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| Week Three |
May 31 - drive from Payson AZ to Sedona AZ via Phoenix
What a day! How God provides for us! Since Lisa's boyfriend Anthony wanted to check our bikes over (he's a sales associate and technician at Pinnacle Peak Cyclery in Scotsdale AZ), I unloaded Charlotte's bike and my bike from the van. I discovered my bike had a flat rear tire! Anthony discovered that the rim strip wasn't installed properly and something from the rim or spoke punctured the inner tube. Good thing I had an extra inner tube, but had to run to WalMart for some Slime. He also discovered that the brake pads on Charlotte's bike were ground down to the metal, so he installed new brake pads.
Lisa made fruit pancakes for breakfast - some had blueberries, some had blackberries, and some had strawberries. All were delicious!
Went to church with Jan, to Mount Cross Lutheran Church. People were friendly and interested in the ride. Most songs were related to today as the feast of Pentacost, 50 days after Easter, the birthday of the Christian church.
Fond farewells to Jan, Mark, Lisa, and Anthony before I started the drive to Phoenix. Loved seeing the Saguaros again. Charlotte was waiting for me at Terminal 3. Loaded her carry-on and we were off to Sedona!
Stopped for a Subway sandwich off of I-17 on the outskirts of Phoenix. Continued North on the I-17 to the Sedona exit onto AZ 179. Our hosts, the Blevins', sent another house guest (Toby) to lead us to their unique home. Very Southwest, with beautiful views of the Red Rock canyons.
Sedona was named for the wife of T. Carl Schnebly, who settled in this area, along with five other families. When the names "Schnebly Station" and "Oak Creek Crossing" were deemed too long for a post office cancellation stamp, Carl Schnebly's brother suggested "Sedona," which was shorter. That name was approved.
After getting settled, I drove back into the Village of Oak Creek to buy some postcards and do a little sightseeing while Charlotte re-packed her gear.
AZ 179 through Oak Creek and Sedona has 7-8 roundabouts. The red-rock formations are fantastic. Sedona is surrounded by the 1.8 million acre Coconino Nat'l Forest.
Our hosts Kate and Brock got back from a trip to Flagstaff about 7:30 pm. We had a wonderful dinner of lamb, fresh green beans, calamata bread, and Caesar salad. Ate outside on one of their lovely patios. Enjoyed getting to know Kate and Brock. Their son Ben and my niece Kendra served together in the Peace Corps in Ecuador.
It gets dark early here, not being on Daylight Savings time.
Rich full day, full of God's blessings!
Drove 211 miles.
With love from Red Rock Country, in Yavapai County,
Marie (and Charlotte)
June 1 - Sedona AZ - Prescott AZ
A long, tiring day! Up early, breakfast with Kate, then drove out to Hwy 179, where Charotte began riding. Beautiful ride, with red rock formations visible. Photo op at Alien place.
We rode in the Verde Valley today. Pretty easy ride until right after we passed through Cottonwood. More roundabouts.
AZ 89A up to Jerome was steep. I rode the first 1 1/2 miles, and Charlotte rode the rest into Jerome. Jerome is perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill, and is named after Eugene Jerome, a major financier of the United Verde Company which had mining claims in the area. In the 1920's, there were 15,000 residents. When the mines shut down in the 1950s, the population dwindled to less than 100, when it was known as a "ghost town". Today there are about 500 residents, and it is a thriving tourist destinaton town and national historic landmark.
Charlotte and I traded off riding the next 12 miles. I'd ride 1 1/2 miles or so, and she would ride about 3. Gradually, we struggled up to the summit, elev. 7023 where we had lunch and revelled in our accomplishment. It was about a 2000 ft. elev. climb, over Mingus Mtn.
We thought that Prescott (pronounced PRESS-cut) was only another 25 miles, but it was about 35 miles. I had a long downhill from the summit to the outskirts of Prescott Valley (not to be confused with Prescott). Then Charlote started riding, still on 89A. She had a headwind most of the 6 more miles headed West. 89A merged with AZ 89 and continued South. While Charlotte was riding, I drove ahead and found the Trinity Presbyterian Church, where we are staying tonight. I then drove back out on AZ 89 and waited for Charlote. She was pretty pooped with the uphill and into the headwind, so I rode the last 6 miles or so. Passed Yavapai College. I think they competed in the Junior College (JUCO) Baseball Tournament in Grand Junction. Also passed the town square, with the Yavapai County Courthouse in the middle, and small touristy businesses.
