Hello everyone! I just thought that I would let you know that yesterday (Wednesday), I finally got out of the hospital. After 12 days of being sick and 10 days of being in the hospital, I was really glad to get out.
My parents drove down last Tuesday and visited me during the week and I also was visited by lots of friends, my boyfriend (everyday :), and people from church. Yesterday, Bob got here and delivered the Sea to Sea card and my mail from Sea to Sea.
The worst part of being sick is missing the first day of school and having to take it so SLOW for a while. The doctor says it will be a while until I feel 100% and that I have to take at least a week off of work. Which means I won't be back to school until at least next Wednesday. It might be longer because my breathing (I had pneumonia as well) is very short and I walk like a grandma... very slow.
It is good to be out of the hospital though because I can eat the delicious food at the Van Ryn's (my boyfriend's parents and where I am staying for a few days) and go out if I want to. I am not really doing any work right now because my substitute has my curriculum and there's not much I can do without it. I think there are things I could be doing, but I haven't made a list yet and I really don't feel like doing much but getting better. My goal is to be able to do 100 kms on my bike before the snow is too bad. :) I really miss seeing my students as well and being part of the excitement at the beginning of school.
Thanks for your concern everyone and for reading. My plans next summer include a 7 day bike trip to finish the tour. Maybe Tim will come along. Also, has anyone thought about biking Europe? If you are out there, we should talk. :)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sarah's in the hospital
Hello Everyone,
This is Abby, Sarah's older sister.
As most of you have likely noticed Sarah hasn't been posting on her blog for the last week, well here's what's been going on.
On Friday, Sarah had a lot of pain in her abdomen so she went to the hospital in Hamilton. She was told she had a bladder infection that had turned into a kidney infection so she was given some antibiotics and some pain medication. She had been biking with Tim (her boyfriend) through Canada so he went with her to the hospital and his parents also ended up coming down to pick them up.
On Sunday, they went to the Sea to Sea rally in Niagara, and she was feeling pretty awful and she was not looking so hot either, but she got to talk to lots of friends from the tour and her friend Jillian, so she was happy.
On Monday Sarah and Tim's Mom went to the hospital in Alliton and were told that Sarah had an abcess on her kidney and that there was fluid around her lungs. So, she was sent by ambulance to the New Market hospital (north Toronto) and she has been there ever since.
Yesterday she had a procedure to drain the abcess on her kidney but today after another ultrasound, the doctors realized that this didn't really work and she had to have a stint (drainage system) put in to drain her kidney. There is still lots of fluid arond her lungs and this is making it hard to breathe.
The doctor's are still not sure when she will be released from the hospital but she does seem to be getting better.
Praise God that this happened while she was biking through Ontario where she has friends, family, and health insurance and please pray for Sarah, that she makes a quick recovery and is able to get back into her classroom (school starts next week).
If you would like to reach Sarah she is staying at the Southlake Regional Health Centre in New Market. They do have a program at the hospital where you can email patient. (I believe they print off the emails and deliver them) You have to enter in the patient's name and room number (5-048) and your name and a message at this website:
Go ahead and send her a message, she would love to hear from you.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Day 44: Laingsburg MI to Richmond, MI
Actual Kms: 160 (oh yeah....another Century)
Overkill: 5 or so around town
Road Things: LOTS of racoons, squirrels and a dead dear.
Money Spent: $19 earrings, $2 donuts for me, Bob and Matt, $23 dress and nailpolish (gotta look good for tomorrow) and I also went to Tim Hortons (yes they do exist in the states) but used the gift certificates.
Most Interesting Person Pick: Claire. He rides a recumbant and today he said that I looked "very nice". I think it's because I am glowing with excitement for tomorrow.
Favourite Part of the Day: Painting my toenails behind the school while listening to Sufjan Stevens. I haven't painted my toenails in at least two years.
Worst Part of the Day: We had a wicked headwind all day but still managed to average 28 km/h with Bob, myself, Julia, Jeff, Matt and Brian.
Today we decided to get up and start riding at 6:30 but I was the late one this morning. We started riding at 6:45 and our group (listed above) paced ourselves well into the headwind. There were 5 SAG stops today to split up the long 153 kms. We had one long stop about 65 kms in at a donut shop.
