few days. Wednesday I finally got my bike fixed at a bike shop in Fairfax. It was so nice to be riding again. I am tired of the van although I am not tired of Katherine and Christopher. Thursday I was able to get up early and ride the whole day. We went over the Golden Gate Bridge early, it was so beautiful! For some reason even though I am afraid of all bridges that one does not scare me. I have ridden over it before years ago, maybe that’s why. At breakfast I called my sister to let her know that we were getting close to her house. Well she found us along the road and picked me up and drove me over the biggest hill so we could talk for a few minutes. I was so thankful, and I know Jeff was too!! We never would have made it to Santa Cruz otherwise. When we hit half moon bay, we heard a loud noise. I was unfamiliar with it, but Jeff immediately recognized it as the police. WE GOT PULLED OVER!!!!  Actually, a very nice sheriff’s deputy, (Dep. Schwartz) was concerned to see someone riding down Hwy 1 with a dog on their shoulder. We quickly showed here that she was harnessed in, very secure, and very happy. We had a nice weekend in Santa Cruz, I got to spend Friday with my sister and my adorable neice, Layne. We had fun shopping and checking out the town, we had a nice meal that night with Jeff and Jeremy. Then I got to spend some much needed one on one time w/ my husband Saturday. Sunday was a tough ride even though it was only 50 miles, my legs hurt bad, especially my knees. Monday lots of hills and my knees only made it about 50 miles. Then they quit. Tomorrow will be better!!! Look for my dictionary of translations coming soon!!!  We saw elephant seals tonight, hundreds of them. Very Cool!!! Pray for strength for all of us. 5 days to go!!!

Brad -You haven’t heard from me for awhile.  Last Wed the 3^rd Janelle flew to San Jose, rented a car and drove to San Rafael, picked me up and we drove back to Santa Cruz.  We spent Thursday making sure everything was ready for the conference and shuttling delegates from the airport.  The meetings and workshops and worship services all weekend were wonderful.  On Sunday I said goodbye to Janelle as she left with the delegates to the airport and we headed off on our bikes for 41 miles to Monterey.  What an easy day!  Wished they were all like that. Today was a tough one, 107 miles and four huge hills.  The last few miles were easy physically but tough mentally. We left lunch at 2pm with 52 miles to go and I was determined to get to camp before dark.  Five of us made it at 6pm the rest straggled in after dark.  Keith and Ron from ACGC joined us in Santa Cruz.  I was very happy that Keith was able to stay with us after lunch and that Ron (now the oldest) made it the whole day.  He is walking funny however.  Been there!  I had my first bike problem today. My front brakes need changing and my bearings are beginning to complain. We did 17-mile drive, Carmel, and Rt. 1 down the coast.  Pretty stuff, even saw the elephant seals. Well my turns up see ya.

Jody – I really did not like riding into camp in the dark!! Now on a more positive note. . . it was a long day and there were many hills but it was a good day. I rode quite a bit alone but it was okay. At times, I really enjoyed it. I appreciated the warmth and the beautiful scenery! The ocean was emerald green. It was very tempting to look down the cliffs and at the ocean but I had to work hard at staying focused. The shoulders were narrow and sometimes rough, the cliffs were steep, and the roads were windy so it would have been too easy to get into an accident. For lunch we were joined by a couple of French people who were riding around the world. I followed them for quite awhile after lunch. I was inspired. I was amazed to think they were carrying on their bikes everything they needed for 2 years and travel in many different countries. I started thinking about how much I limit God and limit myself. I don’t want to diminish the accomplishment of riding from Canada to Mexico. However, here I was carrying just water and a few snacks for the day. I was thinking of Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. . .” He and we can do so much more than we think. I could write a lot more on this subject but my eyes are too heavy.

Dave – We left Uncle Bob’s and rode “17 mile drive” to Carmel. Riding through Carmel we went past the old Carmel Mission and back onto Highway 1. As we headed down Highway 1 to Big Sur, it became warm and sunny. The views were spectacular. We changed the campsite to one that has showers which made it a longer ride. The last four riders had to ride the last 5 miles in the dark. It was 107 miles to San Simeon State Park which means we will have a shorter day tomorrow.