Got to the church, which is nestled among the pine trees. Met some of the church staff, who made us feel quite welcome. I will be sleeping on a self-inflating air mattress tonight. Charlotte will probably sleep in a padded pew in the sanctuary.
We were able to pick up a roasted chicken at the nearby Safeway, and had that on top of our salad.
Both of us are tired, and we think tomorrow will be hard too. Just 3 more days riding.
Route distance - 71 miles
Marie - 32.6
Charlotte - 38.6
Road change - 3 cents
Just three more days riding. The temps will be warm as we drop in elevation and get closer to Phoenix.
With love from Yavapai County,
Marie (and Charlotte)
June 2 - Prescott to Morristown AZ
Up early as usual, knowing it would be a long day.
Took an alternate road out of Prescott, to avoid a big hill leaving Prescott. It was fairly chilly in the morning, in the shadows. I wasn't feeling too well this morning, but seemed to get better as the day wore on.
I had a long downhill this morning, through Skull Valley. Peeples Valley was interesting, farming on the mesa. Rode again, up the hill to Yarnell. Charlotte had a huge downhill off the mesa where Yarnell is located.
Down into Congress, and on to Wickenburg. Had now dropped down to about 2000 ft. elevation, from 5000 ft. in Prescott. We are now in another of Arizona's huge counties - Maricopa. Saw some pink and white Oleander bushes alongside the road, reminiscent of So. Calif. along the freways.
By now the temp had risen to just under 100 degrees, and we had a headwind, which actually was a blessing in terms of keeping us a bit cooler.
Had lunch in Wickenburg at a park, then headed out on US 60. Had to ride through a construction zone. It was mostly uphill to the Morristown exit.
Tonight we are being hosted by Joe Murch, who's mom Jean Larson is a friend of Charlotte's in Grand Junction. He lives in Wittmann.
Both Charlotte and I were tired after today's ride. Just two more days of Canyons to Cactus.
Joe fixed us a great dinner of ginger chicken, cooked veggies, rice, ear of corn, and salad. Yum!
Joe has a huge flat deserty back yard. At dinner, we were entertained by the antics of the birds and prairie dogs.
Route distance - 81 miles
Marie's-41.61 (first time > Charlotte)
Charlotte - 40
Road change - zero, nada
With love from Maricopa County,
Marie (and Charlotte)
June 3 - Morristown AZ - Scottsdale AZ
Hot, hot, hot!!!
Up early, and on the road by 5:30 am. Drove back to the intersection where Hwy 74 meets Hwy 60 at Morristown.
6:00 am - 70 degrees. Pretty much a straight shot East, so it was easy for Charlotte and me to negotiate our exchanges of driving and riding. 83 degrees at 8:00 am. Crossed the I-17 and drove past where we bought Subway sandwiches a few days ago. Drove across the Carefree Highway.
Hundreds of saguaros alongside the highway. They're just amazing! Some look to be 30-40 ft tall.
Turned South on Scottsdale Road, which the first 6 miles are called Desert Hills Scenic Drive - "the most beautiful desert in the world." 95 degrees at 9:00 am.
Arrived safely at the home of Brian Reicks in Scottsdale. Brian is Charlotte's older son. Brian welcomed us and made us feel at home.
Showers, got situated, did a load of wash, and had lunch. Got the oil changed on the van. Came back to Brian's and took a nap.
Dinner of lasagna, mixed veggies, and salad.
Getting ready for the big day tomorrow, arrival at the Hyatt Regency Hotel tomorrow at 10:00 am.
Hard to believe the ride is all but over.
Route distance - 53 miles
Marie - 24.51
Charlotte - 28
Road change - 76 cents - found 3 quarters
With love from Scottsdale,
Marie (and Charlotte)
June 4 - Scottsdale AZ - Phoenix AZ - Hyatt Regency Hotel
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to ride we go ...
Up at 4:00 am (sound familiar by now?), breakfast, and loaded up the van. For only the second time during the ride, Charlotte and I rode together on our chosen route from Scottsdale into downtown Phoenix. We left the van at Charlotte's son Brian's home, for him to drive in later in the morning.
Almost half of the ride was South on Scottsdale Road. The cloud cover helped to keep the early morning cool. Slight downhill made it very easy riding. This road forms the Western Border of Scottsdale. Lots of furniture stores along the way.
Started finding road change almost immediately. That's always fun. Actually, by the end of the ride, I had "hit for the circuit." (remember that phrase from prior years?)
