A little company on the road

Yesterday was a great day.  After a couple small modifications to one of the bikes in the morning, we set off to catch up with Skip.  Skip had asked me the night before if I had wanted to do a little biking with him.  Of course I did!!  On Skips cycling maps, it pointed out a 20 mile stretch of true bike path from Silverthorne, CO, to Breckenridge, CO, that we thought would be safe to have a go on, see if I really enjoyed it. 

         Our plan was that Skip would bike to Walden, then from there onto Silverthorne, where I would wake up and head out with Skip on the bike in the morning.  I had been quite excited about this, and had made sure I had all the proper attire, no need to tell a girl twice to shop for an outfit! 

         We found him about 30 miles outside of Walden, Colorado, which was to be our destination for the evening.  Since there was no time like the present, and the road we were on had minimal traffic, I quickly donned my bike apparel and tried my hand, or legs we should say, on the last stretch into town. 

         What an amazing experience!  I felt great for many reasons, first and foremost, being able to put some muscle into our cause.  Skip had always wanted to bike across the US, and I can see why.  You can really get a feeling of a place when viewing it at an average of 15 miles an hour, and the satisfaction of conquering my first real hill was great!  (Especially on the way down the other side!)

         I hope to be able to add a few more of my own miles on the road for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, for my father-in-law to be, and for anyone else touched by this disease, or another.  We are on this journey in the hopes that finding one cure will ultimately lead to many others, so join us!  Walk, run, hike, cycle, anything you’ve ever thought you’d like to do, and maybe thought you couldn’t, you can!  We are proof that all it takes is an idea, and with a little persistence, it can go anywhere!         

On to Colorado!

We reached Rawlins, Wyoming late afternoon, yesterday.  On our way, and when we arrived, we met some great people.  Skip would like to make a quick shout out to Mario from Muddy Gap!  And I'd like to thank Lisa for the great dinner suggestion!  

I'd also like to let Jim know that I did get your message!  Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you.  But if you like to e-mail me at coasttocoastforPD@hotmail.com, I'd be able to get back to you a little sooner... :)

So today Skip got on his bike, loaded with as much water as we could attach to him, and is currently on his way to Walden, Colorado!  So if you happen to be in the area, and see Skip on his red bike, he'd really appreciate a little extra hydration!  (Just tell him Ashley sent you ;)! )

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read our blog, and make a donation!  We have reached $6195.80!  It makes us proud to be a part of this great adventure, knowing you guys are right there along with us.  

L-E would like to send out a hello to her friends she met at the Continental Divide!  Hope you guys are having a great time in Yellowstone.  As our adventure progresses, we have seen so many different kinds of landscapes, from the beautiful Pacific Ocean, through the mountains and herds of bison, and into the open, where you can see for miles and miles.  In the next couple of days, we will be reaching Hoosier Pass, at over 11,000 feet!  From there, it's all the way back down to just above sea level.  We've been traveling at around 5000 to 8000 feet since Skip climbed the Continental Divide for the first time.  

Last night, L-E and I had another National Geographic moment.  While out for an evening walk and a little exploring of our current location, we came upon a family of deer.  There were two does, with three little ones diligently trailing behind.  I'm not sure who saw who first, but we all stopped to observe each other, expect for L-E.  Only after a couple minutes of wondering why I was suddenly standing very still and starring off into the distance, did she start to question my motives.  She finally realized what was going on, when the two does decided to get a better look at me!!  They actually walked over until they were about 40 feet away.  L-E was curious about them, but stayed very quiet and just looked.  When they had confirmed we weren't a threat, they continued on.  (Another time I don't have my camera!!!)

We will be packing up and heading on now in a little bit, on to find out what's around the bend...

In Archer's words

We are 14 days into Skip’s coast-to-coast bike ride for PD.  Seeing he western US 100 miles at a time really give you time to appreciate the beauty of mother nature.  Skip has been riding 125 miles a day and I just can’t believe how he can do it.  Ashley, my future daughter in law and me are Skips sag team.  Ashley has been driving the route 100 miles at a time, which gives me time to get to know her, and her me. Cindy is back home where she works continuously behind the scenes; this trip would be perfect if Cindy could be with us.  I am so proud of Skip for doing this, it’s hard work but he enjoys the challenge.  I don’t know how to thank all the supporters.  Thank to PATCO for helping to make it possible for me to be a part of this ride with my son.  Thank everyone for all of the PR work across the country. Pat Boyle for the generous support.  My family and friends are so special; I can always count on them. I’ve been doing ok a little slow getting out of the car, I was a bit concerned about my balance on our hikes in Yellowstone, but it worked out ok. 

Some pictures from Skip's Day off in Yellowstone

<-- 1st Bison sighting, there were many, many more to follow, we even have video off one escorting our car down the road.  One guy actually had the nerve to honk at me, like I could gently nudge the 2700 pound Bison off to the side...  L-E on the other hand, was very eager for a close encounter with a Bison or two, we all agreed the window half down was a safer alternative...

                                                             

<-- Lewis and Clark posing as tourists                             

Another mignificent sunset, no photography skills needed here

 We sadly had to leave the park with no eruption from this geyser, but we did run into Adam, who worked with Skip in Texas.  We still think back on that one in a million chance meeting in the middle of the worlds largest National Park... Have a great time on your adventures Adam, it was truly amazing to run into you! 

