Day 3: 

We didn’t have time to explore all the trails from the place we stayed, but we did a short hike to the dog park and checked out an old movie set from Manhattan, AZ, which aired several times back in the summer of 2000. The desert views were absolutely stunning. If you're curious, check out their website, it looks like they host a lot of fun events and activities.

Today’s ride felt vast and wide open. I was still riding alongside the border wall for a stretch, which is a pretty surreal experience. I grabbed a couple of GoPro videos, still trying to figure that out. I created an account, but of course it won’t let me log in. Technology and I are still negotiating.

And I almost forgot, I took a work meeting while riding down a 6% grade! Yes, really. It was so fun seeing everyone’s faces while I was pedaling. I’ll ask permission before sharing the screenshot from our Zoom, but it might be one for the books.

I am incredibly grateful to MEWA for allowing me to flex my time so I can make this ride happen. I’m still working, and we’re living off my income while we’re out here. Scott was able to take a leave from Legacy Health, it’s hard to help patients from the side of the road. 

I did have to switch up my shoes today. My left foot kept going numb, the same one that gives me grief in my ski boots. I swapped into my old trusty tennis shoes, the ones that have carried me for miles before, and they felt great.

I’ve been really intentional about staying hydrated and eating while riding which is new for me but it’s working. Today’s peanut butter and jelly was so dry it practically turned to dust before it hit my mouth. 😂 Thankfully, Scott stopped again just past the halfway point with more watermelon and ice.

It’s hot. Really hot. Good thing I trained in hot Pilates at Columbia Flow in Troutdale. And shoutout to Tiffany Sobella at Sandy Pulse Fitness & Strength, all those leg days are paying off. My legs feel strong!

Okay… I feel like I’m starting to ramble. Time to eat dinner, take a walk around the RV park, and call it a night.

February 25, 2026

Today was the longest day so far. The mileage wouldn’t have been bad, but I messed up the maps.

I’m using the Adventure Cycling Association maps for the Southern Tier, which I purchased and upload into Ride with GPS. I assumed Ride with GPS would give me the ACA route if I entered the start and end points. Nope. Totally different route. So off through a rock quarry I went!

I wanted to follow my maps, so I kept going, up and down gravel, over crazy terrain, all on my road bike. I was trying not to freak out or stop, so I just kept moving. At one point I wondered if I should turn back, but I could see a road, a river, and railroad tracks ahead, so I kept going. I was scared, no doubt about it but this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten myself into a situation like this, so I pushed forward. 

Eventually, a train of Razors (side by sides) came along, and I flagged them down. The woman looked a little startled, maybe scared of me, or maybe just scared for me. The man told me which way to go, though I honestly couldn’t remember everything he said. Still, I managed to cross a drainage river. Once across, I couldn’t see how to get up to the road. I circled around looking for a way out, and when I finally turned back and started walking, I noticed a small path up.

I climbed up and thought, now what?

At that point, I just wanted pavement. Eventually, I found it. My phone was dying again, and I was trying to conserve battery so I could call Scott. Meanwhile, he was back at camp, completely unaware of my adventure. He would have freaked out if he had seen where I was.

I rode past some farmland and asked a worker for directions, I'm not even sure he spoke English but he made me feel better! Finally, real pavement. Not long after, the Razor group passed me again and gave me big thumbs up. I had made it!

I stopped at Del Sol Market and texted Scott to meet me. I was out of water and had forgotten to bring cash. I had a nice conversation with a man from Canada who said there were lots of people from Portland staying nearby. Scott arrived, and I got ice, fruit, caught up on some work emails, and charged my phone to 70%. Then I was back on the bike.

It was hot, and I wasn’t exactly feeling it, but I kept going. I filled my jersey with ice, and it worked wonders for a while.

At one point, I was riding peacefully when suddenly about ten birds exploded out of the trees right next to me and scared me half to death. I really need to get better about taking pictures, but I hate stopping and losing momentum, especially on hills. My GoPro card was full anyway. There was also a massive random junkyard with some incredible stuff, I wanted to get out and take some selfies. 

I was feeling pretty good, even in the heat. I hit a downhill and figured I had about ten miles left. My Garmin wasn’t showing distance, just the route. I made the suggested turn and… another 12 miles of rumble strips.

At that point, I was so mad at myself. But what could I do? I just kept going.

When it became clear it wasn’t going to change, I started looking for an opening through the barbed wire to reach the highway. The smooth highway was right there next to me. But I couldn’t stare too hard because I had to watch for potholes or I’d go flying.

A little farther down, I saw a shirtless man camping near an underpass. I started pedaling harder, wanting to look strong and confident. He saw me and quickly put his shirt back on. I think he was more startled than I was.

Then suddenly, an opening!

Hallelujah.

I crossed the highway like I had just won the lottery. My map adjusted, and I had seven more miles of silky smooth riding. I was in heaven. I actually like highway riding, the shoulder is about ten feet wide, and I can barely feel the trucks pass.

Scott had headed out to find me when I told him I was on 12 miles of gravel again, and he passed me just as I reached the exit ramp.

The exit was Dateland, home of the famous date shakes. I’m not usually a shake person, but that date shake was incredible. I was too hot to explore the massive market, but I caught up on emails while Scott went in and looked around.

We’re now at Oasis RV Park at Aztec Hills, and it might be my favorite so far. It’s small, with just a tiny clubhouse and pool. After finishing work and fiddling with the AC, we took a dip in the refreshing pool, where we were greeted by some really kind people who wanted to follow along on our journey.

Two more rides and I get to see my Family!!!

February 26, 2026

Today was super uneventful and exactly what I needed.

I felt a little weird when I was leaving this morning. I’ve learned not to post that on Facebook because people get worried about me! I think it was just too much coffee and feeling off from the time change. It didn’t get light until 7 a.m., which threw me off more than I expected.

The ride itself was flat and easy. Nothing dramatic, no surprise just steady miles with a headwind. I arrived at the RV park at almost the exact same time as Scott. I caught up on some work, then took Win to the dog park. It’s actually called Winston’s Corral. 

Our AC still isn’t working, and it’s super hot, so we have that going for us. My uncle has a repair person scheduled to come out on Monday while we’re at his house, and Johnson RV called today to try to help us troubleshoot over the phone. I’d really love to get the AC working so we can leave Win comfortably and go jump in the pool. Not happening anytime soon though so we'll take turns. 

There are seven ACA maps for this section of the Southern Tier, and tomorrow I’ll complete the first one, which feels exciting. One down!

I had been considering taking an alternate route on Tuesday, but after yesterday’s gravel adventure, I’m rethinking that decision. I messaged Nate from Instagram, who finished the route a few months ago, to get his thoughts because he has been helping me. 

Tomorrow I’ll reach the Phoenix area and stay with my aunt and uncle for a few days. I’m really looking forward to that, family, fun and a chance to reset before continuing on.

Some days are about pushing hard. Today was about settling in.

February 28, 2026

I forgot to write my daily update yesterday. I rode 66 miles over varied terrain. I started out nice and early, which helped me stay cool.

Honestly, this was the longest ride mentally for me so far because I just wanted to be done. My body was fine, but my mind was ready to stop. I rode through suburbs, passed the Dodgers’ spring training facility, and finished with ten miles on a really nice trail.

And guess who got lost on the trail? Me.

There were multiple trails within the system, and I managed to take a few wrong turns and add some extra miles. At this point, it almost feels like part of the adventure.

When I finished, I jumped in the RV and we headed to my aunt and uncle’s house. We swam, laughed, and enjoyed being together until we finally called it a night. The sunset was beautiful, and we took lots of pictures to capture it.

It was one of those days where the ride felt long—but the ending made it all worth it.

March 1st and 2nd, 2026

When we arrived, we were greeted with lunch and our family’s famous “health drink.” We visited for a bit and then jumped straight into the pool where we stayed until dinner time. The guys got in a few yard games, and we wrapped up the evening watching another beautiful Arizona sunset.

The next morning my mom, Norah, Cody, and I went for a walk before taking the golf cart out for a spin to check out some open houses. Around noon, Steph and Mike picked us up for another tour after making a quick stop at In-N-Out. We looked at a few homes on acreage and some lots, then headed over to Lake Pleasant for a drink before making our way back.

We hurried home for dinner… but not quite fast enough.

On the drive back we got a call from my aunt saying Winston’s tag had somehow gone through my mom’s skin. Not really knowing what was going on, we told them to call the paramedics. Just as we got home and walked in the door, the “mustache crew” (as my cousin calls them) showed up. One of the young paramedics had actually had something similar happen to her before and had the tag out in a flash.

Needless to say, dinner plans changed after that little adventure. We ordered some delicious Hawaiian food on DoorDash and spent the rest of the evening recovering from the excitement.

After dinner, we talked, the kids jumped back in the pool and hot tub, and eventually we called it a night.

-----

Monday started with a mission to fix the RV AC. The place we had an appointment with couldn’t help us, so Scott and Mike found another shop about 37 minutes away that said they could look at it after work. I wasn’t thrilled with that plan, so I started calling around and found someone who could come take a look that afternoon.

He showed up just as I was getting ready for my interview with Channel 12 about the ride.

I had been a nervous wreck all day. Not sure why my breathing techniques and self talk weren’t working, but the nerves were real. The moment it was over, I immediately felt better. People say the clip turned out great, but I haven’t watched the whole thing yet because I know I’ll probably be too hard on myself.

I  had no idea we were going to be live. I thought he would ask me a few questions and then edit together some clips. Nope. We chatted for maybe a minute and then he said, “We’re going live in three… two… one!”

Shortly after the interview, my cousin and her family came over and we decided to try dinner again at the clubhouse, the place we were supposed to go the night before. It was worth the wait. The food was delicious and we had a great visit.