Jogged South on 24th Street to Indian School Rd. and then rode West. Since we were making such good time, we were actually running early for our 10:00 am ETA at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. I had prayed that we would find a McDonald's along the route, and would you believe (I would) that one appeared!!!
With the manager's permission, we brought our bikes indoors. We were there about 45 min., enjoyed the sausage burrito and the yogurt/aple slices/walnut treat.
When we went back outside, the temperature had risen quite a lot. Probably in the 90's. We only had 3 1/2 miles to cover to the hotel. No problem.
Arrived at just before 10:00 am. Didn't see folks gathering outside the main entrance, so waited about 10 min. Finally saw the crowd, and heard someone shout "There they are" so we rode on in, to congratulatory cheers. Spotted many familiar faces and friends. Shana Martin reciprocated my "high five." A flurry of excitement. Bill Marsch introduced us to Louise Vetter, the new CEO of HDSA. The crowd dwindled, as folks hadto get back to their meetings.
Brian showed up in the van. Unloaded our suitcases, etc. and loaded up the bikes. Charlotte chaperoned the luggage, and I left with Brian to drive him back to his house.
We went to Scttsdale via the Piestewa Freeway, which was named after the Navajo young women who was the first female soldier killed in the Iraq war.
Returned to the hotel, showered, and got situated in the hotel room.
I ended up making two trips to the airport because of limited seating in the van. Brought Dickie, Pauline, and Genevieve back first, then went back for Ron and James. We're all in the Western Slope HDSA Support Group.
Had various conversations with "old" and "new" friends.
Dinner was good - I had chicken tortilla soup and a dinner salad with pecans, bleu cheese, and craisins.
Still one more family to arrive from GJ - the Luebke's. Their US Airways flight from Denver was late, then cancelled, and re-booked on United. Their luggage may have gone to Phoenix on a different flight than they were on, and their luggage didn't arrive yet. They will take a cab in from the airport.
This year's ride is over. Will send some summaries in the next day or two.
Today's route - 26 miles
Road change - 53 cents
With love from the Valley of the Sun,
Marie (and Charlotte)
June 5 - HDSA Convention
Got to "sleep in" this morning. Nice egg/ham/cheese croissant breakfast (plus OJ, banana, and/or coffee) provided by HDSA through Lundbeck, a pharmaceutical sponsor.
Opening ceremony included a proclamation of HD Awareness Day by the state of Arizona, a public service 30 sec. ad featuring characters from the TV show "House" and an inspiring "State of the Society" by the new CEO of HDSA, Louise Vetter.
The Focus on the Family panel discussion discussed the Role of Denial, Uncertainty and Decison Making in HD.
The first Workshop I attended was "Overview JHD/Non Medical Options." Dr. Jane Paulsen from Iowa discussed the behavioral, cognitive, and environmental options for treating the Juvinile form of HD. It is always so heart wrenching to know more about the lives of the kids affected with HD, and their caregiving parents.
Advocating for HR 678 was very informative. This is a bill that has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that will compel the Social Security Administration to update their listing of HD to include the cognitive and behavioral aspects of the disease, in addition to the already included movement disorder. It will also eliminate the two year waiting period for Medicare for newly HD disabled individuals. This bill already has 22 co-sponsors but needs at least another 100. Each of us was given an information sheet on 5 ways to persuade your Congressman to Co-sponsor HR 678. Some of our Western Slope support groups members have already made initial contact with the field representatives of our Congressman John Salazar, so we're being pro-active on this bill.
Next Workshop I attended was "The Progression of HD" which looked at the subtle signs of HD including changes in personality. It addressed how people with HD and their caregivers can anticipateand cope with the changes that will occur.
My final worshop was a quick overview of some first aid, including demonstratons of the Heimlich manuever for someone who is choking and CPR for both adults and children.
Last event of the evening was the Conventon Reception and National Youth Alliance Talent Show. Charotte and were introduced and presented plaques showing HDSA's appreciaton for our awareness and fund-raising efforts for the past 11 years. We are now up to $490,000 total - just $10,000 to go to hit the magic $500,000. Please consider donating to help us achieve this goal in 2009!
We called up all our Support Group members from Grand Junction - there are 12 of us here in Phoenix!!!
Rich, full, exhausting day, packed with more learning, more networking, and more commitment to helping to support the HD Community.
With love from the HDSA National Convention in the Valley of the Sun,
Marie