This is the final chapter of The Fantastic 5 Ride. We returned by riding 22 East to 278 East. The only thing for today was about 6 miles outside of Double Springs, AL. we got drenched by a unexpected  storm. For six miles no where to pull off and just keep wetter. But on entering the town of  Double Springs there was a lone gas station were they allowed us to change our clothes. First time ever that I have been that wet and cold that  I had to change my clothes. Once again God guided us and keep us safe. For us it was a great ride and very enjoyable see the things we were blessed to see. Everyone made home safe and the ending mileage was either just under 5000 or just over depending where you lived. Like I always say, Pack lite, Ride far and May God bless the roads you travel. Until the next adventure God’s Speed

Our route today 40 East, 49 South, 61 South, 278 East and 45 North.  We rode through the Delta of Southern Arkansas and Western Mississippi with it’s fields of Milo and Cotton. But later in the morning the landscape became one of rollings hills laced with trees, swamps and a occasional  farm pond. Today was another hot one seeing 100 once again. This is our last night on the road in Tupelo, MS.. The birth place of Michele’s teenage heart throb, you guessed it yes Elvis. If you are ever in the area make Crossroads Rib Shack a place to stop, you won’t be disappointed. Our mileage at this time is 4703. We have road many miles of rough roads, fighting head and cross winds with different weather conditions. Point is this, that through your faith you are anchored securely in the arms of our Heavenly Father no matter the storm you face.

As far as today it was a repeat of yesterday. We rode 97 South, 117 East, US 75 South to 40 East. Heading towards Little Rock with temps @ 100 but like always the Lord provided us with cloud  cover and a shower when needed the most. Well you know Michele doesn’t meet a stranger,see pictures below. As the trip is coming to a close here are the some of the things we were able to experience and enjoy. National parks: 1. Petrified Forest, 2. Wupatki Forest, 3. Sunset Crater 4. Grand Canyon (North Rim) 5. Zion, 6. Bryce Canyon, 7. Capitol Reef, 8. Canyonland, 9. Arches. We also visited spots along Route 66 and got to stand on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. Then our travels allowed us to journey into these states: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Kansas. We had the opportunity to fellowship, pray and share God’s love with others as we saw His beautiful creation. Mileage at the close of the day is 4412.

Beep Beep

Been replaced by Elvis

This morning was much like the two previous days. We continued on 400 East then on to 35 South just outside of Wichita, KS.. After stopping for lunch in Tonkawa, OK. we got on 412 East towards Tulsa. Part of  I-35 is the Kansas Turnpike and 412 is the Cimarron Turnpike, making them both toll roads. But the $6.25 tolls that we paid were will worth it. The roads are some of the best we have traveled. The 412 traffic considerable light compared to some of the major interstates we have ridden.  The landscape became that of more rolling hills with rich shades of green. The trees were more plentiful as well as the water sources. Today was a much better ride with cooler temps and clouds that offered us shade from time to time. I turned  over 117,000 miles today on 412. Our mileage to date is 4130. No matter how much we ride and no matter where we go, you can always see God’s hand print in all things.

We left this morning with same type of sky as yesterday riding south on 25. Rode to Pueblo, CO..  Riding passed Pikes Peak before stopping at Outpost HD.. Then it was on to 50/400 East to Dodge City, KS.. 50/400 is also know as The Santa Fe Trail. The landscape became flat land and rolling hills of green with hints of brown. There was farmland with acres of Milo and hay which had been harvested. Then the Feed Yards with that special aroma that no one can forget. The biggest thing for us today was coming out of the mountains of cool temps; to the plains of east Colorado and west Kansas were it was hot and more hot! Miles to date 3801. We are thankful and blessed this evening to have A/C.

This morning we started our journey back to Georgia. We rode north on 191 to 70 East towards Denver.  As we rode out it was under big blue skies with pillows of white.  Going through the Rocky Mountains with the Colorado and Eagle rivers  snaking it’s way along 70.We also passed through the White River and Arapaho National Forest. Later we took CO. 470 to I – 25 South spending the night in Castle Rock.  I turned 116,00 miles on 191 North. At the end of the day we had  rode 385 miles for a total of 3433. We are thankful for God’s traveling mercies and protection has we ride across this great country He has created for us to see.

 Today we visited Arches National Park which was established in 1971. The park covers 76,679 acres of high desert and it’s located on the Colorado Plateau. The park plays host to over 2000 natural arches of sandstone, which range from 3 foot openings to 306 ft. from base to base. As the old arches are being destroy, new ones are being formed by erosion and weathering. This process works slowly through time but sometimes it may happen more dramatically when a piece breaks away. Arches also has the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. To have the pleasure to see these incredible wonders that have been created by the hand of God is truly a privileged and a blessing. Tomorrow we start our travels home. May the Lord be the light which guides your life.

Our adventure for today was Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands consist of 3 section; 1. Island In The Sky to the north, 2 The Maze on the east, 3. Needles on the west. The park covers 527 square miles and was established in 1964. The park is located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau near Moab, Utah. Today we travel through Island In The Sky. It is a mesa that lies between the Green and Colorado Rivers. It’s cliffs are 1000 ft. above the surrounding terrain and highest elevation is at 6240 ft.. The area plays host to the Pinyon Pine, Single Ash, Prickly Pear Cactus, Utah Juniper, Yucca plants and Mountain Phlox. The other two areas of the park you would need to pack back  in or go by four wheel drive. To behold the beauty of this magnificent creation and feel powerful presence of God remains me how small we really are in the scheme of things. Like I may said before take the time in life to soak in the beauty of God’s creation.

To start the day we had the opportunity to pray with Carmen (our waitress). Before leaving Kathy took the time to pray with me. God continue to amazing me. We left late morning riding North on 89  under an umbrella of rain and gray clouds. Then we got on 70 East riding through  mountains, canyons of Fish Lake and Manti La Sal National Forest.The mountains and canyons had colors of gray, red,tans and browns covered with a blanket of sage brush. The day continued under the occasional shower and gray skies with a hint of purple. But once we exited south on 191 towards Moab the sun came out and the temps began to rise to a hot 97. Even when the times look gray there are always blessings to be found if we only look for them. Total mileage to date is 3048.

Pictures from July 30, 2019

We started this morning off with riding up 89 North to 12 East through The Red Canyon then South on 63 to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park was founded by Ebenezer and Mary Bryce in 1870’s. Bryce Canyon became a national park in 1924. The park covers 56 square miles and one of it’s  major formations  is Hoodoos. Hoodoos are form by weathering frost and erosion stream. Bryce has the highest concentration of Hoodoos in the world. Sun Set Point was the favorite due the colors and formations. Leaving the park we rode out 22 North, East on 62 then 24 East to Capitol Reef National Park. The park covers 254,000 acres consisting of narrow canyons and sand dunes. It was established as a park in 1971. Both parks offer their special history and rock formations which are unique to their areas. These are some of God’s greatest gifts of beauty that would could see. We rode 405 miles bring our total to 2741.