Aug 17th, 09, West Yellowstone

I may be skipping a day or two of our trip, but this was too amazing to wait! Yesterday afternoon, 

Arch, Skip and I, made our way into West Yellowstone. (Granted, Arch and I made it a little earlier than Skip!)

After some exploring around town, and some research at the Chamber of Commerce, Arch and I checked into

the Three Bears Lodge. We settled in, unpacked, had ice cream, and got Skip soaking in an Epsom Salt bath, and

made plans to go into the park for some preliminary exploring. WOW! There really in nothing like this.

Our plan was to make it to Old Faithful before dark, with a couple stops along the way. Our plans didn't

quite work out that way, and it was amazing! Our first stop was at the Fountain Paint Pot.

 You can see one of the geysers going off behind Skip and Arch, and the mist from the boiling water bubbling out of the earth.    All along the walkways that took us through this small part of our adventure made it very clear with signs, that should you wish to explore off the beaten path,  it may not be in your favor...

                                                     

Maybe it wasn't clear to everyone...:)

I had been informed that if you took a drive down Firehole Lake Drive, and happen to see this particular geyser, overflowing with water, you should stop and wait!  This geyser goes off very 12 hours, give or take a couple either way, but when it does, the eruption can last up to an hour, and reach heights of 100 to 200 feet... So we waited, and as the sun set behind the mountains, and was reflected off the mirror surrounding this super heated natural hot tub, we had a moment to finally contemplate our journey.   Our journey started a long time before Skip got on his bike in Astoria, OR and still has a couple thousand more miles to go.  We have been supported by some great people, and also met so many great people along the way.  We can't wait to see what will be around the next bend, or over the next hill.  

To meet so many strangers on our travels that have been touched in some way by Parkinson's Disease, has shown us the bigger picture.  These miles on the road were inspired by one man's desire to honor his father, and is now growing hope across the country.  It may only be to a few, but tomorrow, it could be one more.

Our ultimate goal, would be to raise $20 000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF).  The money donated will go into funding research for a cure for Parkinson's Disease, and hopefully many others.  If you haven't already, and would like to donate, please click on the Team Fox link at on the top left hand side of our blog.  From there you can make a donation in Archer or Skip's name that goes directly to the MJFF.  Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts, every small donation will bring us that much closer to a cure

From the Biker...

 Just wanted to comment on all the donations we received so far!! 
Thanks so much and keep them coming in!!! Please tell people about the 
trip this cause that I am riding for. My goal is $20 000! I still have 34 days on 
the road and in that time I hope to achieve that goal, if not surpass it.
 This journey so far has been unbelievable. Every turn, every accent, decent, town, diner, and all the people I have come across have been incredible. This truly is the journey of a life time. I can't believe all that this country has to offer. People say they would like to explore Europe, I say travel the US first.. 

 I am now 1/4 through my journey, I have burned 64,000 calories, traveled 1130 miles climbed 8 passes, and crossed the Divide. I still have Jackson Hole, (one of my personal favorites), to see, as well as Yellowstone. 
I then get to go over the Continental Divide 4 more times and reach 
11 500 ft at Hoosier Pass in Colorado.. I then go through Kansas, 
Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky Tennessee, and finally Virginia. I hope to see 
your donations and thank you so very much to all of you that took the 
time and heart to help out with the research and funding for this 
wonderful cause. Well...  take care everyone! Talk to you soon.. and for those of you that have any crazy ideas that you want to do... DO THEM!! They will change you forever!!

Out of connection

Since I was last able to update you guys, I believe we were in Council, Idaho.  Since then, we stopped in Kooskia, Montana.  We stayed at an Inn that had a reindeer on the roof, and met some very nice people.  After that it was onto Lolo Hot Springs, Mt.  Which after a long day of biking in the rain, and showing up mighty cold from a 100 mile steady climb, and then the inevitable descent, Skip couldn't get warm fast enough!  We were unfortunately one day early for the Grateful Dead impersonators concert, but we did take a dip in the mineral hot spring they had, which got Skip's blood flowing again.  After a good nights sleep, the next stop was supposed to bring us to the base of Chief Joseph Pass, an over 7100 ft climb, where Skip would take a half days rest before beginning the ascent.  Unfortunately, planning wasn't in our favor!  So, due to some inter-mitten thunderstorms, Skip decided it would be good to go to Missoula, Mt, where he could visit the Adventure Cyclist Association, where we get all our maps from.  What we didn't realize, is that Missoula isn't exactly on our route... They take you about 20 miles off course.  Oh well, next time we will know!  Having only done 35.37 miles, Skip took the rest of the day off, so we all could get reorganized.  

 Skip is currently back on the road!  He is on his way to Chief Joseph Pass!! Arch and I are are getting ready to meet him at the base, and then again at the top.  So wish us luck, Team Fox is headed to the top! 

On another note, we've done some math, and Skip has raised approximately 75 cent to the mile that he has been on the bike!  We would like to thank everyone who has become a part of this event towards a cure for Parkinson's Disease.  It's been great to have Arch, Skip's father along, who fights daily with this currently incurable disease.  If you like to show your support for Arch and Skip, please feel free to visit our Team Fox link at the top left of our Blog.  Let's all get together to shorten the road to a cure!!

If you'd like more information on how to donate, or get involved, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at coasttocoastforpd@hotmail.com 

Thank you all again, your support is priceless