Mr. Krema's Memories
Bike Trip 2003
Monday: A sad day. Mrs. Krema’s mother (Ali & Michelle’s Grandma) died last Thursday after a long illness with alzheimer’s. We went to the funeral today. We decided to drive this evening to meet the group in Lena, IL. We arrived in time for dinner. World famous Taco salad and mostaccioli. Everyone was up. Mrs Krema stayed overnight. I wasn’t thinking bike trip all day, but I felt ready.
Tue: Shawn and Liz H were on pancakes. I helped a little and it was fun. Glad for cleanup help. Don’t Mrs Krema and I work together so well? Like Peanut Butter & Jelly. Kristen’s devotional this morning was about suffering. Pain and suffering is a part of life. If we affirm our pain and not hold back from it, God will use it to reveal life to us. Quote from Lance Armstrong: "Why do you do all that riding with all the pain it brings; Lance: I do it for the pain." Death reveals life. At My mother in law’s funeral I found the same feelings I had when my mother dies: All distractions of life fall away. This person’s awesome love for me and our family is all that you can think of. Feeling that at that moment is like seeing and knowing God intimately. You realize the overpowering feeling of her living with God and in God. In her death you can sense the essence of life.
Rode into Wisconsin. Some pretty big hills. I really enjoy Ali’s music on the boom box duct taped to her handle bars! Hot day. People thought we were crazy to bike in the heat. Mid 90’s I think. We had a long morning ride. I was keeping pace with Liz B for a while. She’s a machine. Good thing I don’t have to run – Just think how far this would be if you were running. A late lunch in the shade trees at the Fayette Tavern. The owner was very nice to us, gaves a cool drink and let us use the bathroom. Kick ball.
Finished our ride into Dodgeville. More hills and beautiful countryside and gorgeous views from the tops of the hills. Made it to the church in Dodgeville. Nice small town. People were nice. Fixed a great dinner for us. Prayer service was great. Great music. Meredith: great talk. You really live – you have the strength.
On our way to our house, PJ, Mr. S, Mike R, Andrew, the Pastor, Myself, Zander, and Jason, stopped at A&W for a root beer float. We also asked for a glass of water each. The waitress brought them out to us – all 16 drinks on one tray – as she bent to put the tray down, down they tumbled – right into our laps! She was pretty embarrassed. I fell asleep watching Matrix with Zander, Andrew, Jason, & Mike. I never saw it before and would like to watch it for real some time.
Wed: Everyone gave us a warm send off. Trail for a while. Stopped after lunch in New Glarus to have ice cream and check the weather. Thunderstorm started after the group with PJ started off. The rest of us waited out the storm at the ice cream shop. Tony the owner was a Swiss yoldeler and gave us a serenade. We continued after the rain and had about 10 miles (maybe 20?) left to go. More rain came and we were soaked by the time we arrived at our Church destination. Everyone there was warm to us and made us feel comfortable. We must have been something to look at. Pictures of mud streaks!
Prayer service was awesome. Mike, Brian, and David sound like pros with the sound system. Everyone there knew our songs (or were pretty talented). Worship songs were very moving and uplifting. Meredith and Jon gave the talks again, Jon’s struck me this time. Jon’s story about the track team was appropriate. One of the members there was track coach at Brodhead HS which won state this year! Jon’s ability to communicate the message and the mission is outstanding!
It was also good to see the diversity of the Pentacostal Church. They were very expressive and it really was uplifting.
Thur: Ride to Rockford and Magic waters. I notice a big difference in the roads once we enter Illinois. Rural Wisconsin is much more rural, quiet, and beautiful. Very nice campground at Rock Cut State Park. I loved Magic Waters. Mr. S and I went down the slide in the raft behind PJ and Meredith. I can still hear the scream.
Fri: Ride from Rockford to Wauconda. More intense with traffic. Beautiful weather. It was good to stay together as a group and we did pretty well at it. Everyone looking forward to the Sladkey cottage and the lake at the end of the day. It was fun playing the game at the end of the day. Firecrackers on the beach woke me up.
Sat: Happy and sad. Our devotional in the morning was a great sendoff. Meredith had dedicated her trip to Mr. Vogler. What a great and good thing. Pancakes were great. Sad to think this is our last day. The ride was fun. A few of us took a wrong turn on the path, but we managed to pull together. What a good feeling to see all the parents at lunch. It was a very nice lunch and time to share thoughts about the trip. We stayed together for the finish and made it in together. Rode by my Dad’s house. Stopped to wave and say hello. Made it to Mr. Sladkey’s house just as the rain started. Mr. Sladkey with Mrs. Sladkey and Jamie and PJ did get pretty wet. But we cheered them as they pulled in.
It was truly awesome. We all made a great trip and experienced the presence of God in ourselves and everyone we encountered on the trip.