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  • Josette Chamberlain

Cross country

A 47-day adventure by Josette Read more
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  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Bike gears

    March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    We woke up early, excited to meet friends tonight. When I saw we had only 46 miles planned, I got on my high horse thinking this will be easy. As you would expect I fell of that saddle later in the day. I was going up a steep hill and did not gear down soon enough, POP, the chain came off and I went down. At the beginning of this trip I would not have known how to fix this, but after a few tire changes, I have become quite the mechanic. We went up and down so many hills! I was able to use everyone of my 24 gears! Bike gears are truly amazing. Today, I especially liked the creeper gear- the low one where your feet go round and round but you only go a a few inches with each rotation- it's the only way to stay upright and reach the top on some of these hills. It may have taken a while, but like the little engine that could, we got to the top of each one. So I have learned the shorter days are not the easiest days.
    We traveled through Davy Crockett (king of the wild frontier) Forest.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    The long game

    March 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    We awoke sore but got ready anyway. We thought maybe we could make it a long day but the weather beat us out. We took a longer route to avoid the map's steep hills, in
    favor of the 'mostly flat'. The wind was not directly against us but could blow you over from the side. We stopped for lunch at the Horse Breakers Cafe and admitted that for today, small progress is still progress and that 40 miles was all we could do. When I saw the sign of welcome in Madisonville I was very agreeble to stay awhile.
    We had a great time with our friends last night! We had real Texan chicken fried steak with green beans with bacon and mac and cheese- yummy. It was so great to hear how the seeds of the gospel they planted with an alpha course have grown- God does the growing but He uses various people in various ways. 15 years later there are 5 active churches- those are people in Sierra Leone who lives are changed for eternity! Sometimes its hard to see fruit or progress on the short term, but the most important things are seen in the long game. Its is faithfulness, daily doing what is before you. As an obstetrician I am always amazed that growing a human being is just eating, drinking, and resting- the baby abides in the womb until the right time- this cannot be rushed and does not take immense mental or physical feats to accomplish. Today was a day to just be faithful to do the small work before us.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Traveling Texas Together

    March 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We slept in, knowing the weather was going to be bad, and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. We had a zoom meeting for ARA (aramissions.org), which always encourages me. The rains stopped and we took off by 11. The sun and wind dried everything pretty quickly. We took all country roads and were not disturbed by much traffic, though we disturbed many cows. The wind was again out to push us back and over (I tried to capture it on video), but we prevailed and reached a thoroughly western Texan town called Franklin.Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Family

    March 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We did 76 miles, our all time high. We rode mostly through farm country. Surprisingly there is no difference on the google dirt roads and paved roads through those parts.
    We arrived to the wonderful hospitality of my sister-in-law Lisa's. She is an amazing military wife, mom, and career woman, among all the many hats she wears. It was so good to see my 2 terrific nephews: energy filled, confident, and able to carry a conversation with adults (this is not common among elementary age kids). We went to Dead Fish Grill. The view of the lake was spectacular and they shot of a cannon at sunset- pretty cool!
    We are so thankful for all our family!    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Logistics

    April 1, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today was more about logistics, since we are a little off map and life still goes on. We were able to make a plan through west Texas and do laundry.
    We are so thankful for bike shops. Today John at King of the Mountains fit us in and fixed the shifter and brake handle on Tim's bike. This was so nice as we head into areas with few services!
    Only 27 miles, but we learned even more about google maps. I little symbol about restricted access. We had to backtrack a bit but at least this wasn't at the end of a long day. We are hoping for a big milage number tomorrow.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    A place to rest

    April 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We mapped out west Texas yesterday and could not find any hotels on the apps from the 20 mile to the 100 mile mark. Google said the route was 'mostly flat', so we got up early and set out for the first century of our lives, destination Brady, TX. But Google Lies, I tell you, Lies! It was not flat! We stopped after 33 miles and realized we needed another plan. We were so thankful for Lometa, a town to rest in and regroup. We found a lodging in San Saba, called and they had a room (1 of 7 rooms), praise the Lord! We reset the map and big surprise it said - moderate hills and 19 miles. We rested on the side of the road a couple of times and finally arrived. Burnham's Lodging is really nice- vintage downtown remodeled motel. The bed is super comfortable!
    The day was a little discouraging, but I think after some rest we will be ready to tackle some more.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Rt 190

    April 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    We took a day of rest yesterday, in San Saba, and enjoyed fellowship at their 1st Baptist Church. It was so nice to be with other Christian family. Afterwards they had a lunch to raise money to pay for kids going to camp. We enjoyed getting to know some locals.
    Today, we decided to set ourselves up for success by traveling only 45 miles. It was 190 all the way. 190 goes from Florida all the way through Texas. At points is a busy seperated highway, but here is just a 2 laner and not much traffic. It appears all you need to be a town out here is a post office, and these towns are getting further and further apart.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Eden

    April 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    It is 91 degree F with wind 19 mph out of the west with gusts up to 35 mph. We only went 35 miles.
    We started as usual, but the winds that usually pick up by noon were already vigorous by 10 am.
    We made the mistake so many make: we choose to listen to those that tickle our ears. You know: when your pretty sure its not the right advice and you have talked to 10 people who advise you one way but then you hear it- the one opinion that says what you want to do, against all other advice and common sense. So it is with this trip. We know weather goes West to East, therefore by common sense, we knew the wind blows clouds west to east. All the commercial bike trips leave from California and go East. But did we listen- No! We heard one guy say the wind carrying the weather is up high and that he charted the wind on his trip east to west and it was 1/3 against, 1/3 crosswind , and 1/3 behind him. We were a little intimidated by the Mountains starting out in California so we flew to Florida. Now we are reaping the consequences of this one decision. I do not think we have had tailwind yet.
    We are in Eden, so many choices for our forefather in that namesake, but they listened to the father of lies. Now look where we are. And if we don't listen to Truth we could end up somewhere a whole lot hotter than this.
    Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler
    1

