Wednesday, September 15, 2010

But Everyday Is Another Day (That's Deep)

Day 12 Fort Hancock,Tx, to Van Horn, Tx. 92 miles 6 hrs 14 min.s avg sp. 13.9 total 993 miles.

Ok, the first news is, I just washed clothes and included my wallet, very exciting. Other than that, it was a pretty tough day. I got chased by wild dogs, was way to close to the border, rode a bunch of miles on the interstate, where in Texas the speed limit is 80 miles an hour. Lots of uphill, lots of headwind, but managed 92 and gets me closer to Alpine, Tx. than expected.
Jamie has been a trooper, especially when not being harassed by the border patrol.
I really feel traction for the first time. If I could get closer to civilization I can actually see finishing this thing.
Shout outs to Russell Yokely, who yesterday said after a moment of my weakness, "I don't know whether to counsel you to quit or keep going."
Shout out to Janet Campbell, who found this, from Shawshank Redemption, (actually she had it memorized)

"I hope, I can make it across the border. I hope I can find Andy and shake his hand. I hope the pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

I'm in tears as I dream about the Atlantic.
What's your dream? Don't stop dreaming it!

Shout outs to people I've never met who have my blog and are commenting.
Can someone tell Doris and Wayne Elkins how to comment on the blog.
Another news flash, Mike Shell has bought www.baldguyonabike.com you can now go to that website and directly to the blog. Hey, tell the world. It's a national movement.

Here's a shout out to the "Big Dog, my man Carl Keenum, and the boys at Boral Brick, thanks forth encouragement.

NEWS FLASH............ Rumour has it that I have a, in person, visit coming from the Smith family this coming Tuesday. We may be bankrupt, but we'll be together!


Come on folks, you know what to do, do something!




Looking into Mexico.



There are actually illegals in those bushes.


This is a wash or as Jamie says, "a white" he's from St. Louis.


On the interstate speed limit 80 mph.


Yes, I'm passing the truck!


Jamie and the Surly, please don't touch the bike Jamie.


This is where we're staying tonight.


That's uphill!


Rain shower over Van Horn, Tx. today, very cool


Railroad trestle, is that like the ennsylvania, the hortline, and the eading?
Monopoly humor.

In the words of Steve Fee today, (at one point today I rode a frontage road visible straight in front of me for 14 miles) on the Ipod. "Glorious one, Glorious one, light of the world, you outshine the sun," can you imagine that? The Glory of God brighter than any sun ? Praise Him, and don't stop!

Lincoln

Location:Van Horn, Tx.

16 comments:

  1. OK, this is the second time you've mentioned a dog(s), and still no pictures. I understand if they were chasing you, you might not have had time, but surely Jamie could have???

    It is good to hear the increased confidence and hopefulness in your words. I have never known someone who has attempted, much less completed, something this epic. I second Melissa's (and before her, Christopher Cross's and Woody the Cowboy's) words: Ride like the wind!

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  2. I love Shawshank and his dialogue about Ft Hancock! The family that you have built on this blog is God's work in CAPITAL LETTERS! Traction is yours and you will finish this thing!
    Seeing Amy and the boys will be just the shot in the arm you need - it will also be an amazing experience for the boys! You know I am a little partial to those boys. They are growing up into such young men - God has blessed you richly.
    We will continue to pray, to follow the map and continue to be amazed at God's glory.
    love you brother

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  3. Nice accomodations! I take it that this is not the civilization you had in mind!!

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  5. "We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out wouldn't it?
    It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out.
    I want to repeat one word for you:
    LEAVE.
    Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong and forceful, the way you have always wanted to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed."-Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts
    I am going to love that when I have kids of my own(one day far, far away) that I will be able to tell them that when they are a part of this family that they can accomplish absolutely anything, then point them in your direction, and they will be able to believe it without a shadow of a doubt! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

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  6. OK, normally I'm more of a blog lurker than a blog commenter, but I'm gonna go out on a limb here.

