Tour Interuptus- with the most precious of gifts

Greetings the Grassroots Community Center in Joes, CO. We had lunch in the grocery store in Cope and learned from the farmer and his son that sat with us that Joes was named for three men with the first name Joe that founded the town. When Jim asked the grocery store attendant what Cope was known for, she couldn't think of anything, but told us that in 1929 Joes’ high school basketball team came in third in the nation. Needless to say, the pace of life is slower and the people have time to sit and chat.

A head wind is still pushing against us, but we have actually reached the mainly flat part of the plains. Flat is a relative term, compared to Appalachia, what we encountered yesterday were just rolling hills. But with our 50 lbs. trailer and the head wind, it was a bit brutal, but still enjoyable. Growing up in the Flint Hills of KS, I actually know that the plains have many nooks and crannies and are far from flat or mundane (although it took leaving and returning to really see the innate beauty). And the skies, oh my goodness, the skies. The skies that were deeply embedded in my grandfather's DNA that was linked to the western KS plains. He loved to travel, but missed seeing as far as the eye can see when he was surrounded by trees or mountains.

So, we have really big news that Jim mentioned in last night's post ride stupor blog. As many of you know we have been going through the process of approval for domestic open adoption. Well, we turned in our book, the last step in the process this Monday, and got a call yesterday (Thursday), that we have been selected by birth parents. I couldn’t stop crying after we got the news and we are still integrating it. The birth mom is due July 7. Needless to say this changes our plans in the most beautiful of ways. Instead of doing the 1500 miles to Pittsburgh, we will stop at my grandmothers in Quinter, KS. Monday, we will borrow her car and return to Denver to meet the birth parents.

The conversation on the tandem has shifted, everything is seen through a new lens; we are soon to be parents! Thus, the generosity of the roads has proven itself again, in the most beautiful of gifts!

We know this may be our last ride for a while, so we are soaking it in and enjoying the beauty, freedom and connection we feel on the seat of a bicycle. Our next big ride will need to be on a bicycle for three.
The restaurant in Byers, where we got the call...