About 20 km after that we were in a pace line (I was about third in) and we stopped at a stop sign. The next section of pavement looked like it had a shoulder, but it was actually gravel matching the colour of the pavement. The lead yelled "Gravel!" but by that time I was already in the gravel, trying to slow down, unclip and turn out of it at the same time. I realizied I was going to fall so I decided to fall gently on my right leg and scratched it up. My pride was hurt worse. Bob felt pretty bad because he was in the lead, but I just hopped back on my bike and said "We're in the middle of the road, let's keep going." And we did. As my Dad would say "If the horse bucks you off, get right back on".
So we got to camp early, around 2 pm and we were within the first 10 people in. Bob was motoring with me for the last 30 kms (aroun 38 k) and he was a little sore. But we unloaded the gear truck and then set up camp. I showered and then went shopping. Ironically I met Bob at K-Mart buying dishes. :) We went to Tim Hortans, had some delicious coffee and soup and headed back to camp for supper. After Peleton tonight I am going to call Tim and then I am going to try to get some sleep tonight. I am pretty excited to see him tomorrow!
The wicked $5000 recumbant bike a day rider had. 
At the pub with friends this weekend. 
But isn't she married? Proposing to my friend Jesi in the stands at the Celebration rally. I bought her a ring in Denver (her home town) and wore it until I saw her. :)
Ahh Kelly O'Brien. The gal I spent the weekend with and a very lovely friend. Also, her hat I wear when I wish I had dreadlocks.
The Geschiere's, my old Pastor from Riverside CRC (in Grand Rapids) and his family (some of them). I got the tattoo on my foot ("Love is epiphany")from one of his sermons and we laugh about it every time. I really enjoyed seeing them.
Will add more pictures later...have to got to Peleton!
Day 43: Grand Rapids to Laingsburg, MI
Actual Kms: 108
Overkill: 2 or so to the beach at the State Park.
Roadkill: 2 dead racoons, one dead cat and one live cat.
Money Spent: $10 stamps and postcards.
Favourite Person Pick: Bob. We rode together all day today and he proved to be a great rider. He really was excited to go fast, so I kept up with him and at the end of the day when he complained that his knees hurt, I said "That's what you get when you pound it Bob...oh and my knees don't hurt"....that earned a swat from him.
Favourite Part of the Day: The tailwind was amazing. Bob and I were going 35-40 km for a good chunk of the day. Also, when we bet the gear truck and Ed looked at me and I said squeamishly "We had a tailwind! And a short day? I'm sorry??" :)
Worst Part of the Day: Knowing it is 2 days until Tim comes and trying to waste my time. We got in around 1pm....and there was no internet. So I went to the beach and wrote A LOT of postcards.
Matt Zantingh drafting behind a wee little gator into the State Park.
Overkill: 2 or so to the beach at the State Park.
Roadkill: 2 dead racoons, one dead cat and one live cat.
Money Spent: $10 stamps and postcards.
Favourite Person Pick: Bob. We rode together all day today and he proved to be a great rider. He really was excited to go fast, so I kept up with him and at the end of the day when he complained that his knees hurt, I said "That's what you get when you pound it Bob...oh and my knees don't hurt"....that earned a swat from him.
Favourite Part of the Day: The tailwind was amazing. Bob and I were going 35-40 km for a good chunk of the day. Also, when we bet the gear truck and Ed looked at me and I said squeamishly "We had a tailwind! And a short day? I'm sorry??" :)
Worst Part of the Day: Knowing it is 2 days until Tim comes and trying to waste my time. We got in around 1pm....and there was no internet. So I went to the beach and wrote A LOT of postcards.
This picture is actually from Friday, but I thought I would put it in because of how excited we both look to be biking together. 
Matt Zantingh drafting behind a wee little gator into the State Park.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Grand Rapids Celebration-Sunday
After waking up in Kelly's white, window filled room with two cats sprawled on the bed, I enjoyed walking to Kelly's church-Grand River (which is downtown) and seeing all of those people again. I attended this church for about 6 months on Saturday nights during my last year in GR. It was good to see people praising God like that again.
