Wednesday, July 8th. Day 39. Today was my birthday. I'm officially 20! Wahoo. I'm out of my teens. I had an amazing ride group that day. I had Vadim, Kyle, Sarah L., and myself. We started off our 115 mile ride with about 30 miles on a gravel road. Not my favorite thing to do on my birthday, but I made the most of it. We saw sooooo many horses. It's like in Nebraska you see could see all sorts of cows and then as soon as you hit South Dakota it was all horse. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw multiple baby colts. The cutest thing EVER! Of course we stopped and many of them came up so we could pet them. Not long after, we officially were leaving Nebraska. This was kind of a bittersweet kind of day. I officially rode all the way across my home state. I was a pretty amazing 10 days. Everyone was super considerate. I couldn't of asked for a better state to be represented by.
We journeyed on into South Dakota. Rapid City was our next destination. After many laughs, memorable conversations, and petting more horses, we approached a scenic view of the Bad Lands. I can't even describe it in words besides AMAZING. It went on for miles and miles. So blessed to be getting the opportunity to see so many amazing views of America. I had no idea that South Dakota was so beautiful. We arrived in Rapid City to a wonderful dinner at the church we were staying at for the next two days. The people that we met there were so generous. To end my birthday we went to Mount Rushmore. They did an amazing presentation of honoring all veterans and lit up the monument. Then a few of my teammates wanted to end my night with a white birthday cake. (my favorite) I was so happy because that is all wanted for my birthday was cake and I was able to have it. I would like to thank my amazing teammates for helping me make my birthday and summer so memorable. Ya'll are AMAZING! :)
Thursday, July 9th. Day 40. Today we were had an off day and was spent by a quick breakfast with some of the community members of the church in Rapid City. They provided coffee, donuts, and fruit. Which are all my favorite. Then we journeyed onto the Rapid City Regional Hospital where we got a tour of the cancer center. Very nice and put together hospital. Everyone there was extremely friendly too. I also brought along my guitar and was able to sing to 4 different patients. The most memorable was walking into a small rectangular room who had a woman who put on a huge smile when she saw a group of people in blue 4K shirts walk into the room. We introduced ourselves and told Peggy what we were doing. She had her sister and daughter also in the room with her as well. I asked then if I could play her a song. Without any hesitation, she said absolutely. I had a feeling that my “Always Be Near” song would be very fitting for this situation. In the back of my mind I was thinking that this song usually is a tearjerker. So my fingers were crossed that I didn’t make Peggy too upset. After the first two phrases of the song, she pulled out a Kleenex and tears were already rolling. I apologized in the middle of the song and she said tears of joy. I finished the chorus with “They are probably telling Jesus how much they love us down here, and Jesus is telling us now, that they will always be near!” I finished that phrase and she put her hand up above her head and gave me a thumbs up. Peggy is a true warrior. She was fighting leukemia. She had one more round of chemo to go. I sometimes cant quite phantom how someone who has to go through so much pain, can make a whole room smile and feel as though nothing is wrong. The nurse that was helping Peggy was actually from Kearney, Nebraska. It was great to see another Husker fan again. The nurse continued on to explaining that Peggy was a strong warrior and that she had so many praying for her. There was many times that problems were expected to arise because of the treatment and they never did for Peggy. Things were continuing to improve and get better for her. Her daughter was still in tears after the song I played was over. She told my teammates and myself that Peggy needed to hear that song and she said she could see so much happiness in her eyes. She thanked me and I walked away teary eyed and moved. Moments like that with Peggy are times I will never forget.
Friday July, 10th. Day 41 was spent in the host/food van traveling from Rapid City, South Dakota to Sundance, Wyoming. Yes I know it was crazy short amount of time to spend in one state. We stayed in a beautiful church. It was a huge Lutheran Church. We had a man named Marshal come along with my teammate Vadim and I to get food donations. A lot of local food markets donated gift cards for 20-50 dollars worth of food. We loaded up on vegetables and fruit. We also got some chicken sandwiches, pizza, and hotdogs from Sam’s Club. Nutritious, I know. Haha Our teammates were happy to see what we provided them. We took a lot of back roads and gravel today. At first I was kind of excited to not ride because of the mountains and gravel, however the view was absolutely amazing. It seems like everyday goes by and the view gets more amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my summer and see America. We are currently spending the night in a High School here in Sundance. We are off to explore more of Wyoming tomorrow.