After dinner we headed back home for more pool time, although this round was mostly the dogs. Winston made a new best friend, Max, and the two of them swam, wrestled, and played until bedtime.

March 3, 2026

Today was my first day back after about 2½ days of luxury relaxing!

I woke up at 4 a.m. to take Norah to the airport and noticed a little tickle in my throat. I was tired and figured it was probably from waking up early or maybe the bedroom fan.

We drove back to Tempe around 8 so I could start the first section of Map 2 of my ride. Now we’re getting into completely new territory, which is exciting for me. I’ve spent a lot of time in Arizona over the years, so much of the earlier riding felt familiar.

Today I meandered through some really nice older neighborhoods with beautiful ranch homes and incredibly fragrant landscaping. At one point I wondered if all those blooming plants were part of what was making my throat feel scratchy.

Apparently, I got a little off course at one point, but I didn’t even realize it because my Garmin just reroutes me automatically. Scott saw it though and texted that I had wandered off track… oops!

One of the highlights was stopping at a little roadside ice stand. For two dollars, I got a bag of ice to refill my bottles and even stuffed some down my shirt. It felt amazing. It wasn’t extremely hot yet, but I was definitely feeling tired.

Scott found me shortly after that stop, and of course I needed more ice. I sat and rested for a bit, charged my phone, and had some fruit before heading back out.

The road started out relatively flat… but that didn’t last long. Today definitely had some solid hills. I smashed them, but I’m icing my knees tonight just to be safe.

I have two more days like this before a rest day in an artsy little mountain town that I am really looking forward to.

One big mistake today: I completely forgot sunscreen! I got too far out of my routine and now I’m pretty fried. I’m hot and freezing at the same time.

Tomorrow I’m planning long sleeves and pants and hoping for an earlier start. The forecast is supposed to be in the low 80s, so it shouldn’t be too bad.

One mile at a time!

March 4, 2026

I woke up naturally around 5:30 this morning, stretched a bit, and then took Winston out for a walk. It was cold out there! Honestly, that worked in my favor because I needed to cover up my sunburn from yesterday. I warmed up a little toward the end of the ride, but overall it felt good.

The rolling hills today were actually pretty fun, up and down, up and down… kind of like life.

Once I dropped to the lower elevations, though, the shoulder got really rough. Not my favorite kind of riding. And to keep things interesting, I was chased by seven dogs today! That definitely kept me on edge. I yelled as loud as I could and thankfully none of them got close enough to catch me. It’s not easy trying to pedal fast when you’re dealing with a chest cold, but I gave it my best shot.

I rode through a couple of cute little towns, and at one point there were about seven horses blocking the road… getting it on. I honestly didn’t know what to do! Luckily a car came along and slowly guided them toward a side road so everyone could keep moving.

Scott met me just past the halfway point for a refresh stop. Those little breaks might be almost as good as jumping into a cold pool after a ride.

I finished the day at the RV repair shop, where we ended up waiting a few hours. The good news is I’m now completely caught up on emails and grading. The bad news? No luck fixing the AC yet… so on to the next plan.

Tonight we’re hoping to camp by a lake, but it’s first-come, first-served, so we’ll see what happens.

It’s only 4 p.m. Arizona time, but I’m calling this day a wrap.

Thanks for following along. 🚴‍♀️

March 5 , 2026

Today, I actually felt the best I’ve felt in a while, although my chest still isn’t quite right. The coughing can get pretty intense at times, but for the most part I’m okay. I just focus on controlling my breathing and keeping a steady rhythm.

The ride itself was incredibly peaceful. The views were amazing and constantly changing. It wasn’t too hilly today, and toward the end things flattened out enough that I was cruising around 20 mph for a bit.

Scott met me just over halfway and told me he had seen two other bikers with sleeping bags and gear who looked like they might also be riding the route. Sure enough, they stopped where Scott was waiting, so we went over to chat with them. Turns out they’re riding one section of the route for a week.

One of them asked if we had a pump, and I had to laugh to myself thinking, what kind of pump would you like? Of course we have a variety. I’m not sure how you do a week long bike tour without a pump, but maybe he just didn’t want to dig his out.

After a quick salad and a refresh stop, I got back on the road. I like to keep my momentum going, especially when I know I only have about 30 miles left.

People sometimes ask how I get through these 70 mile days. The trick is breaking it down into smaller pieces. I know I can ride the first 35 miles no problem. Then Scott meets me, I refresh, eat, check work, and reset. After that, it’s just three sets of ten miles. Somehow that mental trick works every time.

The last couple of days have been long, straight stretches of road, which can feel a little daunting. Earlier in the trip, there were more turns, and that naturally breaks the ride up. Today I passed through a few small towns, but mostly it was wide open country and the traffic was very light. 

And then… I made it to New Mexico!

Visiting New Mexico has been on my bucket list forever. This may not have been the exact part I imagined visiting, but I still stopped for a photo on the side of the road to mark the moment.

Our GoPro keeps dying, so we may need to replace it soon. I’ve been trying to take short clips along the way to capture the scenery in each section.

We rolled into Lordsburg later in the afternoon. Originally we were planning to stay at a Harvest Host, but it turned out to basically be a Love’s parking lot. After checking a couple other options that didn’t look great either, we landed at a two-star KOA. Honestly, it’s perfectly fine for what we need. No pool, but I did get a nice shower and did a load of laundry. 

I also met with a student over Zoom… which turned into a bit of a coughing disaster. Talking while the wind blew through the RV was probably not my smartest decision.

After that it was dinner, a stop at the dog park for Winston, and calling it a night.

Last night, I slept about 10 or maybe even 11 hours, and I’m planning another early bedtime tonight.

Tomorrow is a shorter but hillier day 46 miles and we’ll land in Silver City, where I’m taking a rest day on Saturday. I’ve heard it’s a mountain artsy town, which sounds right up my alley.

March 6, 2026

Today was a really good ride.

I had been a little intimidated thinking about the climbs, but honestly my bike makes them feel pretty manageable. At first I kept wondering, Where is this big climb everyone talks about? Then I realized I was actually riding behind the hills instead of over them for a while.

It was cold this morning, really cold. Luckily, that worked in my favor because I’m still trying to heal my sunburn from a few days ago. I had on my winter gloves and long sleeves with lighter spring riding pants. My winter gear is fleece-lined and the spring stuff definitely is not. I can absolutely tell the difference between my Amazon gear and the name brand gear and it always makes me wonder why good quality has to be so expensive!

The scenery today was incredible. It changed little by little every few miles and I kept stopping just to take it in.

At one point, I looked over and saw what I thought was another dog chasing me. Turns out it was a wild boar, a squatty little thing! I thought about stopping to get a picture but honestly I was a little scared. I had no idea how fast wild boars can run and I definitely hadn’t researched what to do if I encountered one!

The road rolled up and down most of the day. I also knew those two touring cyclists we met yesterday would likely be on the same route today. For some reason that turned into a little mental battle in my head. Responsible me said, Ride steady, control your breathing so you don’t trigger a coughing fit. Competitive me said, I don’t want anyone passing me.

I’m not competitive in most things, but I really don’t like people passing me when I’m walking, biking, or running. Must be a leftover habit from my high school cross country days.

Not a ton of photos today. I’m still struggling with where to keep my phone. If it’s mounted on my bike, I can voice text people easily but then I have to wrestle it out to take a picture. If it’s in my pocket, I don’t want to stop because I’m worried about losing momentum. Honestly, I think I need those Meta sunglasses that record video… although then I’d have to make sure they match my outfit every day. A girl has to stay coordinated. I did get some Go Pro today but it won't download, always something! 

And if you’ve noticed my black-and-white checkered socks and scarves and wondered what that’s about, they’re my neutral! In my mind they go with everything.

The other cyclists never caught me, although I do wonder where they stayed and how their ride went the last couple of days.

There was a lot of downhill today, which was great, but I’m still working on getting comfortable using my front brake more. I really don’t love going faster than about 20 mph on descents. The road surfaces out here are rough and unpredictable and I’m always worried about hitting a pothole or rock.

The side winds today were wild too. A couple of times I honestly felt like they might lift me right off the road. You’d think I’d have enough weight to stay steady, but a few gusts definitely got my attention. Every once in a while I still remember the time I flipped over my mountain bike a few years ago and imagine how much worse that would have been on pavement. Falling into a pile of leaves on a mountain bike trail is way less intimidating than flipping on asphalt!

Scott met me around mile 30 for a break. I rested for a bit and caught up on work emails. Fridays are usually quiet because my students don’t have classes, but today I had quite a few messages to get through. Once I was caught up, I jumped back on the bike to finish the ride.

When I finally rolled into town I got excited. If you’ve ever traveled with me, you know I love exploring new cities. I try to squeeze every ounce of adventure out of a place. I’ll walk everywhere, and if there’s a bike to rent I’ll do that too because you can cover so much more ground.

About two miles past the main street area I suddenly realized… Scott is definitely not going to walk this far with me. He’s not much of a walker.

Tomorrow is my rest day, which reminds me, I did find a yoga studio here that I might check out.

We’re also still trying to figure out what to name the RV. We usually name boats and vehicles, but nothing is sticking yet. She’s a Winnebago, but our dog Winston already gets called Win, Winnie, or Winnebago when he’s in trouble… so that name feels taken.

After the ride I showered, did a little more work, and then we walked to the grocery store to check it out. I don’t know why, but I always love exploring grocery stores in new towns. I found a drink I’d been wanting to try and some local green chile sauce that looked too good to pass up.

We headed back to the RV, messaged a few friends, had a later than normal dinner, and called it a night.

It’s a rest evening, so technically we could stay up late and sleep in tomorrow. If you know me, you know I don’t really sleep in… but I’m getting better at going with the flow.

One more thing, all of these RV parks have really good photographers, lol. 

Rest day tomorrow! 

March 7, 2026

Our first official rest day on our own is a wrap!