    "What's your dream? Don't stop dreaming it!"
    Anybody that's known me for more than about 4.8 seconds knows that I have a serious (some may contend "clinical") obsession with flying. The dream I refuse to let die is a pilot's license.

    Whenever I have that elusive piece of paper in-hand, I may have to do what you're doing and cross the country, maybe twice. I see my epic voyage being more along the lines of done at 7000 feet in a Cessna, however. You're welcome to be in the right seat when I hear "cleared for takeoff".

    Hey, you asked...oh wait...was that rhetorical? Oh.

    Hang in there, sir. We're all pulling for you!

    Scott

    ("Lincoln is my co-pilot" <-now *that* is a bumper sticker)

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  7. you continue to knock out the miles and everyday you are getting closer to the finish line. This is like our faith walk as we strive each day to walk in His ways and one day we will finish the race. Some days are not as good as others, but we keep walking.
    We continue to pray for you each morning and think about you throughout the day wondering how it is going! U DA MAN!!!!

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  8. You are about to pass 1,000 miles!! How awesome is that! Look forward to reading your next entry! God is good! So glad you will get to see the family soon! I alse echo Melissa's words: Ride like the wind!

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  9. Lincoln, keep pushing...eat a lot of food and drink a lot of fluids. Consider a rest day, but even on that rest day, take an easy, easy spin to keep the legs loose. Pedal, push and pray brother.

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  10. Lincoln, I've met some pretty successful and accomplished people in my day, but none of them have ever accomplished a feat of this magnitude. Keep pedaling bro, you're in elite company (and now officially the coolest person I've ever met). We're all proud of you and praying for you.

    I'm still hoping to work out a time/place to meet you on your journey. Hope to see you soon; enjoy your family next week.

    Adam

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  11. I hate to admit it but this isn't the only blog I'm following. I'm also following bowensheart.com. This is about the baby born to Matt and Sarah Hammitt, the lead singer of Sanctus Real. His son was born with a problem heart, for lack of the correct term. He had heart surgery and was doing fine then in the middle of the night they get a call that he's crashed. They walk into the room and a nurse has her hands in his chest. What a nightmare to see! Matt writes this on the blog: "At one point, I remember praying, 'Father, if this is even a fraction of the pain that you felt when you gave us Your only Son…we thank You for letting Jesus die on the cross. Put into motion the redemptive and healing power of Your Son’s death to spare the life of ours.'"

    I can't image what either of you are going through but it certainly has put my life into perspective. My life pales in comparison, but more than that, my spiritual life pales in comparison! I've been so good at complacency. I don't like confrontation so I settle and go with the flow. It's time I decide to DO SOMETHING! I don't know what that is yet, but I'm working on it. Thank you . . . for setting the example and for challenging the rest of us.

    Keep peddaling, keep praying - the rest of are! Enjoy your time with Amy and the boys, they have great parents.
    Jill

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  12. Lincoln,

    Loved the update - glad Jamie is with you. His confrontation with the boarder patrol proves they are not racially profiling - just going after the suspicious characters. Here are some inspiring quotes on biking to keep you going:

    From the 1979 movie,"Breaking Away." Mom: He was very sickly until he started riding around on that bicycle.
    Dad: Yeah... well... now his body's fine, but his mind is gone.

    When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells

    Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein

    A bicycle does get you there and more.... And there is always the thin edge of danger to keep you alert and comfortably apprehensive. Dogs become dogs again and snap at your raincoat; potholes become personal. And getting there is all the fun. ~Bill Emerson, "On Bicycling," Saturday Evening Post, 29 July 1967

    Hang in there!

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  13. 80 miles an hour? Sounds like heaven....sigh...if you're in a car at least :)

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  14. All too soon you will be back in the office hearing people whine about thermostats and song selections. It is then you will wish you were pushing up another hill instead of dealing with trivialities. Savor each mile (even the ones uphill). Enjoy the journey.

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  15. Hang in there Lincoln! Larry & I have you in our thoughts & prayers.

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