    Rio Concho

    April 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We awoke with the wind already 15 mph. It remained a persistent crosswind throughout the day and produced a little dust storm for us to go through. We found a little area with a good tree windbreak and had a picnic with the cows in the pasture next to us.
    We arrived after 43 miles in San Angelo. A delightful city on the Rio Concho. We had a shake called the Fat Elvis (peanut butter, chocolate, banana, with bacon), at the Twisted Root Burger, it was delicious! Our hotel has the cutest area for kids and a refreshing heated pool. After a swim we took a nice river walk.
    I really enjoy birds and there are bunches here singing and calling. We watched a morning dove couple work together making their nest.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    TEXAS ENERGY- not just oil

    April 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    We traveled 44 mile with moderate hills today. The scenery was more scrub than farms. We were able to enjoy a nice Texan rest area for lunch- good old PB&J for Tim and cheese and crackers for me.
    We arrived in Sterling City and DQ was the only restaurant we could find (hurt my feelings to have more ice cream- haha). We found a little cabin for the night. Our neighbors are here working on wind mills. They laughed when I mentioned that the wind effects how far we go. They said if you see wind mills you know the wind is strong in those areas. Some of these guys have been here for 6 months, crews come in and each crew does a different part installing the wind mill. These are expensive:
    $2.6 – $4 million per average-sized commercial wind turbine

    Typical cost is $1.3 million per megawatt (MW) of electricity-producing capacity

    Most commercial wind turbines have a capacity of 2-3 MW,     Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler
    2

    5 years Together

    April 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    More than I could ask or imagine- this is my life over the past 5 years! I am so blessed to have Tim on my life and to go on so many adventures together. We are so thankful to know the Lord Jesus and see Him redeem circumstances. We have an amazing family and appreciate their support and encouragement as we travel for this and that. We said we are better together than apart, and I am convinced of this everyday.
    We biked 75 miles today, I would never have undertaken such a task alone, but together we have fun and enjoy it. We went through oil fields today. It was only 36 F when we left and 79 F when we arrived in Midland.
    No matter where we go or where we stay I am so glad I am with Tim!    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler
    1

    Hosanna!

    April 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    On Friday we had such a confidence booster going 75 miles. The forecast called for highwinds for the next week. We thought about resting Saturday, but since compared to to the days to come, the wind was not supposed to be to bad. We set out and reached the next town an hour later. We stopped at Flipped and enjoyed a nice breakfast. Energized, we decide to go on to Monahan.
    Today is Palm Sunday- Jesus came into Jerusalem with crowds shouting 'Hosanna ... the king of Isreal' and laying palms down on the path before him. The disciples were so optimistic- Jesus recognized by so many; what they knew was true was finally recognized by others. But then He was betrayed and people lied about Him and by the end of the week Jesus was dead and buried. This is not what the disciples had thought would happen. Disappointed, discouraged, these are understatement to how they felt after following Jesus, the man they believed was the Messiah.
    The road Friday was smooth, the road yesterday was so bumpy. Why anyone would want to bike gravel, I will never understand. On top of that, at some point my tire went flat and it was so hard to ride- I complained about the road but much of the trouble was my own (you have probably never blamed others when the circumstances were difficult in part because of yourself, but I have). I was crying because I was so tired and hot by the end of the day (my fitbit measured more calories burned than I have ever seen on it before).
    Today we went to church and celebrated Palm Sunday and next week we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday (Easter). I know what the disciples did not, at the end of that Holy Week- Jesus was resurrected. HE LIVES! They thought He was to be their earthly King that week-but it was so much better- He is the eternal King who shed His blood to forgive all our sins and give us life after death. We have no need to be discouraged- God is not doing things the way we expect, but He is doing them in a way that is so much better! Be encouraged!    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    Do the hard things first

    April 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We woke up early and left in the dark. After 2 headlights gave out and the battery hooked up to keep one going, we left Monahan in the dust. Literally, yesterday afternoon we rode our bikes to the Chinese buffet and the wind was so bad that sand in our teeth became our appetizer. That is when we decided we would get up and beat the wind. The forcast said the wind would be less than 20mph until 10am. We got 90% done and took a break around 9:30. Sure enough, when we got back on, the wind was battling us. I don't like to admit it but the advice to: 'do the hard things first' is usually the best advice- it served us well today!
    We arrived in Pecos TX, still in oil land and seeing people with cowboy hats. The next town is a challenging distance and the winds are at daunting speeds- not sure how the next couple days will play out.    Read more

  • Josette ChamberlainCross countryTraveler

    The beauty of a Tailwind

    April 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Today we experienced the beauty of the tailwind- we coasted for miles today! 79 miles completed and we did not even start until 9:30 am.
    We realized we were not going to meet our goal in time and the delight of anticipating the next day had waned. There are times to persevere no matter what the cost, but there are also times to stop, so Pecos is the end and we won't make it to the Pacific coast. God tells us there are different times and seasons.
    "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
    Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV
    https://ecclesiastes.bible/ecclesiastes-3-12
    I have enjoyed this trip and the people we have interacted with on the road and online. We have been able to appreciate how God has made people and communities unique, and delights in differences. We have received so much encouragement and hope we encouraged others as well.
    We have a great family and look forward to seeing them again and celebrating special events in their lives. As we finish this journey and go on to another, we hope to do some good for others and live out my life verse:
    Be joyful always. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18.    Read more

    Trip end
    April 16, 2022
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