DAILY BLOG

Today was our second rest day of the tour. After summiting Mt. Evans yesterday, the time off of the bike was a welcome break. We began the morning at 8am by going to Focus on the Family headquarters, where we had the privilege of doing morning devos for over 200 staffers. We shared with them experiences of the tour and how the theme of family unity is interwoven into the fabric of this family adventure. After that, I had a brief 5-minute interview with a local Colorado Springs radio station on the tour, and then we were free for the rest of the day.

Rich preparing to speak at Focus on the Family

While Kim, Justy, and I ran to a local bike store to get some parts, Jared slept and Jordan worked on his laptop. Jared would sleep for the next four hours—totally enjoying the time off the bike. In fact, I went to lunch with a friend who lives in the Springs and was out for a couple hours. He was still sleeping when I got back and did not realize I had even left.

Jared, Zzzzzzz

In the afternoon, we all went to Garden of the Gods and did some hiking and exploring. At dinner, we went to the legendary Flying W Ranch, which is a western cowboy dinner and musical show. We had gone there a few years ago, so it was fun going back.

Wagners enjoying the Garden of the Gods

Jared climbing around the rocks

Jardd, Kim, and Rich

More Garden of the Gods to explore

Rich and Jared enjoy a high five

Having fun at Flying W Ranch

In all, it was a perfect rest day. Some opportunity for ministry. Some rest. Some fun together.

Rich and Jared - the Day After Mt. Evans

This sign was at Flying W Ranch, not Focus on the Family!

Jordan having fun

Tomorrow, we leave this beloved state of Colorado, a place we have come to thoroughly appreciate and love. We love Massachusetts, but part of my heart will forever be here in the Rockies.

We are heading to New Mexico to begin the next leg of this cross-country journey. I am entering unexplored territory. Up until now, I have often had a strong familiarity or experience with the locations that we have biked through in California, Arizona, and Colorado. However, for the rest of the bike tour (except our ending city, Charleston itself), we have never travelled to these parts of the country before. So, it will all be a new experience! We begin in Raton and head eastward to Clayton, near the Oklahoma border.

Justy taking a break