I tried to sleep in, but the sun had other plans. It was already light out by 6:30 a.m.,  turns out it gets bright a little earlier here than in Arizona. It was also just about freezing when I woke up, so Winston and I bundled up and walked about half a mile to the city dog park before coming back for my morning mushroom coffee.

I mentioned earlier that I tried going back to regular coffee after taking a year off and that was a mistake. My chest felt like it was going to pop out of my throat. So I’m back to mushroom coffee and feeling much better. If you’re ever looking for a coffee alternative, I highly recommend Ryze mushroom coffee. I switched over easily both times, no caffeine withdrawal headaches and no loss of energy.

We had a slow, lazy morning. I spent some time exploring all the RV cubbies and trying to figure out where everything is. We want to be fully dialed in by the time Cody joins us at the end of March, and we’re getting pretty close.

I made a few posts and did a little social media planning, then we cleaned up the RV and headed out around noon. Winston got another run at the dog park, and then we set off to explore Main St.,  one of my favorite travel adventures. If I see a historic Main Street sign, you better believe we’re turning immediately!

The town is super eclectic and very art-focused. I took a bunch of photos that I’ll share on Instagram soon. We eventually ended up at a local brewery and distillery for what I’m calling “linner.” We’re definitely eating earlier and going to bed earlier these days. Well, I’m on my normal schedule and Scott is adapting, but it’s working!

New Mexico is famous for its green chiles, so I ordered a chicken green chile fry and Scott had a green chile burger. Main Street was about a mile from where we’re staying, so we walked there and back.

Along the way we found a $5 breakfast burrito spot that we’re planning to try in the morning before I start riding again, they open at 5am. Our RV park is actually right on the route, so I’ll be able to roll straight out from the RV and onto the road.

We’re trying to cook and eat in most days, but on rest days we make it a point to try local food and drinks. After we got back, I fed Winston and headed to the grocery store for some bubbly beverages and a few other things. I’ve discovered that after riding all day, I really love having something besides water or electrolytes. I even chugged a few Gatoraides! For wahtever reason, I would never touch that stuff at home. 

Tomorrow night, we’ll likely be camping deeper in the woods, and the following night we might try a Harvest Host if everything works out. After that...

Texas.

I will have ridden my bike from San Diego to Texas!

Is this real life?

I feel incredibly thankful and grateful for this opportunity.

Get outside and live it up because tomorrow isn’t promised. 🚴‍♀️✨

March 8, 2026

Today was a great ride. The views were incredible, although my pictures really don’t capture how amazing it felt to be out there.

I started straight from the RV park riding out of town. For some reason, I get nervous before every ride, ski run, or start a wakesurf session. I’ve been doing all of those things for years, but I still feel that little nervous energy every time.

As soon as I took a left out of town I thought to myself, this is it… this is where the hills begin.

But like I said before, my bike feels so smooth sometimes it almost feels like pedal assist.

The first thing I passed was a mining quarry and I remember thinking, Wow, this is great. Is this it?

Not quite.

I noticed another couple pulled off eating some food, and shortly after that I rode through a small tunnel. It was so quiet inside that it felt almost surreal.

I made my first TikTok of the ride today. I had plans to make two more, but between my phone and spotty service that didn’t happen. There’s always tomorrow.

Soon after, I entered Gila National Forest and the scenery became absolutely breathtaking. It honestly felt like I was riding through a movie set.

There was very little traffic and it was incredibly quiet. Almost too quiet. Every little sound had me jumping. If you know me well, you know I’m pretty jumpy anyway.

I was miles into the forest riding alone with Gary the Garmin.

At one point I passed a huge pile of animal droppings and immediately started wondering if I was about to run into a Yeti.

A few miles later, I rounded a corner and saw a big black animal standing in the road. My brain instantly said black bear because I had already convinced myself I might die somewhere in these woods.

As I started thinking about what I was going to do, I got closer and realized it was actually just a very large cow.

I pedaled past him as fast as I could at 6,400 feet elevation, but he didn’t seem interested in me at all.

When I eventually met up with Scott he said he had seen the same cow earlier, just laying down.

The rock formations and landscape made me feel like I was riding through a Yosemite movie scene.

Eventually, I reached the top and the views were absolutely stunning. We took a short break before I headed down the other side.

I’m still not a big fan of fast downhill riding, but it wasn’t too bad. I’m slowly getting more comfortable using my front brake as well.

At one point, I passed another Southern Tier cyclist heading the opposite direction. Scott talked to him while I flew downhill smiling and waving. He had long dark hair and looked like he was having the time of his life, even though he was climbing with fully loaded panniers.

If he’s riding westbound, he’s almost finished his journey!

On the descent we also saw a wakeboard boat being towed up the mountain road. Scott and I both wondered the same thing… what are they doing up here? Miles of tight hairpin turns while towing a boat didn’t sound like much fun.

Eventually, we rolled into Kingston, one of the tiniest towns I’ve ever seen. It might rival Bridal Veil Falls back in Oregon.

We continued on to Hillsboro, New Mexico, which was a super cute and eclectic little town. I probably would have stayed there, but Scott had spotted a lake about twenty minutes away so we decided to check it out.

We actually drove the wrong direction at first before finally finding it.

In the end, the lake was worth it. Sometimes I just need to be patient and go with the flow.

Setting up camp took a little longer than expected, but we finally got everything situated just before sunset. We walked down to the lake and back before making dinner in the RV, taking turns with the convection oven.

Not a bad day, just a long one.

And now it’s definitely past my bedtime!

Ride Stats: 57.23 miles, 5:49hrs. 9.8mph avg. 5,030ft of climbing today, 2789 calories burned (good thing I love to eat)

Silver City, NM to Caballo, NM, About 60 miles, Highs today were in the 50s and low 40s, Tonight we are staying at Caballo State Park.

March 9, 2026

What a day. Where do I even start?

It wasn’t a bad day, but staying up late had me feeling a little grumpy when I woke up. After some mushroom coffee and a hot shower though, I felt like a million bucks again.

We got a later start than usual because we had to drive back to where I finished riding yesterday. We decided to stay at the lake last night, which was nice, but I really do love starting right from the RV whenever possible.

Once I got back on the route, I crushed the first 19 miles back to the lake in about an hour. Cruising around 19 mph on pure pedal power is one of my happy places. I know I’m not breaking any records, but it feels great.

The scenery was mostly the same desert landscape, although there was quite a bit more housing along this stretch. I don’t love that because it usually means loose dogs, and sure enough Scott saw me being chased by two of them today. I swear those dogs are going to be the end of me someday.

I rode through the little town of Hatch, which is known as the chile capital of the world. The town is charming in a way that’s both cute and a little run down at the same time.

After Hatch, the landscape started changing. The desert slowly gave way to pecan orchards and vineyards. Apparently, New Mexico is actually the pecan capital of the world, and of course they’re famous for their chiles too. And if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for anything with green chile sauce.

About halfway through the ride I told Scott to go ahead and check us into the RV park, but he felt weird leaving and pulled over to wait for me. The reason it was taking me so long became obvious,  the headwinds were insane.

When I finally stopped for a break and got off the bike, we realized both my tires and the RV tires were covered in goat heads. For those lucky enough to have never encountered them, goat heads are vicious little desert thorns that stick to everything.

I tried pulling some off, but they hurt like crazy, so Scott finished the job.

Luckily, we didn’t get any flats and made it safely to Hacienda RV Resort, which really did feel like a resort. The clubhouse was a cute stucco building with a gym, laundry, showers, a courtyard, and probably even more amenities.

I headed straight for the shower while Scott took Winston to the dog park. Of course Winston found the muddiest puddle and dirtiest gravel pit he could find. As I walked back from my shower feeling fresh and ready for the evening, Scott was busy scrubbing mud off the dog.

While he handled that, I tried to figure out why my Garmin had disconnected from my phone and why my phone battery keeps dying so quickly. After a few tries I got the Garmin working again and discovered my phone battery is down to about 70% capacity. That explains a lot. Getting a new battery is now on the rest day todo list because my phone dying has been one of the biggest challenges of the ride.

Once everything was sorted out we headed to La Posta de Mesilla, a historic Mexican restaurant just a short ride from the RV park.

The restaurant itself was incredible, multiple rooms, courtyards, and a ton of character. We asked to move tables because of a screaming child and ended up in a much quieter room where we met a wonderful person. 

Our waitress, Sarah, was amazing and the food was fantastic. We tried the sopapillas and they were delicious. When we paid, we gave Sarah one of our ride cards and discovered she actually owns a yoga studio in town and plans to share our ride on her social media.

It turns out she wasn’t even supposed to be working tonight. She had just lost her father and was supposed to be in Houston, but ended up here instead. It’s strange how life brings people together sometimes.

I’m already thinking a yoga girls road trip to Mesilla might be in order someday.

After dinner, we walked around a bit, but it was getting late so we headed back to the RV. Scott even admitted he had changed his mind about New Mexico after seeing this town.

Back at the RV we got everything set up for the night while I ran a load of laundry. There’s a hot tub here, but it was full of guys so we skipped that idea.

Tomorrow we ride into Texas!

I have about 47 miles planned and we’re stopping in El Paso to look at fixing the RV AC. After that we haven’t planned much yet, we’ll see if we need to use one of my extra rest days.

Today felt long, but a good reminder that even the big days get done one mile at a time.

And now… it’s definitely past my bedtime.

I went from Hillsboro, NM to Las Cruces NM, almost 80 miles, the Garmin wasn't tracking today. The weatther was warmer than anticipated, I think It ended up almost 80 degrees. 

March 10, 2026

It started raining this morning, and the smell of rain in the desert was incredible.

We began the day with our usual loop around the RV park with Winston, followed by breakfast and coffee. Scott put my fenders on the bike since it was raining, he’s always looking out for me. Luckily, the goat heads from yesterday didn’t seem to damage my tires.