After worship, we got some Chinese food and ate well and then took a nap. Actually, I called a bunch of my relatives to try to figure out where we are staying in Ontario. I have aunts and uncles and cousins all of the place, which is convienent and I think it will be fun to visit with them.
Then we headed to the Celebration Rally which was at Fifth Third Ball Park. It was massive and I really did feel like a celebrity as we walked in. I saw the Geschiere's (my old CRC pastor and his family), the Dykema's (a family from Riverside CRC), some RBC people and Jesi. It was great to talk with them all and see how they are doing.
The service was vibrant and Shane Clayborne was an excellent speaker. He spoke on what on being a dis-satisfied Christian...how we can be nonconformist to culture and transform the world through simple acts of love and charity. He worked with Mother Teresa for a while and now lives in Philadelphia with a community of people who try to minister to the people in the neighbourhood. He also has dreadlocks which makes him fantastic in my books.
Then Kelly and Amber and I went back to Kelly's for some sweet wine and reheated Chinese and we talked and fell asleep. We woke up later and headed out to camp, where Jesi met us and I showed them the gear truck, kitchen truck and we set up my tent. Then we headed to Founders where Jesi and I got the opprotunity to have a long talk. At the end of the night, we all said our goodbyes and Jesi drove Bob, Brian and I back to camp where we promptly fell asleep. We agreet to leave the next day at 8 but it's not looking so good....might be 8:30.
After worship, we got some Chinese food and ate well and then took a nap. Actually, I called a bunch of my relatives to try to figure out where we are staying in Ontario. I have aunts and uncles and cousins all of the place, which is convienent and I think it will be fun to visit with them.
Then we headed to the Celebration Rally which was at Fifth Third Ball Park. It was massive and I really did feel like a celebrity as we walked in. I saw the Geschiere's (my old CRC pastor and his family), the Dykema's (a family from Riverside CRC), some RBC people and Jesi. It was great to talk with them all and see how they are doing.
The service was vibrant and Shane Clayborne was an excellent speaker. He spoke on what on being a dis-satisfied Christian...how we can be nonconformist to culture and transform the world through simple acts of love and charity. He worked with Mother Teresa for a while and now lives in Philadelphia with a community of people who try to minister to the people in the neighbourhood. He also has dreadlocks which makes him fantastic in my books.
Then Kelly and Amber and I went back to Kelly's for some sweet wine and reheated Chinese and we talked and fell asleep. We woke up later and headed out to camp, where Jesi met us and I showed them the gear truck, kitchen truck and we set up my tent. Then we headed to Founders where Jesi and I got the opprotunity to have a long talk. At the end of the night, we all said our goodbyes and Jesi drove Bob, Brian and I back to camp where we promptly fell asleep. We agreet to leave the next day at 8 but it's not looking so good....might be 8:30.
Day 42: Grand Haven to Grand Rapids, MI (JERUSALEM!)
Actual Kms: 88 kms
Overkill: Lots. Probably about 15 k biking to Kelly's house before the mass meeting of cyclists and then biking back to her house afterwards.
Road Things: The road was surprisingly clean in Jerusalem (Grand Rapids). Perhaps a taste of things to come???
Money Spent: Okay a lot. Let's just say Kelly and I went shopping and eating. And I spent around $200 on food (a number of times), shoes, dress, shirt, cards, and other stuff. I'm going to call it "Back to School Shopping".
Quote: "Get to the back of the line, your not Sea to Sea yet Bob!" -Me when we all rode into Grand Rapids. All the new people had to ride in the back while us experienced riders rode up front. Bob was a little disappointed.
Most Interesting Person: Bob. Did I mention that I am excited to have my brother on tour. He's a little nervous because as he put it "I'm so out of shape" but I'm sure he'll do fine. He has one of the lightest bikes on tour, borrowed from a Michigan friend (Mike) and he also has a great windbreaker-a huge man beard. Anyways, he's excited and nervous to be on the tour so I guess I'll slow down to ride with him. He is, after all, my little brother.
Favourite Part of the Day: That would be a toss up between seeing Kelly or Bob. Also, riding with over 300 cyclists into Calvin was pretty neat. There were people lining the street cheering, with signs and lots of excitement. Holding our line at the front (5 cyclists wide) was fun as we followed Motorcycle Bill.
