Ice skating with the family. i would be great at checking people in hockey. nobody would want to get hit by 230 lbs on skates!

Catchin Up

Hi All!

I've been informed by the web master of my church web site that I need to post to my blog more often. You know he's right. This tends to get lost in the craziness of life and I'm never sure that anyone else wants in on the craziness of my life. The greatest thing is that no matter how crazy life is, God is right there in the center of it all, if only we are paying attention. I actually have some down time right now as my family is together with my wife Kay's side of the family for a few days. 15 people in one house including 7 cousins under 15 years old. Some from MN and some from MT. So our time includes games, a trip to Amish country for a huge lunch in an Amish home (not a restaurant), a family photo shoot, ice skating, football on TV, playing in the snow, and more.

I had my last outdoor ride the day before Thanksgiving, but since then I've been in spin class mode. It's not as fun as being outside, but it is definitely a great workout. I took my 15-year-old line-man Josh with me one day. He says that he's never sweated so much and that he needs to get his whole line in on these workouts.

Hope that you all have had a blessed Christmas and may God give you grace upon grace in 2010!

Scott

Her I am parking - oops - in a no parking zone.

I love this sign! Check out the guy flying off the bike.

Another shot of the rattle snake from our trip

Baby bear

Another bear shot

Bear pictures from Diana

Diana saw a Mama black cear and two cubs while cycling on our Pedaling Parsons trip. Really cool!

Still some clouds in the valleys.

WE MADE IT!!!! Scott's stats for Friday: 51 miles, 4013 feet of climb, 16.3 mph Avg speed.

Highest point on the Drive - Larry Hinkle

Met some really nice people from Frankfurt, Germany.

Hey, I made it to the top!!

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At the top of the Skyway. Don Richards.

What a gorgeous day! A little chili, but the sun is shining.

Highest point on the Drive - Larry Hinkle

We had a great meal and service last night at the District Men's Gathering. We even got a bag of cutting tools.

Devotions on our last day of the tour at Evangelical UMC in Elkton, VA.

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Our last night on the road is at the Evangelical UMC in Elkton, VA. We are eating dinner at their district UM Men's gathering held at a nearby church. They bought 19 meal tickets for 13 of us. I said that I thought we could polish off the other 6 meals.

All of the bikes loaded in after a little shorter day. 54 miles with 4,450 feet of climb. We moved pretty slow with the fog and rain.

I didn't take as many pictures today since I Had to protect my phone from the rain. Besides, not much to see in the fog.

It's been quite a trip for seeing wildlife. Here are some turkeys along the Skyline Drive.

A picture of the clouds hanging in the mountains. Not much of a day for enjoying the scenery.

Video of the snake we saw yesterday.

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Another picture of the deer!

I met a new friend along the way. It was obvious the she's been fed before. As I pulled out my phone for a pic she came up like I had food.

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On our way - 15 Miles in with lots of fog and mist. Kind of chilly today too. Feels like we're in a rainforest much of the time.

Good morning. Devotions in the sanctuary at Main Street UMC in Waynesboro on THursday.

Ice cream is a must on PEdaling Parsons trips. I had a large banana split!!!!

Finished with the Blue Ridge Parkway. We got showers at the YMCA of Waynesboro.

Scott's stats for Wednesday: 64 miles, 6,546 feet of climb, avg speed 13.3, Top spd 45.9

LUNCH!!! WHAT A GLORIOUS SIGHT! I ran out of water and energy about 2 miles ago. I really need this break.

Oreos with peanut butter - energy booster for pedaling parsons.

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Rattlesnake yikes!!!

Here are a couple of recent college grads who are hiking the Appalachian Trail. Their hiking names are Disney and Sea Monster. Cool guys!

Climbing and climbing! This pic is a good excuse for a break!

OH!!! IO!!!! Found another Buckeye fan on the trip.

View at our first break on Wednesday 19 miles into our 64 mile day.

Afternoon break already. 12:42 and We've traveled 47 miles. We're going to try another 38-40 miles today to get all the way to Roanoke.

Highest point on the Parkway in Virginia!!! Yipppeeee!!!!

Coming in across the James River. The end of the ride for day 2. Finished with a 14 mile downhill between 35 and 42 mph the whole way!!! Awesome!!!!

There's the James River.

With each turn comes more elevation!!!

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Another view from an overlook. I know the photos don't come close to the views we have of God's beautiful creation!

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Lots of climbing this morning - more to come after break!

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Already climbed 1940 feet this am before break!

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Leaving Thrasher Memorial UMC. What a great facility. I even found a couch in the youth room - I knew it wouldn't deflate like my air mattress.

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Devotions on the 2nd day!

It has been a long day, and it's time for me to get some sleep before another day of riding tomorrow (Tuesday). We will begin where we left off climbing out of the Roanoke Valley. Since we road the extra 10 miles today, tomorrow should only be about 57 miles to the James River. One of our most difficult climbs will be to the Peaks of Otter, which looks on the map to go straight up. But then we will end tomorrow's ride with a 14 mile descent to the James River.

For those who happen upon this blog - maybe by invitation: I ride with a group called the Pedaling Parsons. Some of us are United Methodist Pastors while others are lay people who enjoy cycling and raising money for a good cause. This year we are raising money to support our United Methodist Community Centers in East Ohio. These community centers are especially busy during this time of year as they help to meet the basic needs of individuals while also helping to empower them to be self-supporting. All of this to help share the love of God.

If you would like to donate to the cause, please make a check to Solon UMC and send it to: 5540 SOM Center Road Solon, OH 44139. (MARK IT PEDALING PARSONS.)

Keep checking back as I continue to update the blog throughout the week.

God bless you,
Scott

We're at our planned stopping point for the day -70 miles. But it looks like we're going to ride 12 more miles downhill to Roanoke.

1st day stats for Scott: 80.5 Miles, avg speed 15.9 mph, 6,912 ft Of climb, top speed 46.3 On a downhill. Long but good day!

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Some tired cyclists.

Up up up!!!

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