We got a nice early start because Scott had to get the RV to the repair shop by 9 a.m. I rode through the cute little town we hadn’t fully explored the night before and immediately knew I want to come back someday.

The weather felt good at first. I actually thought I had overdressed because I started sweating right away, so I took my jacket off and tied it around my waist. A few miles later the rain came back, so the jacket went right back on.

Then suddenly it started raining sideways. No joke, I was riding my bike at an angle. All I could do was laugh and think, Can I get a tailwind please? Anytime!

There were pecan orchards everywhere and some truly beautiful homes along the way. After a few turns the wind eased up a bit and I eventually found a bike trail that ran for about seven miles along the Rio Grande.

The Rio Grande was dry as a bone.

I cruised down the trail until I spotted a loose dog running around. There wasn’t a single person nearby to hear me if something went wrong, so I turned around and looked for another route.

Using my best “spidey senses,” I crossed the dry riverbed and found a road on the other side that paralleled the river. This was definitely one of those moments where I thought Scott might wonder what I was doing way off route.

I’m still not great at navigating off route with my Garmin, but luckily I had studied the route pretty well beforehand.

Just when I started wondering where in the world I was going to end up, I saw a street named Clayton. In that moment, I knew everything was going to be okay.

Right after that, my Garmin directions popped back up and I was back on track.

Eventually, I met up with Scott, who had pulled the RV over. I jumped in quickly to use the restroom, charge my phone, and switch to my full gloves since my fingerless ones weren’t cutting it in the cold.

From there I had about 11 miles left through neighborhoods and suburban shopping areas. Normally, I’m not a big fan of riding through places like that, but after days of remote desert riding it actually felt kind of lively.

The roads were busy, so I stuck to the sidewalks, a little bumpy but manageable.

After a short climb, the route dropped downhill for a few miles and finished right through the campus of University of Texas at El Paso, which was really fun to ride through. I’ve actually passed several college campuses on this trip, and every time I wish I could stop and take a full tour.

RV park options in the city were limited, so we picked the only one available. I wouldn’t exactly recommend it, most of the bathrooms and showers were out of order so cleaning up in the RV it was.

I wrapped up the day by catching up on work and adjusting the next few days of my route. I shuffled some mileage around to make the longer days a little more manageable.

And the good news? Another artsy little town is coming up soon, Marfa.

Las Cruces, NM to El Paso, TX. 50 Miles, varied weather but moslty raining and colder

March 11, 2026

Overall, today was pretty uneventful and straightforward, aside from the dogs.

I had to use my marine horn three different times today, but it worked every time. Most of the homes along the road sit right up against it, and the dogs roam freely. The first time I used the horn I watched the dog stop in its tracks and thought, Yes! It works!

The adrenaline rush was real. My hand even got cold from holding the horn, I guess the aerosol freezes a bit when you use it. My immediate thought was, How many toots does this thing actually have?

Apparently, about 30, according to Google. I used three toots per dog, so I’m currently sitting at nine.

I feel like I’ve developed a pretty strong dogdar. When I ride through neighborhoods, I’m constantly scanning for dogs or houses that might have dogs. I look for cars in the driveway, dog houses, open yards, and fences. It’s exhausting being on guard all day.

I cruised through my first 50 miles at about 19 mph, so I just kept going. Eventually, I realized I was more mentally tired from watching for dogs than from the riding itself. By the end of the day everything started sounding like a dog coming after me.

We stopped in the middle of nowhere today because it made sense for tomorrow’s mileage. I’ll have about 55 miles to the next town with an RV park.

My average mileage for the trip is around 60 miles a day, which feels like a good sweet spot. I joked with Scott that 30 miles isn’t even worth putting all the gear on for anymore.

We pulled off to boondock around 3:30pm, and I spent some time catching up on work and planning the upcoming route into Austin.

Cody joins us there soon!
I can’t wait, and I just realized that’s about the halfway point of the trip.

The route also looks like it gets flatter and easier in the second half, at least on paper.

Scott fired up the RV shower for the first time tonight and it was amazing. It was the second best shower of the whole trip, great water pressure and hot water, a luxury out here.

We really love this RV. It’s the perfect size and has room for everything we need. Not sure where the skis will go when we winter camp in it someday, but we’ll figure that out… maybe a box on the back.

We also tested the AC tonight and it worked perfectly. I even had to put on a long sleeve while working.

Dinner is done, and we’ll probably call it an early night. It’s incredibly peaceful out here, and we can see Mexico in the distance.

El Paso, TX to somewhere between Fort Hancock and Van Horn, temps were in the mid 70s, Gary Garmin got me again so I don't have accurate stats but I must have gone about 70 some miles today. 

March 12, 2026

Today was a solid day. It felt like a constant push against the wind and rough roads. The last ten miles were on I-10, which actually helped because the smoother pavement let me finally get rolling.

It was a pretty straight shot today with not too much to see. Oddly enough, it was nice being near traffic for a bit. Even as an introvert, it can get a little lonely out there with nothing but desert and open road for miles.

I also had a work meeting today, my final goal check in for the year. Somewhere along the ride my time zone changed again and I had no idea what was happening for a minute, but I made it to the meeting on time and everything went great.

Tonight, we rolled into a Good Sam RV park. Like many of the places we've been staying lately, it's a little run down but it works just fine. This one lets you golf for free, has a small horse corral, a dog park, and the usual RV park setup. Van Horn RV Park

 One thing we're noticing is that most pools still aren't open yet, apparently they don’t fire them up until April or May. I'm definitely looking forward to those pool dips again.

We do have some fun RV parks coming up though, so that will be something to look forward to.

Also… I’m getting some serious tan lines. At this rate I’m not sure they’ll ever go away!

We went out to eat again! I think I see a pattern! We love trying new places and local food and a place caught my eye as I rode into town. The El Capitan Restaurant and Hotel. El Capitan Restaurant and Hotel, Van Horn, TX

I almost forgot that I ran into another biker today! He was heading the opposite way, older man on the Southern Tier who started from Ohio and did some other routes and his plan is to be in Colorado by July! We talked about all the border patrol and how we find the motivation to keep going. 

Tomorrow, we are off to Marfa,TX! 

Boondocking to Van Horn, TX. 56 miles, 2200 calories burned, high 70's, 

March 13, 2026

Not much to report today,  it was long and straight. There were a few art installations along the way, but mostly it was just miles of open road. We stopped at the Prada art installation where they have shoes and bags on display behind glass, and a fence nearby covered in locks people have left behind.

The shoulder of the road was so bumpy that I felt like I’d been riding on a shake plate for five hours! My lymph should be good and circulated by now.

As I got closer to Marfa, there were a few more art installations popping up along the road, and eventually we rolled into the RV park. Like a lot of the places we’ve stayed lately, it’s pretty basic, but apparently there are some cool lights you can see from here at night.

Scott had arrived before me, and the first thing I did was jump into a very hot shower. It felt amazing and helped my stuffy nose. After that we headed to the grocery store to grab some provisions.

On the way out of the grocery store we spotted a Dairy Queen. Scott ran in and I thought he was grabbing ice cream, but he came back with a burger instead. As he climbed back into the RV he asked, “Where’s your bike?”

I said, “I put it on the back of the RV.”

Oops.

With everything going on when I arrived, we forgot to actually put it on the bike rack. My bike had been laying on its side the entire time we were gone! Luckily this place is pretty empty and no one took it, and even better, she wasn’t damaged. I still don't have a name for her or the RV, usulaly names come easy for me. 

There’s definitely a lot to remember when you’re combining biking and RV life.

We took a quick drive through town and Marfa looks like a fun place to explore tomorrow. People say this is the next big art town. Of course my first thought was, “Should I be looking up house prices to get a piece of this?” Some places are already around $500k, so maybe I’m late to the party. But you can definitely tell it’s an up and coming place.

I also bought Cody’s plane ticket to Austin today, it’s official! He’s joining us on March 22nd, and I’m so excited.

We’re starting to look at RV parks in Austin, but I think we may go explore Lake Travis a bit while we’re there.

I also started posting on TikTok in hopes of reaching more people and raising more donations. My fundraising goal might be lofty, but why not try? One of my old neighbors even found me on TikTok, he lives in Houston now. We’ll still be about an hour away from Houston when we pass through, but it was fun reconnecting.

I can’t believe I’m almost halfway across the United States on my bike! 

Honestly, there were times when I wasn’t sure this was actually going to happen. I would tell people about the plan and they’d look at me like I was a little crazy. Eventually, I even started questioning myself. The week before we left, one of my best friends started asking a lot of questions about whether it was really possible, and that’s when the doubt really started creeping in.

But by then I had already said it out loud. I had told people. I had made the plan and it was happening! 

So here we are.

Almost halfway across the country.

People keep asking if I’m getting tired of riding, and honestly I’m not. A lot of the time, I’m already thinking about where I want to ride next. Right now the Olympic Peninsula is at the top of my list.

For now though, I’m just taking this ride one mile at a time.

March 14, 2026

Lazy morning today! Yesterday I bought a couple of those store-bought iced coffees thinking they might be nice to have at lunch while riding. Well… I crushed two of them before 7am just to get going.

The cold has officially caught up with me. Stuffy and sneezy describes me perfectly today. My energy is actually fine, it’s just the head cold.

I walked Win to the town dog park about a mile away this morning, and that felt great. I realized I haven’t been walking nearly as much as I normally do, so it was nice to stretch the legs a little differently.

When we got back we had breakfast, cleaned up the RV, and then headed into town to explore Alpine. I’ll be biking through tomorrow, but I wanted to check it out because the town supposedly has around 40 murals. I love taking photos of murals when I ride through small towns.

We stopped at the local watering hole and had a margarita before heading back to the dog park with Win. He’s completely spoiled at this point.

