So,
June 24th the night before the trip, I return from a friend's
lake
house about 9:00 at night (we hit some traffic). Luckily I
was so
excited
for the bike trip I had packed before I left for my friend's lake
house
a couple days earlier, which of course isn't like a Krema to get things
done
early. I just had to pack some last minute things my mom had picked
up
at
the store for me. Luckily I didn't feel too behind seeing as how
Jenny
had
just started packing. Anyway, I was a bit tired the next morning as I
woke
up and was ready tohead off to meet everyone at NCHS. We arrived
pretty
much
on time a little late, but we were the 1st or 2nd ones there so I guess
we
weren't late at all. Which was good, because that was about the only
morning
all week us Krema's were the first ones ready. (We were usually last
to
the breakfast table each morning, we like our sleep.) So, as everyone
was
arriving
at central I looked in my trunk and saw a bike piece lying on the
floor.
I asked Kyle if it was an important piece(Thank you to the bike
experts
Kyle and Eric), and sure enough it was. So our Naperville send off
place
was soon changed to my house so we could steal the same part off my
dad's
bike to put on mine. Thank you everyone for your patience and
willingness
to change the schedule a little bit just for me.
Everyday of the trip was a blast. I had so much fun. Unlike
any
of
the days last year, the riding was easy for me the first day. And
it was
even
more fun because we all stayed together in a group. It was so cool
looking
up the line of riders and just seeing so many of us and all that
yellow
(Awesome shirts Brian!). The lake was absolutely gorgeous, definitely
a
highlight for me. Although I wasn't brave enough to go swimming at
lunch, I
did
take a plunge into the ice bath that night before our pasta dinner at
Zion
Illinois beach state park. And thank you to everyone who helped out
with
the pasta, it was delicious.
The next day, we almost lost our bike lock key, but thanks to
Mrs.
Chandler's many prayers we found it and were able to unlock our bikes
for
a long day of riding. There were quite a few hills the second day,
and
my
butt was a little sore from the first day. But with God riding by
my side
I
completed the second day. Jenny, Lauren and I rode that hilly stretch
right
before we took that picture by the van. And together we motivated
each
other
over the hills, which made the riding so much easier. The first church
we
stayed at was so kind. The service went really well, everyone
did an
awesome
job (Michelle and Jenn the warm-up worked out great, Liz and Brian
your
music rocked, Jenny and Lauren your testimonies were heartfelt, Matt and
Kyle
great discussion questions, and Eric great job explaining the
bracelets.)
I stayed with a really nice family, and I had a slumber party
with
the pastor's daughter and the girl I stayed with, we had fun.
I'm trying to go by days but I don'treally remember everything
that
happened on certain days. But, I do remember at lunch when we met
the
turkey.
I got a picture of the turkey and Eric; it's so cute. The man
was
really nice and let us use his bathroom. It was just amazing all the
giving
people we met. Then as we rode off it got in the street ascars were
coming
and luckily Mr. Sladkey saved the turkey. Also I enjoyed riding with
P.J.
and hearing the Mr. Sladkey stories or any of the other stories that
just
had a good message about life. As we arrived at the second church
on day
3,
everyone started cheering. It made me feel so good I was about to
cry.
My
host family was awesome. I stayed with Kyle, Mrs. Hilger, and Kelsey.
We
got
to go in her hot tubwith her and her friend, and we got to talk for a
long
time, I had fun!
All, I remember about day 4 was, WOW, 75 miles! It felt like
such
an accomplishment, and everyone in the group made it, that is awesome!
And
how can I forget washing my hair in the lake and all the laughs at dinner
at
Lake Geneva.
Canoeing was a blast, and Lauren and I made a great team even if
we
did have to get pulled by P.J. and my dad the last couple of miles
(thanks),
and even if we got stuck in a couple trees, or almost ran into the
cows.
They all just added excitement to the fun day.
P.J's lake house was so much fun, thanks mom for the great
dinner,
and thank you p.j. and g.l. for hosting us. I had fun sitting on
the
beach
that night, although I was getting eaten alive. Brian was kind enough
to
go back and get bug spray for us. As he returned w/it I was in the
middle
of receiving a back massage (thanks Lauren) and thought I'd wait a
minute
while everyone else put it on. Before I put it on I saw the can and
asked
brain if he was sure it was bug spray. We soon discovered it was
actually
bug stop,and Kyle ran in to the lake to rinse off.
Although we were all sad the trip was coming to an end I was
excited
to go home. I had so much adrenalin and I think everyone else did
too,
b/c the last 20 miles we just flew home. My music helped me a little
as
well.
Thank you to everyone for contributing to this awesome
trip!
Everyone added something unique and special! I will never forget
all
the
smiles, the laughter, the sweat, the hugs, and the new faces of all the
people
I met. God Bless!