Worst Part of the Day: I'm in Mecca, there is no bad day!
Today was a fabulous ride. It was short, there were so many stops, I can't even remember where they were. There were random people sitting at their houses with signs, cheering us on. It was beautiful. I rode with Brian and Matt the entire day and when we got to Tyler's house, we decided to go visit my friend Kelly. She was very excited to see me (after I finally found her apartment door in this huge old house) and we made plans to meet up later.
Then we drove to an area where all the cyclists were meeting so we could drive into Calvin together. I saw Bob and gave him a big hug. I'm really glad that he is doing the last two weeks with me because I think it's going to be the best section. Plus, I get to see him cringe as we make some bigger climbs in NY.
We drove into Calvin and I immediately started the task of emptying the gear truck because I wanted to gget moving to Kelly's house. I grabbed my pack, took my stuff out of the gear truck so it could get cleaned and headed out to Kelly's.
We went out to lunch at this great place called "The Green Well" which is a gastro pub (an environmentally friendly restaurant with good quality food and a pub atmosphere). I think I had the best beer I had on the tour there. It was a dark stout with vanilla and java flavours and it was made in Detroit. Unfortunately I forget the name.
Kelly and I took the bus to Woodland Mall and we shopped until we dropped, which was lovely. Then we went to Founders to meet up with some of her friends and afterwords, we went to Mobcat, another bar and met up with some people from Sea to Sea and other RBC friends. It was a very good time talking with everyone about the tour and what they are doing. I was the DD, and afterwards took people home and then slept at Kelly's. This is probably the part of the trip that feels most like a vacation even though Grand Rapids is so familiar to me. I think it's the friends.
Overkill: Lots. Probably about 15 k biking to Kelly's house before the mass meeting of cyclists and then biking back to her house afterwards.
Road Things: The road was surprisingly clean in Jerusalem (Grand Rapids). Perhaps a taste of things to come???
Money Spent: Okay a lot. Let's just say Kelly and I went shopping and eating. And I spent around $200 on food (a number of times), shoes, dress, shirt, cards, and other stuff. I'm going to call it "Back to School Shopping".
Quote: "Get to the back of the line, your not Sea to Sea yet Bob!" -Me when we all rode into Grand Rapids. All the new people had to ride in the back while us experienced riders rode up front. Bob was a little disappointed.
Most Interesting Person: Bob. Did I mention that I am excited to have my brother on tour. He's a little nervous because as he put it "I'm so out of shape" but I'm sure he'll do fine. He has one of the lightest bikes on tour, borrowed from a Michigan friend (Mike) and he also has a great windbreaker-a huge man beard. Anyways, he's excited and nervous to be on the tour so I guess I'll slow down to ride with him. He is, after all, my little brother.
Favourite Part of the Day: That would be a toss up between seeing Kelly or Bob. Also, riding with over 300 cyclists into Calvin was pretty neat. There were people lining the street cheering, with signs and lots of excitement. Holding our line at the front (5 cyclists wide) was fun as we followed Motorcycle Bill.
Worst Part of the Day: I'm in Mecca, there is no bad day!
Today was a fabulous ride. It was short, there were so many stops, I can't even remember where they were. There were random people sitting at their houses with signs, cheering us on. It was beautiful. I rode with Brian and Matt the entire day and when we got to Tyler's house, we decided to go visit my friend Kelly. She was very excited to see me (after I finally found her apartment door in this huge old house) and we made plans to meet up later.
Then we drove to an area where all the cyclists were meeting so we could drive into Calvin together. I saw Bob and gave him a big hug. I'm really glad that he is doing the last two weeks with me because I think it's going to be the best section. Plus, I get to see him cringe as we make some bigger climbs in NY.
We drove into Calvin and I immediately started the task of emptying the gear truck because I wanted to gget moving to Kelly's house. I grabbed my pack, took my stuff out of the gear truck so it could get cleaned and headed out to Kelly's.
We went out to lunch at this great place called "The Green Well" which is a gastro pub (an environmentally friendly restaurant with good quality food and a pub atmosphere). I think I had the best beer I had on the tour there. It was a dark stout with vanilla and java flavours and it was made in Detroit. Unfortunately I forget the name.