Today I rode for Margie who was a lady I met yesterday while drinking coffee at the church. She is a strong woman who has had cancer affect her a LOT in her life. Her 69 year old husband died from cancer as well as her 24 year old daughter from leukemia. Now a close friend of her daughter is battling. Margie asked for continuous prayers for her daughter’s friend who is currently undergoing treatment.
My second dedication today went out to Peggy. She was the lady who lit up the room yesterday in the hospital. I couldn’t be more honored to have met her. She has a heart of gold and has the strength of a lion. She is my inspiration to keep biking. By biking across the United States helps with more smiles, just like Peggy’s did, then this trip is more than worth doing. Through the pain and soreness, the outcome and experience is so worth it. The nurse then caught me before I even left the parking lot and she asked me if I could email her the lyrics to my song because Peggy would like to have them. I am touched by her story. Music can impact lives and being a part of it couldn't make this experience better.
Saturday, July 11th. Day 42. We biked from Sundance, Wyoming to Gillette, Wyoming. It was around 75 miles today. The morning started off wonderful. We were biking through some mountains and had amazing scenery. We got to even see Devil's Tower. However, as the day pressed on, so did the wind. It was blowing close to 22 mph. That would of been more than amazing if it would of been at our backs, unfortunately it was not. This made for a long day. As we arrived into Gillette, we had some troubles finding showers. Finally found a exercise center that was kind of enough to let us use their showers. I had gone two days without a shower. I can't tell you how amazing that hot shower felt. I'm currently sitting in a laundry mat cleaning my clothes. Tomorrow we are off to Buffalo, WY. It is going to be a century day. (100 miles) Going to have to get a lot of sleep before that one.
Today was dedicated to Carol Jenkins. She is a classmate of mine, Paige Jenkins's grandmother. She is currently fighting breast cancer. I also dedicated my ride to a teammate named Hannah. She is our teams mechanic. She stayed up late helping not only myself, but many others with our bike fixes. She is an amazing person and friend. I'm blessed to have gotten the opportunity to have met her.
Peace out from Gillette.
"You have to be feisty to live in this crazy world!"
~Halle Stephens
We journeyed on into South Dakota. Rapid City was our next destination. After many laughs, memorable conversations, and petting more horses, we approached a scenic view of the Bad Lands. I can't even describe it in words besides AMAZING. It went on for miles and miles. So blessed to be getting the opportunity to see so many amazing views of America. I had no idea that South Dakota was so beautiful. We arrived in Rapid City to a wonderful dinner at the church we were staying at for the next two days. The people that we met there were so generous. To end my birthday we went to Mount Rushmore. They did an amazing presentation of honoring all veterans and lit up the monument. Then a few of my teammates wanted to end my night with a white birthday cake. (my favorite) I was so happy because that is all wanted for my birthday was cake and I was able to have it. I would like to thank my amazing teammates for helping me make my birthday and summer so memorable. Ya'll are AMAZING! :)
Thursday, July 9th. Day 40. Today we were had an off day and was spent by a quick breakfast with some of the community members of the church in Rapid City. They provided coffee, donuts, and fruit. Which are all my favorite. Then we journeyed onto the Rapid City Regional Hospital where we got a tour of the cancer center. Very nice and put together hospital. Everyone there was extremely friendly too. I also brought along my guitar and was able to sing to 4 different patients. The most memorable was walking into a small rectangular room who had a woman who put on a huge smile when she saw a group of people in blue 4K shirts walk into the room. We introduced ourselves and told Peggy what we were doing. She had her sister and daughter also in the room with her as well. I asked then if I could play her a song. Without any hesitation, she said absolutely. I had a feeling that my “Always Be Near” song would be very fitting for this situation. In the back of my mind I was thinking that this song usually is a tearjerker. So my fingers were crossed that I didn’t make Peggy too upset. After the first two phrases of the song, she pulled out a Kleenex and tears were already rolling. I apologized in the middle of the song and she said tears of joy. I finished the chorus with “They are probably telling Jesus how much they love us down here, and Jesus is telling us now, that they will always be near!” I finished that phrase and she put her hand up above her head and gave me a thumbs up. Peggy is a true warrior. She was fighting leukemia. She had one more round of chemo to go. I sometimes cant quite phantom how someone who has to go through so much pain, can make a whole room smile and feel as though nothing is wrong. The nurse that was helping Peggy was actually from Kearney, Nebraska. It was great to see another Husker fan again. The nurse continued on to explaining that Peggy was a strong warrior and that she had so many praying for her. There was many times that problems were expected to arise because of the treatment and they never did for Peggy. Things were continuing to improve and get better for her. Her daughter was still in tears after the song I played was over. She told my teammates and myself that Peggy needed to hear that song and she said she could see so much happiness in her eyes. She thanked me and I walked away teary eyed and moved. Moments like that with Peggy are times I will never forget.
