Summer 2024

Next Adventure

Note: This was sent out a few weeks ago but the link for subscribers was broken so most people did not receive it. If you already read it, please disregard this post. Thanks.

Hello! The days are at their longest in the Pacific Northwest. Memorial Day, the summer solstice, and graduations have come and gone. People are walking around in shorts and T-shirts as if pretending it is hot will make it so. And, once again, here I sit happily witnessing the signs of summer unfold from the kitchen window while I study maps and plan out a new adventure on my beloved bicycle.

This summer I’ve decided to keep it close to home. I love the idea of stepping out the front door and riding off into the horizon without having to find a box for my bike, luggage to transport my gear, or an expensive summer airline ticket to a remote dot on the globe.

Since I have the good fortune of living in a beautiful corner of the world, I decided to explore new roads closer to home and circle back to beloved routes that are tried and true.

As I settle down to plan, the only thing I know for sure (sort of) is that I’m riding across Washington State. If all works out, the ride will start at the Pacific Ocean and follow the Olympic Discovery Trail east towards Port Townsend and the Puget Sound. From there we will follow local trails until we finally meet up with the Cascade to Palouse Rails-to-Trails Route.

I say “we” because the other thing I know for certain (pretty sure) is that my friend from Greenbay, Wisconsin, Dana Hansen, will join me again this summer. I’m super happy to have a friend come along this year. Dana is not only just a straight up nice guy, but also a great riding buddy. We usually agree on the major issues that come up while biking like how far to ride, where to camp, and when to stop to eat. Dana has also taught me a lot like how to appreciate a good cold local microbrew after a long hot ride and much more.

This year, we have two routes in mind after we cross the state on the trail route. One choice is to ride south into Idaho and cover, “The Hot Springs Route” south of Boise. The second option is the Selkirk Loop in British Colombia just west of Banff and the Rocky Mts. Because of climate change, yearly wildfires and hotter than average temperatures becoming normal, we decided this year to be flexible and decide which route to take a few days before we get there. We will ride in the direction that offers the best climate and riding conditions at that moment in time. Will it be north into Canada or south into the remote hot springs loop of Idaho, or somewhere else altogether? Stay tuned and find out. I know the suspense is riveting.

Small Town Girl

Over the past five or six years, I’ve had the opportunity to present my bicycle trips to a variety of bike clubs and organizations. This past year, I was fortunate to present at a retirement home in Seattle where my friend Jeanette lives. In addition, I spoke at the West Sound Cycling Club and Son’s of Norway in Bremerton thanks to Mr. Bob Becker. Bob was/is/ and will always be an amazing role model. He was the coach of several sports at my high school in Bremerton, WA. including the cross-country/track varsity coach as well as the gymnastics coach. It was also thanks to Bob that Terry Mosher, the sports writer for the Kitsap Sun, wrote a feature story about me and my bike trips for the sports section.

Something you should know about Mr. Bob Becker is that at 85 years old, he was the oldest person to ride the RAMROD (Ride Around Mt. Rainier in One Day) event this past year. And, if that’s not enough, he has ridden this event 13 times total! Who does that at any age?

In addition, It was pure joy to be interviewed by Terry Mosher. Terry is an icon of sports reporting in Kitsap County. He was the sports reporter when I was in high school and continues to chase the stories in real time today.

I am grateful to be from a small town where I still have contact with my elementary and high school teachers. Where folks know your entire family and deep friendships with people you met in kindergarten are the norm. I am happy that I left my small town and discovered the big world, and I’m equally glad that I can come back at any time and feel right at home.

I have included a link to the April 2023 article under “Articles” on the bar at the top of the screen. Here you will find other articles, along with a few I have written. This is a new feature of my blog along with “Videos.” Thankfully, Erika Dillman – blog support and human design specialist extraordinaire is my “go to” person for all things tech. Without her I wouldn’t have a blog. Links are not perfect. Still working out all the glitches since I literally have not updated anything since last summer. Please know that “we’re” working on it!

In Other News…

I was thrilled to spend another month in Merida, Mexico this year and a month in Guatemala. These are two of my happy places. In Guatemala, I visited people I met when I worked in the Guatemalan refugee camp in Campeche, Mexico. Last year I met up with a friend very briefly, so this year I wanted to spend more time with her and her niece and nephew. By coincidence, right when I got to Flores, Guatemala, another family I knew way back when got ahold of me, so I did what felt like the “Amazing Race” to go visit them as well.

Los Buenos Vecinos (The Good Neighbors)

If visiting all these friends from the past weren’t enough, I got to spend time again this year visiting the Founder and Executive Director (Elmer Arriaga and family) of the clean water, sanitation and hygiene (W.A.S.H.) organization in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala called, “Los Buenos Vecinos” (LBV)/ The Good Neighbors. I learned more about bio-sand water filters and how to make them, I held English language classes in the afternoon so the staff can better communicate with English speaking visitors, I went around with the team to check on filters already installed and to meet school principals and kitchen staff who requested new filters in their schools.

I also was there to participate in the inauguration ceremony of a new bio-sand filtration system put in a municipality in Acatenango. The cost of this system was donated by the Rotary of Montana. The guy who spearheaded the donation was George. As an aside, George happens to have a daughter in Tacoma named Tami who is a school teacher. Apparently, all seniors in high school have to do a senior project. One of Tami’s students, Emily, decided for her project she would lean more about water issues in Guatemala and how contaminated water leads to disease and malnutrition and that Guatemala has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world which ultimately affects all school children.

As part of her project, Emily raised $10,000!! $5,300 went to Los Buenos Vecinos. I tell you this because last month I had the honor of going to that school in Tacoma, watching Emilie’s presentation, and awarding her with a certificate and thank you letter directly from LBV. It was a real treat to be part of this celebration and circle of giving and service.

If you know of any high school teachers who are looking for either class projects or individual projects for students, let’s talk! Also, (and then I’ll stop girl fanning over LBV), next spring I plan to take a group of students and parents on a service project to both Guatemala. And, a separate ladies “service and spice” trip to Merida, Mexico. You can join me if you’d like!

Count Down

Only a few more weeks before I start a new adventure. This spring, I continued with my youth bike class called, Community Health. Unfortunately, I’m always way more excited about getting together for a bike ride than my students. Build it and they will come…or not!

Bye for now. I’m happy you’re joining me on another journey. Let’s see where the long and bumpy road will lead me this year.

Hugs,

Denise