There was an older man there, and then a woman about my age showed up. It sounds like everyone kind of gathers there at the end of the day. The woman we met actually wrote a book, and of course now I want to read it. https://www.katemanser.com/about-kate-new

So the big question is:
Do I order it now and have Cody bring it when he meets us, or wait until I get home?

No-brainer. I’m ordering it.

After that we had dinner back at the RV and I watched a little Virgin River on Netflix.

Overall it was a really restful day, exactly what a rest day should be. Hopefully tomorrow’s ride will help sweat some of this cold out of me!

March 15, 2026

Today I woke up at 8:15am, and if you know me, that basically never happens. Ever. I had a hard time falling asleep last night for some reason. I even took some Nyquil to help knock me out, which is probably why I slept so late, but I felt great when I woke up.

I slammed some protein powder mixed with a cold can of Starbucks coffee and it was delicious. I also tried a new breakfast that I loved: one of those little Kodiak instant oatmeal cups with mixed nuts, berries, and a drizzle of agave. It was so good. I’ll definitely be having that again tomorrow… but now I need to find more Kodiak oatmeal.

I think I got on the bike just after 9am and it was smooth sailing, really smooth. I’m telling you, sometimes this bike feels electric.

I passed the Marfa Lights viewing center, and there were already quite a few people there. Some must have stayed overnight. I just kept rolling along until suddenly I turned directions and hit a brutal crosswind. I remember thinking, how am I going to get through this ride? The wind was pushing me all over the road. It must have been gusting around 25 mph at times.

I powered through that rough section and then suddenly… it was over.

After that I started flying. I was cruising around 21 mph uphill without hardly pedaling, laughing to myself. I felt a little like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Honestly, I hardly felt like I did anything today, like I was cheating.

I ended up riding 55 miles in about 3 hours. At one point, I looked down and saw I was cruising at 26 mph. I’m getting more comfortable riding faster and the roads were actually pretty nice.

I even beat Scott by about an hour because he had a heck of a time finding propane on a Sunday. We’re learning that these small towns open whenever they feel like it, and most things are closed on Sundays. It seems strange since weekends are when people travel, but if it works for them, it works for them.

Since I knew I was ahead of Scott, I rode around town doing some exploring. It has a really cute little main street. I spotted some interesting buildings across the way and headed over, turned left at a garden sign, and suddenly found this magical park and garden.

I took a lap around and discovered an open area in the back where dogs can run free and they even had a pond where dogs could swim!

After walking around the park I found a shady spot, finished my water, and ate my peanut butter and jelly. I always carry one with me in case I get hangry.

Scott still hadn’t arrived, so I downloaded the audiobook from the woman we met yesterday at the dog park and started listening while walking around with my bike.

Just as I left the garden parking lot… I saw the RV! I waved Scott down and excitedly showed him the park.

I cleaned up a bit even though I barely broke a sweat today. Then we took another lap around the park with Win and he got to swim in the pond. Of course he immediately started eating sticks, and the moment he does that we leave. I’m not sure he’ll ever learn that sticks are not food.

We got back in the RV and drove around town to see what we wanted to check out. Unfortunately, almost everything was closed except two eateries. I Googled one and it looked great, so we parked and turned on the AC for Win.

We walked up to the door and it said “Sold Out.”

Okay… next place.

There was a nice hotel and resort nearby, so we stopped at their bar and ordered some nachos. They were incredible, easily one of my top two favorite nachos ever, and I make a pretty good one myself.

After that we headed back to the RV park and got set up for the night. It was pretty hot so we just relaxed inside for a while. Scott worked on installing the Waggle dog camera and I did a little coloring.

Later, once it cooled down, we took a walk around the RV park and the wind was really starting to pick up. A storm is rolling in and it’s supposed to be 34° tomorrow morning at 8am. Brrrr! Looks like winter riding gear is coming back out.

The good news is the wind is supposed to die down when it gets cold in the morning. 

I have another 55 mile day tomorrow, so probably more of the same. My cold is starting to feel better too, which definitely helps with riding.

Honestly, today I felt like I could have ridden a lot farther… but I also felt like being responsible and taking the rest.

Marfa, TX to Marathon, TX 55 miles, 3hrs, 2651 calories burned. 

March 16, 2026

Last night was super windy and cold. A storm was rolling in, but by morning everything had calmed down. When I stepped outside, it was freezing but calm, and I was actually excited to start riding.

The calm didn’t last long.

My fingers and toes instantly froze, so I pushed harder thinking if I could just warm up it would get better. I had a nice ride out of town though. I saw about 30 deer and elk, which was pretty incredible. I had my head down trying to avoid the wind, and when I looked up they were suddenly right there. I laughed and said, “Hey buddy, what’s happening?” They were so close.

The minute I turned out of town, the wind picked up.

I looked down at my speed: 8–10 mph. Not ideal when you have 55 miles to ride in freezing cold wind. I glanced at my bike computer and it said 51 miles straight ahead. I thought, Okay… here we go.

Fourteen miles in, I could barely feel my fingers. I started wondering if my bike shifters were working or if my hands just weren’t moving anymore. I texted Scott that I thought my derailleur wasn’t working, but the message wouldn’t go through.

When I’m out in the middle of nowhere and lose service, I start to panic a little. But I told myself: I am exactly where I need to be and all is good in the world right now.

I had to say it a few times before it really sunk in, but my mind tricks usually work pretty well.

In the distance I saw a rest area. I have never been so excited at the thought of warming up in a public bathroom. As I got closer I realized it was just a picnic area. Texas has those everywhere, which is nice, but what I really needed was shelter.

I tried texting Scott again. Still no service.

A few minutes later I looked back and saw the RV coming down the road. Hallelujah!

I jumped into the front seat and blasted the heater.

Scott pulled out the bike box and started charging the bike while watching YouTube videos trying to figure out what was going on. Turns out, in addition to needing a charge, there are also two batteries in the unit, so he replaced those too. We’re still not totally sure what happened, but eventually everything started working again.

I ended up taking about a two hour break.

I made a massive sandwich, scarfed it down with a side of SunChips, and hopped on a “pow wow,” as we call it, with my partner in crime, Lisa. Lisa has been sending me little positive text notes every day, which I absolutely love.

Everyone should have a Lisa in their life.

And everyone needs a Scott too. I don’t want to leave him out, because this ride truly wouldn’t be possible without him.

Eventually I layered up and headed back out.

Of course, I was instantly too hot. If you know me, I’m usually running around in a tank top and shorts, so for me to be cold you know it’s really cold. Scott drove ahead about ten miles and waited so I could shed a layer.

It was still chilly when I got going again, but with a properly working bike I could finally build up some heat and speed.

We’ve been paralleling the train tracks for a lot of this stretch, which I actually love because one of my favorite smells is black tar. When I was little, every summer we sailed through the San Juan and Gulf Islands in Washington and Canada. All the docks had black tar pilings, and I’ve always loved that smell and the memories it brings back.

We would crab all day and shrimp all night with the salt in the air and on our skin.

Those summers are where my love of water and exploring really began. I’ve always gravitated toward water and always will.

In fact, we just discovered a way to spend a week biking the Florida coastline while on this trip, and we’re really excited to explore the beach towns there.

Scott kept meeting me about every ten miles, which was perfect. Ten miles goes by quickly, but it helped me feel less alone, and today I definitely needed those breaks to warm up.

We’re also seeing a lot of Border Patrol again. At one point I looked up and saw a guy in camouflage watching the mountains through a telescope. I just waved and kept pedaling.

Later, when Scott stopped for me, Border Patrol actually approached the RV. We’ve seen them plenty of times while boondocking, but we’ve never been stopped before.

Apparently a few days earlier there had been a group trying to cross the border nearby, and sometimes they use RVs like ours to hide people. Scott said the officer was really nice and they just chatted about what was going on in the area. The officer mentioned they had seen footprints nearby, so they were on high alert.

I had noticed earlier that Border Patrol trucks sometimes tow these huge tires that drag across the dirt. I originally thought it was just to smooth the roads so they could drive fast, but now I’m guessing it’s actually so they can see footprints crossing the border.

Scott made it to Sanderson before I did and got the RV set up at a little self service RV park.

I took a long, hot shower and bundled up for the night. Finally warming up felt amazing.

I was feeling stiff, so we walked into town afterward. Like many of the towns we’ve ridden through, this one has so much potential. It could be really cute with just a little effort, but so many buildings are empty and run down.

We keep wondering what happened to all these towns. Was it COVID? Was it something else?

Tonight I’m staying up a little later to finish writing this, and tomorrow I’m planning to sleep in and start riding after it warms up.

I really don’t need to ride in temperatures below 40 degrees with wind.

It’s always a tough call though, because winds usually pick up in the afternoon, so starting early helps avoid them. But this morning was just too cold.

And somehow, I completely forgot to bring hand and toe warmers.

Lesson learned.

54 Miles Marathon, TX to Sanderson, TX 54.98 miles, 4hrs and 44min. 1890 calories burned, cold temps between 30 and 50 plus lots of wind

No pics for today, it was way too cold to take my phone out! 

March 17, 2026

Today started with a delicious breakfast of sausage, eggs, and toast, exactly what I needed. I got a later start than usual, but honestly, I felt rip-roaring ready to go.

Before I even hit the road, one of my students finally responded after I’d been trying to reach him. We jumped online, got his spring term classes sorted out, and then I was off. It had to be close to 11 by then.

As I rolled out of the RV park, I noticed all the construction workers we had seen earlier, turns out they were working on the bridge right out of town. I rode past them feeling strong, rested, and ready.

I even passed the border patrol blimp without any issues… which is always a weird feeling. Knowing someone is always watching you out there. Sometimes I wonder if they’re all talking about me, the crazy lady on a bike with an RV constantly pulling over 😂

Today brought a lot more semi-truck traffic, which I didn’t love. Normally, I ride in the road and move over when I hear cars because the shoulder is so rough, but today that wasn’t really an option. Add in the wind picking up again… and it was just one of those days where you keep going because, well, what else am I going to do?