Friday July, 10th. Day 41 was spent in the host/food van traveling from Rapid City, South Dakota to Sundance, Wyoming. Yes I know it was crazy short amount of time to spend in one state. We stayed in a beautiful church. It was a huge Lutheran Church. We had a man named Marshal come along with my teammate Vadim and I to get food donations. A lot of local food markets donated gift cards for 20-50 dollars worth of food. We loaded up on vegetables and fruit. We also got some chicken sandwiches, pizza, and hotdogs from Sam’s Club. Nutritious, I know. Haha Our teammates were happy to see what we provided them. We took a lot of back roads and gravel today. At first I was kind of excited to not ride because of the mountains and gravel, however the view was absolutely amazing. It seems like everyday goes by and the view gets more amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my summer and see America. We are currently spending the night in a High School here in Sundance. We are off to explore more of Wyoming tomorrow.
Today I rode for Margie who was a lady I met yesterday while drinking coffee at the church. She is a strong woman who has had cancer affect her a LOT in her life. Her 69 year old husband died from cancer as well as her 24 year old daughter from leukemia. Now a close friend of her daughter is battling. Margie asked for continuous prayers for her daughter’s friend who is currently undergoing treatment.
My second dedication today went out to Peggy. She was the lady who lit up the room yesterday in the hospital. I couldn’t be more honored to have met her. She has a heart of gold and has the strength of a lion. She is my inspiration to keep biking. By biking across the United States helps with more smiles, just like Peggy’s did, then this trip is more than worth doing. Through the pain and soreness, the outcome and experience is so worth it. The nurse then caught me before I even left the parking lot and she asked me if I could email her the lyrics to my song because Peggy would like to have them. I am touched by her story. Music can impact lives and being a part of it couldn't make this experience better.
Saturday, July 11th. Day 42. We biked from Sundance, Wyoming to Gillette, Wyoming. It was around 75 miles today. The morning started off wonderful. We were biking through some mountains and had amazing scenery. We got to even see Devil's Tower. However, as the day pressed on, so did the wind. It was blowing close to 22 mph. That would of been more than amazing if it would of been at our backs, unfortunately it was not. This made for a long day. As we arrived into Gillette, we had some troubles finding showers. Finally found a exercise center that was kind of enough to let us use their showers. I had gone two days without a shower. I can't tell you how amazing that hot shower felt. I'm currently sitting in a laundry mat cleaning my clothes. Tomorrow we are off to Buffalo, WY. It is going to be a century day. (100 miles) Going to have to get a lot of sleep before that one.
Today was dedicated to Carol Jenkins. She is a classmate of mine, Paige Jenkins's grandmother. She is currently fighting breast cancer. I also dedicated my ride to a teammate named Hannah. She is our teams mechanic. She stayed up late helping not only myself, but many others with our bike fixes. She is an amazing person and friend. I'm blessed to have gotten the opportunity to have met her.
Peace out from Gillette.
"You have to be feisty to live in this crazy world!"
~Halle Stephens