Kelly and I took the bus to Woodland Mall and we shopped until we dropped, which was lovely. Then we went to Founders to meet up with some of her friends and afterwords, we went to Mobcat, another bar and met up with some people from Sea to Sea and other RBC friends. It was a very good time talking with everyone about the tour and what they are doing. I was the DD, and afterwards took people home and then slept at Kelly's. This is probably the part of the trip that feels most like a vacation even though Grand Rapids is so familiar to me. I think it's the friends.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Day 41: South Haven, MI to Grand Haven, MI
Actual Kms: 77 kms. Yah for easy days.
Harry and Henny Drost from Fredericton.
Overkill: Notta.
Money Spent: $4 coffee/bar in Sagatuck, $16 beer and nachos in Holland (I shared), $1 laundry, $3 ice cream/pie.
Food Eaten: Just for today, I thought I would include what I have eaten. This is a pretty typical day.
Breakfast: Four mini bagels with strawberry cream cheese and decaf coffee (no regular).
First SAG: Peach and two mini cups of fresh blueberries. Yum.
First Coffee stop: Regular coffee and Wildberry Oat bar.
Lunch Stop at Grafschap CRC: Turkey and Cheese sandwich, some fruit, and a cookie.
Holland Stop: Sampler of beer and nachos with cheese.
Afternoon Snack: Million dollar pie and single scoop of chocolate ice cream.
Dinner: Steak, fruit, chips, bun, half a brownie (I gave the other half to Brian).
If you aren't convinced that you should have joined Sea to Sea yet, read the list again.
Quote: "I got a great piece of meat." -Me refering to my great steak. "Tim must work out then." -Brian.
Road Things: Nothing of significance today. Some butterflies and one dead squirrel. Also, a lot of nice ocean views as we were driving around Lake Michigan.
Favourite People Pick: Henny and Henry Drost who we biked with today. They are from Fredericton and came up to see Brian and Renita. Henry had biked on the 05 tour and Henny was a cook I think. They were great people to bike with and like to joke with us as we went along. They also like to argue about who had to lead the pace line which was very cute. They bike quite a bit together with each other, putting on about 3,000 kms a year now.
Harry and Henny Drost from Fredericton.Favourite Part of the Day: Probably at New Holland Brewery in Holland. I always wanted to go there when I was a student at RBC but never got the chance. Johnny, two of his friends, Brian and I sat in the sun and talked shop...which basically meant talked about biking and C2C. It was relaxing because we knew we only had 30 k left.
Worst Part of the Day: Peleton is now starting and I'm not done my blog and it is going to be a long one because tomorrow is Grand Rapids and I should go. Err. I'll be back.
So today Brian invited me to ride with Henny and Harry and himself. I was late as the time had changed and I was not in the mood to take down my tent, but they waited while I got ready and we headed out. We started a nice pace line and stopped at the first SAG about 20 kms down the road. There was a cute sign, which I totally agreed with.
This is the coffee shop-Uncommon Grounds that we stopped in the cute town of Sagatuck. It was VERY cute but pricey. Nice atmosphere-on the lake.
In the town of Grafschap, we visited a CRC for lunch and downstairs there was a museam related to the Dutch immigrants in the 1840's and of course, John Calvin. Here is our animated tour guide. He was very knowledgable and awesome!
Holland was just down the road and we found a different kind of museam. Here is Johnny (notice the Correctional Officer biking jersey) and Brian.
Once again, ordered the sampler. Which was a delight but pricey ($8).
Here is Johnny encouraging his friend to go faster because "Sarah said she's slowing!! We can't make Sarah go slower! GO, GO, GO!"
One mile from the conference ground, there was a group of people with signs, blueberries and water. I love this kind of treatment. The first question is always "Where are you from?" The second, "Are you doing the whole tour?" And the comment I hear most? "I can't believe this...they are all Canadians!"
Ahh the gear truck. Parked for all to see at the CRC Conference grounds (which are beautiful and very full by the way).
And tomorrow I'm looking forward to seeing Bob, my brother. It's not the man I'm looking for, but hey, it's blood.
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