I passed a few historical markers (always one of my favorite parts, I love learning along the way), and then had the coolest surprise: I ran into a guy I follow on Facebook! Of course we had to grab a selfie. He’s ridden all over and is a double foot amputee. Just another reminder, don’t let anything stop you. If there’s a will, there’s a way!

Scott kept stopping to check on me (he worries about these roads and the wind), but I didn’t take too many breaks today. I just wanted to keep moving and be done.

And the hills… oh my gosh. SO many unexpected hills. I haven’t checked my route in a while because I uploaded a week’s worth ahead of time, so I just kept thinking… what am I going to do, turn around? Nope. Just keep going.

At one point I was literally laughing at myself because the hills just kept coming. I felt like I had made it to Texas Hill Country… but I definitely haven’t 😅

Tonight we’re boondocking in the tiniest town of Langtry, TX, right near the Mexico border. Tomorrow we head to Del Rio, which feels like a big city compared to what we’ve been seeing.

I think we might be done with the really tiny, deserted towns… but honestly, I’m not totally sure yet.

I’ve been rearranging my upcoming days to balance out mileage and give myself more time to explore the Gulf. I want everything dialed in by the time we see Cody on Sunday.

Next week is officially spring break, which will be such a relief. I’ll still check in with students here and there, but just knowing I don’t have to will feel like a huge exhale, especially at the halfway point of this ride.

By the time I finished today, it was basically dinner time. It took me so long, around 14 mph,  just a grind of a day.

Scott made chicken sausage tortellini with peas, and it was SO good. Now we’ll take a little walk, clean up, and call it a night.

Another 60 miles tomorrow…
Let’s hope the wind finally shifts 🤞

March 18, 2026

Today was a solid day.

The wind was still there (of course 😅), but the roads were smooth and the scenery is finally starting to shift. Everything is getting greener, which feels like a little reward after so much desert.

We officially broke the ride into three 20-mile sections toda and honestly, that worked well for me. Mentally, it made the day feel manageable. I stayed on top of snacks at every stop… although I definitely got a little hangry by the end 😂

We passed a large body of water today, which felt like such a treat. Something about seeing water out here just hits different.

There were a few sketchy moments though. One bridge had no shoulder, so Scott turned around and picked me up to get me across safely. Another time, I was literally hunched up against a guardrail (that felt way too low) while traffic passed. Not my favorite moments but part of the ride.

It’s interesting… I thought I was craving more civilization, but as soon as I got closer to it, I realized—I’m good.
It reminded me of home. I work from home most days, and sometimes I’ll go to the store just to get out… and then the second I’m there, I’m like, “Yep, I’m good. Time to go back.”

People can be a lot.

We ended up at a more run down RV park than I had planned, but honestly, it’s kind of cute, and it’ll do just fine. That’s part of this whole experience too… letting go of expectations.

Tonight I’m hopping on a Zoom call for work at 8pm. Not exactly what I feel like doing after a long ride—but it’s worth it to have the flexibility to do this journey. While I’m working, Scott’s on laundry duty, teamwork 😊

Tomorrow we head to Camp Wood.
I just need to keep grinding until Sunday… then we pick up Cody, and I get a rest day Monday and it’s the start of spring break 🙌

59 miles, 5 hrs 15 min, 11 mph avg (Boo!) 2,169 calories

One mile at a time 💛

March 19, 2026

Today didn’t go quite as planned… but it turned out to be one of those days I’ll remember.

We started late because of a leaky water tank in the RV. Scott wanted to get it checked out while we were still in Del Rio, and I’m really glad we did. The place we ended up staying had this cozy little lounge where we did laundry and somehow found what might be the only non-chain restaurant in town, wood fired pizza, and it was so good.

Once I got riding, it was a lot of rolling hills and wide open space. If I had to give today a theme, it would be “ranch day.” Ranch after ranch after ranch… I guess many are used for hunting, but it felt like I was riding through someone else’s world for miles.

At one point, we passed a border patrol station and ended up stopping there for lunch and to fill up my water bottles. It felt a little unexpected, but also really nice to pause. I think the guys liked having a little excitement. 

Seventeen miles later, I met back up with Scott and saw Winston playing with an emu 😅 I don’t even know how that becomes part of a normal day, but here we are.

We didn’t have a reservation for the night, so we tried a nicer resort that ended up being full. We pivoted (as usual) and found a simple spot by the river instead. You really can’t keep us away from the water.

I saw my first snake today and the scenery is starting to change. More green, more life, and so many birds, bright yellows, reds, and blues. It feels like everything is waking up out here.

Tomorrow is my biggest mileage day yet… the longest I’ve ever ridden.

Let’s go 💪🚴‍♀️

Gary Garmin was giving me a little grief but  we went 77 miles in five hours with an average of 14mph, 2571 calories burned and the temps were in the high 80s

March 20 and 21, 2026

I forgot to post last night, so I’m combining the last two days and honestly, they’ve been some of my favorite yet.

I love the Texas Hill Country!
The homes, the architecture, the vibe, the stillness, the smell, the warmth… and most of all, the “y’all” from everyone. It feels like stepping back in time.

Friday was a BIG day, 80+ miles with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain.

That’s a lot on its own, but doing it solo? Even more.

As I was climbing, I kept thinking… who would I even know that would attempt this? Most people would turn around or get off and walk. But I was determined to make it up every hill on two wheels.

I truly believe when you put your mind to something, you have the power to do it.

I dig deep. I don’t think about anything except pedaling and focusing just in front of my tire. Occasionally, I look up and take in the scenery but mostly, it’s just me versus the climb.

At the top of one of the biggest hills, I turned around to take a picture… and couldn’t even see the hill behind me because it was so steep.

And honestly? I was glad I climbed it and didn’t have to go down it. I’ve always been more of a climber. Even back in high school cross country, I’d kick it up on the hills.

Friday felt like “Ranch Day.”
Fences lined the roads, and it felt like I was riding through a zoo.

Butterflies, orange, black, white.
Chirping birds. Cardinals. Bright blues and yellows.
Cows, longhorns, deer, armadillos, skunks, donkeys, goats… all of it.

At times, it honestly felt like I was in Mexico getting ready for a canopy tour, looking over the luch greenery. 

And the homes… wow.

These are the kind of homes I used to pick out in plan books as a kid, only to have my contractor dad tell me they wouldn’t work in Oregon. But here? They’re perfect. Rock, metal, mixed textures, multiple building and just beautiful craftsmanship.

It made me think… maybe I want a farm someday.
But then again, I don’t want to be tied down, so maybe I’ll just visit 😊

That night we stayed at a KOA, and I swear Scott was ready to move in.
Diesel, propane, a pool, showers, a lounge, a dog park, a store and really kind people. It was a good stop.

Saturday was a little easier, about half the elevation but still an adventure.

I started riding through neighborhoods, then got put onto a trail… and once I’m on a trail, I completely lose my sense of direction 😂

I ended up adding a few extra miles thanks to that and another little mishap. Oops.

The ACA route keeps taking me on these backroads that feel so remote but so cool.

The scenery was similar to Friday, but I saw a lot more cyclists, probably around 20 which I actually loved. It’s nice knowing people are around in case something happens.

I rode through Fredericksburg and had my favorite mid-ride snack:
apples, crackers, and a slice of cheese. So simple, so good.

The apples right now? Next level.

Hydration is still a challenge. I can’t seem to get enough water or electrolytes and honestly, I’m kind of over my electrolytes at this point. Cold water tastes amazing, but it warms up fast. Definitely getting insulated bottles in Austin.

We’ve also been eating really well… maybe a little too well 😄

Last night we found a local spot right on the water where I had the biggest Cobb salad ever and somehow ate most of it.

Tonight, we finally tried BBQ at The Pig Pen.
Scott was in heavenm and said it was the best he’s ever had.

I had a pulled pork sandwich with baked potato salad (which I’ve never had before), and it was so good. Scott still makes a mean BBQ, but this was definitely up there.

Tonight’s stay is a little more… rustic 😅
No bathroom or shower code because they’re closed on Saturdays,so we’re just rolling with it.

Tomorrow, we head into Austin…
and we pick up Cody at 5pm ❤️

And just wait until Monday’s update, we’ve got a surprise coming.

Friday was 84 miles, 4000 calories burned, Camp Wood to Kereville, TX

Saturday was 63 miles, 2760 calories burned, Kerrville, TX to Johnson City, TX

March 22, 2026

Today was more of the same when it came to riding conditions… but mentally, it felt different.

I didn’t take many pictures,I was nose to the grindstone.
I just wanted to finish, get settled, and go pick up Cody from the airport.

At one point, I passed a guy while riding, and somehow we ended up talking later back at the RV. His name was Cloud. He shared that his dad started a foundation called Foundation for Dreams. I tried to look it up and could only find their financials, but what stuck with me wasn’t the details, it was what he said next.

He had just lost one of his closest friends to suicide. One of his “core 8.”
Here one day… gone the next. No signs.

And it makes you think…
Are there really no signs?
Or do we just not know how to see them?

That stayed with me the rest of the ride.

Physically, I was dragging today.
My legs were sore, heavy… it took everything just to get them going.

I had to wear pants because all my bike shorts were dirty (real life on the road 😅), so I was hot and of course, my water was hot too. Always hot.

Just one of those days where you keep going because that’s what you do.

We checked into an RV resort tonight and wow, this is the kind of place we’ve been missing.

The guys are in the pool right now while I wait for the washer to finish, and I cannot wait to jump in. It’s going to feel so good.

There’s a Pickathon happening here tonight, tons of activities, and Scott already met our neighbors, they’ve been here a week and said we have to try a breakfast spot called Texas Toast. I was already planning on it, but now I’m even more excited.

We’re staying at Sun Outdoors Lake Travis, and I have to say, I highly recommend it.
We’re tucked into this little inlet off the lake, and the whole area is just beautiful.

I’m officially a fan of Texas 💛

Keeping it short and sweet tonight…
because tomorrow is a big day.

55 miles, 4hrs, 2700 calories, A country Rd near Johnson City to Austin, 

March 23 and 24, 2026

Another combined post for the last two rest days… and this one was something special.

Monday started like normal, walking Winston and easing into the day.
We had plans for someone to pick us up at 10am, but Cody had no idea what was coming.

Scott had arranged for a wakeboarding pro to take us out on the lake, but we told Cody we had just rented a boat and were taking an Uber.

An older truck pulled up… and Cody instantly froze.

It was JB O'Neill.

Cody has been watching his YouTube channel forever even before this trip so when that truck showed up, he thought Scott was messing with him. Like… this can’t be real.

But it was.

JB introduced himself, and just like that, we were off.

And let me tell you, when you think of Southern hospitality, you think of JB.

He offered us his truck for the next day, was willing to take us back out again, and just showed up as such a genuine, kind human. Truly top notch.

We spent the day on the lake, and it was  so nice.
Easy, light, full of laughs Cody and JB had the same kind of humor, so it made it even better.

He shared stories about his time as a pro, the town, the lake, and his life. His dog, Air Bud, and his girlfriend are his world. He even brought Air Bud back from the Philippines when he was living there, just one of those stories that sticks with you.

I loved all of it.

Moments like this remind me

👉 Get out there and live the best life for YOU.
What society tells you isn’t always what you’re meant to do.

Be who you truly are.
That’s when you show up as your best self.

Nothing shines brighter than you!

JB recommended a place called The Oasis on Lake Travis, https://oasis-austin.com  not for the food, but for the view… and he was right.

It did not disappoint.

Cody and I had fish and chips, Scott had chicken, rice, and vegetables which I lovingly referred to as a “weeknight meal” 

Honestly, everything feels like a weekend out here… and we might need to rein it in a little. Next week is mostly camping, so we’ll be back to cooking and keeping it simple.

We ended the day in the pool, then the hot tub, and met a really interesting woman. She and her husband travel for his work, he’s a seasonal head chef, moving from place to place.

And get this, she recommended a place for us to stay when we finish in St. Augustine which I had already picked out for us. 

Funny how those little connections keep happening.

I keep telling Scott he needs an online job so we can just keep living like this. He might be coming around… or maybe it’s a retirement plan.

But like I’ve said before, tomorrow isn’t promised.

Day 2 rest day, today was a slower start.

Lots of work… and a full RV reset cleaning, organizing, getting everything back in order.
It’s funny how quickly it all gets messy and how good it feels to get it dialed back in.

We headed over to Ski Dock https://skidock.com/, the shop that connected us with JB O'Neill.

We ended up having some really great conversations with the owner. He hooked us up with some swag and told us about the foundation they’re involved in. It’s amazing how many people are out there quietly doing good, spreading positivity, helping others and you don’t always hear about it. His foundation is called Operation Get Out Link to Operation Get Out .

He also recommended a book called Blue Mind Link to the Blue Mind Book, and I can’t wait to dive into it. It’s right up my alley water, mindset, mental health… all of it.

Meanwhile, I’m finishing up You Might Die Tomorrow Link to You Might Die Tomorrow Book, I’ve got about an hour left. There’s so much to take in, but the biggest thing that keeps coming through is this:

Most people in this world are good.
And most people want to help.

That’s what I keep seeing over and over again on this trip.

We spent part of the afternoon on a mission trying to find an insulated water bottle.

This has honestly been one of my biggest struggles. My water gets hot so fast out here, and when it’s hot, it’s just not the same.

After hitting three different bike shops, we finally landed at REI. They definitely don’t give those bottles away 😅 but I grabbed two and we found some of Winston’s favorite treats, so it was a win.

Scott is officially becoming a pro at navigating the RV through a city.
We bopped all over Austin and eventually landed at Pecan Grove RV Park, right in downtown. Perfect spot for exploring Austin with a small RV. 

Once we got settled (which doesn’t take long anymore), we walked over to Terry Black's Barbecue.

So good. Classic Texas BBQ.

After that, we rested a bit and then walked to Barton Springs Pool. Barton Springs Pool Link

We swam a few laps, cooled off, and walked back. That water felt amazing! 

Rested again (clearly a theme today 😄), and then headed back out to cruise through downtown and check out Sixth Street.

Austin definitely has a vibe. Music, energy, people everywhere.

Today felt like a reminder that this trip isn’t just about the miles.

It’s about the people you meet.
The conversations you didn’t expect.
The small moments in between.

And more than anything

There are a lot of really good people out there and places to explore. 

March 25, 2026

I rolled out of Austin this morning feeling rip roaring ready to go after two full rest days. Took a beautiful trail into downtown and thought okay, this is going to be a great day.

And then… my bike wouldn’t shift. Again. 

I tried to fix it, no luck, turned back to the RV park. Scott worked his magic, got it rolling, and off I went, take two.

Made it across the river, lots of turns today (so you know what that means… extra miles 😂). But I’m learning. Me and “Gary Garmin” are finally starting to understand each other.

Austin… I think you might love your graffiti art even more than Portland.

Once I got out of the city, things got a little rough. Not unsafe exactly, but just… off. Then I hit a quiet neighborhood road and immediately thought dogs. 

Sure enough!

Two huge German Shepherds came charging down the road. I stopped, trying to figure out my next move, heart pounding. Out of nowhere, a woman in a truck pulled up. I jumped behind her truck, trying to explain I was scared. She didn’t speak English, but somehow, through pointing and gestures, she understood.

Next thing I know, I jump into the back of her truck with my bike. 

Those dogs chased us. One of them got close enough that I honestly thought it might jump in the back of the truck with me.

I don’t even know what I would’ve done if she hadn’t shown up in that exact moment.

It reminded me of The Celestine Prophecy, how things happen for a reason, right when you need them to.

She drove me far enough to get out of sight, and just like that… I was back on my own again. Horn in hand this time.

Trying to make up time, I realized… my shifters weren’t working again. 

At that point, I was riding without support most of the day while Scott and Cody handled RV stuff. Totally fine… just slower than I wanted. Eventually, they found me with about 10 miles to go right as I was walking my bike up a hill.

I had wanted to ride every hill today.
But sometimes… you need to pivot.

And honestly, that might be one of the biggest lessons out here, pivoting is a life skill. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay.

About 20 miles of today were through a state park, green, quiet, beautiful. It would’ve been perfect if my bike had cooperated.

When the guys caught up, I refilled and chugged water (these new bottles are a game changer). I’m still going through about four bottles a day out here.

They had just hit Trader Joe’s, so I got some yogurt-covered pretzels… and let me tell you,TJ’s snacks never miss.

Finished up the last few miles around 4pm (later than I like because traffic gets grumpy 😬), and then…

Bucket list stop: Buc-ee's.

We must’ve walked around for an hour 😂
Dinner there too and honestly, it hit the spot.

We ended up back at the same state park I rode through earlier. Quiet, green, shaded… exactly what we needed. There’s a dried-up lake nearby, but even without it, it feels peaceful.

Today had a little bit of everything.

But what stuck with me most…

While riding, I kept thinking about all the people who’ve done this route before me and all the ones who will come after.

Who are they?
What are they chasing?
What keeps them going?

I think about that a lot even just watching people walk down the street.

Where are they headed?
Are they happy?
What gets them up in the morning?

There are so many stories out here.

And I just love learning and trying to understand what makes people tick. 

Austin, TX to Smithville, TX 60 miles, 2339 calories burned, 85 degrees with a slight breeze. 

March 26, 2026

Sometimes it’s honestly hard to even remember what the day felt like.

I got a later start today. I keep waking up around 7:30am, guess I’m still on home time. I really love having about two hours in the morning to read, work, stretch, and just ease into the day… so when I wake up later, that whole rhythm feels off.

This morning I worked on my yoga class. Normally, I teach it live, but since I’m out here, I’ve had to pivot and find videos and get everything set up differently. I had thought about skipping this term, but another counselor asked me to teach for some of her seniors and I’m really glad I said yes.

I’m only two weeks in, but everything is ready for Monday after spring break, and that alone feels like a huge relief.

I also got my walking class set up today so even though it didn’t look like a “big” morning, it actually was.

Still… I was tired. Scott could see it.

I haven’t been sleeping great, and I just feel a little off. Probably the time change, maybe the bed, maybe just the buildup of everything. Some days out here hit differently.

The ride itself was pretty good overall.

I had two dogs come out of nowhere barking, I was a little blindsided but this time I felt ready. I got off my bike, yelled, hit my horn twice, and walked my bike calmly across their property. No issues after that… but let’s just say the horn stayed very close after that 😅

About halfway through, I rolled into Round Top, TX and wow!

Turns out they’re in the middle of their Round Top Antiques & Design Show.

There were so many people… and honestly, mostly women 😂
I told Scott, if a cowboy is looking for a cowgirl, this is the place.

Scott and Cody were already there, sitting at a cute little spot having a drink… which, let’s be honest, is usually my role.

But really, it was such a fun little town. I didn’t stay long, just took a quick peek before heading back to the RV for my classic mid-ride snack: apple, cheese, crackers, and water.

Then I was back at it.

And I swear… these backcountry roads, little homes, and tiny towns? They have my heart.

After my break though… Gary Garmin got me again !
Added about 10 extra miles today.

I think I’m missing turns because of the wind, I can’t hear the beeps. And if you know me… right and left are not always my strong suit 

Still, I made it to Lake Somerville Marina and Campground, and it turned out to be such a great spot.

We waded out into the water, walked around the peninsula, watched a little boat launch chaos (always entertaining), and just slowed down for a bit.

I had dinner, and the guys took off on the Onewheel and bike while I stayed back and rested.

Tomorrow we’re headed toward New Waverly.

Only a few more days in Texas before we hit Louisiana.

I’ve loved Texas… truly.
But I’m also ready for new scenery, greener landscapes, and towns a little closer together.

State park to Somerville, TX 67 miles 2857 calories burned, 88 degrees. 

March 27, 2026

Another slow start… which seems to be the theme lately.

And honestly, I’m okay with it except for riding later in the day. But now that the hills are easing up, I can feel myself picking up speed again and today proved it.

I had 60 miles on the schedule, and it actually went by pretty fast.

Today I was riding between map sections 4 and 5. The first stretch was about 20 miles, and I made it there in just over an hour, felt so good to move like that again. Another cute little town, too. These small towns just keep winning me over!

The second stretch was 42 miles, and I could definitely feel the difference. Longer, quieter… and a little more intense.

The last half took me through Sam Houston National Forest, and it honestly reminded me so much of Oregon, like that stretch from Bend to Klamath Falls.

No shoulder.
Logging trucks flying by.
And a smoky haze hanging over the forest.

I’m not sure if it was a controlled burn or leftover from a fire, but no one else seemed concerned… so I just kept riding.

The guys found me with about 14 miles to go. I hopped in the RV for a quick reset, bathroom break, apple, cheese, water and then back out for the final stretch.

Funny how 14 miles can feel longer than 40.

That last section was a slow, steady uphill no big climbs, just enough to slow you down. Add in fast trucks and barely a shoulder, and it definitely kept me focused.

Along the way, I passed some new construction and saw homes in New Waverly starting around $200K…

I’ll take two 😂

We rolled into a really nice RV park tonight with a pool, hot tub, all the good stuff. The guys went straight to the pool, and I stayed back for a bit, adding a few more RV stops to our plan.

We’re getting closer.

And everything is changing out here,
more green, more trees, flatter roads.

And the humidity?

I actually kind of love it.

It’s warm, a little heavy at times… but it reminds me of Mexico, and there’s something comforting about that.

Independence, TX to New Waverly, TX 60 miles, 2800 calories burned, mid 80's

March 28, 2026

Saturday was a tough one.

I let the dogs get in my head. I went down a rabbit hole and read about a solo female cyclist who was killed by dogs, and it completely shook me. I couldn’t even make my morning video—I just sat there crying.

But… I still got on the bike.

I can’t let fear take this from me. Not this ride. Not any part of it.

Scott and Cody went ahead and helped scout the road, watching for dogs and even coming back for me when there were a few laying out unsupervised. Having them out here with me means everything.

At one point, we stopped at a little roadside bake stand (because Scott will never pass one up 😄). They had lemon scones cranberry white chocolate scones, peanut butter no-bake cookies, mini apple pies… all the good stuff. I wanted to eat everything at once.  

We rolled through a couple of really cute small towns, which I loved. Something about having towns closer together just makes the day feel lighter.

Our planned RV stop didn’t quite work out, the pool was green, and I had been so looking forward to that post ride swim. So we pivoted.

And I’m so glad we did.

We ended up at this place right on Lake Livingston called Lagoon Ranch, and we all instantly fell in love. It’s clean, peaceful, and feels like its own little community, games everywhere, a great workout room (I’ll definitely be using that), a restaurant, and even a swim-up bar.

We liked it so much… we decided to take an unplanned rest day.

Yesterday reminded me that this ride isn’t just about pushing through, it’s also about knowing when to pause, reset, and take care of yourself.

Some days are hard. Really hard.

But I’m still here. And I’m still moving forward. 💛

March 29/30, 2026

Today felt really good.

Scott rode the first 30 miles with me, which was fun and honestly worth the slower start. It was a long, flat stretch with the same scenery, and he kept asking, “How do you look at this for so long?” 

But that’s the thing… you start to notice more.

There were so many birds today, and the air felt thick as we rode through the forest, again it reminded me of Mexico. I kept wondering if there are always this many birds and I just don’t notice at home, or if I’m finally slowing down enough to really hear them.

Scott also pointed out how the roads change at county lines. I’ve felt that before, but never really thought about it. He thought the roads were so bumpy… and I thought they felt great. It’s all about perspective.

I stopped just past halfway for lunch and had a lot of work to catch up on the first day of the term, which is always a busy one as students get settled. After that, I finished the ride into town on a trail and then had two 10-mile stretches.

It is SO flat out here. I was flying, 10–15 miles goes by fast when there are no hills!

No dog chases… until the last three miles. Then, I had five. No time to grab my horn, I just yelled and pedaled hard. And just like I knew I would… I made it through.

Tomorrow, I ride into Louisiana. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far and across Texas. For some reason, that feels like one of the biggest milestones of the whole trip.

Not many pictures today, I don’t love stopping in dog country.

And of course… we found another lake to stay at. Thompson Lake, a small, man-made lake with about a one-mile loop around it. After we got in, I finished up some work, made some bomb burrito bowls (I could eat those every night), and Cody and I took Winston around the lake and let him run. Then we took a loop with Scott. 

I might have worn Scott out on the ride, he hasn’t ridden in a while but he bounced back. He also realized what I’ve been saying this whole time… every direction somehow feels like a headwind. I think I’ve had a tailwind once this entire trip 

And looking ahead… the weather might get a little interesting and wet soon.

But for now I am feeling strong, grateful, and still moving forward! Let's go! 

Gary Garmin din't track my miles or anything today but it was 60 miles, I started in Livingston Texas and rode 60 miles. Temps were in the low 80s again. 

March 31, 2026

The first Tuesday back after spring break is always a doozy at school… but we made it.

I had meetings today and ended up skipping one so I could ride earlier. I’ve learned I don’t love riding late in the afternoon, the heat, traffic, and yes… the dogs… everything just feels more intense.

Today, I actually chose to stay on the main roads instead of the ACA route. It might sound backwards, but I feel safer with some traffic around me than out on isolated backroads. If something were to happen, I want people nearby. Honestly, that mirrors how I am in life too, I don’t need to socialize a lot, but I like being around people. Like in group fitness… you don’t have to know everyone, but when you share an experience, whether it’s a hard workout or a relaxing yoga class, you build a connection. And I’d do anything for my gym and yoga people.

The air felt thick and muggy today. I actually don’t mind humidity, I hate feeling dry, but riding in it is a different kind of heat. At the same time, I kept thinking… this is nothing compared to hot Pilates.

I crossed into Louisiana today! That felt like a HUGE milestone. I don’t know why riding across Texas feels so big but it really does. And then I remind myself… I’ve also crossed California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Wild!

The riding now is so flat and fast and I love it. I was cruising today!

Somewhere along the ride, I even caught myself thinking about what’s next. You’d think I’d be tired of riding… but I’m not. I love it. I’m already thinking about Reach the Beach and putting the Olympic Peninsula on my list for this summer. And on the way home, I want to learn how to fully operate the RV on my own so I can take off on my own adventures someday. 

I also found myself really tuned into everything around today, the smells, the sounds, the little moments. Earlier in the trip it was lilacs… today it was a mix of fresh greenery, birds, butterflies… and yes, the occasional roadkill (I still hold my breath and look away every single time).

We’re staying right on route in DeRidder tonight, which means I can get an early start tomorrow (my favorite). No driving to the start = a much smoother morning.

And I’m thinking… I might go for 100 miles tomorrow !
I have one meeting in the middle of the day, but I think I can do it and I want to try.

The RV park here is great everyone is so kind and welcoming. There’s even an army surplus store and a little treat cart on site. Small town charm at its best.

Also… the guys need to drop their Texas accents STAT, I’m starting to pick it up too.

And Gary Garmin was off again… but what’s new? I think it's operator error or I know it is. 

60 miles, just over three hours, temps in the 80s and about 2000 calories burned, ended in DeRidder, LA. 

April 1, 2026

Somewhere along the way, I got a wild idea… I was going to ride 100 miles.

I don’t even remember exactly when it hit me, but after a fast 60-mile day, I thought I could go farther. So I put it out there to hold myself accountable and make sure I didn’t back out.

And today… I did it.

I flew through the first 50 miles, and it lined up perfectly with a meeting. The guys had Starlink ready, I hopped on, ate, caught up on emails, and then got right back on the bike.

The second half got a little windier, but I just kept pushing.

Today’s ride was so different, miles and miles of crawdad farms, water everywhere, and it honestly felt coastal. You could even smell it. Beautiful white cranes were all around the ponds, and I kept spotting wildlife, dead armadillos (still haven’t seen one alive!), a bunch of snakes (one HUGE), and the cutest little turtle.

And the dogs… still there but I’ve got a system now. I hop off, hit my marine horn, and it works pretty well. Louisiana dogs definitely don’t seem as aggressive as the Texas ones.

At one point, I told Scott I’d go the whole 50 miles without support then he said, “No, I’ll meet you at 25.”  He forgot… but came back once he realized I’d been chugging water planning to refill with him. I drank SO much today and still felt like I couldn’t get enough.

And here’s the funny part… I actually rode over 100 miles but my Garmin didn’t track part of it because I forgot to restart it after lunch, at least I finally figured out what I’ve been doing wrong!

After the ride, it took a bit to find a place to stay, but we ended up at a campground about 30 minutes out of town right on a lake. I finally got a shower (I was SO dirty), and then we walked down to the water and let Winston swim… until we googled it and found out the lake has alligators 

Needless to say… we headed right back to the RV and called it a night.

105ish miles, 4000 calories burned, DeRidder, LA to Bunkie, LA. Very humid and in the 80s, I even had a little rain today which felt pretty good. 

April 2, 2026

April 3, 2026